13 Cars That Guarantee You’ll Get Pulled Over by a Cop

Every car can attract police attention, but some stand out like a sore thumb. If the police or any other member of law enforcement ever released a bulletin or some kind of incident report detailing the type, make, model, or brand of cars most likely to get you pulled over, we never heard of it. Even if there was a pattern, the variables presented by location, driving behavior, and time of day would make a blanket conclusion difficult.

Even so, insurance companies and various studies try to establish a pattern by monitoring trends, which certainly helped us in creating this list. Frankly, causative factors are why the police haven’t said anything official. They’re not about to admit your car’s flashy design, high-performance capabilities, or simply the stereotypes associated with them paint a target on your back.

It may not be official, but one or a mix of these qualities has a magnetic pull for cops. As long as you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear — thank God. Here are 13 cars notorious for attracting the boys in blue.

Subaru WRX

As said in the intro, insurance companies try to monitor trends in order to establish a pattern. Of course, we know why they care more than most to figure out which cars tend to attract police attention. To that end, a study by Insurify found the Subaru WRX ranks 6^th in the list of car models most ticketed by the police.

According to the report, over one-fifth of Subaru WRX drivers have been ticketed for speeding, which is 60% higher than the national average. With such high probabilities, an informed cop is more likely to watch you like a hawk if you’re driving a WRX, a car beloved for its rally-inspired performance.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is the next one on Insurify’s list of most ticketed cars. Well, you can’t expect anything less from a 2-door sports car that crams 420-hp under the hood, with said ponies sent to the rear wheels courtesy of a 6-speed manual shifter (optional) or an 8-speed A/T with paddle shifters.

An earlier report by Insurify notes that the Genesis Coupe is a magnet for speeding tickets, surpassing the national average by over 46%. Perhaps Hyundai’s decision to use the Genesis brand as its first RWD sports car specimen is to distance the Hyundai name from a road-going cheetah, a tantalizing replacement for the problematic Tiburon.

Kia Stinger

One thing about the Stinger is that it isn’t supposed to look as aggressive as it does. It would turn our heads, too, if we were cops. Despite what the police say about not caring about the looks or color of your car, we all know deep down that Kias aren’t supposed to look this pouncy.

The Stinger is a sports sedan that literally walks the talk with 368-hp. That means its aggressive styling isn’t loud for nothing. It isn’t the third in Insurify’s recent list of most ticketed cars, but an earlier report in 2021 notes it racks up 43% more tickets than the average car.

Mazdaspeed 3

Who’s next? The Mazdaspeed3.  It didn’t make Insurify’s most recent infamous list of most ticketed cars, but it has a name and choice specs capable of attracting unwanted scrutiny. Insurify’s 2021 report found the hot-hatch came away with 42% more tickets than the national average, which makes us believe not much has changed in the roughly three years since the report.

You might wonder about the ruckus about a FWD hatchback with unremarkable acceleration. It compensates with a limited-slip differential, six-speed manual shifter, and sport-tuned exhaust, a combination that attracts younger drivers willing to unleash the full potential of its 263-hp 2.3-liter straight-4.

Lexus ES 300

Insurify isn’t the only one looking at what’s heating the police radar. In 2016, Insurance.com published a study noting that Lexus ES 300 drivers were the most ticketed for speeding and related infractions. There’s actually a part of the world where the ES 300 remains the defacto passing rite for ‘successful’ youths or young adults who’ve ‘made it.’

The Lamborghini would fit the profile in these places if it were as accessible as the ES sedan. According to the report, a whopping 33% of ES 300 drivers surveyed have been pulled over, at least once. In other words, the ES is a tuxedoed Camry FWD sedan that still can’t fly under the radar because, we believe, the young ‘uns love it.

Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S/Toyota 86

The BRZ is another Subaru most likely to be pulled over by cops and the number one in Insurify’s 2024 list of cars that earned the most speeding tickets. It found that 23.9% of Subaru BRZ drivers count at least one speeding ticket in their records.

“Drivers of Subaru BRZ,” says Insurify, “… are the worst offenders when it comes to speeding. Nearly one-quarter have one or more speeding tickets on record.”

Interestingly, the models least likely to get ticketed, according to TrafficAttorneys, are the Jaguar XJ, Chevrolet Suburban, and Buick Park Avenue. The three are about 90% less likely to get pulled over.

Volkswagen GTI

The GTI ranks third in Insurify’s 2024 survey of the most ticketed cars, with 18.8% of drivers counting at least one speeding ticket in their records. The most unique aspect of the GTI is its remarkable balance of performance and practicality, except that gearheads are generally more drawn to the former when they go for the GTI Golf variant.

We’re not so surprised to see it rank high on the survey. It is widely regarded as the original hot-hatch, with a history dating back to 1976. Its relative affordability makes it a top choice for cash-strapped gearheads with a need for speed. It offers a premium driving experience for less money.

Ram 1500

The Ram truck isn’t on anyone’s survey list of most ticketed cars, but the TRX is undoubtedly the most powerful truck on the road and easily the only one in the same class with the guts to challenge Ford’s Raptor. It’s not on any official list, but you can be sure it turns the cops’ heads as much as it turns yours.

The 1500 has long been one of the most popular pickup trucks in America, and you shouldn’t stop wondering who’s attracted to the TRX model and why.  Auto Wire answered that question nicely when it surmised an Indiana suspect chased down by the Georgia police “paid for the full truck, and he’s going to use the full capabilities of that truck!” It was a 1500 Rebel, by the way.

Dodge Charger

The Charger is number six on Carbrands.org’s list of 35 cars that attract the most attention from the police. There’s a reason for the collective “meh” in gearhead circles over plans to discontinue the Charger in its current form after the 2024 model year to make way for a possible electric model in the future.

The Charger is an American muscle that commands attention with its powerful engines and aggressive styling, especially high-performance variants like the Hellcat. It’s no surprise that cops keep a wary eye on them.

Nissan 350Z/370Z

The Z car is still going strong in the US since ending its six-year production hiatus with the 350Z in 2003. Even though the 350 quit production five years later, it kept speed enthusiasts busy in local and national SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) motorsport events.

That’s the car solo drivers Jeff Stuart and Bryan Heitkotter drove and were rated the 2015 top two SCCA drivers in national autocross. It supports Insurify’s assessment that the Japanese sports car is “a magnet for speed enthusiasts,” with 17.6% of drivers raking in at least one speeding ticket and paying the government an average of $2,424 annually.

Infiniti G37

Nissan discontinued the Infiniti G37 in 2013, marking the end of an era for the iconic luxury sports car that nearly snapped people’s necks with its seductive looks.

The thing is, drivers with a need for speed tend to seek out affordable sports cars, making models like used Corvettes, Civic Si, Miata MX-5, and even the sporty G37 premium sedan choice cars for the reckless and a target for cops. In fact, the G37 played a significant role in Infiniti’s current lineup. It benefited from a 3.7-liter V6 producing 325-hp and 269 lb-ft of torque.

Mitsubishi Lancer

Enthusiasts respect the Lancer name, especially the turbocharged variants, due to its rich rally heritage. It’s just that even cops understand that what amounts to “respect” in enthusiasts’ circles is confidence in a car’s performance/speeding capabilities.

Looking from a less glorious angle, though, some model years with the automatic transmission had issues with shifting delays and a reluctance to shift into certain gears, which have been known for indirectly drawing unwanted attention.

The Lancer isn’t on anyone’s established list of cars most pulled over by cops, but it’s easy to see where the wind is blowing. There was this incident in Singapore where a driver got arrested with weapons in his car. It wasn’t because it was a Lancer but that he tried to force his way through traffic.

Scion tC

The tC lasted only two generations (between 2004 and 2016) but managed to burn tire tracks in the minds and imaginations of speed enthusiasts. It ranked 7^th in Insurify’s survey of most ticketed cars, with 15.8% of drivers earning at least one speeding ticket.

The tC inherited Toyota’s reliability and was the brand’s (Scion) bestselling model, contributing almost 40% of all Scion sales during its production years. It sold as the Toyota Zelas in some markets, including South America, the Middle East, and China.

According to Insurify, the tC boasts “the seventh highest percentage of speeding violations on record.” That makes sense, considering its purse-friendly pricing. It came as the cheaper, more practical version of the FR-S/BRZ.