A video game seems incomplete if it does not allow you to drive around in gorgeous luxury cars that are otherwise too expensive to afford in real life. However, not all vehicles get featured in video games. Some cars and car brands seem to be a fan favourite, and developers make sure they feature such vehicles in video games.
Per our data, Ford cars have made the most number of appearances in video games, featuring a total of 8,707 times, followed by Chevrolet cars with 6,242 times, and then Toyota vehicles with 4,299.
Some specific car models get featured more often than others, the top 10 being the following cars, ranked from the 10th to the 1st!
10. Ferrari F50
Ferrari’s F50 has been featured in 83 video games so far. It was released in 1995 by the Italian carmaker as a collaborative effort with Dallara and Michelotto, its racing partners, to participate in the GT1-class racing. The company manufactured only 349 units of the F50. But millions of people have had a chance to drive around in it, mostly in video games like Need for Speed, Forza Motorsport, Carmageddon, and, of course, Gran Turismo.
9. Ferrari F40
The Ferrari F40 is another trendy car to be featured in 84 video games including Grand Theft Auto, Asphalt 7: Heat, Carmageddon, and Road Burner. The car is a mid-engine vehicle with rear-wheel drive and a classic car bonnet, and also holds the distinction among Ferrari cars to be the last model that was approved by Ferrari’s founder, Enzo Ferrari, himself.
8. Ford E-Series Ambulance
It might seem like an unlikely choice for this list, but the E-Series Ambulance by Ford seems to make an appearance in more video games than most other vehicles. Of course, it is mostly shown when there is a need for an ambulance in the video game storyline, but in 86 video games, the ambulance of choice is this one. Popular video games to include the Ford E-series ambulance include Forza Motorsport.
7. Toyota Hilux
Although this is a commercial pickup truck and not nearly as exciting as a Ferrari, a total of 88 video games seem to consider the Toyota Hilux a mandatory inclusion in their vehicle lineup. What makes the Toyota Hilux an excellent choice for video games is the fact that it can drive on rough terrain with speed while maintaining control with powerful car brakes and is tough enough to survive combat. Hence, many action games like Delta Force: Black Hawk Down, and Far Cry 4, love to include the Toyota Hilux.
6. Toyota Supra Mark IV
This is the most popular Toyota vehicle to be featured in video games, with a total of 91 game appearances. There is no doubt that the Supra is considered by many car enthusiasts to be among the best sports cars ever made, with a powerful throttle body and a unique car design. You can catch a glimpse of the Supra in popular racing games like Need for Speed and Gran Turismo, among others.
5. 2002 Ferrari Enzo
Video game players adore the 2002 Ferrari Enzo, with its gorgeous wheel trims and that signature unmatchable Ferrari look. It has made an appearance in 119 games so far, and it should come as no surprise if future games also feature it. Since the car itself has a powerful 12-cylinder mid-engine inspired by the F1 technology, it’s no surprise that it figures regularly in racing games like Forza Motorsport and Burnout Revenge.
4. Chevrolet Step Van
The Chevrolet Step Van remained in production between 1961 and 1995, but it continues to dominate video games in many forms. Whether as an ambulance, a fire truck, or a SWAT vehicle, video game developers love using this versatile automobile. It has been featured in 156 games so far, including Grand Theft Auto, The Last of Us, and Twisted Metal.
3. Ford Crown Victoria
What's a good game without the Ford Crown Victoria, the vehicle of choice by law enforcement agencies and taxi cab operators? A total of 179 games, including The Last of Us, feature this vehicle. This is not far from reality either since the Ford Crown Victoria became very popular in the US as a taxicab and used by the police after its launch in 1992.
2. Chevrolet Camaro
Americans love their Camaro, and they love driving it in video games as well. That's why 198 games include the Camaro in their vehicle lineup. You can find this hot muscle car, which has sold more than five million units around the world, in games like Far Cry, The Sims, and Forza Horizon, to name a few.
1. Volkswagen Beetle
With a whopping 337 video game appearances, the Volkswagen Beetle is the surprise winner of a list such as this one. The game models include variants of the Beetle like the Type 1, New Beetle, and the Beetle A5. Although finding car parts for the Beetle might be tricky in the real world, video games like Batman, The Simpsons, and Stranger Things allow players to drive around in this age-old classic without any worry.
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By Muhammad A. Lashari