As the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama was and still is a very influential man, not only in America but all over the world.
Interestingly, while he is incredibly well known throughout the globe and has a massive net worth of $70 Million, the history of cars that he has driven is not as grand as would be expected from someone of his caliber. However, it is important to remember that Obama was a key supporter of reforming climate policies and reducing carbon pollution through increasing car's fuel efficiency, making it understandable that he drives mostly modern, efficient cars rather than vintage gas-guzzling muscle cars.
Let's go on to look at the cars that feature in ex-President Barack Obama's driving history.
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
Obama's 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid is by no means the typical car of any famous person, be it celebrity or politician.
While a hybrid SUV seems like an irrationally mundane choice for a car, Obama's political persona as an avid activist for the reduction of carbon emissions actually supports such a choice, as an insanely inefficient car would be directly hypocritically to his political ideology.
Now while Obama helped finance various green movements and organizations, luckily for us, his Escape did not adopt the green exterior depicted above. Instead, his dark gray Escape houses a more bulky front end, spacious seating capacity, and an impressive fuel economy, 34 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway. Furthermore, the car has a variety of comfort features such as cruise control, keyless entry, and adjustable steering wheel. The downside of impressive efficiency is poor performance, which is due to the increased weight of the hybrid power terrain and the minimal power potential, 133 HP, of the hybrid 4-cylinder engine. That being said the '08 Escape creates class-leading efficiency and it still remains that way today.
Ex-President Obama proves his politics, promoting efficiency in his ownership of the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid.
2005 Chrysler 300C
Obama also briefly owned a 2005 Chrysler 300C. That's right, the one with the proper HEMI V8.
Before you yell "HYPOCRITE" and vent your anger on Facebook, it is important to mention that Obama owned this car while he was a senator, and before his major involvement in environmental politics. But we are not here to discuss politics, so let's look at the '05 300c. In contrast to the Escape, the 300c hosts a huge 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that produces 340 HP, putting it in an entirely different category. The power is sent to the rear wheels through a 5-speed automatic transmission, producing a 0-60 MPH time of 5.3 seconds.
The 300's muscular front end and bulky exterior harks back to the muscle cars of the '60s and '70s but utilizes modern technology to create a variety of luxury comfort options that are rare in classic muscle cars. From digital climate control to a Multi-Displacement System that promotes fuel economy by shutting off four cylinders, the 300c juxtaposes Mopar with modern, giving an aggressive driving experience that does not skimp on comfort.
While Obama's ownership of the 300c only lasted during the time that he was a governor, car enthusiasts can all agree that it makes a pretty awesome addition to the list, even if it is not worth the $1 Million eBay asking price that someone attempted to sell it for.
2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Keeping in line with the Ex-President's affinity for SUVs, the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee is certainly a more capable off-road vehicle than his hybrid Escape.
While it might not be the most reliable year for the Grand Cherokee, it is not only a great first new car but definitely impressive in its own right. Besides the soft leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, the performance of the Grand Cherokee is a key selling point. Performance is promoted through its nimble size and powerful engine choices: a 4.0-liter inline-six producing 195 HP and a 4.7-liter V8 producing 235 HP, making it equally apt for suburban sight-seeing and munching through mud. Grip is maximized through its dedicated 4WD system (MotorTrend), which senses and controls torque transfer.
The 2000 Grand Cherokee supports ex-president Obama's modesty, demonstrating a wide variety of impressive cars that can be attained by everyday people.
Current Car
As with any Ex-President of the US, Obama is not allowed to drive himself anywhere in his own private car, a fundamental privilege most citizens enjoy.
This is understandably so, as Obama is still a significant figure in American society, especially politics, even if he is no longer the president. Hence, the Secret Service chauffeurs him everywhere he goes, fully accompanying him on his journey, to ensure that his safety and security are upheld even in his Ex-President status. While there are minimal specifics available online, Grunge states that the "[ex-presidents] can never drive a car on an open road again," and are instead driven around by specially trained members of the Secret Service.
Again, specifics of Secret Service vehicles are not divulged online, however, an article by The Drive confirms that heavily modified Chevrolet Suburbans are part of the Secret Service vehicle 'collection'. Far from factory standard, these sturdy SUVs feature additional armor plating and defensive systems to protect their passengers.
While there is no explicit confirmation that the Secret Service actively chauffers Obama around in a Chevy Suburban, chances are the Ex-President has ridden in one at least once in his post-presidency life.
Sources: HotCars.com, Cars.USNews.com, MotorTrend.com, CarAndDriver.com, AutoExpress.co.uk, GearPatrol.com, FoxNews.com, Grunge.com. TheDrive.com