Automotive preferences can say loads about somebody’s way of life, and every era has a couple of options they favor. Older generations like spacious automobiles, whereas Era Z gravitates towards fuel-efficient automobiles. Millennials, lots of whom have school-aged children, like a bit of little bit of the whole lot — know-how, consolation, and affordability. The information science crew at Insurify ranked every era’s most-owned automotive model and mannequin, nationally and by state, based mostly on greater than 4.5 million automotive insurance coverage purposes from Insurify’s database over the previous 12 months.
The information reveals an fascinating shift in what drivers worth of their automobiles and offers hints about what future cars may seem like.
Fast Info
-
Gen Z prefers smaller automobiles than prior generations. The Honda Civic is their most-owned mannequin, pushed by 5.05% of the era.
-
Millennials, who’re of their parenting years, favor the sensible Honda Accord. The midsize sedan represents 3.23% of all automobiles millennials personal.
-
The Ford F-Sequence pickup is the most-owned mannequin amongst Era X and child boomers, with possession charges of three.16% and three.74%, respectively.
-
The Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Corolla rank among the many high 10 automotive fashions for each era.
-
Chevrolet is among the many three hottest automotive manufacturers for each era and ranks No. 1 for Gen X and millennials.
-
Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota characterize the highest three manufacturers in various orders for boomers, Gen X, and millennials, however Honda beats out Toyota for Gen Z.
-
Gen Z pays probably the most for car insurance, at $246 per 30 days for full protection in 2023, and boomers pay the least, at $134. Premiums are according to threat charges, as youthful drivers lack expertise on the highway and insurers typically cost them extra consequently.
Gen X and boomers favor larger automobiles, whereas Gen Z is extra involved with gasoline financial system
Some automotive fashions, just like the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, are well-liked throughout all age teams, however when damaged down by era, the ten most-driven automobiles reveal a key distinction in preferences.
Boomers favor larger automobiles than youthful drivers, with SUVs or pickup vans comprising 5 of their 10 most-driven fashions. Gen X isn’t far behind, with three of their high 10 automobiles in the identical classes, however millennials’ favorites embrace simply two pickup vans. Gen Z’s high 10 included none.
Boomers and Gen X share the identical high two automobiles: the Ford F-Sequence pickup and the Toyota Camry. These automobiles are additionally amongst Millennials’ favourite fashions, however solely the smaller Toyota Camry stays in Gen Z’s high 10.
In 1960 — two years earlier than the oldest child boomers turned driving age — about 70% of Individuals lived in city areas, in response to U.S. Census Bureau knowledge. By 2020, 80% of the inhabitants have been city residents. Younger drivers may favor smaller automobiles as a result of they’re simpler to navigate round metropolis streets.
Smaller automobiles are additionally extra economical in congested metropolis site visitors. A brand new Ford F-150 pickup with a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine will get about 20 mixed metropolis/freeway miles per gallon, in response to the Environmental Safety Company (EPA). Zoomers’ favourite automotive, the Honda Civic, will get 33 mixed miles per gallon with a two-liter V4 engine.
“The youthful generations are much more involved about gasoline financial system,” mentioned Mark Beneke, proprietor of Fresno-based automotive dealership Westland Auto Sales. “Child boomers give attention to reliability and luxury most. Gas effectivity is nowhere close to the highest of their necessities.”
Environmental issues might sway youthful drivers towards extra fuel-efficient automobiles. Eighty-five % of Individuals ages 18–29 assume they’ll must make future sacrifices of their on a regular basis life due to local weather change, a 2023 Pew Analysis ballot discovered. Solely 61% of Individuals aged 65 and older mentioned the identical.
Individuals of all ages embrace international automobiles
International automotive producers are well-liked throughout generations. Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia are represented within the 10 hottest manufacturers throughout all age teams. Gen Z’s No. 1 automotive model is Honda, however two home manufacturers, Ford and Chevrolet, rank first for the opposite three generations.
Gen Z can be the one era with the German producer Volkswagen amongst its high 10. Equally, boomers are the one age group with the German-made Mercedes-Benz amongst its most-driven manufacturers.
The “Large Three” U.S. automotive producers — Ford, Normal Motors (GM), and Stellantis (previously Chrysler) — dominated the American auto business for the primary half of the twentieth century. In 1963, imported automobiles comprised simply 5% of the North American market. A decade later, imports represented 20% of North American gross sales.1
Japanese producers, like Honda, produced extra fuel-efficient compact and subcompact automobiles than the Large Three, making imports a cost-effective choice. On condition that the surge in imports coincided with the 1973 oil embargo and the ensuing gasoline value explosion, it’s simple to see why these manufacturers discovered reputation.
At this time, the Large Three characterize simply 38% of the U.S. market share, in response to automotive info platform MarkLines.2
Drivers in some states nonetheless favor home automobiles. U.S. producers make practically 80% of vehicles in Michigan — an unsurprising determine on condition that Detroit is the central hub for the Large Three automakers.
The automotive each era loves greater than another
Insurify’s knowledge science crew recognized the automobiles which can be uniquely well-liked amongst sure age teams by evaluating every era’s possession price for various fashions in opposition to the nationwide common for that automotive.
Child boomers have probably the most stand-out signature car. They’re 298% extra prone to personal the Mercedes Benz SL-Class than the typical driver. The sporty two-seater won’t be sensible for youthful drivers who must accommodate automotive seats and youngsters, however boomers behind the wheel of this high-performance convertible reside it up throughout retirement.
Gen X’s love of sports activities utility automobiles hasn’t light for the reason that SUV growth of the ‘90s. The era is 94% extra doubtless than common to personal a Hummer H2. The total-size SUV has all of the options Beneke says Gen X consumers worth probably the most: efficiency, fashion, and luxury.
The H2’s off-roading capabilities and 7,000-pound towing capability present the efficiency Gen X is searching for, and the inside is spacious and cozy. Like it or hate it, the tank-like Hummer H2 additionally has a particular fashion.
Millennials personal the Kia Carnival at a 71% greater price than another age group. The Carnival is extra fashionable than most minivans, and the three-row inside, tech options, and infotainment system are enticing to millennial dad and mom with school-aged youngsters.
Gen Z, alternatively, prefers a much less sensible automotive. The Toyota GR86 begins at about $30,000. The engine isn’t exceptionally highly effective for a sports activities automotive, however the mild coupe maintains velocity and handles effectively on curvy roads. The folding backseat is cramped, however house is much less of a priority for the Gen Z-ers who don’t have children but.
The preferred automobiles amongst Gen Z drivers by state
Chevrolet is Gen Z’s most-owned model in 20 states, and it’s the second hottest model among the many age group total. However Gen Z-ers on the East Coast favor Honda, and West Coasters lean towards Toyota.
Reasonably priced, fuel-efficient fashions just like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry high Gen Z’s favourite automobiles and are sensible in cramped East Coast cities or stop-and-go Los Angeles site visitors.
Gen Z-ers within the Midwest and Southwest aren’t essentially flocking to Chevrolet’s giant and highly effective Silverado. The midsize Chevrolet Malibu sedan is the eighth-most well-liked mannequin amongst zoomers, who are likely to favor smaller automobiles than Boomers.
Gen Z “values probably the most superior tech,” no matter their most popular model. Leisure packages, backup cameras, and assisted parking are the options zoomers search for most, says Beneke.
Millennials in 33 states favor Chevrolet
Millennials purchase Chevrolets greater than another model in 33 states — probably the most of any era. They lean towards the Silverado and Malibu fashions, their seventh and tenth favourite automobiles.
“Millennials have a powerful give attention to gasoline effectivity, affordability, and tech,” says Beneke. Leisure packages and assisted parking are a plus for Millennials, however they like “automobiles that stability the whole lot collectively.”
The Chevy Malibu balances Millennials’ most sought-after options, together with driver help know-how, leisure and navigation programs, affordability (with a base value of $25,100), and a mixed gasoline financial system of 31 mpg.
Millennials, like coastal Gen Z-ers, favor Toyota on the West Coast and Honda on the East Coast — manufacturers identified for his or her smart, compact, fuel-efficient automobiles. Toyota is Millennials’ most-owned model in seven states, and Honda is the preferred in 5.
Chevrolet is Gen X’s favourite automotive producer in 28 states
Chevrolet automobiles are practically as well-liked amongst Gen X-ers as they’re with millennials, with Gen X preferring the model in 28 states. Ford is hottest in 10 states — second solely to its reputation amongst Boomers.
Gen X prioritizes superior security options and gravitates towards fuel-efficient automobiles — however these aren’t their main issues, says Beneke. Whereas Gen X is open to hybrid or electrical automobiles (EVs), their age group “typically prefers efficiency, fashion, and luxury of their automobiles.”The recognition of crossover SUVs elevated dramatically by means of the ‘90s and early 00s, in response to the 2023 EPA Automotive Tendencies report. Gen X continues to be gravitating towards these roomier automobiles. The Chevrolet Equinox ranks as their ninth most-driven mannequin.
Boomers love American-made manufacturers probably the most in 38 states
Boomers are the one era that prefers Ford in most states. The American model ranks because the most-owned in 20 states. The Ford F-Sequence Pickup is the era’s favourite mannequin, and the roomy Ford Escape SUV is available in seventh.
Child boomers search for snug seating, highly effective motors, and luxurious options of their automobiles, says Beneke.
Ford’s all-American popularity might enhance its reputation with Boomers. Half of U.S. adults aged 55 and older say they’re extraordinarily proud to be Individuals, in comparison with simply 18% of these aged 18–34, a 2023 Gallup ballot discovered.
Anticipate extra tech options and low-emissions automobiles as demographics change
As Gen Z makes up extra of the car-buyer market, producers will doubtless cater extra to their tastes. Huge SUVs and pickups have fallen out of favor with Gen Z, who prize gasoline effectivity. Automotive manufacturers identified for his or her heavy-duty gas-powered automobiles, like Chevrolet and Ford, just lately launched extra EVs, together with the Chevy Bolt and Ford F-150 Lightning.
However EVs don’t presently rank among the many 10 hottest automobiles for any era, exhibiting deterrents like too few public charging stations and higher-than-average car prices are nonetheless main barriers to EV adoption.
Regardless of the hype, self-driving automobiles won’t be the subsequent large factor. In an Insurify survey, 28% of Gen Z-ers mentioned they don’t like the thought of giving management of their car over to know-how. One other 17% mentioned they’d by no means purchase one as a result of they love driving.
That mentioned, driver help know-how, like lane-keeping help, is nearly customary in new automobiles, and people programs will change into extra subtle over time.
New know-how doesn’t simply profit younger drivers, says Beneke. “Tech is extra international to [Boomers], however most are prepared to embrace any superior know-how options that may improve their consolation and make their driving expertise simpler.” Help options like collision sensors and emergency braking “will help forestall accidents and make driving much less demanding for older drivers.”
Automotive producers aren’t mandated to have facet airbags, however practically each model contains them to fulfill federal facet safety necessities as a result of they scale back the danger of dying in driver-side crashes by 37%, in response to the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security. Drivers may see an identical discount in site visitors fatalities as automakers introduce smarter options.
Methodology
Insurify analyzed the speed of automotive possession per era by model and by mannequin from greater than 4.5 million buyer purposes made within the Insurify database between Jan. 1, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024, in the USA.
Insurify adopted the Pew Analysis Middle’s definition to categorize 4 generations in response to their yr of delivery:
-
Child boomers: 1946–1964
-
Era X: 1965–1980
-
Millennials: 1981–1996
-
Era Z: 1997–2012
Our knowledge science crew ranked the favored makes and fashions by era, each nationally and by U.S. state. Insurify additionally remoted the automotive mannequin with probably the most uniquely well-liked possession per era, based mostly on a mannequin having the very best price of possession amongst a era vs. the nationwide common for that mannequin.Go to Insurify’s Auto Insurance Data Center to view or obtain extra automotive insurance coverage knowledge.
