Two-Faced: The 7 Best Badge-Engineered Cars Ever Made

Last week, we got word that Smart Car—the company that builds those incredibly tiny two-seaters—is planning on expanding its US line-up...only not with a Smart Car. Rumor has it that the Mercedes-Benz-owned automaker is going to sell the Nissan Micra, a small, fuel-efficient sedan, as its own. Sound crazy? It shouldn't. Car companies have been slapping their names and badges on OPP for years. It's called badge-engineering. Usually done when a certain company wants to break into another country, or when a company just wants to front like it has numerous brands, an automaker will simply re-badge a car and present it as a completely new model. More often than not, it sucks, but there have been those rare occasions when it was successful...

Also Known As: Holden Monaro (Australia), Vauxhall Monaro VXR (UK)

Years Available: 2004-2006

Why It Didn't Suck: As the story goes, while former GM top dog Bub Lutz was in Australia on business, he got an opportunity to drive a model from General Motors' Aussie brand, Holden. Thoroughly impressed, he decided to ship the rear-wheel-drive sports coupe to America as the relaunched Pontiac GTO. The styling was as bland as a Carl Paladino speech, but you forgot all about that once you hit the throttle and lit up the rear wheels using the 400hp V8 engine tucked up front.

Also Known As: Plymouth Laser RS Turbo AWD, Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX

Years Available: 1990-1998

Why It Didn't Suck: Looking to compete with the influx of compact, fuel-efficient, Japanese performance cars, Chrysler cooked up a deal with Mitsubishi to create Diamond Star Motors (DSM). Under DSM, the two companies would share designs and engineering on a number of models, the most popular being the Eclipse, Talon, and Laser. The hatchback sports coupe came in a number of trim levels, the best of which boasted a Mitsubishi-sourced turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Also Known As: Honda Accord(Australia, Japan, New Zealand, UK)

Years Available: 2004-present

Why It Didn't Suck: Only sold in America and Canada, the Acura TSX is nothing more than a re-badged Honda Accord. Unlike our version of the Accord, the TSX is smaller, more nimble, better appointed, and better looking. Makes you wonder why Honda won't just save the development dough and give us the Accord everyone else gets.

Also Known As: Nissan Skyline (Japan)

Years Available: 2003-present

Why It Didn't Suck: Nissan's luxury brand, Inifiti, like Toyota's luxe off-shoot Lexus, was started as one big badge-engineering project. The first car to come to the US was the re-badged Nissan President, known here as the Q45. But our favorite is the G coupe, known in Japan as the Nissan Skyline. Made to compete with BMW's 3 series, it was well balanced, amply powered, and looked great with a new set of wheels.

Also Known As: Holden VE Commodore (Australia)

Years Available: 2008-2009

Why It Didn't Suck: After euthanizing the struggling Bonneville, Pontiac's lineup lacked a full-sized sedan. Serendipitously, around 2007, GM's big wigs decided to return Pontiac back to its storied performance roots. The G8, along with the revived GTO, was part of that nascent renaissance. Check the specs: rear-wheel drive, a lively rear end, the choice of a 256 hp V6 (base), a 361 hp V8 (GT), or a ridiculous 402 hp V8 (GXP) sourced from the Corvette. It was a true four-door sports car, and as true a Pontiac as there ever was.

Also Known As: Opel GT, Pontiac Solstice

Years Available: 2007-2009

Why It Didn't Suck: Based on a concept designed by GM's British arm, Vauxhall, the Sky was Saturn's one and only true sports car. And despite being a Saturn, it looked mean. If you opted for the Red Line package, it came with a pretty throaty and peppy 260 hp turbocharged engine, and a sportier suspension. Some even saw fit to call it the mini Vette. We won't go that far, but it was still sick.

Also Known As: Lancia Delta

Years Available: 1980s

Why It Didn't Suck: Saab was going through it in the '80s. So much so that the Swedish auto maker couldn't afford to finance a new project. To get around that financial hurdle, it partnered with Lancia and reached a deal which brought its award-winning, Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed Delta to Sweden. So why didn't it suck? All Saab did was take a great car and literally put its badge on the front grill. Classy.