Automotive preferences can say loads about somebody’s way of life, and every era has a number of options they favor. Older generations like spacious autos, whereas Technology Z gravitates towards fuel-efficient automobiles. Millennials, a lot of whom have school-aged youngsters, like slightly little bit of every little thing — expertise, consolation, and affordability. The information science staff at Insurify ranked every era’s most-owned automobile model and mannequin, nationally and by state, based mostly on greater than 4.5 million automobile insurance coverage functions from Insurify’s database over the previous 12 months.
The information reveals an attention-grabbing shift in what drivers worth of their autos and gives hints about what future cars would possibly appear to be.
Fast Information
-
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 Technology 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 prime 10 automobile fashions for each era.
-
Chevrolet is among the many three hottest automobile manufacturers for each era and ranks No. 1 for Gen X and millennials.
-
Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota symbolize 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 thirty days for full protection in 2023, and boomers pay the least, at $134. Premiums are in step with danger charges, as youthful drivers lack expertise on the street and insurers usually cost them extra in consequence.
Gen X and boomers choose greater autos, whereas Gen Z is extra involved with gas economic system
Some automobile fashions, just like the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, are fashionable throughout all age teams, however when damaged down by era, the ten most-driven automobiles reveal a key distinction in preferences.
Boomers choose greater automobiles than youthful drivers, with SUVs or pickup vehicles comprising 5 of their 10 most-driven fashions. Gen X isn’t far behind, with three of their prime 10 automobiles in the identical classes, however millennials’ favorites embrace simply two pickup vehicles. Gen Z’s prime 10 included none.
Boomers and Gen X share the identical prime two autos: 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 prime 10.
In 1960 — two years earlier than the oldest child boomers turned driving age — about 70% of People lived in city areas, in response to U.S. Census Bureau information. By 2020, 80% of the inhabitants have been city residents. Younger drivers would possibly choose 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 automobile, the Honda Civic, will get 33 mixed miles per gallon with a two-liter V4 engine.
“The youthful generations are much more involved about gas economic system,” stated Mark Beneke, proprietor of Fresno-based automobile dealership Westland Auto Sales. “Child boomers deal with reliability and luxury most. Gas effectivity is nowhere close to the highest of their necessities.”
Environmental considerations could sway youthful drivers towards extra fuel-efficient automobiles. Eighty-five % of People ages 18–29 suppose 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 People aged 65 and older stated the identical.
People of all ages embrace international automobiles
Overseas automobile producers are fashionable throughout generations. Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia are represented within the 10 hottest manufacturers throughout all age teams. Gen Z’s No. 1 automobile 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 prime 10. Equally, boomers are the one age group with the German-made Mercedes-Benz amongst its most-driven manufacturers.
The “Huge Three” U.S. automobile producers — Ford, Normal Motors (GM), and Stellantis (previously Chrysler) — dominated the American auto trade 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 autos than the Huge Three, making imports a cost-effective choice. On condition that the surge in imports coincided with the 1973 oil embargo and the ensuing fuel worth explosion, it’s straightforward to see why these manufacturers discovered recognition.
Immediately, the Huge Three symbolize simply 38% of the U.S. market share, in response to automotive info platform MarkLines.2
Drivers in some states nonetheless favor home autos. U.S. producers make practically 80% of vehicles in Michigan — an unsurprising determine provided that Detroit is the central hub for the Huge Three automakers.
The automobile each era loves greater than every other
Insurify’s information science staff recognized the autos which are uniquely fashionable amongst sure age teams by evaluating every era’s possession charge for various fashions towards the nationwide common for that automobile.
Child boomers have probably the most stand-out signature automobile. They’re 298% extra more likely to personal the Mercedes Benz SL-Class than the typical driver. The sporty two-seater may not be sensible for youthful drivers who must accommodate automobile seats and youngsters, however boomers behind the wheel of this high-performance convertible live it up throughout retirement.
Gen X’s love of sports activities utility autos hasn’t pale because the 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, type, and luxury.
The H2’s off-roading capabilities and 7,000-pound towing capability present the efficiency Gen X is in search of, and the inside is spacious and comfy. Find it irresistible or hate it, the tank-like Hummer H2 additionally has a particular type.
Millennials personal the Kia Carnival at a 71% increased charge than every other age group. The Carnival is extra trendy than most minivans, and the three-row inside, tech options, and infotainment system are engaging to millennial mother and father with school-aged youngsters.
Gen Z, however, prefers a much less sensible automobile. The Toyota GR86 begins at about $30,000. The engine isn’t exceptionally highly effective for a sports activities automobile, however the gentle coupe maintains velocity and handles effectively on curvy roads. The folding backseat is cramped, however area is much less of a priority for the Gen Z-ers who don’t have youngsters 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 choose Honda, and West Coasters lean towards Toyota.
Reasonably priced, fuel-efficient fashions just like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry prime 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 fashionable mannequin amongst zoomers, who are likely to choose smaller automobiles than Boomers.
Gen Z “values probably the most superior tech,” no matter their most well-liked model. Leisure packages, backup cameras, and assisted parking are the options zoomers search for most, says Beneke.
Millennials in 33 states choose Chevrolet
Millennials purchase Chevrolets greater than every other model in 33 states — probably the most of any era. They lean towards the Silverado and Malibu fashions, their seventh and tenth favourite autos.
“Millennials have a robust deal with gas effectivity, affordability, and tech,” says Beneke. Leisure packages and assisted parking are a plus for Millennials, however they like “autos that stability every little thing collectively.”
The Chevy Malibu balances Millennials’ most sought-after options, together with driver help expertise, leisure and navigation techniques, affordability (with a base worth of $25,100), and a mixed gas economic system of 31 mpg.
Millennials, like coastal Gen Z-ers, favor Toyota on the West Coast and Honda on the East Coast — manufacturers recognized for his or her smart, compact, fuel-efficient automobiles. Toyota is Millennials’ most-owned model in seven states, and Honda is the most well-liked in 5.
Chevrolet is Gen X’s favourite automobile producer in 28 states
Chevrolet automobiles are practically as fashionable 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 recognition amongst Boomers.
Gen X prioritizes superior security options and gravitates towards fuel-efficient autos — however these aren’t their main considerations, says Beneke. Whereas Gen X is open to hybrid or electrical autos (EVs), their age group “typically prefers efficiency, type, and luxury of their autos.”The recognition of crossover SUVs elevated dramatically by means of the ‘90s and early 00s, in response to the 2023 EPA Automotive Developments report. Gen X continues to be gravitating towards these roomier autos. 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 comfy seating, highly effective motors, and luxurious options of their autos, says Beneke.
Ford’s all-American fame could increase its recognition with Boomers. Half of U.S. adults aged 55 and older say they’re extraordinarily proud to be People, 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 gas effectivity. Automotive manufacturers recognized for his or her heavy-duty gas-powered autos, like Chevrolet and Ford, not too long ago launched extra EVs, together with the Chevy Bolt and Ford F-150 Lightning.
However EVs don’t at the moment rank among the many 10 hottest automobiles for any era, displaying deterrents like too few public charging stations and higher-than-average automobile prices are nonetheless main barriers to EV adoption.
Regardless of the hype, self-driving automobiles may not be the following large factor. In an Insurify survey, 28% of Gen Z-ers stated they don’t like the thought of giving management of their automobile over to expertise. One other 17% stated they’d by no means purchase one as a result of they love driving.
That stated, driver help expertise, like lane-keeping help, is sort of normal in new autos, and people techniques will turn into extra refined over time.
New expertise doesn’t simply profit younger drivers, says Beneke. “Tech is extra international to [Boomers], however most are prepared to embrace any superior expertise options that may enhance their consolation and make their driving expertise simpler.” Help options like collision sensors and emergency braking “might help forestall accidents and make driving much less tense for older drivers.”
Automotive producers aren’t mandated to have facet airbags, however practically each model contains them to satisfy federal facet safety necessities as a result of they cut back the danger of demise in driver-side crashes by 37%, in response to the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security. Drivers may see an analogous discount in site visitors fatalities as automakers introduce smarter options.
Methodology
Insurify analyzed the speed of automobile possession per era by model and by mannequin from greater than 4.5 million buyer functions made within the Insurify database between Jan. 1, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024, in america.
Insurify adopted the Pew Analysis Heart’s definition to categorize 4 generations in response to their 12 months of start:
-
Child boomers: 1946–1964
-
Technology X: 1965–1980
-
Millennials: 1981–1996
-
Technology Z: 1997–2012
Our information science staff ranked the favored makes and fashions by era, each nationally and by U.S. state. Insurify additionally remoted the automobile mannequin with probably the most uniquely fashionable possession per era, based mostly on a mannequin having the very best charge 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 automobile insurance coverage information.
