Rocket League Car Design Ideas: It’s Time to Nail Those Shots in Style

Rocket League is one of the most skill-based games on the market, and it takes hundreds of hours to even become remotely good at it. This limitless skill ceiling keeps so many players hooked, but even if you’re not in the mood to sweat online, there’s still plenty you can do on the title.

One very popular part of Rocket League cis car customization, and over the years, Psyonix has added hundreds of unique parts to play around with.

If you’re a new player without all the fancy parts, you may think this part of Rocket League is out of your grasp. Fortunately, you couldn’t be more wrong, and in this Rocket League Car Design Ideas guide, I will show you why.

RL Garage and Bakkesmod

As I’ll be showcasing designs from RL Garage, it’s important to know what that is and how it interacts with Bakkesmod. RL Garage is a Rocket League fansite where anyone can showcase their creations. Community favorites receive accolades, and each design comes with a code to import the entire vehicle into Bakkesmod.

Check out our in-depth guide to Bakkesmod if you’ve not heard of it. Simply put, it’s a robust, officially approved mod tool that lets users access training features and every customization ever released.

To import a car design from RL Garage, bring up the Bakkesmod Menu (F2), enter the ‘Items’ tab, and paste the RL Garage code into the box. Every design in this article has a code and a list of parts. Remember, if you open Rocket League before Bakkesmod, the programs don’t interact how they should.

A Quick Word on Hitboxes

Not to derail this creative article with competitive stuff, but your car body matters in Rocket League. Every car chassis has a unique hitbox that will cause the ball to behave differently when you hit it.

The soundest advice I’ve ever read about competitive Rocket League is “stick with the Octane until you have a reason not to.” Keep this in mind before you bring your new shiny car online.

Can I Make These Cars Without Bakkesmod?

Every car in this article can be made without Bakkesmod. The issue is, how do you acquire the parts? Rocket League has a rolling storefront, so you’ll have to wait for the parts you want to become available. As the inventory is so extensive, you can wait weeks or even months for specific parts. An unofficial way around this problem is a website called RL Exchange.

This site lets you purchase car cosmetics and has a huge user base, but it’s a grey area and isn’t supported by Psyonix. That said, nobody has been banned for using RL Exchange. As with any unofficial resource, I urge you to do some research and decide if the site is right for you.

Welcome to the Rocket League Showroom

Here, I’ll showcase some of the best vehicle designs from RL Garage, along with links to the designs so you can use the Bakkesmod Codes yourself.

Unfortunately, car plans in RL Garage don’t have names. I’ve tentatively named each vehicle below, but I must stress every vehicle here is created by a user on RL Garage. I’ve credited the creators, and you can view their profiles by clicking on each RL Garage link.

For a bit of fun, I’ve added the real-world price of making these skins on RL Exchange. Note that RL Exchange prices fluctuate, and you may be able to make these cars far cheaper if you can acquire the parts in-game.

Naturally, with any article of this nature, this is purely opinion based, and there are more inspired designs than I could possibly cover in one go.

Molten Fury

Creator: XCRONEX
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $69.55

Parts

• Body: Octane
• Wheels: Jacana
• Rocket Boost: Lava
• Topper: Phoenix Wings III
• Trail: Flame Chain
• Decal: Chantico (Octane)
• First Paint Finish: Feathered
• Second Paint Finish: Dragonscale

Starting the list off hot, I’ve picked this fiery design by XCRONEX. The most popular vehicles are typically futuristic, tidy, and ‘Tron Like.’

This is an entirely different style and looks mythical and volcanic. The Jacana wheels, in particular, look superb on the Octane thanks to its high wheel arches, and the entire set is eye-catching on nighttime stadiums. This ensemble is a little drab in the daytime but doesn’t take away from an inspired combination.

The Cloudbeast

Creator: Moonsalem
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $31.87

Parts

• Body: Octane
• Wheels: Dieci
• Rocket Boost: Standard
• Trail: Zigzag
• Decal: Shisa (Octane)
• First Paint Finish: Exo
• Second Paint Finish: Anodized

This design by Moonsalem is a low-hanging fruit, considering it’s one of the highest-rated designs on RL Garage. It’s not hard to see why so many players like it. Blue and Yellow always work great together, and they look so slick with the Shisa Decal.

The detailing is intricate, and the lack of a topper makes the finish neat and tidy. I’m a fan of the Startrack Rocket Boost in Sky Blue instead of the Standard to go with the oceanic blue, but it’s not required.

Tentacular

Creator: EST-OC31
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $35.67

Parts

• Body: Octane
• Wheels: Cephalo
• Rocket Boost: Slime
• Topper: Octopus
• Trail: Smokesketch
• Decal: Linares (Octane)
• First Paint Finish: Sludge
• Second Paint Finish: Spacedirt

This might be my favorite design of all. EST-OC31 has managed to make the Octopus Topper look like it envelopes the entire vehicle with a clever use of the Cephalo Wheels and Linares Decal.

I’m a sucker for designs where the creator sticks to a theme, and I’ve not seen anyone nail it quite like this. Even if the Aquatic theme doesn’t do anything for you, it’s hard not to appreciate the creativity of this design.

The Disco Weaver

Creator: Afateer
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $50.85

Parts

• Body: Peregrine TT (I’ve used the Masamune for the picture as a similar free option)
• Wheels: School’d
• Rocket Boost: Quasar
• Trail: Oxalate
• Decal: Ombre (Peregrine TT)
• First Paint Finish: Sequin
• Second Paint Finish: Pearlescent (Matte)

This is one of the more flashy designs on the list, but the red Sequinned paint job looks insane and sparkles on nighttime stadiums.

The Rocket Boost also matches the rest of the car, exploding in a flurry of red electricity. There are a few designs in RL Garage that simply don’t work in-game. The sequin effect here is similar to many of those but functions perfectly. The Bakkesmod Code is for the premium Peregrine TT Body, but you can change it to the Masamune as it’s free.

Slow ‘n Steady

Creator: Crazyfeet44
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $21.31

Parts

• Body: Nomad (I’ve swapped to the Proteus for the picture as it’s a decent free alternative)
• Wheels: Cephalo
• Rocket Boost: TP
• Topper: Snail
• Trail: TP
• Decal: Engenius (Nomad)
• First Paint Finish: Dino
• Second Paint Finish: Dino

This design stands out as another valiant attempt at an animal-themed vehicle. It’s a snail this time, and Crazyfeet44 has done a stellar job getting the entire car to match the Topper. Although you can’t see it in the picture, the TP Trail and Rocket Boost are clever choices to imitate snail trails.

The Nomad is a unique vehicle body with a weird ‘pod’ shape. In my opinion, the Proteus works slightly better as the apparatus on the front resembles the snail’s eyes. The combination of colors, Dino paint style, and Topper work with plenty of other chassis, so feel free to play around.

The Hungry Nomster

Creator: Afateer
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $50.86

Parts

• Body: Ripper
• Wheels: Nomster
• Rocket Boost: Ink
• Topper: Nomster
• Trail: Hot Rocks
• Decal: Shot Fox (Ripper)
• First Paint Finish: Grassy
• Second Paint Finish: Glossy

This is another design by Afateer, which does something I didn’t even know was possible in Rocket League. Regardless if it’s called a ‘Nomster,’ that looks like a Chain Chomp to me, and I’m pretty sure that’s the idea.

Everything works together so well in this design. The wheels are probably my favorite in the game now I know they exist, and the Ripper Body gives the car teeth on the front, which is a nice subtle touch.

The Midas Touch

Creator: EST-OC31
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $28.67

Parts

• Body: Octane
• Wheels: Tunica
• Rocket Boost: Fractal Fire
• Trail: Triangulate
• Decal: Vaporwave (Octane)
• First Paint Finish: Ribbon Candy
• Second Paint Finish: Anodized

We’ve had a lot of weird and wonderful designs on the list so far. In comparison, this one by EST-OC31 is pretty simple, but black and gold always make a slick combination, and that’s on full display here. The Trails perfectly match the Decal, and the design looks sleek and professional at night.

This Decal works specifically on the Octane as if you put it on another body, it stretches the design out. As most players swear by the Octane, this is a design many can make even without Bakkesmod.

Quetzalcoatl’s Revenge

Creator: Feral_Crab
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $49.75

Parts

• Body: Octane
• Wheels: Astro-CSX
• Rocket Boost: Cirrus
• Trail: Tachyon II
• Decal: Quetzalcoatl (Octane)
• First Paint Finish: Pearlescent (Matte)
• Second Paint Finish: Metallograph

If you play around on RL Garage enough, you’ll realize that many striking colorful cars look far more drab in the game than in the pictures.

This is one of the designs where that’s not the case. This bold green and purple design by Astro-CSX sports one of my favorite Decals. The green in the Decal almost glows, making for a great, eye-catching color combination. Vibrant, glowing designs are always well received on RL Garage; this is a design like that, but it works perfectly in standard gameplay too.

The Spectre

Creator: DanielPecotic
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $38.66

Parts

• Body: Dominus
• Wheels: Astro-CSX
• Rocket Boost: Phase-R
• Trail: Lightspeed
• Decal: Ghost Gaming 22-23 (Away) (Dominus)

Most creators make their cars eye-catching with neon lines and glowing details. DanielPecotic has taken a different approach with this design and lets the paint job do the talking.

The Ghost Gaming Decal looks awesome with the white and ice blue paint job. Although it’s not too visible in the picture, the Rocket Boost and Trail are the same colors and a perfect match for the rest of the car. This design doesn’t rely on glowing or shiny parts, so it looks good even in the daytime.

For this particular design, make sure you use the Dominus Body, or the Decal doesn’t work. If you use the Octane, the car just goes blue.

The Hellspawn

Creator: JO_
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $23.38

Parts

• Body: Octane
• Wheels: Demon Disc
• Topper: Quilin Horns II
• Decal: Wings (Octane)
• First Paint Finish: Obsidian
• Second Paint Finish: Toon Glassy

This devilish ensemble by JO_ makes full use of the Demon-themed wheels and horns to create a dramatic and imposing car design.

At the time of writing, we’re still a few months away from Halloween, but if you’re getting those vibes, it makes sense, as this design won an award in October 2022. Much like the other glowing entries I’ve showcased, this one looks a little dull in the daytime. Still, it’s a well thought out design and puts the Obsidian Paint Effect to good use.

This design looks fantastic on the Octane but also works on the more ‘pointy’ shaped chassis, like the Aftershock and Vulcan. If you’re looking for a good Rocket Boost, try Flamethrower Red or Fireball in Burnt Sienna (pictured).

Charring Dragonfire

Creator: Twistdwaffle
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $28.77

• Body: Octane
• Wheels: Draco Holographic
• Rocket Boost: Lava
• Topper: Dragon Wings: Roasted
• Decal: Fire God

This is the most eye-catching design on the list, with fire that glows so bright it assaults your retinas even in daytime stadiums! Twistdwaffle has kept it relatively simple.

The Fire God Decal is unique as it doesn’t need any Paint Finishes to enhance the glowing fire effect. The Lava Rocket Boost and Draco Wheels accompany the design perfectly, and the Octane’s front wheel covers look like an additional pair of wings.

If you’re after the most striking car you can make without resorting to RL Garage trickery, you’ll be hard-pressed to beat this scorching ensemble.

The Savannah Rampage

Creator: Raiyu
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $59.85

Parts

• Body: Outlaw GXT (I don’t have the Outlaw GXT, but the Marauder (pictured) is a great alternative)
• Wheels: Ripper
• Rocket Boost: Nuts & Bolts
• Topper: Rhino Horns
• Trail: Hack Swerve III
• Decal: Goop (Global)

I’m a massive fan of creative designs that use the Topper and incorporate it into the design. That’s exactly what Raiyu has done here with this Rhino-themed, wild monstrosity of a vehicle. I’ve said it before, but clean and tidy designs are over-represented on RL Garage.

Cars like this prove that bolder vehicles with a theme can work with a keen eye. Although you can’t see it in the picture, the Goop Decal is animated, and those stripes you see across the hood constantly flow toward the windshield. It’s a subtle touch, but it brings some life to one of the more organic-looking entries on this list.

The Waterfelon

Creator: _Timo
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $51.95

Parts

• Body: Octane
• Wheels: Watermelon
• Rocket Boost: Watermelon
• Antenna: Warm Watermelon
• Topper: Worried Watermelon
• Decal: Watermelon (Octane)
• Goal Explosion: Juiced
• First Paint Finish: Glossy
• Second Paint Finish: Glossy

I love this design, even if it’s just a complete set. I’m sure many other creators have made this exact car on RL Garage, but _Timo’s is the first I’ve seen, hence the code.

This is the perfect set to put on if you want to goof around, and as it’s on the Octane, it’s perfectly fine if you want to shatter some dreams in Competitive in your Watermelon car. I love designs like this, but I wear the banana costume in Fortnite, so take that how you will.

The Tokyo Drift

Creator: Cheth_RL
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $32.96

Parts

• Body: Dominus
• Wheels: Sunburst
• Rocket Boost: Standard Pink
• Trail: Classic
• Decal: Suji (Dominus)
• First Paint Finish: Grassy
• Second Paint Finish: Sludge

This set by Cheth_RL is another that feeds into the Street Racing/Tokyo Drift genre that I’m such a fan of. Even if you don’t see the appeal, this car looks slick, and the pink and blue combination works so much better than it should.

The Rocket Boost and Trail both accompany the design perfectly. Besides the color, this is a ‘no fuss’ stylish car that’s understated compared to many highly rated vehicles on RL Garage.

The Woodworm

Creator: Supermommy
RL Garage Link
RL Exchange Price: $46.96

Parts

• Body: Octane
• Wheels: Timbertyre
• Rocket Boost: Grass
• Topper: Fallen Tree
• Trail: Season Four – Bronze
• Decal: Ombre (Octane)
• First Paint Finish: Woodwork
• Second Paint Finish: Straight-Line

To finish this list, I’ll leave you with this unique design by Supermommy. This car encapsulates all of my favorite parts of car creation in Rocket League. It’s thematically appropriate with the Topper, and most of all, it’s unique.

Whether you want to look like a ‘runaway lumberjack’ or just stand out without blinding everyone in the stadium, this design has it all.

The Rocket Boost choice is a charming touch of detail. As you can see, it leaves a cut grass trail but makes the sound of a lawnmower to top it off. It’s ridiculous, and I love it.

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Anthony Yates

Anthony is a content writer who is also a competitive gamer. He plays and streams a variety of retro games. He spent hours exploring the indie gaming world and learning its mechanics. He knows how to complete challenges, and creates strategies for different playthroughs. In his spare time, he enjoys cosplaying and creating assets for events and Cons.

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