Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, has distinct preferences when it comes to cars. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z prioritizes fuel efficiency, affordability, and advanced technology. This generation is also more environmentally conscious, often choosing smaller, more efficient vehicles over larger, gas-guzzling ones.
As a result, the most popular cars among Gen Z in 2024 reflect these values, with a strong preference for hybrid and electric models, as well as compact and midsize sedans.
Brands like Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai dominate the list, thanks to their reputation for reliability and eco-friendly options.
This shift in car preferences highlights the changing world of the automotive industry, as manufacturers adapt to meet the demands of a younger, more environmentally aware demographic.
1. Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 continues to be a favorite among Gen Z due to its blend of affordability, cutting-edge technology, and eco-friendly credentials. As an all-electric sedan, the Model 3 offers zero emissions driving, aligning perfectly with the environmentally conscious values of Generation Z. The 2024 model boasts an impressive range of up to 353 miles on a single charge, making it practical for both city commutes and longer journeys.
One of the standout features of the Model 3 is its advanced Autopilot capabilities. This semi-autonomous driving system includes features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic lane-keeping, and self-parking, providing a look into the future of transportation.
The minimalist interior design is dominated by a large central touchscreen that controls almost all vehicle functions, from navigation to climate control, creating a tech-forward driving experience that resonates with Gen Z’s digital lifestyle.
Performance-wise, the Model 3 does not disappoint. The Long Range version can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds, while the Performance model achieves this in an exhilarating 3.1 seconds. The car’s low center of gravity, due to its battery placement, ensures excellent handling and stability, making it fun to drive on winding roads.
Inside, the Model 3 offers a spacious and comfortable cabin with premium materials and ample legroom for passengers. The glass roof adds to the sense of openness, enhancing the driving experience. Tesla’s over-the-air software updates mean that the car can receive new features and improvements without needing to visit a dealership, another aspect that appeals to tech-savvy Gen Z buyers.
The Tesla Model 3’s combination of sustainability, advanced technology, and impressive performance makes it a top choice among Gen Z in 2024. Its alignment with the values and lifestyle of this generation ensures its continued popularity.
2. Toyota Corolla Hybrid
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is a popular choice among Gen Z for its blend of fuel efficiency, affordability, and reliability. As a hybrid vehicle, the Corolla Hybrid offers the benefits of both gasoline and electric power, making it an eco-friendly option that appeals to environmentally conscious young drivers. The 2024 model boasts impressive fuel economy, with an estimated 53 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway, helping Gen Z save money on fuel costs.
Under the hood, the Corolla Hybrid features a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 121 horsepower. While it may not be the fastest car on the road, its smooth and quiet ride makes it ideal for daily commuting and city driving. The regenerative braking system helps to recharge the battery while driving, further enhancing its efficiency.
Inside, the Corolla Hybrid offers a comfortable and well-designed cabin with high-quality materials and modern amenities. The interior includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, ensuring seamless connectivity for drivers and passengers. The spacious layout provides ample legroom for both front and rear passengers, making it a practical choice for young drivers who often carpool with friends.
Safety is a top priority for Toyota, and the Corolla Hybrid comes equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of advanced safety features. These include adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, providing peace of mind for Gen Z drivers and their families.
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid’s combination of fuel efficiency, affordability, and advanced safety features makes it a popular choice among Gen Z in 2024. Its blend of practicality and eco-friendliness ensures that it remains a top pick for young drivers.
3. Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has long been a favorite among young drivers, and the 2024 model continues to appeal to Gen Z with its combination of reliability, fuel efficiency, and modern design. The Civic is available in both sedan and hatchback variants, providing versatility and options for different preferences. Its reputation for longevity and low maintenance costs makes it an attractive choice for budget-conscious Gen Z buyers.
Under the hood, the 2024 Honda Civic offers a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 180 horsepower. These engines deliver a smooth and responsive driving experience, with the turbocharged option providing a bit more excitement for those who enjoy spirited driving. The Civic’s excellent fuel economy, with estimates of up to 42 mpg on the highway, helps young drivers save money on fuel costs.
Inside, the Civic features a modern and spacious cabin with high-quality materials and advanced technology. The interior includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which can be upgraded to a 9-inch screen in higher trims. Both options come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, ensuring seamless connectivity for drivers and passengers. The Civic’s ergonomic design and comfortable seating provide a pleasant driving experience, whether for daily commutes or longer road trips.
Safety is a key focus for Honda, and the Civic comes equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features. These include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and a collision mitigation braking system, providing peace of mind for Gen Z drivers and their families.
The Honda Civic’s combination of reliability, fuel efficiency, and advanced safety features makes it a popular choice among Gen Z in 2024. Its blend of practicality and modern design ensures that it remains a top pick for young drivers.
4. Hyundai Kona Electric
The Hyundai Kona Electric is a compact electric SUV that has quickly become a favorite among Gen Z for its stylish design, advanced technology, and eco-friendly performance. The 2024 Kona Electric offers an impressive range of up to 258 miles on a single charge, making it a practical choice for both city commuting and longer trips. Its zero-emissions driving aligns perfectly with the environmentally conscious values of Generation Z.
Under the hood, the Kona Electric is powered by a 150 kW electric motor that produces 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. This setup provides brisk acceleration and a smooth, quiet ride, making it enjoyable to drive.
The car’s low center of gravity, due to its battery placement, ensures excellent handling and stability, even on winding roads. The Kona Electric also supports fast charging, allowing drivers to recharge up to 80% of the battery in just 54 minutes at a DC fast charging station.
Inside, the Kona Electric features a modern and well-appointed cabin with high-quality materials and advanced technology. The interior includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, ensuring seamless connectivity for drivers and passengers. The car also offers a digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, and a premium sound system, enhancing the driving experience.
Safety is a top priority for Hyundai, and the Kona Electric comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features. These include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking, providing peace of mind for Gen Z drivers and their families.
The Hyundai Kona Electric’s combination of stylish design, advanced technology, and eco-friendly performance makes it a popular choice among Gen Z in 2024. Its blend of practicality and sustainability ensures that it remains a top pick for young drivers seeking an electric vehicle.
5. Kia Soul
The Kia Soul is a distinctive and practical compact crossover that has captured the attention of Gen Z with its quirky design, spacious interior, and advanced features. The 2024 Kia Soul continues to build on its reputation for versatility and value, making it an appealing choice for young drivers who want a vehicle that stands out from the crowd.
Under the hood, the 2024 Kia Soul offers a choice of two engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 201 horsepower.
These engines provide a smooth and efficient driving experience, with the turbocharged option delivering a bit more excitement for those who enjoy spirited driving. The Soul’s excellent fuel economy, with estimates of up to 33 mpg on the highway, helps young drivers save money on fuel costs.
Inside, the Kia Soul features a spacious and modern cabin with high-quality materials and a user-friendly layout. The interior includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which can be upgraded to a 10.25-inch screen in higher trims.
Both options come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, ensuring seamless connectivity for drivers and passengers. The Soul’s boxy shape provides ample headroom and legroom for passengers, as well as a generous cargo area, making it a practical choice for daily use and road trips.
Safety is a key focus for Kia, and the Soul comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features. These include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a rearview camera, providing peace of mind for Gen Z drivers and their families.
The Kia Soul’s combination of unique design, spacious interior, and advanced features makes it a popular choice among Gen Z in 2024. Its blend of practicality and personality ensures that it remains a top pick for young drivers seeking a distinctive and versatile vehicle.
6. Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is an all-electric SUV that brings the iconic Mustang nameplate into the electric era, and it has quickly become a favorite among Gen Z. The 2024 Mach-E combines thrilling performance with modern technology and a stylish design, making it an appealing choice for young drivers who want an electric vehicle with a sporty edge.
Under the hood, the Mach-E is available in multiple configurations, including a standard-range and extended-range battery option, as well as rear wheel drive and all-wheel-drive variants.
The top-performance model, the Mach-E GT, delivers up to 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. The Mach-E offers an impressive range of up to 300 miles on a single charge, making it suitable for long-distance travel and daily commutes.
Inside, the Mach-E features a modern and spacious cabin with high-quality materials and cutting-edge technology. The interior includes a large vertical touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, and a premium sound system. The Mach-E also offers ample cargo space and flexible seating arrangements, making it a practical choice for families and adventurers.
The exterior design of the Mach-E is both bold and aerodynamic, with a distinctive front grille, sleek lines, and Mustang-inspired elements such as the iconic tri-bar taillights. The SUV’s design not only enhances its visual appeal but also contributes to its performance and efficiency.
Safety is a top priority for Ford, and the Mach-E is equipped with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced safety features. These include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera system, providing a safe and confident driving experience.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E’s combination of sporty performance, advanced technology, and stylish design makes it a popular choice among Gen Z in 2024. Its blend of heritage and innovation ensures that it will appeal to a wide range of buyers.
7. Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is one of the best-selling electric cars globally, and it remains a popular choice among Gen Z for its affordability, practicality, and zero-emissions driving. The 2024 Leaf continues to offer excellent value for young drivers who prioritize sustainability and cost savings.
Under the hood, the Leaf features an electric motor that produces 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque in the standard model, while the Leaf Plus variant offers 214 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque.
The Leaf provides a smooth and quiet driving experience, with instant torque and responsive acceleration. The standard model offers a range of up to 149 miles on a single charge, while the Leaf Plus extends this range to up to 226 miles, making it suitable for a variety of driving needs.
The Nissan Leaf offers a comfortable and practical cabin with modern amenities and advanced technology. The interior includes an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, ensuring seamless connectivity for drivers and passengers. The spacious layout provides ample legroom for both front and rear passengers, and the cargo area is generous for a compact car, making it ideal for daily use and road trips.
Safety is a key focus for Nissan, and the Leaf comes equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of advanced safety features. These include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and high-beam assist, providing peace of mind for Gen Z drivers and their families.
The Nissan Leaf’s combination of affordability, practicality, and zero-emissions driving makes it a popular choice among Gen Z in 2024. Its blend of advanced technology and eco-friendliness ensures that it remains a top pick for young drivers seeking an electric vehicle.
8. Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius has long been a symbol of fuel efficiency and eco-friendly driving, making it a popular choice among Gen Z in 2024. The Prius is known for its hybrid powertrain, which combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor to deliver excellent fuel economy and low emissions.
Under the hood, the 2024 Prius features a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 121 horsepower. This powertrain provides a smooth and efficient driving experience, with an estimated fuel economy of 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway.
The Prius also offers regenerative braking, which helps to recharge the battery while driving and further enhances its efficiency. The Prius offers a comfortable and well-designed cabin with high-quality materials and modern amenities.
The interior includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, ensuring seamless connectivity for drivers and passengers. The spacious layout provides ample legroom for both front and rear passengers, making it a practical choice for daily commutes and longer trips.
Safety is a top priority for Toyota, and the Prius comes equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of advanced safety features. These include adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, providing peace of mind for Gen Z drivers and their families.
The exterior design of the Prius is both sleek and aerodynamic, with distinctive lines and a modern look that sets it apart from other hybrids. The car’s low drag coefficient enhances its fuel efficiency and contributes to its performance.
The Toyota Prius’s combination of fuel efficiency, advanced safety features, and eco-friendly design makes it a popular choice among Gen Z in 2024. Its blend of practicality and sustainability ensures that it remains a top pick for young drivers seeking a hybrid vehicle.
9. Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is a versatile and practical subcompact car that has captured the attention of Gen Z with its spacious interior, fuel efficiency, and reliability. The 2024 Honda Fit continues to build on its reputation for offering excellent value and practicality in a small package.
Under the hood, the 2024 Fit is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 130 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides a peppy and efficient driving experience, with an estimated fuel economy of up to 40 mpg on the highway. The Fit’s compact size and agile handling make it ideal for going through crowded city streets and tight parking spaces.
The Honda Fit offers a surprisingly spacious and well-designed cabin with high-quality materials and modern amenities. The interior includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, ensuring seamless connectivity for drivers and passengers.
One of the standout features of the Fit is its Magic Seat, which allows the rear seats to be configured in multiple ways to accommodate different types of cargo, from tall items to bulky gear.
Safety is a key focus for Honda, and the Fit comes equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features. These include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and a collision mitigation braking system, providing peace of mind for Gen Z drivers and their families.
The exterior design of the Fit is both stylish and functional, with a sporty look that appeals to young drivers. The car’s compact dimensions and wide stance give it a dynamic and agile appearance, while its practical design ensures that it can handle a variety of driving needs.
The Honda Fit’s combination of versatility, fuel efficiency, and advanced safety features makes it a popular choice among Gen Z in 2024. Its blend of practicality and modern design ensures that it remains a top pick for young drivers seeking a subcompact car.
10. Chevrolet Bolt EV
The Chevrolet Bolt EV is a popular choice among Gen Z for its affordability, practicality, and impressive electric performance. The 2024 Bolt EV offers excellent value for young drivers who prioritize sustainability and cost savings without compromising on technology and range.
Under the hood, the Bolt EV is powered by a single electric motor that produces 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. This setup provides brisk acceleration and a smooth, quiet driving experience, making it enjoyable to drive.
The Bolt EV offers an impressive range of up to 259 miles on a single charge, making it suitable for both city commuting and longer trips. The car also supports fast charging, allowing drivers to recharge up to 100 miles of range in just 30 minutes at a DC fast charging station.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV features a spacious and modern cabin with high-quality materials and advanced technology. The interior includes a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, ensuring seamless connectivity for drivers and passengers.
The Bolt EV also offers a digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, and a premium sound system, enhancing the driving experience. Safety is a top priority for Chevrolet, and the Bolt EV comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features.
These include automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a rearview camera, providing peace of mind for Gen Z drivers and their families.
The exterior design of the Bolt EV is both sleek and practical, with a modern look that sets it apart from other electric vehicles. The car’s compact size and aerodynamic shape contribute to its efficiency and performance.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV’s combination of affordability, impressive range, and advanced technology makes it a popular choice among Gen Z in 2024. Its blend of practicality and eco-friendliness ensures that it remains a top pick for young drivers seeking an electric vehicle.
