Toronto, Ontario — Gen Z expresses a greater interest in car culture than Baby Boomers, according to a Hagerty Insurance 2024 survey.
Specifically, the “Future of Driving” survey—which polled more than 2,000 Americans about the role that cars play in their life—noted that Gen Z expressed significant interest in vehicles at 60 percent, compared to Baby Boomers at 31 percent.
Moreover, 77 percent of Gen Z respondents said they either loved or liked driving. Respondents also shared that they have either owned or currently own a classic enthusiast vehicle, with Gen Z and Millennials coming in at 32 percent and 30 percent respectively.
Gen Z also expressed nearly equal interest in luxury cars at 23 percent as they did in SUVs at 26 percent—the most popular type of vehicle among respondents overall.
Of all respondents, surveyees reported that car owners mostly manage maintenance by taking their car to the dealership or service centre at 55 percent. Although, 27 percent said they perform DIY repairs, with Millennials being the most likely generation to do so at 34 percent.
Furthermore, according to Hagerty data, today, younger car enthusiasts are showing interest in a wide range of cars from the past four decades. This broad interest, the study said, is likely due to the increased role that social media has played, as well as other online and in-person on-ramps to the hobby.
Gen Z outlined how their exposure to classic cars is mainly through Youtube at 39 percent, Instagram at 38 percent and driving at 35 percent.
Additionally, according to Hagerty demographic data, the most common car that Gen Z enthusiasts inquire about for insurance coverage are Mazda Miatas from 1990 to 1998, while Millennials are more interested in the GMT400 series trucks from 1988 to 2000.
Finally, when looking at overall car culture, according to those surveyed, 43 percent believe that classic cars are an integral part of American history and should be systematically preserved like historic buildings and architecture.
To see the full report, click here.
