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 solely on anecdotal proof, I wish to add to Gen Z’s roster of noteworthy traits a normal 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 wish to drive the child to six:00 AM water-polo apply. She needed nothing to do with it.
Unrelated: My child additionally needs nothing to do with the music I take heed to. Perhaps 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 School in western Illinois, and later to Colorado State for graduate college. The automotive by no means failed my daughter, and by no means even troubled her with a lifeless battery. Although a string of flat tires whereas at Monmouth proved irritating.
The Juke is getting up within the years, nonetheless, and my daughter, now gainfully employed, felt the necessity for one thing a little bit quieter and extra snug, and fewer drained wanting.
New-Automobile Priorities Listing
We started the seek for a brand new automotive about six weeks in the past, and started check driving automobiles shortly after that. One factor we discovered early on: It’s troublesome to squeeze greater than two check drives into a day. Extra on that in a bit…
My daughter’s listing of new-car calls for was easy and stable. She had gotten used to the scale of the Juke (tiny) and didn’t wish to drive something a lot bigger. It’s value declaring that my child is on the small facet, standing round 5’ 2”. Her options/priorities listing:
New Automobile Needs to be…
Small
- Straightforward to see out of
- East to get snug in
- Straightforward to park
Comfy/Refined
- Quieter and extra relaxed on the freeway than the Juke (The Juke might be buzzy)
- Ought to have extra compliant journey than Juke (The Juke might be bouncy)
Connectivity
- Fully wi-fi cellular system connectivity (The Juke was poor on this regard)
Roomy (sufficient)
- Again-seat space must accommodate a largish canine crate
Enjoyable
- Quick (Be aware that I stated quick, simply not fast)
- Deal with nicely
- Must be fascinating coloration
Upscale (at the least moderately)
- Be good if the inside was sort of elegant (Juke cabin largely arduous plastic)
- Audio system at the least respectable
AWD
- With extra floor clearance than the Juke (Story beneath)
Buying Begins
Although my daughter has proven little curiosity in vehicles through the years—buying for the Juke was a nightmare of indifference—she was absolutely 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 critiques and listings for automobiles I assumed would meet her wants—and of which I authorized. The test-drive candidates had 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 supplied in any fascinating colours. She additionally shortly dismissed a used Mini Countryman, this regardless of the promise of energy and fast dealing with. She finds the Mini design esthetic a little bit compelled, and wonders about what kind of unusual neighborhood she’d be becoming a member of by driving one.
Additionally mentioned, however shortly 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 plagued by one-year-old Tonales with low odometer readings promoting for comfortably beneath $30,000. Compelling as these little Alfas are, we feared costly elements prices, together with brakes (distinctive to the Tonale) wheels, and physique panels. Would have been cool, although…
(Be aware: 2024 Tonales had 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 had been pressed into short-term rental-car obligation to assist relieve bloated inventories of the slow-selling automobiles.)
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 instructed, we check drove 5 small crossovers, every of which offered nicely, and would have made a superb every day driver for my first born. (She’s additionally my solely born.)
No Hyundai Kona
Curiously, we had been prepared to check drive a sixth car, however shockingly, they’re out of inventory. All of them. Per two Hyundai sellers, there are just about 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 arduous to not assume that these comparatively in style Korean-built, low-margin automobiles have change into a back-burner precedence for Hyundai, as the corporate grapples with the tariff state of affairs. We’ll see how shortly 2026 Konas arrive in showrooms. (The Kona is imported from South Korea.)
Take a look at-Drive Fatigue
As for check driving candidate automobiles, the method might be fatiguing. Although displaying up unannounced for a check spin proved to be of little hassle to dealership workers, the wait between the time we arrived at a retailer till we had been in the end seated in a car was typically 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 check pushed the automotive.
Low Strain
Curiously, the car-shopping expertise has grown much less anxious over the previous few years, at the least by way of salesperson strain. Subsequent to our check drives, we acquired solely a handful of follow-up contacts, none of which had been something however pleasant {and professional}.
Take a look at Drive Professional Tip
Right here’s a tip: Don’t head out for a behind-the-wheel analysis round rush hour. Our drives all befell within the Chicago suburbs, save for that of the Dodge Hornet, which was situated at a retailer within the metropolis. Our planning was poor, and in a few instances we spent appreciable time in visitors making an attempt to succeed in some open pavement. Our ride-along gross sales representatives had been all affected person, however battling rush-hour congestion minimize into the time we had allotted for test-driving—and diminished the standard of the check drive itself.
My Daughter’s Take a look at-Drive Notes
Right here I’ve collected my daughter’s ideas on every of the automobiles we evaluated, together with a number of notes on why the child in the end handed on stated journey. The automobiles are listed from least preferred to most preferred, although no automotive we drove was truly disappointing. I’ve additionally included a number of of my daughter’s ideas on her Nissan Juke.
Nissan Juke
Automobile: 2014 SL AWD
Click on right here for extra in regards to the Nissan Juke.
Daughter’s take:
Execs
- Tiny (simple to park and maneuver)
- Quick and enjoyable to drive
- Handles nicely
- Straightforward to see out of
- Good within the snow (survived 10-hour blizzard drive en-route from Chicago, 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 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 troublesome, 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 lined a lot glass space (substitute blades did not right state of affairs)
- Again doorways “suck” (openings small, deal with oddly situated)
- 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 comparable Kia Seltos served nicely sufficient as a Kona Surrogate. Click on right here for extra on the Kona.
Nissan Kick: Fifth Place
Take a look at Automobile: 2025 SR AWD with Premium Package deal
Because the Kicks is a 2025 Client Information Greatest Purchase, I had anticipated it to raised impress my daughter. Its lack of energy, and the limited-availability of heated seats, nonetheless, pushed the spunky Nissan to the underside of my child’s listing. Click on right here for extra in regards to the Nissan Kicks.
Daughter’s take:
Execs
- Cute/best-looking car in test-drive group
- Good coloration choices
- Cool, upscale inside (young-person vibe)
- Good outward visibility
Cons
- Gradual
- Audio system “sucked”
- Solely high trim stage with dear package deal fashions obtainable with heated entrance seats
Chevrolet Trailblazer: Fourth Place
Take a look at Automobile: Used 2025 RS AWD (3000 miles)
The sporty RS seems to be nice from the surface, although the inside comes off as a little bit plain when in comparison with the opposite automobiles we check drove. The little Chevy does serve up one of the best use of cabin house, nonetheless. Be aware that we’d have seemed on the similar-size Chevrolet Trax, which is available in inexpensive than the Trailblazer, however it isn’t supplied with AWD. Click on right here for extra in regards to the Trailblazer.
Daughter’s take:
Execs
- Cute colours, preferred obtainable two-tone paint schemes
- Acceptable energy
Cons
- Constructed for a taller driver (couldn’t get snug behind the wheel)
- Poor rearward visibility
Dodge Hornet: Third Place
Take a look at Automobile: Used 2025 GT Plus (6000 miles) (Licensed Pre-Owned)
This specific automotive had been sitting on the seller lot for weeks, and was priced very attractively. One problem might 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:
Execs
Cons
- Didn’t nicely accommodate quick driver (felt as if in a bathtub)
- Poor outward visibility (fore and aft)
- Rear seat backs don’t fold stage with load ground
- Some unusual controls (turn-signal particularly)
Kia Seltos: Second Place
Take a look at Automobile: 2025 SX AWD
Although not fairly as extinct because the Hyundai Kona, the on-lot provide of 2025 examples of the Kia Seltos seemed 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:
Execs
- 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
Take a look at Automobile: 2024 2.5 Carbon Turbo (8000 miles) (Licensed Pre-Owned)
The marketed worth on this calmly used 2024 was too good to disregard. Once more, we marvel if the colour, Zircon Sand Metallic, might need been a barrier to resale. My child doesn’t love the colour, however is completely satisfied that it’s one thing out of the bizarre. 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 automobiles my daughter thought of. Click on right here for extra on the CX-30.
Daughter’s take:
Execs
- 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 interplay with salespeople tedious. There have been too many inquiries to reply, and the wait to really check drive vehicles was, typically, too lengthy. She was dissatisfied that we couldn’t drive a Kona, a car about which she had heard good issues.
Additionally, my daughter was dissatisfied by the dearth of coloration and trim stage choices obtainable throughout our search. Certainly, new CX-30 stock gave the impression to be restricted largely to less-expensive non-turbocharged trim ranges, whereas the stock of Trailblazers on seller heaps was practically as gentle.
Large because of Rene Quinones of Schaumburg Mazda in Schaumburg, Illinois for helping us. Rene was affected person as we check drove two automobiles for prolonged evaluations (the 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 worth we paid, and we didn’t endure hard-sell strain to think about an prolonged guarantee or service contract, although the merchandise had been offered 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 retail for a like-equipped CX-30 with comparable odometer mileage. Whereas I most likely may have haggled off one other $100-$200, I actually didn’t see the purpose. We acquired nice service, a stable deal, and, most significantly, an important automotive that my child was proud of. I’m a little bit bummed, although. I used to be form of hoping to do at the least a little bit haggling. You recognize, old fashioned.
Last ideas
As my daughter hasn’t overtly expressed pleasure about something because the new season of Bob’s Burger’s, her lack of open delight with the brand new automotive isn’t too shocking. Nonetheless, she appears completely satisfied along with her the journey, and was overtly 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 must, when it got here time to analysis and put together for a serious buy, she rose to the event and shopped patiently and critically. A lot so, actually, 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 take heed to a little bit Ray Bryant or Kenny Burrell…
Be aware: 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 dwelling. It was enjoyable to only be a buyer for a change.
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Gen Z Automobile-Buying Footage
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Automobile Buying Suggestions: Take a look at Drive Guidelines
