Some cars are loved from the moment they arrive, while others need a decade or two for the rest of us to catch up.
These seven cars, which initially divided opinions, struggled to find buyers or simply appeared too early, but time has been remarkably kind to all of them.
Cars That Aged Better Than Expected
The Audi A2, produced from 1999 to 2005, is a prime example. Its unusual proportions and premium price made it an easy target when new, but its aluminium construction and obsession with efficiency now seem remarkably forward-thinking.
Audi has even revived the A2 name for a new electric model, whose aerodynamic shape clearly echoes the cult original.
BMW’s Bold Design
The BMW 5 Series E60, produced from 2003 to 2010, replaced the conservative E39 with one of the boldest designs BMW had ever put into production.
The reaction was predictably mixed, but more than 20 years later, its sharp lines and modest kidney grilles look refreshingly restrained alongside many modern BMWs.
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The Porsche 911 996, produced from 1997 to 2005, is another car that was initially met with skepticism.
Purists weren’t impressed when the 996 introduced water cooling and swapped the 911’s traditional round headlights for its infamous ‘fried-egg’ design.
A New Perspective
However, time has softened the shock, and the 996’s compact proportions and relatively uncluttered styling now have a charm of their own.
In the middle of the pack is the Citroen C6, produced from 2005 to 2012.
The C6 was far too unconventional to trouble the usual German executive saloons, but that’s precisely why it looks so special today, with its sweeping roofline, concave rear window, and unapologetically French cabin remaining unlike almost anything else on the road.
The Renault Avantime, produced from 2001 to 2003, is a luxurious two-door MPV that sounded like an unusual concept.
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Today, its huge doors, pillarless windows, and concept-car appearance make it one of the most fascinating modern classics.
Other Cars That Aged Well
The Honda CR-Z, produced from 2010 to 2016, disappointed anyone expecting a modern successor to the lightweight CRX, particularly because its performance was fairly modest.
But looking beyond that, you’ll find a distinctive little coupe with a six-speed manual gearbox and a hybrid powertrain that seems even more unusual today.
Lastly, the Volkswagen Phaeton, produced from 2002 to 2016, was a car that convincing luxury-car buyers to spend serious money on a Volkswagen was always going to be difficult, regardless of how good the car underneath was.
However, its discreet styling and extraordinary attention to detail have aged brilliantly, leaving the Phaeton as one of the most intriguing luxury bargains of its era.
These seven cars have proven that initial impressions aren’t always lasting, and that time can be kind to even the most unconventional designs.
