Stephen A. Smith doesn't just talk for a living; he commands a room. Or a set. Or a podcast. So it shouldn't surprise anyone that when it comes to the Stephen A. Smith car collection, the man isn't exactly rolling around in a mid-sized sedan with cloth seats and a "check engine" light he’s ignoring.
He wants power. He wants luxury. And honestly, he wants something that matches the decibel level of his best "First Take" rants.
If you’ve ever watched him, you know Stephen A. is all about the "A-list" lifestyle. He’s built a media empire that reportedly pays him upwards of $15 million a year, and that kind of cash buys a lot of premium leather and V8 engines. But here is the thing: he isn’t just buying cars to show off. He actually cares about the "feel" of the drive. He’s a comfort guy.
He’s the guy who will tell you to your face that if a car isn't a "10," it shouldn't be in his garage.
The Two 10s: Mercedes and Range Rover
For a long time, the backbone of the Stephen A. Smith car rotation has been a two-headed monster of European luxury. We are talking about the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Range Rover SVAutobiography.
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Now, most people get the Benz. It’s the standard-issue "I’ve made it" car for every executive from Bristol to Burbank. Smith has gone on record calling his S550 "extremely smooth" and "very comfortable." It’s his sedan of choice for navigating the chaotic streets of New York or getting to the ESPN studios before the sun comes up.
But the Range Rover? That’s where he gets passionate.
He once admitted in an interview with Motor Trend that he didn't actually expect the Range Rover to be as good as it was. He bought it expecting the "Benz" treatment but ended up with something he rated a perfect 10. His specific model—a black Range Rover SVAutobiography with a British tan interior—is a "driving machine" in his eyes.
Why he loves the Range Rover:
- The Power: It’s got a supercharged V8 that produces roughly 550 horsepower.
- The Space: It’s the long-wheelbase version, meaning extra legroom for his 6'1" frame.
- The Surprise: He expected the luxury from the Mercedes, but the Range Rover's ability to blend SUV utility with sedan-like smoothness blew him away.
He’s driven BMWs for years in the past, but the current rotation seems to lean heavily toward the Mercedes/Land Rover combo. It’s the ultimate "big man" setup.
That Time He Argued About Lightning McQueen
You can’t talk about Stephen A. Smith and cars without mentioning the most hilarious automotive debate in the history of sports media. It didn't happen on a track. It happened on his podcast.
A 21-year-old caller named Danny from Wisconsin tried to trap Stephen A. by asking where he ranked Lightning McQueen in the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) conversation. Most hosts would have laughed it off. Not Stephen A.
He went into a full-blown, high-energy breakdown of the Pixar movie Cars.
"How are you going to be the GOAT?" he yelled, pointing out that Strip "The King" Weathers also has seven Piston Cups. He basically told the caller he was out of his "damn mind" for trying to crown a car that was tied for the lead. It was peak Stephen A. It showed that even when the "car" is an animated Chevrolet-style stock car, he’s going to bring the heat.
The Stealth Luxury: Cadillac Escalade
While the Mercedes is for the "look," the Cadillac Escalade is often the workhorse of his fleet. There have been numerous sightings and reports of him using an Escalade ESV—the big one—for his daily commutes.
It makes sense. If you’re a high-profile media personality, sometimes you just want to sit in the back of a tank with tinted windows and a Bose Centerpoint surround system while someone else deals with the Lincoln Tunnel traffic. The Escalade is the unofficial car of the NBA and NFL, and since Stephen A. is essentially the face of those leagues' coverage, he fits right in.
Is There a Lamborghini in the Mix?
There has been some noise online about Stephen A. Smith and exotic supercars like the Lamborghini Urus.
While he has been seen testing out high-end exotics—specifically in videos with guys like TJ "Millionaire Mentor" where he got behind the wheel of a $300,000 Urus—he isn't typically known for being a "supercar" collector. He’s a big guy. He likes his comfort. Squeezing into a low-slung Italian sports car for a trip to the grocery store isn't really his vibe.
He’s much more likely to be found in a Rolls-Royce Ghost (the "baby" Rolls) than a neon-green Huracán. There are rumors he’s added a Ghost to his collection recently, which would certainly fit his "everything is a 10" criteria.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Taste
People assume that because he’s loud and flashy on TV, his cars must be covered in chrome and giant rims. Honestly, they aren't.
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If you look at his choices—the black-on-black Range Rover, the silver or white S-Class—they are surprisingly understated. He goes for "Old Money" luxury rather than "New Money" flash. He wants the engineering. He wants the haptic feedback, the heated massage seats, and the acoustic laminated glass that keeps the world outside quiet.
He’s a man who spends hours a day talking. When he gets in his car, he probably just wants to hear himself think—or maybe listen to some mellow jazz to come down from the adrenaline of a 2-hour debate with Mad Dog Russo.
Actionable Insights for Car Lovers
If you’re looking to emulate the Stephen A. Smith car style without having a $15 million ESPN contract, here is how you do it:
- Prioritize the SUV: Smith proved that a high-end SUV like a Range Rover or a top-trim Escalade can offer more "daily" satisfaction than a cramped sports car.
- Look for the "10": Don't settle for a brand name if the drive is stiff. He ditched his older BMWs because the Mercedes and Range Rover simply felt smoother.
- Interiors Matter: He’s obsessed with the cabin experience. If you’re buying a car, spend your money on the interior packages—leather, sound systems, and climate control—rather than exterior mods.
- The "Big Man" Rule: If you are over six feet tall, always look for the "L" or "ESV" (Long Wheelbase) versions of luxury vehicles. That extra 5 inches of legroom is the difference between a car and a sanctuary.
At the end of the day, Stephen A. Smith's garage reflects his career. It’s loud when it needs to be, it’s undeniably expensive, and it’s always, always at the top of its game.