The 2017 film Baby Driver has an impressive garage of cars, with each one revealing something about the personality of its driver. One of Edgar Wright’s best films, Baby Driver tells the story of Baby, an out-of-place criminal working as a getaway driver that attempts to get out of the game, much to the chagrin of his underworld boss enforcer. The movie is known for its breathtaking, upbeat chase sequences set to high-tempo music, featuring a litany of different cars.
Each of the vehicles seen throughout the film serve a different purpose, both in practical terms and within the context of the narrative. The roster of cars on display is just as varied and eccentric as the cast of Baby Driver itself, each set of wheels just as much of a character as the actor driving them. While Baby himself does do most of the driving in the film, with each wheel he climbs behind saying something different about his development at any given point in the movie, a handful of other characters go head-to-head against him on the road.
12
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX
Ansel Elgort’s iconic ride
The most memorable car used in the entire film is Baby’s bright red 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX, which sets the pace for the entire film in the blistering chase scene the film opens on. With 230 horsepower and four wheel drive, the famous Impreza was the perfect choice for losing cops in tight maneuvers within the dense urban sprawl of Atlanta. Reportedly, Ansel Elgort learned high-octane driving for the role, doing some of his own stunts in the WRX, and fell in love with the car so much that he wound up getting one of his own in real life.
Despite its impressive specs, the Impreza isn’t the most flashy car, not especially standing out to the layperson that doens’t know what to look for. This ability to blend in with normal traffic helps it to evade police helicopters in the opening scene, but also serves as a commentary on Baby himself. Just like its driver, the Impreza may not draw tons of attention with its unassuming exterior, but under the hood, it’s a powerful machine able to tackle whatever adrenaline-fueled job might be required of it without a moment’s hesitation.
11
2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
A car that was outside of Baby’s element
While the Impreza showed off Baby’s driving talent and ability to stay cool under pressure, the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche is emblematic of his worst days on the job. Known for being a hilariously ugly car, the infamous Avalanche is a horrifying hybrid of SUV and pickup truck, stuck halfway between a lycanthropic transformation between the two while cursed to keep a foot in each world. Similarly, the second heist the car is driven in delves deeper into Baby’s conflict between wanting a clean slate and having an undeniable talent as a criminal getaway driver.
From the second Baby and his new team sit down in the Avalanche, things seem to go wrong, right down to one of Baby Driver‘s needle drops needing to be restarted. The powerful but chunky SUV is a far cry from the lithe agility of the Subaru, possibly a little further outside of Baby’s wheelhouse for preference in an escape car. The vehicle’s bulk and off-road capabilities do manage to come in handy during a few key portions of the second chase sequence, but no one comes out of it unscathed, the Avalanche itself included.
10
2003 Dodge Ram
Ferociously piloted by a vengeful bystander
One of the many monkey wrenches thrown into the calculus of Baby Driver‘s disastrous second heist is the pursuit of Baby’s second team by a strangely persistent civilian. After witnessing the criminals’ attempted escape, the driver of a bright blue 2003 Dodge Ram decides to take the law into his own hands, wordlessly hounding Baby and company as they try to flee the scene. The performance-minded pickup truck has no problem keeping up with the Chevy Avalanche, providing a real headache for Baby, Bats, and their two eclectic teammates.
From the American flag sticker on the bumper to the submachine gun sitting idly in the passenger seat, the Dodge Ram bleeds patriotism, with the thousand-yard-stare-casting driver clearly having some sort of military background. Bats even comments as much, calling the relentless hero behind the wheel of the truck “soldier boy.” Clearly, the Ram’s driver had issues extending far beyond witnessing the robbery, his vehicle of choice suggesting a whole backstory that could be the subject of its own movie entirely.
9
2008 Saturn Aura
A civilian vehicle for an ordinary person
Part of Baby’s skillset in the film is his ability to rapidly change vehicles on the fly, able to hijack and get comfortable with any vehicle in his way so long as he can find some tunes to race to. In the aftermath of the botched bank heist, Baby and his crew are forced to steal a 2008 Saturn Aura from a single mother sitting in traffic after their Avalanche is totaled. Being the good person he is, Baby makes sure to give the driver her child from the backseat before driving away.
The 2008 Saturn Aura is among the most civilian vehicles driven by a named character in the entire film, being nothing more than a sensible mid-size sedan for a budget-conscious commuter. This reflects the car’s driver, but also connects to Baby’s sympathy for innocent bystanders. Ensuring the mother and child weren’t separated when commandeering the car was a key moment of kindness that later helps him out in his trial at the end of the film.
8
1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V Collectors Series
Baby’s ride to impress Debora
After the disastrous bank heist, it seems as though Baby has finally claimed enough ill-gotten gains to pay off his debt to the terrifying Doc. Thinking himself to be out of the game for good, Baby does manage to use his leftover money to treat himself to a beautiful collector’s item, a 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V. Undoubtedly an impressive car to pick up a first date in, the car certainly earns him some points with Debora, though not without attracting unwanted attention.
Despite working a low-paying job as a pizza delivery driver, Baby was somehow able to afford the prestigious land boat, as well as a table at the fancy-looking restaurant he takes Debora to. Clearly, he wasn’t against using some of the leftover dirty money from his former career for personal gain, as represented by the gorgeous town car. This may have been all the proof that Kevin Spacey’s last big role needed that Baby still longed for criminal life, forcing him back under his wing despite technically paying off what he owed.
7
1994 Cadillac Deville
A brief transitory vehicle for Baby’s return to crime
For his first gig back in the violent robbery industry after his failed attempt at going clean, Baby climbs into a 1994 Cadillac Deville alongside Bats, Buddy and Darling to facilitate an illegal arms deal. Along the way, the car also facilitates a harrowing stop at Debora’s restaurant, in which the terrified waitress’ life hangs in the balance of her ability to recognize Baby’s dead serious demeanor. Although the arms deal quickly goes south, the Deville is one of the few cars to survive unscathed throughout the film.
Similar to Baby’s Lincoln Continental Mark V, the sedan is something of a town car, though far less impressive of one. Driving the nearly two-decade-old car was Baby at his most humbling, revealing his true career to his girlfriend during a pit stop driving it. After the experience, Baby has officially let go of any illusions of grandeur about his old criminal life.
6
2009 Mitsubishi Galant
Used by Baby to officially betray Doc
Like the 2008 Saturn Aura, the 2009 Mistsubishi Galant is among one of the more boring cars driven by Baby in the film. Another modest sedan with no impressive specifications or attention-grabbing bodywork, the car was meant to be a stealthy option for the post office heist, drawing little attention while Baby waits for the job to be over. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work out, and things once again go wrong when Bats kills a security guard that Baby had drawn over after attempting to warn a civilian.
The Mitsubishi Galant is about as nondescript as it gets among Baby’s vehicles in the film, but is a fitting choice for his ultimate decision to kill Bats and ditch Buddy and Darling. Like the car itself, Baby is a blank slate after taking care of Bats once and for all by ramming the windshield into an exposed piece of rebar, totaling the car. Unfortunately, his decision to get out of the game for good is not without consequences.
5
1989 Chevrolet Caprice
Another stolen vehicle Baby takes a spin in
Yet another case for Baby’s affinity with town cars, a shockingly well-maintained 1989 Chevrolet Caprice makes its way into Baby’s hands after making a harrowing getaway on-foot from the police. The simmering purple paint job and clean interior make the Caprice one of the classiest cars in the film, reflecting the affluent air of its owner, a well-to-do elderly woman. Baby has the unfortunate pleasure of hijacking the woman for her car at gunpoint, only to ditch his ride once again merely moments later.
The car was clearly more suited to its actual owner than Baby, as demonstrated when he was unable to sync his iPod to the outdated stereo system and instead was forced to fiddle with the radio. This unfamiliarity is merely the latest in a rising mound of frustration following Baby’s defection from Doc’s gang, representing the increasingly bad chances of Baby escaping his situation scot-free. If nothing else, his ability to adapt to different cars on the fly makes a case for Baby being the best movie getaway driver.
4
2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
A properly loud muscle car for Baby’s last hurrah as a criminal
After explaining the situation to Debora, Baby decides to go all-out with his reckless driving for a confrontation with Doc, finally facing the consequences of his actions head-on before running away. His first movie is to liberate a striking 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat from the hands of some wannabe gangsters, taking the powerful muscle car for his final showdown with Buddy. The car looks far better in Baby’s hands, ripping a cloudy burnout before taking off in the illumination of the hellish red brake lights.
The Challenger Hellcat is perhaps the single loudest, flashiest car Baby drives in the entire film, and it comes at just the right moment. Finally dispensing with any secrets, Baby puts all his cards on the table, going straight to Doc for his tapes before embracing his criminal background with an electrifying drive through the late Atlanta streets that leaves Debora breathless. It’s a shame Baby didn’t get more time opening up the impressive engine of the domestic powerhouse of a vehicle.
3
Dodge Charger Police Cruiser
Buddy’s weapon of choice in the final showdown
Once he finally tracks down Baby, Debora and Doc, the vengeful Buddy shows off what he’s been up to since the post office heist — Stealing police vehicles. With a reinforced Dodge Charger Police Cruise, complete with roll cage and bullbar, Buddy sets his sights on the hapless trio after cornering them in a parking garage. Taking advantage of the car’s intercom, Buddy taunts his prey, blasting Baby’s “killer track”, “Brighton Rock” by Queen, before hitting the gas.
The police car is a powerful beast befitting of Buddy’s grief-induced rage, letting the audience know that he thinks nothing of brazen acts like the theft of police equipment (And most likely, the murder of its original owners) in his self-destructive rampage. Buddy no longer has any thoughts of self-preservation, merely wishing to take down those responsible for killing his lover with him. It helps that the reinforced chassis can deal with Doc’s attempts to shoot Buddy out of the driving seat, making him an even more dangerous foe to escape.
2
1985 Chevrolet Blazer K-5
A truck as weathered as Debora’s commitment
In the aftermath of the demolition derby with Buddy, in which Baby alternates between driving a 2014 Mercedes Benz S 550 and a 2003 Ford Explorer to finally finish the deranged killer off, he ends up passing out. Waking up, Baby finds himself in the dreamy cabin of Debora’s 1985 Chevrolet Blazer K-5, gently awoken by the sound of her singing along to “Easy Like Sunday Morning” by Sky Ferreira.
Though the truck is worse for wear, sporting a few bullet holes in the windshield and a noticeable dent in the back, Debora drives on, keeping her promise to Baby to run away together. Like Baby, the K-5 is permanently damaged, as evidenced when Baby realizes he’s become more-or-less permanently hard of hearing, only able to perceive the song through vibrations. The Blazer is a testament to Debora’s commitment to Baby, driving on despite the obvious need for critical repair.
1
1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible
A dreamy car for a dreamy final scene
Before the car is actually “driven”, the elusive 1959 Chevrolet Impala convertible appears a handful of times in the film. When Baby first meets Debora at the diner, she’s tacitly standing in front of a mural of the beautiful classic car, almost enhancing her own beauty in Baby’s mind. Later, in prison, Baby admires a postcard featuring the same car, likely sent to him by Debora herself.
Finally, Baby Driver ends with Baby getting out of prison to be met with Debora and the Impala both waiting for him, eager to finally be reunited. The black and white color palette and Debora’s retro dress implies the scene is a mere fantasy, casting doubt on the possibility of Baby Driver 2, but is nevertheless a fitting appearance for the mythical 50s convertible. Of all the cars featured in Baby Driver, the Chevy Impala is the most significant, representing the hope for a better future for himself Baby still holds on to.
