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In the case of vehicles, the title is half the enchantment. An incredible title could make a car sound prefer it’s prepared to overcome the world — even when it’s only a humble day by day driver.
Some vehicles have names that make them sound like they belong on a racetrack, a mountain path, or a high-speed chase scene. However if you dig a little bit deeper, you notice they’re extra suited to cruising down the grocery retailer aisle than dwelling as much as their tough-guy monikers.
Listed here are questionable vehicles whose names make them sound manner cooler than they really are.
Suzuki Samurai
You hear “Samurai,” and instantly you’re picturing a warrior with a katana, silently charging by the mist, able to tackle the world. In actuality, the Suzuki Samurai is a small, underpowered off-roader that’s as awkward as it’s rugged.
Positive, it has some off-road chops, nevertheless it’s not precisely the off-road king its title suggests. With a 1.3L engine that hardly pushes 63 horsepower, this “warrior” is extra like a sidekick in a B-movie.
It sounds powerful, nevertheless it’s extra suited to the native park than an precise mountain path.
Chevrolet Avalanche
Whenever you assume “Avalanche,” you image an enormous, unstoppable wall of snow and ice crashing down the mountain. The Chevrolet Avalanche, although? Not a lot.
It’s a full-size pickup with a unusual design and a deal with versatility slightly than toughness. It’s form of a bland, rotund truck at that.
Whereas it does have a singular “midgate” that opens up the cab to the truck mattress (which is fairly cool), the title is a bit deceptive. An avalanche of energy or rugged efficiency? Not fairly. It’s extra like a gentle hill of snow you can drive over.
Hyundai Tiburon
The title “Tiburon” — Spanish for “shark” — makes you consider one thing modern, quick, and predatory, however the Hyundai Tiburon is extra of a swimming pool goldfish than a fantastic white. Whereas it tried to seem sporty within the 2000s, with its aggressive entrance finish and “sharky” styling, the Tiburon’s 2.0L engine (or 2.7L V6 on some fashions) wasn’t precisely terrorizing any roads.
It’s undoubtedly a bit spunky; nevertheless it’s cute slightly than intimidating.
Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango sounds prefer it must be a rough-and-tumble off-road SUV, able to tackle the hardest trails or roll by a desert canyon. Whereas the Durango definitely has some muscle beneath the hood (particularly in its V8 trim), it’s not precisely the rugged off-roader its title implies.
It’s extra of a family-friendly SUV with some off-road functionality, slightly than a desert-dune-conquering beast. It’s a stable alternative for soccer mothers with an adventurous spirit — however not fairly the rugged machine you may anticipate from the title.
Nissan Juke
The title Nissan Juke conjures photos of a small, zippy, and probably sporty automotive that may dart out and in of site visitors. The truth, nonetheless, is a weirdly designed compact crossover with a unusual, love-it-or-hate-it aesthetic.
The title suggests one thing with a little bit little bit of swagger, however the Juke’s 1.6L turbo engine doesn’t precisely ship the thrills that “juke” (as in a flowery dance transfer) implies.
It’s extra of a cool metropolis automotive than a nimble roadster.
Subaru Brat
Let’s discuss Subaru Brat, a reputation that sounds prefer it’s going to be a mini beast, proper? I imply, “Brat” feels like a automotive that will tear up the streets, no questions requested.
In actuality, the Brat was a unusual little 4×4 pickup that hardly scraped by within the efficiency division. It’s cool within the sense that it had a singular design, however with its 1.6L engine and awkwardly small mattress, it’s extra “lovable” than something intimidating.
Plus, that rear-facing leap seat? Properly, it was extra about novelty than utility.
Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass sounds prefer it’s able to information you thru the hardest terrain, pointing you true north within the coronary heart of the wilderness. However in actuality, this compact crossover is a lot better suited to suburban errands than roughing it within the wild.
It has an off-road package deal, however let’s be sincere, it’s extra of a metropolis navigator than a trailblazer. If you wish to “compass” your manner by the woods, you’d be higher off with a Wrangler.
Toyota Matrix
Whenever you consider “Matrix,” your thoughts may go straight to Keanu Reeves dodging bullets in gradual movement. So naturally, the Toyota Matrix sounds prefer it must be a high-tech, futuristic hatchback able to blast by the streets.
In reality, the Matrix was a compact automotive that attempted to combine utility with sportiness however didn’t actually excel at both. Whereas it was versatile and sensible, calling it the “Matrix” is a little bit of a stretch when the automotive’s driving dynamics have been extra ‘regular’ than ‘neo.’
Mitsubishi Raider
The title Mitsubishi Raider sounds prefer it’s able to storm into battle, stuffed with ruggedness and toughness. Sadly, this mid-size pickup was something however a warrior.
It was extra of a rebranded Dodge Dakota with a tough-sounding title. Positive, it was useful as a piece truck, however there wasn’t a lot to make you are feeling such as you have been “raiding” something, except you have been raiding an area Dwelling Depot for some lumber.
It didn’t precisely stay as much as the wild west picture its title conjured.
Chrysler Crossfire
The Chrysler Crossfire feels like a high-performance sports activities automotive that’s able to shoot flames and break necks. However in actuality, it was extra like a Chrysler that bought into an argument with a Mercedes-Benz and tried to do a roadster factor.
Based mostly on the Mercedes SLK, the Crossfire had a 3.2L V6, nevertheless it was removed from the agile, thrilling drive you’d anticipate from such a “firestarter” title. It was a unusual design that didn’t fairly hit the mark by way of efficiency or appears to be like, leaving you questioning why a reputation like “Crossfire” was chosen for such a tame cruiser.
Pontiac Aztek
The Pontiac Aztek is a legendary oddball within the automotive world. It sounds prefer it may very well be a rugged, historic warrior car designed to overcome roads just like the mighty Aztec empire.
However what you really get is a crossover with a particular (and broadly thought-about unattractive) design, not a lot energy, and a considerably clumsy presence on the street. The Aztek’s title evokes power, however its efficiency and elegance simply don’t again it up.
Nonetheless, it does have a sure “bizarre cool” issue that you just received’t discover in lots of different vehicles.
Conclusion
Some automotive names are destined for greatness, whereas others — effectively, not a lot. It’s superb how a robust, highly effective title could make a automotive sound prefer it’s able to superb feats, even when the fact is a little bit underwhelming.
From the “warrior” Samurai that hardly survived an off-road path to the “invincible” Raider that might barely haul a load of groceries, these vehicles present {that a} cool title can solely go thus far.
However hey, a minimum of they’ll get you some cool factors within the car parking zone earlier than anybody realizes what you’re really driving.
