- The Ford Police Interceptor Utility is common, but some departments use unconventional vehicles.
- Many PDs now opt for EVs like Teslas, but some have even adopted the tiny Smart ForTwo.
- With quirky choices like the BMW i3 and Toyota Prius, not all police cars are built to intimidate.
We see a lot of police cars on the road, so we’re largely unfazed by the occasional oddball. But every once in a while, a cop car comes along that makes us do a double-take—and the Smart ForTwo used by the Hamilton Police in Ontario definitely fits that bill. It’s hard not to chuckle at the sight of such a tiny, quirky vehicle decked out in full police livery, trying to look so serious.
This brings us to today’s unexpected question: What’s the least intimidating police car you’ve ever seen?
More: What’s The Best Looking Police Car In America?
While many departments have embraced the Ford Police Interceptor Utility, there are always a few that don’t conform. The reasons vary as it could be a focus on the environment or simply the need for something that better suits their requirements.
The former has been a big driver of purchases as of late and we’ve seen a number of departments adopt electric vehicles from Ford and Tesla. The Los Angeles Police Department also had a brief fling with the BMW i3, although they reportedly didn’t get much use.
Before the EV push, California’s Fremont Police Department started using hybrids in 2009. Neither was terribly exciting as they fielded the Toyota Prius and Ford Fusion Hybrid. Useful? Maybe. Intimidating? Not so much.
The Crown Victoria ruled the roost until its eventual death over a decade ago. Its passing left departments without a lot of good options as they could opt for the Taurus-based Police Interceptor Sedan or its Chevrolet Impala counterpart, which was about as frightening as a rental car.
So, after all this, we’re curious—what’s the least intimidating police car you’ve come across?
