Badge engineering: Top five automotive identity crises

A person is not the only thing that can become confused with their identity.

Some people are ashamed of the cars they drive and attempt to transform them into something different.

Yet, simply gluing on some different badges not only makes you look like a tool but it also makes for one confusing car.

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Here are the top five cars we've found that suffer from an identity crisis.

5. Holden Cruze TRD Sportivo

I wouldn't want to challenge this Cruze to a race.

Apparently TRD doesn't just offer performance upgrades for Toyotas, Toyota Racing Developments can also "improve" your Holden Cruze.

Modifications mostly come in the form of exterior parts such as plastic side vents, smoked out taillights and of course TRD Sportivo badging (adding approximately 50hp each).

4. Mercedes-Benz Optima

Kia and Mercedes have been working hard together to create a new sedan...(image credit: Car Gurus)

Yes, there will also be an AMG addition. (image credit: Car Gurus)

A 2004 Kia Optima is not a sporty car in the slightest but chuck on some Mercedes and AMG badges and problem solved!

It's not that simple however, sadly it's still just a Kia Optima underneath even if there's a V8 badge.

3. Hyundai Chrome

The Hyundai Chrome, possible the company's next N car? (image credit: Madwhips)

The Hyundai Chrome is so rare that there is only one in existence.

However, if you take a closer look you’ll realise this is a Bentley Continental with Korean stickers.

Why the owner did this we have no idea but maybe they feared being labelled as a rich snob by the public. Good save.

2. Ferrari Cayenne

My dad always said that a car with a horse on it is a Ferrari. (image credit: Carscoops)

Ferrari has never made a luxury SUV…or have they?

No, they haven't (not yet) but what you’re looking at here is a Porsche Cayenne that has received prancing horse badges, a god-awful body kit.

The 4.5-litre V8 isn’t the most powerful unit, but would offer more go than some other examples we’ve seen.

1. Rolls-Royce 300C

Build quality and luxury that doesn't match Rolls-Royce. (image credit: 300cfourms)

Everyone would love to own a car as luxurious as the Rolls-Royce Phantom but very few can afford one.

However, there is a cheaper way of owning a Rolls which involves transforming a Chrysler 300C into a knockoff Phantom.

Coming with the signature Rolls-Royce grille, a body kit that somewhat represents a Phantom, large chrome alloys and scissor doors, you'll be attracting all the wrong type of attention.

What car have you seen suffering from an identity crisis? Let us know in the comments below.