Easter weekend might be over, but some drivers may still be thinking about the little surprises they came across inside their cars. These so-called ‘Easter eggs’ aren't chocolate, but clever design features hidden by car designers to surprise drivers who pay attention.
They’re not essential, but they do show some thought and humour from designers who want to give owners a reason to smile. If you missed them, here are three hidden Easter eggs that drivers might’ve never noticed.
These small design details don’t get advertised, but carmakers include them for a few reasons:
- They add personality and humour to otherwise serious vehicles
- Reward owners who take time to explore or clean their car
- Create online buzz, Jeep forums on Reddit are full of people posting what they’ve found
- They give design teams some creative freedom without needing a marketing campaign
They don’t serve a practical purpose, but they do make the car feel a bit more personal and less mass-produced.
Car Easter eggs are everywhere once you know where to look. These three stand out for their creativity and the way they connect brand identity with design:
Jeep has a long history of hiding Easter eggs in its cars, going back to the late 1990s. The most common is a small outline of a classic Jeep scaling a slope, usually etched into the corner of the windscreen. But that’s just one example. Over the years, Jeep designers have snuck in all sorts of playful symbols:
- A gorilla in the glass (Renegade)
- A spider saying “Ciao, Baby!” inside the fuel cap
- A T-Rex chasing a Jeep (Gladiator)
- Bigfoot footprints stamped near the tailgate
- Topographic map patterns in cubbies or under mats
What’s fun is that these details aren’t usually listed in the spec sheet or mentioned in ads, they’re just quietly added by the design team and are different depending on the model. So if you’ve got a Jeep and did a bit of cleaning or tinkering, chances are you spotted something you hadn’t noticed before.
Volkswagen’s electric ID models include a subtle but clever detail underfoot. Instead of plain accelerator and brake pedals, the ID.3 and ID.4 come with media-style icons: the accelerator shows a “play” triangle, and the brake displays a “pause” symbol.
It’s a simple visual gag, but a well-thought-out one. It nods to the digital nature of EVs, and probably gave a few drivers a grin during a slow crawl through bank holiday traffic. It’s not functional, just a neat reminder that design doesn’t always have to be serious.
Fiat has always leaned into its Italian roots, and the latest 500 Electric keeps that tradition going with a few design Easter eggs. One of the most noticeable is a line drawing of the Turin skyline, etched into the phone holder area, a nod to the brand’s home city.
A second detail is tucked into the passenger side grab handle, where you’ll find a small embossed outline of the original 1957 Fiat 500. It’s not flashy, but it connects the new model to its past in a tactile, thoughtful way.
These aren’t the kind of things you’ll spot on a quick glance, but over a weekend with the car, or with someone in the passenger seat pointing things out, they’re exactly the sort of small discovery that sticks with you.
You won’t find these on the spec sheet. They’re usually tucked away in places you wouldn’t think to look:
- Windscreen corners
- Inside fuel caps
- Rubber floor mats or under boot linings
- Grab handles and storage cubbies
If you're curious, search your car make and model with the phrase “Easter eggs” and see what others have found. Or get the bucket and sponge out to give your car a Spring Clean, many people only spot them when giving the car a proper wash.
Car Easter eggs don’t add performance or improve practicality, but they do show that car design isn’t always about function. These small surprises give you something to smile about, whether you’re cleaning the interior or just noticing something for the first time. If you haven’t looked closely at your own car, now might be a good time to start.
Got an eye for clever car details? Have a look at our 10 Must-Have High-Tech Features in New Cars blog and explore our full range of Motoring Guides.
Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK’s leading car leasing brokers. We offer a wide range of car leasing deals and regularly publish expert blogs to help you choose the right vehicle. For more help, call us on 0345 811 9595.
