If Santa Wants to Change His Sleigh, the Auto Industry Has Him Covered
The holiday season is a perfect time to slow down and take a break before the new year, surrounded by loved ones. But for the youngest among us, these last few days spent with family are also synonymous with unwrapping the gifts tucked beneath the Christmas tree by the bearded man himself—provided his ride is tuned to perfection.
On that note, the automotive industry has had some fun over the years imagining futuristic sleighs for Santa Claus. Some of them come straight from a distant era, while others are closer to what we recognize as a more “traditional” vehicle.
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Most importantly, though, the goal is to spark imagination—and in that respect, automotive designers are masters of the craft. Enjoy the show, and above all, keep an eye on the sky. Santa might just touch down on your rooftop with one of these machines. You never know.
2018 Dodge Redeye Express
With the return of the HEMI V8 to the automotive spotlight in recent months, it was only fitting to kick off this Top 10 with a 2018 concept built around the latest-generation Dodge Challenger. In this case, a development car served as the foundation for a muscular sleigh with runners instead of wheels. The windshield was cut in half, as was a significant portion of the roof. If Santa happens to be a V8 enthusiast, this sleigh is made for him.
2020 Lexus HX
Unlike Dodge’s creation, this reimagined sleigh from Lexus exists entirely in the virtual world. That doesn’t make it any less compelling. Beyond furthering the Lexus design language—with its signature spindle grille and a rear section inspired by the brand’s sedans—this concept promises to carry all the gifts on Earth, with Lexus claiming infinite cargo space at the back.
Handling is enhanced by a system called ARD (All-Reindeer Drive), which promises smooth yet powerful performance across snow-covered terrain. And as if that weren’t enough, a massive 25-inch touchscreen alerts Santa to aerial traffic, ensuring he doesn’t lose a second during his annual delivery run.
2011 Ford Evos
Reimagining Santa’s sleigh is nothing new. As far back as 2011, the Evos concept—previewing the then-upcoming generation of the Ford Fusion—served as inspiration for a sleigh tailored to the long-bearded man’s specific needs. Ford highlighted its new 1.0-litre 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine, along with the latest innovations in its SYNC system and parking assistance—ideal for trickier manoeuvres near chimneys.
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor North
Ford’s midsize pickup is certainly not large enough to haul all of Santa’s gifts, but according to ELF (Experimental Laboratory Foundation), a fictional division of Ford Australia, an infinite cargo box is possible aboard a pickup originally designed to conquer the harsh desert climate.
The goal of Ford’s sleigh concept was also to stay airborne—not merely land back on solid ground after jumping a dune. Wings were therefore added along the sides and at the rear of the bed, along with a snowflake generator and jet thrusters to speed up deliveries. Our favourite detail? The gingerbread oven installed in place of the glove box.
Santa’s Sleighs Reimagined by AutoExpress...
In December 2024, the British publication commissioned several automotive designers, as a nod to what Car magazine had done years earlier. Here’s what was imagined a year ago.
A Sleigh Designed by Jeep’s Daniele Calonaci
In this illustration, the classic lines of a Jeep Willys MB used during World War II are immediately recognizable. Unsurprisingly, the narrow wheels have been replaced by runners mounted on suspension components. Clearly, this North Pole-based 4x4 is built for the toughest off-road conditions—if there’s snow or ice.
A Citroën Van for the Man in Red and White
This drawing echoes the shape of the timeless HY, but with a far stronger sense of adventure. All-terrain tires mounted on the front axle are a clear hint, as are the wide skis installed at the rear. Highly utilitarian by nature, this futuristic sleigh meets all of Santa’s needs. The design comes from Pierre Leclercq.
A More Classic Line for Peugeot’s Sleigh
At first glance, Peugeot’s sleigh sticks to a traditional design, featuring a pride of lions instead of the usual reindeer—after all, it’s Peugeot’s emblem—leading a red sleigh mounted on gold skis. Notably, control is handled by the steering wheel expected to appear in future production models from the French brand. This illustration is the work of designer Matthias Hossann.
A DS for Christmas?
Another designer from the Stellantis empire leaves their mark on a potential Santa sleigh. The silhouette of a 1960s or ’70s DS is instantly recognizable, though the wheels have been replaced by skis. In fact, this sketch goes so far as to suggest that a modern interpretation of the classic DS could still be relevant more than fifty years after its debut. Thanks to DS designer Thierry Metroz for the illustration.
A New-Style Sleigh from Volkswagen
The Volkswagen Golf celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024—more than enough reason for the Wolfsburg giant’s design department to mark the milestone. Among the renderings created by Andy Mindt is this sleigh with Golf-like proportions. Likely too small to carry all the world’s gifts, it would nevertheless be very practical for everyday use. There’s even a hint of the ID. EVERY1 concept unveiled earlier this year.
Meanwhile, at Cupra…
This is without question a vision of Santa’s sleigh of the future. Cupra, the performance-oriented brand born from Spain’s Seat and a member of the Volkswagen Group, focuses on sporty products—and this sleigh concept perfectly captures the brand’s rebellious spirit. You can also spot design cues from recent Cupra models, particularly up front with the triangular headlights and sharp nose. The concept was penned by designer Jorge Díez.
