Automotive Feuds
Car companies don’t always get along—and not just the big names you hear about all the time. Some rivalries fly under the radar, built on years of quiet competition or even small design choices that rubbed someone the wrong way. These have shaped how cars look, feel, and perform. In some cases, you might not notice the tension at first glance, but it’s there. So, here are 20 automotive rivalries that have been quietly steering the industry for years.
Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France on Wikimedia
1. BMW Vs. Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz made history with the first gas-powered car in 1886, but BMW’s 1928 entry rewrote the script. Its “Ultimate Driving Machine” image clashed with Mercedes’ luxury legacy, igniting a rivalry. From 3 Series vs. C-Class to M vs. AMG, the battle continues.
2. Ford Vs. Chevrolet
It all kicked off in 1911 when Chevrolet was born to take on Ford’s Model T—and the punches haven’t stopped since. Muscle car mania erupted with Mustang vs. Camaro in the ’60s, while F-Series and Silverado kept trading blows in truck sales.
Chevrolet Silverado vs. Ford F150 Aluminum bed by WildWestChevy
3. Ferrari Vs. Lamborghini
What started as a jab at bad customer service turned into an all-out supercar showdown. After Ferruccio Lamborghini clashed with Enzo Ferrari in 1963, the raging bull charged into Ferrari’s turf, swapping race track roots for bold design and V12 theatrics.
Lamborghini Aventador LP700 vs Ferrari F12 berlinetta by Gumbal
4. Toyota Vs. Honda
In Japan’s automotive colosseum, Toyota and Honda are gladiators. Honda’s early leap into VTEC tech gave thrill-seekers something to smile about, while Toyota went all-in on hybrid innovation with the Prius, shifting the industry’s green gears. Even on the global motorsport stage, their rivalry revs on.
Honda Civic 1.8 vs Toyota Corolla 1.8 Grande - DRAG RACE by Motorsports Pakistan
5. Subaru Vs. Mitsubishi
Born in the heat of WRC battles, Subaru and Mitsubishi built legacies that bled into the streets. As the Evo bowed out in 2016, the WRX kept the fire burning for performance fans. That fight extended beyond the badge, pitting Subaru’s symmetrical AWD against Mitsubishi’s razor-sharp Active Yaw Control.
EVO vs STI.. 500HP FULLY BUILT WRX STI vs 400HP BOLT ONS EVO X by OFFICIALLY GASSED - OG
6. Porsche Vs. Corvette
Today, the 911 Turbo S and Corvette Z06 sit in direct competition. Porsche leans into refinement and control, while Corvette pushes raw power and value. Their Nürburgring lap times keep the rivalry alive and closely watched.
Porsche 911 Turbo S 991.2 vs C7 Corvette Z06 FBO E50 by Auto Glory
7. Audi Vs. BMW
Audi’s Quattro AWD system, launched in 1980, marked a shift toward grip and control, setting it apart from BMW’s rear-wheel-drive setup focused on driver engagement. That’s why, on the track, Audi’s Le Mans wins stand in contrast to BMW’s road-oriented M division.
BMW M4 vs Audi RS5 Coupé comparison review - RWD vs AWD! by Autogefühl
8. Tesla Vs. Lucid
Lucid entered the EV scene with Peter Rawlinson, the former chief engineer behind Tesla’s Model S. That connection set the stage for direct competition, as the Lucid Air outpaces the Model S in range, hitting up to 516 miles compared to 405.
Did Tesla Make a Mistake? (Lucid Air Pure vs Tesla Model S) by Everyday Chris
9. Nissan Vs. Toyota
Toyota’s Camry and Nissan’s Altima have gone head-to-head for decades in the midsize sedan category. Both brands built reputations around reliability and global presence, yet Toyota maintains a stronger market share.
At the top end, the Nissan GTR and Lexus LFA brought the heat to the exotic Japanese car segment.
2019 Nissan Altima Vs 2019 Toyota Camry – Can Nissan Dethrone The Best Seller? by Redline Reviews
10. Jeep Vs. Land Rover
Jeep traces its roots back to World War II, built for the battlefield. Land Rover followed in 1948, designed for utility in post-war Britain. The Wrangler and Defender represent their ongoing off-road rivalry, whereas Jeep leads in U.S. off-road sales.
Jeep Wrangler vs Land Rover Defender - The Incredibles | Comparison | Autocar India by Autocar India
11. Dodge Vs. Ford
The Dodge Charger and Challenger have squared off against the Ford Mustang for years. Dodge shook things up with its Hellcat lineup, pushing supercharged V8s into everyday performance. Ford fired back with the Mustang GT500, delivering horsepower that keeps pace with the Challenger Redeye.
Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France on Wikimedia
12. Kia Vs. Hyundai
Despite Hyundai’s controlling stake in Kia, the two brands operate like true rivals. Their strategies reflect that split, as Hyundai focuses on refinement and tech-forward innovation, as seen in the Ioniq lineup. Kia takes a bolder, youth-oriented approach, which shows in the styling of the EV6.
2024 Kia Telluride vs Hyundai Palisade | Which Would We buy? by Micah Muzio
13. Bugatti Vs. Koenigsegg
Bugatti redefined speed and luxury when the Veyron and Chiron broke past 250 mph, wrapping extreme performance in French opulence. Koenigsegg took a different path—lighter builds, exotic materials, and bold engineering choices like single-gear transmissions. That contrast defines their rivalry.
Koenigsegg Jesko v Bugatti Chiron Super Sport: DRAG RACE by carwow
14. Mazda Vs. Toyota
Mazda and Toyota have taken very different paths to innovation. Mazda leaned into rotary engines with models like the RX-7 and RX-8, while Toyota made its mark by leading the hybrid movement.
Their rivalry also played out in the small sports car scene—the MX-5 Miata versus the MR2.
Mazda MX5 Mk2 vs Toyota MR2 Mk3 - Sports Car Shootout! [NB vs W30] by Classics World
15. Rolls-Royce Vs. Bentley
Rolls-Royce and Bentley share British roots and even a common corporate history, but their paths have since diverged. Today, Rolls-Royce operates under BMW, and Bentley is part of Volkswagen. Their rivalry is clear in models like the Flying Spur and the Ghost, both competing in the ultra-luxury sedan space.
Rolls-Royce Ghost vs. Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed | Road and Track by RoadandTrack
16. Volkswagen Vs. Skoda
Volkswagen owns Skoda. However, that hasn’t stopped internal competition in budget-friendly segments. Both brands share platforms, yet Skoda often undercuts VW on price—like the Octavia going up against the Golf. Such a value-driven strategy has helped Skoda gain serious traction in Eastern Europe and India.
What Car? Family Cars Group Test - Skoda Octavia vs Ford Mondeo vs VW Golf by What Car?
17. Aston Martin Vs. McLaren
Aston Martin brings over a century of heritage, dating back to 1913. McLaren, in contrast, only entered the road car scene in 2011 with the MP4-12C. Even under the hood, their approaches diverge—Aston sources engines from Mercedes-AMG, whereas McLaren develops its powertrains in-house.
18. BMW M Vs. AMG
BMW M and Mercedes-AMG represent the performance arms of two German giants, built to compete at every level. As electrification grew, AMG introduced hybrid V8s first. BMW M is now answering with a plug-in hybrid M5. On the track, both continue to battle it out in touring and GT3 racing.
19. Rivian Vs. Tesla Cybertruck
Rivian beat everyone to the punch with the R1T, becoming the first electric pickup to hit the market in 2021. Tesla’s Cybertruck, despite repeated delays, grabbed attention with its promise of 0–60 mph in under three seconds.
10 Reasons to get the Rivian R1T over the Cybertruck! by Kobra ToldYa
20. Citroën Vs. Fiat
Citroën made its name with offbeat innovations like the 2CV and DS, turning heads through quirky design and bold engineering. In contrast, Fiat took the efficient route, perfecting compact practicality with the ever-popular 500. Now united under Stellantis, their clash of character continues.
