Sedans Dominate Gen Z Auto Insurance Quotes

A ranking of more than 58 million U.S. insurance quotes places sedans at the top of Generation Z's vehicle choices.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Car Types

Sedans Dominate Gen Z Auto Insurance Quotes

Live Poll

Are you planning to buy a sedan rather than an SUV for your next vehicle?

An analysis of more than 58 million U.S. auto insurance rate quotes found sedans held eight of the top 10 vehicle models for Generation Z. The Honda Civic, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry ranked first through third, while Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado pickups filled the remaining two spots.

Why it matters

The findings suggest a generational divide in vehicle preferences, as no SUV appeared in Generation Z's top 10 while SUVs held several spots among older age groups. A separate teen survey found 51% of U.S. teens imagined driving a sedan in the future, pointing to continuity in those preferences.

Compact cars rose 3.2% in price year over year while compact SUVs fell 0.4%, with new compact cars averaging $27,977 in September 2026 against $37,614 for compact SUVs. The quote ranking does not measure actual ownership or purchases.

The players

Ford Motor Company

Ford is a Detroit-based automaker whose F-Series pickup ranked among Generation Z's top 10 insurance quote models and which has long been one of the best-selling vehicle lines in the United States.

Honda Motor Co.

Honda is a Japanese automaker whose Civic and Accord ranked first and second among Generation Z's insurance quote models, reflecting its strong presence in the U.S. compact and midsize sedan segments.

Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota is a Japanese automaker whose Camry ranked third among Generation Z's insurance quote models and is one of the longest-running best-selling sedans in the United States.

The details

The ranking defines Generation Z as people born from 1997 through 2012 and draws on vehicle models associated with auto insurance rate quote applications. The teen survey of 1,054 U.S. teens ages 14 to 19 was conducted October 6-23, 2025, and found 31% chose an SUV and 14% chose a truck as their future vehicle.

- October 6-23, 2025: Teen survey on future driving preferences conducted.
- January 2026: Ford CEO Jim Farley comments on vehicle plans at the Detroit auto show.
- September 2026: New compact car and SUV average prices reported.
- September 30, 2026: Insurance quote ranking published.

Roadmap

Generation Z's sedan preference runs against the long-running U.S. shift toward SUVs and crossovers that dominated automotive sales through the 2010s and 2020s. The insurance quote ranking and teen survey together point to whether this generational divergence persists as these drivers age into larger purchasing decisions.

Buyers comparing insurance costs should note that the ranking reflects quote activity rather than vehicle prices, and compact cars averaged $27,977 versus $37,614 for compact SUVs in September 2026. Drivers shopping in the compact segment may find sedans remain the lower-cost option at the time of purchase.

The takeaway

Generation Z's sedan preference in quote data gives shoppers a useful signal about where demand is heading, but the price gap between compact cars and SUVs remains the more immediate factor for most budgets.