Cars Frequently Found in Their Namesakes
Yesterday in this series we talked about vehicle naming conventions, listing a trio which are unlikely to be driven in the place after which they were named. We also previewed tomorrow’s topic: ones titled after people. Crown Vic, anyone?
Flipping the script on yesterday’s post is an easy task, though we will attempt to pluck each of the vehicles listed here from a different manufacturer. In other words - no marque will be repeated even though it may have multiple models which fit the bill. The roster from which one can select about this topic is as long as yer arm.
[Images: Hyundai, GM, Toyota]
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Hyundai Santa Fe
We’re selecting this model from the House of Hyundai since it is the OG crossover from this brand. Your author is old enough to remember when they first appeared in showrooms at the turn of the century; to say there was a run on these things is like saying Vesuvius barely covered Pompeii.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The all-wheel drive car-based crossover segment had fully taken off in popularity - and Hyundai had a pretty good rep by that time for slinging vehicles which had towering value propositions. Its funky styling and color selections didn’t hurt, either. As for the rest of its lineup today, many of them can also fit the bill for this list: Tucson and Santa Cruz to make just two.
Chevrolet Colorado
This one’s too easy, though we need to take a moment and give props where props are due. The Colorado nameplate has been around for the better part of two decades now, a development which isn’t a given at General Motors. Witness the parade of names for the Corolla/Civic rival at Chevy: Cavalier to Cobalt to Cruze over the span of just a few years.
Chevrolet Colorado
Pontiac was even wilder, having the *inhales* J2000 to 2000 to 2000 Sunbird to Sunbird to Sunfire to G5 *exhales* before GM took Pontiac instead of Buick out behind the barn for euthenasia as part of the government’s plan for a path out of bankruptcy. As for the Colorado, it has matured into a truck with plenty of chops, especially in its burlier forms such as the ZR2 and Bison trims.
Toyota Tacoma
This pickup truck shares a name with the city in Washington state, a locale with nearly a quarter million souls these days. Toyota recently overhauled its Tacoma both inside and out, managing to style new sheetmetal while retaining its squared-off look which its fans enjoy.
Toyota Tacoma
A fresh trim called Trailhunter shares the top rung with TRD Pro; both are very capable but targeted at different customers. The latter is arguably better at high speed dune running while the former is well-equipped for overlanding and fording a few rivers. Fun fact: its don’t-call-it-a-snorkel permits an endlessly entertaining turbo whistle when lifting off the throttle.
