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Super Bowl XLV’s Best Car Commercials: Top 10 Memorable Ads Ranked

Ranking the Top 10 Super Bowl XLV Car Commercials: Which Automaker Won the Big Game? | MotorVero

The 10 Most Memorable Car Commercials of Super Bowl XLV

Chevy Cruze: "Status"

best Super Bowl car commercials

Star Power: SNL cast members including Tim Meadows and Chris ParnellThe Concept: A hilarious take on how Cruze owners imagine others view their sensible compact carWhy It Scored: Perfectly balanced self-deprecating humor with genuine vehicle benefits, making the Cruze appealing without taking itself too seriously.Fun Fact: The ad reportedly increased Cruze website traffic by 480% immediately after airing.

--FIRST CAR LIST HERE--

Audi: "Release the Hounds"

The Premise: A lavish party goes wild when luxury is "released" in the form of an Audi A8

Signature Moment: The chandelier swing that transforms into a chandelier necklace

Why It Stood Out: Audi continued its tradition of sophisticated, cinematic ads that equate their vehicles with unleashed luxury.

Chevy Camaro: "Miss Evelyn"

Chevy Camaro:'

Star Power: A surprise appearance by the iconic Bumblebee Camaro from Transformers

The Twist: A young boy's imaginary teacher turns out to be real

--TOP ADVERTISEMENT HERE--

Emotional Impact: Combined nostalgia, childhood imagination, and muscle car excitement in one memorable package.

The Top 5 Super Bowl XLV Car Commercials

Kia Optima: "One Epic Ride

Star Power: Blink-182's music and a cameo by Motley Crüe's Vince Neil

Production Value: Featured over 100 visual effects shots blending live action and animation

Breakthrough Moment: Marked Kia's arrival as a serious player in automotive marketing with its most ambitious ad to date.

Volkswagen New Beetle: "Black Beetle"

The Concept: A sleek black Beetle transforms into various pop culture "black" references

Soundtrack: The Black Keys' "Black Door" provided the perfect musical backdrop

Cultural Relevance: Brilliantly tapped into the retro appeal of both the Beetle and classic rock while showing the car's modern edge.

Chrysler 200: "Imported from Detroit"

--SECOND CAR LIST HERE--

Narrator: The iconic Eminem in a career-defining voiceover performance

Impact: Part advertisement, part city revival manifesto

Why It Resonated: This two-minute cinematic masterpiece transcended automotive marketing to become a cultural moment, boosting both Chrysler and Detroit's image.

Result: Chrysler 200 sales increased 47% in the following month.

Chevy Silverado: "Tommy"

The Story: A man survives the apocalypse thanks to his dependable Silverado

Star Power: Featured a pre-fame Dave Franco in the lead role

Marketing Genius: Played perfectly to truck buyers' survivalist fantasies while showcasing real truck capabilities.

Volkswagen Passat: "The Force"

The Concept: A child in a Darth Vader costume tries to use "the Force" on household items

Emotional Payoff: Dad secretly starts the Passat with remote start, making the child believe he succeeded

Why It Won: Perfect blend of nostalgia, humor, and heart that appealed to both kids and parents while subtly showcasing technology.

Legacy: Became the most shared Super Bowl ad of its time with over 5 million social media mentions.

--FIRST CONTENT ADVERTISEMENT HERE--

Honorable Mentions

Hyundai Sonata "Good Things Come in Threes": Clever play on the "third-gen" Sonata's improvements
Mercedes-Benz "Welcome": Introduced the new SLS AMG with a lavish production
Chevy Volt "Discovery": Positioned the Volt as the future of automotive technology

What Made Super Bowl XLV Special for Car Ads

The 2011 Big Game marked a turning point in automotive advertising with:

Increased Emotional Storytelling: Moving beyond specs to create memorable narratives
Star Power: More celebrity appearances than previous years
Social Media Integration: First Super Bowl where sharing ads became part of the experience
Post-Recession Optimism: A return to lavish productions after years of austerity

Over a decade later, these commercials remain some of the most creative and effective in Super Bowl history, setting the standard for automotive marketing during the big game.

Klash

Last Updated On Oct, 08-2025