Ford, Chevy, and Dodge square off in Michigan police car showdown

By Stephen Edelstein Published November 3, 2016

Sometimes, police departments need car-shopping advice, just normal consumers. But instead of turning to Consumer Reports, they rely on an annual group test of all available cop cars conducted by the Michigan State Police.

This year, Michigan’s finest found that Ford had the overall best-performing police cars. Police versions of the Taurus and Explorer (which Ford refers to as the Police Interceptor sedan and utility, respectively), posted the quickest 0-to-60 mph and 0-to-100-to-0 mph times in their categories, and were the fastest around Michigan’s Grattan Raceway. Chevrolet and Dodge managed to prevent Ford from completely dominating the test, though.

Recommended Videos

Ford does cop cars a little differently than its rivals. Both models tested are based on front-wheel drive platforms, while Chevy and Dodge use rear-wheel drive setups (all three offer all-wheel drive). Chevy and Dodge also offer V8 engines, while Ford’s lineup consists of an assortment of V6s and the smallest engine tested, a 2.0-liter, turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder in the Taurus-based SSP sedan. Chevy models included the Caprice sedan and Tahoe SUV, while the only Dodges in the test were different versions of the Charger Pursuit sedan.

Read more: NYPD’s latest police car is the Smart Fortwo

Ford’s divergence from the traditional cop-car approach seemed to pay off, for the most part. Equipped with the 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, the Police Interceptor sedan managed 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, while the Explorer-based utility model with the same engine did the deed in 6.4 seconds. However, the four-cylinder SSP sedan was the slowest car, posting a 0-to-60 mph time of 8.2 seconds, and a top speed of just 120 mph.

In contrast, the highest top speed was achieved by the Chevy Caprice equipped with a 6.0-liter V8, at 155 mph. The Ford Police Interceptor Utility and Chevy Tahoe tied for highest SUV top speed, both reaching 132 mph. Meanwhile, a rear-wheel drive version of the Charger posted the best braking figures.

Looking at these stats, it’s clear that today’s police cars aren’t nearly as fast as some of the performance cars currently available in showrooms. But lawbreakers should note that evading the cops isn’t all about speed. As the saying goes, “no car can outrun a Motorola.”

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Waymo lays groundwork for robotaxi revolution

A Waymo car production line.

In recent years, Waymo has been edging toward its long-held goal of revolutionizing urban transportation by deploying a fully autonomous, scalable, and sustainable ride-hailing service.

The Alphabet-owned company has just taken another step in that direction with the opening of a new vehicle factory in Metro Phoenix, Arizona, in partnership with automaker Magna.

Cars

Ram resurrects 1500 Express trim as an affordable option

ram 1500 express return affordable 2026

Ram is revving up excitement with the return of an old favorite—the 2026 Ram 1500 Express. Reintroduced as a more affordable option in the full-size truck lineup, the Express trim brings back a combination of rugged style, respectable performance, and most importantly, a price tag that won’t send buyers running for the hills.

Starting at $41,105 for the base Quad Cab configuration (and just under $45,000 for the Crew Cab), the new Express offers a budget-friendly alternative in a market where full-size trucks can easily cross the $60,000 mark.

Cars

Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?

jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii 4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.