A Guide to 2005 Cars
From safe family options to powerful roadsters, you can find 2005’s best cars here.
Written by Cassandra Hamilton
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The best car of 2005 was undoubtedly the Toyota Camry, but it had a run for its money competing against the Chevrolet Trailblazer and the Volvo XC90.
Fashion choices were questionable in 2005, but consumers’ choices in cars were not. Automakers had made it past the millennium and were advancing new technologies in the industry. Even after almost 20 years, many of these cars can still hold their own today.
Shopping for a used car or just looking to get a nostalgia kick? Read on to learn more about our top picks for the best cars of 2005.
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The best cars of 2005 cover a wide range of options from sports cars to beefy pickup trucks. These are the top seven to choose from.
The best car of 2005: Toyota Camry
KBB fair market range: $3,011 to $4,648
Powertrain: 2.4L, 4-cylinder engine with 5-speed automatic or manual transmission
What makes it special:
Practical, reliable, and timeless, the
Toyota Camry
was the best-selling car of 2005 for a good reason. It was a popular choice for families with seating for five, cruise control, power windows, and a six-speaker sound system. This comfortable ride was available with a 3.0- or 3.3-L V6 engine—depending on the trim level—and either an automatic or manual transmission. The 2005 Camry won’t exactly give you excessive power at just 160-210 hp, but it’ll definitely get you down the road and then some.
If you’re looking for an affordable used car that ranks high on maintenance costs and reliability, you’ll find the 2005 Toyota Camry is the top choice.
The best luxury car of 2005: Cadillac DTS
KBB fair market range: $3,081 to $4,634
Powertrain: 4.6-L Northstar V-8 with 4-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
It’s not often you see an American car at the top of a luxury car list—consumers usually turn to foreign manufacturers to suit their high-end needs—but
Cadillac
surprised everyone in 2005 with its Cadillac DTS
.The powerful V8 provides a whopping 290 hp under the hood, and the interior is just as luxurious with front-row bucket seats, ample backseat legroom, heated and cooled front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Try a taste of
Detroit’s
finest when shopping for a used 2005 luxury car. The best SUV of 2005: Chevrolet Trailblazer
KBB fair market range: $2,401 to $4,320
Powertrain: 4.2-liter, 6-cylinder engine with four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
Another surprising American addition to the list—the 2005
Chevrolet Trailblazer
was the best-selling SUV of 2005 for good reason. Its practicality, reliability, and ease of maintenance made it a popular choice for consumers with economy in mind. A backseat entertainment system made it a great choice for families, and the optional upgraded 5.3L V8 engine in the
EXT trim
made it attractive to gearheads. The standard engine offers 275 hp and four-wheel drive gives you all the power you need to get into the rugged outdoors.The best luxury SUV of 2005: Hummer H2
KBB fair market range: $7,082 to $14,567
Powertrain: 6.0-L V8 4-speed automatic
What makes it special:
Remember in the mid-2000 when your opinion of the
Hummer H2
was one of the biggest cultural phenomenons and most polarizing debates? A blinged-out status symbol, the Hummer H2 drew divided attention thanks to its woeful gas mileage of 13 mpg. It more than made up for mileage in power—325 hp and a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds! While not as practical as a pickup truck, it does make highway driving very comfortable. And the power-adjustable driver’s seat was intoxicating for plenty original drivers. If you’re hoping to drive a nostalgia machine, the Hummer H2 should be your pick.
The best family car of 2005: Volvo XC90
KBB fair market range: $2,479 to $4,480
Powertrain: 2.5L, 5-cylinder or 4.4L, V8 6-speed automatic
What makes it special:
SUVs first became a real craze in the 2000s, so it’s no surprise that an SUV was a top choice for family cars in 2005. The
Volvo XC90
was built on a car chassis to keep the SUV profile safe for moms and kids. Known for their safety rating, Volvo
also installed an electronic stability control system. Unlike most large SUVs, the XC90’s third row was mounted higher and further from the tail to protect its passengers—generally presumed to be children—in the event of the XC90 getting rear-ended. With such a commitment to safety, it’s no wonder the Volvo XC90 was the most family-friendly car of 2005.
The best sports car of 2005: Porsche 911 Carrera
KBB fair market range: $41,208 to $47,940
Powertrain: 3.6L flat-six with 6-speed manual
What makes it special:
Talk about quality—despite its age, the 2005
Porsche 911 Carrera
has held its value through all these years, competing in price with new cars today. Sports car
lovers won’t be disappointed by the 911’s redesign, which features smoother sensuous curves compared to previous iterations and large, grippy tires to soften the ride.The interior is all high civility, with airbags hidden so well you’d forget they were there until you need them. There’s even a dual analog-digital stopwatch mounted into the dash so you can time yourself while you drive. With a zero-to-60 time of 4.6 seconds—which you can check on your own!—this is the car for sporty drivers.
The best truck of 2005: Ford F-250
KBB fair market range: $4,064 to $7,161
Powertrain: 5.4-L V-8 or 6.8L V10 5-speed automatic
What makes it special:
It’s no surprise that
Ford
tops the list—at this point, the company had been manufacturing for over 100 years! The hyper-masculine, ultra-powerful Ford F-250
beats out other trucks like the Toyota Tacoma
for 2005’s best truck. An upgraded braking system with four-wheel disc brakes makes towing easier than ever with an increased capacity for loads larger than 9,000 pounds.Power is what really makes this truck attractive—300 hp and 365 pound-feet of torque. However, Ford didn’t forget the creature comforts either with a redesigned cabin to be roomier and more comfortable than older versions. If you’re looking for a beast of a truck, even by today’s standards, you can’t go wrong with a 2005 Ford F-250.
What cars came out in 2005?
The mid-2000s produced plenty of cars that still stand the test of time even if they aren’t topping any lists. From family-friendly sedans to hulking SUVs to monstrous trucks, there’s a little something for everyone from the 2005 model year.
Model | Vehicle type | Engine | Fair market range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sedan | 2.4L 4-cylinder or 3.0L V6 | $3,172 to $5,569 | Athletic and sporty | |
Sports car | V8 6-speed | $8,718 to $12,399 | More luxury than sporty | |
Truck | 5.7L Hemi V8 | $3,792 to $6,813 | Also offers a diesel engine, though hard to find | |
Hybrid electric sedan | 1.3L 4-cylinder | $3,497 to $5,294 | Available in sedan or coupe | |
Luxury car | 3.0L 6-cylinder | $7,117 to $8,788 | Winner for J.D. Power Quality Award | |
Compact SUV | 2.2L 4-cylinder or 3.5L V6 | $3,070 to $5,263 | Discontinued in 2009 | |
Sports car | 1.8L 4-cylinder | $4,096 to $6,613 | Cult classic with car collectors | |
Full-size pickup truck | 4.3L V6, 4.8L V8, 5.3L V8, or 6.0L V8 | $3,353 to $5,962 | GM’s best-selling truck | |
[Hyundai Accent]https://getjerry.com/car-insurance/hyundai-accent-se-insurance-cost) | Subcompact car | 1.6-L 4-cylinder | $1,011 to $2,589 | 2005’s least expensive car |
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FAQs
What was the most popular car in 2005?
The best-selling vehicles in 2005 were the
Ford F-series
and the Chevrolet Silverado
. Trucks were a hit in 2005!What is the most reliable 2005 car?
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