It has often been said a hero is only as good as their villains. In the case of Batman, the same thing could be said about his iconic crime-fighting vehicle, the Batmobile. One of the most famous cars in pop culture, the Batmobile is as beloved as any of the characters gracing DC Comics.
Each live-action Batman had his own variant of the car, each one with varying degrees of power. A great Batmobile should be ready to spring into action at a second's notice, and fans love to debate which one fits the bill.
Batman Forever
If there is one word that comes to fan's minds when they think of the Batmobile from Batman Forever, it is flashy. Directed by the late Joel Schumacher, Forever's Batmobile gives off bright neon lights, not exactly the best night camouflage. The car is fast, but that is practically all it has going for it.
Thanks to oddly placed slits on the hood, the engine is somewhat exposed, meaning that if someone like Deadshot existed in this universe, it would be easy to take the engine out. The car is able to scale buildings, but so can most others. This variant of the Batmobile leaves the Caped Crusader little to defend himself with, and may not be very handy in a full-on battle.
Batman & Robin
It is no secret that Batman & Robin isn't exactly the best-received movie featuring the Caped Crusader. The Batmobile, however, is more battle-ready than its predecessor. The biggest design flaw is the fact that the cockpit has no cover, leaving Batman completely exposed to attack.
In addition, the vehicle only has one seat, meaning if Batman needs to save somebody and speed away in the Batmobile, they are out of luck. Gadget-wise, they are as simple as they come, but their inclusion still makes this car more battle-ready than Forever's.
Classic TV Series
The classic '60s Batman series has plenty of ups and downs, but most agree it has one of the most iconic designs the Batmobile has ever had. The car is low on armor when compared to other variants, but it is safe to say the campy Gotham of the Adam West led series has little need for heavy armor.
As for gadgets, this car has arguably more than any other. In a very James Bond-esque manner, the only limit to this variant's gadgets is the writer's imagination. The gadgets are not very consistent, only appearing when it is convenient to the plot. Besides this, this car is ready to face any challenge Gotham's scum throws at it, even if it would not fare as well against a more modern Gotham.
The Dark Knight Trilogy
Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy is a more grounded, realistic take on Batman. It makes sense then that a more grounded, realistic Batmobile closer resembles a tank than a car. The Tumbler has become iconic in its own right, and the look has become synonymous with Nolan's Batman.
The vehicle is as armored as a car can get and still be functional, and the Tumbler is able to outrun any other vehicle and is armed with mostly nonlethal rounds. In sticky situations, the Tumbler also launches the Bat-pod out of the front, ensuring Batman stays mobile even if the car is destroyed. Christian Bale's Batman is ready for anything, and his car is no exception.
Burtonverse
Tim Burton's Batman released in 1989 changed the way the public saw the Dark Knight. The movie took the character back to his dark roots, and to many, Batman still holds up very well today. Michael Keaton's take on Batman faces a gritty and disturbing Gotham, and his sleek Batmobile is ready for the challenge. The car doesn't try to hide its power, having its jet engine on full display.
The car has machine guns hidden on the sides and shinguards that can take out thugs who attack from the side. The car can also break off most of the side armor, revealing a much smaller car to fit in tight spaces, and it can use a hydraulic to turn around from a standstill, as well as a grappling hook to handle tight turns. However, while Burton's Batmobile is always ready for battle, at its heart is still just a car.
Batman V Superman
The first crossover in the DCEU, Batman V Superman, took much inspiration from Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns. In that comic, the Batmobile is a literal tank, so it is fitting that the BVS Batmobile isn't far behind. In Ben Affleck's first Batmobile, subtlety takes a backseat, and a barrage of armor and weapons take the forefront. Practically every heavy weapon imaginable seems to be present, and yet the car still retains a sleek appearance fitting of the name, Batmobile.
His variant is so heavily armored, it is able to hit Superman head-on at full speed and was still in one piece. This Batmobile is armed to the teeth at any moment and is ready to spring into battle whenever the need arises, and in Snyder's Gotham that is practically daily.
Justice League
What sets the Justice League Batmobile apart from the rest is that it was designed for the sole purpose of battle and one look makes this obvious. The guns on this beast of a vehicle aren't hidden away like on other variants and instead are on full display. The armor easily protects the car from a full-on Parademon assault, and can still fly down the Gotham streets at incredible speeds.
This Batmobile is designed to take out hordes of alien menaces, so gone are the rubber bullets and added are missiles and rounds of all shapes and sizes. This Batmobile is also a mobile battle station, and it is without a doubt the most combat-ready of the lot. If a criminal sees Batman pull up in this, their best bet is to just give up and surrender without much fuss.