What is the best car of the 21st century?

From Tesla’s groundbreaking EV to the iconic Toyota LandCruiser, here are the best cars since the year 2000. Which one stands above?

Aussies are passionate about cars.

Drawing up a list of the most significant models from the past 25 years isn’t an easy task – though limiting it to cars made after 2000 helps streamline things, as you can forget about classics such as the original Mini, VW Beetle, or Ford Model T.

My list of the top 10 cars from the last 25 years represents an odd bunch.

To celebrate the launch of the new news.com.au app, we’re celebrating the people, places and events we’ll never forget from the first quarter of the 21st century by asking for Australia’s view. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you’ve been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include.

There are pioneers of electrification and the growth of Chinese cars, best-sellers, Aussie icons and cars that led the way for technology.

Tesla Model Y

You can’t talk about the most significant cars of the last quarter century without talking about Tesla.

It’s easy to make a case for most of its models, but I’m going with the Tesla Model Y.

The Tesla Model Y set sales benchmarks for electric cars. Photo: Mark Bean.

This wasn’t just the world’s best-selling EV for the last couple of years, it was the world’s number one selling car. Period.

The Model Y made electric vehicles an everyday reality for thousands of Aussies.

It’s an important machine.

Toyota HiLux

The Toyota HiLux was the first ute to top our sales charts. Photo by Thomas Wielecki.

Utes are part of Australia’s motoring identity.

The Toyota HiLux is an important one – it was the first ute to top the national sales charts, overtaking sedans and hatchbacks to sit atop the list – until it was overtaken by another ute, the Ford Ranger.

Ford Mustang

Ford’s Mustang GT is the nation’s favourite sports car. Photo: Thomas Wielecki

Aussies love fast cars, and we love a V8. It’s no wonder the Ford Mustang is the country’s favourite sports car.

While it’s sad that you can’t buy a V8 powered Commodore or Falcon any more, the Mustang is here to fly the flag for red blooded performance cars.

And Ford promises that it will keep doing that, at Bathurst and beyond, for years to come.

Bugatti Veyron

The Bugatti Veyron redefined what cars are capable of.

If you love fast cars, they don’t get much faster than this.

The Bugatti Veyron shattered speed records by streaking past 400kmh way back in 2005.

It set a new benchmark for what cars are capable of – and helped introduce tech such as dual clutch transmissions found in many cars today.

VW Golf

VW’s Golf GTI is a favourite for many Aussie drivers.

There’s a little bit of Bugatti in modern VW Golfs, with turbocharged engines and DSG gearboxes that can be found in every suburb.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI and R have really resonated with Aussie car enthusiasts.

They’re damn good vehicles.

Porsche 911

Porsche’s 911 is the definitive performance car.

If you want the best sports car in the world, your search can start and stop with Porsche.

The Porsche 911 has an amazing record on road and track.

It caters to traditional car lovers with free breathing engines and manual transmissions – or fans of hybrid power, turbocharging and technical toys.

Holden Commodore

Late-model Holden Commodores were the best cars Australia produced.

Back in the real world, if we look at the earliest part of the millennium, the Holden Commodore was king. From Bathurst to the Boulevard, the Commodore ruled the streets and sales charts. The last of them, such as the SSV Redline and HSV’s GTSR W1, were truly special.

Toyota LandCruiser

Toyota’s LandCruiser is an icon in the bush and beyond.

The Toyota LandCruiser might be the only car that can claim to be more iconic – to Australians – than the Commodore. From the basic 70 Series Ute to fully loaded wagons, such as the modern classic 200 series, the LandCruiser is a firm favourite on Australian roads.

MG3

The MG3 hatchback kept cars affordable.

OK this one might be a touch controversial, but hear me out. Chinese cars are redefining Australian roads. Many are more affordable than more famous rivals.

And in the case of the MG3, this is a car playing in a space abandoned by key rivals. The old MG3 cost $16k when a Toyota Yaris was double that.

When Ford, Honda, Renault and Hyundai gave up on cheap cars, MG was there for buyers on a budget. That’s why they sold thousands.

Toyota RAV4

Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid is the world’s best-selling car. Photo: Thomas Wielecki.

If we’re talking about popularity, you have to talk about the Toyota RAV4.

It’s Australia’s most popular car today. It’s the world’s most popular car today.

It has pushed the case of hybrid cars well into the future, and been a staple for Aussie business and families for years.

Not just a petrol head? Take the rest of our 25@25 polls