Super Bowl Sunday has a funny way of turning even non football people into commercial critics for a few hours. This year, the big game is Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium, with the Seattle Seahawks facing the New England Patriots, and the ad breaks feel a little lighter on traditional “here’s the new truck doing truck things” spots than we usually get.
That is not a bad thing.
With fewer full-blown automaker showcases clogging the schedule, you actually have room to notice the good stuff. The sentimental stuff. The sneaky car cameos that pop up for three seconds and then live rent free in your head for the rest of the night. If you are the type who rewinds to confirm what you just saw, this is your kind of Super Bowl.
Here’s a car spotter’s guide to the ads and automotive appearances that should be on your radar during Super Bowl LX. I will leave placeholders where you can drop in the YouTube links.
Toyota leans into memories with the RAV4 “Superhero Belt”
Toyota’s big moment this year is simple and that is exactly why it works. The “Superhero Belt” spot frames the RAV4 as a family anchor across generations, opening with a first generation four door RAV4 and a grandfather buckling in his grandson like it is the most important job in the world. Years later, the roles flip, and it lands with the kind of quiet emotional punch that makes you look around the room to see who is suddenly interested in their chips.
No explosions, no celebrities fighting over keys, no forced punchline. Just a clean reminder that a lot of us grew up with crossovers like the RAV4 in the background of real life. If you enjoy spotting details, keep an eye on the early RAV4 itself. It is basically a time capsule on wheels.
Cadillac uses Super Bowl stage lights to hype its Formula 1 future
Cadillac is not selling you a specific showroom model here. It is selling you a statement.
The brand is using Super Bowl weekend energy to build anticipation around its Formula 1 push, including a Times Square activation that tees up a livery reveal tied to a 30 second commercial. It is pure theater, and honestly, that is the point. F1 is as much about spectacle as it is lap times, and Cadillac clearly wants to show up like it belongs.
If you love the behind the scenes side of racing, this is one to watch because it signals how serious GM is about making Cadillac feel globally relevant again, not just locally loud.
Ferrari 250 GT steals a few seconds of glory in the Fanatics Sportsbook ad
Not every great car moment comes from an automaker. Sometimes it is a random cameo that hits harder than the entire “official” vehicle lineup.
Fanatics Sportsbook has a spot featuring Kendall Jenner, and the real scene stealer is a gorgeous 1960s Ferrari 250 GT that flashes across the screen in deep blue. It is the kind of appearance that makes you pause and say, “Wait, was that a 250?” before the commercial has even finished.
If you are watching with friends, this is a perfect “car nerd flex” moment. Call it out early. Accept your applause.
Nissan makes game day snacks the hero with the Rogue “Dip Seat”
Nissan’s Rogue ad takes the family friendly route too, but it does it with chaotic energy thanks to chef Matty Matheson. The whole concept revolves around transporting a precious cargo to a Super Bowl party, not people, not pets, but dip.
It is loud, silly, and weirdly relatable if you have ever tried to balance snacks on the passenger seat and prayed through every roundabout. The Rogue is the backdrop, the gag is the hook, and Matheson turns the volume up to eleven like he is trying to season the whole commercial with sheer intensity.
Also, the disclaimer that the Dip Seat is not a real product feels like a challenge. Someone in Nissan accessories should take notes.
Volkswagen cranks up 1990s vibes with “Drivers Wanted”
Volkswagen goes long with an extended cut spot built around House of Pain’s “Jump Around,” and it is basically a rolling nostalgia montage of saying yes to plans, seeing friends, and getting out of your routine. VW’s current lineup shows up throughout, but the real message is bigger than any one model.
The sneaky brilliance is what you do not see. Hardly any screens. No doom scrolling. Just movement and people and music that instantly drags a lot of us back to a time when a GTI poster on the wall counted as a personality trait.
If you are a longtime VW person, you will probably catch yourself smiling without realizing it.
Jurassic Park returns with Xfinity and so do the classic Ford Explorers
Xfinity’s Jurassic Park themed commercial might be one of the funniest nostalgia swings of the year, mostly because it understands the assignment. It riffs on the original film’s chaos and basically suggests the whole park could have been saved with better connectivity.
Of course, you cannot return to Jurassic Park without the iconic Ford Explorers. The green and yellow tour trucks remain instant movie car royalty, and seeing them again is like hearing the first notes of the theme song. It just works.
If you have ever considered building a tribute Explorer, this ad will probably restart that itch.
Uber Eats opens with a lifted classic Toyota pickup and a very McConaughey vibe
Uber Eats brings Matthew McConaughey and Bradley Cooper together for a food conspiracy themed spot, and before you even get to the banter, the opener gives car spotters a gift.
McConaughey is behind the wheel of a scruffy lifted vintage Toyota pickup that looks exactly like it belongs on a dusty backroad headed to a roadside barbecue joint. It is perfectly cast. If that truck had dialogue, it would probably be a slow drawl followed by a wink.
It is a quick appearance, but it is one of those vehicles that adds character instantly. Sometimes a truck does not need a product pitch. It just needs to exist on screen and look right.
How to watch like a car spotter without missing the game
If you want to play along without turning the night into a rewind marathon, here’s the move.
Keep your phone down during commercials. The best car cameos are blink and you miss it moments.
Listen for nostalgia cues. When a spot leans on an older song, an older movie, or an older vibe, there is often an older car nearby.
Watch the background, not the actor. The hero car is not always the one being talked about.
This year’s Super Bowl ad lineup may not be overloaded with automaker flexing, but it is absolutely packed with fun automotive Easter eggs if you watch with the right mindset. And honestly, that makes it feel a little more rewarding.
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Darryl Taylor Dowe is a seasoned automotive professional with a proven track record of leading successful ventures and providing strategic consultation across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in both business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership have earned him recognition as a trusted expert, and his contributions to Automotive Addicts reflect his deep knowledge and passion for the business side of the car world.
