These Are The Most Popular Cars For Every Generation in 2024
Written by
Chris Adam
Edited by
Nicholas Morine
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
If you’ve recently talked to friends and family members, especially those from different age groups, about vehicles — you may have noticed trends in opinions held by members of different generations, whether it’s about the sticker price or the value of buying new versus used.
Given these disparities, here’s a look at the most popular cars for every generation in 2024, according to Insurify.
Boomer
- Ford F-Series Pickup
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Corolla
- Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Nissan Altima
- Ford Escape
- Nissan Rogue
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Honda CR-V
Gen X
- Ford F-Series Pickup
- Toyota Camry
- Honda Accord
- Nissan Altima
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Toyota Corolla
- Honda Civic
- Hyundai Elantra
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Chevrolet Malibu
Millennial
- Honda Accord
- Nissan Altima
- Toyota Camry
- Honda Civic
- Toyota Corolla
- F-Series Pickup
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Hyundai Elantra
- Hyundai Sonata
- Chevrolet Silverado
Gen Z
- Honda Civic
- Honda Accord
- Toyota Camry
- Nissan Altima
- Toyota Corolla
- Hyundai Elantra
- Hyundai Sonata
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Ford Fusion
- Nissan Sentra
Behind the Rankings
To determine the most popular cars for each generation, Insurify looked at the rate of ownership attached to that generation’s drivers. According to Insurify, “Some car models, like the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, are popular across all age groups, but when broken down by generation, the 10 most-driven cars reveal a key difference in preferences.”
Differences Between Generations
The Ford F-Series pickup truck continues to be quite popular. According to The Zebra, “Over the past 40 years, no model has sold more than the Ford F-Series, which has topped the list of best sellers 34 years in a row starting in 1985.”
Based on the data, older generations prefer spacious vehicles, while Gen Z likes fuel-efficient cars. Boomers, in particular, are looking for reliability and comfort. On the other hand, millennials like a mix of tech, comfort and affordability.
It may be no surprise, but there are a few cars that are specifically appreciated by one generation. For instance, Boomers own the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class model 298% more than the average rate. Gen Z loves the Toyota GR86 sports car much more than average.
Foreign Car Favorites
Here’s another interesting note: Foreign cars are popular across generations.
According to the data:
- Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Hyundai are found in the 10 most popular models across all age groups.
- The “Big Three” American car manufacturers — Ford, General Motors and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler) — represent only 38% of the U.S. market share.
- One reason for the success of foreign cars is their fuel efficiency and compact sizes.
A Lack of Electric Vehicles
You may have noticed that electric vehicles don’t currently rank among the 10 most popular cars for any generation. Fewer drivers have been embracing EVs because of higher prices and a lack of charging stations.
A Focus on Safety
Based on the data, you might want to prepare to see more tech features and low-emission vehicles in the future. The younger generations seem to prefer these properties in their vehicles.
Speaking of safety and tech features, it’s not just the younger drivers who are embracing them. Based on the responses in the data, boomers and members of other generations are willing and sometimes excited to embrace tech that will make their driving safer and easier.
More From GOBankingRates
