See how popular vehicles like the Camry, Wrangler and F-150 have changed over the last 25 years

This story is part of CNET at 25We’re celebrating a quarter of a century of industrial technology and our role in telling you its story.

It’s hard to believe, however CNET celebrates its 25th birthday this month. We have grown by leaps and bounds in the last quarter of a century and have some of your favorite vehicles.

Do not you believe it? Well, we compared a number of cars and trucks from the 1995 model year to those from 2020 to see how much some popular nameplates have changed. The 95 Honda Civic, for example, is about the same size and weight as an accord from that time. Ford’s F-150 pickup has changed immensely, its maximum towing capacity has almost doubled. Keep scrolling and see if you’re as shocked as we are.

Chevrolet’s venerable class is the pony car class Camaro. Just like today, the 1995 model was offered in two body styles. You could get your mullet machine either as a coupe or as a convertible. In addition, the name and rolling of four wheels doesn’t have much that a 25 year old version of this Chevy has in common with today’s model.

For example, the 2.0-liter turbo engine of the Camaro 2020 delivers 275 horsepower, or just as much as the 5.7-liter LT1 V8 of the Alpha Dog of the Z28 model from 1995. But the comparison is even more shocking if one considered the stream ZL1 Model that swings 650 ponies. It is more than twice as powerful as the 95 model!

But it’s not just hardware under the hood that is very different. The 2020 Camaro’s wheelbase is almost 10 inches longer, although its body is about 5 inches shorter and offers dramatically more attractive proportions.

	1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28	2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
engine	5.7 liter V8	6.2 liter V8 compressor
power	275 hp	650 hp
Torque	325 lb-ft	650 lb-ft
Transfers	6-speed manual transmission 4-speed automatic	6-speed manual transmission 10-speed automatic
wheelbase	101.1 in	110.7 in
length	193.2 in	188.3 in

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Sport utility vehicles like the Isuzu Trooper, Oldsmobile Bravada and Mitsubishi Montero have followed the path of the dinosaurs. The Chevrolet blazer, Jeep Cherokee and Honda Pass were also Goners, but have since been raised from the dead to fight in a new century. There was one constant through all of this: The Ford Explorer. In the past 25 years, this popular family carrier has changed a lot. It has a seat in the third row, has switched to a front-wheel drive architecture for a generation and offers more technology and amenities than can be listed here.

The 1995 model was the first year of the second generation model of this nameplate. It had a sleeker design, nicer interior, and lots of chassis updates. But what was industry-leading a quarter of a century ago is painfully strange today.

In 1995 only one engine was offered in the Explorer, a 4.0 liter push rod V6 with 160 hp. The most powerful drivetrain that Ford offers today is a V6 with two turbochargers that can hold 400 ponies Explorer ST, a whopping 2.5 times more. The wheelbase, the empty weight and the total length of this type plate have of course increased considerably.

	1995 Ford Explorer (4 doors)	2020 Ford Explorer ST
engine	4.0 liter V6	3.0-liter twin-turbo V6
power	160 hp	400 hp
Torque	225 lb-ft	415 lb-ft
Transfers	5-speed manual transmission 4-speed automatic	10-speed automatic
construction	Body on frame	Unibody
wheelbase	111.5 in	119.1 in
length	188.5 in	198.8 in
Max. Cargo capacity	81.6 cu-ft	87.8 cu-ft
Estimated curb weight	4,189 pounds	4,701 pounds

Undoubtedly, one of the most dramatic vehicle transformations in the past quarter century has been with that Ford F-150. In 1995, you were much more likely to see one of these trucks in a field or on a construction site than when you parked in front of a mall. Over the years, customers have requested more comfort in their rigs, and Ford has happily agreed to do so.

The 2020 F-150 offers amenities such as a navigation system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and a weight-saving aluminum body that were probably unimaginable for drivers in 1995. At that time, electric locks and windows were not standard. and air conditioning costs extra, as well for things like tachometer and cruise control.

Performance and performance have also increased dramatically. The entry-level engine is basically twice as powerful as in 1995. The Alpha Dog engine 2020 is similarly more powerful than its 25-year-old counterpart. The F-150’s powerful 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine delivers 450 horsepower, far more than the 5.8-liter V8 on this rig.

	1995 Ford F-150	2020 Ford F-150
Engines	4.9 liters of I6 5.0 liter V8 5.8-liter V8	3.3 liter V6 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 5.0 liter V8 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 3.5-liter high-performance twin-turbo V6 3.0 liter turbo diesel V6
power	145/150 hp 205/195 hp 210/205 hp	290 hp 325 hp 395 hp 375 hp 450 hp 250 hp
Torque	265/260 lb-ft 275/270 lb-ft 325/330 lb-ft	265 lb-ft 400 lb-ft 400 lb-ft 470 lb-ft 510 lb-ft 440 lb-ft
Transfers	5-speed manual transmission 4-speed automatic	6-speed automatic 10-speed automatic
Max. Towing	7,500 pounds	13,200 pounds
Max. Payload	2.205 pounds	3270 pounds

Honda Civic was pretty much always the gold standard in the small car class. It is today and it was 25 years ago.

But how have things changed? Compared to EX sedan models, the overall length of this venerable nameplate has increased by almost 10 inches and the weight accordingly. At just under one and a half tons, the 2020 Civic EX four-door is almost 400 pounds heavier than a similar 1995 model.

Of course, more features, more security and larger overall dimensions contribute to this amazing increase. Fortunately, engine power grew at a similar rate. The current car’s 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine delivers 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. It’s not a monumental increase, but it’s a lot more astonishing when compared to a 1995 DX hatchback model. They only had 70 horsepower!

	1995 Honda Civic EX sedan	2020 Honda Civic EX sedan
engine	1.5 liters of I4	1.5 liter turbo I4
power	125 hp	174 hp
Torque	106 lb-ft	162 lb-ft
Transfers	5-speed manual transmission 4-speed automatic	CVT
wheelbase	103.2 in	106.3 in
length	173.0 in	182.7 in
Cargo capacity	12.4 cu-ft	15.1 cu-ft
Curb weight	2,522 pounds	2,917 pounds
Base price	$ 11,980	$ 21,605

Honda was too late in the modern minivan game and was more than a decade behind Chrysler. Nevertheless, the 1995 Odyssey turned out to be an excellent product.

Oddly enough, four was the magic number in this vehicle on which the Accord sedan is based. It was equipped with a double wishbone at all four corners, was powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with 140 hp and matched to a four-speed automatic transmission. Not only that, there were also four conventionally pivoting doors in contrast to competitors with sliding rear access portals.

As expected today Honda Odyssey is far more technical, comfortable and, like practically everything else on this list, larger than its 1995 counterpart. The length, wheelbase and curb weight of this minivan have all grown considerably. And at 4,398 pounds, the lightest version of the 2020 Odyssey is almost 1,000 pounds Husker as an equivalent model from 1995, an astounding increase. Fortunately, the power has doubled and the transmission has six additional gears.

	1995 Honda Odyssey LX	2020 Honda Odyssey LX
engine	2.2 liters of I4	3.5 liter V6
power	140 hp	280 hp
Torque	145 lb-ft	262 lb-ft
transmission	4-speed automatic	10-speed automatic
Max. Fuel consumption	18/22/20 mpg	19/28/22 mpg
wheelbase	111.4 in	118.1 in
length	186.7 in	203.2 in
Curb weight	3,435 pounds	4,398 pounds
Basic RRP	$ 22,985	$ 31,910

1995 Jeep Wrangler used the same basic formula

A 1995 YJ model from basic configuration to appearance Wrangler is strikingly similar to the JL variant, which you can now pick up from a dealer. But as this old saying goes, the devil is in the details.

Compared to a Wrangler from 1995 with a two-door model from 2020, the vehicle has grown considerably. The new one is about 15 cm longer and almost 8 cm wider. As a result, similar models are almost half a ton heavier. The increase is certainly responsible for this weight gain, but additional equipment also plays a role. In 1995, functions such as air conditioning, an anti-lock braking system and a passenger side mirror were optional.

25 years ago, two motors and a pair of gearboxes were offered under the hood. Today, a wide range of drive trains is on the program, including petrol engines, which are complemented by a mild hybrid system. You can even get V6 diesel, but only in four-door Wrangler Unlimited models.

	1995 Jeep Wrangler	2020 Jeep Wrangler (2 doors)
Engines	2.5 liters of I4 4.0 liter I6	3.6 liter V6 2.0-liter turbo I4
power	123 hp 180 hp	285 hp 270 hp
Torque	148 lb-ft 220 lb-ft	260 lb-ft 295 lb-ft
Transfers	5-speed manual transmission 3-speed automatic	8-speed automatic 6-speed manual transmission
wheelbase	93.4 in	96.8 in
length	151.9 in	166.8 in
Curb weight	2,943 pounds	3,919 pounds
Approach angle	33.2 degrees	41.4 degrees
Departure angle	36.1 degrees	25.0 degrees
Overturn angle	25.2 degrees	35.9 degrees
Minimal ground clearance	7.5 in	9.7 in

Like the Wrangler, Mazda’s legendary Miata roadster has remained true to its original formula even after three decades of production and four generations. The aim of this two-seater fun machine was to direct as much driving fun as possible to the left front seat, and this guiding principle remains the same.

Dimensionally the venerable Mazda Miata not much has changed. The 2020 model’s wheelbase has only grown by 1.7 inches to 90.9 inches, while the overall length of the car has actually shrunk by 1.3 inches. But remarkably, the mass of the Miata has barely increased, although it has received far more amenities, is safer, stronger, and has a much nicer interior. A 1995 model only weighs 2,293 pounds, while a comparable 2020 is only 48 pounds heavier.

	1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata	2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata
engine	1.8 liters I4	2.0 liter I4
power	128 hp	181 hp
Torque	110 lb-ft	151 lb-ft
Transfers	5-speed manual transmission 4-speed automatic	6-speed manual transmission 6-speed automatic
Max. Fuel consumption	21/27/23 mpg	26/35/30 mpg
wheelbase	89.2 in	90.9 in
length	155.4 in	154.1 in
Curb weight	2,293 pounds	2,341 pounds

The current generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class is an elegant and refined flagship sedan, just like a quarter of a century ago. The volume sales model in the US today is the S560, which broadly corresponds to the 1995 S500.

This old-school Benz was equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 engine that produced a powerful 320 hp and was directed to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. In comparison, the 2020 S560 is also powered by a V8 engine that displaces smaller 4.0 liters but is powered by two turbochargers. This combination delivers 463 hp or 143 more. In order to make optimal use of this power, the engine is tuned to a nine-speed automatic transmission and a rear or all-wheel drive.

This new S-Class is not much bigger than its 25 year old counterpart. It’s only about 5.6 cm longer and in the form of a rear-wheel drive about 322 pounds Huskier.

	1995 Mercedes-Benz S500	2020 Mercedes-Benz S560
engine	5.0 liter V8	4.0-liter twin-turbo V8
power	320 hp	463 hp
Torque	347 lb-ft	516 lb-ft
transmission	4-speed automatic	9-speed automatic
Fuel consumption	14/18/15 mpg	17/27/21 mpg
wheelbase	119.7 in	124.6 in
length	201.3 in	206.9 in
Curb weight	4,409 pounds	4.731 pounds

Another automotive legend is the Porsche 911. In 1995, the turbo model of the 993 generation delivered quite a shocking performance. Its horizontally opposite 3.6 liter engine produced 400 hp and the same torque, which is not bad for an air-cooled engine. With standard full-time all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox, it was able to rocket to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, while its top speed was announced at 180 mph.

In comparison the latest and the best 911 Turbo S. is equipped with 640 hp and 590 lb-ft twist. Four-wheel drive is still standard and is absolutely necessary with so much firepower under the bonnet, although no manual transmission is offered. It was replaced by an eight-speed dual clutch automatic.

How has the performance of this German thoroughbred changed? Well, chew on it. This new 911 Turbo S can reach 60 mph in a blistering 2.6 seconds and its top speed is 205 mph.

	1995 Porsche 911 Turbo	2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S.
engine	3.6 liter twin turbo H6	3.8 liter twin turbo H6
power	400 hp	640
Torque	400 lb-ft	590
transmission	6-speed manual transmission	Eight-speed double clutch automatic
Powertrain	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
0 to 60 miles an hour	4.4 seconds	2.6 seconds
Top speed	180 miles an hour	205 miles an hour
wheelbase	89.4 in	96.5 in
length	167.7 in	178.6 in
Curb weight	3.307 pounds	3,636 pounds

Ah, that Toyota Camry, a car that is omnipresent as a smartphone or fast food restaurant. Like McDonald’s Hamburger, it has been a bestseller for decades, although this family machine has changed a lot over the past 25 years, unlike a quarter pounder with cheese, for example.

Today’s Camry is expressively designed, with a large grille, aggressive headlights and a lot of surface. In comparison, the 1995 model is a generic look that a car can get, with an absolutely simple three-box design and zero frills. Visually, it’s about as exciting as standing in line, although at least several body styles were available. At that time you could get the Camry as a sedan, coupe or station wagon.

This venerable nameplate was slightly revised for 1995 and offered a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with 125 hp. In comparison, today’s base engine displaces 2.5 liters and produces up to 206 ponies. In the past, drivers who wanted more power could get a 3.0-liter V6 with 188 hp, far from the Bent Six of the 2020 model, which delivers 301 horses.

	1995 Toyota Camry	2020 Toyota Camry
Engines	2.2 liters of I4 3.0 liter V6	2.5 liters of I4 3.5 liter V6
power	125 hp 188 hp	203/206 hp 301 hp
Torque	145 lb-ft 195 lb-ft	184/186 hp 267 lb-ft
Transfers	5-speed manual transmission 4-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
wheelbase	103.1 in	111.2 in
Max. Length	187.8 in	194.6 in
Cargo capacity	14.9 cu-ft	15.1 cu-ft

The Toyota Tacoma has been very popular for decades. In addition to the manageable dimensions, robustness and long-term reliability are cornerstones of success.

In 1995, three engines were offered, a 2.4-liter base unit, a larger 2.7-liter four-cylinder and a top-class 3.4-liter V6. A four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual were your two gear choices.

Today’s taco is still available with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder that produces 159 hp. Chances are, however, that you are much more satisfied with the V6 with 278 hp, 88 more than that in ’95. Two transmissions are still offered in this truck – a manual and an automatic – although both have six forward gears.

	1995 Toyota Tacoma	2020 Toyota Tacoma
Engines	2.4 liter I4 2.7 liters I4 3.4 liter V6	2.7 liters I4 3.5 liter V6
power	142 hp 150 hp 190 hp	159 hp 278 hp
Torque	160 lb-ft 177 lb-ft 220 lb-ft	180 lb-ft 265 lb-ft
Transfers	5-speed manual transmission 4-speed automatic	6-speed automatic 6-speed manual transmission
Approx. Max. payload	1,860 pounds	1,620 pounds
Approx. Max. tow away	5,000 pounds	6,800 pounds