The best-looking cars you can buy
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Your mum may have told you looks aren’t everything, but when it comes to cars, who doesn’t want to be seen in something that catches the eye? So, what are the cars out there that are going to make you look like a superstar?
The best-looking cars ever
Classic sports cars are widely acclaimed as beauties, with their swooping, aerodynamic lines.
Take the Jaguar E-Type, for example. Enzo Ferrari said that it was the most beautiful car in the world, and let’s face it, he knew a thing or two about building beautiful cars. It is an undisputed all-time classic.
Throw a dart at any wallchart of classic Ferraris and you’re bound to hit something that will turn heads. The 250 GTO from the early 1960s is a real beauty, while the 308 GTB/GTS, the 'Magnum Ferrari', is the epitome of 1980s cool.
Our choice?
The compact and curvy 246 GT Dino from the early 1970s.
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No discussion of beautiful cars can ignore Aston Martin, either. The DB4, DB5 and DB6 are the obvious choices if you want to look like James Bond, but the V8 Vantage from the late 1970s and 80s is also a real head-turner.
Our all-time favourite, though, is the Lamborghini Miura. Built between 1966 and 1973, it is everything a sports car is meant to look like. Sleek, low, with a long bonnet, set-back cabin and curves in all the right places, this is a car to die for. Quite simply, it’s irresistible.
Larger cars can also get your blood pumping. The 1950s Bentley S-type Continental, BMW 3.0 CSL, the early 60s Lincoln Continental and, of course, the Citroën DS, which still looks stunning.
Modern stunners
It will come as no surprise that car manufacturers who have built gorgeous cars in the past continue to do so.
Ferrari’s 488 or a more ‘practical’ four-seat GTC4 Lusso will adorn many boys’ bedroom walls, as will Lamborghini’s Countach .
If you’re backing British, Aston Martin’s DB11, Vantage and Vanquish will all get you envious looks, while the more high-tech, futuristic looks of McLaren add an element of even greater exclusivity: the 600LT is our favourite.
Then there’s the Porsche 911. A stone-cold classic, but one that’s been continually updated over the decades, so it always looks fresh. The 911 continues to be one of the best-looking cars on the road.
More affordable is the Jaguar F-Type, which is a real head-turner.
It’s not just sports cars...
Design is so important these days – from smartphones to fridges to cars – so the car that we drive says a lot about us and our sense of style. Think of a car as a big coat that wraps us up and takes us places: we want people to see the car surrounding us and think we’re cool for being at the wheel.
The good news is that there are lots of stylish cars to choose from, from city cars to SUVs. Here are a few of our faves.
Best-looking city car
Kia Picanto
Kia has been responsible for some really stylish cars for a number of years now, with the latest Picanto a good example of how to design an attractive car in a compact package.
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Best-looking family hatchback
Mazda3
The latest family hatchback from Mazda continues a trend for the Japanese carmaker to prioritise design in its cars. The latest 3 is pretty stunning. Its long bonnet and set-back cabin give it a real air of sportiness.
Best-looking saloon
Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Italians know a thing or two about designing cars and Alfa has a strong tradition in the field of design. The latest Giulia offers a real point of difference compared to its German rivals – and is all the better for it.
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Best-looking estate
Volvo V60
Volvo is designing some of the best-looking cars on sale at the moment: in fact, there’s a strong argument to say that every one of its cars is the most stylish in its class. The V60 is no exception, with the larger V90 estate probably the next best.
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Best-looking electric car
BMW i3
Electric vehicles (EVs) are the future, so you want your EV to look futuristic – which is what the i3 does, in spades. It has an angular feel, but that works well with the need to be compact for urban environments.
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Best-looking compact SUV
Volvo XC40
Yes, another Volvo, but this new compact SUV has also moved on the styling of the cars a little, with a chunkier, funkier, slightly tougher edge.
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Best-looking people carrier
Renault Grand Scenic
Renault is another carmaker that has revolutionised the design of its model line-up. It has gone for a quite futuristic look, with this seven-seat people carrier adding large wheels to add an element of boldness.
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Best-looking large SUV
Volvo XC90
The XC90 was the first of the current generation of Volvo models, introducing us to a new minimalist Scandinavian design look, which works particularly well with a large SUV.
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Stylish cars on a budget
If you’re looking for something that looks the part but don’t have Ferrari money, you can still pick up something that will turn heads.
A last-generation Kia Sportage is a good call: for less than £10,000 you can own a car that was definitely one of the best-looking cars on the road when it was on sale between 2011 and 2017.
Then if you want something that combines the convenience of a supermini with a sporty edge, you could pick up a Ford Fiesta ST, which is lot of fun to drive, too.
Spanish carmaker SEAT is also strong on design, so a Leon family hatchback combines practicality with a shapely form. For under £10,000, you can get a three or four-year-old car in sporty FR trim.