To Protect and Serve
It’s pretty clear that the military and the police have some of the coolest, most capable vehicles around. From armored tactical vehicles to high-performance Fords, there is a lot of great American manufacturing happening behind the scenes. With that in mind, these are the fastest and most durable vehicles in the world, and American law enforcement has proven its abilities more than once.
Spc. Kristel Cordero on Wikimedia
1. MRZR Alpha
Starting off strong with the military, the MRZR Alpha offers a lot despite its light-looking frame. It’s designed with performance and power in mind, and can be air transported, seats 4, and can carry roughly 2,000 pounds. This makes it an innovative choice for tactical off-roading, which is what it’s often used for.
2. Sportsman MV850
When it comes to a sturdier frame for all terrains, the military turns to the MV850. It’s able to carry 850 pounds in military-grade payload, and unlike other vehicles, it has a towing capacity of 1,500. Despite these perks, it’s meant more so for one rider and is a bit of a support unit.
3. Polaris Ranger
The Ranger was built with one thing in mind: utility. In terms of numbers, it can carry up to 6 passengers, has 9 to 12 inches of suspension travel capability, and can carry 1,500 pounds. It’s often used as a side-by-side vehicle for the government.
4. Polaris Dagor A1
The Dagor is a much bigger vehicle and is capable of seating 9 soldiers and all their gear. It has a resounding carrying capacity of 4,000, and a turbo diesel JP8 engine for evasive actions. Plus, it’s one of the easier vehicles for soldiers to maintain.
Capt. Adan Cazarez on Wikimedia
5. 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV
Turning to law enforcement, the police have taken advantage of a variety of vehicles as well. One of the most well-known contenders is the Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle, or PPV. It’s a full-sized SUV with off-road capability and high-speed chases in mind, and it more than delivers on these fronts.
6. MRZR Diesel
The Diesel is another off-roader with a light frame and quick tactics in mind. Its frame is what gives it its mobility, and it, too, is transportable through the air. Despite the light look, it’s quite durable and has successfully carried mission-critical gear over all sorts of extreme environments.
7. Military Titan Snowmobile
If you’ve ever wondered how the military gets around in the snow, then a snowmobile is the right idea. This tactical vehicle can carry about 2 people and has 155 inches in track length. It’s the ideal utility vehicle, and its ability to traverse harsh winter environments makes it ideal for versatile missions.
Nuță Lucian from Cluj-Napoca, Romania on Wikimedia
8. 2021 Dodge Charger Pursuit
Another 2021 model that got grabbed by law enforcement was the Dodge Charger Pursuit. It’s a performance-focused sedan that was often implemented in highway patrol and was best known for its ability to balance speed with handling. Plus, it was built pretty durably, too.
9. 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility
Ford is synonymous with America, so it’s no surprise that their hybrid SUV was also one of the country’s most widely used police vehicles. Officers praised it for its acceleration and safety, and of course, the Explorer also came with all-wheel drive. Interestingly, the design for the Interceptor was based on the 2020 Ford Explorer.
Raymond Wambsgans on Wikimedia
10. Ranger XP Kinetic
The Ranger XP Kinetic is all about power in a small form. It takes advantage of an all-electric powertrain and seats about 3 soldiers. It’s known for its stellar durability and is quite useful with its additional 1,250 carrying capacity.
11. 2021 Dodge Durango Pursuit
As the name would lead you to believe, this car was made for law enforcement pursuits. It took advantage of a V8 engine and even had room for gear built in. When it came to pursuits, it excelled in rough and off-road terrain, making it a winner for rural and urban departments alike.
Thomas R Machnitzki (thomasmachnitzki.com) on Wikimedia
12. 1999 Ford Crown Victoria
This car is an absolute classic when it comes to the police force and is probably the most iconic police vehicle of all time. Specifically, the force used the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, and it was often implemented for highway patrol and urban duty. What made it so effective was its acceleration and engine, plus the ride was smooth enough for daily use.
Matti Blume (MB-one) on Wikimedia
13. General XP 1000
This vehicle is considered the most capable crossover and is also developed by Polaris. It carries a bit less at 600 pounds but makes up for it with its performance and utility. For instance, it has almost 14 inches of suspension travel to leverage.
14. Ford F-150 Police Responder
Americans love their Ford F-150s, and the cops feel the same way. This highly rated truck was designed with pursuit in mind, and to that end, it used a high-torque EcoBoost engine. Additionally, its durability and high carrying capacity made it ideal for towing as well.
15. Humvee
The Humvee performs as well as it looks, with an intimidating exterior and durability built into the design. This vehicle is specifically used for U.S. border patrol and takes advantage of military-grade four-wheel drive. It’s designed for rugged terrain in mind, and can go on and on across sand, mud, and rock.
Pfc Roberto Villa Jr. on Wikimedia
16. Chevrolet 9C1
The 9C1 refers to various Chevy police models, including the Caprice 9C1 and the Impala 9C1. These cars were popular in the ’90s and early 2000s and were used as fuel-efficient options compared to other cars. As such, they had heavy-duty brakes and reinforced frames, as well as police-calibrated speedometers.
17. Interim Fast Attack Vehicle
The United States military also takes advantage of the interim fast attack vehicle, also known as the IFAV. This vehicle is ideal for force reconnaissance, and was used to operate a fleet of Desert Patrol vehicles. As such, it's quite popular with Navy Seals.
SSG MICHAEL R. PICKLO, USMC on Wikimedia
18. Ford Taurus Police Interceptor
Ford strikes again, this time with its Interceptor sedan. This car was a popular choice during the mid and late 2010s and offered everything from all-wheel drive to heavy-duty components for high-speed pursuits. By some, it’s considered a successor to the Crown Victoria.
Raymond Wambsgans on Wikimedia
19. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
This truck may not look like much, but that’s why it’s often used by the FBI and other agencies. It serves as a commonly utilized mobile command center and surveillance vehicle. You’ve probably recognized it in the stakeout episodes of cop shows.
20. Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
This vehicle was developed by Oshkosh and was designed to support Army-led Joint Light Tactical programs. It’s built for the tough jobs and is an armored vehicle capable of withstanding the line of fire. In fact, some believe this vehicle will eventually replace the Humvees.
