Image via Complex Original
No city embodies the centrality of the automobile to the American lifestyle better than Los Angeles. Famed for its metropolitan sprawl spanning 469 square miles, Los Angelenos navigate this urban mass not by means of an efficient public transit system like many other major American cities, but rather through one of the largest (and most congested) freeway networks in the world. It’s no wonder that L.A. boasts the most cars per capita in the U.S. with everyone driving here even if they barely know how. Seeing as L.A. itself is defined by cars, let’s take a look at the 10 Cars That Define Los Angeles.
Written By Phil Brown
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Lexus 450h
Neighborhood(s) Most Likely Seen In: Santa Monica
Although its price range puts it out of the running for ruler of the soccer mom throne, nowadays you can't go more than two blocks in the city without seeing at least 6 of these. Ten years ago you might have seen the Dodge caravan sitting at this spot on the list, but it's been overthrown by this plush and functional hybrid, a true sign of the times.
BMW 3 Series
Neighborhood(s) Most Likely Seen In: West Hollywood
In a city where everybody judges you based on whether you have an iPhone 5c or 5s and where you brunch, the BMW 3 series is a popular choice among the style-conscious among us. Snapping a selfie inside one of these is certain to generate likes on Instagram.
Range Rover
Neighborhood(s) Most Likely Seen In: Brentwood
Riding around Brentwood in a luxury SUV is a daily exercise in champagne toasting yourself. The car that most clearly personifies this is the Range Rover. To some locals, driving this car says "I've made it and I'll be in the repair shop much sooner than you'll be with your Prius."
VW Bus
Neighborhood(s) Most Likely Seen In: Venice Beach
A Venice Beach staple for more than 60 years, the VW bus remains popular among the surfer crowd in Los Angeles. Providing ample space for a few surf boards and some illicit paraphernalia, some locals even love this classic enough to list it as their permanent residence.
Mustang
Neighborhood(s) Most Likely Seen In: Malibu
Not only is L.A. defined by cars but it's also defined by nearly perfect weather year round. As such, Angelenos and transplants alike look to the Ford convertible for those scenic rides in Malibu via Pacific Coast Highway. There's a reason this ride has been a SoCal staple since 1964 and that's because it simply looks the part.
Civic
Neighborhood(s) Most Likely Seen In: Entire L.A. Metropolitain Area
While L.A. is known for opulence and decadence, not everybody in the city can afford a Phantom, let alone the cost to fill one up. Enter the favorite among L.A.'s A-to-B crowd. Functional for the rest of us, while still fitting in on the same infamous gridlock traffic as pricier people-movers.
Mercedes S550
Neighborhood(s) Most Likely Seen In: Marina Del Rey
This car's versatile appeal can be seen in the wide range of people who drive it. When stopped next to one at a light on Sunset Blvd., you never know whether you're going to see grandma or a successful young musician. Either way, it's clear that a taste for classic luxury is ingrained into the city's fabric.
Phantom
Neighborhood(s) Most Likely Seen In: Beverly Hills
The City of Angels is home to the largest concentration of Rolls-Royce dealerships in the country. Accordingly, the Phantom is never in short supply on the moneyed streets of Beverly Hills playing directly into L.A.'s see and be seen culture. As much as any person, this car is a Hollywood celebrity in its own right.
Prius
Neighborhood(s) Most Likely Seen In: Santa Monica
Toyota could have had a number of entries on this list but the Prius defines L.A. best by allowing its owners to appear environmentally conscious while still being able to squeeze into the tightest of spaces in the city's parking nightmare.
Impala
Neighborhood(s) Most Likely Seen In: Leimert Park
Lowriding is a way of life in L.A. and no other ride defines that lifestyle better than a '64 Chevy Impala. Often seen in caravans cruising down Crenshaw Blvd. fully tricked out with 100-spoke Dayton wheels and hydraulics (just as L.A. natives Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg described in their 1992 classic "Let Me Ride") you'd assume that this car was manufactured in South Los Angeles not Arlington, Texas.