The Christmas car ads proving that cars aren’t just machines, they’re memory makers

Car companies know that good Christmas car ads are a great way to increase brand awareness, and several recent ads have truly left their mark on viewers.

Every festive season, car companies try to tap into that holiday magic.

After all, when a commercial manages to capture family warmth and festive surprise, it’s almost a sin not to buy the car.

But here’s the real question: which company did the best job?

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Christmas car ads aren’t always direct

One of the most touching car ads in recent years is Toyota’s ‘Present from the Past’ campaign in 2023.

It tells the story of a young woman who receives an old camera from her grandmother as a Christmas gift.

As she flips through the family photos, the ad, which was set to the cosy glow of holiday lights, evoked nostalgia, family, and the power carried in long-forgotten snapshots.

In this ad, the vehicle is barely the focus.

Instead, Toyota chose the subtler approach, using the car as a quiet witness to life’s moments.

Up next, though it’s not strictly one ad, Subaru’s long-running ‘Share the Love’ holiday campaign brings together dozens of real stories.

From grandparents receiving volunteer visits, to people being helped by charities, the underlying message is clear: sometimes what matters isn’t horsepower, but heart-power.

Santa is the best Christmas influencer

In 2024, Toyota doubled down with ‘Real Reward’, a holiday ad about kindness and connection.

In the story, a young couple driving a Tacoma find a lost dog, return it to a family, and turn down the reward money.

Why? Because of love, and the Christmas spirit.

It’s not the most complex ad, but it was certainly impactful.

Finally, one quietly iconic campaign featured Santa Claus himself next to a Volkswagen Jetta, suggesting that even Santa himself might ditch his sleigh for a modern sedan.

In fact, there’s even a cheeky ‘for sale’ sign on his trusty reindeer, which means that Rudolph might be out of a job.

The image struck a chord by merging the familiar Christmas figure with a ‘real-world’ car, blending magic and practicality.

After all, if it’s good enough for Santa, surely it’s good enough for the rest of us?

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