When it came to auto sales in 1998, there was no topping the Toyota Camry
. The Camry wasn’t the only ride that made history though, and there was a suite of impressive models near it in the ranks from the C5 Corvette
to the Dodge Ram
. As the decade was coming to a close, luxury
was becoming accessible to a wider audience. Despite new tech hitting the auto scene, though, manual was still as common as automatic. Not to mention, you were likely to get an arm workout from closing your wind-up window in any of 1998’s top-rated cars. If you yearn for these simpler times, the super app
and car insurance expert Jerry
has got the throwback guide for you. We’ve compiled a list of the best cars of 1998 from seven categories, so whatever your preferences are, you’re bound to find a 90s ride that speaks to you. Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowThe best cars of 1998
Whether you crave speed, legroom, cargo, or durability, you’ll find what you’re looking for on this list of the seven best cars of 1998.
The best car of 1998: Toyota Celica GT
Kelley Blue Book (KBB) fair market range: $1,784 to $3,753
Powertrain: 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with five-speed manual transmission
A 1998 gem, the Toyota Celica GT
was a quirky sports sedan. In its small frame, it packed quite a bit of style and a 135-hp punch. True of Toyotas at the time, it was a reliable, high-quality build. While its build was small, drivers found its interior well designed with an intuitive layout, roomy cabin, and supportive seats. Compared to its peers, it may not have been particularly speedy, especially given the kick drivers might would have expected for its $25,000 price tag. Today, you can score a Celica for cheap, and the cult classic holds up well—as raved about by drivers online. If you’re in the market for a manual sedan with a unique flair, then the GT might just be the one for you.
The best luxury car of 1998: BMW 5 Series
Edmunds range: $1,677 to $2,719
Powertrain: 2.9-liter inline-six with five-speed manual transmission
Don’t just take it from us—back in ‘98, Car and Driver crowned the 5 series
“the best-riding car in the world.” Its standard front-loaded engine powered the car beautifully. If you wanted a bit more kick, you could opt for a higher trim, which would pack your vehicle with a bold V8 engine delivering 248-hp. The 5 Series brought the best of luxury packaged into an everyday sedan, but it was a BMW through and through with its buttery handling. It was spacious, comfy, safe—and it defined reliability.
The best SUV of 1998: Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
Edmunds range: $3,182 to $5,164
Powertrain: 5.9-liter V8 engine with four-speed automatic transmission
The Jeep Grand Cherokee brings Jeep’s signature rugged durability—boxy angles, ground clearance, and all—to your SUV. The 5.9 Limited
upped the Cherokee’s anti with its ferocious powertrain, giving 245 hp and 345 pound-feet of torque. Performance and power weren’t the only added benefits—its interior offered unexpected luxury with a roomy cabin, leather-lined seats, and a top-of-the-line sound system. While this system would be incredibly dated today, in the late 90s, it was something to phone home about (on your brick-sized cell phone, of course).
The best luxury SUV of 1998: Lincoln Navigator
KBB fair market range: $2,100 to $3,299
Powertrain: 5.4-liter V8 engine with four-speed automatic transmission
Considered one of the OG luxury SUVs, the Navigator
truly lived up to its name. It dripped luxury down to its chrome-plated handles. Its interior cabin was cushioned and lined with elegant wood trim. Anyone in the market for a luxury ride coveted its new-to-market power-adjustable seats. Sitting a head above the rest, the Navigator looked down on its roadway peers—literally. Its punchy V8 that could deliver up to 230 hp was reliable, and its performance was enhanced with pneumatic suspension load leveling.
While today's luxury SUVs put the ‘98 Navigator to shame, they owe everything to the bad boys of the late nineties. Find a ‘98 Navigator, and you’ll have yourself a genuine piece of American vehicle history for a fraction of the launch price
The best family car of 1998: Toyota Camry
KBB fair market range: $1,960 to $3,139
Powertrain: 3.0-liter V6 engine with four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission
The Toyota Camry
has been a family-friendly vehicle for decades, but in‘98, it was the top-selling vehicle in the nation. Albeit a bit boring, drivers turned to the Camry for the bigger picture. It came with a 24-valve 3.0-liter V6 engine that could run up to 194 hp, could fit up to five adult passengers, and was an affordable option for most. If you did want some extra oomph, a higher trim could deck out this mid-sized sedan with cutting-edge features (by 90s standards), including a speaker system, leather trim, and a moonroof. Whether they opted for upgrades or kept to its base trim, devoted ‘98 Camry drivers have no buyer’s remorse, and proclaim that it still holds up to this day!
The best sports car of 1998: C5 Corvette
KBB fair market range: $13,868 to $16,113
Powertrain: 5.7-liter V8 engine with four-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission
Come on—it’s a little red corvette
! If Prince isn’t convincing, then just listen to that C5 accelerate, and you’ll immediately understand why it's our best sports car of ‘98. Once the scrappier, wallet-friendly option of its speedy peers, the C5 punches up a level. Its interior evolved to offer a spacious cabin and impressive luggage capacity with a frame sleeker than ever—riding nice and low. While the interior was great, the Corvette’s racehorse reputation lands its spot on our list. The C5’s intimidating engine catapulted drivers to 345 hp, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds!
The best truck of 1998: Dodge Ram 1500
KBB fair market range: $1,314 to $2,239
Powertrain: 3.9-liter V6 engine with five-speed manual transmission
When you think Dodge, you think Ram. And the 1500
was one of the best generations of the model to date. It was so popular that Chrysler
had to open a new plant to meet market demand. Incredibly convenient, the ‘98 came with increased cabin space and was the first to sport two doors in the rear. The 1500 came in trims for all drivers. The standard V6 engine was fine for most, but power-hungry drivers could upgrade to a more serious V8 or V10 engine—ramping the Ram up to 310 hp.
What cars came out in 1998?
We couldn’t resist adding a few honorable mentions to the list. Here are a few additional models that were favorites on showroom floors:
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| | | | Unprecedented fuel economy |
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