The 40 Best Rebadged Cars Ever Made

Car enthusiasts cringe at the thought of designing badges, and for good reason. Each automaker brings their own spices to the recipe, and drivers tend to associate with one more than the other. And when companies team up to mix spices, it usually doesn't bode well for fans (looking at the Supra MK V).

However, in some specific cases, this collaboration can lead to something amazing (again, looking at the Supra MK V). Sure, many rebadged vehicles aren't worth it, but there are also numerous examples of outstanding engineering. Here we will talk about the latter, since we only care about the good things in life. Let's dig!

Toyota Supra MK B (BMW Z4)

True JDM fans will probably never accept the new Supra as it is built on BMW's rear wheel drive platform and uses BMW's inline-4 and inline-6 ​​engines. Components aside, however, the fifth-generation Supra is a great sports coupe.

What's more, Toyota has spiced it up with its own suspension setup to give it a unique driving feel. It was enough for many motoring journalists to call this car better to drive than the BMW Z4, a "similar" German convertible. In addition, the Bavarian engines provide impressive performance. A more powerful version with a turbocharged inline-six engine takes only 6 seconds to reach 3.9 mph, which in our book is tantamount to fun.

The Korean-British cooperation in the field of sports cars is next in line.

Kia Elan (Lotus Elan)

In the 90s, Kia was not as widespread as it is now. To deal with this, the Korean company decided to rename the Lotus Elan. Literally, they plastered Kia badges everywhere and even kept the name. Icon engineering at its finest!

However, there are more differences if you look under the hood. Instead of the 1.8-liter engine, Isuzu Kia installed its own four-cylinder twin-distribution engine with the same displacement and 151 hp. Of course, this is not much, but remember that Elan weighs a little over a ton, which is not enough in our calculations. Also, despite the Kia Elan's front-wheel-drive architecture, it's actually fun to drive around corners.

Suzuki Kara (Avtozam AZ-1)

Suzuki had their own Kei roadster with Cappuccino. However, in some markets they chose to market the Cara as a rebadged version of the Mazda Autozam AZ-1. And, frankly, this is the best car.

Powered by a tiny 657cc turbocharged engine with 64bhp, the Suzuki Cara won't win any drag competition. However, the true quality of the Cara lies in the light and small chassis. With a curb weight of just 1,587 pounds (720 kg), the car is nimble and nimble in corners. Oh, and don't forget the gullwing doors that make it look like a miniature supercar.

Up front: a muscle car with Australian genes

Pontiac GTO (Holden Monaro)

Australian automaker Holden no longer exists, but its soul still lives on in some vehicles. Namely, General Motors has had its fair share of Holden engineering vehicles, and the Pontiac GTO is one of the best examples.

The GTO is a sports coupe with aggressive styling and muscle car driving dynamics based on the Holden Monaro. The overall design is almost identical - an Australian will no doubt recognize the GTO Monaro from afar. But you don't have to worry about that, as the rear-wheel drive coupe has excellent driving dynamics and a powerful LS1 V8 engine under the hood.

Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S

Toyota is no stranger to sports car collaborations. However, this time they teamed up with Subaru to create a true Japanese sports coupe. The Toyobaru (Subieyota?) twins have some of the best driving dynamics you'll find in any modern coupe, thanks primarily to a lightweight chassis and low center of gravity.

Of course, twins don't have enough horsepower to keep your heart beating in a straight line. The naturally aspirated boxer engine from Subaru puts out just 205 hp, which is enough to accelerate to 0 km / h in about 60 seconds. However, the real beauty of the Toyota 7 and Subaru BRZ lies in how they handle corners. With on-demand drift dynamics and a smooth-shifting manual transmission, they provide an exhilarating ride everywhere.

Chevrolet Camaro (Pontiac Firebird)

The Chevy Camaro is one of the most famous muscle cars in history. What few people know, however, is that it shared a platform with the Pontiac Firebird for the first few generations. But of course they did, because General Motors wouldn't spend money developing two identical cars on different platforms.

Although the Camaro proved more popular, the Firebird was the better car at first. GM gave the Pontiac a much more luxurious interior, coupled with several options that weren't available to Chevy buyers. But we're guessing that people who like sports cars don't care much about looking at the interior.

Next up is an American sports car with JDM genes!

Dodge Stealth (Mitsubishi 3000GT)

The Mitsubishi 3000GT is undoubtedly a JDM icon. Equipped with a powerful 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that accelerates the car to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. Advanced 4WD has played its part in delivering thrilling straight-line driving as well as mind-blowing cornering speeds. Mitsubishi even worked on aerodynamics to ensure stability at high speeds.

But how would you feel if we told you that you could have the same car with the Dodge badge? JDM fans may not like it, but we certainly do NOT mind being able to have more amazing sports cars. And the Dodge Stealth definitely deserves that moniker.

Opel Speedster / Vauxhall VX220 (Lotus Elise)

If you want to enjoy driving a mid-engined sports car, the experts will probably take you to the Lotus. The British manufacturer knows a thing or two about building amazing driver-focused vehicles, and the Elise is a perfect example. They are so good at what they do that they even built the Opel Speedster and Vauxhall VX220 for General Motors.

Naturally, the cars had a lot in common with the Elise, but not all. In fact, GM chose its own 2.2-liter Ecotec engine over Toyota's 1.8-liter engine in the Elise. Thankfully, the Speedster and VX220 retained the Elise's exceptional driving dynamics, primarily thanks to the lightweight aluminum chassis and fiberglass reinforced plastic bodywork.

Opel GT (Chevrolet Corvette)

The Opel GT is a "children's" version of the third generation Chevrolet Corvette C3. Of course, this does not mean that the cars are identical, but they do share many suspension components. Like, for example, the front transverse spring suspension, which is still unusual.

The German company also opted for a much smaller engine. Instead of a V8 Vette, the Opel GT used a tiny 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine by comparison. The 102 hp motor won't win any races, of course, but it should be enough for a fun ride on winding roads. The engine made even more sense when you consider that the GT was designed for European roads.

The next car on the list is just as small, but much more powerful.

Shelby Cobra (AC Cobra)

The Shelby Cobra is undoubtedly the most recognizable roadster/spider ever made in the US. But what if I told you that most of the cars are actually from the UK? The chassis and body are taken from the AC Cobra, a British-made sports car with an old BMW engine.

Meanwhile, AC switched to Chrysler's 5.1-liter V8, which Americanized the car a little. However, Shelby went even further. He put an exceptional 7.0-liter Ford FE engine under the hood, creating a crazy road car. Naturally, the most popular roadster today is the Shelby Cobra.

Lotus Carlton (Opel Omega)

Lotus had its fair share of badge design. Fortunately, most of the examples they produced were actually excellent, such as the Lotus Carlton. Taking the Omega as a basis, the super sedan took all the good things from the German model and finalized it to eleven.

But what does eleven look like in a 1990 car? The star of the show is, of course, the 3.6 hp 6-liter twin-turbo inline-377 ​​engine. In the early 90s it was monstrous! Thanks to the exceptional engine, the Carlton could reach 177 miles per hour (285 km/h), which is still considered fast to this day. Yes, and you can easily transport your family in a spacious cabin, which is always a plus in our book.

Chrysler Crossfire

The Chrysler Crossfire is one of the most bizarre sports cars out there. And by bizarre, we mean amazing! A quick look at the cheeky rear end quickly picks this up. The other great thing about the Crossfire is that underneath it is a Mercedes-Benz SLK.

Let's be honest, the German automaker makes outstanding cars, so there's no shame in using its technologies and platforms. What's more, the Crossfire handled corners very well and came with a good selection of engines. The best in the lineup is a supercharged 3.2-liter V6 that turns the car into a small pocket rocket.

Next: Japanese compact van in American suit

Pontiac Vibe GT

General Motors tried to beat Toyota back with its own compact cars, but the Japanese manufacturer always came out on top. Well, you know what they say - if you can't beat them, join them! This is exactly what Pontiac has done with its Vibe GT compact car, based entirely on the Toyota Matrix.

Pontiac managed to change the appearance enough that buyers did not notice the resemblance. However, inside the Vibe GT was based on the Toyota MC platform and even used Japanese 1.8 and 2.4 liter engines. In this case, this is not bad, since these engines are extremely reliable and efficient.

Opel Ampera (Chevrolet Volt)

The first generation Chevrolet Volt was one of the most advanced cars of its time. Thanks to the 16 kWh battery pack, the car was able to travel 38 miles on electricity alone, which was an outstanding performance in 2011. The car also features a 1.4-liter range extender that turns the Volt into a road cruiser.

However, General Motors only sold the Volt in the US. For Europe, they decided to turn the car into an Opel Ampera, a brand more trusted by buyers from the Old Continent. The Ampera had a new faceplate, but was otherwise a completely identical car to the Volt.

Opel is returning the mechanics favor to GM for the next car.

Buick Anchor (Opel Mocha)

You have already seen quite a few Opel vehicles rebadged as one of the GM brands for the North American market. This is no coincidence, because quite recently GM was the parent company of Opel. The Buick Encore is another example of GM badge design, based on the European Opel Mokka.

Subcompact crossovers/SUVs certainly don't sound very interesting to enthusiasts. However, Opel managed to make the car spacious and practical, although the external dimensions are miniature. And, dare we say, the Buick Encore/Opel Mokka look interesting on the outside too.

Volkswagen Golf / Seat Leon / Audi A3

The Volkswagen Group has many brands, and it is only natural that they use common platforms. Perhaps the best examples of platform sharing are the VW Golf, Seat Leon and Audi A3 compact hatchbacks. Cars have their own differences, but still use many similar parts, including chassis and suspension components, and even engines.

Of the three options, the Golf offers the most balanced experience. It is practical, stylish and good to drive. Meanwhile, the Seat Leon moves up a notch - it's the sportiest of the three. Ultimately, the Audi A3 has the most luxurious interior and drives like a premium car.

VW Up / Mii Seat / Skoda Citigo

Another common platform VW range, only this time in the small car category in Europe. Volkswagen Up, Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo share the same internal components including chassis, suspension and engines. However, don't let that fool you - the trio of city cars stand out in many categories.

For example, the Volkswagen Group managed to make the interior of these cars quite spacious, despite the miniature dimensions on the outside. In addition, three-cylinder engines are very economical and environmentally friendly. Volkswagen even released a GTI version of the Up, which uses a 1.0hp 115-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, a true successor to the original Golf GTI.

Another trio of city cars follows!

Toyota Aygo / Citroen C1 / Peugeot 108

PSA (Peugeot/Citroen) and Toyota were actually the first companies to launch badged city cars in Europe. They did a great job - Aygo, C1 and 108 were very successful in the Old Continent. Buyers couldn't resist the attractive exterior and charming interior.

The trio also handles well in corners, primarily due to its light weight. In addition, Toyota's 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine is exceptionally fuel efficient, which is important in a city car. Aygo, C1 and 108 are now in their second generation and the companies have yet to confirm a successor.

Chevrolet SS (Holden Commodore)

General Motors continued to borrow technology and know-how from Holden in creating the SS sports sedan. The Chevy car even shared some parts with the Pontiac GTO, only in a more practical package. But what is so interesting about a sedan, you ask? Well, first of all, SS stands for Super Sport, which is Chevy's good way of saying this car is amazing!

Moreover, buyers could choose between powerful V6 and V8 engines, including a 6.2-liter version with 408 hp. This is the power of the BMW M3. Nearly. However, the best thing about the Chevy SS is that it was offered with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Toyota Yaris iA (Mazda 2)

The most popular Toyota car in Europe is the Yaris, which has just received a major update for 2020. However, there can be no such Yaris in the North American market, and only Toyota knows why. Luckily, the model that customers in the US and Canada are getting is based on the Mazda 2, which is also an outstanding subcompact car.

Thanks to its connection to its Japanese cousin, the Yaris iA handles corners like a real sports car. The steering is nicely weighted too, and the engines deliver good city performance. Also, while views may be polarized, no one will object to good fuel economy.

Opel Corsa / Vauxhall Corsa (Peugeot 208)

The Corsa has long been the most popular Opel (Vauxhall in the UK) model in Europe. However, the future of the supermini has been in doubt recently as GM has abandoned the German brand. Luckily, PSA (Peugeot/Citroen) bought the company and kept their precious subcompact car.

This now means that the Corsa is based on the new Peugeot 208. For Opel enthusiasts, this may be blasphemy, but for other people, the new Corsa is one of the best cars in its category. Just like the fancy 208. Fuel-efficient yet powerful engines, a spacious and stylish interior, and an available all-electric version make the Corsa relevant for 2021.

Five companies use the same platform for the following vehicles!

Citroen, Peugeot, Opel, Vauxhall, Fiat, Toyota Vans

If you go to Europe and look at commercial vehicles there, chances are you will come across one of the aforementioned brands. PSA (Peugeot/Citroen) is partnering with Fiat for larger commercial vehicles and with Toyota for smaller commercial vehicles. Meanwhile, they are also the parent company of Opel and Vauxhall, which rebrand the same vans.

Now this is icon engineering on a whole new level! Luckily, commercial vans are also excellent. They have economical engines, good load capacity, reliable mechanics and low prices. There is a reason European transport relies on them.

Saab 9-2X (Subaru Impreza)

Saab and Subaru are synonymous in the sense that they do things their own way. Well, they "did" since Saab no longer exists. In any case, when the Swedish manufacturer was at the peak of its popularity, it offered the 9-2X compact station wagon. The company managed to design the front end so it looks like a Saab, but they couldn't hide the Subaru Impreza's origins elsewhere.

However, underneath the updated exterior is a great driver's car. Saab borrowed a 227bhp turbocharged boxer engine, enough to put a smile on the driver's face, and a permanent all-wheel-drive system to keep the power down. Thankfully, Saab has also redesigned the interior with better materials and added soundproofing to keep passengers happy.

Lincoln Navigator (Ford Expedition)

Many North American buyers looking for a luxurious full-size SUV choose the excellent Ford Expedition. However, those who want to move up a notch will opt for the more luxurious Lincoln Navigator. Both SUVs share the same platform and interior, but the Lincoln features better interior materials and more soundproofing.

Lincoln Navigator offers a luxurious and spacious interior, a choice of powerful V6 and V8 engines and attractive design. The powertrain might not be ready for some serious off-roading, but on the track, the Navigator will feel right at home. In the meantime, you will feel like the captain of an extravagant yacht.

Get ready for luxury SUV with real offroad ability.

Lexus GX (Toyota Land Cruiser Prado)

Lexus is the only premium manufacturer to offer true SUVs in the US. That's largely thanks to parent company Toyota, which has the most popular off-road lineup east of Jeep. The Land Cruiser Prado is one of Toyota's most recognizable models, and the Lexus GX is the luxury version of this SUV.

Like many Lexus vehicles, the GX features a luxurious interior with high-quality materials. Inside, there is also ample space for passengers and cargo, as well as a host of high-tech features. The design may not be to everyone's taste, but no one can dispute the off-road capability of the GX.

Lexus LX (Toyota Land Cruiser V8)

What is Lexus GX to Land Cruiser Prado, LX to Land Cruiser V8. The latter is a larger and more powerful version of the legendary nameplate, designed to cover long distances in hard-to-reach places.

Naturally, the Lexus version provides passengers with an even more stylish ride without sacrificing off-road capability. There is currently no other SUV that can match the LX for interior quality and sophistication combined with exceptional off-road traction. What's more, like the Land Cruiser V8, it's one of the most durable and reliable SUVs in the world.

Buick Regal (Opel Insignia)

Ask a European to tell you what Buick Regal is in the front, and he will probably tell you it's an Opel Insignia. This would be the correct answer as they are the same cars inside and out. General Motors has done a very simple badge design here - literally changed only the emblems.

However, this shouldn't bother you as the Opel Insignia is already a great car. In Europe, it competes directly with the VW Passat and Ford Mondeo, and in some cases quite profitably. It can be argued that the outside of the car also looks stylish. Unfortunately, Buick has decided to discontinue the car in order to focus on crossovers and SUVs.

Seat did something similar to Buick with the next sedan.

Seat Exeo (Audi A4)

When Seat decided to enter the midsize sedan category in Europe, they took the previous generation Audi A4, made a few styling tweaks, and were done with it. Some buyers were confused by the thought of a last generation car, but the truth is that the Seat Exeo was pretty cheap for an Audi car.

The four-door sedan looked sleek on the outside, but it also handled corners well. In addition, the Spanish manufacturer has purchased petrol and diesel engines from Audi, which is good for us. However, the interior was a highlight as it used almost the same materials as its premium sibling.

GMC Terrain / Chevrolet Equinox / Saturn Vue / Opel Antara

When General Motors saw the explosive growth of SUVs, they decided to play big on a global scale. The company quickly released many compact SUVs using most of its brands to make a bigger impact on the market.

Vehicles such as the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Saturn Vue and Opel Antara used the same platform from 2006 to 2017. Later, GM reduced its market presence to only GMC, Chevrolet and Buick (Envision) models, which use the same platform in the last generation. Still, despite the engineering badge, compact SUVs are a very good buy. They have spacious interiors, economical engines and a modern look.

Next: Corvette with chic clothes.

Cadillac XLR (Chevrolet Corvette C6)

If the Chevy Corvette has never been sci-fi or modern enough for you, then you might want to try the Cadillac XLR. Many people may not know this, but the Cadillac sports coupe/convertible bears almost every resemblance to the Corvette C6, except for the sharp body panels.

But why do you need a copy of an already excellent original? Well, being a Cadillac, the XLR looks more stylish on the inside, with much better materials. The car also retains the Vette's excellent driving dynamics and performance. For example, the XLR-V model used a 443 hp engine capable of accelerating to 0 km/h in just 60 seconds.

Lexus IS (Toyota Altezza)

A decade after they boomed with the LS luxury sedan, Lexus decided it was time to venture into the luxury sports sedans category. They did it with the excellent IS200 and IS300 sedans, which immediately captured the attention of the enthusiast community.

This was only natural since Lexus borrowed the design and most of the parts from the JDM Toyota Altezza. That's not bad - the Toyota sports sedan is revered to this day. However, during the conversion, the IS lost its high-revving 3S-GE four-cylinder engine. Instead, Lexus used a more civilized 2.0-liter inline-six engine. Thankfully, a 3.0-liter inline-6 ​​engine soon followed. However, whichever model you choose, be prepared for balanced handling and tight turns.

Acura TSX (Honda Accord)

Acura took hints from the Lexus book when it introduced the TSX compact executive sedan. Like its fierce competitor, the company used the Honda sedan as a source of inspiration, in particular the European Accord. A little reminder: Acura is Honda's premium car division.

The Acura TSX is now out of production, but primarily due to the increased popularity of SUVs and crossovers. The sedan was actually very competitive and both generations looked pretty impressive. It helped that Acura spent time massaging the driving dynamics, which were pretty good for a front-wheel drive car. The second generation model even had a 280-horsepower V6, albeit only available with a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Let's see how it all started for Audi on the next slide.

Audi 80 / Volkswagen Passat

The 80 was a significant car for Audi as it was the first model they made in collaboration with Volkswagen. The partnership continues to this day, creating a powerful new premium car at Audi.

Volkswagen shared its platforms and expertise with Audi, but still let the premium brand add the finishing touches. Thus, the 80 could be similar to the Passat, but it still retained the signature Audi driving style. The car was a great success in Europe - it even won the 1973 European Car of the Year award. However, in North America, the company sold the sedan with the "4000" nameplate.

Lexus GS (Toyota Aristo/Crown)

Lexus recently discontinued the executive sedan, much to the annoyance of customers. However, most cars have earned the ax because of the rise in sales of crossovers and SUVs, and the mighty GS could not avoid it. You probably didn't know that Toyota sells the same car in Japan as the Crown (formerly the Aristo).

Curiously, Toyota continued to offer the Crown in Japan, which now uses the advanced TNGA architecture. This gives us hope that Lexus will re-release the GS in the future. We certainly wouldn't complain if they also added a new GS-F to the mix, hopefully with a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 masterpiece.

Proton Satria GTi (Mitsubishi Colt)

You may have never heard of the Proton Satria GTi. This is a fancy hot hatch aimed at European and British buyers, based on the fifth generation Mitsubishi Colt. What is so special about this Malaysian compact car? Well, Lotus has redesigned the car to make it appealing to car enthusiasts. And the end result was pretty good, actually.

Satria GTi has a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 140 horsepower under the hood. Thanks to the Mitsubishi engine, the car could hit 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, which isn't bad for a cheap hatchback. Automotive journalists also praised the driving pleasure and balanced handling.

Ford Galaxy / Volkswagen Sharan / Seat Alhambra

Before the Galaxy became a staple in Ford's European minivan lineup, it started out as a Volkswagen vehicle. The first generation used VW engines, it was based on the VW platform, and it even had a VW interior. In fact, the only difference was the front fascia, done in Ford's own style.

However, buying from Volkswagen isn't all that bad. The minivan was spacious, easy to drive and quite economical for that time. In addition, buyers could choose a 2.8-liter VR6 engine and an all-wheel drive system to have fun behind the wheel. Unfortunately, Ford didn't follow the sporty minivan in the next two generations.

Next: mega-luxury car on a common platform

Bentley Continental Flying Spur / Audi A8 / Volkswagen Phaeton

Bentley is one of the most coveted car brands in the world, and rightfully so. However, many people are unaware that their cars actually use the VW platform. For example, the mega-luxury Continental Flying Spur (later Flying Spur) is built on the same platform as the Audi A8 and Volkswagen Phaeton in the past.

But should it bother you? Certainly not – even the Phaeton is an outstanding car, let alone the Audi A8. Plus, Bentley adds just enough touches to their cars to make them stand out. The best example of the company's attention to detail is the interior of the Flying Spur, which can only be rivaled by Rolls Royce.

Infiniti G35/G37 Coupe (Nissan 350Z/370Z)

Enthusiasts agree that the Nissan Z family of sports cars is one of the best. Excellent driving dynamics combined with good steering feel and powerful engines will keep you enjoying every mile. And when you add luxury to that, you get the Infiniti G35 and G37 coupes.

Based on the Nissan 350Z and 370Z respectively, Infiniti coupes provide an exhilarating ride and encourage passengers with more luxurious interiors. Premium models also have a second row of seats, unlike Nissan's cousins. This alone makes it clear that Infiniti is aimed at customers who want to have fun and don't want to sacrifice comfort.

Chevrolet Spark (Daewoo Matiz)

The Spark may wear a Chevy badge, but it's not actually an American car. Instead, it comes from GM Korea, the South Korean division of the automotive giant. The Asian division of the company began work after GM bought Daewoo, and the Daewoo Matiz became the first car produced.

The quirky city car has proven to be very popular in Europe, especially in emerging markets. The car was very spacious inside and was equipped with economical three-cylinder engines. It also proved to be a very reliable vehicle in the long run. GM later renamed the car the Chevrolet Spark, a name it bears to this day.

It's followed by a nimble turbocharged coupe with JDM roots.

Chrysler Conquest (Mitsubishi Starion)

Chrysler is no stranger to borrowing technology from other manufacturers - in recent years they have even partnered with Italy's Fiat. However, some good cars were produced as a result of their collaboration, such as the Conquest sports coupe.

Based on the Mitsubishi Starion (best name, right?), the Conquest is one of the best driver's cars Chrysler made in the 80s. The car was available with two turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engines, a 2.0-litre and a 2.6-litre. Depending on the configuration, the power ranges from 150 to 197 hp. The Conquest was also available with a 5-speed manual transmission that sent power to the rear wheels.