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Future classic cars 2024

  • What are the future classic cars?

  • We test and rate the contenders

  • Find a future classic car for sale

Predicting which cars will be future classics is a bit like predicting who is going to win the World Cup.

You’ve got a rough idea of who the big names are that should make it through to the final, but anything can happen along the way.

That’s why we haven’t included any models from Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley, Aston Martin or Rolls Royce in our list of cars will become future classic cars. Too obvious.

Their brand following means that cars from these famous manufacturers will make the cut not because they’re so good, but because they have such a loyal following of fans. Instead, we’ve had a nose around the classifieds to pick some standout motors that we think will still be cool twenty years from now and will be proper future classic cars.

Future classic cars 2024

  1. Ford Focus RS
  2. BMW i8
  3. Toyota GR Yaris
  4. BMW M2
  5. Jaguar F-Type
  6. Volkswagen Golf R
  7. Polestar 2
  8. Alpine A110
  9. Audi TT RS
  10. Alfa Romeo 4C

1. Ford Focus RS

Year launched: 2016

Ford Focus RS Review (2016-2018): Front
9/10

You could argue that a fast-Ford is a safe bet – and you’d be right. But just because it’s got an RS badge on, doesn’t mean it’s any good. I mean, it should stand for the fastest most insane most brilliant handling lairy Essex car you can think of, but the Mk2 Focus RS flushed that straight down toilet.

Luckily, Ford knocked it out the park with this generation. It was sexy and it knew it. Supercar performance for £30k and sold in limited numbers. If you were lucky enough to get one, hang on to it and you’ll be able to retire in a few years. Maybe.

2. BMW i8

Year launched: 2015

BMW i8 (2014-2020) Review: exterior front three quarter photo of the BMW i8 on the road
8/10

It could be argued that the BMW i8 is already a classic, although it's barely a decade old. In an era where so many car manufacturers played it safe, BMW through caution to the wind and built a radical sports car unlike anything we'd seen before. The chassis was made of carbonfibre, the powertrain was a plug-in hybrid and the styling looked like a concept car. But it wasn't. It was a car you could go out and buy.

The result wasn't perfect. The driving experience wasn't anywhere near as good as the looks – it was quick, but not scintillatingly so, and the handliong wasn't even the best we've seen from BMW, let along the competition. But neither was it terrible, and so revolutionary was so much about it that we could easily forgive it for not reaching its lofty goals.

You can get an i8 in both coupe and convertible forms. While it's not practical, it's impressively efficient, promising 128.4mpg according to official (albeit wildly optimistic) figures. Even 10 years after it was introduced, it'll turn heads wherever you go. And as of early 2024, you can buy one for as little as £40,000.

3. Toyota GR Yaris

Year launched: 2021

8/10

The humble Toyota Yaris city car was never a machine that people got particularly excited about. But then Toyota engineers imbued it with the spirit of its World Rally Championship programme, and suddenly this reliable but anonymous city car turned into one of the most entertaining drives of the 2020s.

When it comes to future classic criteria, this one ticks plenty of boxes. It's fun to drive, with all-wheel drive and a propensity to drift. And it's got genuine motorsport pedigree, being basically a road-going version of Toyota's proper rally car – what's referred to as a homolgation special. Find an open stretch of road and there aren't many cars that provide this much entertainment.

If the Toyota GR Yaris isn't revered by motoring enthusiasts for decades to come, then we'll eat our hats.

4. BMW M2

Year launched: 2016

BMW M2 Review 2024
8/10

There’s a special place in classic car heaven reserved for BMW M cars, so we really could’ve picked any. But we went with the BMW M2 for a variety of reasons. At under £50k new, it was the most affordable way into M ownership. But it also stands out from the crowd.

While rivals like the Audi RS3 or the Mercedes AMG A45 use a four-cylinder, the turbocharged six-pot under the M2 offers a slightly different level of joyousness. Yes, it’ll do 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, but it’s the sweet, sweet sound of six-cylinders that’ll make you want to do it over, and over, and over again.

5. Jaguar F-Type

Year launched: 2014

Jaguar F-Type Review: exterior front side photo of the Jaguar F-Type
10/10

Could this be more nostalgic? After giving us the mighty E-Type, Jaguar finally stepped up and delivered its spiritual successor – the F-Type. And while the ball-breaking SVR gets to waltz straight down the classic hall of fame thanks to its £115k price tag and great-sounding engine, the coupe and convertible might have to wait a bit longer.

There’s a lot of different variants to choose from, but honestly we’d be happy with a V6, which offers a neat blend of grand tourer charm but on-road weapon as and when required. It’s fast, gorgeous and worth every penny.

6. Volkswagen Golf R

Year launched: 2014

Volkswagen Golf R Left Side View
8/10

Volkswagen hated all the hype around fast Ford. After all, here was a company that created the hot-hatch but threw it all away by devaluing the hallowed GTI badge.

Luckily, someone at Wolfsburg had the pride (and the balls) to come up with the Volkswagen Golf R, shoehorning a massive engine under the hood of their super popular family car. All it needed after that was a four-wheel drive system and it was good to go.

With 300PS and a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds here is a car that is plenty fast enough – but also one that loves nothing more than a trip to the shops.

7. Polestar 2

Year launched: 2020

Polestar 2 Review 2023: front driving
8/10

For years, Polestar was the badge attached to moderately sporty Volvos. They were fine, but nothing special. But then Polestar struck out on their own, with a new standalone company. Sure, it was decidedly Volvo influenced, but no matter.

The Polestar 2 is (surprise) the firm's second car, and doesn't it look brilliant? It's taken the Scandi cool vibe that Volvo was so good at, but sportified it to create a brilliant premium family car with a sporty edge. The electric powertrain will take you the best part of 300 miles on a charge and it's got loads of space.

But what makes it a future classic in our eyes, aside from the very handsome looks, is the Polestar handles superbly, feeling much better in the corners than a Tesla Model 3. We're putting it out there right now – these will age very well.

8. Alpine A110

Year launched: 2018

Alpine A110 Review 2024: Front Side
7/10

Back in the day, the original Alpine A110 was a bit of a legend. It spent much of the 1960s hoofing around various rally stages. So it stands to reason that Renault’s reboot of this PYT should have a smooth passage to the land of rust. Sorry, ‘classics’.

Fast-forward 50 years though and the A110 finds itself up against some pretty sharp competition like the Audi TT, Porsche Cayman, and Alfa 4C.

Luckily, the A110 hit the bullseye. Here was – and still is – one of the finest driver’s cars ever made. That alone makes it a future classic in our book.

9. Audi TT RS Roadster

Year launched: 2016

Audi TT RS grey
6/10

When it was new, the Audi TT RS cost more than £50k – a clear sign that it was aiming to attract drivers who might be thinking about a Porsche 718 Cayman or Boxster S. But surely Audi couldn’t hold a candle to the mighty Porsche? Well, no. But also, yes.

With 400PS, it’s more powerful than a Porsche. And while it doesn't have the 718's edge, that scalpel-sharp sense of agility, it's got plenty of drama and fun. Where it shines is when you take the roof off the Roadster version. Go for a model with the sports exhaust, and you'll get all the aural treats you could ever want short of a ludicrous V8.

The sound of its 2.5-litre five-cylinder is everything you’d ever want from a sports car, and with the wind in your hair and that cylindrical music in your ears, you'll forget about the extra communicative steering you get in the Boxster.

10. Alfa Romeo 4C

Year launched: 2014

Alfa Romeo 4C driving
6/10

Okay, so the Alfa Romeo 4C didn’t quite hit the mark in terms of being a lightweight mid-engined sports car. Its steering was fidgety, its interior felt cheap for a £45k car, and that 1.8-litre didn’t half make a racket.

But will it be a future classic? Damn right it will. Those looks alone will carry into classic status, never mind the fact that they’re really rather rare. And who knows… that Halfords-spec front light cluster might be desirably retro by 2040. Just save some cash to sort the handling out.

17/01/2024

Future Classic Car FAQs

Written By Phill Tromans

Technically, a classic car is one that gets free road tax because it’s 40 years old or qualifies for classic insurance. But it’s so much more than that. Just take the new Aston Martin Vantage – instant classic.

Future classics are cars that are relatively new but that have a strong following that should carry them through to classic status in a few decades.

Depends when you bought it. If you bought a car at the bottom of its depreciation cycle and then it got use in a film or TV and became a cult classics, chances are it’ll be worth a bit more for a few years. But be warned - the value of your classic can go up as well as down.

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