was 1991’s best-selling vehicle. Even in ‘91, the Accord was the go-to for an affordable, dependable, and comfortable sedan fit for daily drivers or family cars. With a smooth ride and decent gas mileage (combined 23 mpg), the Accord was almost certain to last over 200,000 miles.

Accords also benefit from lower maintenance costs and lower

car insurance

costs. When it comes to all-around reliability and value, it’s hard to beat the Honda Accord no matter what year model it is.

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The best luxury car of 1991: Mercedes-Benz 500E

Fair market range: up to $17,987

Powertrain: 5.0-liter V8 with four-speed automatic transmission

What makes it special:

The

Mercedes-Benz

500E was one of the brand’s first ventures into the luxury performance sedan sector—and it was actually built by

Porsche

. Every 500E was hand-built in the Porsche plant, taking a full 18 days each. This created a limited number of cars, leading to its rare and desirable status. Despite a heftier V8 engine, the 500E was lighter with great throttle response, making it a decent daily driver and racer.

Eventually, Mercedes switched over the name to the current

E 500

and reworked the vehicle, turning the 500E into a distant memory. With a few styling differences and plenty of luxury features, the 500E was an enviable luxury option in its day—but is even more popular today as a classic.

The best SUV of 1991: Nissan Pathfinder SE

Fair market range: $1,807 to $2,932

Powertrain: 3.0-liter V6 engine with five-speed automatic transmission

What makes it special:

In 1991, the

Nissan Pathfinder

was breaking the mold for SUVs. With a refined body, smooth ride, and agility on the road, the Pathfinder was ideal for handling any terrain—rough or paved. It was one of the first of its kind to perfectly balance the comfort of car-driving and the grit of truck-driving—a privilege today’s SUV drivers take advantage of.

Not only was the 1991 Pathfinder absurdly capable for its day, but it still rakes in top reviews for its reliability, cost-effectiveness, and toughness.

The best luxury SUV of 1991: Land Rover Defender 90

Fair market range: $29,997 to $42,000

Powertrain: 3.5-liter V8 engine with four-speed automatic transmission

What makes it special:

Today,

Land Rover

is well-known for their luxury SUVs, but this status was solidified over decades through models like the 1991 Land Rover Defender 90. As is the case with vintage

Range Rovers

, the Defender 90—named after its 90-inch wheelbase—was a massive hit due to its blend of chic and rugged appearance. After all, there’s a reason why the Queen herself prefers them to other SUVs.

The 1991 model came standard with coil suspension, upgrading from the previous leaf-spring suspension, boosting the Defender 90’s capability for off-roading. Paired with its powerful V8 engine, the Defender 90 was unstoppable.

Note: While Defender models under 25 years old aren’t available in the US due to safety and emissions regulations, the 1991 model is totally legal now—but its desirable status will cost you a pretty penny for a 30-year-old vehicle.

The best family car of 1991: Toyota Previa

Fair market range: $1,906 to $3,028

Powertrain: 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder with five-speed automatic transmission

What makes it special:

Before the popular

Toyota Sienna

existed, the

Previa

was the top dog in the minivan segment. With its distinctive, futuristic appearance and spacious interior, the Previa was all the rage for families. In order to make more space, Toyota tilted the Previa’s four-cylinder engine under the front seats.

Between all of this and Toyota’s top-rated reliability, the Previa was 1991’s ideal family ride. The Previa was discontinued in 1997 to make way for the Sienna, but it was reworked and released (and in some cases, renamed) in other countries with a hybrid powertrain in the mid-2000s.

The best sports car of 1991: Nissan 300ZX Turbo

KBB fair market range: $1,615 to $12,948

Powertrain: 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with five-speed automatic transmission

What makes it special:

Nissan was having a moment in 1991, and the

300ZX

played a big role in that. With a twin-turbocharged V6 and four-wheel drive, the 300ZX Turbo was the top-rated sports coupe after being on the market for just two years. With 300 horsepower and 283 lb-ft of torque, the small 300ZX packed quite a punch.

In speed tests, the 300ZX Turbo managed a zero-to-60 time of just 5.0 seconds—beating out the ever-iconic

Chevrolet Corvette’s

time of 6.2 seconds. The 300ZX lasted until 2000 when it was replaced with the 350ZX, but the 300ZX Turbo will never be replaced in our hearts.

MORE:

How to determine the retail value of your used car

The best truck of 1991: Ford F-150

KBB fair market range: $1,923 to $3,277

Powertrain: 4.9-liter inline six-cylinder engine with five-speed manual transmission

What makes it special:

By 1991, the

Ford F-150

had remained the best-selling truck for five consecutive years. In fact, this all-American classic is the second best-selling vehicle of all time. Throughout the years, trims, configurations, and versions, the robust nature of the F-150 holds up—and the 1991 model is no exception.

The 1991 model stood out largely due to its wide range of available trims and all-around functionality. This model, however, was the final version of the eighth generation, marking the end of an era for more utilitarian pickups. After this year,

Ford

ushered forth the idea of more luxurious pickup trucks, an ideal that still dominates the pickup truck segment.

MORE:

Car insurance for used cars

What cars came out in 1991?

The beginning of the decade saw the continuation of dozens of classics—like the

Toyota Camry

, the Ford Taurus, and the Honda Accord—but there were a few new kids on the block. Check out the table below for some of the new cars that were introduced in 1991.

Model	Vehicle type	Engine	Fair market range
Ford Crown Victoria	Full-size sedan	4.6L V8	$1,897–$3,292
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution	Sports sedan	2.0L inline-four	$1,250–$4,070
GMC Syclone	Pickup truck	4.3L turbo V6	$4,472–$7,237
GMC Typhoon	SUV	4.3L turbo V6	Around $8,959
Mazda MX-3	Coupe	1.5L inline-four	$1,290–$3,067

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How to save money on used car insurance

By and large, it’s cheaper to

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If your vehicle is older with high mileage or low value, it may be even cheaper to

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