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20 Cars That Were Rebadged Into Something Completely Different

Cameron Eittreim June 24, 2025

Car rebadging is the art—and sometimes the science—of selling the same car under a different brand or nameplate. Manufacturers often rebadge vehicles to save costs, enter new markets quickly, or fill gaps in their lineups. This practice can lead to fascinating results, where a car designed for one audience suddenly appears, almost unrecognizably, with a new badge and identity.

Sometimes, these transformations go far beyond a simple logo swap, creating vehicles with completely different personalities or reputations. The world of rebadged cars is full of surprises, and some of the most unexpected examples have become legends—or curiosities—in automotive history.

1. Geo Prizm / Toyota Corolla

90 92 geo prizm
A silver Geo Prizm, sibling to the Toyota Corolla, sits parked on a sunny street, embodying classic compact sedan style. | Image from commons.wikimedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The Geo Prizm might seem like an all-American compact, but it’s really a Toyota Corolla in disguise. Built alongside the Corolla at the NUMMI plant in California, the Prizm shared its platform, engine, and most mechanical parts with its Japanese twin. Despite this, it was branded and marketed by General Motors to attract buyers who wouldn’t necessarily consider a Toyota. This clever rebadging move allowed GM to offer renowned Toyota reliability under a completely different badge. Source

2. Saab 9-2X / Subaru Impreza

2. Saab 9-2X / Subaru Impreza
A silver Saab 9-2X, also known as the “Saabaru,” stands parked beside a classic Subaru Impreza. | Image from zh.m.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

When General Motors owned a stake in Subaru, it seized the chance to create the Saab 9-2X by rebadging the Subaru Impreza wagon. Affectionately nicknamed the “Saabaru,” this car kept Subaru’s all-wheel-drive prowess and boxer engines but gained Swedish-inspired styling on the outside and inside. The result was a quirky blend that stood out in Saab’s lineup, offering Subaru performance with a European twist. Source

3. Dodge Stealth / Mitsubishi 3000GT

3. Dodge Stealth / Mitsubishi 3000GT
A striking Dodge Stealth and its twin, the Mitsubishi 3000GT, sit side by side, showcasing classic ’90s sports coupe style. | Image from commons.wikimedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The early ’90s partnership between Chrysler and Mitsubishi resulted in the Dodge Stealth, a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi 3000GT. While the two cars shared engines, chassis, and technology, the Stealth featured unique American styling touches. This collaboration allowed American drivers access to advanced Japanese sports car engineering—think all-wheel drive and twin-turbo power—wrapped in a Dodge badge. The Stealth remains a standout example of cross-Pacific rebadging. Source

4. Chevrolet Aveo / Daewoo Kalos

2005 Chevrolet Aveo Ls Hatchback Pic 4996025147425131631
A sleek Chevrolet Aveo, also known as the Daewoo Kalos, showcases its compact design in a city setting. | Image from commons.wikimedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The Chevrolet Aveo has a globe-trotting backstory, beginning life as the Daewoo Kalos in South Korea. When General Motors acquired Daewoo, it quickly rebadged the compact as a Chevy for the U.S. and many other markets, while still selling it under the Daewoo name in some regions. This led to one car wearing multiple badges, from Suzuki to Holden, proving just how far a single design can travel with a new emblem. Source

5. Pontiac G8 / Holden Commodore

2009 pontiac g8 gxp. x09pn g8004 (united states)
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP. X09PN_G8004 (United States)

The Pontiac G8 gave American enthusiasts a taste of Australian muscle by rebadging the Holden Commodore. This rear-wheel-drive sedan, built down under, arrived in North America boasting powerful V8 engines and sharp handling—qualities rarely found in its class at the time. With a new badge and a few styling tweaks, the Commodore became a standout Pontiac, reminding buyers that performance and excitement could still live in a family sedan. Source

6. Ford Aspire / Kia Avella

1996 ford aspire 8
Image Credit: Wiki Media

In the 1990s, Ford tapped into the emerging South Korean market by rebadging the Kia Avella as the Ford Aspire for U.S. buyers. This subcompact hatchback retained nearly all of its mechanicals and design from Kia, with only minor styling tweaks to distinguish it as a Ford. The Aspire became an affordable, fuel-efficient option in Ford’s lineup, demonstrating how rebadging could swiftly fill gaps in a manufacturer’s portfolio. Source

7. Infiniti QX4 / Nissan Pathfinder

1999 infiniti qx4 4 dr std 4wd suv pic 3264176763842221229
Image Credit: Wiki Media

The Infiniti QX4 elevated the rugged Nissan Pathfinder into the luxury SUV realm. While both vehicles shared the same platform and V6 engine, Infiniti added premium materials, advanced features, and subtle exterior enhancements to create a distinct upscale identity. This rebadging strategy allowed Nissan to compete with other luxury SUVs, offering buyers a refined experience without sacrificing the proven reliability and capability of the Pathfinder’s underpinnings. Source

8. Acura RSX / Honda Integra

Acura Rsx Cl02
A sleek Acura RSX, also known as the Honda Integra, stands out as a stylish and sporty coupe. | Image from www.flickr.com (Creative Commons Licensed)

The beloved Honda Integra took on a new identity as the Acura RSX when it arrived in North America. While the core engineering—lightweight chassis, high-revving engines, and sharp handling—remained unchanged, Acura’s badge and minor trim tweaks gave it a premium positioning. This rebadging move showcased how a single, sporty coupe could appeal to different markets by simply shifting its branding and marketing approach. Source

9. Cadillac Catera / Opel Omega

Cadillac Catera.jpg
A sleek Cadillac Catera luxury sedan gleams under city lights, showcasing its refined Opel Omega-inspired design. | Image from lt.m.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The Cadillac Catera brought European flair to American luxury showrooms by rebadging the Opel Omega. Built in Germany and shipped to the U.S., the Catera offered a unique blend of agile handling and comfort, standing apart from traditional Cadillacs. Despite its new badge and a few luxury upgrades, the Catera’s European roots remained clear, providing a distinctive option for buyers seeking something different in a midsize luxury sedan. Source

10. Plymouth Arrow / Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste

012817 barn finds 1980 plymouth arrow pickup 2
Image Credit: Wiki Media

In the late 1970s, the Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste was rebadged as the Plymouth Arrow for the American market. This sporty hatchback represented one of the earliest examples of a Japanese import being sold under a domestic U.S. badge. By adopting minor styling tweaks and new branding, Chrysler offered American buyers a taste of Japanese engineering long before Mitsubishi established its own presence stateside. Source

11. Toyota Matrix / Pontiac Vibe

11. Toyota Matrix / Pontiac Vibe
A sleek Toyota Matrix and a sporty Pontiac Vibe parked side by side, showcasing versatile compact hatchback design. | Image from ha.m.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe are a textbook case of rebadging in action. Jointly developed and assembled at the NUMMI plant in California, these compact hatchbacks shared platforms, engines, and most features. Only subtle exterior tweaks and brand-specific badges set them apart. This partnership gave buyers nearly identical cars, whether they walked into a Toyota or Pontiac dealership. Source

12. Eagle Talon / Mitsubishi Eclipse / Plymouth Laser

1993 Eagle Talon 0001
A trio of classic 90s coupes—Eagle Talon, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and Plymouth Laser—lined up side by side. | Image from en.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

Diamond-Star Motors’ collaboration produced a trio of sporty coupes: the Eagle Talon, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and Plymouth Laser. Underneath, they were nearly identical, sharing engines, chassis, and performance DNA. Each brand added its own styling cues and equipment packages, giving buyers slightly different flavors of the same car. This unique three-way rebadging strategy brought turbocharged excitement to showrooms under three distinct banners. Source

13. Volkswagen Routan / Chrysler Town & Country

2014 volkswagen routan se 4dr mini van w rse
Image Credit: Wiki Media

The Volkswagen Routan marked VW’s entry into the North American minivan market, but it was essentially a Chrysler Town & Country beneath the surface. Built in the same factory, the Routan featured Volkswagen-specific styling cues and a few unique interior touches, yet it shared engines and underpinnings with its Chrysler sibling. This rebadging allowed VW to offer a family-friendly minivan without developing one from scratch. Source

14. Suzuki Equator / Nissan Frontier

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A Suzuki Equator and a Nissan Frontier stand side by side, showcasing their rugged pickup truck designs and versatility. | Image from it.m.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

Suzuki’s foray into the U.S. mid-size pickup segment resulted in the Suzuki Equator, which was essentially a rebadged Nissan Frontier. The Equator featured minimal changes beyond Suzuki badges and a unique front grille, but under the skin, it was identical to its Nissan counterpart. This strategy allowed Suzuki to quickly offer a proven truck without the expense of developing its own, though the Equator remained a rare sight on American roads. Source

15. Mercury Villager / Nissan Quest

2000 nissan quest se pic 7429654522285867180 (1)
Image Credit: Wiki Media

The Mercury Villager and Nissan Quest emerged from a unique collaboration between Ford and Nissan, resulting in two almost identical minivans. Built on the same platform with shared engines and interiors, the main differences came down to minor styling cues and badges. This partnership allowed both companies to compete in the growing minivan segment without duplicating development costs, giving families a choice between two familiar yet subtly distinct options. Source

16. Isuzu Oasis / Honda Odyssey

10 1996 isuzu oasis in colorado junkyard ©2016 murilee martin the truth about cars
Image Credit: Wiki Media

The Isuzu Oasis is a classic rebadging story, born from Isuzu’s partnership with Honda. Essentially a first-generation Honda Odyssey with new badges and a slightly altered grille, the Oasis offered American families the same spacious interior and versatile seating as its Honda twin. This move allowed Isuzu to keep a presence in the minivan market without developing a model from scratch, benefiting from Honda’s reputation for reliability. Source

17. Chrysler TC by Maserati / Maserati Biturbo

1200px 1990 chrysler tc by maserati
A sleek Chrysler TC by Maserati roadster gleams in the sun, blending American luxury with Italian Biturbo flair. | Image from commons.wikimedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The Chrysler TC by Maserati stands as one of the most unusual rebadging efforts in automotive history. This luxury convertible was heavily based on the Maserati Biturbo, but featured a mix of Italian craftsmanship and American engineering. Chrysler added its own styling cues, luxury touches, and U.S.-market amenities, resulting in a grand tourer with a truly international pedigree—though it ultimately puzzled many enthusiasts. Source

18. Ford Festiva / Mazda 121 / Kia Pride

18. Ford Festiva / Mazda 121 / Kia Pride
A trio of compact hatchbacks—Ford Festiva, Mazda 121, and Kia Pride—parked side by side in vibrant colors. | Image from en.m.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The story of this compact car is a true example of global rebadging. Originally designed by Mazda as the Mazda 121, it was built by Kia in South Korea and sold as the Kia Pride. Ford then brought it to various markets as the Ford Festiva. Despite its humble roots, the car adapted easily to new markets and badges, illustrating how a single design can take on many identities worldwide. Source

19. Chevrolet Trailblazer / Holden Colorado 7 / Isuzu MU-X

19. Chevrolet Trailblazer / Holden Colorado 7 / Isuzu MU-X
The Chevrolet Trailblazer, Holden Colorado 7, and Isuzu MU-X stand side by side, showcasing rugged SUV versatility. | Image from ko.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

GM’s versatile mid-size SUV platform took on different identities around the world. In the Americas, it became the Chevrolet Trailblazer; in Australia, it wore the Holden Colorado 7 badge; and in Asia, it was sold as the Isuzu MU-X. While each version featured unique styling touches and slight tuning differences, all shared the same robust foundation—proving how a single platform can serve many markets and brands. Source

20. Fiat 124 Spider / Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND)

20. Fiat 124 Spider / Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND)
A classic Fiat 124 Spider and a sleek Mazda MX-5 Miata sit side by side, tops down, ready for adventure. | Image from de.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The modern Fiat 124 Spider is a fascinating example of joint development and rebadging. Built alongside the Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND), the Fiat shares its chassis and much of its interior, but stands apart with Italian-inspired styling and a turbocharged engine. This partnership allowed Fiat to revive a classic nameplate while leveraging the Miata’s acclaimed driving dynamics, giving enthusiasts two distinct flavors of open-top fun. Source

The Surprising World of Rebadged Cars

1280px 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse Gs Dohc 13369973975
A lineup of rebadged cars from different global brands showcases the fascinating evolution of automotive design and collaboration. | Image from en.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The world of rebadged cars reveals just how global and creative the automotive industry can be. Through clever engineering and marketing, manufacturers have transformed familiar vehicles into something distinctly new—sometimes iconic, sometimes unexpected.

From American muscle wearing Australian badges to Japanese hatchbacks masquerading as European luxury, these stories showcase the ingenuity of carmakers in reaching new buyers and adapting to diverse markets. Next time you spot a familiar silhouette with a different badge, remember: there’s often an intriguing story beneath the surface.

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