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

Fast Info

• Gen Z prefers smaller automobiles than prior generations. The Honda Civic is their most-owned mannequin, pushed by 5.05% of the technology.

• 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-Collection 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 technology.

• Chevrolet is among the many three hottest automotive manufacturers for each technology 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 consistent with threat charges, as youthful drivers lack expertise on the street and insurers typically cost them extra in consequence.

Gen X and boomers want greater autos, whereas Gen Z is extra involved with gasoline economic system

Some automotive fashions, just like the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, are fashionable throughout all age teams, however when damaged down by technology, the ten most-driven automobiles reveal a key distinction in preferences.

Boomers want greater 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 prime 10 automobiles in the identical classes, however millennials’ favorites embody simply two pickup vans. Gen Z’s prime 10 included none.

Boomers and Gen X share the identical prime two autos: the Ford F-Collection 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 keeping with U.S. Census Bureau knowledge. By 2020, 80% of the inhabitants had been city residents. Younger drivers may want smaller automobiles as a result of they’re simpler to navigate round metropolis streets.

Smaller automobiles 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, in keeping with 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,” mentioned Mark Beneke, proprietor of Fresno-based automotive dealership Westland Auto Sales. “Child boomers give attention to reliability and luxury most. Gasoline effectivity is nowhere close to the highest of their necessities.”

Environmental considerations could sway youthful drivers towards extra fuel-efficient automobiles. Eighty-five p.c 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 mentioned the identical.

People of all ages embrace international automobiles

International automotive 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 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 technology 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, Basic 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 Large Three, making imports a cost-effective choice. Provided that the surge in imports coincided with the 1973 oil embargo and the ensuing fuel value explosion, it’s straightforward to see why these manufacturers discovered reputation.

Right this moment, the Large Three characterize simply 38% of the U.S. market share, in keeping with automotive info platform MarkLines.2

Drivers in some states nonetheless favor home autos. U.S. producers make almost 80% of vehicles in Michigan — an unsurprising determine provided that Detroit is the central hub for the Large Three automakers.

The automotive each technology loves greater than another

Insurify’s knowledge science workforce recognized the autos which can be uniquely fashionable amongst sure age teams by evaluating every technology’s possession charge for various fashions in opposition to the nationwide common for that automotive.

Child boomers have essentially the most stand-out signature automobile. They’re 298% extra more likely to personal the Mercedes Benz SL-Class than the common 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 autos hasn’t light for the reason that SUV increase of the ‘90s. The technology is 94% extra seemingly than common to personal a Hummer H2. The total-size SUV has all of the options Beneke says Gen X consumers worth essentially the most: efficiency, type, and luxury. 

The H2’s off-roading capabilities and 7,000-pound towing capability present the efficiency Gen X is on the lookout for, and the inside is spacious and cozy. Like it or hate it, the tank-like Hummer H2 additionally has a particular type.

Millennials personal the Kia Carnival at a 71% larger charge than another age group. The Carnival is extra fashionable than most minivans, and the three-row inside, tech options, and infotainment system are engaging to millennial mother and father with school-aged kids.

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 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 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 want Honda, and West Coasters lean towards Toyota.

Inexpensive, 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 visitors.

Gen Z-ers within the Midwest and Southwest aren’t essentially flocking to Chevrolet’s massive and highly effective Silverado. The midsize Chevrolet Malibu sedan is the eighth-most fashionable mannequin amongst zoomers, who are inclined to want smaller automobiles 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 want Chevrolet

Millennials purchase Chevrolets greater than another model in 33 states — essentially the most of any technology. They lean towards the Silverado and Malibu fashions, their seventh and tenth favourite autos.

“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 “autos that stability every part collectively.”

The Chevy Malibu balances Millennials’ most sought-after options, together with driver help know-how, leisure and navigation methods, 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 wise, 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 almost 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 reputation 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 “usually prefers efficiency, type, and luxury of their autos.”The recognition of crossover SUVs elevated dramatically by means of the ‘90s and early 00s, in keeping with the 2023 EPA Automotive Tendencies 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 essentially the most in 38 states

Boomers are the one technology that prefers Ford in most states. The American model ranks because the most-owned in 20 states. The Ford F-Collection Pickup is the technology’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 repute could enhance its reputation 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 seemingly cater extra to their tastes. Large SUVs and pickups have fallen out of favor with Gen Z, who prize gasoline effectivity. Automotive manufacturers recognized for his or her heavy-duty gas-powered autos, 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 technology, 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 won’t be the subsequent massive factor. In an Insurify survey, 28% of Gen Z-ers mentioned they don’t like the thought of giving management of their automobile 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 sort of customary in new autos, and people methods will develop into extra refined 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 enhance their consolation and make their driving expertise simpler.” Help options like collision sensors and emergency braking “can assist forestall accidents and make driving much less hectic for older drivers.”

Automotive producers aren’t mandated to have aspect airbags, however almost each model consists of them to fulfill federal aspect safety necessities as a result of they cut back the chance of dying in driver-side crashes by 37%, in keeping with the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security. Drivers might see an analogous discount in visitors fatalities as automakers introduce smarter options.

Methodology

Insurify analyzed the speed of automotive possession per technology 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 Heart’s definition to categorize 4 generations in keeping with their yr of beginning:

• Child boomers: 1946–1964

• Era X: 1965–1980

• Millennials: 1981–1996

• Era Z: 1997–2012

Our knowledge science workforce ranked the favored makes and fashions by technology, each nationally and by U.S. state. Insurify additionally remoted the automotive mannequin with essentially the most uniquely fashionable possession per technology, primarily based on a mannequin having the very best charge of possession amongst a technology vs. the nationwide common for that mannequin.Go to Insurify’s Auto Insurance Data Center to view or obtain extra automotive insurance coverage knowledge.