The late 1990s were a fascinating period for automotive design and engineering, balancing classic aesthetics with emerging technologies. As the millennium approached, car manufacturers were refining existing lines and introducing new models that would define the era for many drivers, reflecting a blend of reliability and evolving style.
This comprehensive list dives deep into that era, presenting 1998 Car Models from a wide array of manufacturers. Whether you’re interested in the sporty offerings from Acura or the dependable designs from Volvo, you’ll find a thorough exploration. Our list details each entry with its Model, Body Style, and Base MSRP (USD), offering a complete overview of the 101 distinct vehicles you’ll find below.
What were the notable automotive trends of 1998?
In 1998, the automotive landscape was characterized by a push towards more refined sedans and practical station wagons, while the early signs of the SUV boom were just beginning to emerge. Manufacturers focused on fuel efficiency improvements, enhanced safety features, and increasingly comfortable interiors. Many models from this year still carried the distinctive late-90s rounded, aerodynamic designs, offering a blend of reliability and understated style.
Why is there continued interest in 1998 car models?
Interest in 1998 car models often comes from classic car enthusiasts, collectors looking for future classics, or individuals seeking reliable and affordable used vehicles for daily driving. These cars represent a sweet spot for many, offering relatively modern conveniences without the complex electronics of newer vehicles, making them easier and often cheaper to maintain. They also hold nostalgic value for those who remember them from their youth or as family cars.
1998 Car Models
| Make | Model | Body Style | Base MSRP (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acura | Integra | Coupe/Sedan | 16,100 |
| Acura | TL | Sedan | 28,400 |
| Audi | A4 | Sedan | 23,800 |
| Audi | A6 | Sedan | 33,750 |
| BMW | 3 Series (E36) | Sedan/Coupe/Convertible | 26,500 |
| BMW | 5 Series (E39) | Sedan | 39,000 |
| BMW | Z3 | Roadster | 29,500 |
| Buick | Park Avenue | Sedan | 30,000 |
| Buick | Regal | Sedan | 21,000 |
| Cadillac | DeVille | Sedan | 37,500 |
| Cadillac | Seville STS | Sedan | 47,000 |
| Chevrolet | Blazer | SUV | 21,000 |
| Chevrolet | Camaro | Coupe/Convertible | 16,500 |
| Chevrolet | Cavalier | Sedan/Coupe/Convertible | 11,700 |
| Chevrolet | Corvette (C5) | Coupe/Convertible | 38,000 |
| Chevrolet | Malibu | Sedan | 16,000 |
| Chevrolet | Monte Carlo | Coupe | 18,500 |
| Chevrolet | S-10 | Truck | 12,000 |
| Chevrolet | Silverado 1500 (C/K) | Truck | 15,500 |
| Chevrolet | Suburban | SUV | 25,500 |
| Chevrolet | Tahoe | SUV | 24,000 |
| Chrysler | Concorde | Sedan | 21,000 |
| Chrysler | Town & Country | Minivan | 26,000 |
| Dodge | Caravan | Minivan | 17,500 |
| Dodge | Dakota | Truck | 13,000 |
| Dodge | Durango | SUV | 25,000 |
| Dodge | Intrepid | Sedan | 20,000 |
| Dodge | Neon | Sedan/Coupe | 11,000 |
| Dodge | Ram 1500 | Truck | 15,000 |
| Dodge | Viper GTS | Coupe | 66,500 |
| Ford | Contour | Sedan | 14,500 |
| Ford | Crown Victoria | Sedan | 21,500 |
| Ford | Escort | Sedan/Wagon | 11,500 |
| Ford | Expedition | SUV | 28,000 |
| Ford | Explorer | SUV | 21,000 |
| Ford | F-150 | Truck | 15,300 |
| Ford | Mustang | Coupe/Convertible | 16,000 |
| Ford | Ranger | Truck | 11,000 |
| Ford | Taurus | Sedan/Wagon | 18,000 |
| GMC | Yukon Denali | SUV | 43,000 |
| Honda | Accord | Sedan/Coupe | 15,100 |
| Honda | Civic | Coupe/Sedan | 10,800 |
| Honda | CR-V | SUV | 19,500 |
| Honda | Prelude | Coupe | 23,000 |
| Hyundai | Tiburon | Coupe | 13,500 |
| Infiniti | QX4 | SUV | 35,500 |
| Isuzu | Rodeo | SUV | 18,000 |
| Jaguar | XJ8 | Sedan | 55,000 |
| Jaguar | XK8 | Coupe/Convertible | 65,000 |
| Jeep | Cherokee (XJ) | SUV | 16,000 |
| Jeep | Grand Cherokee (ZJ) | SUV | 26,000 |
| Jeep | Wrangler (TJ) | SUV | 14,500 |
| Kia | Sportage | SUV | 14,600 |
| Lexus | ES 300 | Sedan | 30,500 |
| Lexus | GS 400 | Sedan | 45,000 |
| Lexus | LS 400 | Sedan | 53,000 |
| Lexus | LX 470 | SUV | 55,000 |
| Lincoln | Navigator | SUV | 39,500 |
| Lincoln | Town Car | Sedan | 38,000 |
| Mazda | 626 | Sedan | 16,000 |
| Mazda | Miata (NB) | Roadster | 19,800 |
| Mazda | MPV | Minivan | 23,000 |
| Mercedes-Benz | C-Class | Sedan | 31,000 |
| Mercedes-Benz | E-Class | Sedan | 42,000 |
| Mercedes-Benz | M-Class (ML320) | SUV | 34,000 |
| Mercedes-Benz | SLK 230 | Roadster | 40,000 |
| Mercury | Grand Marquis | Sedan | 22,500 |
| Mitsubishi | 3000GT | Coupe | 28,000 |
| Mitsubishi | Eclipse | Coupe | 16,000 |
| Nissan | 240SX (S14) | Coupe | 22,000 |
| Nissan | Altima | Sedan | 15,000 |
| Nissan | Frontier | Truck | 12,000 |
| Nissan | Maxima | Sedan | 21,500 |
| Nissan | Pathfinder | SUV | 24,000 |
| Oldsmobile | Aurora | Sedan | 36,000 |
| Oldsmobile | Intrigue | Sedan | 21,000 |
| Plymouth | Neon | Sedan/Coupe | 11,000 |
| Plymouth | Prowler | Roadster | 38,300 |
| Pontiac | Firebird | Coupe/Convertible | 18,500 |
| Pontiac | Grand Am | Sedan/Coupe | 15,000 |
| Pontiac | Grand Prix | Sedan/Coupe | 19,000 |
| Porsche | 911 Carrera (996) | Coupe | 65,000 |
| Porsche | Boxster | Roadster | 40,000 |
| Saab | 9-5 | Sedan | 30,000 |
| Saturn | SL | Sedan | 10,800 |
| Subaru | Forester | SUV | 18,700 |
| Subaru | Impreza 2.5 RS | Coupe | 19,200 |
| Subaru | Legacy Outback | Wagon | 22,500 |
| Suzuki | X-90 | SUV | 15,000 |
| Toyota | 4Runner | SUV | 20,500 |
| Toyota | Camry | Sedan | 17,000 |
| Toyota | Corolla | Sedan | 12,000 |
| Toyota | RAV4 | SUV | 16,500 |
| Toyota | Supra | Coupe | 40,000 |
| Toyota | Tacoma | Truck | 13,000 |
| Volkswagen | Golf | Hatchback | 14,000 |
| Volkswagen | Jetta | Sedan | 15,000 |
| Volkswagen | New Beetle | Coupe | 15,200 |
| Volkswagen | Passat | Sedan | 21,000 |
| Volvo | S70 | Sedan | 27,000 |
| Volvo | V70 XC | Wagon | 36,000 |
Images and Descriptions
Acura
A favorite of the sport-compact tuner scene, prized for its high-revving VTEC engine and sharp handling.
Acura
A mid-size luxury sedan that offered a blend of Japanese reliability and near-luxury features.
Audi
A compact executive sedan that set a new standard for interior design and offered optional Quattro all-wheel drive.
Audi
A stylish mid-size luxury sedan with a distinctive rounded roofline and a high-quality, modern interior.
BMW
The benchmark for compact sport sedans, celebrated for its balanced chassis and smooth inline-six engines.
BMW
Widely considered one of the best sedans ever made, blending luxury, comfort, and superb driving dynamics.
BMW
A small, stylish roadster that gained fame from its appearance in the James Bond film ‘GoldenEye’.
Buick
A large, comfortable American sedan known for its smooth ride and available supercharged V6 engine.
Buick
A mid-size sedan that offered a surprisingly quick GS model with a supercharged V6, a true sleeper of its time.
Cadillac
The quintessential full-size American luxury car, offering a plush ride and V8 power.
Cadillac
A sportier, more modern Cadillac designed to compete with European imports, featuring the powerful Northstar V8.
Chevrolet
A popular mid-size SUV available in 2-door and 4-door versions, a staple of American suburbs.
Chevrolet
The fourth-generation of Chevy’s pony car, offering iconic American muscle with its available LS1 V8 engine.
Chevrolet
A best-selling compact car that provided affordable and reliable basic transportation for millions.
Chevrolet
The fifth-generation ‘Vette was a major leap forward with its hydroformed frame, LS1 V8, and rear transaxle.
Chevrolet
A sensible and popular mid-size family sedan, resurrected on a modern front-wheel-drive platform.
Chevrolet
A two-door coupe based on the Lumina, with a strong connection to Chevy’s NASCAR racing efforts.
Chevrolet
A versatile and popular compact pickup truck, available in a wide variety of configurations.
Chevrolet
The final year for the C/K body style, this full-size truck was a workhorse known for its durability.
Chevrolet
The original full-size SUV, capable of hauling the whole family and a trailer with its truck-based platform.
Chevrolet
A slightly shorter, more manageable version of the Suburban that became one of America’s best-selling SUVs.
Chrysler
A large “cab-forward” sedan with dramatic styling and a remarkably spacious interior for its class.
Chrysler
A luxurious minivan that set the standard with features like dual sliding doors and plush interiors.
Dodge
The vehicle that started the minivan craze, it remained a top choice for families needing space and practicality.
Dodge
The only mid-size truck of its era to offer a V8 engine, bridging the gap between compact and full-size.
Dodge
Dodge’s first-ever mid-size SUV, offering bold, truck-like styling and an available third row of seats.
Dodge
A sibling to the Chrysler Concorde, the Intrepid featured aggressive styling and a roomy “cab-forward” design.
Dodge
An economical compact car marketed with a friendly “Hi” campaign, known for its peppy performance.
Dodge
Its revolutionary “big rig” styling made it a design icon and a massive sales success in the truck market.
Dodge
An unapologetic American supercar with a massive V10 engine, minimal driver aids, and breathtaking performance.
Ford
A “world car” with European-derived handling that made it one of the better-driving sedans in its class.
Ford
A traditional, body-on-frame, rear-wheel-drive sedan that was a favorite of police forces and taxi companies.
Ford
A workhorse compact car that provided millions with affordable and dependable transportation.
Ford
Ford’s answer to the Chevy Tahoe, offering a more modern suspension and V8 power in a large SUV package.
Ford
The vehicle that defined the modern SUV boom, becoming one of the best-selling vehicles in America.
Ford
America’s best-selling vehicle, the 1998 model featured a more aerodynamic design, breaking from traditional truck styling.
Ford
The classic American pony car, offering an accessible V6 or the legendary 4.6L V8 in the GT model.
Ford
A dominant player in the compact truck market, known for its toughness and wide range of options.
Ford
Known for its controversial oval-themed styling, it was a comfortable and extremely popular family vehicle.
GMC
The first entry into the luxury SUV market for GMC, packed with leather, wood trim, and premium features.
Honda
A perennial best-seller that set the standard for family sedans with its quality, reliability, and refinement.
Honda
The benchmark for compact cars, offering exceptional fuel economy, reliability, and a fun-to-drive nature.
Honda
One of the first car-based compact SUVs, it offered practicality and all-wheel drive in a user-friendly package.
Honda
A sporty coupe featuring Honda’s VTEC engine and an advanced Active Torque Transfer System on top trims.
Hyundai
A stylish and affordable sport coupe that signaled Hyundai’s move towards more exciting and desirable cars.
Infiniti
A luxury SUV based on the Nissan Pathfinder, offering a more upscale interior and a sophisticated AWD system.
Isuzu
A rugged, traditional SUV known for its off-road capability and distinctive styling.
Jaguar
The quintessential British luxury sedan, featuring a classic design and Jaguar’s first-ever V8 engine.
Jaguar
A beautiful grand touring car that evoked the spirit of the classic E-Type with modern V8 power.
Jeep
A legendary and beloved compact SUV with a simple, rugged design and unmatched off-road prowess.
Jeep
The more luxurious and comfortable Jeep, offering powerful engine options including a 5.9L V8.
Jeep
The iconic, fun-loving off-roader, updated with coil-spring suspension for a much-improved on-road ride.
Kia
An early entry from Kia into the US market, this small SUV offered an affordable alternative to Japanese rivals.
Lexus
A quiet, comfortable, and reliable entry-level luxury sedan based on the Toyota Camry platform.
Lexus
A high-performance luxury sedan with distinctive styling and a powerful V8 engine to challenge German rivals.
Lexus
The flagship sedan that built Lexus’s reputation, known for its vault-like silence and impeccable quality.
Lexus
A new model for 1998, it was a rebadged Toyota Land Cruiser offering supreme luxury and off-road capability.
Lincoln
Lincoln’s first truck, this massive luxury SUV kickstarted a new segment and became a status symbol.
Lincoln
The definitive American luxury limousine, offering unmatched interior space and a cloud-like ride.
Mazda
A solid and reliable mid-size family sedan known for its surprisingly sharp handling.
Mazda
The second-generation Miata debuted, losing the pop-up headlights but retaining the pure, joyful driving experience.
Mazda
A unique minivan that stood out with its available all-wheel drive and conventional rear doors.
Mercedes-Benz
A compact luxury sedan that offered the prestige and solid engineering of the Mercedes brand in a smaller package.
Mercedes-Benz
A benchmark for mid-size luxury cars, recognized by its iconic four-oval headlights and bank-vault build quality.
Mercedes-Benz
A groundbreaking luxury SUV built in the USA, it combined family-friendly features with Mercedes prestige.
Mercedes-Benz
A stylish compact roadster featuring a supercharged engine and an innovative retractable hardtop.
Mercury
A sibling to the Ford Crown Victoria, offering traditional full-size comfort for a loyal customer base.
Mitsubishi
A high-tech Japanese sports car, especially in VR-4 trim with its twin-turbo V6, AWD, and active aerodynamics.
Mitsubishi
A wildly popular sport-compact coupe, especially the turbocharged GSX model with all-wheel drive.
Nissan
The final year for the legendary rear-wheel-drive sports coupe in the US, now a sought-after drift car.
Nissan
A popular and reliable mid-size sedan that competed directly against the Camry and Accord.
Nissan
Nissan’s new compact truck, replacing the old Hardbody with a more modern design and features.
Nissan
Marketed as the “Four-Door Sports Car,” the Maxima offered a great V6 engine and a fun-to-drive personality.
Nissan
A mid-size SUV that had transitioned from a rugged truck to a more comfortable, car-like unibody platform.
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile’s flagship sedan with futuristic styling and a V8 engine, designed to revitalize the brand’s image.
Oldsmobile
A well-regarded mid-size sedan praised for its sharp handling, intended to be an import fighter.
Plymouth
The Plymouth version of the economical Dodge Neon, sharing its peppy nature and friendly styling.
Plymouth
A stunning, factory-built hot rod with open-wheel front suspension and retro-inspired design.
Pontiac
The Firebird Trans Am, with its aggressive styling and LS1 V8, was a bold statement of American performance.
Pontiac
A popular compact known for its dramatic ribbed body cladding and sporty pretensions.
Pontiac
A stylish mid-size car, especially the GTP model which featured a potent supercharged V6.
Porsche
A controversial but revolutionary 911, it was the first to feature a water-cooled engine and all-new body.
Porsche
The car that saved Porsche, this mid-engined roadster offered brilliant handling and classic Porsche design cues.
Saab
An all-new mid-size executive car from Saab, featuring quirky design, turbocharged engines, and a focus on safety.
Saturn
Known for its dent-resistant polymer body panels and a friendly, no-haggle dealership experience.
Subaru
A brand-new model that blended the practicality of a wagon with the raised height and AWD of an SUV.
Subaru
A rally-inspired, all-wheel-drive sport compact that was a spiritual predecessor to the WRX in America.
Subaru
The wagon that started the crossover trend, with its raised suspension, rugged body cladding, and standard AWD.
Suzuki
A quirky and tiny two-seater T-top SUV that was more a style statement than a practical vehicle.
Toyota
A rugged and extremely capable mid-size SUV, famous for its off-road durability and reliability.
Toyota
The best-selling car in America, it was the definition of a sensible, reliable, and comfortable family sedan.
Toyota
A global best-seller that earned its reputation for being an incredibly reliable and economical compact car.
Toyota
A pioneer of the compact crossover segment, offering a fun, car-like driving experience in a small SUV package.
Toyota
The final year for the legendary Mk4 Supra in the US, its twin-turbo model was a supercar-slaying performance icon.
Toyota
A hugely popular compact pickup truck prized for its build quality, reliability, and off-road prowess.
Volkswagen
The quintessential German hatchback, offering a high-quality feel and practical design.
Volkswagen
Essentially a sedan version of the Golf, it was a top-selling European car in the US market.
Volkswagen
An instant cultural icon, this retro-modern revival of the classic Beetle was a massive design hit.
Volkswagen
A new generation that moved upmarket, sharing its platform with the Audi A4 and boasting a premium interior.
Volvo
An evolution of the 850, this sedan continued Volvo’s legacy of safety, solid build quality, and boxy style.
Volvo
The “Cross Country” version of the V70 wagon, featuring all-wheel drive and a raised suspension to compete with SUVs.
