The Surprising Variety of Unmarked Police Vehicles to Keep You Aware

Unmarked police vehicles include models like the Mazda MX-6, GMC Acadia, and Ford Mustang Mach-E, showcasing diverse designs that can easily blend into everyday traffic.

Police car with flashing lights leads a line of vehicles on highway

Unusual Police Vehicles

A recent outreach to the Jalopnik community revealed a treasure trove of intriguing encounters with unexpected unmarked police vehicles.

The responses were a delightful mix of surprising makes and models! While I focused primarily on more modern cars, a few nostalgic classics truly stood out.

For instance, I never connected the Subaru Ascent with law enforcement.

If I caught a glimpse of blue lights shining from its grille in my rearview mirror, I’d be convinced it was some kind of joke!

These fascinating replies have taught me a valuable lesson: just because the car tailing me isn’t a typical Ford Explorer, it’s unwise to assume I’m in the clear from a potential traffic stop by an officer driving an unmarked vehicle.

So, what kind of cars should you keep an eye out for? The answers might surprise you.

Surprising Models

  • MAZDA MX-6: In the early ’90s, the Connecticut State Police introduced a fleet of 30 Mazda MX-6s.

    Once they received police modifications, these cars became incredibly difficult to spot.

  • GMC ACADIA: A modest brown 2022 GMC Acadia, sporting a lower trim and minimal chrome accents, cleverly hides emergency lights within the headliner, maintaining an unassuming appearance.
  • RAM 1500: The Toronto Police Service has deployed several unmarked Dodge Ram 1500 trucks painted black or gray, resembling the Sport model, which makes them hard to tell apart from any other vehicle on the road.
  • CHEVY MALIBU: The Chevy Malibu stands out in the realm of unmarked police vehicles, particularly with its efficient 4-cylinder and CVT combination.
  • NISSAN ALTIMA: The Louisville Metro Police Department boasts a diverse lineup of vehicles, including ones that creatively mimic city maintenance trucks.
  • AUDI A4: I once came across an undercover Audi A4 in a Maryland suburb—it frequently shows its true colors with flashing red and blue lights.
  • FORD MUSTANG MACH-E: A few weeks ago, an unmarked Ford Mustangs Mach-E was seen pulling over a driver on the highway in Napa, showcasing how technology is creeping into law enforcement.
  • TOYOTA SIENNA: I personally encountered a silver Toyota Sienna in Edmonton, Alberta, which ended up being an unmarked police unit.
  • HONDA RIDGELINE: In my neighborhood, a first-generation gray Honda Ridgeline has been spotted, complete with a pipe rack and an orange strobe light that stands out.

Unexpected Encounters

  • SLAMMED MINI TRUCK: A unique mini truck from the early ’90s, sporting custom features, caught my eye in Reno.
  • DODGE GRAND CARAVAN: Years ago in Virginia, a white unmarked Dodge Caravan piqued my interest during a routine drive.
  • DODGE NEON: Northern Virginia had its share of intriguing undercover vehicles, including a selection of peculiar Dodge Neons that became conversation starters.
  • TAXI CAB: While living in New York City around 2015, I often spotted police officers cruising in unmarked taxi cabs, blending in with the urban hustle.
  • JEEP CHEROKEE: Back in the early 2000s, an XJ Cherokee without markings captured my attention near Erie, PA, leaving a lasting impression.
  • 1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF: In Livingston, Alabama, an old 1999 VW Golf yielded impressive service as an unmarked patrol car, having been repurposed from a drug bust back in 2000.

In conclusion, unmarked police vehicles come in a remarkable variety, often more diverse than most drivers realize.

Staying alert on the road could save you from an unexpected encounter!