Legendary Rides: These Are The Most Popular Cars In Video Gaming History
Cars are often iconic features in video games. From Mario’s Karts to Halo’s gun-toting Warthog jeep, gamers love to indulge in their need for speed.
Now, Al Alof and the team at Chick’s Gold, a trusted online store selling virtual gaming items, have used data from Google Ads to identify the top ten most popular cars in gaming. From GTA to Forza, all of gaming’s iconic cars have lined up at the start line!
Table 1: The Top 10 Most Popular Cars In Video Games, Including Their Name, Number of Appearances, Year of Release, Average Search Volume, and the Iconic Game They Appeared In
| Rank | Car model | Appearance Frequency | Release Year | Search Volume | Iconic Game Title |
| 1 | BMW M3 | 619 | 1986 | 1,500,000 | NFS Most Wanted 2005 |
| 2 | Toyota HiLux | 258 | 1968 | 1,500,000 | Asphalt: Nitro 2 (2021) |
| 3 | Nissan GTR | 542 | 2007 | 1,220,000 | CSR Racing 2 (2016) |
| 4 | Mazda RX-7 | 634 | 1978 | 673,000 | CSR Racing 2 (2016) |
| 5 | Nissan Skyline | 1,416 | 1957 | 550,000 | World Super Police (2005) |
| 6 | Chevrolet Camaro | 763 | 1966 | 550,000 | Asphalt Legends: Unite (2018) |
| 7 | Subaru Impreza | 369 | 1992 | 550,000 | CSR Racing 2 (2016) |
| 8 | VW Beetle | 337 | 1938 | 550,000 | Forza Motorsport 4 |
| 9 | McLaren F1 | 253 | 1992 | 450,000 | Need for Speed 2 (1997) |
| 10 | Ferrari Testarossa | 62 | 1984 | 246,000 | OutRun |
Why Are These Cars So Popular?
- The BMW M3 is the most popular vehicle in video gaming, with 619 appearances and a search volume of 1,500,000. A high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series first introduced in the mid-1980s, it’s famous for its mix of luxury and power. “Featured most famously in Need For Speed: Most Wanted, the M3 is hard to unlock but well worth it once you do,” says Alof.
- The second most popular car, the Toyota HiLux, has the same search volume as the M3 but significantly fewer video game appearances at 258. With its most famous appearance in Asphalt: Nitro 2, the HiLux is a robust and reliable pickup truck.
- The third most popular car is the Nissan GTR, which has 542 appearances and a search volume of 1,220,000. “Often referred to as “Godzilla” because of its monstrous performance, the Nissan GTR is known for its acceleration, advanced technology, and handling,” says Alof. It was most famously featured in CSR Racing 2 (CSR stands for ‘Custom Street Racing’).
- The car with the most video game appearances is the Nissan Skyline, with 1,416. That’s nearly 800 more than the BMW M3. However, its search volume is much lower, at just 550,000.
- Another car with 550,000 in search volume and more appearances than the M3 is the Chevrolet Camaro. It has 763 video game credits, to be precise. “This is an iconic American muscle car that’s been featured in Forza, Need For Speed, and Grand Theft Auto,” says Alof. “It’s also famous as the car that the Transformer, Bumblebee, turns into.”
- Another car that has iconic appearances in both video games and movies is the Volkswagen Beetle. This quirky car was made famous in the Herbie movies and has appeared in Forza Motorsport 4. The car has 337 appearances in games and a search volume of 550,000.
- The car with the least appearances is the Ferrari Testarossa, with 62. It has a search volume of 246,000. “The Testaross was featured in the early arcade racer OutRun, so it’s a real video game classic,” says Alof.
Al Alof, from Chick’s Gold, commented:
“It’s worth noting that all of the cars on our top ten list have appeared in the best-selling Grand Theft Auto series, but renamed. For instance, the BMW M3 rebranded as the Ubermacht Sentinel or the Nissan GTR as the Annis Elegy RH8 shows how games can reference real-world vehicles in a creative way.
“When a game includes vehicles resembling real-world cars, it amplifies player immersion. The accuracy and attention to detail in translating these vehicles to the game world contributes to its realism, which, in turn, engages players. Players love customising these cars because they know their real-life counterparts, adding a layer of personal investment to their gaming experience.
“Beyond recognition, vehicles in video games play a major part in strengthening brand presence and improving player engagement. The meticulous recreation of a car’s handling, sound, and performance are all central to the overall gaming experience. This attention to detail also influences game development, as studios strive to create more authentic virtual driving experiences.”
