Varied car preferences across generations
Different generations, different cars. From baby boomers to millennials, car shopping preferences reveal unique insights. We take a look into what these generational groups seek when purchasing their vehicles.
Car preferences vary significantly among different generations, with each group having its own distinct needs and desires when it comes to their automobiles. Whether it’s a baby boomer granddad cruising in a sporty open-top cabriolet or a tech-savvy millennial granddaughter opting for a practical sedan, our generation influences our car choices. Let’s delve into the fascinating insights from AutoTrader’s data on car advert views for baby boomers, gen X and millennials.
Baby boomers
Data indicates that baby boomers, aged between 59 and 77, tend to favour high-riding SUVs. SUVs represent 24.17% of their body type advert views, followed by hatchbacks at 20.2% and sedans at 17.5%. Baby boomer car shopping often aligns with the traditional approach – visiting dealerships in person.
Millennials
The tech-savvy millennials, aged 27 to 42, are more inclined to explore cars online. This generation accounts for a significant 65% of body type views, compared to 18.1% by gen Xers and 16.8% by baby boomers. Surprisingly, millennials seem open to trading in an SUV for the exhilarating experience of a cabriolet, as cabriolets account for 22.7% of their body type views, just behind SUVs at 24.17%, while hatchbacks gather 20.6% of views.
Gen X
Gen Xers, aged 43 to 58, find themselves in the middle of these two generational groups. Like baby boomers, cabriolets are at the bottom of their car shopping list. Their body-type views mirror those of baby boomers (SUVs, hatchbacks, and sedans), with views at 35%, 20.8% and 17.5% respectively.
Despite the age differences, some car preferences remain consistent. Across the generations, SUVs maintain their popularity. Petrol-powered cars also take precedence, outnumbering views for diesel vehicles. Millennials, however, display more interest in hybrids and electric vehicles compared to their older counterparts.
Interestingly, across all three generations, double-cab bakkies and coupes seem to be less appealing compared to the more budget-friendly sedan.
One notable consensus among these generations in South Africa is the price point. Regardless of age, the most viewed price bracket falls at R299 900. This pricing sweet spot could be indicative of economic conditions or the state of the used car market.
Source: Nikki Chennells Photos: Caxton Library
