An Easter egg, in automotive terms, is anything the automakers have added to a car as a bonus that’s usually hidden. In an allusion to the holiday tradition, it requires one to keep their eyes peeled to find these cool features. According to Dictionary.com, the first Easter egg someone unearthed was from the 1979 Atari VCS 2600 game called "Adventure.” The term itself, however, has been around since the 16th century. Although the term is most often attributed to hidden features uncovered in video games or movies, Easter eggs have been around in cars for a long time. Easter eggs can vary in cars, from a cool design feature to something more elaborate that’s along the lines of what Tesla does.
Updated March 2022: If you enjoy car trivia, fun facts and Easter eggs, you'll be happy to know that we've updated this article with more details.
A car may have a feature unlocked through its infotainment screen by holding down a button to reveal a secret. Although Tesla has many Easter eggs throughout their cars, we only added a couple Tesla related on this list. Many automotive Easter eggs are merely eye candy. In reality, though, there are plenty of inventive ones that provide useful functions. Then there are ones that are just smart cultural references or nods to the automaker’s legacy. Whether they’re useful or just cool to look at, here’s a compilation of clever automotive Easter eggs. Many are so appealing, it’s tempting to get the vehicle for the Easter egg alone. While there are a few cars made outside of the U.S. on this list, they’re all in cars people will recognize.
25 Hyundai Veloster: Blue Max Video Game
As automobiles become more technologically advanced, new features come standard. An infotainment center years ago seemed unimaginable, but many cars have them today. The Hyundai Veloster takes their entertainment system to a new level by including a “Blue Max” game.
According to AutoTrader, the game acts as a tracker that displays driving habits. These habits then turn into metrics that can help a driver see how well their score in fuel economy. It’s an innovative Easter egg that’s influencing the way people drive.
24 Vauxhall Corsa: Shark Dare
This Easter egg seems insignificant at first as a mere bonus in the interior. The backstory behind it though garners even more appreciation. According to MSN, a designer dared one of his colleagues to do something audacious: insert a hidden shark somewhere in the car that will make it through to production.
The colleague took him up on it and managed to sneak this shark inside the Vauxhall Corsa. The same source notes that it appears in the 2006 to 2014 models.
23 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Old Willy Headlights
An Easter egg so cool, they managed to put a Jeep inside of another Jeep. It’s not the only time on this list a Jeep paid tribute to one of its early and iconic models. Here again, Jeep proudly shows off the familiar front grille of an old Willy but in a never-before-seen way.
The blog Autoparts Warehouse reports that the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokees have a small engraving of the old Willys in the small center of its front headlights.
22 Jeep Renegade: Friendly Spider
The Jeep Renegade has enough Easter eggs to have owners searching and discovering them for months. Out of all the fun and cool Easter eggs, it’s hard not to like the quipping spider. Placed near the fuel filler, the site Aventura reports that not only is there a picture of a realistic spider, but a bubble of it saying, "Ciao Baby!”
It’s a funny and random Easter egg that has the same source speculating about whether it is there to scare off predators who might go exploring in the Renegade.
21 Hyundai Genesis: Welcome Logo
Automakers are going to greater lengths to impress drivers today. It’s all part of standing separate from the fierce competition. The Hyundai Genesis makes a convincing case today for being the ultimate “welcoming” experience.
Jalopnik reports that as you approach the Genesis, the side view mirrors rotate out and project the brand's logo below in front of the driver's feet. It’s not only a cool Easter egg, but a great way to bring class and style to the driving experience.
20 BMW Z4: Do You “Z” It?
Look hard enough, and the BMW Z4 is more than meets the eyes. The side profile of the BMW Z4 has something more in store for those who can spot its literal Easter egg. The design team behind this magnificent car decided to etch a self-referencing shape into its fender that stretches along the door towards the bottom.
MSN notes that it is in the shape of a “Z,” which alludes to the Z4 itself. It’s a clever Easter egg that also adds to the car’s style.
19 Skoda Octavia: Complimentary Ice Scraper
Those who live in colder climates will appreciate this next automotive Easter egg. In instances where a car has ice all over it from parking outside overnight, there’s a solution for that: a miniature ice scraper.
According to Jalopnik, the Skoda Octavia comes with a helpful little ice scraper that comes with it. Stowed away behind the pop open door protecting the fuel cap is a square-shaped tool that makes quick work of ice on windows. It’s an Easter egg so smart, all cars should come with one.
18 Jeep Gladiator: “419” Toledo Area Code
The Jeep Gladiator is a worthy ride that’s caught the attention of the auto industry. Aside from its rugged capabilities, people are noticing a clever homage to its origins. In the bed of the truck, Jeep etched the numbers “419” beside a heart.
According to Motor1, this is a reference to the Toledo Assembly Complex where they build Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators. The “419” is the area code of Toledo, Ohio, where the complex stands today. It’s a thoughtful nod to the place it calls home.
17 Renault Twingo RS: Foot Pedals
The more one drives, the more it becomes second-nature. One can accelerate and stop without needing to look down at the foot pedals. Even though there isn’t a need to look down, it’s still nice to have aesthetic reminders of what each pedal does.
The foot pedals in the Renault Twingo RS, reports Jalopnik, makes a clever allusion to home video with the play, pause and stop symbols. It’s both humorous and smart to draw parallels between one’s automobile and the home viewing experience.
16 Dodge Viper: Rear Logo Lights Up
The Dodger Viper is already a cool car on its own and doesn’t need an Easter egg to sell it. It doesn’t hurt though when Dodge adds a signature emblem that lights up on the back.
AutoTrader reports that whenever the Dodger Viper brakes, the logo of a snake on the trunk lights up red. It’s enough to intimidate any drivers who get too close. Something tells us drivers behind the wheel will be pushing the gas more than the brakes though.
15 Tesla Model X: Light Show
It’s inevitable that Tesla would land on this list considering how many Easter eggs they’ve put in their lineup of vehicles. One of a couple to make it here though is the impressive Model X’s light show.
According to Jalopnik, all a driver needs to do is hold down the Tesla “T” button in their car and enter one of either two inputs: "holiday" or "ModelXmas.” In the holiday spirit, what happens next is a coordinated light show that will have owners' jaw dropping to the floor.
14 Aston Martin Vanquish: Familiar Taillights
Automotive Easter eggs prove that the makers behind these machines aren’t afraid to have a little fun during the process. Aston Martin is a brand that’s known for luxury and performance; the Vanquish's Easter egg proves they have a knack for creative designs too.
As revealed by MSN, the two taillights look ordinary upon first glance. Look further though, and keen eyes will recognize their shape. When put together, these headlights form the iconic Aston Martin logo.
13 Chrysler 200: Motor City Mats
Chrysler managed to tip the hat to its origins while also throwing a swipe at its competition. What’s most impressive is that they did it all in just the floor mats. According to Jalopnik, the Chrysler 200 models come with floor mats—that when looked at closely—reveal the Detroit skyline.
Careful observers familiar with the skyline will notice the absence of one building though: the GM Renaissance Center. This is no mistake though on Fiat Chrysler’s part, who purposefully erased their competition from Detroit's panorama.
12 Volkswagen Golf and Passat CC: Rear Camera Under Logo
VW managed to incorporate a feature behind its iconic emblem. According to the blog CarGurus, the Golf and Passat CC cars both have their reversing camera behind the VW logo in the back. The cool thing about it once it activates, is that it flips the logo up to reveal the camera.
This Easter egg manages to appeal on several fronts, including the fact that it makes use of the logo. It’s something out of a superhero movie that belongs on the Batmobile.
11 Dodge Viper SRT: Famous Race Tracks
It’s the small details that count. This is one of the tinier Easter eggs on the list, but it’s one that’ll impress even diehard enthusiasts. In an homage to its racing heritage, the Dodge Viper SRT bears a familiar shape near the window switches.
According to Business Insider, the small plastic bin that sits by the window switch bears the iconic shapes of racing tracks. The race track shapes the SRT model includes are the Nürburgring Nordschleife and the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
10 Volvo XC90: Storage Bin Caught In A Web
Some Easter eggs are fun because they make owners feel like a kid again. The Volvo XC90 taps into this by adding a hidden bonus both kids and adults can appreciate. Behind the back of a lid top on one of the storage bins, MSN reports there’s an engraved web-like design.
Added near the center of it is a googly-eyed spider that will make owners grin. It’s not only fun but smart in appealing to kids who can store their toys in here while on the go.
9 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk: Red Whilly Wheels
It may be a simple Easter egg, but it manages to accomplish two things for Jeep: allude to its storied history and look cool at the same time. Not all Easter eggs can achieve that in so simple a logo, but Jeep does.
On the wheels of the Trailhawk, as Jalopnik reports, there’s a small red Jeep displayed. These logos represent the old Willys Jeep, which was common in the military during World War II. It also looks really cool and stands out.
8 Skoda Superb: Umbrella With Holder
It’s not the first Skoda to make the list, nor is it the first time Skoda made a useful Easter egg. The Superb models come with a universal tool everyone who comes from rainy climates can appreciate: an umbrella.
The site Car Keys notes that not only do they come with a fully-functioning umbrella, but the car even has a slot built-in to store it. Skoda first introduced this feature to their cars in 2001 and have offered it in many ever since.
7 Tesla Model S: Car-Shaped Key Fob
Key fobs come standard with many cars today. They tend to look ordinary and blend in when sitting on a counter. Tesla isn’t an ordinary car company though, and they decided to even show a level of artistry in their key fobs.
As MSN points out, Tesla took a note from Porsche in designing their key fobs to look like their very own cars. It’s a piece of art in and of itself that will give drivers a sense of pride carrying it around.
6 Mercedes-Benz CLS: Interior Ambient Lighting
This Easter egg is more of a design feature, but it’s sure to pleasantly surprise new owners. CarGurus reports that many Mercedes-Benz CLS models come with an interior bearing ambient lighting. While it’s conventional for the dashboard to light up, lines across the entire interior come to life and display in bright colors.
Even more, the same source notes they can reflect different colors when certain features activate, such as air conditioning. This is a feature we can imagine coming standard on more cars going forward.