A Guide to 2003 Cars
From zippy roadsters to powerful SUVs, these are the best cars from 2003.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
In a time when Bluetooth was the pinnacle of in-car technology and sedans still dominated the market, the automotive industry was speeding towards the future in 2003 with great cars that have stood the test of time.
Whether you’re browsing the used car market or just have fond memories of vehicles from the turn of the millennium, check out this guide to 2003’s best cars from the
top-rated
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The best cars of 2003
The 2003 automotive market had an impressive selection of family sedans, sports cars, SUVs, and pickups—but these seven vehicles are the ones worth remembering.
The best car of 2003: BMW 3-Series
KBB fair market range:$3,200 to $4,700
Powertrain:2.5-liter 6-cylinder engine w/ 5-speed automatic or manual transmission
What makes it special:
With its luxury styling and relatively inexpensive starting price of $28,500, the
BMW 3-Series
was a popular pick with car buyers in 2003. For a cost that was just slightly higher than a Kia Amanti
, buying a 3-Series offered two engine options, all-wheel drive, and advanced tech like automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and DVD-based navigation. The 3-Series was also praised for its smooth handling and speedy acceleration, going from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.The best luxury car of 2003: Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
KBB fair market range: $8,200 to $10,700
Powertrain: 5.5-liter V8 w/ 5-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
The
Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
wasn’t a sports car—technically—but it was as close as you could get in the luxury class. A V8 engine with 516 lb-ft of torque could take the E55 AMG from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of 150 mph in 23.1 seconds. Not only is that pretty fast even by today’s standards, but it also meant that the E55 AMG could keep pace with the 2003 Ferrari 575M Maranello F1 while costing over $175,000 less.The best SUV of 2003: Acura MDX
KBB fair market range: $3,800 to $5,500
Powertrain: 3.5-liter V6 w/ 5-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
In a time when SUVs were large, boxy, and clunky to drive, the
Acura MDX
was a nod to the success of future crossovers. Its smaller and more compact design made it easier to maneuver than larger vehicles like the Chevrolet Suburban
, without sacrificing much in the way of seating or cargo space—the MDX could still comfortably fit up to seven passengers. Impressive crash-test scores, advanced safety features like a navigation system and backup camera, and an affordable starting price of $40,500 made it a popular pick among families looking for an upsize vehicle.
The best luxury SUV of 2003: Porsche Cayenne
KBB fair market range: $4,700 to $7,400
Powertrain: 4.5-liter V8 w/ 6-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
The
Porsche Cayenne
was introduced in 2003 as the luxury automaker’s first sport utility vehicle. It definitely raised some eyebrows at the time, but considering the fact that the Cayenne is still part of Porsche’s lineup in 2022, it seems they had the right idea. The original four-door, five-passenger vehicle combined a conventional SUV with styling that was distinctly Porsche—like the recognizable bulging fenders, quad exhaust pipes, and upscale interior. It was also the fastest SUV in production, going from 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds, and completing the quarter-mile track in 13.5 seconds.
The best family car of 2003: Toyota Camry
KBB fair market range: $3,900 to $6,000
Powertrain: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder or 3-liter V6 w/ 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission
What makes it special:
The best family car of 2003 was also the best-selling car in North America for that year. The
Toyota Camry
combined a smooth ride, comfortable and spacious seating, plenty of safety features, and appealing options—like keyless entry or the 6-disc CD changer—with Toyota’s high safety and reliability ratings and affordable prices. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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 2003: Nissan 350Z
KBB fair market range: $9,400 to $11,400
Powertrain: 3.5-liter V6 w/ 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission
What makes it special:
The
Nissan 350Z
was an instant icon in the early aughts. Its only rivals were the Mazda Miata
and the Toyota MR2—but the 350Z offered more than double the power, excellent handling, quick acceleration, and fun, sports car exhaust sounds—making it the obvious choice when it came to performance. Perhaps the most appealing thing about the 350Z was its price. An accessible starting cost of $26,809 got you plenty of power and performance, and upgrading to a higher trim for features like cruise control, built-in navigation, leather seats, and a spoiler still wouldn’t set you back more than $35,000.
The best truck of 2003: Ford F-150
KBB fair market range: $6,000 to $8,500
Powertrain: V6 or V8 engine w/ 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission
What makes it special:
The
Ford F-150
was one of the best-selling pickups in North America in 2003, and it remains so in 2022. One of its biggest selling points was the seemingly endless array of customization options, which included four different engine options—ranging from a 202-horsepower, 4.2-liter V6 to a 260-horsepower, 5.4-liter V8—plus five bed styles, three trims, two cabs, two drivetrains, and plenty of interior luxuries. Buying one of these light-duty pickups meant you could completely personalize it to suit your needs.What cars came out in 2003?
From modern classics like the Dodge Viper and early, eco-friendly hybrids like the
Toyota Prius
, to the weirdly quirky yet loveable Chrysler PT Cruiser
and Nissan Cube
, here’s a rundown of some more great cars from 2003.Model | Vehicle type | Engine | Fair market range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sedan | 1.8-L 4-cylinder or 3-L V6 | $2,900 to $4,400 | Lower-cost alternative to the BMW 3-Series. | |
Sports car | 2.5-L or 3-L 6-cylinder | $8,600 to $10,600 | Replaced the Z3 with a redesigned body style and better handling. | |
Pickup | 5.3-L or 8.1-L V8 | $6,000 to $9,200 | Combined SUV-style seating with a generous towing capacity and an 8-foot bed. | |
Sports car | 3.9-L V8 | $10,800 to $14,000 | Fun-to-drive sports car with retro-styling that resembled the 1950s and ’60s cars of the same name. | |
SUV | 4.8-L, 5.3-L, or 6-L V8 | $5,600 to $7,500 | Large SUV with multiple engine options and seating for up to 9 people. | |
Hatchback | 1-L 3-cylinder w/ 144v battery | $2,700 to $4,600 | Gas/electric hybrid that could get 47 mpg. | |
SUV | 4.4-L V8 | $4,300 to $6,300 | Combined luxury features with off-road capability. | |
Sports car | 1.8-L 4-cylinder | $5,700 to $8,200 | Three limited edition trims include the Special Edition, the Shinsen Version, and the Club Sport. | |
Sedan | 2.2-L 4-cylinder or 3.4-L V6 | $2,100 to $4,800 | Cheaper and slightly-sportier alternative to Toyota Camry. | |
Roadster | 2-L 4-cylinder | $7,000 to $8,800 | The rally-inspired 2003 WRX is considered a collector car in 2022. |
MORE: 7 things to look for when buying a used car
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Buying a used car can save you money in lots of ways—from lower sticker prices and dealership costs to shorter loan terms and reduced
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rates. If you’re about to get your hands on a pristine 2003 Nissan 350Z, or you just want a lower rate on your old Toyota Camry coverage, the Jerry
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FAQs
What was the most popular car in 2003?
Between its positive reviews, high safety and reliability ratings, and affordable price, the
Toyota Camry
was wildly popular in 2003, with 413,296 units sold in the U.S. that year.What was the fastest car in 2003?
With a 0 to 60 time of just 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 221 miles per hour, the Ferrari Enzo was the fastest car of 2003.
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