Since its debut in 2001, the Fast and Furious franchise has delivered adrenaline-pumping action, globe-trotting adventures, and an unforgettable lineup of cars.
Universal Pictures has gone all out in showcasing an impressive range of vehicles, from Japanese legends like the Toyota Supra and Nissan Skyline GT-R to American muscle cars from Dodge and Ford.
The franchise has even featured high-end hypercars from brands like Bugatti, Lamborghini, and W Motors, often pushing them to their limits in gravity-defying stunts.
With so many standout cars featured throughout the series, narrowing them down to the best is no easy task. However, a list of 10 of the most iconic vehicles has been put together, highlighting the cars that have defined the franchise.
Whether tearing through the streets in high-speed chases or performing spectacular on-screen feats, these machines have become an essential part of the Fast and Furious legacy.
1. Ford Escort Mk1 RS1600 – Fast & Furious 6
Brian O’Conner, played by the late Paul Walker, was known for his preference for Japanese sports cars, but that didn’t stop him from driving a variety of vehicles throughout the Fast and Furious series. His character’s love for speed and precision made him a perfect fit for high-performance machines, regardless of their origin.
In Fast & Furious 6, the franchise continued its shift from underground street racing to high-stakes action and intense drama. During a mission to stop Shaw, the team acquires classic cars from a London auction, including the Mk1 Ford Escort RS1600.
This rally-inspired vehicle proved its worth during a highway chase involving a tank, with its specialized suspension allowing O’Conner to make a daring leap to rescue Roman from being crushed.
2. 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT – Furious 7
As the Fast Saga evolved, its stunts became increasingly over-the-top, featuring everything from prison bus takedowns to towing a massive bank safe and even skydiving cars out of a plane.
In Furious 7, government agent Mr. Nobody equips the team with a collection of specially modified vehicles to aid in their missions. Among them was a striking green Dodge Challenger, driven by Letty Ortiz during the team’s daring rescue of hacker Ramsey in the Caucasus Mountains.
This Challenger stood out due to its rugged modifications, including aggressive front bash bars and a prominent rear spoiler.
The spoiler played a crucial role in the high-stakes sequence, giving Brian O’Conner something to grab onto, preventing him from plummeting off the mountain. This moment added to the long list of gravity-defying stunts that define the Fast and Furious franchise.
3. 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback – The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift
Sean Boswell, introduced in Tokyo Drift, was a street racer with raw talent but a reckless streak. After racing a high school rival in an 800-horsepower Chevrolet Monte Carlo against a Dodge Viper, he crashed and was arrested for property damage.
As a result, Sean was sent to Tokyo to live with his father, where he was introduced to the world of drifting. By the film’s climax, he faced off against the Drift King in a high-stakes touge battle, driving a unique Ford Mustang fitted with an RB26 engine from a Nissan Skyline GT-R.
For the film, multiple Mustangs were built, though they were actually 1968 models. Sean Morris from Toprank Imports led the effort to fit the Nissan GT-R engine into the Mustang, a process that took two months.
In total, six Mustangs were used for filming, but none were destroyed during production. While the RB26 engine in the hero car produced around 320-330 horsepower, most stunt cars had standard V6 engines. After filming, these stunt cars were sold for prices ranging from $14,000 to $22,000.
4. W Motors Lykan HyperSport – Furious 7
Furious 7 featured some of the most impressive cars in the Fast and Furious saga, from Subarus and Dodges to McLarens and Bugattis. However, the standout was the W Motors Lykan Hypersport, which Dom famously jumped between three skyscrapers.
Despite its V10-like sound, the Lykan is powered by a twin-turbo flat-six engine from Ruf, producing 780 hp and reaching 62 mph in under three seconds. With only seven ever made, the movie used CGI and stunt models for destruction. Ten stunt cars were built, and the hero car was later auctioned off after filming.
5. Toyota GR Supra (RX-7 Homage): F9
In F9, Han and Mia arrive in a 2020 Toyota GR Supra, painted to resemble Han’s iconic RX-7 from Tokyo Drift, creating a double tribute to both Han’s Mazda and Brian’s original Supra.
One of the most over-the-top modifications in the film was the massive electromagnet fitted to the Supra, which played a key role in an action-packed scene. Working together with Dom, Jakob used the magnet to crush an 18-wheeler, causing it to flip forward in a dramatic stunt.
Despite its flashy appearance, the Supra remained mostly stock, lacking major modifications like a VeilSide widebody or engine swaps.
Equipped with a BMW-sourced 3.0-liter straight-six, it delivered 382 horsepower but didn’t perform the franchise’s signature “10-second quarter miles.” The Fast and Furious franchise continued to honor Han’s past by featuring a new VeilSide Z in the latest film, reinforcing its connection to the legendary RX-7.
Also Read: 10 Cars That Can Hit 0-60 MPH in Under 3 Seconds and Dominate the Road
6. 1970 Dodge Charger R/T – The Fast and The Furious
Dominic Toretto’s iconic Dodge Charger has become a symbol of both his character and the Fast and Furious franchise. Built by Dom and his father in his younger years, the Charger carried deep sentimental value, but Dom also feared its immense power.
The car was said to run a quarter-mile in the 9-second range while simultaneously pulling a wheelie and doing a burnout—an exaggerated feat that added to its legendary status in the films.
In reality, the Charger was a mix of 1968 and 1970 model parts, with Mecum claiming it made 950 horsepower and featured a NOS nitrous system. The engine shown in its debut scene was sourced from Chuck Taylor Racing Engines but was only used for that moment before being returned.
Additionally, the engine sounds heard in the movie were pre-recorded using a standard Hemi V8, which explains the absence of a supercharger whine despite its on-screen presence.
7. 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse: The Fast and The Furious
The Mitsubishi Eclipse played a pivotal role in The Fast and the Furious, introducing Paul Walker’s character, Brian O’Conner, to Dominic Toretto and setting the tone for the franchise’s underground street racing culture.
Painted bright green with blue side decals, an APR rear spoiler, a full body kit, and neon underglow, the Eclipse embodied the tuner scene of the early 2000s. Though its screen time was brief, it helped establish the high-octane energy that would define the series.
Brian, an undercover cop, used the Eclipse to gain Dom’s trust, entering a street race under the alias “Brian Earl Spilner.”
During the race, he pushed the car to its limits with nitrous, leading to some of the film’s most unrealistic moments—such as a damaged manifold somehow causing the passenger-side floor to fall out.
Despite its cinematic exaggerations, the Eclipse remains an iconic car from the franchise, later selling at a Mecum auction for $170,500. It featured Toyo Proxes tires, a 2.0-liter DOHC inline-four engine, a real carbon fiber hood, and Sparco racing seats.
8. VeilSide Mazda RX-7 – The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift
After Sean embarrasses himself in a drift race against DK, crashing an RB-swapped S15 Silvia, Han recognizes his potential and takes him under his wing. To pick Sean up from school, Han arrives in one of the franchise’s most iconic cars—the orange and black VeilSide Mazda RX-7.
Originally red, the RX-7 was repainted for the film but retained VeilSide’s modifications. Under the hood, its 13B rotary engine features an HKS turbo and a titanium exhaust for an enhanced rotary sound. Other upgrades include an Alpine sound system and a nitrous bottle, making it one of the franchise’s most memorable cars.
9. Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34): 2 Fast 2 Furious
The Fast and Furious franchise is synonymous with the Nissan Skyline GT-R, and its association with the films has significantly increased its value in the U.S. While the R34 Skyline is legal to import, the GT-R variant remains prohibited, though a few managed to reach American roads under special exemptions.
One such example was the hero car from 2 Fast 2 Furious, instantly recognizable by its silver and blue livery. Originally painted Bayside Blue, the car was later restored to its factory color after filming and the media tour.
Beneath the hood, the RB26DETT engine was upgraded with HKS 2540 turbos, larger injectors, upgraded cams, and a downpipe, producing 420-450 horsepower without nitrous.
It also featured a 150-horsepower Nitrous Express system, making it a true performance machine capable of a 12-second quarter-mile.
The car’s aggressive styling was further enhanced by a C-West body kit, a carbon rear wing, and HRE 19-inch wheels wrapped in Toyo T1R Proxes tires, solidifying its place as one of the most legendary cars in the franchise.
10. Mk4 Toyota Supra: The Fast and The Furious
No Fast and Furious car list is complete without the original film’s hero car—the Toyota Supra that Brian owed Dom after losing their race. To settle his debt, Brian brought Dom a beat-up Supra with its legendary 2JZ engine still intact.
After extensive work, the car was transformed into a high-performance machine, complete with a striking orange paint job sourced from a Lamborghini Diablo.
This Supra starred in one of the most iconic movie exchanges in car film history: “What’s the retail on one of those?”—”More than you can afford, pal. Ferrari.” Ironically, today, the Supra is the one fetching higher prices.
The hero Supra became so beloved that it set a new auction record, selling for over half a million dollars. However, despite its legendary status, it wasn’t mechanically extraordinary—the engine remained stock, and it had a four-speed automatic transmission.
What truly made it special was its aggressive styling, featuring a Bomex body kit, a genuine APR rear wing, 19-inch Dazz Motorsport Racing Hart M5 wheels, and the unforgettable Nuclear Gladiator decals. This Supra helped inspire a new generation of car enthusiasts and defined the early 2000s tuner scene.
The Fast and Furious franchise has not only revolutionized action cinema but has also left an indelible mark on car culture worldwide.
From street racing origins to high-stakes heists and globe-trotting adventures, these films have showcased some of the most iconic and beloved vehicles ever seen on screen. Whether it’s Brian’s Skyline, Dom’s Charger, or Han’s RX-7, each car has played a pivotal role in shaping the franchise’s legacy.
As the series continues to evolve, so does its lineup of incredible machines. With each new installment, fans eagerly anticipate the next jaw-dropping ride that will join the ranks of Fast and Furious history.
Also Read: 10 Cars That Became Instant Classics After Production Ended and Redefined Automotive History
