10 Surprising Modern Cars That Will Reach Classic Car Status In 2025

Many people share this opinion, and many are subscribing to it now; although 2005 wasn't that long ago, the cars made at that time were very different from the modern cars we drive today.

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Alfa Romeo

Uncited, Alfa Romeo is a well-known Italian automobile manufacturer with a rich history. The company was established in 1920 and became particularly prominent in motorsports and high-performance vehicles. As a matter of fact, Alfa Romeo achieved its first Formula 1 Constructors' Championship in 1950.

Founded June 16, 1910 (As Auto-Lambda, followed by Fratelli, Later "A.L.F.A." in 1914)

Founder Ugo Stella, Nicola Romeo

Headquarters Turin, Piedmont, Italy

Owned By Stellantis

Current CEO Santo Ficili

Production Status Available

As we toss away our 2024 calendars, a whole bunch of cars introduced in 2005 are just about to turn 20, literally reaching classic car status. Which vehicles are technically becoming classics this year? Do they have that classic vibe, feel like a classic, and drive like one, or do they still look and feel refreshingly modern and practical?

For the purposes of this article, any car 20 or more years old can be considered a classic or vintage car. Here, we're highlighting some global models that are turning 20 in 2025 - we're focusing on models that look modern even years after they were first introduced. The cars listed below are ranked in alphabetical order.

Alfa Romeo Brera

Key Specifications
Engine	3.2-liter V6
Power	256 horsepower
Torque	237 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	6.8 seconds

This car, a Volkswagen Scirocco with an Italian touch, actually debuted three years before its equivalent made by a German company. Choices included a variety of engines and transmissions, but enthusiasts preferred one obvious option: the 3.2-liter V6 paired with an old-fashioned six-speed manual transmission.

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However, it has always looked that way. The aggressive front end still looks sharp to this day, and its sloped silhouette is a one-of-a-kind design that's been rare on the roads in the past two decades. If you were to tell someone who is unaware of its age that this design is over 20 years old, they would probably and reasonably question you.

Audi S4 Avant

Key Specifications
Engine	4.2-liter V8
Power	339 horsepower
Torque	302 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	5.3 seconds

It produces 339 horsepower thanks to its naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 engine, which is installed in the body of a practical wagon, offering seats for five people and a very roomy cargo area.

Expert Opinion

We recommend the B7 because it's the most stylish of the S4 wagons available in the US and is likely to be the most reliable, given its relatively recent model year.

Apart from the aluminum wing mirror covers and larger alloy wheels with 'S' badging, there's little that distinguishes this powerful V8 wagon from its base model. Usually, classic cars are seen as not very fast and not very reliable, but this German-made wagon defies those expectations as it turns 20 and earns modern-classic status.

BMW M6

Key Specifications
Engine	5.0-liter V10
Power	500 horsepower
Torque	383 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	4.1 seconds

This car has aged well and is now a highly underrated performance car. Although it may not be as roomy as the S4 Avant, it's still practical enough for everyday use. However, the powerful 500-horsepower V10 engine may lead to frequent visits from your gas station attendants. According to reviews, it can reach speeds over 200 mph when not limited.

Bugatti Veyron

Key Specifications
Engine	8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16
Power	1,001 horsepower
Torque	922 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	2.4 seconds

Unlike most cars from 2005, the Bugatti Veyron was a real game-changer when it was new, and it's easy to argue that we've not seen a hypercar since that has had such a significant impact. Even though it's now considered old enough to be a classic by some, the Bugatti Veyron still produces enough power to outperform almost every Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Aston Martin made in the past twenty years. It'll also put up a serious challenge to every hypercar out there if given a long enough stretch of driving, which is the Veyron's crowning achievement.

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Chrysler 300

Key Specifications
Engine	5.7-liter Hemi V8
Power	340 horsepower
Torque	390 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	5.3 seconds

It's still a stylish, capable, and comfortable car 20 years after its introduction.

Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe

Key Specifications
Engine	8.3-liter V10
Power	510 horsepower
Torque	535 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	3.9 seconds

The Dodge Viper didn't arrive with the 2005 model - far from it. Some of its earlier versions have already become classics or, at the least, modern classics. This revised Viper had a slightly more powerful engine than the ones right before it, though it turned out Dodge still had more to get out of the massive V10. Eventually, it ended up with an 8.4-liter displacement and a peak power output of 645 horsepower.

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Parked alongside its original Viper models, the 2006 SRT 10 coupe looks considerably more modern and fresh compared to the original, making it less noticeable as a 20-year-old sports car today.

S197 Ford Mustang

Key Specifications
Engine	4.6-liter V8
Power	300 horsepower
Torque	320 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	5.2 seconds

Having successful predecessors, the S197-gen Mustang made a global impact, with models selling worldwide.

The Ford Mustang's 2005 design was carried over for ten years, so its latest models are only a little over a decade old. This means the first models from 2005 still look modern and new, and it's unusual that they're already eligible to be classified as classic cars under the 20-year rule. The S197 model was a sophisticated vehicle that was both comfortable to drive and capable, giving it a driving experience similar to that of a modern car, particularly when compared to its predecessors in the SN95 generation.

Porsche Cayman

Key Specifications
Engine	3.4-liter flat-six
Power	291 horsepower
Torque	251 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	5.2 seconds

The Porsche Cayman has been referred to as the "poor man's 911" or the "baby 911", and neither of these terms should be viewed as negative. The S model packs a healthy 295 horsepower, which is more than adequate for a compact two-seater that weighs just under 3,000 lbs. They make excellent daily drivers and even better weekend playthings, especially when paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

There's been speculation that Porsche's next electric sports car, based on the Porsche Cayman, will make significant trade-offs in order to deliver an exceptional driving experience, potentially putting performance and handling above environmental considerations.

Porsche has the answer to seamlessly integrating regenerative braking while maintaining the sensation of traditional braking.

For better or for worse, Porsche rarely breaks new ground in terms of design, which means the original 987 Cayman doesn't look dramatically different from its modern 718 counterpart. Inside, a variety of standard amenities make the 987 model just as practical as the 718, featuring heated leather seats, parking assist, GPS navigation, and cruise control.

Range Rover Sport

Key Specifications
Engine	4.4-liter V8
Power	300 horsepower
Torque	313 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	8.2 seconds

The Range Rover Sport is truly a versatile vehicle. It's impressive when it comes to off-road performance, unlike many other SUVs that claim to be on par. Inside, it offers a luxurious experience, making it perfectly comfortable for cruising on city streets and highways. The L320 generation of the Range Rover Sport won fans worldwide and is still considered the best Range Rover model by some people. Under the hood, owners had options in diesel and gas engines, including several powerful V8 engine choices.

However, thanks to a highly capable four-wheel-drive system, luxurious air-suspension, an impeccably refined interior, and, after 20 years of depreciation, remarkably low purchase costs, the L320 Range Rover Sport still manages to keep up on its own, and could arguably be the most practical modern classic around.

Vauxhall Monaro VXR

Key Specifications
Engine	6.0-liter LS2 V8
Power	398 horsepower
Torque	390 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	5.1 seconds

The Monaro VXR was produced before 2005, but for the 2005 model year, the engine grew from a 5.7-liter to a 6.0-liter V8, and its peak power increased to almost 400 horsepower.

These were pretty rare cars brand new, and obviously even tougher to come across now, but at least most of the ones that survived have been well-cared for and loved by dedicated owners. As the years go on, the Monaro is likely to keep building its reputation as a must-have modern classic from the early 2000s, one that's definitely worth adding to your collection.