Gen Z is turning away from the family SUV and choosing the humble sedan instead. A September analysis by insurance-comparison site Compare.com of more than 58 million auto insurance rate quotes found that eight of Gen Z's 10 most commonly driven models were sedans. The list was led by the Honda Civic, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The only other two models were full-size pickups — the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado. No SUV made the list.
This shift matters because it goes against what American carmakers have spent years building. Ford and GM are now reconsidering the sedan, a category they had largely given up on.
Gen Z Car Choices: Sedans Dominate Top 10 List
The Compare.com data shows a clear pattern across generations. The younger the generation, the deeper its apparent love for sedans, while SUVs steadily slide down the rankings. Six of millennials' top 10 models were also sedans, showing the preference is not limited to the youngest buyers.
Every generation of Americans seems to have a problem with the family car that came before it. Station wagons gave way to minivans, which eventually surrendered American driveways to SUVs. Now it may be Gen Z's turn to turn up its nose at the family SUV.
Why Ford and GM Are Rethinking the Sedan
For years, U.S. carmakers leaned heavily on SUVs and trucks, which carry higher prices and bigger profit margins. Sedans were pushed to the side. But if younger buyers keep choosing sedans, that decision looks less wise.
The data suggests the next wave of car buyers may not want the large family vehicles that dominate showrooms today. Ford and GM are reconsidering their place in the sedan market as a result.
- Eight of Gen Z's top 10 most-driven models are sedans
- The Honda Civic, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry lead the list
- No SUV appears in Gen Z's top 10
- Six of millennials' top 10 models are also sedans
Our Take: Carmakers Should Listen to Younger Buyers
In our view, this is a simple story about supply and demand. Carmakers chased SUV profits and left the sedan behind. Now the data shows the youngest buyers want exactly what was taken away. To put it plainly, ignoring Gen Z's taste is a business risk, not a smart bet.
The lesson for Ford, GM and others is clear: the family SUV is not the automatic choice for every generation. If sedans are what younger drivers actually buy, bringing them back is not nostalgia — it is following the money.
For readers, this means more choice in the showroom ahead. If Gen Z keeps buying sedans, carmakers will have to respond with affordable, efficient cars again. That is good news for buyers who never wanted a big SUV in the first place.
