The MkIV Supra is one of the most celebrated sports cars of the '90s, but that doesn't make it the best.
Although Toyota started working on the MK IV Supra in 1989, it finally arrived in 1993 riding on the same platform as the Lexus SC. Placing greater emphasis on performance, Toyota made the new Supra shorter than its more luxurious platform-mate. Some weight-saving measures for the new car included the extensive use of aluminum for body parts, a plastic gasoline tank and lid, and a single pipe exhaust.
The more potent of the two engines offered was a twin-turbocharged 3-liter I-6 unit that made 320 hp and 316 lb-ft of torque in US-bound cars. With this, it could hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, clear the quarter-mile in 13.1 seconds, and top out at 160 mph. A near-perfect front-rear weight distribution gave it excellent handling while a unique track-tuned ABS with yaw control provided superior stopping power. Following a fall in demand for sports coupes and an increase in prices of Japanese cars, the Supra MK IV was withdrawn from the US market in 1998. Despite its solid credentials, there are other cool sports cars from the '90s we'd buy over the MK IV Supra.
Although the C4 generation of Corvettes was produced from 1984 to 1996, it was 1990 to 1995 that the high-performance ZR-1 was offered. The ZR-1 debuted with a new engine which was developed by Lotus and mated to a unique 6-speed manual transmission built by ZF.
Displacing 5.7 liters, the all-aluminum V8 mill was able to push the C4 ZR-1 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph. It also got upgraded braking and steering systems designed by Lotus, ABS from Bosch, and a suspension system from Bilstein.
The Dodge Viper was engineered as a serious performance car and debuted for 1992 without air conditioning and exterior door handles. Lacking driving aids like an anti-lock braking system and traction control, the Viper tends to be tricky to control for novice drivers.
Under the hood, a massive V10 that churned out 400 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque for a 4.2-second 0-60 run and a 12.6-second quarter mile. In 1996, the Viper's exhaust system was redesigned and output was boosted to 415 hp and 488 lb-ft of torque.
The NSX is a mid-engine sports car built on a light all-aluminum monocoque chassis and launched to positive reviews when it debuted for 1991. Fans and the media were impressed by its sleek design that could be mistaken for a Ferrari, its class-topping reliability, strong performance, and affordability.
A 3-liter V6 engine made 270 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque hooked to either a 4-speed automatic or a 5 or 6-speed manual transmission. Pushed by the high revving engine, the NSX was no slouch as it could hit 60 mph in less than 5 seconds.
Related: 5 Best And 5 Worst Toyota Sports Cars Over The Years
Launched in 1993 for the third generation, the Mazda RX-7 owes its elegant organic styling to Tom Matano. The lightweight Mazda which is arguably one of the best sports cars from the '90s is powered by a twin-turbocharged twin-rotor 1.3-liter rotary engine.
With 255 hp and 217 lb-ft of torque on tap, this RX-7 can hit 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and attain a top speed of 160 mph. For enhanced performance, the R1 and R2 models came with Bilstein shocks, upgraded springs, and an aerodynamic package.
Related: 5 Greatest Toyota Sports Cars (Vs 5 Mazdas)
Unlike the base 3000GT which was powered by a naturally aspirated engine, the VR-4 got a twin-turbo 3-liter V6 engine hooked to the 4 wheels. Paired to a 5-speed manual transmission, it produced 300 hp and 308 lb-ft of torque for sub-5-second 0-60 mph acceleration times. In 1994, the VR4 gained a 6-speed manual transmission and a bump in output to 320 hp and 315 lb-ft of torque.
The AWD system gave it superior traction and a 4-wheel steering system enhanced high-speed stability while performance was boosted by an Active Aero system and a tunable exhaust system.
Considered by many as the ultimate Skyline, the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 boasted a shorter body length and higher performance than the outgoing R33 generation. Although it was officially rated at 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, the 2.6-liter twin-turbo I-6 under the hood churned out as much as 327 hp.
Routed to the wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission, this was enough power for a 4.9-second sprint to 62 mph. For improved traction, all GT-R R34s came with an ATTESA E-TS Pro AWD system with a limited-slip rear differential.
Related: Nissan Vs Toyota: Here's Who Made Better Sports Cars
In 1993, Porsche Motorsports division briefly built a limited run of the 968 Turbo S to homologate the 968 Turbo RS for racing. It got an adjustable rear wing and a fully independent suspension with stiffer springs, reinforced bushings, adjustable shocks, ABS, and power steering.
Under the hood, a turbocharged 3-liter I-4 engine cranked out 305 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. With this setup, the 968 Turbo S was capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and maxing out at 175 mph.
To mark its 30th anniversary in 1999, Pontiac offered a special run of 1,600 30th Anniversary Firebird Trans Ams. The model is definitely an attention grabber, but it goes even better than it looks thanks to the 5.7-liter V8 engine it hides under the bulging hood.
With the 320 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque generated, it hits 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and clears the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds. In addition to its quickness, this beast corners well, stops confidently, and is surprisingly mild-mannered around town thanks to a light clutch and gentle low-speed power delivery.
The C5 Chevrolet Corvette arrived in 1997 wearing a completely new design with a perimeter frame made from insulated single-piece hydroformed steel tubes. Under the hood, it hid one of the most robust V8 mills, a 5.7-liter unit that laid down 345 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.
Mated with a 6-speed manual transmission, it made the C5 Corvette one of the fastest ever with a top speed of 175 mph. By relocating the transmission to the rear to achieve a near-perfect weight distribution, handling and interior space were improved while upgraded disc brakes and aluminum calipers provided eye-popping stopping power.
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