Police cars: the world's best and worst

Depending on which side of the law you’re on, a police car should either strike fear into your heart or gently reassure you. Bright colours and flashing lights make them stand out on the highways, but take away the markings and most police cars are pretty uninspiring everyday cars.

Not all of them are humdrum though. We’ve rounded up some of the best police cars from around the world, as well as some… less exciting ones. From thrilling supercars to motors that weren’t up to the job of a shopping trip, let alone a high speed pursuit, there are more interesting police cars out there than you might imagine. 

UK police forces don’t have the most exciting fleets. Admittedly, it’s not practical for your local plod to spend thousands on a McLaren 750s or a fleet of Range Rover Sport SVRs - taxpayers might raise an eyebrow or two if they did. That said, it’d be nice to see something other than a BMW 3 Series or Vauxhall Astra wearing yellow ‘n blue in the UK. 

As fun as it is to imagine Ferraris catching crims on the day to day, high-performance police cars are often saved for special occasions. They’re used for PR events, as talking points to highlight road safety and sensible driving, or as a way for manufacturers to show off their latest product. Police supercars are, perhaps, more necessary in places like Dubai where an Astra wouldn’t have a chance of catching the sort of hypercars the area’s known for. 

Even on the rare occasion that a police supercar can be justified for operational reasons, there are some drawbacks. Space, for example: If officers tried to cram a perp into the back of a Lamborghini… they’d have a tough time. Similarly, any repair bills would blow most police budgets in seconds. 

Put practicalities to one side for a spell - enjoy our list of the world’s greatest, and most disappointing, police cars.

The world's best and worst police cars

We’ll start with some of the most impressive police cars of recent years but scroll down to find a sorry selection of the less capable models.

Honda NSX

33

• Engine: 3.2-litre V6
• 0-60mph: 5.0 seconds 
• Top speed: 170mph

Partially developed by Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, the original NSX was a masterpiece. With a V6 VTEC engine, timeless Pininfarina design and a cockpit inspired by a fighter jet, it’s a true icon. The police officers of Japan’s Tochigi prefecture must have felt like they’d won the lottery when they were given one in the early nineties to deal with speeders. Imagine being pulled over by one of these - you could have dined out on that tale for the rest of your life, after paying the fine, of course. 

Lykan HyperSport 

33

• Engine: 3.7-litre turbocharged flat-six
• 0-60mph: 2.8 seconds 
• Top speed: 242mph

The UAE is arguably the capital of conspicuous consumption, so why not blow the budget on an extreme police car or two? That might explain the arrival of the Lykan HyperSport on the Abu Dhabi fleet in 2015. Built by Lebanese firm W Motors, the HyperSport’s figures give you a good idea of how serious it is. Its 3.7-litre twin-turbo flat-six engine produces 750bhp, helping it crack 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds, and breeze past 240mph. Its trump card is its rarity – only seven Lykan HyperSports were made.

Dodge Charger

33

• Engine: 5.7-litre V8
• 0-62mph: 6.0 seconds
• Top Speed: 149mph

Countless Hollywood movies have demonstrated that American police can be quite fearsome. It’s no surprise that there’s a version of one of the country’s most celebrated muscle cars specifically for US forces. The base Dodge Charger pursuit car is available with a 300bhp 3.6-litre V6, but forces that really want to keep up with criminals will opt for the 370bhp 5.7-litre V8 version, which sprints from 0-60mph in less than six seconds. Intimidating!

Bugatti Veyron

33

• Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
• 0-60mph: 2.5 seconds 
• Top speed: 253mph

Dubai’s police fleet has been the stuff of legend for years, with the likes of a Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari FF and even an Aston Martin One-77 at officers’ disposal. They’re all incredibly impressive cars, but if you want to make sure you can catch virtually anyone, you need a Bugatti Veyron. Capable of 253mph, it’s sure to outpace anyone foolish enough to try speeding. The Veyron’s day-to-day role was actually quite mundane, with coppers using it to engage tourists and the general public. An expensive way to market yourself, but if you have the money, why not?

Subaru Impreza 

33

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbo
• 0-60mph: 4.8 seconds 
• Top speed: 160mph

The Subaru Impreza of the 90s will be remembered for its exploits in the World Rally Championship, and the WRX STi road cars it spawned. Amazingly, Humberside Police adopted the Impreza – complete with trademark gold wheels – onto its patrol fleet. The turbocharged 4WD Subaru proved a highly effective pursuit car. Its performance was predictably muscular, hitting 0-62mph in sub-five seconds, and managing a 160mph top speed, while the car’s suspension was even modified to take speed bumps at 70mph. 

BMW i8

33

• Engine: 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid
• 0-60mph: 4.4 seconds 
• Top speed: 155mph

Supercars are cool but come at a cost, which is what a Czech force learned after it took delivery of a BMW i8 in May 2017. The 357bhp plug-in hybrid can do 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds, making it more than capable of going after ne’er-do-wells, so when a six-month trial – courtesy of BMW itself – was announced there was great fanfare. Sadly, the trial ended after weeks when a cop crashed the i8, causing significant damage, and incurring chunky costs. BMW had to confirm that costs for the necessary repairs would be covered by an insurer and not borne by taxpayers.

Alpine A310 V6 

33

• Engine: 2.7-litre V6
• 0-62mph: 7.7 seconds
• Top speed: 137mph

We know there are already police versions of the Alpine A110, but for sheer wedgy loveliness the A310 is hard to beat. The A310 was introduced back in 1971 - but in 1976, in a bid to give Alpine a serious rival to the Porsche 911, it was given a gentle restyle and a 148bhp V6 engine. It impressed France’s Gendarmerie sufficiently to add the car to its fleet in 1981, where it provided sterling service for nine years. 

Ford Mustang Mach-E

33

• Powertrain: Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, AWD
• 0-62mph: 4.1 seconds 
• Top speed: 124mph

The electric Mach-E SUV has been a great success for Ford and forces have begun adopting it into their fleets. The brand showed this Mach-E police car concept at the Emergency Services Show in 2021 as a potential green option for UK forces to add to their fleets. The GT version of the Mach-E goes from 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds before gliding up to 124mph. Several forces have shown an interest in a police edition. 

BAC Mono

33

• Engine: four-cylinder 2.5-litre Mountune, 305bhp
• 0-60mph: 2.8 seconds 
• Top speed: 170mph

Home of the famous TT races, the Isle of Man has a road network where, in places, there are no upper speed limits, so when the local constabulary added the BAC Mono to its fleet in 2017 it felt like a natural fit. The 305bhp single-seater weighs just 580kg, and is capable of 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds, and can top out at 170mph. At more than £200,000 the Mono isn’t cheap, but it was the perfect choice for keeping up with drivers enjoying the derestricted roads a little too much.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge

33

• Engine: 6.6-litre V12
• 0-62mph: 4.8s
• Top speed: 155mph

The Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge is an unlikely choice for a cop car, but for police drivers looking for luxury you can’t go too far wrong than a Roller. Rolls-Royce revealed this example at a Chichester police station open day, close to its manufacturing headquarters at Goodwood, Sussex, to show its support for the Sussex Police and local community. A Ghost isn’t the most economical or even sensible choice for a cop car but it would look great as part of a police escort. Unfortunately, it didn’t join the Sussex force’s fleet.

Skoda Kodiaq vRS

33

• Engine: Biturbo 2.0 TDI diesel
• 0-62mph: 6.9 seconds
• Top speed: 144mph

While not necessarily a cool police car, Skoda’s Kodiaq vRS  would certainly be an intimidating sight to see hurtling towards you in your rear view mirror, and it's a far more realistic option than most on this list. Its four wheel drive system and 237bhp mean that the lawless have little chance of escaping it. While many standard features, such as 20-inch alloy wheels & dual exhaust pipes, remain, there are some additional police spec upgrades. The cops get 360-degree visibility thanks to powerful LED signal lights built into the front screen, grille, tailgate and number plate, as well as a 100-amp three-tone siren and roof-mounted emergency lights. 

Nissan GT-R ‘Copzilla’

33

• Engine: Twin-turbo V6
• 0-62mph: 2.7 seconds
• Top speed: 199mph

There’s no additional performance bolted onto what is otherwise a standard GT-R, but nonetheless Nissan did a brilliant job styling this one-off ‘Copzilla’ for the 2017 New York Motor Show. Adorned with Skyline Metro Police Department motifs, the flashing lights and gigantic roof-mounted spoiler give it a menacing look. Who would dare try and outrun a copper driving one of these?

Ford Focus RS

33

• Engine: Turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder 
• 0-62mph: 4.5 seconds
• Top speed: 165mph

Back in the 80's the Essex and Suffolk Police tried out a Ford RS200 to see if it would work as a patrol car. Despite reporting it as a 'stunning hit' it never did go into full use. Thirty years on a new fast Ford hit the fleet: a Focus RS. With 345bhp under the bonnet, it's certainly not short of pace and, unlike the RS200, it has rear doors for transporting suspected criminals, and a boot large enough to store traffic cones. Plus if they get bored, officers can try out 'Drift Mode' on a deserted stretch of A-road.

Volvo V90

33

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid
• 0-62mph: 7.0 seconds
• Top Speed: 140mph

The Swedish police force took delivery of some shiny new Volvo V90 estate cars in 2017. The V90 was tested to the limit in the country's stringent police car assessments and scored 9.2 out of 10 – the highest score ever achieved by a car at the time. The overall comments on the car were that the "chassis, steering, suspension, traction control and powertrain all show exemplary performance. Quick lane changes at high speeds feel almost deceptively easy, the car does what it is told to do and shakes off lateral forces without any protest.”

Caparo T1

33

• Engine: 3.5-litre V6
• 0-62mph: 2.5 seconds
• Top speed: 205mph

The Caparo T1 is less of a patrol car and more of a high-speed pursuit vehicle. The mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive two-seater was given a cop livery by London’s Metropolitan Police. It can blast from 0-62mph in just 2.5 seconds, and while it’s unlikely to hit its 200mph-plus top speed in any pursuits down Park Lane, at least it’ll get people moving out of the way. Designed by the engineers behind the McLaren F1, the Caparo would stick to its targets like glue.

Ford F-150

33

• Engine: 5.0-litre V8
• 0-62mph: 6.6 seconds
• Top speed: 120mph

In the UK trucks as big as the Ford F-150 pick-up are intimidatingly large, but in America it's a staple of life, and has been the best-selling vehicle there for years. Just like the British police forces used to favour the best-selling Ford Focus, it follows that American forces should use the F-150. The Police Pack is available on SuperCrew and SuperCab F-150s fitted with either the 5.0-litre V8 or 3.5-litre EcoBoost engines, and come with all the equipment you'd expect from a police vehicle. On or off road, a cop-spec F-150 will catch you.

Mercedes GLE Coupe

33

• Engine: 5.5-litre V8
• 0-62mph: 4.1 seconds
• Top speed: 155mph

Aussies love a V8, and with the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe the Australian police force even got two turbochargers tacked on as a bonus. The coupé body might not be the most practical for transporting taller TWOCers, but the jacked-up ride height should make mincemeat of the lumpier bits of the outback. Sadly, it wasn’t a permanent fixture on the fleet, Mercedes Australia loaned it to the cops as part of a campaign to boost road safety in Victoria.

Porsche 911

33

• Engine: 3.8-litre Boxer 6cyl
• 0-62mph: 4.5 seconds
• Top speed: 186mph

The Porsche 911 sports car is a global icon so you can't blame the Berlin police for wanting to sample its delights with their own 2005 997 generation model. It wasn’t standard though - it had been fettled by German tuner TechArt. With 370bhp to play with, it can cover 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds on the way to 186mph. It certainly helped keep wayward Berliners on the right side of the law.

Mercedes CLS Brabus Rocket

33

• Engine: 6.3-litre V12
• 0-62mph: 3.7 seconds 
• Top speed: 227mph 

Not content with the 911, German authorities also took delivery of this Brabus-tuned MkI Mercedes-Benz CLS, dubbed the Rocket. With a top speed of 227mph and 720bhp on offer, you can’t see why it’s got such a lofty title. Brabus gave it all the kit needed to keep the added power in check. Unlike some of our other hot cop cars, it’ll also fit a couple of offenders in the back.

Lotus Evora

33

• Engine: 3.5-litre V6 
• 0-62mph: 4.4 seconds 
• Top speed: 178mph

Used by Italy’s national military police, the Carabinieri, this fully liveried version of the Lotus Evora is quite the head turner. Thanks to its 345bhp 3.5-litre supercharged V6 and its 4.4 second 0-62mph time, it’s more than a match for most traffic on the country’s autostrada. Lotus maintained the car and trained the drivers on how to get the most from its handling. The Norfolk police force took delivery of one, too, but was for engaging the public rather than chasing crooks.

Jeep Wrangler

33

• Engine: 2.8-litre diesel
• 0-62mph: 10.1 seconds
• Top speed: 107mph

Yet another entry for the Carabinieri, but this time it’s an off-roader. FCA delivered the 2.8-litre diesel Jeep Wrangler to the Italian paramilitary police to help patrol an area of the Italian east coast. While it is not the most powerful car on this list, it is one of the most capable off-road. This is helped in part by something called the Mopar One Pack, which comes with a 2-inch lift, 17-inch ‘Gladiator’ wheels, and additional flares on the front and rear wheel arches.

Spyker C8

33

• Engine: 4.2-litre V8
• 0-62mph: 4.5 seconds 
• Top speed: 187mph 

This rare Dutch supercar was fittingly liveried in the red and blue colours of the country’s police force. It also has a specially made stand to hold the blue lights, as there’s nowhere for a standard static bar to be fitted. And the rumbling Audi-sourced V8 would have had would-be criminals thinking twice.

Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4

33

• Engine: 5.2-litre V10
• 0-62mph: 3.2 seconds
• Top speed: 202mph

The Italian Police didn't have long to wait to get their hands on the then new Lamborghini Huracan. The fully-liveried Huracan Polizia was given to the Italian State Police by Lamborghini complete with the all important blue lights and, of course, a 5.2-litre V10 thrat develops a crook-catching 602bhp.

Ford Shelby Mustang Roush Edition

33

• Engine: 5.0-litre V8 
• 0-62mph: 4.5 secs
• Top speed: 147mph

Dubai’s fleet of flash cop cars is legendary. Among the fleet of supercars the local constabulary got to run around in is this Ford Mustang. It's not just any Mustang though, it was fettled by famed tuners Roush, who gave its V8 a not insignificant 575bhp. We can only imagine the sound it made echoing across the dunes. 

Aston Martin One-77

33

• Engine: 7.3-litre V12
• 0-62mph:  3.7 secs 
• Top speed: 220mph

There are special police cars and there are special police cars. This is the latter. One of the 77 the Aston Martin One-77s ever built found its way to the Dubai fleet. It’s no slouch, with its V12 producing 750bhp and firing it all the way to 220mph. If you’re going to get caught drifting over the limit… There are few cars that might take the edge off a ticket quite like the One-77.

Bentley Continental GT

33

• Engine: 6.0-litre W12
• 0-62mph: 4.3 secs  
• Top speed: 197mph  

Bentley’s now off-sale W12 Continental GT is a fine choice of police car due to its superb refinement and ride quality. Hand-made at Bentley’s famous Crewe factory, every effort is made to produce the perfect car, tailored to buyers’ every request. The 6.0-litre W12 engine in this car catapulted it to just shy of 200mph, and dispatched the 0-62mph sprint in 4.3 seconds.

Ferrari FF

33

• Engine: 6.2-litre V12
• 0-62mph: 3.7 secs  
• Top speed: 208mph

Practical and Ferrari are two words you rarely hear in the same sentence. The Ferrari FF is a decent exception, because it’s a genuinely practical supercar with space for four occupants and it even has a chunky boot. Its 651bhp V12 engine makes it the perfect choice for transporting criminals to the station quickly.

Skoda Enyaq 

33

• Powertrain: Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor RWD
• 0-62mph: 8.5 secs
• Top speed: 99mph

Skoda has provided police cars to many countries in the past, but the new Enyaq was the firm’s first bespoke electric cop car. With a 585-litre boot, the Enyaq police car should be able to hold all the equipment officers need on the job. A maximum 333-mile range ranks among the best electric cars on sale and it can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 38 minutes.

2025 BMW M2

33

• Engine: Turbocharged 3.0-litre Straight Six
• 0-62mph: Sub 4.0 seconds
• Top speed: 177mph+

Tuner AC Schnitzer created a wild BMW M2 for the ‘Tune it! Safe!’ campaign set up by the German Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport, and the German Police. With an aero package boosting downforce, lower suspension, new (bigger) wheels front and back, and 473bhp squeezed from its 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six, it’s not mucking about. Luckily for crims, it’s for promotional purposes only. 

The world's worst police cars

Expensive, exotic police cars are inappropriate in their own way, but these are… something else. Here are some of the world's worst police cars.

Lada Riva

33

• Engine: 1.5-litre
• 0-62mph: 17 seconds 
• Top speed: 94mph

Due to the trade embargo with the US, Cuba found it difficult to obtain an appropriate fleet of police cars. Cuba’s friends in Russia ‘helpfully’ suggested the Lada Riva as an alternative and, well, Cuba listened. The four-door patrols the streets of Havana with a comically large siren, but
crims might not take the boxy motor seriously.

Smart Fortwo

33

• Engine: Turbocharged 0.9-litre three-cylinder
• 0-62mph: 11.0 seconds 
• Top speed: 96mph

Officers in New York City may have struggled to keep their cool when they traded their classic Ford Crown Victorias for the tiny Smart Fortwo. The NYPD bought 250 diddy city cars, presumably to beat the crush of NYC's traffic congestion. But as they're almost as wide as a conventional car, we can't quite see the benefit – apart from when parking. 

Toyota Prius

33

• Engine: 1.8-litre hybrid
• 0-62mph: 10.4 seconds 
• Top speed: 112mph

In a bid to add to their green credentials, police in Berlin attempted to offset the emissions of the Porsche on their fleet (maybe) with Toyota Prius patrol cars. They’re not super quick, but are incredibly efficient – and when running on battery power, officers would be able to sneak up on their suspects. 

For more incredible police cars, check out our round-up of the police cars of Dubai.