More often than not, it’s hard to find anything in common with celebrities. Their status and lifestyle make them feel out of reach.
However, these cultural icons are not completely removed from the average American. It could be anything, from a relatable childhood story to a compassionate moment caught on camera. It could even be the cars they drive. Because, believe it or not, many celebrity icons prefer to drive well-loved vehicles over luxury wheels.
Celebrities that Drive Normal Cars
Some A-list celebrities who drive normal cars include racing star Lewis Hamilton, cultural icon Tom Hanks, Batman himself (Christian Bale), and 90s heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio, among others.
Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
For the guy who’s tied with the unofficial greatest of all time, Michael Schumacher, for most drivers’ championships, Lewis Hamilton drives a relatively normal car. It might be a case of one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time wanting some sense of normalcy out on the road.
Hamilton owns a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. While it’s still a pretty darn luxurious car, it’s not something you’d expect someone of Hamilton’s caliber would drive. But if you’re nicknamed The Billion Dollar Man, you can pretty much drive whatever you want.
Tom Hanks – Scion xB and Toyota Tundra
Very few can say they’re an American cultural icon like Tom Hanks can. Starring in a plethora of box-office hits like A League of Their Own, Forrest Gump, and Saving Private Ryan, Hanks has reached rarefied air in terms of Hollywood success.
A person of this stature is bound to drive a vehicle closely resembling the Batmobile or something with the same level of speed and luxury, right? Well, not quite.
Hanks seemingly prefers electric vehicles, as he drove a Scion xB for a while. He’s also posted photos of himself towing an Airstream trailer using a Toyota Tundra pickup.
Christian Bale – Toyota Tacoma
Speaking of the Batmobile, one of the few actors synonymous with the not-quite-lovable superhero Batman, Christian Bale, is known for his versatility on the big screen. Whether it’s his portrayal of the vigilante or something more chilling like Patrick Bateman, you can always count on Bale to deliver.
One way to describe the award-winning actor is reliable. Much like his choice of daily driver, the Toyota Tacoma. The Tacoma has excellent performance across the board, making it one of the most popular vehicles even today.
In a way, the Bale and the Tacoma reflect one another in a not-quite-poetic way when it comes to versatility.
Leonardo DiCaprio – Toyota Prius
While Leonardo DiCaprio is picky about other aspects of his life, he’s certainly a man of his word when it comes to protecting the environment. One of the most recognizable faces in the 90s, DiCaprio still uses a Toyota Prius he bought back in 2006.
Back then, he mentioned how the Prius was a “Step in the right direction.” He, of course, was talking about how efficient the Prius is, as it reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse emissions by up to 50%.
Samuel L. Jackson – Toyota Camry
As the highest-grossing actor of all time, Samuel Jackson is everywhere. From the MCU to cult classics like Pulp Fiction to cartoons like The Garfield Movie, Jackson is the very definition of a national treasure.
As much as America loves Jackson, they equally love the Toyota Camry. The Camry has been the best-selling non-pickup/SUV car for the past two decades. You can add Jackson to this list, as you can still see him driving around Beverly Hills in his Camry.
What makes the Camry so popular is its practicality. It’s affordable, easy to maintain, and has moderate fuel consumption.
Mark Wahlberg – Toyota Sienna
We’re all fans of practicality, and one of the most recognizable and beloved comedians around, Mark Wahlberg, is no different. Wahlberg is a father of four, and while he could easily afford a luxurious car, he opted to buy a Toyota Sienna instead.
The Sienna is a minivan that can carry up to eight people. In terms of practicality, it’s probably the best thing Wahlberg could’ve bought. Most fathers would probably nod in agreement, as the Sienna ranked in the top three most popular minivans in 2023.
Angelina Jolie – Jeep Grand Cherokee
Angelina Jolie has a ton of expensive cars in her garage, and deservedly so. She paid her dues in the late ’90s and early 2000s with her portrayals of the titular characters like Lara Croft and Jane in Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
While we could talk about Jolie’s BMW Hydrogen 7, her Jeep Grand Cherokee stands out because it’s the cheapest in her collection. Cherokees are good cars that come at price tags that won’t break the bank. You don’t have to start in box hits to get one yourself.
Cherokees are known for their great fuel economy and enhanced powertrain. It’s popular among off-road adventurers, although it does have questions about reliability.
Conan O’Brien – Ford Taurus SHO
For the longest time, Conan O’Brien was the unofficial king of late nights. His eccentric behavior, homey charm, and brilliant scripts captured the hearts of Americans.
Despite his steady rise to fame through decades of hard work, Conan has never forgotten where he came from. Most of his fans know of the former late-night show’s 1992 Ford Taurus SHO.
LeBron James – Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
There are a lot of things LeBron is known for. The Game 7 block during the 2016 NBA Finals, his dominant stint in Miami, the numerous accolades, the Greatest of All Time status, and much more. However, there’s an adjective die-hard basketball fans like to call LeBron: cheap.
It’s well-documented that LeBron blares music from his free Spotify inside locker rooms, so it’s not surprising that one of his cars is relatively affordable. We’re talking about his Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
This midsize SUV isn’t exactly the best of its kind, making James’ attachment to it a tad confusing. We’d like to think he chose the Wrangler simply because of the attached price tag, and we love him even more for it.
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