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From Ford to GM, there's at least one great model in every American manufacturer's lineup that deserves more love.
The American auto industry is one of the greatest in the world, second only to China in terms of production. Thanks to big names such as General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler churning out incredibly popular models year after year, the industry has witnessed phenomenal growth. Together with other manufacturers, past and present, they have created cars that have delighted gearheads for ages.
Iconic models like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, and the Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda are well-known machines that need no introduction. However, while the Mustangs, Corvettes, F-Series, and recently, Teslas make all the headlines, countless others remain forgotten or underrated. Funny enough, some of these models are better than their well-known counterparts, yet they slipped under the radar for some reason. Most of them are merely victims of their designs/body styles. So, here's a review of the most underrated cars from 10 American manufacturers.
The GMC Syclone is a compact pickup truck with the soul of a muscle car. Jointly produced by GMC and Production Automotive Services (PAS), it has a spartan interior and a simple suspension. Under the hood, a 280-hp 4.3-liter turbocharged V6 mill is hooked to an AWD drivetrain via a 4-speed automatic transmission.
With 350 lb-ft of torque on tap, a Syclone could hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and clear the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds. This is one GM truck you don't want to go up against on a straight line. This was supercar-level performance in 1991 when the model debuted and enough to gap most brand-new sports cars even today.
Launched in 1992 with a robust unibody construction, the Grand Cherokee is one of the most successful Jeep SUVs. The SRT8 version debuted in 2005 with a 420-hp 6.1-liter Hemi V8 and upgraded brakes and suspension. Back then, it could hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and humble the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds.
Current models are more powerful and achieve the same feats in 4.4 seconds and 13 seconds, respectively. These are crazy and unbelievable numbers from a midsize SUV with a curb weight of 5,291 pounds.
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The Falcon, introduced in 1960, was a scaled-down version of the Ford Galaxie full-size sedan and was powered by a tiny 2.4-liter I-6 engine. Models like the Ranchero, the Comet, and the iconic Ford Mustang were all based on the Falcon.
Mechanically similar to the Mustang, it also got the 429 Cobra Jet Ram Air V8 and options like a Hurst shifter and disc brakes. With 370 hp and 450 lb-ft of tire-scorching torque on tap, the Falcon Cobra Jet was a credible muscle car.
Ditching the 2-door coupe body style of the previous generation, Dodge revived the Magnum nameplate as a station wagon. Riding on the Chrysler LX platform, the Magnum got some of its drive and structural components from the E-Class and S-Class Mercedes-Benz cars of its day.
Under the hood of the SRT8 version, it hides a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 mill that churns out 425 hell-raising ponies. Routed through a 5-speed automatic transmission, they send the RWD beast to a 13.1-second quarter-mile dash at 108 mph.
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What comes to mind whenever Pontiac GTO is mentioned are the legendary 1960s muscle cars. Most people seem to have forgotten the 3-year fifth-generation Pontiac GTO, a rebadged, third-generation Holden Monaro. However, they are decent cars in their own right.
For the last model year, 2006, the GTO got a 6-liter V8 mill rated at 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Forget the unassuming looks for just a moment. This GTO can hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, breach the quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds, and top out at 170 mph.
The CTS-V is the high-performance version of the Cadillac CTS luxury car. Introduced in 2004 as a 4-door sedan, it was offered with a 5.7-liter V8 that laid down 400 hp through a 6-speed manual transmission. 60 mph happened in 4.6 seconds for the first generation CTS-V.
For the second generation, it came in three body styles with a more powerful engine and mind-boggling performance. Still looking as nondescript as ever, the latest models, spurred on by a 640-hp supercharged V8, can hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
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Any Chevrolet wearing the iconic "SS" badge is bound to be fast even if it has a boring design like the Cobalt SS. Launched as a coupe in 2004, it had a 205 hp supercharged Ecotec I-4 engine. A less powerful naturally aspirated version joined the lineup in 2005 as a coupe and a sedan.
In its most potent version, the Cobalt SS is backed by a 260-hp turbocharged direct-injection engine. With this power plant, the Cobalt SS made history by lapping the famous Nurburgring track in a record 8:22.9.
The Marauder debuted in the early '60s as a trim package on Mercury's full-size series. Becoming a standalone nameplate in 1969, it was marketed as a personal luxury car. Positioned below the Marquis in size, it was still a large car at 219.1 inches long and weighing 4,328 lbs.
However, there was no shortage of power, thanks to motivation from the base 6.4-liter big-block V8 mill. For more oomph, there was the better-optioned Marauder X-100 with power from a 7-liter V8 good for 360 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque.
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The Chrysler 300 is a full-size luxury car that got the SRT treatment for the first time in 2006. Although it boasts a striking exterior, it has faced criticism for its rather cheap interior. On the whole, it delivers a near-perfect blend of refinement and performance.
Despite its enormous size and weight, it can hit a 173 mph high and shame the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG with superior stopping power and grip. A new version unveiled in 2011 is a 470-hp monster that can hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
Muscle cars of the '80s were some of the worst in history, thanks to the oil crises of the '70s. Built in partnership with McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC, the limited production 1987 Buick GNX was cast in a different mold. It looked nearly identical to the Grand National, but under the hood, it hid a 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 mill.
Third-party testing proved that the engine produced more than 300 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. With that on tap, this simple car could humble high-end sports cars with a 12.7-second quarter mile at 113.1 mph.
Jay Moren is a car enthusiast who loves everything with an engine. When he's not writing about cars, he plays the saxophone and keyboard. He also plays as a goalkeeper for a non-league side in his native Nigeria