4 Unexpected Police Cars

Imagine seeing one of these cars in your rearview mirror.

Mark Hacking | 

Feb 23, 2024 | 2 min read

Ford

There's nothing inherently wrong with a standard-issue police cruiser. But some police stations around the world take a different view on the best-performing car. Here are five vehicles that can take a less traditional approach when it comes to hot pursuit.

Chevrolet

Chevrolet Blazer EV PPV: Michigan State Patrol

There's a new cruiser coming to town: the Chevrolet Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV). Based on the 2024 Blazer EV SS, it will be the first pursuit-rated all-electric Chevrolet. While final specifications for this special Blazer haven't been released as of publication, the vehicle is sure to outpace the stock Blazer's 557 horsepower.

"The Chevrolet Blazer EV PPV is designed to meet or exceed the demands of the nationally recognized Michigan State Police annual vehicle testing. Its performance will be a game-changer," said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president of GM Fleet in a press release.

Ford

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT: Michigan State Patrol

Ford Motor Company is intent on turning at least some of its electrified vehicles (EVs) into police cars. Case in point: the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, which last year became the first EV to pass the Michigan State Patrol vehicle test. With a combined output of 480 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, the Mach-E GT still had 30% range left in its battery pack after 18 miles of high-speed testing.

While this is the first attempt to turn a Mach-E GT into a police pursuit vehicle, the Ann Arbor Police Department in Michigan purchased two Mach-E models for use in more low-speed maneuvers.

Subaru

Subaru WRX STI: Itasca Village Police Department, Illinois

When Subaru of America offered to loan the Itasca Village Police Department in Illinois its high-performance WRX STI, the answer was a resounding yes. The village, located 27 miles west of Chicago along I-290, used the STI for promotional purposes, so the full might of its 305-hp turbocharged boxer engine was more of a deterrent than anything else. This same town has twice attempted to set a Guinness World Record for the largest parade of Subaru vehicles.

Volvo

Volvo S60: Berkeley County Police Department, South Carolina

Seven years ago, Sweden's Volvo Cars broke ground on its first U.S. assembly plant in Ridgeville, Berkeley County, South Carolina. The plant initially started building the speedy S60 sedan and will soon add the XC90 SUV to its production lines, with the capability to produce up to 150,000 vehicles per year.

In another move engineered to strengthen ties to the Berkeley County community, Volvo USA gifted the local sheriff's office four S60s to use on patrol duty.

Mark Hacking

Mark Hacking is an award-winning writer with more than 20 years experience covering the automotive scene for some of the world's most popular publications. Mark holds an FIA International Race license and has his sights set on competing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the future. He was the first automotive journalist to race in the Ferrari Challenge series (in 2013) and the Jaguar I-PACE eTrophy series (in 2019).