Badge engineering is a fascinating aspect of the automotive industry — different brands release the same vehicle under various badges. While this practice often saves manufacturers costs, it can scuttle creativity and differentiation among models. Join us as we reveal the 15 most notable examples of badge-engineered cars.

Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique

Both models shared the CDW27 platform and offered similar styling cues, differing primarily in trim levels and minor exterior details.

Dodge Shadow/Plymouth Sundance

These compact cars were mechanically identical, with only badge and trim variations setting them apart.

Cadillac Catera/Saturn L-Series

The Catera and L-Series shared the GM2900 platform, but the Cadillac boasted upscale features and styling compared to its Saturn counterpart.

Buick Rainier/GMC Envoy

Both SUVs shared the same platform, drivetrain, and interior components, with only subtle styling differences between them.

Chevrolet Trailblazer/Oldsmobile Bravada

The Trailblazer and Bravada shared platforms and powertrains, but the Bravada boasted more upscale features and trim options.

Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon/Isuzu i-Series

These midsize pickups shared platforms and powertrains, with minor cosmetic differences distinguishing each brand’s version in different countries.

Pontiac Torrent/Chevrolet Equinox

These compact SUVs shared the GM Theta platform and powertrains, with Pontiac aiming for a sportier image than Chevrolet’s more conservative approach.

Chevrolet City Express/Nissan NV200

The compact cargo vans are essentially rebadged versions of Nissan’s NV200 and offer practicality and efficiency for urban businesses. Still, despite the rebadge, the Chevrolet sales dipped drastically, and the model was soon discontinued.

Saab 9-2X/Subaru Impreza

When the 9-2X was released, everyone immediately noticed that it was a rebadged Subaru Impreza. It offered Saab styling cues with Subaru’s renowned all-wheel-drive performance.

Chevrolet Prizm/Geo Prizm/Toyota Corolla

GM and Toyota collaborated on these compact cars, which were basically the same vehicles sold under different badges. The Prizm model was only sold in the US, while the Corolla was marketed in the rest of the world.

Cadillac Cimarron

The Cimarron was a badge-engineered version of the Chevrolet Cavalier, but its lack of differentiation and Cadillac’s luxury image led to criticism from consumers and enthusiasts alike.

Ford Probe/Mazda MX-6

Although not identical, the Probe and MX-6 shared platforms and mechanical components, with the Ford made for the North American market and the Mazda manufactured for the European and Asian markets.

Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac G5/Saturn Ion

When they were introduced into the market, these compact cars shared platforms and powertrains, with each brand offering its own styling cues and trim options to differentiate them.

Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis

Both under the Ford umbrella, these full-size sedans offered subtle variations but shared the same robust underpinnings, appealing to different buyer demographics.

Mitsubishi Eclipse / Eagle Talon

Produced through a joint venture between Mitsubishi and Chrysler, these sporty coupes shared platforms and engines, with the Talon aimed at a more performance-oriented market.