Many of the articles thus far on the site have been about exotic cars, muscle cars, and expensive automobiles. These are all well and good, but what about the cars that the women of the world are driving? While men and women drive all types of cars, a recent study done by TrueCar.com revealed which cars are predominantly driven by women exclusively.
This study looked at what car brands women love based on their buying decisions and the results may surprise you. Men, as usual, seemed to stick to their gun but the lady drivers had a diverse taste in vehicles. Let’s explore the results of the study and find out which car brands are most favored by women.
Car Buying Based on Gender
Once again referring to the study release by True Car’s website, the Vice President of Market Intelligence with the company had an interesting comment regarding the results:
“While gender preferences amongst the buyers of various automotive brands still exist, the gap is narrowing. The SUV and truck heavy mix of the domestic automakers continue to generate a disproportionate number of male customers, while the exotic brands remain to be the best medicine for a midlife crisis.”
The results showed that women tend to favor a smaller and more fuel-efficient car, while the male side of the demographic was more in tune with massive Sports Utility Vehicles and exotic cars. Women favored the practical, men favored fast, heavy-duty vehicles above all else.
The results of this study were interesting to say the least. Women value substance over style while men tend to gravitate towards power and luxury. Let’s take a look at some facts from the survey that support this claim:
- Thirteen of the top 20 brands with the highest amount of male buyers were exotic or luxury brands.
- Sixteen of the top 20 car brands with female buyers were imports.
- The top female oriented car brands were up to 40% women buyers
The Top Car Brands Women Buy
While men dominate luxury and exotic cars that easily require six figures or more of investment, women tend to find value in the smaller more efficient and safety oriented vehicles. Let’s take a look at some of these female oriented car brands:
1 – Mini
We all know Mini as a car brand that lives up to its name with small and petite vehicles. It was manufactured by the British Motor Corporation until 2000 at which point the brand changed hands. With BMW now owning the brand it has continued to see success in the world of cars but it is mostly a success drive by women buyers.
Studies show that women are 18% more likely to buy a Mini than men. While the cars certainly look small and “cute” you could say, they are lacking in the sporty and luxurious design that attracts male consumers. In Chine for example, 80% of Mini owners are women, something the company is trying to balance out with a more balanced marketing approach.
At the end of the day, this is a small and petite brand that runs on great fuel economy and is purchased primarily by women for a variety of reasons.
2 – Mazda
Women are 21% more likely to purchase a Mazda than men are according to a study done by iSeeCars.com. So, what makes this brand so appealing? Well, these are are smaller and more efficient than most. They don’t focus as much on raw power which is why you don’t see as many men flocking to these.
Beyond these simple facts though, Mazda’s recent 2015 CX-5 Grand Touring has been getting a lot of love from the lady drivers out there. The best features of the car come in the form of safety features such as blind spot monitoring and passenger airbags. A Bose sound system is included with the ability to tap into your Pandora music account.
A sun roof, plus the ability to automatically turn off the headlights if you forget makes this a car with a lot of convenience and safety features that serve to elevate it above for women buyers that are searching for a safe and reliable car.
3 – Nissan
Nissan likes to tote both sides of the equation. You’ve seen plenty of Nissan vehicles on our other lists (especially as a drifting car) but the manufacturer has a lot of options that appeal to the female demographic. Take the Nissan Juke for example. Over half of the buyers of this car are women.
Looking at this car in particular, we can see why Nissan is so appealing. For starters, the Juke is a small and aesthetically pleasing car that has soft curves and a overall petite feel. The car also features all-wheel drive which is a practical inclusion given the need for it in stormy or snowy conditions.
There’s a convienient button near the steering wheel to switch between 2wd and 4wd. You can engage it when things get rough and leave it off to improve fuel efficiency. The car is actually sporting a bit of power under the hood as well.
4 – Kia
With over half of the buyers being women Kia is a dominated brand for the lady drivers out there. What makes them so appealing you ask? Take for example the Kia Rio. The older versions of the car looked cheap and they were, but recent models such as the 2013 have begun to show the same shine and curves without the price that matches it.
Without charging an arm and leg, the recent models of the Rio brought a smooth and attractive interior and exterior along with a fuel efficient engine and plenty of high-tech features. The price truly is a major factor, you can have a stereo and air conditioning included for as little as $14,150.
Women think in a big picture perspective when it comes to investments like this, and the Kia Rio sports a roomy enough backseat to support future kids and family outings. A sedan option includes a trunk floor for storing things like strollers.
These are car brands women love, but they aren’t the only ones. Other brands like Honda, Hyundai, and more have plenty of women buyers as well. At the end of the day it’s important not to fall into stereotypes and purchase a car that’s right for you.
