Gen Z Fans Are Fond of Japanese Cars and the Chevy Cobalt SS, According to Hagerty Data

      Chevrolet

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      You can say what you like about Gen Z, but this youthful generation seems to have a good taste in cars, at least according to classic car insurer Hagerty. The company has been analyzing its insurance quote data to identify generational trends, particularly focusing on vehicles that have gained popularity among Gen Z (defined as those born from 1997 to 2012). Gen Z will be the upcoming wave of collector-car buyers, providing valuable insight into the future of the hobby.

      Hagerty’s findings indicate that Gen Z shares similar preferences with Millennials, especially when it comes to Japanese automobiles. This is understandable, given that both generations grew up during the peak of the Japanese auto industry. The nostalgia for the cars that were exciting and new during one’s formative years often influences car enthusiasts the most.

      Honda

      Acura

      According to Hagerty’s data, four out of the five most popular vehicles among Gen Z enthusiasts are Japanese. Three of these are JDM models that weren’t originally sold in the U.S. but can now be imported under the 25-year rule. However, they are not the typical choices.

      While the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI is celebrated for its presence in Gran Turismo and its motorsports lineage alongside other JDM legends like the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Gen Z is also particularly fond of the Toyota Celsior (the name for the Lexus LS in its domestic market) and the Honda Beat, rather than the usual sports cars and homologation specials that are generally regarded as the foundation of JDM enthusiasm.

      Toyota

      Mitsubishi

      The other two vehicles are even more unconventional. The Acura RSX is often overlooked by older Honda aficionados, even though it resonates with both Millennials and Gen Z. This is also true for the only non-Japanese car on the list—the Chevrolet Cobalt SS. Both of these sporty compacts from the early 2000s deserve greater recognition, and perhaps Gen Z will offer them the appreciation they warrant.

      Hagerty points out that some of these cars may be attracting more interest from Gen Z enthusiasts partly because they are currently affordable, and as Gen Z gains more disposable income, they might shift their focus to larger, more prestigious vehicles. However, that transition may take some time. Hagerty estimates that Gen Z currently represents only 10% of the collector-car market, while Millennials account for 20%. Baby Boomers and Generation X comprise nearly two-thirds of the market, ensuring that muscle cars will remain predominant in auction catalogs for the foreseeable future.