In the 1980s and 1990s, older drivers had a clear preference for beefy American sedans like the Ford LTD, Chevy Caprice, and Lincoln Town Car. Today, however, it’s not as easy to pinpoint the cars liked by older drivers. According to a recent study by Insurify, some models are popular across all age groups.
The Ford F-Series pickup is the most popular vehicle among Baby Boomers, and it also ranks highly among Gen X-ers. In fact, several models made it onto the top ten lists for both generations, including the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Corolla. Meanwhile, Chevrolet had cars in the top three for every generation and was particularly popular among Millennials and Gen X.
Interestingly, the study found that Boomers still appreciate larger vehicles more than younger generations. Trucks and SUVs made up half of the top ten models for Boomers, while Millennials only included two trucks on their list, and Gen Z had none. Insurify attributes this trend to the younger generations’ concerns about the environment and fuel economy. Mark Beneke, owner of Westland Auto Sales, explains that younger generations are more focused on fuel economy, while Boomers prioritize reliability and comfort.
This aligns with the data from a 2023 Pew Research poll, which found that 85% of Americans between 18 and 29 years old believe that climate change will require them to make sacrifices in the future. In contrast, only 61% of people aged 65 and older share the same concern.
In conclusion, the preferences of older drivers have evolved over time. While larger vehicles still hold appeal for Boomers, younger generations are more conscious of environmental factors like fuel economy. This divergence in preferences reflects the different priorities and values of each generation.