A Guide to 1988 Cars
From family-friendly sedans to luxury SUVs, these are the best 1988 cars.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Honda Accord was regarded as one of the best cars of 1988, but it had some tough competition from models like the Acura Legend and the Chevrolet Corvette.
Near the end of the 1980s, most automakers were either introducing new classics or redesigning old favorites. The vehicles of this era tended to feature sleek exteriors and improved standard safety features as car manufacturers geared toward a new decade.
If you’re looking for a blast from the past,
Jerry
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The best cars of 1988
From luxury cars and SUVs to family sedans and sports cars, these are the best seven vehicles to come out of 1988.
The best car of 1988: Honda Accord
NADA guides value: $1,350 to $3,375
Powertrain: 2.0-liter inline-four engine w/ five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
The always-practical and versatile
Honda Accord
might be the best car of 1988. By this time, the 1988 sedan had already earned a top spot on Car and Driver’s Ten Best Cars list for six years in a row. And the Accord’s reputation still precedes itself until this very day!Honda debuted the Accord’s third-generation design in 1988. The bold new design included features like pop-up headlights. The popular sedan was adaptable enough for daily commuting but also sporty enough to leave other vehicles in the dust with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces up to 120 horsepower. In addition to the sedan, a new sleek coupe model was also introduced in 1988.
The best luxury car of 1988: Acura Legend
NADA guides value: $1,475 to $2,850
Powertrain: 2.5-liter 24-valve V6 engine w/ five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
The
Acura Legend
was first introduced in 1986, and at the time was one of the most expensive cars exported to the United States from Japan. It was an immediate success, competing with the likes of BMW
and Mercedes
. The stylish mid-size luxury Legend sedan stood out from the luxury crowd with its peppy 24-valve V6 engine that cranked out 161 horsepower at 5900 rpm. The Legend was also one of the first vehicles to include a Sports mode for quick acceleration!Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
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The best SUV of 1988: Jeep Wrangler YJ
NADA guides value: $3,725 to $7,475
Powertrain: 2.5-liter AMC straight-4 or 4.2-liter AMC straight-6 engines w/five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
The 1988
Jeep Wrangler YJ
was only unveiled one year prior, but the popular SUV caught most drivers' attention due to its unique square headlights. But once you get past this feature, you’ll see that the first-generation Wrangler was a solid build, featuring improved roll bars and suspension for better safety and handling. Though the reliable SUV was more than capable of handling some fun off-roading adventures, the Wrangler YJ was designed with a comfortable interior to attract daily commuters, too—making it a versatile SUV option for 1988.The best luxury SUV of 1988: Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62
NADA guides value: $10,100 to $39,00
Powertrain: 4.0-liter 3F-E I6 or 4.0-liter 3F I6 engines w/ four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
Toyota
doesn’t usually come to mind when we think of luxury vehicles, but the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser
FJ62 is one class act. Not only does the luxury SUV come with rugged good looks, featuring double headlights with chrome trim and front side marker lights, but it’s also powerful. This is especially true if you come across a Land Cruiser FJ62 equipped with a mighty 4.0-liter 3F-E I6 engine that roars with 155 horsepower, making the 1988 FJ62 a top contender among the best luxury SUVs. The best family car of 1988: Ford Taurus
NADA guides value: $750 to $1,850
Powertrain: 3.8-liter inline-four or 3.0-liter V6 engine w/three- or four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission
What makes it special:
The
Ford Taurus
was introduced in 1986, and it quickly proved to be America’s new favorite family sedan. The Taurus looked like no other Ford before it, featuring aerodynamic styling and a grille-less, rounded form. The 1988 full-size sedan had a spacious cabin with tons of trunk space, making it comfortable enough for family road trips. The only update for this model year was the optional V6 engine, which boasted a respectable 140 horsepower. Impressive! Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversThe best sports car of 1988: Chevrolet Corvette
NADA guides value: $5,425 to $16,200
Powertrain: 5.7-liter V8 engine w/ four-speed automatic or seven-speed manual transmission
What makes it special:
If you have the need for speed, the 1988
Chevrolet Corvette
has you covered! The legendary sports car is one of the best in its class thanks to its powerful V8 engine. It growls with 245 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque that will have you soaring from zero to 60 in just 5.4 seconds. Some upgrades for the 1988 Corvette included larger standard brakes, optional heavy-duty brakes, and 17-inch wheels and tires. The 1988 Corvette came with several upscale standard features, such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, pass key ignition system, sports cloth reclining bucket seats, and a removable roof panel so you could show off with the wind blowing through your hair.
The best truck of 1988: Chevrolet C/K 1500
NADA guides value: $2,100 to $6,825
Powertrain: 5.7-liter V8 engine w/ four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
Manufactured since 1960, the
Chevrolet
C/K 1500 made a real splash in 1988 for huge improvements over previous generations. The Chevy pickup truck now offered three body styles that came in single, extended, and crew cab versions for more space depending on your needs. This was also the year that the Insta-Trac system was introduced, which gave drivers the capacity to shift in and out of four-wheel drive regardless of speed. And let’s not forget the C/K 1500’s perky V8 engine that generates up to 185 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, making it a reliable choice for some light duty hauling. If you’re looking for one of the best trucks from 1988, look no further.
What cars came out in 1988?
So far, 1988 proved to be a great year for the automobile industry. But besides the vehicles we listed above, there were also plenty of other top contenders that came out toward the late 1980s. Here are some of the best vehicles to come out of 1988:
Model | Vehicle type | Engine | Fair market range |
|---|---|---|---|
Sedan | turbocharged 2.3-L inline-five | $1,950 to $4,750 | |
Sedan | 1.6-L DOHC four-cylinder | $1,150 to $1,525 | |
Convertible | 5.0-L 32-valve DOHC V8 | $3,400 to $13, 850 | |
Compact sedan | 1.6-L D162A6 4-inline | $1,250 to $2,950 | |
Honda CRX | Coupe | 1.6-L four-cylinder | $1,225 to $2,725 |
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How to save money on used car insurance
If you’re looking for a used vehicle from 1988, then you’re in luck!
Car insurance for used cars
is generally cheaper than it is for new ones. And Jerry
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FAQs
What was the most popular car in 1988?
Though the Honda Accord received high praises this year, the
Ford Escort
was the best-selling car in 1988.What was the fastest car in 1988?
With a top speed of 254 mph, the Chevrolet Corvette Callaway SledgeHammer was the fastest car of 1988.
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