Can You Identify the Make and Model of This Car from an Aerial Photo?

Robin Tyler

Image: Youtube via INFINITY USA

About This Quiz

And so when it comes to cars and car design, consumers often base their tastes on a number of aspects of how a car looks. Think about it... we want our cars to look nice from the side, from the front and, of course, from the back when we leave those vehicles following us in the dust. Or even when we sit in morning traffic!

One aspect we don't often think of, however, is the roof. Well, I suppose its outta sight, outta mind, right? It's probably down to the fact that we don't see our cars from above that often, do we.

So we came up with a new kind of car identification test for you. Instead of giving you a normal picture, or one from the side, front or back, in this quiz, you need to be able to identify a car from an aerial shot where its roof will be the most prominently displayed. Of course, you will still be able to see the hood and trunk, so that will help.

We have a range of vehicles for you to identify. Every type and decade is represented in this quiz.

So good luck and let's see how you fare. 

Let's start! Which vehicle is shown in this aerial image?

The new generation of the Volkswagen Beetle, the A5, manages to retain the looks of one of the world's most famous cars, yet look modern at the same time. This version has been in production since 2011 and it's available as a 3-door coupe and a 2-door convertible. It was designed by Walter de Silva.

This vehicle certainly turned heads when it was released but can you identify it?

This compact crossover SUV was launched by Range Rover in 2011. It is available in a 3- and 5-door version and either as a 2- or 4-wheel drive. More than 88,000 were sold in Europe in the first 12 months.

People either loved or hated this retro styled car. Do you have any idea what it is?

First released in 1997, it was hard not to notice the Prowler with its retro styling. This 2-door roadster was powered by a 3.5-Liter EGG V6 engine. More than 11,000 were made.

Any idea of the make and model of the vehicle in this image?

Introduced in 2000 by BMW, the Mini One had a similar shape to the old Mini but was much bigger. They proved popular however, especially in America where more than 270,000 were sold in the last half-decade alone.

Name this city car seen in this top down image, please.

Introduced in 1998, the Smart ForTwo is a city or microcar that weighs a mere 880 kg, 106 inches long, and 65 inches wide. Still in production, the current Mk III is available as a 3-door hatchback or 2-door cabriolet.

Identify this popular pickup if you can.

The Rebel combines comfort and off-road abilities thanks to its full-frame front suspension, a solid rear axle as well as air suspension all round. Not only can ride height be adjusted for the toughest terrain but it can benefit on the highway as well with lower gas mileage. It also has an excellent eight-speed gearbox.

Any idea to the make and model of this super car?

Built by Italian firm Pagani, the Zonda sports car had a very unique look when introduced in 1999. A number of models followed over the years with a range of powerplant options, including a 6.0 /7.0 or 7.3 liter M120 AMG V12 motor with the 7.0 liter pushing out 540 brake horsepower.

The vehicle in this image is a ___________

The G Wagon, a luxury SUV, is not something you would normally associate with the Mercedes brand. That said, there clearly is a market for it, although if we are honest, it’s not the prettiest car ever made. More like a box on wheels! It was first produced in 1979.

Popular worldwide, can you name this vehicle?

There were lots of things to like about the third generation RX-7 - its twin-charged rotary engine, its looks and probably best of all, its affordability.

Any idea as to the make and model of this vehicle?

Designed by the man who brought us the Land Rover, Maurice Wilks, the first Defender was produced in 1983. Defenders are tough as nails and excellent off-road vehicles. They are a particular favorite of farmers in the United Kingdom.

A popular off-roader but can you identify it from this image?

Regarded as one of the best off-roaders ever produced by Jeep, the Wrangler compact nature means it can often go where bigger off-roaders can’t. Those tucked away, tight trials – this is where the Wrangler will excel. It offers excellent tires, six-speed gearbox with a 4:1 transfer case and an inline six engine capable of producing all the torque you will ever need.

Any clue as to the car in this image?

Based on Toyota's New MC platform, this 5-door compact crossover SUV was introduced in 2014. Sales of the hybrid model, in particular, have been strong in the United States with Lexus moving 160,000 units in three years.

The car shown here is a _____________

Fast, loud, brash are all adjectives that could be used to describe the Diablo. Powered by either a 5.7 or 6.0-liter V12, this sports car pushed out 595 brake horsepower.

Something a little different. Are you able to identify this vehicle?

Mercedes Benz Sprinter - A commercial van model, the Sprinter first entered the market in 1995. It is also available as a people carrier.

Easy? Maybe not... do you know the make and model?

A two-seat rear-wheel drive sports car from Porsche, the Cayman was introduced in 2006. It is named after the Caiman, a reptile similar to an alligator. Porsche, however, chose a different spelling.

Please name this car model.

The flagship of the Volvo fleet from 1998 to 2016, the S80 was a luxury, front-engined, front-wheel-drive sedan. A number of special models were of this vehicle were also built, including limo's and ambulances, as well as bullet-proof versions.

Any clue as to the vehicle shown here?

This Toyota pickup has been available in the United States since 1999. By producing the Tundra, Toyota became the first Japanese company to produce an American-sized pickup. It is available as a regular 2-door cab, 4-door double cab and crewmax.

What a great performance sedan this is. Any idea as to what it is?

The Evo saw the light of day in the early 1990s. This sports sedan featured front engined four-wheel drive. Not only quick, the Evo handled like a dream as well. Six different generations were produced in the 1990s.

An easy one, surely! What is it?

The H3 model of the Hummer was introduced in 2005 and is by far the smallest of the Hummer models. Three engine options were available for the H3 with most powerful a 5.3 liter V8 which produced 300 brake horsepower.

What pickup is shown in this image?

Available as a 2-door, 4-door double and 4-door crew cab, the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado are effectively the same car. The Sierra is popular with customers looking for a rugged pick-up capable of going the distance. Its ability to take a beating is one of the reasons the Sierra is used by the U.S. military.

Loved and hated in equal measure, what car is shown in this image?

Now part of the FIAT group, Chrysler has made some eye-catching models throughout its history. One of these, the PT Cruiser, is certainly a talking point. You either love it or hate it!

A true auto nut would never get this wrong. What car is shown in this image?

Arguably the most iconic muscle car ever, the Mustang was first released in 1964. It proved to be one of the most popular debuts ever and within a year, 400,000 units had been sold, which quadrupled Ford’s sales estimates.

A model not seen outside of a few countries, can you name this vehicle?

Three generations of the Holden Monaro have been produced in two separate runs. The first from 1968 to 1977 and the second from 2001 to 2006. The Manaro was available as a coupe and sedan and is considered to be a muscle car.

Can you name this MPV?

This compact MPV was built by Honda between 2004 and 2009. Seating was easily configured and more than 32 combinations could be selected. The FR-V had a range of powerplant options, including petrol and diesel power.

This small off-roader has become quite popular. Do you know what it is?

A small off-road option, the Jimny has been produced by Suzuki since the 1970s with the third generation of the marque currently available. The Jimny offers either two-wheel or four-wheel drive and a range of power plant options with the 1.4 liter the biggest.

Can you identify this vehicle popular in the hatchback class, particularly in Europe?

The Clio has been a very popular compact car option in Europe for the past two decades. Available in a range of configurations, the Clio sold more than 310,000 units in 2016 alone.

Are you able to identify this sports car from above?

Marketed by Porsche between 2004 and 2012, the 997 is available as a 2-door coupe, convertible, speedster or Targa. The largest engine put into the 997 was just a 4.0-liter flat six.

Name this SUV, please.

Not even a complimentary tent and inflatable mattress could save the Pontiac Aztek. The first SUV offered by Pontiac was not much of a success and only around 100,000 sold during the five years the Aztek was marketed, from 2001 to 2005. Oh, and it was a horrible drive.

Are you able to tell us the name of this sports car?

A 4-door saloon car with epic performance – yes, that’s the Maserati Quattroporte! The history of this model traces back to 1963 but the current model, the VI, really stands out. The top of the range model features a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 that pushes out an astonishing 523 break horsepower!

Found in the crossover SUV market, please identify the vehicle in this image.

A crossover SUV, the MKT was introduced in 2010. Average sales for the MKT have reached close to 5,000 units over the past three years. The MKT shares many of the same parts as the Ford Flex.

The vehicle featured in this image is a/an ________.

As the luxury brand of Nissan, Infiniti offers top-quality cars but a little pricier than other vehicles in their respective segments. The Q70 is certainly not cheap, even at entry level, but it does offer a host of onboard features, ample space for cargo and passengers and an excellent fuel-efficient hybrid engine.

Please name the vehicle seen in this image.

The IX-20 is a mini MPV which first entered the market in 2010 and was produced until 2017. Only marketed in Europe, the IX-20 offered two petrol and two diesel engine options.

Can you name the vehicle shown in this aerial image?

By the time 1996 rolled around, the Lotus Esprit had been in production for more than 20 years. The V8, however, quickly became a firm favorite. It was powered by an aluminum V8 engine coupled to a 5- or 6-speed manual transmission. The V8 could reach a top speed of 175 mph and go from 0 - 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

Any clue as to the make and model of this van?

This light commercial van was first produced by Ford in 1965 and remains an important model in their lineup to this day. In fact, over the years, Ford has sold more than 8 million Transits. The vehicle is currently in its fourth generation.

Identify this pickup, please.

The Nissan Titan has a few different loadouts. One of these, the Pro-4x option, was a specifically designed off-road package that turned the Titan into a more than useful off-road vehicle. The Titan also has a very effective 5.6 liter V8 engine.

Are you able to identify this MPV from the image?

Currently in its third generation, the Opel Zafira is the German automaker's entry into the MPV market. The Zafira was introduced in 1999. It is also produced in the United Kingdom under the Vauxhall badge.

The vehicle in this image is a _________

The XV first joined the Subaru fleet in 2011. This SUV offers both diesel and petrol engine options. This is essentially an SUV version of the Impreza.

Almost there! Which vehicle is this?

General Motors introduced the Saturn brand in 1990 as a way of introducing a smaller car to compete with the range of Japanese brands in the United States. The Sky was a convertible produced by Saturn from 2006 to 2009. GM discontinued the Saturn brand in 2010.

A true classic that has led to many more models under the same name. Can you identify it?

More than 335,000 Willys MBs were made for military use during World War II. They not only served with the U.S. Army but with its allies and in every theatre.

The last one! Name this vehicle, please.

Not many people know, but Peugeot is actually the oldest car manufacturer in the world. Their most popular model, the 504, was produced between 1968 and 1983 and is the company's highest selling model.

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Explore More Quizzes