The 50 Best Super Bowl Car Ads

It wouldn't be the big game without the ads. It wouldn't be a big ad without the car. Oh, what a feeling!

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Buying a car and watching the Super Bowl rank highly on any list of great American traditions. So it makes sense that the coveted and famously expensive Super Bowl ad spots have always been thick with previews of the year’s hot new cars. Despite the lingering recession, this will likely be truer in 2012 than ever before. Last year’s game, Super Bowl XLV, broke the record for the most car ads ever aired during the Super Bowl.

If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that the car companies and their hired-gun creatives will be trying to outdo each other in order to be the most-talked-about ad of the game. If the past is any guide, there will be something to remember, even if it’s not on par with the first time we ever saw a Grand Jeep Cherokee climb over massive boulders in the driveway. With kickoff on February 5th just around the corner, we take a look back at the best Super Bowl car ads of yesteryear. 

50. Hangover Dolls

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLIV (2010)
Model: 2010 Kia Sorento
Description: While it didn't quite lift the brand, Kia's first Super Bowl spot definitely was a fun commercial. It featured a group of dolls come to life, enjoying a crazy road trip to Las Vegas, Hangover style–all in a Kia Sorento. It was hard to make the connection between Kia and Vegas, but the wild dolls did manage to make us smile.

CHEESECAR GETS GIRL

49. One Epic Ride

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 Kia Optima
Description: When watching this ad, you almost forget it's a car commercial. Instead, you're transported into an action-adventure that needs a heroin, a hero, and a monumental ending. All of the previously mentioned appear, making this Kia ad one to remember. Well done!

CHASE SCENETHE GREAT OUTDOORSBE A MAN

48. Nothing Beats The Roadrunner

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl III (1969)
Model: 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner
Description: When was the last time you saw a cartoon car commercial? We love this hand-illustrated Plymouth ad and the wordplay that goes along with it. Not even Wile E. Coyote could catch this '69 Roadrunner. They just don't make 'em like that anymore.

CHASE SCENEOVERBEARING VOICEOVERIMPOSSIBLE FEATS

47. Polar Bear

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 Nissan Leaf
Description: We've always known that a car commercial, done right, could be thought-provoking, but never enough to move someone to tears. Nissan does just that. The company uses the endangered polar bear's plight as a message to conserve fuel and make changes at home that will impact the survival of these animals.

THE GREAT OUTDOORSIMPOSSIBLE FEATSBE A MAN

46. Imported From Detroit

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 Chrysler 200
Description: We're not even sure how we feel about rapper Eminem driving a Chrysler, while being serenaded by a Detroit choir. Apparently someone thought this was a good idea. Regardless of taste, it's certainly memorable.

OVERBEARING VOICEOVERCHEESEIMPOSSIBLE FEATSBE A MAN

45. Changes

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 BMW 335d Advanced Diesel
Description: We think BMW does a great job here creating a humorous, intelligent ad geared toward the environment-friendly driver.

CHEESETHE GREAT OUTDOORS

44. Misunderstanding

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco
Description: We never knew old people could be this hilarious while talking about cars--considering that most of them in the ad are probably beyond their capable driving years. The main point is that the Chevy Cruze gets up to 42 miles per gallon--and that's a big deal.

CHEESE

43. Yes, P Diddy Is In This Commercial

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 Mercedes Benz General
Description: We love this inventive, innovative ad for Mercedes. Here's the introduction of the newest addition to the Mercedes-Benz family. The C-Class Coupe, CLS-Class, SLS AMG, and the all-new breathtaking SLK-Class. To be honest, it didn't even need the star power of P. Diddy to carry it. But he's always enjoyed.

BE A MANCHEESEOVERBEARING VOICEOVER

42. Life Won't Wait

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLII (2008)
Model: 2008 Toyota Sequoia
Description: We love this ad for its general exuberance toward fun. Here, Toyota is attempting to quiet the mundane routines of life and heighten one's enjoyment. Last time we checked, though, traffic isn't much fun.

IMPOSSIBLE FEATSCHEESETHE GREAT OUTDOORSBE A MAN

41. Desert Drought

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004)
Model: 2004 Cadillac General
Description: We love that Cadillac can end a drought in the desert just with sheer innovation. Plus, a hot girl is driving it. In all seriousness, the special effects are state of the art for 2004.

THE GREAT OUTDOORSIMPOSSIBLE FEATS

40. Punch Dub

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLIV (2010)
Model: 2010 Volkswagen General VW Ad
Description: Volkswagen tried to revive the old Punch Buggy game–in which you slug a friend in the arm every time you see a VW–with this effective 2010 commercial. The question is: Do people still play this? In the ad, comedian Tracy Morgan absorbs a punch delivered by Stevie Wonder, as they make surprise appearances at the end of the spot.

CHEESEBE A MAN

39. Still Running Deep

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 Chevrolet Chevy General
Description: Using archival footage to tell the company history of Chevrolet, this general ad instills a sense of hope in viewers as the recession raged on and numerous car plants closed around the country.

OVERBEARING VOICEOVERBE A MAN

38. Great Scott!

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXIV (1990)
Model: 1990 Nissan 300ZX
Description: This was a commercial aired one time before it was pulled, because the higher-ups at Nissan thought it promoted "street racing." This commercial aired during the 1990 Super Bowl and was directed by Riddley Scott. Great commercial, great car.

CHASE SCENETHE GREAT OUTDOORSIMPOSSIBLE FEATS

37. The Force

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 Volkswagen 2012 Passat
Description: This spot features a pint-sized Darth Vader who uses the force when he discovers the all-new 2012 Passat in the driveway. Dad, can I borrow the car?

IMPOSSIBLE FEATSCHEESE

36. Invincible

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XL (2006)
Model: 2006 Toyota Tacoma
Description: This is one tough truck—no stinking tide is gonna sweep it out to sea. In all truth, Toyota got a bit of backlash from this ad after it aired. People claimed that it was false advertising. Our question is, "who are these people, and why would they think anyone would park their car in an ocean near the tide?" Last we checked, this wasn't "Terms of Endearment," with Jack Nicholson.

THE GREAT OUTDOORSIMPOSSIBLE FEATSCHEESE

35. Oh, What A Feeling!

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XVIII (1984)
Model: 1984 Toyota 4x4 Truck
Description: This commercial for a 4x4 Toyota truck was part of a larger branding method by the company. It featured trucks turned "upside down" over the new trucks! The slogan: “Toyota—oh, what a feeling.”

CHEESEOVERBEARING VOICEOVERTHE GREAT OUTDOORS

34. Stay Classy, New Yorker

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XVII (1983)
Model: 1983 Chrysler New Yorker
Description: This Chrysler New Yorker commercial, narrated by Ricardo Montalbán advertised Chrysler's latest luxury sedan. Today, its standards would seem closer to "The Price is Right." However, at the time, it was a very mainstream way of introducing a vehicle to an audience.

OVERBEARING VOICEOVERCHEESE

33. Going Green

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLIV (2010)
Model: 2010 Audi A3 TDI
Description: This Audi commercial features Cheap Trick, the Green Police, and the Audi A3 TDI clean diesel. Thanks to Audi for going green and keeping the pressure on.

OVERBEARING VOICEOVERTHE GREAT OUTDOORS

32. Release The Hounds

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 Audi A8
Description: The only getaway from this luxury prison in this 2011 Super Bowl commercial is the Audi. Well, that and Kenny G. Damn, he's good.

CHASE SCENEIMPOSSIBLE FEATSCHEESE

31. Hamsters Kicking It

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 Kia Soul
Description: The new 2010 Kia Soul makes its way into the automotive market with the rapping hamsters commercial. What's even more oddly humorous is that a group of hamsters are lip-syncing a song by the Black Sheep. But no one can deny the awesome buying power and branding message these hamsters have with Kia. Kia was the black sheep for a while in the market, but not anymore.

CHEESE

30. Epic Lap Commercial

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLIII (2009)
Model: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Description: The music is almost as memorable as Hyundai's official Epic Lap Super Bowl Commercial, with soundtrack provided by Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin of the Smashing Pumpkins.

CHASE SCENEIMPOSSIBLE FEATS

29. Facebook Status

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
Description: The Chevy Cruze Status ad is probably last year's most memorable. You know it--the guy and the girl are on a first date, and then she runs into the house. He gets into the Cruze and turns on his status, and it reads her latest Facebook post: "best date ever." How sweet. And to be honest, how stalker-like. There's a funny spoof of this ad online, if you Google it.

CAR GETS GIRLBE A MANCHEESE

28. "0 to 60"

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXIX (2005)
Model: 2005 Cadillac The V-Series
Description: The Cadillac V Series Super Bowl ad was meant to show one thing—this car can go from zero to 60 in under five seconds. And it can. Enough said.

OVERBEARING VOICEOVERIMPOSSIBLE FEATS

27. Hungry Anyone?

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXII (1998)
Model: 1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM
Description: The best thing about this ad is the personification of the cars. How many times have you wanted your car to eat the competition? This ad brings your fantasy to life.

CHASE SCENECHEESE

26. The Need for Speed

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004)
Model: 2004 Ford GT The Pace Car
Description: The best thing about this ad is that it encourages you to break the all possible speed limit laws. Now, driving 25 in a school zone just won't feel the same in this Ford GT.

CHASE SCENE

25. Frozen in the Snow

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXIX (2005)
Model: 2005 Ford Mustang Convertible
Description: The 2005 Mustang convertible proves it's a tricky thing figuring out when to unveil the car. And if you do it at the wrong time of the year, like in the middle of winter, this may happen.

THE GREAT OUTDOORSCHEESEIMPOSSIBLE FEATS

24. It's Fast--Really, Really Fast

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXVII (1993)
Model: 1993 Honda Prelude
Description: Short, sweet, and to the point. This Super Bowl ad for the Honda Prelude got its point across in less than 30 seconds. This car is fast. Just as fast as your overpriced sports car. And it makes a funny noise in the muffler.

CHASE SCENEOVERBEARING VOICEOVER

23. Miss Evelyn

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
Description: Oh, Miss Evelyn, you hot thing, you. This Camaro ad features every ideal female you could create, allowing you also to create your ideal Camaro. We applaud the inventive take on custom design.

CAR GETS GIRLTHE GREAT OUTDOORSIMPOSSIBLE FEATS

22. Driveway

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXIX (1995)
Model: 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Description: Not sure why you would choose to block your driveway with rocks. Regardless, they couldn't stop this Grand Cherokee in this famous commercial.

IMPOSSIBLE FEATSCHEESE

21. Unveiling Of Electric Car

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXI (1997)
Model: 1997 GM EV1
Description: It's strange that in 1997, a commercial premiering one of the first electric cars aired during the Super Bowl. And now, over a decade later, these cars are sparse, almost ceasing to exist. Oil company anyone?

CHEESETHE GREAT OUTDOORS

20. Late For The Wedding

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXV (2001)
Model: 2001 Volkswagen Jetta VR6
Description: It's every man's worst nightmare. He's trying to get to the church on time to marry his beloved bride. He drives his VW as fast as it can go, swerving in every possible professional driver position it can do, only to arrive too late. She's married someone else. What a bitch. But the car sure rocks, and that's all that matters.

CAR GETS GIRLIMPOSSIBLE FEATSBE A MAN

19. She's Back

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XVII (1983)
Model: 1983 Ford Mustang Convertible
Description: In 1983, during Super Bowl XVII, the Ford Mustang made its first appearance in more than 19 years, with the clever slogan: "She's Back." The commercial featured a nubile young woman named Sally, played by actress Leann Hunley, whom you may know from the '80s big hair-and-money series, "Dynasty."

CAR GETS GIRLCHEESE

18. Man's Last Stand

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLIV (2010)
Model: 2010 Dodge Charger
Description: Here's the message, plain and clear, men: "You've sacrificed a lot, but surely there is a limit to your chivalry. Drive the car you want to drive."

BE A MANOVERBEARING VOICEOVER

17. Celine Dion Remix

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXVII (2003)
Model: 2003 Chrysler Crossfire
Description: Here's an ad featuring a horrendous remix of a Celine Dion song. Nothing says, "hit the road" more than that.

THE GREAT OUTDOORSCHEESEOVERBEARING VOICEOVER

16. Rachel Hunter Is Still Hot

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLI (2007)
Model: 2007 Cadillac Escalade
Description: Here's a sexy Escalade ad that ends up stealing the runway. Rachel Hunter makes a brief cameo in the beginning, along with numerous stars.

CAR GETS GIRLCHEESEOVERBEARING VOICEOVER

15. The Elopment

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXIX (2005)
Model: 2005 Cadillac XLR
Description: Here's a funny ad by Cadillac involving a young teenage couple eloping in the middle of the night. Like most fathers, the dad is not as irritated about the marriage as he is about the taking of the beloved vehicle.

CAR GETS GIRLCHEESE

14. Snow Covered

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXIX (1995)
Model: 1995 Jeep Eagle
Description: Forget winning the Super Bowl: This famous commercial for Jeep won the Grand Prix award at the 1994 International Advertising Film Festival in Cannes, France.

IMPOSSIBLE FEATSTHE GREAT OUTDOORS

13. Ain't We Got Love

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLI (2007)
Model: 2007 Chevrolet General
Description: Featuring Mary J. Blige, Jonny O' Connell, Big N'Rich, TI, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and a host of "not-so-much-stars" who sort of look like they could be stars, this ad is a mish-mosh of talent, entertainment, and cheese. But it's still kind of catchy.

CHEESEOVERBEARING VOICEOVER

12. Lots Of Horsepower

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XVII (1983)
Model: 1983 Honda Magna V65 Motorcycle
Description: Even though this Magna V6 is a motorcycle, we felt it deserved a place in the top the 50. It's a motorcycle that can turn 65 cubic inches into an incredible amount of horsepower. The Honda V65 Magna is the world's fastest production motorcycle.

CHASE SCENEIMPOSSIBLE FEATS

11. They Can't Catch Me

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXV (1991)
Model: 1991 Nissan Twin Turbo 300ZX
Description: Even if it's set in a dream, seeing that Twin Turbo out duel a race car and a jet must have impressed people back in 1991, because it still looks impressive today. There's something quietly cool and artistic about this ad. It oozes that early-'90s car ad charm. “They can't catch me."

CHASE SCENEIMPOSSIBLE FEATSOVERBEARING VOICEOVER

10. Stuck In A Tree

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXV (2001)
Model: 2001 Volkswagen GTL
Description: Don't you just hate it when your Volkswagen gets stuck in a tree? The best part of this ad is Carrot Top's twin and his intensely awkward stare.

THE GREAT OUTDOORSIMPOSSIBLE FEATSCHEESE

9. Zoom Zoom

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXV (2001)
Model: 2001 Mazda 6
Description: Come on. We all know the theme song, "zoom zoom zoom--zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom." This is the ad that made it famous.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

8. Looney Tunes

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXII (1998)
Model: 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix Sports Sedan
Description: Car companies just can't resist putting Wile E. Coyote in their car ads. Here's an ad for the all new and wider Grand Prix, featuring the famous coyote and roadrunner chase.

CHASE SCENEIMPOSSIBLE FEATS

7. Godfather Spoof

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLII (2008)
Model: 2008 Audi R8
Description: Audi, ever the slayer of “old luxury,” spoofed a classic scene from The Godfather in this spot from 2008. In the ad, a man wakes up to find the front of his decapitated luxury car in his bed, presumably hacked up by the kind folks at Audi, in a send-up of the dead horse scene from the classic 1972 movie. Audi continues to tout its “new luxury” lineup this year, denigrating your dad's old luxury brands in the process.

IMPOSSIBLE FEATSCHEESE

6. Top Gun Spoof

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXXI (1997)
Model: 1997 Nissan Maxima
Description: Another effective Nissan commercial tickled the funny bone by spoofing Top Gun and highlighting the one beef that all car owners can relate to: bird droppings. In the ad, pigeons take aim at a shiny new Maxima to the tune of “Danger Zone,” while the car expertly dodges the white bombs falling from the sky. What more can you ask for in a car ad?

CHASE SCENEIMPOSSIBLE FEATS

5. Black Beetle

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Model: 2011 Volkswagen Beetle
Description: Ah, the VW new Beetle has a friend—the black beetle. No one can argue that 2011 was the most innovative year for Super Bowl car commercials. This ad proves why.

THE GREAT OUTDOORSIMPOSSIBLE FEATS

4. Sad Robot

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLI (2007)
Model: 2007 GM General Warranty
Description: Advertising GM's 100,000-mile warranty, GM's Robot, Spot, is sad after being fired. For a moment, we think, "Okay, GM is hiring people again instead of using robots to make cars." But then we see that the robot is just having a bad dream, followed by the line, "with a warranty like this, everyone is worried." The theme song, "All by Myself," is the icing on the cake.

CHEESEOVERBEARING VOICEOVER

3. Progress Is Beautiful

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XLIII (2009)
Model: 2009 Audi A6
Description: A high-speed journey through luxury automobiles in American history, sending the message that some things are best left in the past. The ad launched the new supercharged A6 as the latest in the line of successful new products Audi had introduced in recent years.

CHASE SCENETHE GREAT OUTDOORS

2. The Diver

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl III (1969)
Model: 1969 Chrysler General
Description: A fully orchestrated commercial with an angelic choir doesn't usually bring Chrysler to mind. Here's a spot that aired during Super Bowl III, which harkens back to another, more innocent era. “Your next car is a Chrysler—the dream."

CHEESEOVERBEARING VOICEOVER

1. Parking Spot

Not Available Interstitial

Super Bowl XXVI (2002)
Model: 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Description: A black, late-model Cadillac Escalade EXT and a red 1955 Kleinschnittger drive into a parking lot and find there's only one slot available. The Escalade EXT owner promptly folds his rear seats and his midgate. The dimunitive red Kleinschnittger is loaded into the pickup bed of the Escalade and everyone's happy.

IMPOSSIBLE FEATSCHEESEBE A MAN

Latest in Sports