Class-defining cars

What do we mean by that? Well, ‘class-defining’ cars do more than just succeed, they influence. These are the models that stand out and reshape our expectations of what a car in the segment could be by setting standards that others must follow.

Mini (1959-2000)

Ugh, we almost hate ourselves for this because it’s kind of obvious even if you know virtually zero about cars. Without the Mini on this list, we would be ignoring not just automotive design genius but also a cultural icon. When Sir Alec Issigonis penned the original Mini, few could have imagined the engineering revolution it would ignite. Its clever transverse engine and front-wheel drive layout made it a packaging marvel, offering class-defining interior space in a car that could fit in the tiniest of parking spots. From swinging 1960s London to the Monte Carlo rally stages, the Mini wasn’t just practical – it was a benchmark for small car production. It made small cars desirable – pop stars, actors and even royalty were keen to remind the British population that they were driving a Mini. Whether it be George Best, Paul McCartney, Princess Margaret or Spike Milligan, they all had one.

Land Rover Defender (1948-2016, reborn 2020)

Robust, functional, easy to fix, rugged, the Land Rover was fit for purpose. Born in the aftermath of WWII, the original Land Rover was built to be tough so that you could easily venture off-road and on to the rough stuff without getting stuck in the mud. Later rebranded as the Defender, it became a national icon and the go-to vehicle for farmers, explorers, and armies around the world. It wasn’t about creature comforts. The Defender was all about durability and utility. Even today, it remains the benchmark for off-road capability, and the spirit of the original lives on in its modern reincarnation even if the latest version is now the preserve of well-to-do city dwellers who think they need a ‘snow’ setting to drop their kids off at school.

Ford Fiesta (1976–2023)

From its launch in 1976 until production ended in 2023, the Ford Fiesta was the UK’s supermini of choice. Affordable, efficient, and - especially in later generations - brilliant to drive, it ticked all the boxes for first-time drivers, families, and enthusiasts alike. With almost five decades of dominance, the Fiesta didn’t just compete in the supermini segment - it defined it. Most fantastically of all, though, it spawned the much-loved Supersport (a real collector’s item now due to its rarity) and the XR2 – something of boy-racer must-have. These hot versions of the Fiesta gave the model a real boot up the backside sales-wise and they were a lot of fun, too. Sprightly performance, decent handling and sporty looks, the XR2 was also affordable, particularly later on as a used car, and lads in their 20s hoovered them up (and probably put them in a ditch shortly after). The XR2 made way for the ST, which showed you could still have fun without breaking the bank.

Jaguar XJ6 (1968)

Oh, this is a lovely car. It just typifies all that is great about Britain and what it stands for. Unashamedly big and proud, the 1968 Jaguar XJ6 redefined what a luxury saloon should be. Sleek, sophisticated, and more affordable than its German rivals, it brought a touch of aristocracy to British roads - without the six-figure price tag. Its supple ride, creamy straight-six engines, and understated elegance made it a favourite of politicians, celebrities, and businesspeople. The XJ6 wasn’t just class-defining; it was class personified. It wasn’t pretentious or characterless, it was a big old thing that had nice seats, a cigar lighter and enough cachet to impress your mates at the golf club.

Volkswagen Golf GTI (1976-present)

We’re in Mini territory here. It’s sort of a requirement that the Golf should be on this list, and if we didn’t, there’d be a backlash (just for the record, we are still resisting putting the E-Type and the Citroen 2CV on this list, because well… we just don’t want to). The arrival of the VW Golf GTI in the late ’70s changed everything (apart from the fact that there are two certainties in life - death and taxes). Here was a small, sensible hatchback that had been turned into a performance car - but without the price or impracticality of traditional sports cars. Britain fell hard for the GTI’s mix of everyday usability and backroad thrills. It created the hot hatch genre and still sets the standard decades later. Of course, the standard Golf is a pretty decent contender for this list, but it’s always going to be eclipsed by the sheer brilliance of the GTI.

Toyota Prius (1997-present)

So, this one may irk a few readers who were expecting nice things like the E-Type Jag or the Hillman Imp, etc. To them, this is nothing more than a rubbish Japanese attempt at greenwashing and, let’s face it, when you are considering ‘classic cars’ then hell no: this should not even be pictured. Bear with us. Whatever you may think, the Toyota Prius is the archetypal game-changer. Yes, it looks pants, and yes, it performs like a steam iron, but credit where credit is due, when it was launched it did have the tech that the automotive industry was crying out for, and needed, when it comes to reducing carbon emissions. When it landed on UK shores, the idea of a mainstream hybrid seemed almost futuristic. But the Prius made hybrid power practical, reliable, and - eventually - popular. It became the poster child for environmentally conscious driving and paved the way for the electrification of the mainstream. Taxis, families, and eco-warriors alike all found common ground in Toyota’s petrol-electric pioneer.

Austin Metro (1980-1998)

Here’s pretty much all you need to know: Lady Diana had one. There you go, job done, read on. Well, hang on a sec. The Lady Diana thing is the icing on the cake when considering this vehicle as ‘class defining’. Yes, there were other hatchbacks – better ones in fact (VW Golf, Ford Fiesta) but the difference is that this was a British car and it felt like, as an automotive player, the UK was back in the game – no more rubbish Austin Allegros and Morris Marinas, thank you very much. Launched with great fanfare as the saviour of British Leyland, the Austin Metro was designed to take the fight to the Fiesta and other rising supermini stars of the time. It may not have revolutionised engineering like the Mini, but it offered modern packaging, improved refinement, and strong brand loyalty. Despite limited budgets and the troubled times of its parent company, the Metro became a massive seller and a staple of UK streets in the '80s and early '90s. It defined what a British-built small car could be in an era of increasing foreign competition.

Ford Sierra (1982-1993)

Everyone loved the Cortina. It had it all – space, a decent interior, reasonably advanced tech, and a reputation: it was the perfect company car. However, when this ridiculous, space-age jelly mould was unveiled as the Cortina’s replacement, the Earth moved off its axis. What was Ford thinking? Had they gone stark raving bonkers? No, like the UK’s decision to stage the London Olympics (we all thought we were going to make a hash of it), car buyers started to catch on that this was a very good car indeed: even the Cortina diehards who originally wrote the Sierra off as some sort of automotive heresy started to come around. It is fair to say that the radical aerodynamic design did divide opinion at launch, but the Sierra proved to be ahead of its time. It ushered in a new era of family cars that favoured efficiency, comfort, and innovation over boxy conservatism. And with versions like the XR4x4 and RS Cosworth, it also gave performance fans something to cheer about. Over time, the Sierra went from a curiosity to a staple of company car parks and family driveways across the UK. It modernised the rep-mobile and helped set the tone for how family cars would evolve into the '90s and beyond. And then came the Mondeo…