Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
This Is How These 25 Modern Cars Of Famous Brands Look In Comparison With Their Old Versions
One hundred and thirty-seven years have passed since that memorable day when the German mechanic and inventor Karl Benz rode out of the gates of his house in an incredibly creaky, slow and gasoline-stinking carriage, which, by some unimaginable miracle, moved itself, without the slightest participation of horses. Benz's neighbors did not yet assume that they had witnessed a landmark event - the beginning of the automobile era.
Decades have passed since then, mankind has found a replacement for almost everything that was invented in the 19th century, but the car is still in strongest demand all over the world. Then, at the turn of the century many, many years ago, the leading global brands of the rapidly developing automotive industry were both the well-known Ford, Mercedes-Benz or Renault, and the long-gone Isotta Fraschini, Lorraine-Dietrich or Hispano-Suiza.
And the appearance of cars over almost a century and a half has changed beyond recognition. From clumsy strollers, noisy and smelling of smoke, with thin wheels on spokes and completely unsafe on the road, they have acquired swift streamlined shapes, artificial intelligence to assist the driver, while safety has become a key factor in the design of new models. Safety and beauty, of course.
Bored Panda has compiled for you a special selection of comparison illustrations of what the first or one of the first cars of famous contemporary brands looked like compared to some of their latest models. So please feel free to look at these photos, admire the evolution of engineering and design ideas, and do not forget to scroll to the very end and, of course, write your comments below. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Ferrari 125s (1947) vs. Ferrari 812 GTS (2022)
Official Cat 3 years ago
Compared to others on this list, Ferrari has maintained its style mostly, just altered it to fit modern standards.
RELATED:
#2
Audi Typ B (1910) vs. Audi RS7 Sportback (2019)
T. Smith 3 years ago
Really wish there was a late 70's or midway time-line photo in this series. Obviously where my heart lies but also to show a common drastic design change in most lines. Still fascinating!
FakeOptimist 3 years ago
I agree. Nowadays everything is windtunneled so much most cars look the same
Load More Replies...
#3
Hyundai Pony (1975) vs. Hyundai Tucson (2022)
bElLa sTairZz 3 years ago
id say its a downgrade tbh, the newer models look souless, whereas the older ones have personality and an organic feel to them
Laura Mende (Human) 3 years ago
I agree. Back in the day, you could tell the different car brands apart by their design, but today you have to look at the logo because all cars somehow look the same...
Load More Replies...
Chucky Cheezburger 3 years ago
Wow, I didn't know Hyundai was around in 1975. My wife had a 1991 Hyundai Scoupe when we first got married and it wasn't a bad little car. I have heard there were quality issues with them from that time but it ran smooth a quiet as a sewing machine. Sadly, parts were hard to find without ordering them from overseas and it wasn't cost effective to keep it.😥
Mario Strada 3 years ago
One of the features of the new model is that you can grate cheese with it.
Chewie Baron 3 years ago
Why are they using a SUV to compare when Hyundai do have hatchbacks on sale today?
Stephanie Did It 3 years ago
The Pony looks suspiciously like a Pinto...coincidence or copycat?
Interestingly, the first actual car thief in history had the same last name as its creator. And indeed, in 1888, Bertha Benz, the wife of the author of the first car in history, behind her husband's back and without informing the local authorities, got behind the wheel with her two teen sons and drove to a neighboring city to visit their relatives.
The journey of Bertha Benz took more than a hundred kilometers and became a real sensation all over the world. You can even say that it was Bertha who drew everyone's attention to her husband's invention, proving that a car is not a toy, but a real vehicle. By the way, during her trip, the woman bought gasoline at local pharmacies, where it was sold as a cleaning agent.
#4
Citroen Type C (1921) vs. Citroen C5 Aircross (2019)
Hugh Cookson 3 years ago
I had a 20 year love affair with Citroens - everything from CX's (3) to SM's (2) (the initials denote Sado Masochism) via a few BX's, a couple of XM's and a completely bonkers, bloody annoying and wonderful Safari that I converted into a lovely and very comfortable, small motorhome (OK, maybe not a motorhome but good for getting away for a weekend and not paying for hotels), which, having lavished about £1000 back in 1995, shorted something out one night and burst into flames 2 weeks after completing the year long project - burned the bloody garage down as well, bastard ...... Bugger.
Will Cable 3 years ago
Used to have a BX, potholes and speedbumps. nope didn't feel them. Rutted track across a field, no problem. Then there were those days when you went to get in and it had settled down on the suspension and felt as low as getting in a low slung sports car. The coin holder, ash tray and radio all hidden away. *sigh*
Load More Replies...
bElLa sTairZz 3 years ago
i personally prefer the older ones by a large margion, the new ones look souless and artificial without any real personality
Natasja de Jong 3 years ago
My wedding car was a Citroën traction avant. Such a nice car. Nice to know: mister Citroen (lime in the Dutch language) wanted to make is name more French. So he put the dots on the E and from that moment you must say Sietro-un.
LynzCatastrophe 3 years ago
Aren't Citroëns all supposed to have been converted into RVs by now? (I'm referencing a top gear episode).
Will Cable 3 years ago
I still think the SM was one of their best looking cars but not the U.S. version with the fixed headlights.
RandomHumanBean 3 years ago
and...? this is not called "This Is How These 25 Modern Cars Of Famous Brands Look In Comparison With Their OldEST Versions". Type C is old, even if not the oldest of the brand.
Load More Replies...
#5
Chrysler Airflow (1935) vs. Chrysler 300C Tourer (2019)
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
Notice how the new model evokes the front end of the older model? Like paying homage to the past by bringing it forward into the present.
Lori Leffler 3 years ago
As a current owner of a Chrysler 300, I approve of your comment. That mean front end is one of the main reasons I bought my car.
Load More Replies...
Rob Chapman 3 years ago (edited)
Newest model? 2019? The 300C Tourer/Station Wagon was discontinued in 2010.
Chucky Cheezburger 3 years ago
Something about the lines on the Airflow...Can't put my finger on it, but following those lines gives me a good feeling.
FakeOptimist 3 years ago
I respectl Chrysler for taking risks : the PT- cruiser for instance is one of the only cars that looks original nowadays.
Chucky Cheezburger 3 years ago
I dont care what others say, but I think the P.T. Cruiser was a sharp lil car that had alot of potential. Unfortunately, it was all show and no go. If they would have done the interior like the Caravan with the fold away seats and put in an engine with some pep, it would've had the guts to match the stylish body lines. But like many autos, the overall build quality made it ⭐️⭐️ to ⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Load More Replies...
David H 3 years ago (edited)
That is not Chrysler's first car, the Chrysler Six from 1924 was their first car, though they had technically been making cars since 1904 under the name Maxwell Motor Company which went backrupt and was bought by Walter Chrysler in 1925. Chrysler, a former Buick executive who in 1924 started his own small autocompany and saw the Maxwell purchase as a way to launch his small brand to the big time. By 1927 they were the third largest auto company in the US with several models. In 1930 they opened a 77 floor HQ(they only needed 40 of the floors (and had a real estate partner who rented out the other 37 who helped finance the building) with a massive showroom on the first floor.
#6
Opel Lutzmann (1899) vs. Opel Mokka-E (2021)
Eight years after Bertha Benz's memorable journey, the first ticket in the history of mankind for speeding was issued. The historic offender was Briton Walter Arnold, who was driving his car at an unimaginable speed of 8 miles per hour. There were no traffic rules then, so the police fined Arnold as if he was riding a horse-drawn carriage.
#7
Honda T360 (1963) vs. Honda CR-V Hybrid (2018)
Crzwaco 3 years ago
That Honda T360 looks pretty sweet. I would love to see an updated version of it, but keep the ascetic.
Chucky Cheezburger 3 years ago
I'm with you Crzwaco..I think its called a resto-mod, where someone takes an antique car and restores it with modern engine, brakes and controls. This would be a sweet lil ride with a hybrid or all electric drive train.
Load More Replies...
Bob La Capra 3 years ago
A better comparison to the T360 would be a Ridgeline. Truck to truck...
#8
Jaguar D-Type (1955) vs. Jaguar F-Type R-Dynamic (2021)
Fabian Bernard 3 years ago
First Jaguar was the Swallow, also a licence produced Austin Seven. Then came the SS90
Jorq 3 years ago
Came here to say there’s a couple of decades between the first Jaguar model and the D-type
Load More Replies... 
In the doghouse 3 years ago
The original E-Type was the prettiest care ever made. Went downhill when they bumped out the back.
#9
Bentley 3 Litre (1919) vs. Bentley Continental GTC (2016)
Bill Swallow 3 years ago
"Mr. Bentley builds the world's fastest lorries" was one snide comment, and "Bentleys do not so much 'accelerate' as 'accumulate velocity', in much the same way as a bond accumulates interest".
By the way, despite the fact that Walter Arnold was the first driver fined for speeding, he never became the first racer in history - after all, the first car race took place a year before his incident. The race was the idea of H.H. Kohlsaat, the publisher of the Chicago Times-Herald.
Hoping to promote this new industry and sell more papers, Kohlsaat announced "A Prize for Motors," with a $5,000 purse for "inventors who can construct practicable, self propelling road carriages." The race was originally planned to run from Chicago to Milwaukee, but bad roads forced a shorter course, and it became a 54-mile course from Chicago to Evanston and back.
The official race was held on Thanksgiving Day in temperatures around 30 degrees Fahrenheit, with 6 inches of fresh snow and drifts of up to 24 inches. Almost 80 entrants had been promised, but only 11 agreed to run in such weather, and just six cars arrived at the start line. Only two entrants finished and the winner of the first race ever was J. Frank Duryea.
#10
BMW Dixi (1928) vs. BMW Z4 (2022)
Fabian Bernard 3 years ago
The Dixi was a licence product of the Austin Seven ( So was also the french Rosengart LR2)
Jorq 3 years ago (edited)
It was the first automobile to wear the BMW roundel though, before becoming the 3/15
Load More Replies... #11
Dodge Model 30 (1918) vs. Dodge Viper RT/10 (2018)
PickleRick 3 years ago
Both are beautiful, IMO. The Vipers original design was stunning and pretty gutsy to be honest.
Justin Tombs 3 years ago
That viper looks to be around a '96-98 not a 2018, what's the matter, couldn't even find a stock image of a newer one?
#12
Mazda R360 (1960) vs. Mazda MX30 (2020)
Chucky Cheezburger 3 years ago
Look at that lil thing! It's like a go-cart. I bet it would be fun to drive if it has some pep.
Stephanie Did It 3 years ago
1970s Mazda Rotary Engine ad: Piston engine goes boing boing boing but the Mazda goes Hmmm
Today, the automotive industry continues to evolve as every year there are faster, smarter and safer cars, more and more like futuristic land-based versions of spaceships. But no matter how technically perfect they were, it all started then, one hundred and thirty-seven years ago, in the quiet German town of Mannheim, when Karl Benz, scaring away all the surrounding dogs and to the delight of the neighboring children, rolled out his home-made unit onto the road, marking the birth of a new era.
#13
Fiat 3HP (1899) vs. Fiat 500X (2015)
Caleb R 3 years ago
The Fiat 500 isn't even good for scrap metal. The worst six years of my life owning one.
Justin Tombs 3 years ago
The 500 and the 500x are completely different machines, which one did you have problems with?
Load More Replies... #14
Benz Patent-Motorwagen (1885) vs. Mercedes-Benz EQS (2022)
Ralph K. 3 years ago
The first motor car in the world, and the first city-to-city-drive was made by Bertha Benz from Mannheim to Pforzheim in a day (today it's about an hour ride).
David H 3 years ago
She was also the first auto-mechanic, invented the brake pad on that very journey (asked a leather buggy whip maker to make leather straps to wrap around the brake system to help with slowing down the vehicle), invented the idea of the refueling station (It was powered on Alchol, and she realized that every town had a pharmacy where she could get get cheap disinfectant alcohol, to refuel), etc. They were full partners and Mr Benz always gave his wife her proper credit, and would say "I created it, but she improved it"
Load More Replies...
TotallyNOTaFox 3 years ago
A private person bought the Patentwagen and has it displayed in a museum, it still drives and is licensed for driving on roads actually
#15
Porsche 356 (1948) vs. Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe (2021)
Bob La Capra 3 years ago
Exactly. The title of the post is how the modern car compares with its older version
Load More Replies... Chucky Cheezburger 3 years ago
When I think of Porsche, its as a sports car, but to me, the 356 looks like a touring auto with a slightly sporty edge...It doesn't say speed, it says luxury.
Grant Barke 3 years ago
The last iteration, the 356C 1964–65 is the one to own if you want a more sporty feel. I myself would do the unthinkable and swap in a Subaru WRX engine, lol.
Load More Replies... 
In the doghouse 3 years ago
There's a museum in Munich that has a stainless steel Porsche (911?). It is surrounded by signs in several languages saying "Do Not Touch" and is covered in finger prints.
Chewie Baron 3 years ago
The first six ‘People’s Car’ were built by Ferdinand Porsche, so technically, they are the very first Porsche cars.
#16
Volkswagen 2 (1948) vs. Volkswagen ID.4
#17
Buick Model B (1904) vs. Buick Envision Premium (2020)
Kendra Miller 3 years ago
So far in the list, this is the only model to be parked with wheel chocks. Which makes me wonder. Did it have breaks? That would certainly make driving interesting.
#18
Renault Type AX (1908) vs. Renault Arkana (2021)
Strahd Ivarius 3 years ago
In Renault ads a few years ago you had a guy coming to a Renault repair shop with a car like the Type AX for maintenance...
#19
Ford Quadricycle (1896) vs. Ford Puma (2019)
#20
Toyota Model Aa Sedan (1936) vs. Toyota Corolla Cross (2022)
Bill Swallow 3 years ago
... You don't really see 'brown' cars nowadays. Lots of them in WWII-vintage films, even if they tended to be government vehicles.
Load More Replies...
#21
Volvo OV4 (1927) vs. Volvo XC90 (2019)
James016 3 years ago
That’s the old XC90. Not the current one. Plus they have just announced the EX90 EV
PickleRick 3 years ago
Not a 2019. I've still got my 2010 and I hope I always will. Best SUV I've ever owned.
Hugh Cookson 3 years ago
I'd still prefer my old 760 Estate - v6 engine, full leather interior, heated everything, went like s**t off of a shovel and bloody reliable until the head gasket went .......
#22
Chevrolet Series H-2 (1914) vs. Chevrolet Tracker 1.2 Turbo LS (2022)
#23
Mitsubishi Model A (1917) vs. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (2021)
#24
Nissan Datsun Type 16 Coupe (1937) vs. Nissan X-Trail (2022)
Nancy Lynch 3 years ago
I had a 510 wagon in the 70's and a B210 in the 80's. Both bought used.
#25
Peugeot Bebe Type BP-1 (1913) vs. Peugeot 308 (2021)
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Jordan 3 years ago
And no ac or roof or doors or power steering or seatbelts or the ability to go over 15mph
Load More Replies...
Denise Melek 3 years ago
For my personal taste, cars had class, peaked in design 70es and 80es and now they mostly look like fugly tins of metal.
CrazyCatLady 3 years ago
I’m disappointed. I was hoping to see lamborghini with a tracktor lol.
Ray Carrillo 3 years ago (edited)
Not sure that these were appropriate comparisons. Seem like a coupe compared to a SUV is not the same thing.
Camilla Koutsos 3 years ago
These aren't their old versions. These are cars being compared with SUVs in many cases.
the Return of Bruno 3 years ago
Huh. I've known since grade school that Ford didn't invent the car, but rather the assembly line (much bigger deal, actually). But reading this, I realized I still didn't know who invented the car. Would you believe a Jesuit missionary in China in the 17th century tried to impress the emperor by building a self-propelled carriage? It was a successful prototype, but too small to be practical. Several people built steam cars (France's Nicholas Cugnot's tractor, 1771; UK's William Murdoch, 1780; Walter Hancock's phaeton, 1838; Canada's Henry Taylor's steam buggy, 1867). The first automobile able to be driven on a typical road, however, actually WAS American, Rev. JW Carhart, 1871. His went 200 miles at 6 MPH throughout Wisconsin.
SheamusFanFrom1987 3 years ago
Some of these models of yesteryear brings a sense of nostalgia but I think overall, I still love my 3rd generation Toyota Vios :-D
Jordan 3 years ago
And no ac or roof or doors or power steering or seatbelts or the ability to go over 15mph
Load More Replies... Denise Melek 3 years ago
For my personal taste, cars had class, peaked in design 70es and 80es and now they mostly look like fugly tins of metal.
CrazyCatLady 3 years ago
I’m disappointed. I was hoping to see lamborghini with a tracktor lol.
Ray Carrillo 3 years ago (edited)
Not sure that these were appropriate comparisons. Seem like a coupe compared to a SUV is not the same thing.
Camilla Koutsos 3 years ago
These aren't their old versions. These are cars being compared with SUVs in many cases.
the Return of Bruno 3 years ago
Huh. I've known since grade school that Ford didn't invent the car, but rather the assembly line (much bigger deal, actually). But reading this, I realized I still didn't know who invented the car. Would you believe a Jesuit missionary in China in the 17th century tried to impress the emperor by building a self-propelled carriage? It was a successful prototype, but too small to be practical. Several people built steam cars (France's Nicholas Cugnot's tractor, 1771; UK's William Murdoch, 1780; Walter Hancock's phaeton, 1838; Canada's Henry Taylor's steam buggy, 1867). The first automobile able to be driven on a typical road, however, actually WAS American, Rev. JW Carhart, 1871. His went 200 miles at 6 MPH throughout Wisconsin.
SheamusFanFrom1987 3 years ago
Some of these models of yesteryear brings a sense of nostalgia but I think overall, I still love my 3rd generation Toyota Vios :-D
Related on Bored Panda
