10 Cars That Look Like Trucks: Similar Auto Doppelgangers
HSV Maloo by Bidgee - CC-BY-SA-4.0
It’s no secret that America loves its pick-up trucks. Besides the usual SUVs and crossovers, trucks like the Ford F-Series and Chevy Silverado often end up at the top of the sales charts. Pick-up trucks remain popular because they offer unparalleled utility and freedom. As pick-up trucks continue to outsell cars 3 to 1, it’s safe to say that the Americans’ love affair with trucks will not fizzle out anytime soon.
With that said, one of the oddities in the market is the cars that look like trucks. Trucks that resemble cars, often known as “ute” vehicles (from “utility”) or crossover SUVs, have a unique appeal. For instance, their car-like appearance usually means a more stylish and streamlined design, which can be more aesthetically pleasing to some consumers than traditional trucks. They offer the comfort, handling, and fuel efficiency of a car while still providing the utility of a truck, such as increased cargo space and towing capacity.
Today, we pay tribute to these eccentric vehicles as we rounded up some of the best cars that look like trucks. Let’s take a look.
1. HSV Maloo
The HSV Maloo R8 LSA is an excellent choice for buyers seeking the utility of a truck with the performance and style of a car. This Australian “ute” is a rarity in the U.S., offering a unique blend of a sporty coupe and a practical pickup. It boasts a powerful 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, producing 550 horsepower, which can be upgraded to 625 hp for even more impressive performance. While the HSV Maloo looks like a small pickup truck, it drives more like a sports car – thanks to its powerful engine options.
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2. Dodge Ram SRT-10
The Dodge Ram SRT-10 is yet another pickup truck that’s having an identity crisis. It’s a performance-oriented machine, packing a Viper-sourced V-10 engine that delivers a thunderous 500 horsepower, capable of a 5.2-second sprint from 0 to 60 mph. This muscle truck doesn’t just boast straight-line speed; it’s also equipped with a finely-tuned suspension and massive brakes to handle its power. Fun fact: the SRT-10 set the world record for the fastest truck in 2004.
3. Chevrolet El Camino
When it comes to old-school pick-up coupes, the Chevy El Camino is certainly one of the most notable ones. It’s a collector’s dream with a design that combines the aesthetics of a car with the practicality of a pickup truck. Its evolution from the Biscayne-based models to the Chevelle platform and the GM G-body iterations showcases its adaptability and enduring appeal. The El Camino’s cultural cameos and enthusiast community further cement its status as a beloved and influential classic.
4. Subaru Baja
Today, Subaru is known for its performance sedans and family-friendly crossovers and SUVs. However, many people don’t remember one of the odd-looking cars that look like the company’s trucks, the Subaru Baja. Like many Subaru models, the Baja is a versatile vehicle that offers the comfort and handling of a sedan while featuring a truck-like open bed for cargo. Plus, it has all-wheel drive capabilities and a roomy interior, making it one of the more practical models on this list.
5. Ford Falcon Ute
The Ford Falcon Ute is another vehicle you can’t easily buy anymore – at least not in the States. Mainly available in Australia, the Falcon Ute features a decent 4.1-liter inline-6 engine, rear-wheel drive, and a practical truck bed, complemented by comforts like air conditioning and power steering. Its rarity and distinctive design make it a conversation piece, while its functionality ensures it remains a helpful vehicle for everyday tasks. If you want one, you’ll have to import it from Australia, where people love their “utes.”
6. BMW M3 Pickup
The BMW M3 Pickup is a unique and intriguing choice for those who desire a car with a truck-like appearance. BMW created this one-off vehicle as an April Fool’s joke by transforming an M3 into a pickup. The result is a vehicle that looks strange yet fascinating. This rare creation combines the performance of the M3 with a functional rear bed, making it a one-of-a-kind collector’s item. Its oddity and exclusivity, coupled with the performance pedigree of the M3, make it an interesting albeit unconventional option for car-truck enthusiasts.
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7. Škoda Felicia Fun
The Škoda Felicia Fun embodies joy in motoring (hence the name). This quirky vehicle transforms from a two-seater into a four-seater with a sliding rear wall, making it adaptable for people and cargo. It’s compact, efficient with three engines, and has a distinctive style highlighted by its bright yellow paint and green accents. Only 4,016 units were made, so best of luck snagging this joyful coupe-ute. The Felicia Fun is a testament to Škoda’s clever engineering and design prowess by combining fun and functionality.
8. Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline often catches flak from truck purists for not being a “true truck.” While it’s clearly a pick-up, the Ridgeline has plenty of design elements that blur the line between an SUV and a truck (it’s on a car-based platform like the Pilot). Regardless of how you feel, the Ridgeline is one of the most popular midsize trucks in the market that offers excellent road manners and innovative storage solutions.
9. Lincoln Blackwood
If you want luxury cars that look like trucks, the Lincoln Blackwood is a solid option. Marketed as a premium vehicle, it boasts a plush all-black interior with leather seats and oak trim, and its bed is a statement piece – carpeted, lit with LEDs, and lined with polished aluminum. Although it was not a commercial success and lacked some practical truck features, its rarity and unique design make it a collector’s item today.
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10. Chevrolet SSR
We wrap up this list with the offbeat Chevrolet SSR. At first look, the ridiculous design of the truck-car hybrid will make you think it’s a custom vehicle. The SSR stands out as perhaps the most outlandish model in this list, with its convertible top, truck bed, flamboyant throwback design, and just two seats. A V8 engine powers it and even offers a 6-speed manual gearbox. With the covered trunk, it looks more like a two-seater convertible with a massive trunk.
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