The most underrated cars ever made

Peugeot 604

Remember when the French built large executive cars good enough to trouble the Germans? The Peugeot 604 not only competed with cars like the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class, but it also beat them in a number of key areas. Had Peugeot chosen to focus on the luxury market, things could have looked very different in 2021.

Ford Mondeo

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Launched in 1993 as a replacement for the Ford Sierra, the Mondeo became a benchmark for family cars, offering a combination of ride and handling that was a world away from the lacklustre Escort. The Mondeo Mk2 (or Mk3, as it’s also known) arrived in 2000 and is arguably the most underrated of all the generations. Its ubiquity was its downfall; the Mondeo went on to be outsold by premium rivals like the BMW 3 Series.

Fiat 500L

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Maybe, just maybe, we’ll recall the Fiat 500L with fondness. Hamstrung by Fiat’s decision to make it part of the 500 family, the styling of the 500L leaves a lot to be desired. Devoid of the 500’s unique charm, the 500L is also drab to drive. That said, it’s supremely practical and extremely spacious, so should we be looking beyond its gawky appearance?

Hillman Imp

To borrow a phrase from Scooby Doo, the Hillman Imp could have conquered the world, if it hadn’t been for that meddling Mini. In a stroke, the Mini rendered the rear-engined small car obsolete, but the Rootes Group had invested too much in the project to go back. In isolation, the Imp was a fabulous little car. “If Rootes cannot sell 150,000 Imps a year, as they have planned, we shall eat our editorial hat,” said Motor, without access to a crystal ball.

Vauxhall Insignia

We could tell you that few family cars offer the Vauxhall Insignia’s unique blend of comfort, economy, equipment and value for money. We could also tell you that the Insignia is one of Europe’s most underrated cars. We’d even like to mount a case for the Insignia Country Tourer being an acceptable alternative to an Audi Allroad. We just know that you wouldn’t listen.