Poll a room full of drivers and you’ll probably find that there are certain vehicles ticketed less than others. You could relate this low number of violations back to the vehicle, the number of safety features it has, or even the driver themselves. There also seems to be a natural bias by law enforcement to let some models slide more than others. We’ve gathered a list of the ten least ticketed cars on the road below for your perusal. Owning any of the models listed isn’t a guarantee you won’t get ticketed, but the cops may not pay you much notice unless you’re driving becomes outlandish.
Below you’ll find our list of the ten least ticketed cars. Did you find your vehicle on the list? Share your reactions with us in the comments below!
1. Buick Encore
As a brand, Buick spends quite a lot of their marketing budget on commercials attempting to null the equation that Buick equals slow and boring. It’s not your grandpa’s car, they insist! However, the Buick Encore landing first on our list of least ticketed vehicles might not help their case.
The Encore is an unassuming model, built more as a luxury SUV for those who want all-wheel drive capabilities than a sporty hatchback. Buick may have outdone themselves on interior accouterments but when it comes to power and design, the Encore blends in with the rest. Perhaps that’s the reason why it gets overlooked by the law so much.
2. Buick Lucerne
Sorry, Buick, but the Lucerne shares in the same reputation as the Encore when it comes to avoiding tickets. Like the Encore, the Lucerne (and the Park Avenue, Regal, Avenir, and Lacrosse) isn’t necessarily the first choice for those who want a bit more of an exhilarating driving experience than simply turning the key and the wheel.
Buick sedans typically have an unequal power-to-weight ratio, so there’s more emphasis put on creature comforts than pedal response and audible feedback from the tailpipe. While these characteristics may not please a teenager looking to make a statement, they do translate to fewer tickets and lower insurance rates.
3. Chevrolet Suburban
They say an object in motion will stay in motion but getting the Chevy Suburban going takes enough oomph that we figure stopping it takes more effort than most other vehicles require. Like the truck model below on our list, a Suburban requires more attention when it comes to the mechanics of driving.
For example, more mass means a larger stopping distance and changing lanes isn’t as easy as it is in a sub-compact. At the same time, those pounds add up because of additional safety equipment that protects the other drivers on the road as much as it does the occupants. The Suburban might be bigger but it does offer a better safety margin than most models. Plus it’s not exactly built for top speeds and nimble handling.
4. Cadillac ATS
The Cadillac ATS appearing on our list might have surprised you. How could a vehicle built to house over 450 horsepower be one of the least ticketed vehicles? Many confuse the ATS with the ATS-V, the more powerful version that, like it’s CTS-V sibling, represented the powerful V-Series models that privileged power in a big way.
Consider the ATS a tamed version of these Caddies, more suitable for refined commuting than tearing up the tarmac. Drivers who have the need for speed would likely pass over this model, helping its reputation as a car that doesn’t pick up easy tickets.
5. Jaguar XJ
Consider all the Jaguar models available today and you’ll see that most drivers seeking highway thrills choose the F-Type over the XJ model. It’s a bit like choosing between the Mustang and the Fusion when deciding between Ford models — one clearly is built to go fast, and the other… just isn’t.
Beyond power, we consider the XJ to be geared more towards luxury and refinement than the sporty F-Type. The XJ mirrors Cadillac and Buick in terms of attention to interior components, where ride quality takes priority over what’s beneath the hood. Jaguar XJ owners aren’t necessarily safer drivers or anything, they’re just typically overlooked when a speeding sportscar whizzes by.
6. Honda Civic
Yes, we chose the Honda Civic as one of the least ticketed cars, believe it or not. The Civic is often considered a utilitarian vehicle, best suited to student drivers, college kids, those who commute long distances, and of course the ruffians who occupy the back seat of a cop car more often than most.
It may be stolen more often than any other vehicle, too, but despite these factors, the Civic earns itself less tickets than most sports cars. This is simply a numbers game. For every souped-up Civic tearing down the road, with a driver who thinks they are auditioning for the next Fast & Furious flick, there are thousands more Civic drivers just going about their day in a sensible way.
7. Chevrolet Silverado
Despite the cult of Chevy owners who drop their trucks to the ground and fit them with oversized, flashy wheels, the Silverado made our list based on a few reasons. Least of them is the fact that the Silverado doesn’t claim to have loads of power like the Ford F-150 Raptor and the Dodge Ram 1500 Rebel. And like the Suburban, it’s quite a lot of mass to move so if you’re going to make any stupid moves, chances are you’ve had to think about it and commit fully before executing.
Safety features might not top Toyota’s healthy helping of driving aids but since plenty of Silverado trucks drive attached to a trailer of some sort, safer driving is very nearly standard. Driving unsafely with a trailer puts your life at risk as much as the lives of those around you. Simply put, these beefy trucks aren’t typically seen burning rubber down local streets or highways.
8. BMW 320i
There are quite a few brands out there equated with drivers who bully their way down the road and BMW is often a culprit, alongside Audi and Mercedes-Benz. However, those who drive the 320i are apparently of a different breed. It costs quite a lot to maintain a BMW, so we’d consider repairs to be the biggest deterrent of bad driving behavior and costly tickets. Most 320i models aren’t exactly M5s either, so there’s that.
9. Mazda 6
One of the main reasons we added the Mazda 6 to our list is because it’s not necessarily a sedan you’d find abundant on the streets. Mazda, like Mitsubishi, holds steady beneath more popular models, with a chance of both undercutting the competition and risking closure in the case of low sales figures. Mazda sedans are generally as safe as any other model out there. Whether it’s because they’re priced lower or there’s fewer of them on the road, the Mazda 6 tends to receive less tickets than most other sedan models.
10. Land Rover Range Rover
Steeped in the tradition of off-roading and escorting bad guys around town in an ominous fashion, the Range Rover is actually a well-behaved luxury SUV. Spending close to — or well above — $100,000 on this model affords you a suite of safety features and driver aids possessing a keener eye than the shrewdest nanny on the planet. Besides, with massaging seats and a cabin exuding comfort, waiting at stop lights just means the bliss lasts that much longer. No need to rush to your destination when you’re behind the wheel of one of these beauties.
Less Tickets Means More Savings
Insurance rates are based on a number of factors, least of which is your driving record. To keep your monthly insurance rates low and savings high, consider purchasing one of the models we listed above the next time you’re shopping for a car. It’s no guarantee you won’t get ticketed but it can be a step in the right direction — along with practicing safe driving habits at all times.
Shutterstock
Loading ...