The Upside Down isn’t exactly paved. Between the rotting vines, floating spores, and literal monsters hunting you down, you need more than Steve’s Beemer. You need horsepower, armor, and the guts to punch through decayed dimensions. These eight cars could actually handle Hawkins’ worst nightmare. Let’s see which rides would keep you breathing when the Demogorgon comes calling.
#1 Ford Raptor R
The Raptor R is basically a desert-racing monster that wandered into the truck market. It packs over 700 hp from a supercharged V8. That’s enough power to outrun anything the Mind Flayer throws at you. But raw speed isn’t the only trick here.
This truck was built to fly off dunes at ridiculous speeds. Its suspension soaks up impacts that would snap a normal vehicle in half. The reinforced frame means a Demogorgon tackle won’t crumple your ride.
The raised ride height gives you visibility in those creepy, fog-filled landscapes.
You’ll spot threats before they spot you. If Hopper had this instead of his Blazer, Hawkins would’ve had way fewer problems.
#2 Mercedes G-Class
The G-Wagon started life as a military vehicle. That heritage shows in every bolt and weld. This thing was designed to survive war zones, so a spore-filled hellscape is just Tuesday. The G-63 AMG packs a twin-turbo V8, making over 577 hp.
It’s quick for something shaped like a brick. Off-road capability is where it truly shines. Deep mud, thick forest, broken roads: doesn’t matter what you throw at it. The G-Class handles it all without breaking a sweat.
Inside, you’re surrounded by luxury. The cabin is solid enough to muffle the sounds of screeching monsters outside. Nancy would absolutely steal this from her parents to save Barb. Again.
#3 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
This is overkill in the best possible way. The Demon 170 does 0 to 100 in under 1.7 seconds. That’s faster than most supercars. If a Demogorgon spots you on an open road, you’re gone before it finishes roaring. The supercharged V8 sounds like the earth splitting open.
It’s loud, dramatic, and absolutely fits the horror aesthetic. Here’s the catch: this car was built for drag strips, not rotting forests. The low ground clearance means one wrong move, and you’re beached. Still, imagine lighting up the rear tires and vanishing in a cloud of smoke.
The Demon is the car Billy Hargrove wishes he drove.
#4 Toyota Land Cruiser
Not flashy. Not fast. But you know what? It’ll still be running when everything else is dead. The Land Cruiser is famous for surviving war zones, deserts, and apocalyptic conditions worldwide. In the Upside Down, reliability is survival.
You can’t afford cars breaking down when the nearest mechanic is in another dimension. Visibility is excellent thanks to the upright seating position. The suspension handles serious obstacles without drama. It’s not exciting, but Joyce Byers doesn’t need it to be.
She needs something that starts every time and gets her kids home safely. The Land Cruiser is precisely that vehicle.
#5 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392
Take Jeep’s most capable off-roader and jam a 470 hp V8 under the hood. That’s the Rubicon 392. It combines rock-crawling ability with genuinely quick acceleration. The removable roof and doors are actually tactical advantages.
If vines start blocking your path, you can ditch them fast. Ground clearance is massive. You’re clearing obstacles that would stop normal cars cold. The V8 provides more than enough power to blast through soft soil and debris.
And if something does go wrong, the Jeep community is huge. Dustin would absolutely outfit one of these with homemade gadgets and use it to hunt Demogorgons.
#6 Chevrolet Suburban
Governments use armored Suburbans to protect important people, and that should tell you everything. This massive SUV can be reinforced to stop bullets and absorb severe impacts. A Demogorgon hit would hurt, but it wouldn’t be fatal.
The size is actually an advantage. You can fit your entire party inside with room for supplies and weapons. The sheer mass means it’s hard to flip or push around. Modern Suburbans pack serious power, too, so you’re not going to be slow.
Inside, there’s space to strategize, treat injuries, or just catch your breath. This is the vehicle for extracting the whole crew when things go sideways.
#7 Land Rover Defender
The new Defender keeps the old one’s reputation for handling terrible conditions, but now it has modern power and tech. The V8 makes over 500 hp. That’s plenty for quick escapes when needed. The design is boxy and upright, which means excellent outward visibility.
The approach and departure angles are aggressive. It’s also surprisingly refined inside. The ride quality is smooth despite the off-road hardware underneath. The Defender excels in mud, bogs, and standing water. The Upside Down is basically one giant swamp, mixed with the aftermath of a forest fire.
If the Hawkins crew had British government funding, they’d all be driving Defenders.
#8 Porsche 911 Turbo S
Sometimes you just need to outrun the problem. The 911 Turbo S does 0 to 100 in 2.6 seconds. Top speed approaches 320 km/h, meaning nothing on the legs is catching you. Period. The AWD system is advanced enough to handle sketchy surfaces. Even on spore-covered roads, you’re getting traction.
Yes, ground clearance is minimal. But on any remotely flat surface, you’re untouchable. The 911 is also surprisingly practical. Rear seats fold for more storage. The front trunk adds cargo space. It’s a proper escape vehicle, not just a speed toy. If Steve ever got Munson’s drug money, this is what he’d buy.
Conclusion
The Upside Down doesn’t play fair, and standard transportation won’t cut it. You need cars built to handle the impossible. Whether it’s raw speed, tank-like armor, or go-anywhere capability, these eight cars deliver.
They combine power with durability in ways that matter when monsters are real. Would they guarantee survival? Nothing does in Hawkins. But they’d give you a fighting chance. And sometimes that’s all you need to make it home.
Which one of these cars would you prefer to outrun a demogorgon? Let us know in the comments below. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more exciting automotive content like this.