Everyone knows that Dean Winchester loves driving his Chevy Impala in Sam and Dean set off in Baby, a black Impala inherited from their missing father. A few extensive repair jobs aside, the Impala faithfully carries the Winchester family throughout their hunting missions, and the car es on to Sam after Dean is killed in action, becoming somewhat of a family heirloom.
Like the Mystery Machine to Ghostbusters, Dean's Impala will always be the signature vehicle of Supernatural. Unfortunately, the Impala is sometimes out of action, or stolen by some particularly brave villain. Occasionally, the Winchesters need to approach a mission with more subtlety, rather than rocking up in their instantly recognizable Chevy, and in these situations, the only option is to leave Baby safely parked and jump in a different ride.
Although Dean might feel unfaithful sitting in the driver's seat of another car, Supernatural featured many different vehicles during its 15 season run. Here are all of them, as well as the episode they feature in, and why they were used.
Dodge Caravan
Needless to say, Dean isn't overly impressed with many of his Baby replacements, and his dissatisfaction begins with style (or a total lack of it) in Supernatural season 2's "Everybody Loves A Clown." One of Sam Winchester's favorite hunts, the episode comes shortly after a road accident that almost claimed Dean's life, meaning the Impala is still out of commission. Unfortunately, the only working replacement in Bobby's yard is a minivan, which the brothers use for the entire episode.
Mercury Monterey
After Dean Winchester is resurrected by Castiel in Supernatural season 4, his Impala isn't waiting by the graveside ready for its former owner to hop in. With Bobby refusing to take his calls (believing Dean is dead), the revived Winchester brother is forced to hot-wire a 1962 Mercury Monterey near a gas station, which he then takes back to Bobby's place for a reunion with his beloved Baby... and Sam too, obviously.
Toyota Prius
If there is a fifth horseman of the apocalypse, it's surely Dean Winchester driving a Prius. Toyota's hybrid is popular with environmentally-minded folk who aren't willing to risk the perils of public transport, and is diametrically opposed to Supernatural's Impala. Dean's love for the Prius comes about after his memories are given an angelic overwrite in "It's A Terrible Life," and he becomes a health-conscious office worker.
Ford Pickup
When Supernatural season 6 begins, Dean Winchester is desperately trying to ditch the hunting lifestyle for something resembling normality. Settled with Lisa and Ben after his brother was consigned to The Cage, Dean is enjoying BBQs with the neighbors and has the Impala safely tucked away in his garage. To run about town, Dean has introduced an every-man's Ford Pickup truck into his suburban existence. The 1988 F250 lasts about as long as Dean's promise to stop hunting monsters, and the Impala soon roars back into life.
Ford Mustang
Similar to "It's A Terrible Life," Supernatural season 6's "My Heart Will Go On" depicts an alternate reality for Dean Winchester, complete with an alternate mode of transport. The episode takes place in a world where Balthazar has saved the Titanic from sinking, which triggers a butterfly effect whereby Dean Winchester ends up driving a 1960s Mustang instead of a Chevy Impala. It's a more suitable choice for Dean than a Toyota Prius, that's for sure, but the Mustang is gone once normality is restored and the Titanic meets its fate as intended.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
If the Winchesters ever need to split up, Dean traditionally takes the Impala while Sam arranges alternative transport, but in Supernatural season 7's "The Girl Next Door," Sam Winchester picks up a case with personal connections to his childhood and heads off in Baby alone. Dean gives chase, naturally, but deprived of his signature motor, he opts instead for a Jeep Grand Wagoneer. It's a one-off ride that features only while Sam and Dean are temporarily estranged.
Pontiac Acadian
For most of Supernatural season 7, the Winchester brothers have no choice but to leave their trademark Impala gathering dust. The villainous Leviathans use their shape-shifting abilities to turn Sam and Dean into wanted men, forcing the hunter siblings to operate in secrecy. Since their Impala is now marked by the authorities, most of season 7's adventures utilize different vehicles in each installment, beginning with the 1983 Pontiac Acadian in "Slash Fiction."
Dodge Challenger
Next up comes a 1970 Dodge Challenger in "The Mentalists." The Winchesters commandeer this retro runaround to serve them throughout the season 7 episode, and while the Challenger suits Dean's love of the great American muscle car, he's not overly impressed with how the model was treated by its former owner before being "liberated."
1969 Buick
Supernatural season 7's "Adventures In Babysitting" finds the Winchester brothers grieving the recent death of Bobby Singer, but a ready-made (if short-lived) replacement is found in Frank Devereaux. While Sam works a case, Dean heads to Frank's place in a 1969 Buick Special Edition. How he acquired the vehicle is never shown, but since the Impala is still a no-go, it probably wasn't via legitimate means.
Plymouth Roadking
In "Time After Time," Dean Winchester goes on another timeline-bending adventure, landing in 1944 where he meets legendary investigator (and secret hunter) Eliot Ness. Living out his greatest film noir fantasies, Dean even gets to drive Ness' 1940 Plymouth Roadking.
