Contemporary folklore says that red cars are police magnets, and the drivers of those cars get pulled over more than drivers of any other type of vehicle. However, some studies show that the top color for getting pulled over is white, while red is the second most likely, and grey and silver come in third and fourth place.
Updated March 2022: Not much has changed in the past few years since we initially researched which cars received the most tickets. However, a couple of new models have entered the scene, and we've expanded this list to include even more cars most commonly targeted by traffic police.
A whopping 34 million speeding tickets are handed out yearly in the U.S. alone. One study shows five factors that can increase the chances of being pulled over: driving faster than the cars near you, leading the pack, exhibiting bad driving manners, attention-grabbing car mods and behavior, and of course, driving a model that research shows gets more tickets.
Focusing on the latter, here are 28 cars that were pulled over the most.
28 Subaru WRX
The WRX designation on the Subaru Impreza stands for "World Rally Cross," representing the high-performance version. The WRX boasts rally-inspired technology features, including turbocharged four-cylinder engines, stiffened suspensions, and all-wheel drive.
The police know that this car is always on the list of best-performing vehicles under $40,000, making it available to every race car driver wannabe who can't afford to purchase a Porsche or Ferrari. With the STI performance model, 305 horsepower gives the driver plenty of power to exceed local traffic speed limitations. The WRX tops the list of most tickets, with 33.6% of the drivers reporting a violation.
27 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The Genesis Coupe was Hyundai's first rear-wheel drive sports coupe and a natural replacement to the Tiburon, which was riddled with failures. Hyundai really upped their game with the Genesis Coupe, pumping out up to 420 horsepower from an optional V8 engine.
With all that power under the hood and the RWD platform, the Genesis Coupe is built for speed. Or, at least, built for speeding. However you look at it, police keep a watchful eye for the Genesis Coupe; with more than 46% speeding tickets than the national average, the only car pulled over more often is the WRX.
26 Kia Stinger
Like any good sports car, the percentage of tickets will be higher than the average vehicle. This trend continues for the Stinger. Kia's newest sporty sedan provides quite the get-up and go, with up to 368 horsepower and a 0-60 in 5.8 seconds. Additionally, the latest models sport some pretty aggressive styling, and red seems to be a popular color.
The Kia Stinger holds all the attributes police look for when scanning for potential speeding victims. As its nature would suggest, the Stinger is ticketed 43% more often than the national average, making it a top target.
25 Mazdaspeed 3
This hot hatch is hot on police radars across the nation, with 42% more tickets being issued for the Mazdaspeed 3 than the national average. It shouldn't come as a surprise, though. It sports a 2.3L four-cylinder that produces 263 horsepower and a max torque of 280 lb-ft.
The Mazdaspeed 3 may be FWD, but with a limited-slip differential, six-speed manual, and sport-tuned exhaust, it attracts the type of attention that brings the speeding tickets, something other hot hatches, like the GTI, also have to contend with.
24 Lexus ES 300
The ES 300 ranks near the top of cars most likely to be pulled over at 33.4%. Perhaps the new and more aggressive front end added to the EX300 in 2016 attracts the attention of traffic police. Over six years of production, the luxury car silhouette has remained dignified. Still, the newer spindle-type grill of the front fascia outlined with a brash chrome seems out of place and attracts attention.
The ES has plenty of power to back up the aggressive grill. It is offered with two powertrains: the 3.5-liter V-6 with 268 hp coupled to a 6-speed automatic: and the optional 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that works with Toyota's two-motor hybrid system allowing short periods of all-electric driving.
23 Pontiac GTO
The 1964 Pontiac GTO was part of the first-generation muscle cars produced in the 1960s and the 1970s. The performance package boasted a 389 cubic-inch V8 that produced 325 bhp with a single Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust pipes. The model inspired the other domestic automakers to offer competing models.
In the early 1970s, however, the model lost much of its performance appeal. The last domestically produced model in 1974 demonstrated poor performance in the Motor Trend test, delivering a lackluster acceleration from 0-60 mph in only 9.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 16.5 seconds and 84 mph. Despite the performance loss, the GTO still 32.6% of the drivers reported a violation.
22 Scion FR-S
Toyota and Subaru teamed up to create the Scion FR-S targeting young consumers who love to drive (and most likely drive fast). The rear-wheel-drive, powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine coupled to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, offers dynamic handling, sports-car agility, and sleek good looks on a budget that appeals to younger drivers looking for performance.
The Scion FR-S comes standard with a backup camera, a 7-inch touch-screen display audio system with voice recognition, eight speakers, air conditioning, power windows, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, and more. In 2016, two new colors were introduced, Ablaze and Oceanic; both are sure to attract the watchful eye of a waiting traffic cop. The Scion FR-S is near the top of the list of most tickets, with 32.6% of the drivers reporting a violation.
21 Nissan 350Z
The Nissan 350Z is a two-door, two-seater sports car manufactured by Nissan Motors from 2002 to 2009. Like the original Datsun 240Z, the Nissan 350Z sports car is fast, fun to drive, and affordable. The 350Z marks the fifth generation of Nissan's Z-car line. Z models from all generations seem to be police magnets, with 32.1% of owners reporting tickets.
In 2003, the coupe was offered in Base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, and Track trim levels, while the Roadster only in Enthusiast and Touring versions. The Track trim came with Brembo brakes and lightweight wheels, but all coups received the same suspension tuning.
The 306-hp 3.5-liter V6, with a six-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic, was offered for all trims. All models came equipped with anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, brake assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
20 Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger has an unparalleled muscle car tradition that continues with the current models. It is easy to understand why this car gets pulled over frequently, 32.1%, either for its high-performance reputation or because the available power is just too tempting for the driver.
The new Chargers offer a base 292 hp V6 engine that proves adequate power for everyday use but lacks the excitement of the three optional V8 engines. Ranging from the 370-hp engine available in the R/T trim to the 707-hp powerhouse delivered with the SRT Hellcat, all the V8s bring rapid acceleration and abundant power.
19 Volkswagen Jetta GL
The Volkswagen Jetta is a surprising ticket magnet with a rating of 30.8%. It has conservative styling, and most trims have a demure demeanor with a soft-sprung suspension. The exception is the GLI with enhanced underpinnings giving it road-handling characteristics for a fun drive on a curvy canyon road.
Everything about the Jetta indicates a vehicle designed for more comfort and economy than performance. The SE trims use a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-4 engine with 150 hp and 184 lb.-ft of torque. With the 5-speed manual transmission, the Jetta provides an exceptional EPA-rated 40 mpg on the highway. Even the sportiest configuration of the Volkswagen Jetta is calm and composed, certainly not an automobile for the driver to test its limits.
18 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS/LT
With its roots in the muscle car era, Chevrolet designed the Monte Carlo to entice customers by offering an upscale, sporty, rear-drive V8 coupe that offered a balance of performance and comfort in a stylish package.
The early years featured a big-block Super Sport edition with exceptional performance. However, the model evolved through the years into a luxury-oriented, downsized vehicle driven by fuel efficiency requirements. It was replaced by the Lumina coupe in 1988.
The Chevy Monte Carlo reemerged in 1995. In 2006, significant changes helped the Monte Carlo return to its original mission with improved driving dynamics, sportier chassis tuning, and more power in SS models. Despite the improvements, sales remained sluggish, and the Monte Carlo was gone after the 2007 model year. Although the Monte Carlo production years were limited, 30.8% of its owners reported speeding tickets.
17 Toyota Supra
While the older Toyota Supras were significant police magnets, with 30.8% of owners reporting tickets, the new 2019 model boasts a full-race sports car styling that will draw the attention of everyone it passes, including waiting traffic cops.
The four-cylinder option will be the BMW turbocharged 2.0-liter which produces 262 hp. The six-cylinder option is the BMW single-turbo 3.0-liter unit that offers 335 hp. It is the same engine found in the M240i and many other BMW cars; plenty of power to blow through those speed traps.
16 Subaru Tribeca
Subaru decided to terminate the production of Tribeca in January 2014 after slow sales. Less than 77,000 Tribecas were sold in the U.S. during the 2011 and 2012 production years, making it one of the worst-selling vehicles. However, despite poor sales, the vehicle managed to attract tickets at the rate of 29.7%.
For 2019 Subaru will introduce the Ascent, a replacement model for the Tribeca, but with features more appealing to the family-friendly customer looking for a larger vehicle that seats more than five. The Ascent will be equipped with the same 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbo featured in the Subaru boxer that produces nearly the same power as their 6-cylinder but with more torque at a lower RPM.
15 Volkswagen Rabbit
The Rabbit was introduced in 1975 when VW sales were dropping due to competition from the Japanese automakers that offered small cars at a price well below the Beetle. Volkswagen's solution was the Rabbit, a water-cooled 4-cylinder featuring a transversely mounted engine driving the front wheels in the same price range as a Japanese econobox. The Rabbit, combined with the optional 1.5-liter 4-cylinder Diesel, delivered a superb fuel economy of 45 mpg city and 57 mpg highway. In 1979 the car was so successful, dealerships placed prospective buyers on a waiting list.
In July of 1984, the Rabbit gave way to the production of the new Golf. Although short-lived, the Rabbit revitalized Volkswagen. The model is still in high demand all over the U.S. It is hard to kill a good Volkswagen. However, buyers of used Rabbits should be aware they always attract Police attention at a ticketing rate of 29.6%, even after 34 years out of production.
14 Mercury Topaz
If you go to the dictionary and look up "generic car," there is a picture of the Mercury Topaz. It is hard to believe that the Topaz could attract anyone's attention, much less a traffic cop looking to issue tickets. However, despite its boring and non-distinct style, the car sold well. Still, it also attracted tickets at the rate of 28.8% (perhaps the only reason it is not at the top of the list is its appearance).
The Mercury Topaz and its twin, the Ford Tempo, were produced by Ford for 10 years from 1984 to 1994, part of a rejuvenation plan by Ford to offer more fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly, and more modern styled models to compete with the Japanese and European and imports.
13 Scion tC
The Scion tC model and the entire Scion brand were discontinued in 2016. In its last year, the car came equipped with a 179-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that powers the front wheels through a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.
The tC offered a top-notch quality roomy cabin and a good reliability record. However, its history for tickets is not as good, with a rate of 28.8%. While the handling characteristics of the tC are solid, they fall short of those demonstrated by cars in the same class. As a sporty two-door compact car, it competed with the Honda Civic coupe and the Kia Forte Coupe. It appealed to the youth-oriented market, which may explain the high-ticket number.
12 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Perhaps it is the funky-looking style of the FJ Cruiser that draws the attention of the traffic police. Although the model was discontinued in 2014, it still ranks high in the number of ticketed drivers at 28.4%. Equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 260 hp, the Toyota FJ Cruiser is constructed for rock crawling and mudding, making it an ideal off-road vehicle. Its on-road performance, however, is disappointing.
The retro style includes its two primary front doors and two rear-hinged half-doors, a design that makes the FJ Cruiser distinctive. The FJ's bunker-like windows make visibility difficult, both on an off-road trail or on city streets going to the grocery store. Still, it also makes getting in and out of the backseat a challenge, especially for small children.
11 Mazda2
Making the top 15 cars most ticketed at 28.1% is the Mazda2. A sporty, lightweight hatchback, the Mazda2 is a pleasure to drive. While the four-cylinder, 100 hp engine with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic produces an off-the-line acceleration that is nothing to brag about, the responsive handling makes up for it. It's sharp steering, nimble handling, and reliable brakes create much of its behind-the-wheel enjoyment. Fuel economy is average for a car in its class at 29 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
The smallest car in Mazda's lineup, the Mazda2, was a finalist in the cars.usnews.com 2014 Best Subcompact Car for the Money award.
10 Hyundai Veloster
The Veloster Turbo is Hyundai's performance vehicle. The 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four (a 275-hp Veloster N will be released later in 2019), firmed-up suspension, and available summer tires make it a serious competitor to the Honda Civic Si and the Volkswagen GTI.
Hyundai matches those two slightly larger cars' specs but does so at a somewhat lower price. The interior is a significant improvement over the old Veloster's. The hard plastic is still prevalent, but it's grained nicely and is perfectly assembled.
The squat, tapered body with expanded rear fenders offers more rear headroom and access to a 20-cubic-foot cargo hold than the previous model. The Veloster redesign for 2019, sporting a faster roofline (and apparent higher speed), may make it even more attractive to the traffic police than the older design, rated at 28.1%.
9 Volkswagen GTI
The GTI is a leader in its class, demonstrated by 12 consecutive years as a winner of the Car and Driver 10Best Cars award. This is a practical car with credible performance offered at a price lower than many dynamically inferior cars. Not to rest on its laurels, VW continues to improve the model, including a minor horsepower increase for the entire GTI lineup in 2018. Other featured improvements are stronger brakes, a limited-slip differential for the GTI's two upper trim levels, and across-the-board implementation of active safety technology.
Perhaps with such sound performance characteristics, GTI owners find it difficult not to test them and, as a result, attract tickets. Owners reported a ticking rate of 28.1%.