Born in 1999, my daughter is among the many earliest Individuals recognized as Era Z. Most demographers classify these born between 1997 and 2012 as “Z,” and listing amongst their distinctive experiences having been born into the digital age.
Automobile Buying With Gen Z
Era Z and Driving
Primarily based fully on anecdotal proof, I wish to add to Gen Z’s roster of noteworthy traits a common disdain for vehicles and driving. My daughter’s first automotive, a 2014 Nissan Juke, was foisted upon her by my spouse and me as a result of we didn’t need to drive the child to six:00 AM water-polo apply. She wished nothing to do with it.
Unrelated: My child additionally needs nothing to do with the music I hearken to. Possibly that’s a Gen Z factor, too.
Changing the Nissan Juke
The Juke has been part of the household for a couple of decade now, and has served my daughter nicely. The little Nissan traveled with my child to Monmouth Faculty in western Illinois, and later to Colorado State for graduate faculty. The automotive by no means failed my daughter, and by no means even troubled her with a useless battery. Although a string of flat tires whereas at Monmouth proved irritating.
The Juke is getting up within the years, nevertheless, and my daughter, now gainfully employed, felt the necessity for one thing a bit of quieter and extra comfy, and fewer drained wanting.
New-Automobile Priorities Listing
We began the seek for a brand new automotive about six weeks in the past, and commenced take a look at driving autos shortly after that. One factor we realized early on: It’s tough to squeeze greater than two take a look at drives into a day. Extra on that in a bit…
My daughter’s listing of new-car calls for was easy and strong. She had gotten used to the dimensions of the Juke (tiny) and didn’t need to drive something a lot bigger. It’s price declaring that my child is on the small aspect, standing round 5’ 2”. Her options/priorities listing:
New Automobile Needs to be…
Small
- Simple to see out of
- East to get comfy in
- Simple to park
Comfy/Refined
- Quieter and extra relaxed on the freeway than the Juke (The Juke will be buzzy)
- Ought to have extra compliant journey than Juke (The Juke will be bouncy)
Connectivity
- Fully wi-fi cellular gadget connectivity (The Juke was poor on this regard)
Roomy (sufficient)
- Again-seat space must accommodate a largish canine crate
Enjoyable
- Quick (Word that I stated quick, simply not fast)
- Deal with nicely
- Must be attention-grabbing coloration
Upscale (at the least fairly)
- Be good if the inside was form of elegant (Juke cabin largely laborious plastic)
- Audio system at the least respectable
AWD
- With extra floor clearance than the Juke (Story under)
Buying Begins
Although my daughter has proven little curiosity in vehicles over time—procuring for the Juke was a nightmare of indifference—she was totally engaged within the Juke-replacement course of. I don’t recall my baby ever being extra open to my recommendation.
Buying started with me taking pictures her evaluations and listings for autos I assumed would meet her wants—and of which I accredited. The test-drive candidates have been all subcompact crossovers, this more-or-less dictated by the demand for AWD, and rear-seat dog-crate house.
The Candidates
Sight unseen, my child dismissed the Buick Encore GX, firstly as a result of it’s a Buick, and secondly as a result of it isn’t provided in any attention-grabbing colours. She additionally rapidly dismissed a used Mini Countryman, this regardless of the promise of energy and fast dealing with. She finds the Mini design esthetic a bit of compelled, and wonders about what kind of unusual group she’d be becoming a member of by driving one.
Additionally mentioned, however rapidly dismissed, was a used 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale. The small crossover, although unique by model, is mechanically a close to clone of the Dodge Hornet. {The marketplace} is affected by one-year-old Tonales with low odometer readings promoting for comfortably beneath $30,000. Compelling as these little Alfas are, we feared costly components prices, together with brakes (distinctive to the Tonale) wheels, and physique panels. Would have been cool, although…
(Word: 2024 Tonales have been powered by an excruciatingly crude plug-in-hybrid drivetrain. For 2025 Alfa switched to an entertainingly caffeinated 2.0-liter turbocharged setup that feels and sounds sporty, and is extra in character with what an Alfa needs to be. As for all of the 2025 examples already on used-car heaps, I can solely assume these vehicles have been pressed into short-term rental-car obligation to assist relieve bloated inventories of the slow-selling autos.)
Doing Analysis
To her credit score, the child did a substantial quantity of analysis on her personal, asking good questions on reliability, and efficiency. All informed, we take a look at drove 5 small crossovers, every of which introduced nicely, and would have made a effective day by day driver for my first born. (She’s additionally my solely born.)
No Hyundai Kona
Apparently, we have been prepared to check drive a sixth automobile, however shockingly, they’re out of inventory. All of them. Per two Hyundai sellers, there are nearly no new Konas to be discovered within the Chicago space. Apparently 2025 examples of the favored small crossover are offered out, and 2026 editions are but to start arriving within the States. It’s laborious to not assume that these comparatively well-liked Korean-built, low-margin autos have develop into a back-burner precedence for Hyundai, as the corporate grapples with the tariff state of affairs. We’ll see how rapidly 2026 Konas arrive in showrooms. (The Kona is imported from South Korea.)
Check-Drive Fatigue
As for take a look at driving candidate autos, the method was fatiguing. Although displaying up unannounced for a take a look at spin proved to be of little trouble to dealership employees, the wait between the time we arrived at a retailer till we have been finally seated in a automobile was usually appreciable.
Whereas our arrive-to-drive time at a suburban Chicago Nissan retailer was lower than quarter-hour, our wait to drive a brand new Chevrolet Trailblazer examined our endurance, and we left the dealership after 35 minutes–having not take a look at pushed the automotive.
Low Stress
Apparently, the car-shopping expertise has grown much less disturbing over the previous few years, at the least by way of salesperson strain. Subsequent to our take a look at drives, we acquired solely a handful of follow-up contacts, none of which have been something however pleasant {and professional}.
Check Drive Professional Tip
Right here’s a tip: Don’t head out for a behind-the-wheel analysis round rush hour. Our drives all happened within the comparatively congested Chicago suburbs, save for that of the Dodge Hornet, which was positioned at a retailer within the metropolis. Our planning was poor, and in a few circumstances we spent appreciable time in visitors making an attempt to succeed in some open pavement. Our ride-along gross sales representatives have been all affected person, however battling rush-hour congestion lower into the time we had allotted for test-driving—and diminished the standard of the take a look at drive itself.
My Daughter’s Check-Drive Notes
Right here I’ve collected my daughter’s ideas on every of the autos we evaluated, together with a couple of notes on why the child finally handed on stated journey. The autos are listed from least preferred to most preferred, although no automotive we drove was truly disappointing. I’ve additionally included a couple of of my daughter’s ideas on her Nissan Juke.
Nissan Juke
Automobile: 2014 SL AWD
Click on right here for extra concerning the Nissan Juke.
Daughter’s take:
Professionals
- Tiny (simple to park and maneuver)
- Quick and enjoyable to drive
- Handles nicely
- Simple to see out of
- Good within the snow (survived 10-hour blizzard drive en-route to Fort Collins, Colorado.)
Concerning snow: My daughter famous that although the Juke’s AWD system was as much as the duty of coping with blizzard circumstances, the automotive’s low floor clearance proved a hindrance because the white stuff piled up between lanes on the freeway. She studies that if she stayed within the snow “groove” created by visitors, issues went nicely sufficient, however that making an attempt to alter lanes—and cross deeply piled accumulation—proved tough, even harmful.
Cons
- Very loud, particularly on freeway
- Poor connectivity setup (telephone hands-free hyperlink by no means labored nicely)
- Windshield wipers by no means coated a lot glass space (alternative blades did not appropriate state of affairs)
- Again doorways “suck” (openings small, deal with oddly positioned)
- Bass from commonplace Rockford Fosgate “ecoPunch” audio system “obnoxious”
Hyundai Kona: No Present
As be aware above, the regional provide of 2025 Konas has dried up, and 2026 examples have but to reach in native dealerships. Whereas not a direct substitute, the mechanically related Kia Seltos served nicely sufficient as a Kona Surrogate. Click on right here for extra on the Kona.
Nissan Kick: Fifth Place
Check Automobile: 2025 SR AWD with Premium Bundle
Because the Kicks is a 2025 Shopper Information Finest Purchase, I had anticipated it to raised impress my daughter. Its lack of energy, and the limited-availability of heated seats, nevertheless, pushed the spunky Nissan to the underside of my child’s listing. Click on right here for extra concerning the Nissan Kicks.
Daughter’s take:
Professionals
- Cute/best-looking automobile in test-drive group
- Good coloration choices
- Cool, upscale inside (young-person vibe)
- Good outward visibility
Cons
- Sluggish
- Audio system “sucked”
- Solely prime trim degree with dear package deal fashions out there with heated entrance seats
Chevrolet Trailblazer: Fourth Place
Check Automobile: Used 2025 RS AWD (3000 miles)
The sporty RS seems to be nice from the skin, although the inside comes off as a bit of plain when in comparison with the opposite autos we take a look at drove. The little Chevy does serve up the very best use of cabin house, nevertheless. Word that we might have regarded on the similar-size Chevrolet Trax, which is available in cheaper than the Trailblazer, however it isn’t provided with AWD. Click on right here for extra concerning the Trailblazer.
Daughter’s take:
Professionals
- Cute colours, preferred out there two-tone paint schemes
- Acceptable energy
Cons
- Constructed for a taller driver (couldn’t get comfy behind the wheel)
- Poor rearward visibility
Dodge Hornet: Third Place
Check Automobile: Used 2025 GT Plus (6000 miles) (Licensed Pre-Owned)
This specific automotive had been sitting on the dealership lot for weeks, and was priced very attractively. One concern may need been the automotive’s Acapulco Gold paint, which is one thing of a love-it or hate-it affair. Although my daughter didn’t love the colour, she appreciated that it was each unconventional, and unusual. Click on right here for extra on the Hornet.
Daughter’s take:
Professionals
Cons
- Didn’t nicely accommodate brief driver (felt as if in a bathtub)
- Poor outward visibility (fore and aft)
- Rear seat backs don’t fold degree with load ground
- Some unusual controls (turn-signal particularly)
Kia Seltos: Second Place
Check Automobile: 2025 SX AWD
Although not fairly as extinct because the Hyundai Kona, the on-lot provide of 2025 examples of the Kia Seltos gave the impression to be skinny–at the least within the Chicago space. That stated, we did spend time with a loaded SX, which comes commonplace with the higher-power engine possibility (a 195-horsepower turbocharged 4, versus a 146-horse non-turbocharged 4).
Daughter’s take:
Professionals
- Good coloration choice
- First rate energy
- Comparatively enjoyable to drive
- Good inside
- First rate sound system
- Would select if extra passenger house was wanted
Cons
- Odd driving place—appears designed for somebody with longer legs
Mazda CX-30: First Place
Check Automobile: 2024 2.5 Carbon Turbo (8000 miles) (Licensed Pre-Owned)
The marketed value on this flippantly used 2024 was too good to disregard. Once more, we marvel if the colour, Zircon Sand Metallic, may need been a barrier to resale. My child doesn’t love the colour, however is comfortable that it’s one thing out of the odd. I occur to assume it seems to be elegant. Additionally, with 250 horsepower on faucet, the CX-30 is, by far, the quickest of the autos my daughter thought of. Click on right here for extra on the CX-30.
Daughter’s take:
Professionals
- Enjoyable to drive
- Nice dealing with
- Feels small (in a great way)
- Good inside
- Higher sound system than different vehicles examined
- Amused by the colour
Cons
- Doesn’t truly like the colour
Buying Course of
Concerning the method, my child discovered interacting with salespeople tedious. There have been too many inquiries to reply, and the wait to truly take a look at drive vehicles was, typically, too lengthy. As a member of Gen Z, her expectation is that many of the “small discuss” and license checking ought to in all probability be dealt with on-line. You understand, digital age, and all. She was additionally upset that we couldn’t drive a Kona, a automobile about which she had heard good issues.
The child was moreover upset by the shortage of coloration and trim degree choices out there throughout our search. Certainly, new CX-30 stock appeared to be restricted largely to less-expensive non-turbocharged trim ranges, whereas the the stock of Trailblazers on seller heaps was almost as lean.
Large due to Rene Quinones of Schaumburg Mazda in Schaumburg, Illinois for aiding us. Rene was affected person as we take a look at drove two autos for prolonged evaluations (CX-30 and the Trailblazer), returned my calls after hours, and introduced the automotive round to the showroom a second time so I may take a tape-measure to it and ensure my child’s canine crate was going to suit.
The worth quoted was the value we paid, and we didn’t endure hard-sell strain to think about an prolonged guarantee or service contract, although the merchandise have been introduced to us.
Carfax
A shout out to Carfax for its Carfax Worth information. The automotive my daughter bought was listed as a “Nice Worth” by Carfax, at about $1200 beneath common transaction value for a like-equipped CX-30 with related odometer mileage. Whereas I in all probability may have haggled off one other $100-$200, I actually didn’t see the purpose. We acquired nice service, a strong deal, and, most significantly, an amazing automotive that my child was proud of. I’m a bit of bummed, although. I used to be form of hoping to do at the least a bit of haggling. You understand, old skool.
Ultimate ideas
As my daughter hasn’t brazenly expressed pleasure about something for the reason that new season of Bob’s Burger’s, her lack of open delight with the brand new automotive isn’t too stunning. Nonetheless, she appears comfortable together with her the journey, and was clearly thrilled with the little Mazda’s acceleration.
And whereas she doesn’t actually care about vehicles, and wouldn’t personal one if she didn’t have to, when it got here time to analysis and put together for a significant buy, she rose to the event and shopped patiently and critically. A lot so, in actual fact, that she was open to taking recommendation from her father. Right here’s to you, Era Z. Now if I may simply get her to hearken to a bit of Ray Bryant or Kenny Burrell…
Word: I made a degree of not sharing with any of the gross sales of us we labored with what it’s I do for a residing. It was enjoyable to only be a buyer for a change.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
Gen Z Automobile-Buying Footage
Click on under for enlarged photographs
