01 April 2026
Every year, car brands spend millions making us take them seriously. Then April 1st rolls around and silly mode is engaged. We are here for it.
There's something quietly brilliant about a car company usually so polished and on-message letting its guard down for one day a year. The best April Fools are the ones that are just believable enough to make you do a double-take before you clock the date. This year didn't disappoint.
Here are our favourites from 2026.
Skoda has become one of the most dog-friendly car brands on the market, they have won awards for this (real ones, no April fooling), so a built-in canine shower hose isn't entirely out of character. The Hound Hose came with three settings: Skoda Spritz, Matted in Mud, and the brilliantly named I love you, but you're not getting in my brand-new Skoda when you're this muddy.
"With the system, muddy pups will no longer leave seats looking ruff, and no carpets a-paw-lingly unclean." Marvellous. Please make this a reality Skoda!
This one is beautifully conceived. Farizon, maker of the all-electric SV van announced an optional Nostalgia Mode for tradespeople who miss their old diesel workhorses. Activate it via an app and the cabin vents emit a specially developed Eau de Diesel fragrance, the throttle mapping dulls to replicate sluggish combustion response, diesel clatter pipes through the speakers, and haptic seat-shakers recreate the bone-jarring vibrations of a rattling old van. The fictional engineer behind it is credited as "Elektra van O'Dor". Genuinely, we tip our hat. This is a masterclass in April Fools' writing.
JAECOO the Chinese SUV brand making real inroads in the UK announced optional Grass-Floor™ Mats for its JAECOO 5, 7 and 8 models. Engineered using "advanced tactile turf simulation technology," the mats are designed to make every journey feel like a countryside escape. Internal testers reportedly started checking their shoes for mud after motorway journeys. One tester's dog refused to leave the vehicle, believing it had become a permanent field. Available, naturally, from 1 April.
VW announced a new blind spot monitor for the T-Roc that adds a cheerful birdsong chirp alongside the standard warning light. It's free for anyone who orders a T-Roc in Canary yellow — option code 04.f001. The product manager responsible for this was named Chris Starling. The puns throughout the press release are relentless and we respect it enormously.
BMW played along with the long-running joke that its owners never use their indicators. Posting: "After years of research, we proudly present: The BMW Indicator. Use with caution".
Sometimes the best gag is just admitting what everyone already knows.
Leapmotor claimed its new Leap Mode uses the C10's Cell-to-Chassis architecture and the magnetic field around the rear motor to lift the car over upcoming bumps. Under 20mph only. Utterly ridiculous. We'd option it immediately.
Another joke with some lift - this time of the emotional variety. Today Skywell introduced their revolutionary Cognitive Energy Transfer (CET) system, it transfers positive energy from drivers directly to their car's battery, resulting in more range.
"Simply starting the day with a smile, singing along to your favourite tune, or maintaining a positive mindset while on the road can now directly contribute to longer journeys in the Skywell BE11"
Sing at the top of your lungs for extra miles? Don't mind if we do!
The bar for automotive April Fools' gets higher every year, and 2026 was a genuinely strong vintage. Special mention to the Farizon and VW copywriters, we enjoyed those gems.
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