Born in 1999, my daughter is among the many earliest People recognized as Era Z. Most demographers classify these born between 1997 and 2012 as “Z,” and checklist amongst their distinctive experiences having been born into the digital age.
Automotive Purchasing With Gen Z
Era Z and Driving
Primarily based completely on anecdotal proof, I want to add to Gen Z’s roster of noteworthy traits a common disdain for automobiles 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 needed 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 School 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, nonetheless, and my daughter, now gainfully employed, felt the necessity for one thing somewhat quieter and extra snug, and fewer drained wanting.
New-Automotive Priorities Record
We began the seek for a brand new automotive about six weeks in the past, and started check driving autos 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 checklist 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 value mentioning that my child is on the small aspect, standing round 5’ 4”. Her options/priorities checklist:
New Automotive Ought to Be…
Small
- Straightforward to see out of
- Straightforward to get snug in
- Straightforward to park
Comfy/Refined
- Quieter and extra relaxed on the freeway than the Juke (The Juke will be buzzy)
- Ought to have extra snug 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 (Be aware that I mentioned quick, not simply fast)
- Deal with nicely
- Must be an fascinating colour
Upscale (not less than moderately)
- Be good if the inside was sort of elegant (Juke cabin principally laborious plastic)
- Audio system not less than first rate
AWD
- With extra floor clearance than the Juke (Story beneath)
Purchasing Begins
Although my daughter has proven little curiosity in automobiles through the years—purchasing for the Juke was a nightmare of indifference—she was absolutely engaged within the Juke-replacement course of. I don’t recall my youngster ever being extra open to my recommendation.
Purchasing started with me capturing her critiques and listings for autos I believed would meet her wants—and of which I accepted. The test-drive candidates had been all subcompact crossovers, this more-or-less dictated by the demand for AWD, and rear-seat dog-crate area.
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 rapidly dismissed a used Mini Countryman, this regardless of the promise of energy and fast dealing with. She finds the Mini design esthetic somewhat pressured, 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 plagued by one-year-old Tonales with low odometer readings promoting for comfortably underneath $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…
(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 must be. As for all of the 2025 examples already on used-car tons, I can solely assume these automobiles had 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 advised, we check drove 5 small crossovers, every of which offered nicely, and would have made a wonderful day by 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 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 in style Korean-built, low-margin autos have turn 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.)
Take a look at-Drive Fatigue
As for check driving candidate autos, the method was fatiguing. Although exhibiting up unannounced for a check spin proved to be of little trouble to dealership workers, the wait between the time we arrived at a retailer till we had 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 persistence, 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 irritating over the previous few years, not less than by way of salesperson strain. Subsequent to our check drives, we obtained 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 came about 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 instances we spent appreciable time in visitors trying 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 autos we evaluated, together with a couple of notes on why the child finally handed on mentioned journey. The autos are listed from least appreciated to most appreciated, although no automotive we drove was really disappointing. I’ve additionally included a couple of of my daughter’s ideas on her Nissan Juke.
Nissan Juke
Automotive: 2014 SL AWD
Click on right here for extra concerning the Nissan Juke.
Daughter’s take:
Professionals
- Tiny (straightforward 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 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 situations, the automotive’s low floor clearance proved a hindrance because the white stuff piled up between lanes on the freeway. She stories that if she stayed within the snow “groove” created by visitors, issues went nicely sufficient, however that trying to vary lanes—and cross deeply piled accumulation—proved troublesome, even harmful.
Cons
- Very loud, particularly on freeway
- Poor connectivity setup (cellphone hands-free hyperlink by no means labored nicely)
- Windshield wipers by no means coated a lot glass space (substitute blades didn’t 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 famous 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
Take a look at Automotive: 2025 SR AWD with Premium Package deal
Because the Kicks is a 2025 Client Information Finest Purchase, I had anticipated it to higher 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 checklist. Click on right here for extra concerning the Nissan Kicks.
Daughter’s take:
Professionals
- Cute/best-looking automobile in test-drive group
- Good colour choices
- Cool, upscale inside (young-person vibe)
- Good outward visibility
Cons
- Gradual
- Audio system “sucked”
- Solely high trim degree with dear package deal fashions accessible with heated entrance seats
Chevrolet Trailblazer: Fourth Place
Take a look at Automotive: Used 2025 RS AWD (3000 miles)
The sporty RS seems nice from the skin, although the inside comes off as somewhat plain when in comparison with the opposite autos we check drove. The little Chevy does serve up one of the best use of cabin area, nonetheless. Be aware that we’d have appeared on the similar-size Chevrolet Trax, which is available in inexpensive than the Trailblazer, but it surely isn’t supplied with AWD. Click on right here for extra concerning the Trailblazer.
Daughter’s take:
Professionals
- Cute colours, appreciated accessible 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 Automotive: Used 2025 GT Plus (6000 miles) (Licensed Pre-Owned)
This explicit automotive had been sitting on the dealership lot for weeks, and was priced very attractively. One problem 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 flooring
- Some unusual controls (turn-signal particularly)
Kia Seltos: Second Place
Take a look at Automotive: 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–not less than within the Chicago space. That mentioned, 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 colour choice
- First rate energy
- Comparatively enjoyable to drive
- Good inside
- First rate sound system
- Would select if extra passenger area was wanted
Cons
- Odd driving place—appears designed for somebody with longer legs
Mazda CX-30: First Place
Take a look at Automotive: 2024 2.5 Carbon Turbo (8000 miles) (Licensed Pre-Owned)
The marketed value on this evenly 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 blissful that it’s one thing out of the odd. I occur to assume it seems elegant. Additionally, with 250 horsepower on faucet, the CX-30 is, by far, the quickest of the autos my daughter thought-about. 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 automobiles examined
- Amused by the colour
Cons
- Doesn’t really like the colour
Purchasing 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 check drive automobiles was, typically, too lengthy. As a member of Gen Z, her expectation is that a lot of the “small discuss” and license checking ought to most likely be dealt with on-line. You recognize, 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 colour and trim degree choices accessible throughout our search. Certainly, new CX-30 stock appeared to be restricted principally to less-expensive non-turbocharged trim ranges, whereas the stock of Trailblazers on vendor tons was practically as lean.
Large because of Rene Quinones of Schaumburg Mazda in Schaumburg, Illinois for helping us. Rene was affected person as we check 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 contemplate 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 underneath common transaction value for a like-equipped CX-30 with related odometer mileage. Whereas I most likely may have haggled off one other $100-$200, I actually didn’t see the purpose. We obtained nice service, a strong deal, and, most significantly, a fantastic automotive that my child was pleased with. I’m somewhat bummed, although. I used to be form of hoping to do not less than somewhat haggling. You recognize, old-fashioned.
Closing 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 stunning. Nonetheless, she appears blissful along with her the journey, and was clearly thrilled with the little Mazda’s acceleration.
And whereas she doesn’t actually care about automobiles, 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, in reality, 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 somewhat Ray Bryant or Kenny Burrell…
Be aware: I made some extent of not sharing what I do for a residing with any of the salespeople. It was enjoyable to simply be alongside for the journey.
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Gen Z Automotive-Purchasing Photos
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Automotive Purchasing Suggestions: Take a look at Drive Guidelines
