A vehicle can say a lot about the person behind the wheel. To explore the connection between car brands and personalities, we surveyed 1,000 drivers across the U.S. about their personal traits, driving habits, and car preferences. Using elements of the Big Five Personality Test, the results reveal how certain vehicle types and brands are linked to everything from optimism and ambition to happiness and adventure.
Key Takeaways
- Over half of drivers (56%) say their car reflects who they are.
- Subaru, Mazda, and Jeep drivers rank highest for performing well under pressure.
- Ford drivers pull into the top five for job passion, goal setting, and trying new things.
- GMC drivers are the most likely to be happy and live life to the fullest.
- BMW drivers rank first in both optimism about the future and passion for their job.
- About 1 in 5 men (22%) would pick a Lamborghini Aventador if money weren't an issue, while 1 in 5 women (20%) prefer a classic vintage car.
How Drivers Say Their Cars Reflect Their Personality
- Over half of drivers (56%) say their car reflects who they are, with 9% feeling it says a lot about them.
- 24% think their car says nothing about them, that it's just a way to get around.
- 1 in 2 Jaguar and Genesis drivers say their car reflects their personality, which is more than any other brand. BMW ranks third, with 1 in 4 saying the same.
- 52% of Gen Z drivers admit to judging someone based on their car, compared to 48% of millennials, 45% of Gen X, and just 33% of baby boomers.
Adventurous behind the wheel by car type:
- Sports car (51%)
- EV (45%)
- Pickup truck (45%)
- Luxury SUV (40%)
- Sedan (33%)
- Classic car (32%)
- Minivan (22%)
Car owners most optimistic about their future:
- BMW
- Subaru
- Ford
- GMC
- Jeep
Car owners most passionate about their job:
- BMW
- Tesla
- Mercedes-Benz
- Ford
- Nissan
Car owners most likely to enjoy new things:
- Mazda
- Tesla
- Subaru
- Ford
- Nissan
Car owners most likely to frequently set goals for themselves:
- BMW
- Chevrolet
- Mercedes-Benz
- GMC
- Hyundai
Car owners most likely to live life to the fullest:
- GMC
- Tesla
- Mercedes-Benz
- Hyundai
- Jeep
Car owners most likely to perform well under pressure:
- Subaru
- Mazda
- Jeep
- Dodge
- Ford
Car owners most likely to be happy:
- GMC
- BMW
- Tesla
- Jeep
- Ford
Americans' Dream Cars
- About 1 in 4 baby boomers (25%) and Gen Xers (23%) would choose a classic vintage car if price were no object.
- 23% of Gen Zers and 18% of millennials (18%) dream of driving a Porsche 911 Turbo.
- 22% of men would pick a Lamborghini Aventador if price were no object, making it their top fantasy ride. On the other hand, women are the most drawn to classic vintage cars, with 20% choosing timeless design over raw power.
- Roughly 3 in 4 Americans (76%) say they don't care what someone drives when it comes to dating, while about 1 in 4 (24%) say they do.
Most datable car drivers:
- Lexus
- Volkswagen
- Mercedes-Benz
- Chrysler
- Audi
Methodology
We surveyed 1,000 Americans to explore how vehicle choice reflects personality. The average age of respondents was 42; 48% were female, 51% were male, and 1% were non-binary. Generationally, 8% were baby boomers, 26% were Gen X, 51% were millennials, and 15% were Gen Z
About American Muscle
American Muscle is a leading performance parts and accessories retailer offering a wide range of products to enhance the style, performance, and functionality of iconic muscle cars.
Fair Use Statement
These insights are available for noncommercial use as long as you provide a link back to our article.
