The great debate: the best car of the past 25 years

From V12 SUVs, to plug-in hybrid roadsters, we discuss our top pics from the last quarter century

We’re only 25 years into the 21st century, yet it’s already produced a remarkable wave of game-changing cars.
Hard to believe the millennium turn was that long ago, but the nice round 25-year mark gives us a perfect excuse for reflection.
We’ve already highlighted 25 cars that defined each year, and looked at the bestsellers of the era. But choosing the best cars from 2001–2025? That sparked some serious debate – so we headed to Caffeine & Machine to attempt to settle it.
James Attwood: Illya, shall we start with your Mini, given that it’s from 2001?
Illya Verpraet: It’s significant on a number of levels. Originally it was meant to be just a car, but BMW built a whole brand off it – and it has been incredibly successful. The Mini was part of a wave of retro designs, along with the Volkswagen Beetle and the Chrysler PT Cruiser, but it’s one of the only ones that has really stuck.
Those a