The Most Well-liked Vehicles by Era, From Zoomers to Boomers (2024) | Insurify

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• Gen Z prefers smaller vehicles 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 vehicles 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 prime 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 essentially the most for car insurance, at $246 per thirty days for full protection in 2023, and boomers pay the least, at $134. Premiums are according to 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 gasoline economic 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 vehicles reveal a key distinction in preferences.

Boomers choose greater vehicles 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 vehicles 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 vehicles 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, based on U.S. Census Bureau information. By 2020, 80% of the inhabitants have been city residents. Younger drivers may choose smaller vehicles as a result of they’re simpler to navigate round metropolis streets.

Smaller vehicles are additionally extra economical in congested metropolis 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, based on 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 economic system,” stated 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 considerations could sway youthful drivers towards extra fuel-efficient vehicles. Eighty-five % of People 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 People aged 65 and older stated the identical.

People of all ages embrace international vehicles

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 also 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 “Large Three” U.S. automotive producers — Ford, Common Motors (GM), and Stellantis (previously Chrysler) — dominated the American auto trade for the primary half of the twentieth century. In 1963, imported vehicles 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 Large Three, making imports a cheap possibility. Provided 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 recognition.

As we speak, the Large Three characterize simply 38% of the U.S. market share, based on 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 on condition that Detroit is the central hub for the Large Three automakers.

The automotive each era loves greater than some other

Insurify’s information science staff recognized the autos which might 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 essentially the most stand-out signature car. They’re 298% extra more likely to personal the Mercedes Benz SL-Class than the common driver. The sporty two-seater may not be sensible for youthful drivers who must accommodate automotive 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 light because the SUV growth of the ‘90s. The era is 94% extra probably than common to personal a Hummer H2. The total-size SUV has all of the options Beneke says Gen X patrons worth essentially the most: efficiency, model, 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. Find it irresistible or hate it, the tank-like Hummer H2 additionally has a particular model.

Millennials personal the Kia Carnival at a 71% larger price than some 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 dad and mom with school-aged youngsters.

Gen Z, however, 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 gentle coupe maintains velocity and handles nicely 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 vehicles 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 vehicles and are sensible in cramped East Coast cities or stop-and-go Los Angeles 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 inclined to choose smaller vehicles than Boomers.

Gen Z “values essentially 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 some other model in 33 states — essentially the most of any era. They lean towards the Silverado and Malibu fashions, their seventh and tenth favourite autos.

“Millennials have a robust give attention to gasoline 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 know-how, leisure and navigation programs, affordability (with a base value of $25,100), and a mixed gasoline 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 vehicles. Toyota is Millennials’ most-owned model in seven states, and Honda is the most well-liked in 5.

Chevrolet is Gen X’s favourite automotive producer in 28 states

Chevrolet vehicles 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 recognition amongst Boomers.

Gen X prioritizes superior security options and gravitates towards fuel-efficient autos — however these aren’t their major considerations, says Beneke. Whereas Gen X is open to hybrid or electrical autos (EVs), their age group “typically prefers efficiency, model, and luxury of their autos.”The recognition of crossover SUVs elevated dramatically via the ‘90s and early 00s, based on the 2023 EPA Automotive Traits report. Gen X remains to be gravitating towards these roomier autos. The Chevrolet Equinox ranks as their ninth most-driven mannequin.

Boomers love American-made manufacturers essentially 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 popularity 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.

Count on extra tech options and low-emissions vehicles as demographics change

As Gen Z makes up extra of the car-buyer market, producers will probably cater extra to their tastes. Large SUVs and pickups have fallen out of favor with Gen Z, who prize gasoline effectivity. Automobile 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 present rank among the many 10 hottest vehicles 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 vehicles may not be the following massive factor. In an Insurify survey, 28% of Gen Z-ers stated they don’t like the thought of giving management of their car over to know-how. One other 17% stated they’d by no means purchase one as a result of they love driving.

That stated, driver help know-how, like lane-keeping help, is nearly commonplace in new autos, and people programs will grow to be extra refined over time.

New know-how doesn’t simply profit younger drivers, says Beneke. “Tech is extra international to [Boomers], however most are keen to embrace any superior know-how options that can improve their consolation and make their driving expertise simpler.” Help options like collision sensors and emergency braking “may also help forestall accidents and make driving much less worrying for older drivers.”

Automobile producers aren’t mandated to have aspect airbags, however practically each model consists of them to fulfill federal aspect safety necessities as a result of they scale back the danger of loss of life in driver-side crashes by 37%, based on the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security. Drivers might see the same discount in 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 functions made within the Insurify database between Jan. 1, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024, in america.

Insurify adopted the Pew Analysis Middle’s definition to categorize 4 generations based on their yr of start:

• Child boomers: 1946–1964

• Era X: 1965–1980

• Millennials: 1981–1996

• Era 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 automotive mannequin with essentially the most uniquely well-liked possession per era, primarily based on a mannequin having the 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 information.