Half Of American Teens Want A Sedan, Not An SUV, And Automakers Are Listening | Carscoops

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daxtaslapp@reddit

Thats why it'll always be a sedan for me and some sort of suv for the wife

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FedeFSA@reddit

My son is the weird one looking for a manual transmission sedan lol. It's hard to find a nice used one though.

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kaihong@reddit

2010 BMW 335i. The N54 will turn any boy into a man.

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pdp10@reddit

Most anything used with a manual transmission, comes with a price premium, from F150s to Ferraris. Demand exceeds supply.

It makes more sense when you consider that dealers usually tried not to stock manuals, figuring that they could sell an auto to anyone but a manual only to those who can drive stick. And that manuals in non-performance cars could once tend to be base models, which dealers also don't like to stock for other reasons.

Plus of course, the Reddit observation that buyers of new cars have different preferences and demographics than buyers of used cars. Those older new car buyers with generally good credit scores, are less likely to buy brown manual wagons.

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pmmeuranimetiddies@reddit

When economy cars all moved to CVTs my plan was to only buy the manual version when replacing my current car

Then they started axing the manual versions

So now my plan is to just drive my slushbox automatic forever

That or drive a Miata or GT86

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carmeiser@reddit

Look into the Corolla XRS. Lotus grabbed the engine and 6 speed combo for the Elise and boosted it for the Exige for a while. I had it in a Celica GTS, and it's super fun. Not terribly fast, but that's kinda good if he's a new driver. Idk how clapped they would be for these days, but they arent too expensive last I checked.

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IditarodDays@reddit

Check out the mazda 3 sedans with the skyactive engine. Insanely reliable, amazing gas mileage, and 100k miles is just broken in

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scottiedog321@reddit

I wish Mazda made the top spec 3 with a manual. 250hp with 320 torques? Yes, please!

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gonzo_thegreat@reddit

I bought my son a used standard Mazda 3 when he was a teen. It's still going.

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JuliusCeaserBoneHead@reddit

Are they? Doesn’t seem like

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kylesisles1@reddit

I'm guessing crossovers and SUVs have been around long enough that it's what all their parents have had, so sedans are the cool alternative lol

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TheDistantEnd@reddit

I think it's exactly that. Boomers and GenX grew up in station wagons, so they were uncool. Millennials grew up in minivans, so they're uncool. Now GenZ and Alpha grew up in crossovers and SUVs, so they're becoming uncool.

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RiftHunter4@reddit

I've never met a single person who thinks crossovers are cool. Wagons were neat at one point and vans were a think too for a while. SUV's and trucks are still loved if they're Off-roaders. But crossovers? They were lame from the start and still are. They never managed to make them cool.

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havok0159@reddit

What pissess me off the most about crossovers is how they're replacing the hatchback in offerings. Idgaf if you're selling those hatchbacks on stilts, but don't STOP making hatchbacks.

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beaucoup_dinky_dau@reddit

They check all of the boxes for people who don’t care about cars. RAV4/crv/subaru or massively popular with old people, young families and average buyers. It’s a compromise car much like a multifunction printer.

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byteminer@reddit

It’s a transportation appliance. It is a thing which will go from A to B, take whatever shit you need to bring, and not burn all the gas doing it. They are cars for people who view a car as a thing you have to have and don’t give it more thought than the dishwasher or microwave.

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clownpirate@reddit

So is a Camry or Accord that people here seem to worship as sports sedans.

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Otakeb@reddit

True, but the appeal to the crossover is all that a Camry can do plus a little extra ground clearance and slightly bigger cargo space from not much more money.

It makes sense they are so popular.

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pdp10@reddit

a little extra ground clearance

For those adventure excursions to the parking lot at the beach, the parking lot at Disneyland, the parking deck in the big city, the parking lot at the Grand Canyon....

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Otakeb@reddit

No, for when there's a dead deer that's been run over a dozen times in the road you can't see because the semi in front of you doesn't swerve to avoid it because they have the clearance and it fucks up your sedan because you didn't have time to swerve out of the way (been there) or a pothole on the edge of a parking lot turn in that you can't see because American infrastructure is failing in many shit ass states that dropped the radiator and cut your AC lines when you went over it only going like 15mph (also been there).

I've been in multiple situations when I drove a sedan where an extra few inches of ground clearance and suspension stiffness would have saved me thousands of dollars to no fault of my own in unavoidable scenarios.

Do you need a pavement princess lifted F-250? Absolutely not and they should probably be straight up banned, but a hybrid CR-V or Ford Maverick are ABSOLUTELY more practical dialy drivers than a Miata, and although regular sedans are usually fine, I don't blame people who want extra clearance ESPECIALLY while those lifted F-250s are legal.

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pdp10@reddit

you can't see because the semi in front of you doesn't swerve to avoid it because they have the clearance

The method I use to avoid such problems in low-slung sports cars, is that I don't tailgate. In fact, I stay as far back from big trucks as possible, because you can't see over them to see traffic signals and signs, even in a high vehicle.

American infrastructure is failing in many shit ass states

North American roads are far better on average than fifty years ago, in my observation.

would have saved me thousands of dollars to no fault of my own

Do you feel that the higher ground clearance comes at no cost?

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Wiksauce@reddit

The method I use to avoid such problems in low-slung sports cars, is that I don't tailgate. In fact, I stay as far back from big trucks as possible, because you can't see over them to see traffic signals and signs, even in a high vehicle.

Idk you can not be tailgating with plenty of space and still if you are traveling at night with a carcus in the road at like 70mph, it'll still sneak up on you. Pretty good example of a scenario where having some extra clearance is actually a big positive.

Do you feel that the higher ground clearance comes at no cost?

Cheaper than your sports car, dumbass. Now that's a waste of money. We are talking affordable, boring grocery getters, bud. And most people seem that extra cost worth the small bump in safety especially in the US. Also cheaper than buying like a Civic hatchback and putting a 2 inch lift and bigger tires on it which is just a stupid endeavor when you can just by a CR-V or HR-V.

North American roads are far better on average than fifty years ago, in my observation.

Got the message; don't take you seriously at all lol

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clownpirate@reddit

Key words in your post - sports cars.

I too, bemoan the demise of many sports cars or real sports sedans.

But people here are lamenting sedans, which as a generic category, were never these things. They were generic family haulers, just like a RAV4 or CRV are generic family haulers.

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clownpirate@reddit

Which is worth far more to the average Joe than any advantage in “driving dynamics” a generic midsized family sedan claims to offer.

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pdp10@reddit

I've never met a single person who thinks crossovers are cool.

Fastback CUVs like the BMW X-series were pretty cool and refreshing when they came out. But the novelty and niche faded quickly, as every manufacturer wanted to sell CUVs in high volumes, and they styled them all in this fashion.

CUVs are now what your gran drives, and what the lot salesperson is desperate to sell you when you visit.

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xdrift0rx@reddit

crossovers sole reason for existence is CAFE standards due to it being classified as a "light truck". most of the CAFE fuel requirements were very aggressive. So now most fleets are "SUV" because they sit high off the ground and can clear a certain break over angle requirement.

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salvibalvi@reddit

Crossovers are very popular outside of North America too where CAFE standards don't exist.

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clownpirate@reddit

Yeah, I see CUVs in Europe and Asia too. Granted the average size is smaller than the ones in the US.

However in threads like this, people conjure up images of legions of Suburbans or Tahoes and Escalades or Range Rovers filling American roads, when the vast majority are still cars like RAV4s and Highlanders.

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anynamesleft@reddit

Cool is in the eye of the beholder. Crossovers have their place, where some folks want to sit higher but don't need a Bigfoot truck to do it.

Though we haven't met, I think crossovers are cool. Something like the Ford Escape is a good looking, sporty looking way to fetch groceries, or just to tool about.

While not really my thing, crossovers have a niche, and can be a perfect fit for the right person. That's cool.

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clownpirate@reddit

The same words were being uttered in the past, just replace “crossovers” with “Camry” or “Accord”, which people here now suddenly seem to worship as bonafide sports sedans.

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roman_maverik@reddit

There's a pretty big following of older Subaru outback and crosstreks fans, but maybe that's too niche to be considered mainstream cook.

Regardless, there is a whole crunchy outdoorsy young demographic that goes absolutely nuts for Subaru crossovers.

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Whosez@reddit

I’ve been waiting for this to happen. Not sedans so much but reviling the SUV’s their parents owned.

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BigFatModeraterFupa@reddit

i've driven nothing but coupes my whole life. just got my hands on a 2011 chevy tahoe and i don't ever want to sit in a coupe again🤣😅

6'4 and turning 30 in september. I fuckin love this SUV after hating on them my whole life. they are so spacious and comfortable and just awesome

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FesteringNeonDistrac@reddit

Man if you can't get in/out of a coupe at 30, you are not gonna be able to get out of a recliner at 50.

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I_like_cake_7@reddit

That’s why they make those powered recliners that basically lift you out them. My wife’s 100 year old grandma has one. Lol.

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BigFatModeraterFupa@reddit

irrigation work isn't easy on the ol flesh and bones...😅😅

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windowpuncher@reddit

No it is not, but that's what light exercise and stretching is for.

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BigFatModeraterFupa@reddit

i do every stretch imaginable, but since the irrigation season only lasts for a few summer months up here in the North, i'm working from 8am to 9pm literally every single day 6 days a week. My step counter says i'm averaging 18k steps per day, but this sunday i only took 1.6k steps because i literally just laid in bed all day trying to recover and let my feet rest😅

I have to remind myself that this is only going to last for a few months and all the pain is worth it in the end because I can just chill all winter😅😅😭

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anynamesleft@reddit

... I literally just laid in bed all day trying to recover and let my feet rest.

Well there's your problem.

All you had to do was strap your counter to a dog or cat, and you'da gotten plenty of exercise.

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r_golan_trevize@reddit

The sheer luxury of space in all three dimensions is a luxury no amount of luxury features can replace.

6’5” here. I don’t envision ever getting rid of my ratty old Mustang but one day I may need a home health nurse and lifting apparatus to get in and out of it, lol

I still love driving it and drive it to work most days but if I’m sore, it’s not the best option. However, its days of having to serve for long distances are long over as we’ve got better vehicles more suited for long drives and roadtrips.

I love driving our Silverado (and the ugly, beat up, smelly beater Sierra I had before it) and we prefer taking it vs our newer and ostensively nicer and more luxurious sedan because of the sheer space and the more comfortable driving position for me. That kind of luxury beats out heated, massaging seats any day. I can drive it all day and not feel exhausted, even after multiple days of driving. That is worth the MPG penalty to me vs a smaller vehicle.

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sukumizu@reddit

Meanwhile as I get older I hate SUVs and trucks more and more. The driving dynamics are ass and they take up so much space in public.

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frito_bendejo@reddit

Watching people try to perform a twelve point turn in their Escalade while trying to get out of a parking lot, then hearing them complain that parking spaces are too small.

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BowlFullofCrazy@reddit

This. This right here. Exactly. SUVs are sh!tboxes. Exhibit A: I was driving my Type-R the other day and some retard pulled out in front of me. It took all my skill and the driving dynamics of the Type-R to avoid that accident by — no exaggeration — a foot. If I had been in an SUV, I would have t-boned them.

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Paumanok@reddit

The only driving based nightmares I have are behind the wheel of an SUV. Never owned one myself but have driven family/friends plenty.

I do not like feeling the weight of the vehicle from behind the brake pedal. Maybe the heavy footed inputs are good for people with poor motor control but damn I can't stand it. Even when stopped, the amount of pressure needed on the brake to keep the auto-crawl back is frustrating.

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

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Viperlite@reddit

I’m quintessentially GenX and 6’4” tall. I have cars of all types, but I find squeezing into a Miata seems to more and more be my choice, even over my fairly engaging sport sedan, and especially over my SUV or truck.

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sukumizu@reddit

Cousin of mine is a few years younger than you but same height, all he drives are old Japanese sports cars from the 80s and 90s lol. Not sure how he fits in a Miata but he seems happy with the fit in his ae86 and 180sx. The only issue is helmet clearance for track days but that got fixed with bucket seats and low rails.

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Viperlite@reddit

I don’t even track mine. I drive it just about anywhere I go where I don’t need to take more than one other person or haul something huge or tow.

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Clerithifa@reddit

Yeah same lol, i'm 31 and have driven trucks, SUVs, sedans and coupes since high school. Own a sport sedan now, I'm thinking about getting a shitty truck just for the practical use (moving, hauling bigger purchases around, etc.), but no way will it become my daily especially with these gas prices lol

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sukumizu@reddit

I think I'd only want a bigger car for stuff like camping, so I can go off the trail a bit and haul gear with me. Maybe an old 4Runner one of these days.

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ninjafaces@reddit

I'm in the exact same situation. Drove coupes all throughout my 20s. Bought my first truck and never want to go back. I'm way too comfortable now.

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RicardoMoyer@reddit

may god save me from ever saying stuff like this

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treefitty350@reddit

gonna be an awkward day for my flair if I ever start hating old coupes man

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brazucadomundo@reddit

Bro, my dad is 70 and he drives a Civic. No excuses, you just have some smallness syndrome.

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Junkee2990@reddit

I think journalist are combining SUVs and Crossovers.

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matt2331@reddit

So are automobile manufacturers tbh

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zarif2003@reddit

Why’d you have a coupe to begin with, if you don’t care about handling/looks?

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BigFatModeraterFupa@reddit

i did care about those things, but maybe i'm just getting old and having to fit more tools in my car made me change my mind. i still have my current coupe but i think she's gonna be a weekend warrior from now on

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TrueSwagformyBois@reddit

Do you enjoy driving or do you enjoy what driving unlocks for you? Cool factor aside.

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WigginIII@reddit

Nothing sexier than the long flowing lines of a sleek 4 door sedan.

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Whosez@reddit

100% agree. I miss the days of so many choices in sports sedans.

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MilesBeforeSmiles@reddit

Ya, the second I heard a Gen X mom refer to her Chevy Traverse as a "badass mom-mobile" in front of her kids, I had a feeling the CUV craze was going to come to an end. The winds are a-blowin'.

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10000Didgeridoos@reddit

lol same I was expecting it to happen eventually because it’s just how people are. No one wants to drive what the parents and grandparents are driving

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jondes99@reddit

And I applaud them for it. Best thing Z and Alpha have done all week.

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Several-Eggplant4460@reddit

I'm just waiting for these gigantic pavement princesses of trucks to become uncool again.

Yes that are definitely useful for some people, but not majority of folks who drive around town and justify their truck with "but I go to home depot twice a year".

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pdp10@reddit

Most of them aren't trucks, but enclosed truck-platform passenger minivans.

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aprtur@reddit

Millennials grew up in minivans

I feel like there was a cutoff in our generation - I grew up in sedans (mom) and sports sedans (dad), and plenty of my friends were also sedan families.

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ZZ9ZA@reddit

Think it's more of a per family thing. Parents of only children almost never bought minivans, even at the peak. 2+ kids is a different story, obviously.

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Hartzler44@reddit

I wish wagons would become cool. They're so practical

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anynamesleft@reddit

I grew up in a family of seven boys during the 70s. We were issued a station wagon, and to this day I love them for their practicality, and the rarer great looks. Give me a good looking wagon over a great looking sedan any day.

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Lo2NL@reddit

I never understood this sentiment. I grew up in station wagons and still think they’re the coolest bodystyle.

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wtfduud@reddit

Idk, I grew up in a sedan, and I still think sedans are cool.

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nahcekimcm@reddit

When can wagona and minivans comeback

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MaybeNext-Monday@reddit

Helps that SUVs and CUVs are objectively stupid objects

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campydirtyhead@reddit

Tbf no crossover has ever been cool

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Several-Eggplant4460@reddit

The luxury German brands actually have some decent sports crossovers. BMW X3 M40/M50, Audi SQ5, Mercedes GLC43/63.

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SH4RPSPEED@reddit

Does the Ionic 5 count as a crossover?

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lachalacha@reddit

I mean it's hideous

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atomictyler@reddit

Huh, it looks like it does. I had just considered it a large hatchback/small wagon. What a weird size.

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SylverShadowWolve@reddit

It is way bigger then you feel like it should be when you stand next to one

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AndroidMyAndroid@reddit

Crossovers are just large hatchbacks, often with small lift kits (or plastic fender cladding to mimic a lift kit).

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leedle1234@reddit

Not really, aside from the "car turned crossover" like the Audi allroads, Outbacks, Crosstreks, the major distinction between cars and crossovers is proportions. They have much taller bodies, not from the higher ride height, but the actual beltline and hoodlines.

Designers try to hide the ugly extra beltline height with a piece of black trim at the bottom for an illusion. Best examples are crossovers on the same platform as normal cars. See Golf vs Taos, for one where they don't bother see: Fiesta vs Puma

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AndroidMyAndroid@reddit

That doesn't mean they aren't just big hatchbacks - plenty of sedans and coupes also have high belt lines, that doesn't make them something else. Crossovers are built on car platforms. They are lifted and stretched and raised, but they are just big cars.

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wi3loryb@reddit

Idk if it counts as a crossover.. but it's definitely not cool

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kylesisles1@reddit

I saw a two door supercharged Rav4 for sale the other day lol

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7eregrine@reddit

Flip side, I have a sedan that I love. My son sees how much I love it. Son wants sedan.

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iamr3d88@reddit

All the normal parents have SUVs and they are boring. You have a different car that brings joy, your kid also wants that. I have a camaro and a gr corolla. My daughter wants the camaro or a miata. Way cooler than a rav 4

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bschmidt25@reddit

Same. I have an e46 that my almost 13 year old is already eyeing up for when he gets his license.

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Graywulff@reddit

Learned stick in an e46 good memories.

Good taste on his part.

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Mattdodge666@reddit

The same way my parents generation felt about the station wagon, and I feel about the minivan, I think it's definitely at least a factor to some percentage

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wangchunge@reddit

Volvo 240 wagon regen coming.... Ev240

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DryProgress4393@reddit

I love wagons,more so wagons with power in the front.

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Mattdodge666@reddit

My generation absolutely loves them, but listening to my mid 60s parents talk about wagons is the exact same way I feel about minivans lol.

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Hustletron@reddit

I love wagons and older minivans so much

Regularly vans just as much

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Shad0wF0x@reddit

We have a Civic Hatch but because it's Boost Blue in a sea of gray, silver, black, and white cars, a bunch of my kid's friends think it's a cool sports car. It's a CVT hatch with good gas mileage and enough space to make Costco runs.

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marko719@reddit

Any car with a CVT is automatically the epitome of uncool.

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Jake0024@reddit

Unfortunately it's even simpler than that

20 years ago when everyone's parents drove sedans, teens wanted 2-door coupes--cars that are sporty and fun

A 4000 lb sedan feels sporty and fun compared to the average American vehicle now

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InsertBluescreenHere@reddit

this is it exactly. kids in the 60s and 70s rode around in station wagons - they became uncool. then ti was minivans, they became uncool, then crossovers and small SUVs - now they are uncool and wagons are cool again

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Killahdanks1@reddit

I think it’s that there are a lot of Hondas, Hyundais and Kias that have become inexpensive teenager cars.

Also, I’m a sedan guy. Have been since like 2000. I have a BMW M550 and a 2003 Jetta Wolfsburg as a modded summer toy. They are great. Your friends can come too.

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bigblu_1@reddit

More likely because they're cheaper and generally get better MPG.

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checkoutmuhhat@reddit

Clickbait, American teens aren't super in to driving is the truth. I'm starting to prefer smaller vehicles if nothing else just for better mileage.

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Windows-XP-Home-NEW@reddit

That’s what the fake boomer outrage news wants you to believe. Talk to real high school students.

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RunnerLuke357@reddit

I'm 21, I know lots of people around my age that took a long time to drive and only do it out of necessity and a few people that don't drive period. This is a real thing. Where I live you need a car to have a job or really go anywhere (and as a result, the cops don't suspend licenses like they should, so many people that shouldn't drive are driving) so it's baffling that they don't even get licenses.

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by_a_pyre_light@reddit

I mean, I just watched Jason Cammisa and Doug Demuro on their podcast today where they discussed this and one of them was talking about their kid and their kid's friends not caring. 🤷

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marko719@reddit

Jason doesn't have kids, and Doug's kids are like 5 and 3 years old. All they know is, Dad has a white car and a red car. In ten years, they might have different opinions.

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hutacars@reddit

I was already very into cars by 3, despite neither of my parents giving two shits about cars. I guess people develop interests at different rates, but it seems just as likely their opinions won’t change at all in 10 years.

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Windows-XP-Home-NEW@reddit

Probably antisocial.

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Team503@reddit

No, just probably aware they can just use an app to call a car to drive them wherever they need to go.

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tylerderped@reddit

Like half of my friends from high school never got their license.

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AndreLeGeant88@reddit

Depending how far out from HS you are I suspect that's mostly because of infantilizing young people + going to colleges where they don't drive

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Team503@reddit

I have one word for you: Uber. TNCs drastically reduced the cost and drastically increased the convenience of getting around without a car. The taxi monopoly was broken and prices plummeted, meaning young people could get around without having to beg for a ride from parents or friends anymore.

Add to the facts that the presence of TNCs massively reduced DUI/DWI incidents, that the prices of cars and gasoline have massively increased, and that the cost of living in general is increasingly unaffordable, and you have a perfect storm for kids to avoid cars.

Cars are expensive. They're the second most expensive thing people ever buy, and they have ongoing costs like fuel, maintenance, and insurance that people love avoiding. It is not a surprise in a world where young people are increasingly unable to buy a home that they're avoiding buying cars.

It's the same reason why modifying and being into cars as a hobby is dying off. It's simply too expensive for most people now.

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Sexualrelations@reddit

It’s because they don’t need to drive to connect with friends and have freedom anymore. Parents arent kicking their kids out, aren’t as strict and there are no third places to go to anymore. They are also just going to hop online anyway.

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AndreLeGeant88@reddit

There were no third places when I was in high school 20 years ago but everyone got their license for the most part because you literally can't go anywhere in the US without a car. No one was getting kicked out the house.

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slowpoke2018@reddit

Those down voting you are full of shit

Two teenage kids, one got his license as soon as he able, the other - and older - one has zero interest in driving

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idksomuch@reddit

I have two younger cousins. One just turned 18 and has been working on his permit for over half a year on driver's ed. He's less enthusiastic to get his license than his younger brother who is turning 16 later this summer. The younger brother is locked and loaded ready to take on driver's ed and get his permit. The older one briefly mentioned that he wants to wait until he's at least 18 so he can just take the test and get his license instead of going through driver's ed and getting a permit.

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cheeseshcripes@reddit

That's exactly the split between me and my sister. We are millenials.

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cereal7802@reddit

Yeah. As a millennial my sisters both got their licenses as soon as they could. I didn't really have any interest. I was 18 before i got my license and only really because I needed to drive to work.

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ManufacturerBest2758@reddit

This is extremely dependent on where you live more than anything else.

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Windows-XP-Home-NEW@reddit

Sure.

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Anchor_Aways@reddit

Tried talking to some HS students but now I'm on a watch list. Please advise

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clownpirate@reddit

Kids seem more interested in bringing out the pitchforks and placards to ban all cars and force everyone from the cities to the farmlands to use public transportation or bicycles. Ok, that’s an exaggeration, but only partially.

It’s not really just affordability either. I work with some early twentysomethings, including some with very wealthy parents. These are the kids, if they were my age, who would have their parents buy them BMWs as first cars as soon as they got their permits.

But today? None of them have any interest in driving. Some don’t even have licenses, the ones that do complain about how they wish they didn’t have to drive.

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LongjumpingLock5875@reddit

GT3, GT3RS, G80 M3.

They see them all over social media, and want them.

I just don't think older people are seeing the media that teenagers are seeing.

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Megatron_McLargeHuge@reddit

If you gave them a choice between a free track day but they can't take any pictures, or a photoshoot for social media but they can't drive the car, which are they picking?

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PurpleSausage77@reddit

Costs. Soon they can just subscribe to driverless services and it’ll work out cheaper than ownership costs that only go up. Especially the half that maybe don’t care or particularly enjoy to drive.

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Not_Daijoubu@reddit

I remember having a conversation with some older people complaining about how their children/grandchildren didn't want to drive, let alone get a license. This is the rural Midwest too, where driving is pretty much essential.

That or things like other Gen Z around my age (mid 20s) in California zoning out and doing some random shit while letting their Model 3 drive. Or how about people just being very impatient drivers in general because they just want to get out of the car sooner, not because they're having a mini road rage.

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SnowDucks1985@reddit

I want a sedan for my next car if that counts lol. I do like the seating position/height of my car, but I only drove sedans beforehand and I miss the nimbleness of them.

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cereal7802@reddit

The problem is, everyone thinks they are everyone. It is going to have significant variance from state to state and place to place. it will also have a lot of variance from one end of gen z to the other. I think car manufacturers somehow keep messing up their research on what people want because I swear not long ago companies started killing off sedans because they said nobody wanted them. doesn't seem to be the case, and I don't think it ever really was. People like SUVs and trucks, but they also like everything else too. You can't limit your product lineup and capture more audience.

[-]

pdp10@reddit

I swear not long ago companies started killing off sedans because they said nobody wanted them.

I've mentioned how dealership salespersons have a tendency to tell me that nobody wants manuals, and that all the manuals that come to the lot get sold very quickly, in the same conversation. They have their reasons for saying these things, but you can't take everything they say as gospel. Manufacturers have efficiency, emissions, safety regulations and volume economics to worry about; dealers have their own incentives to move high-margin volume quickly and use floor plan efficiently.

Secondly, the average new car buyer in the U.S. is at least 50 years old, with everything that comes with that demographic.

[-]

neck_iso@reddit

Did you RTFA?

They talked to 14-19 yo who are not the current market.

51% were interested in sedans whereas they comprise 14% of the current market.

Auto lifecycles are 5-7 years.

[-]

7eregrine@reddit

Well I can share a data point of 1. My son wants a sedan, just got his temps.

[-]

Pseudonym_741@reddit

Well his old man has a damn fine sedan, judging by the flair at least.

[-]

7eregrine@reddit

It is damn fine. 😎 2019 S60 RDesign with the twin charged and factory Polstar tuned T6 engine pushing 330 Hp, the $3,200 Bowers and Wilkins stereo option and the best damn seats in nearly any sedan.
She's a beaut, Clark.

[-]

kraquepype@reddit

My daughter as well, she's almost got her license and has said she wants a sedan. So theres 2 I guess.

[-]

7eregrine@reddit

Someone else agrees. We are 3. 🤣

[-]

brazucadomundo@reddit

Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, VW, ...

[-]

Euler007@reddit

And are they buying new cars, or eight year old used cars? Because last time I checked factories don't make eight year old cars with 100k miles on the counter.

[-]

jdore8@reddit

Time to bring back the Yugo, it fit that bill when new.

[-]

UV-FiveSeven@reddit

My friend’s teen daughter isn’t into cars at all and wants to get a Saturn Sky. She wants something fun and more importantly doesn’t want to be seen in a crossover. They’re seen as cringe millennial shit now apparently.

[-]

ToneThugsNHarmony@reddit

Yeah I just heard in the radio today that Chrysler/Ram is coming out with FOUR new crossovers next year.

[-]

MasterofPeridots@reddit

The main problem is they can't afford it.

[-]

FR_Van_Guy@reddit

The same American teens that can’t afford a car.

I want two Bugattis. Are you listening VW?

[-]

shiftdown@reddit

like welded together? they could be listening

[-]

Several-Eggplant4460@reddit

They welded two V8s together to make the W16, now they can weld two W16s together to make a WW32

[-]

kaihong@reddit

Dual engines. One in the front, one in the rear. AWD.

[-]

OoIIoO@reddit

8-tutbo W32

[-]

rivermesh@reddit

On top of each other.

[-]

FR_Van_Guy@reddit

"This that two Bugatti rich" a lyric from Kanye West's 2022 hit collaboration with The Game, titled "Eazy"

[-]

AndroidMyAndroid@reddit

IMO if you can't afford two Bugattis you probably can't afford one Bugatti.

[-]

pmmeuranimetiddies@reddit

I saw a study a while back that said teens apparently have more expendable income than a lot of young adults because teens have almost no living expenses.

If you worked a bunch of hours over the summer and made lucky investments in the stock market you could probably afford a Versa

[-]

275MPHFordGT40@reddit

Probably not since Rimac owns Bugatti now.

[-]

kqlx@reddit

suvs+ crossovers are the new minivan, which in turn were the new station wagons.

[-]

A_Downboat_Is_A_Sub@reddit

Nissan brought their Prairie to the US, called it the Stanza Wagon, carmakers super-sized it, and the minivan was born.

[-]

Ok_Two_2604@reddit

I’m X and my friends are all just coming over to CUVs. I’m still a pickup for the week and vert for the weekend guy.

[-]

RealSunglassesGuy@reddit

Bring the Honda Fit back to the US!

[-]

thefumingo@reddit

Zoomers love calling them fih, which is more than most cars that don't have a meme name at all

[-]

cynetri@reddit

honda fih 🥀

[-]

Lower_Kick268@reddit

Why? So nobody can buy it again?

[-]

aprtur@reddit

I wouldn't call 30-70,000 units a year through it's lifetime "nothing", but I wouldn't call it a volume seller like the Civic, either. There's nothing wrong with having slightly niche options in the lineup as long as demand is consistent.

[-]

Lower_Kick268@reddit

The issue is demand wasnt consistent, demand decreased after 2017 and sales fell every year till it was discontinued. People changed and didnt want these anymore, i cant imagine demand has increased for them in 2026

[-]

pdp10@reddit

demand decreased after 2017

A popular opinion is that the Fit peaked with the second generation (first U.S. generation), and subsequent redesigns weren't as good.

[-]

Lower_Kick268@reddit

Not here, people always called the gen 1 Fits in the US ugly af, the 2nd ones look cool but nobody wanted them.

[-]

buttlord5000@reddit

Fuel prices have certainly increased from 2017 to 2026

[-]

leedle1234@reddit

I hate this idea manufacturers and the media put into people's heads "discontinued because nobody bought it". There is literally always major asterisks attached to tell the whole story.

[-]

JillierHaroldLamaar@reddit

It's weird that in car discussions, consumers are heavily blamed for the enshitification of everything. I guess those people contributing to the 50,000 Fits/year stat should have bought it twice to prevent manufacturers from focusing on moving fewer, higher margin vehicles per year. Same way we totally could have prevented gray square Pizza Huts if we just bought more pizza or something.

[-]

SexBobomb@reddit

in Canada the fit was made in China which is weird that all the reactionaries didnt mention it during their current rageout about EVs

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Averageinternetdoge@reddit

It's a luxury hybrid now. Not for poor people.

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dontbeslo@reddit

What about wagons? Are they cool?

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muchgreaterthanG_O_D@reddit

Id love a camry wagon. Hybrid, awd, it would be perfect.

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FearlessTomatillo911@reddit

Thats a venza.

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muchgreaterthanG_O_D@reddit

The venza is more like a crossover and doesnt have a hybrid as far as Im aware.

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DocPhilMcGraw@reddit

Crown Signia is pretty darn close to what you’re wanting. When you see them in person, they look very much like a lifted wagon.

[-]

PM-ME-YOUR-SUBARU@reddit

I'd be looking at one pretty closely right now if they sold the plug in hybrid version here.

[-]

coffeeshopslut@reddit

Yeah they look cool, if expensive

[-]

funnyfarm299@reddit

They're $10,000 cheaper than a comparable Lexus.

[-]

DocPhilMcGraw@reddit

Maybe not now because of gas prices. But earlier in the year it was very easy to find them marked down by thousands because it was an often overlooked vehicle. Toyota buyers either usually spring for the RAV4 or if they’re spending more money they go with the 4Runner.

It was pretty common to see them marked down by $4k to $5k.

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FearlessTomatillo911@reddit

You can get them hybrid awd. They are essentially slightly lifted camry wagons.

[-]

meatdome34@reddit

Brown and with a manual?

[-]

muchgreaterthanG_O_D@reddit

That brown metallic that was popular on vws a decade or so ago was a cool color. But contrary to the joke I hate manual...

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windowpuncher@reddit

Cool? No. Sick as hell? Absolutely.

[-]

blametheboogie@reddit

studies cool wall

Still no.

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FearlessTomatillo911@reddit

The coolest.

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pug_walker@reddit

We can only hope.

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Santa_Hates_You@reddit

I love having a sedan but I have not been a teen since the last century.

[-]

xt1nct@reddit

I will always be a teen….its the body that is aging. :(

[-]

tspangle88@reddit

I haven't been a teen since the Bush administration (the first Bush) and I like sedans just fine. But what I really like is wagons.

[-]

Beekatiebee@reddit

Ten years post-teen here. Love my sedans.

[-]

Lug-Shot@reddit

Introducing the all new Utility Vehicle (not to be used off-road) with unibrow tail light, AI generated body design, touchscreen gas and brake pedals, and fake tail pipes! All for the low price of $75,000+TAX (does not include vehicle drive subscription, $1000/month+$500/year for heated seats)

[-]

Sprinklypoo@reddit

I want a sedan too, but I'm not seeing a lot of them...

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joker_1173@reddit

Which automakers? Ford current makes 1 car at all - the mustang, thats it. No sedan or wagon at all. Seems most are all about crossovers and SUVs

[-]

squarerootsquared@reddit

Foreign manufacturers, Kia Hyundai Honda Toyota dominate the sedan market. American manufacturers gave up the segment to focus on what makes them money: SUVs and trucks

[-]

joker_1173@reddit

Very true, and why is that? It is due to the complete laziness of american automakers. They lobbied against CAFE standards for their "light trucks" and got it, so that is why theyve made trucks bigger and bigger over the years. Because vehicles over a certain weight are considered light trucks and exempt from the fuel efficiency standards.

[-]

sparklyboi2015@reddit

I don’t know if it is just me, but I would rather have a hot hatch.

[-]

Falloutvictim@reddit

My oldest son will be driving soon and I've been teaching him how to drive my car. He wants a manual sedan or coupe for his first car and thinks crossovers are lame, and I've heard him talking with friends and they think so too. I love to hear it. I've owned coupes, sedans, and SUVs (actual SUVs, not CUVs) through different life phases, and after an SUV phase I'm so happy being back in a sedan. I don't see myself ever going back to an SUV and I've never owned a crossover, I'm more likely to get a coupe again when the kids are driving themselves than ever getting a crossover. I'm thinking about buying him something like a Civic Si for his first car.

[-]

D0xxing@reddit

I’d take my Stelvio over most sedans I see on the road 😂

[-]

Falloutvictim@reddit

I'm coming from the perspective of like for like though. It's not a fair comparison to talk about a Stelvio vs a Corolla or whatever sedan you see most everyday. If I was buying an Alfa it'd be the Giulia, which is a more fair comparison. I'd take a Cayenne over an Accord too, but that's not apples to apples, nobody is cross-shopping those two vehicles. Moreso dollar-for-dollar, I'm taking a luxury sports sedan over any crossover of similar price.

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D0xxing@reddit

I guess it depends on where you live. I did look seriously at the Giulia, but living in Canada means the Stelvio was the easy choice.

[-]

rudbri93@reddit

Since when are teens buying new cars?

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MyCarGoesSlow@reddit

This seems more likely the cause. Teens can’t afford SUVs or the up keep/gas they require, so they’re getting used sedans

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Ecsta@reddit

Teens also generally don't pick their first car. They get what their parents give them.

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wookieSLAYER1@reddit

I wonder how many parents buy their kids brand new cars.

[-]

nimama3233@reddit

Teen drivers are like 3 out of 80 years of potential demographic, and far and away the ones with the least money.

Yeah I’m sure automakers are totally listening to that super legit segment of buyers

[-]

RangerHikes@reddit

If your business isn't getting young people excited you have no business. This is true across a multitude of industries. Any brand that becomes known as an "old person" brand struggles and often dies

[-]

pdp10@reddit

"old person" brand

Oldsmobile, Buick outside of mainland China, Lincoln, Studebaker, Cadillac...

[-]

bakedvoltage@reddit

A vehicle architecture development cycle can take anywhere from 8 to 10 years if you wanted to start this very moment. Those teens now are gonna be mid 20s with real money by the time whatever's cooking at the moment comes out.

[-]

FalconTurbo@reddit

While that's a fair point, companies that big aren't interested in just 'what works right now'. They need to plan five, ten fifteen years ahead for research, design, production line engineering, and actual manufacturing. That's why they do studies like this regularly - it's not just tracking historic data, it's predicting future trends to keep them in business. The teens of today are the homeowning, new car buying adults of 2040 (which is disgustingly close in my opinion), so it makes sense to keep an eye on that segment. While tastes change, a lot of people will have a preference for a type of vehicle for a very long time. The guys I went to school with who drove nugget little hatchbacks are often still in smaller cars now, and the guys in Hiluxes are, quite often, riding in Rangers and Cruisers today.

[-]

invol713@reddit

Then they should plan to make more wagons. More and more younger folk can’t afford to live anywhere, and living in your car is increasing. Wagons make that easier than sedans.

[-]

blala202@reddit

Brown, manual, wagons

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biggsteve81@reddit

You think people living in their cars are buying new?

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CanadaEh97@reddit

And vans are easier than wagons for living in.

[-]

SoapDropper1337@reddit

The only people buying a brand new $100k Sprinter to live in are trust fund kids who want to be influencers. Everyone else, who's trying to save money, modifies an old cargo van

[-]

CanadaEh97@reddit

I didn't say specifically Sprinter vans, there are plenty of GMC Safari/Chevy Express vans out there along with the Ford Transit and the Nissan ones as well. I've seen a few people convert those on the cheaper end vs a sprinter cause it's what they could afford and prefer size wise.

[-]

ukazuyr@reddit

What teenagers want is not something most of them will want in next 10 years. That's why listening to this particular demographic in long term plans is not the best idea

[-]

aka_mank@reddit

Following in the footsteps of successful Scion.

[-]

SnooHobbies327@reddit

So, lets be shortsighted? Listening to the future is how these companies stay in business.

[-]

saml01@reddit

Since when are teens even interested in driving?

[-]

warfighter187@reddit

they have given up on buying a house but can now aspire to a 30 year auto loan

[-]

Trevski@reddit

I mean I think I see the logic, if you sold someone a luxury full size SUV backwhen the kids were in booster seats and now the oldest is getting their license, build some dynastic dealer connections. I think this strategy can work for some automakers but Buick and Hyundai aren’t those.

I mean I’m sure the insane looking new Mercedes will captivate some spoiled rich kids.

[-]

Snoo93079@reddit

1970s? 🤷

[-]

null_not@reddit

Is the world healing? Is the SUV/Cross-over-fication of the auto industry coming to an end?

[-]

carmeiser@reddit

It might becoming balanced. I think there is some of a market for crossovers, but also one for sedans.

[-]

null_not@reddit

I have a theory that the data analytics boom and "data driven" decision making started when lifted wagons and hatch backs were kind of popular (specifically because they were not SUVs) like during Subaru's hay day and the generally rally fascination by the enthusiast market. So the data was bias toward a lifted 5 door and even as that trend started to fall away the car companies just kept producing lifted 5 doors, and people need cars so they would buy them. And it's like, just because it sells doesn't mean it's what people want, sometimes it's just their only option.

[-]

pdp10@reddit

just because it sells doesn't mean it's what people want, sometimes it's just their only option.

When it comes to things like smartphones, laptops, automobiles, or homes, a lot of people just pick from what they see while they're shopping.

Some members of my family do a lot of research before buying vehicles. Another one is driving what they are, because it was at the dealership when their previous vehicle broke down.

[-]

null_not@reddit

Exactly. I think over the last several years sales and marketing people cos playing as data analysts have been making some serious inference errors regarding customer interest.

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V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit

There are some sedan body crossovers becoming a thing. Toyota Crown Cross is one of these models.

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null_not@reddit

Yeah, it's not a new thing. There was an Outback Sedan 10-20 years ago, but it never sold as well as the wagon. I always thought they were cool though.

[-]

hugeness101@reddit

We want EV’s from China….

[-]

V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit

We actual want perfect rail system like China and Japan ones. Most teens in todays even don't want to own car.

[-]

pdp10@reddit

Sorry, your only options are rail system like UK and California ones.

[-]

umrum@reddit

Remember the coupe? Pepperidge Farm remembers…

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ThreeNC@reddit

"Teens want gas guzzling sedans" - Big Auto probably

[-]

Averageinternetdoge@reddit

Can't wait to see the day when the big auto successfully pushes the monster truck concept on general public. "It's like the SUVs everyone loves, but better!"

[-]

pdp10@reddit

That happened last century.

[-]

pdp10@reddit

We would be so lucky. I'll settle for good value electric hot hatches, though.

[-]

Sierra592@reddit

Crossovers are pretty much perfect vehicles and meet an intersection for the general buyer. Room for friends and family, room to carry stuff (me and my 2 buddies shoved a whole luxury recliner in my CX5 with the 3 of us). Sporty enough ride that they're still interesting to drive. Wide open windshield for being able to see safely.
Sedans have exactly one nominal use. Transportation. Storage and company are okay at best.
I'll never give up crossovers.

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Avedas@reddit

Crossovers are just hatchbacks raised to accommodate fat or old people.

[-]

ImJustStealingMemes@reddit

Wish they didn't pretend they were big fat SUVs with extended body panels.

Even the Crosstrek that doesn't change the body nearly at all still has it classified and sold as an SUV, and the only thing that wouldn't allow it to qualify as a car is the tint.

[-]

pdp10@reddit

classified and sold as an SUV

CAFE, emissions, and safety regulations have differed for SUVs compared to sedans.

[-]

Sierra592@reddit

Yep. What if part of your social group contains larger or old people? Like....normal people?

[-]

Sensibleble@reddit

larger as in fat normal people

?

[-]

Sierra592@reddit

It's crazy to me that some people are so committed to being assholes.

[-]

captainnowalk@reddit

I interpreted that as taller? All the taller people I know have SUVs or pickups now. The seating position is apparently more effective at handling their long-ass legs than an equivalent size sedan or hatch. A few of them absolutely love the Kia Soul lol

[-]

Octquat@reddit

Only reason I want one is because of snow. But it's also pretty hard for me to buy something I think is ugly.

[-]

gaius49@reddit

Yep, they are hatchbacks, but more ergonomic.

[-]

lee1026@reddit

The wagons of yesteryear are taller than today’s too.

The success of the crossover means that if you are still making a wagon, it needs to be different from the crossover. So where the cross over is tall, you need to be short.

Usability be damned. The designers of the wagons of their heyday had no such issues.

[-]

dirtydriver58@reddit

Yup

[-]

PurpleSausage77@reddit

That size is fine, but any smaller than CX5 CUV’s are useless, the packaging and hatch openings are terrible to where they do nothing well. Better off in station wagons and hatchbacks.

[-]

Colorful_Monk_3467@reddit

We had a Hyundai Kona rental recently and that seemed packaged very well.

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AnonymousEngineer_@reddit

Everyone says this right until the point you have elderly passengers or need to wrestle a kid into a child seat.

Two things I suspect most teenagers don't consider when choosing what car would be cool for them.

[-]

Forum_Browser@reddit

I've never had a problem putting my kid into my jetta. I don't see how being a few inches higher would be any easier.

I don't think most teenagers are going to choose a vehicle based on the off chance they need to cart their grandparents around.

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AnonymousEngineer_@reddit

I don't see how being a few inches higher would be any easier.

Most crossovers have taller rooflines, too so larger vertical door openings. It helps so passengers don't need to bend their heads as much when entering.

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Forum_Browser@reddit

Most crossovers have taller rooflines, too so larger vertical door openings. It helps so passengers don't need to bend their heads as much when entering.

This just seems like such a tiny, minor inconvenience that I would never consider it when choosing a vehicle lol. If I made a list of 100 things to consider when buying a vehicle I don't think that would even cross my mind.

My point was that most teenagers will rarely, if ever have to cart their grandparents around. I don't think most people should buy a vehicle based on a scenario that might happen once a year at most.

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AnonymousEngineer_@reddit

My point was that most teenagers will rarely, if ever have to cart their grandparents around

You're not wrong, and I think we're kind of saying the same thing from opposite ends.

It's something that older buyers will take into account, not teenagers, which is why their preferences aren't necessarily reflective of the entire market or where it's heading.

[-]

Dr__Nick@reddit

Really, you've never noticed that you have to position the car seat just so to get it in the car? Or move up the passenger seat for a rear facing car seat? Because I have in my old Subaru Legacy.

[-]

Forum_Browser@reddit

I just turn the car seat sideways to get it in and out, and rotate it once it's in the car. It's not really an inconvenience and makes putting the car seat in take a couple extra seconds. When my car seat was rear facing it fit just fine behind the drivers seat. My daily driver is a mark 4 jetta, so it's not exavtly new or large. More modern sedans have more space and are much easier to fit car seats into.

[-]

CaptSlow49@reddit

Have you considered many people don’t do either of those things? Don’t worry, crossovers aren’t going anywhere.

[-]

Regency9877@reddit

I have two toddlers and I’ve had no issues whatsoever with their child seats, getting them in or out, or having enough room in my secondhand 18-year-old Infiniti sedan.

Families made do just fine when sedans and wagons were the norm. I’ve used a couple crossovers as rentals or from family members. I’m not impressed.

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AnonymousEngineer_@reddit

You can certainly make do and sling kids in a regular sedan or wagon. But the higher ride height and the taller door openings help with loading/unloading passengers.

There's a reason why Subaru kept the Outback wagon going for far longer than the Liberty, and the Outback was basically a Liberty with additional ride height and some plastic cladding.

[-]

Forum_Browser@reddit

I personally think driving a sedan with better handling characteristics and better fuel economy is a much bigger advantage than having a vehicle that is marginally easier to get into and out of.

[-]

AnonymousEngineer_@reddit

better handling characteristics

The thing is that outside places like this where enthusiasts are overrepresented, people do not care about handling as long as the car goes where the steering is pointed.

The overwhelming majority of drivers do not fancy themselves as the next Max Verstappen and are not trying to hit peak lateral G on the way to pick up some milk and eggs.

[-]

Forum_Browser@reddit

Do you have to be a wanna be race car driver to enjoy how a car drives and handles? I agree that most people don't care about a cars handling, but that does not at all mean that driving a sedan makes carting kids around a challenge, for the few of us that don't consider a lower ride hight a good thing.

[-]

gaius49@reddit

You know that the vast majority of crossovers are built on car suspensions and frames, right?

[-]

Forum_Browser@reddit

Yes, and that means a higher centre of gravity and more wind resistance.

[-]

gaius49@reddit

The wind resistance is negligible, and the higher center of gravity is also pretty small. In practice, the quality of the spring, damper, and sway bar tuning is what matters. The extra suspensions travel is actually pretty great to have for fast road use.

[-]

BudgetBison@reddit

Can go 50/50 for the elderly. Would have been tougher to get my short hunchback grandma in and out of a CUV than a sedan. She could firmly plant her feet before receiving help getting to a standing position. Same with getting in. Always had firm contact with the ground at any point of ingress or egress.

[-]

FearlessTomatillo911@reddit

I've got a 9 year old and a 6 year old, getting them into car seats has never been an issue for my elantra.

[-]

FearlessTomatillo911@reddit

Sedans often have as much or more interior passenger space as crossovers or SUVs. You're just thinking of compact sedans, there are mid size and full-size as well. If it has a hatch they are just as useful for cargo.

[-]

V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit

Sedans often have as much or more interior passenger space as crossovers or SUVs.

There isn't enough rear head room in sedan.

[-]

biggsteve81@reddit

Sedans are also significantly longer than their equivalent crossovers.

[-]

Dr__Nick@reddit

I doubt it. Was surprised at how tight the rear seat of Mercedes E class wagon and big Volvo were compared to the same brand equivalent SUV.

[-]

FearlessTomatillo911@reddit

Ever been in the back of an s class? You likely arent comparing apples to apples

[-]

QcRoman@reddit

Sporty enough ride that they're still interesting to drive.

https://youtu.be/lhckuhUxcgA?si=1IEQ6BVsTgxafj18

[-]

FBI-INTERROGATION@reddit

You dont speak for us, millennial

[-]

SupaMario72@reddit

Since when can teens afford anything? They get hand me downs to play bumper cars.

[-]

LukeSkyWRx@reddit

Listening to “customers” with no money, great strategy.

Like asking 80 year olds what they want in a car design.

[-]

time_alliance@reddit

It's wild to see the tide turning back toward sedans. After years of SUV dominance, automakers finally seem to be catching on that younger drivers want something sleeker and more efficient.

[-]

ninjastk@reddit

Unfortunately these teens will grow up with responsibilities such as bills with more bills and possibly kids… and then realize an SUV is better suited for them.

[-]

Slideways@reddit

How many American teens are buying new cars?

[-]

Working_Elephant5344@reddit

It’s usually the parents, not the teens themselves. New Civics and Corollas seem to be extreme common first cars for teens.

[-]

Snoo93079@reddit

Probably more now than ever

[-]

Realtrain@reddit

Based on what?

[-]

Snoo93079@reddit

The gap between the the upper middle class and everyone else is greater than ever. My hypothesis is that there are generally more teens getting new cars today than there was when I was young.

[-]

jrileyy229@reddit

If automakers start to steer their ship towards what teenagers want to buy, they'll be out of business very quickly. The number of teenagers who get a brand new car is very small. Of that group, the number who get to choose their car and don't just get whatever their parents decide to buy them is even smaller. In this niche of a niche, said teenager is not going to choose a Buick sedan because it's cheap and gets better fuel economy... This person has no monetary concerns.

[-]

marko719@reddit

Their parents are buying the cars not the teens.

[-]

shiftdown@reddit

This totally real article I read from a super reliable source. Trust me, bro

[-]

Somo_99@reddit

I'm an American teen (18) who just got a new car and the only thing I want is for it to last me until I can get another one. Couldn't really care if it's a truck, sedan, suv, whatever. Just want it cheap and reliable

[-]

What_the_8@reddit

Ah yes, teenagers, the prime auto manufacturers cashed up demographic…

[-]

SerbianHustle@reddit

Fuck teens.

- Automakers who listened to them, probably

[-]

Ftpini@reddit

Automakers don’t give a shit about what teens want. They only care about folks who buy new cars. Teens almost never buy new cars.

[-]

mdwieland@reddit

Sedans and wagons, please?

Some of us actually like to DRIVE...

[-]

clownpirate@reddit

All dozens of us!

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bananamussel@reddit

Smaller trucks is what we need. 2 door trucks.

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V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit

Maverick isn't small enough for you ?

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Bobguy64@reddit

It's definitely not a 2 door truck.

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V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit

That's my point, most truck buyers in todays are buying and asking crew cab, not reg cab. That's reason why many automakers rather offer small unibody crew cab trucks, not give you BOF RCSB truck.

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Beneficial-Focus3702@reddit

Bring the Hilux!

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Fappy_as_a_Clam@reddit

Why would they?

The average age of a new car buyer in the US is like 55.

No one cares what teens want, they won't be buying a car for 40 years

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Pyju@reddit

Probably also has something to do with CAFE standards being gutted.

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Turbulent_Deal_3145@reddit

Bring back coupes. Just normal little economy coupes that are good on gas and kinda peppy. There was the Kia Forte, Scion Tc, obviously the Honda Civic which isn't available in coupe anymore.

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Averageinternetdoge@reddit

Not gonna happen since apparently anything cool or beautiful is only for the rich people now. And the whole point of coupes is looks, so for the elite only.

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V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit

Sedan based coupe is even dying in luxury segment, as we've seen Audi and Lexus now followed Caddy and Infiniti to drop their coupe model. Only Merc and BMW still offered their coupe, and they now only offer one and two coupe models and not like before.

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LewdDarling@reddit

Its not really feasable with how manufacturing has changed nowadays. It used to be that saving the materials cost for coupes was worth it, but nowadays simplifying the assembly line to just make one body style ends up cheaper.

the economy car coupes never really offered any advantages besides looks anyways. Honda's coupes had wheelbases that were like 2 inches shorter and saved less than 100lbs over their sedan counterparts. Not enough for the average driver to really notice a difference.

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funnyfarm299@reddit

obviously the Honda Civic which isn't available in coupe anymore

That's called a Prelude.

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Turbulent_Deal_3145@reddit

Lol ok, fine. But that's sport-oriented and not cheap at all

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SnooBunnies4649@reddit

Meh hard no. Just want electric SUVs under $35K

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SweetTooth275@reddit

Not only american, europeans aswell. The main issue is: crosovers and suvs are more profitable and old farts got the money, so they're the main audience.

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BigFatModeraterFupa@reddit

lolol to be fair, i never thought i would be saying anything like this either. and i STILL hate most SUVs on the road today, especially these giant new ones.

But the 2011 Tahoe i just got, it's old enough to not have all of these fancy shmancy gizmos, and it's actually relatively small compared to the colossal monstrosities on the road today, but man it's really nice to gun it with that giant 5.3L V8 and just experience that massive power while basically sitting on a couch cushion😅🥰

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Lord_Vas@reddit

Uhm... what teen is buying themselves new cars? There are definitely parents that would buy their 16 year old teen a brand new car but there aren't that many of them. Used, sure. The used car purchased would be random or the parents' taste.

My first car two cars were a 1997 Honda civic manual (the mistake) and quickly followed by a 2006 Volkswagon Passat Auto. I had zero choice in the matter and I didn't care. I was just happy to not have to bike home at 8pm-2am from practice or a game.

Everyone else I knew were also bought used cars. Mostly 2000s Civics, CRVs, Camrys, Rav4s, and the rare Miata.

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xCodeIndexing@reddit

It’s the parents who buy the teens the SUVs over sedan because they think it’s safer and rollovers are not a thing

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ThetaGrim@reddit

So SUVs are the new minivans

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ayyitzTwocatZ@reddit

Sedans are so much better if you actually like to drive imo, I honestly hate the box on wheels mega body roll C/SUV.

With sky high gas with no relief in sight, and SUV prices still climb year after year (article says a midsize suv avg $50,000) I can definitely see the appeal of an Elentra, Camry, Civic or even cheaper the refreshed Sentra.

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CaliDude75@reddit

I am for this, as long as they’re liftbacks.

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ManufacturerBest2758@reddit

Maybe the kids are alright

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BassWingerC-137@reddit

Based

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happy_2_c_u@reddit

Sedans have the right to children.

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Bananaman420kush@reddit

I feel like these results are more based on the fact that teens like cool cars, cool cars don’t abide by the practical and economical realities most adults face aka sedans and coupes. When I was 15 I wanted an c65 AMG, m3, Audi s4, etc. I doubt these kids are thinking base model Camrys when they’re saying they want a sedan.

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Speed_Goddess187@reddit

in Mississippi these yee yee country white boys still want trucks…

they think they’re so cool in their DEAFENING loud, cat-less trucks that sound like garbage

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Speed_Goddess187@reddit

LOL guess one of the yee yee country boys saw my comment, i got a downvote 🤣

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AngryDachshund42@reddit

Thems want mini vans

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M4roon@reddit

Two things I know for sure.

American teens aren't buying cars in any significant number

All my ex's, their moms, and every family on the road is in an SUV or crossover--they are definitely the default boring option. I mean holy crap even the Camry looks really good these days comparatively.

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kyonkun_denwa@reddit

Everyone loves the new Camry. If you told me 15 years ago that in 2026 the Camry would be the cool underdog, I would have congratulated you on writing an entertaining but unrealistic fanfic.

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funnyfarm299@reddit

It doesn't just look good, it drives good too.

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M4roon@reddit

Good to know. It was my first car, and if I ever give up the coupe life, it will probably be my last car too.

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Sensibleble@reddit

American teens will be the customers for the next 70 years tho.

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AlexDaMan22@reddit

As an American teen, I have a sedan. 2011 Lexus ES350. 3.5 V6 and 4 doors.

I find myself wishing for a taller car all the time. My head is not far from touching the ceiling, and my tall brother is VERY close to touching the ceiling. I would also love to be able to see over traffic a bit better. It just looks so small next to my dad's 2025 Toyota RAV4 and 2015 Toyota Sienna

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hordak666@reddit

based kids

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icanfly2026@reddit

Bring back the Buick lasbree or whatever the name was style of sedans with the reliability and low costs

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Shmokesshweed@reddit

Buick lasbree

Bone apple tea.

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PeregrinsFolly@reddit

With what money?

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LongjumpingLock5875@reddit

Considering how many teens I see crashinf G80's on social media.

My guess is parents money.

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Shmokesshweed@reddit

Their parents' money.

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Brief-Reveal-8466@reddit

Not the American car makers. They've got their blinders on and are only producing SUVs and trucks with limited exotic/sports models. They're concentrating on the extra $15K they can charge on the same platform when it's an SUV instead of a sedan. The manufacturers don't care about the reduced MPG due to the extra weight either.

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kr4ckenm3fortune@reddit

The one that wants a sedan are the sensible one.

The one thst wants a suv havent learn or think it cool are gonna learn the FO part.

The one that wants a sedan that is a sport car are also the same as the one that wants a suv. Same thing to the truck.

Why? Gas. Students that rely on their parent's wallet learn...

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detuned--radio@reddit

How? Have they asked every single teen out there?

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mehdotdotdotdot@reddit

Why would anyone want a huge, ugly SUV?

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Forum_Browser@reddit

Because their ego won't let them admit that they really need a minivan.

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gaius49@reddit

Minivans don't haul hundreds of pounds of guns, ammo, steel targets, and friends down dirt roads and rocky trails to get to amazing and remote places on public lands for fun long distance target shooting. Among many other issues.

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Forum_Browser@reddit

Yes, I agree. A truck is the best vehicle for that use case.

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gaius49@reddit

Minivans are good at certain specific things. They are generally pretty awful to drive though, and are not available with manual transmissions. Unless you really need the capabilities of a minivan, I don't see much reason to get one.

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Forum_Browser@reddit

Most people don't really prioritize how a vehicle drives. Mini vans can haul a lot of stuff if you fold down the seats, and are better at moving people around, and these are the reasons people usually cite when they buy an suv/cuv.

I'll confess, I have a two car solution. I have a manual one ton diesel for camping, road trips, and when ever I need to tow atvs into the back country and when ever I need to haul large/heavy objects. And I have a manual diesel sedan for every day use, carting my kid around and commuting

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Ombortron@reddit

That’s part of it for some people, but cost plays a role as well. The cheapest minivans all cost more than the cheapest 3-row SUVs.

The cheapest 3-row SUVs in Canada start at $36k and $38 for a Mitsubishi Outlander SUV or Kia Sorento, while the cheapest 2 minivans start at $42k and $47k, for a Kia Carnival or Chrysler Grand Caravan.

It’s similar in the US, with the SUV’s being $32k and $34k, and the vans being $37k and $40k (and the grand Caravan is replaced by a Toyota Sienna).

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coyote_of_the_month@reddit

I want a minivan so bad, but I do serious towing a couple times a month.

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mehdotdotdotdot@reddit

Teens? They generally want cool cars, not gigantic family cars.

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UV-FiveSeven@reddit

Makes sense: My friend’s teen daughter isn’t into cars at all and wants to get a Saturn Sky. She wants something fun and more importantly doesn’t want to be seen in a crossover. They’re seen as cringe millennial shit now apparently.

They may not have money for new cars right now, but they know what they want to buy when they do.

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NitroLada@reddit

What about people actually of age and purchasing? People's wants change especially from teen to actual young adult

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xdojk@reddit

Does it matter that teens want? I didn't buy a new car until 30s anyway and of course it's an SUV at that stage in life.

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sdmike1@reddit

Teens cant afford cars. Neither can a growing percentage of adults.

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ktmrider119z@reddit

Wagons. Everything good about sedans, everything you would need from an SUV.

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hatefulevo@reddit

I’m 19 and sedans are better imo, wagons are the best alternative but they aren’t popular here

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OHoSPARTACUS@reddit

teens cant afford new cars though?

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metengrinwi@reddit

All the teen young men in my town drive their dads old diesel pickup, except now jacked up 10” higher and with lights in the wheel wells for some reason.

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smrt-514@reddit

Sadly teens are not the ones buying the vast majority of new vehicles so I doubt the car industry will actually listen even if true

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Seref15@reddit

Every generation rejects their parents' car.

wagins -> minivans

minivans -> suvs

suvs -> crossovers

Now we're kind of like at crossovers -> extended cab pickups

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Available_Quote_5567@reddit

When I was a teen I loved sedans. Now I’m a 35 year old with a sedan.

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scottiedog321@reddit

I'm 41 and love me a sedan (and, honestly, more a station wagon). I wish my E90 was an E91, but they weren't exactly popular here in the US.

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Available_Quote_5567@reddit

I have both. I have a sedan and my wife has a wagon, both Volvos.

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scottiedog321@reddit

Oh, man. You just reminded me of riding with my friend in the rear facing seats of their Volvo. Good times :D

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SwayingTreeGT@reddit

Then they’ll have kids and find out why everyone wanted an SUV.

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chadwicke619@reddit

Somehow the rest of the world has managed to reproduce without needing an SUV.

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FalconTurbo@reddit

A lot more people are actively choosing not to have kids now though, so that's something they'll be considering. Those childfree people will still need cars, and maybe something they can actually park in a normal space will be a more attractive option.

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lee1026@reddit

The typical suv is easier to part than a sedan. Being tall means that you don’t need the car to be as long.

Something like the rav4 have a smaller footprint than a Camry when it comes to street parking.

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PNF2187@reddit

I'd argue a lot of SUVs are easier to park than their equivalently priced sedan alternatives since the sedans are usually a fair bit longer which limits their ability in parallel parking situations and also makes them stick out a bit more in parking spaces.

The Camry and RAV4 are both fairly effective family vehicles, and while the RAV4 is about 6/10 of an inch wider in most configurations, it's also about a foot shorter in length and lobs off several inches off the wheelbase, so it's a slightly easier squeeze into some parallel parking spots and comes with a smaller turning radius as well.

The true parking advantages would be seen with smaller hatchbacks, but automakers aren't really interested in bringing those back when they can sell swaths of subcompact CUVs, which are mostly relegated to being city runabouts anyway for the childless folk.

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DocPhilMcGraw@reddit

Birth rates and even marriage rates are declining to the point that the current administration has made it part of their mission to push for people to have more kids. That’s part of the reason you see stuff like the T (rump) savings accounts for having a kid in the next two years.

Right now in the U.S. the fertility rate is around 1.6 children per woman whereas they need it to be at 2.1 to maintain a steady level for the general population. Birth rates have overall declined 23% since 2007.

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Evilmoustachetwirler@reddit

Wagons are so much better than SUVs

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koreanwizard@reddit

Yeah of course teens want sedans, but why would you listen to Teens, they aren’t buying new cars.

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LankyBastardo@reddit

How about an affordable sedan? The job prospects for teens currently suck, so how are they going to afford a $40k or $50k car?

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airfryerfuntime@reddit

No they don't.
No, they're not listening, even if teens wanted that.
Teens buying new cars are a very small market segment.
What even is this slop?

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Dgp68824402@reddit

Here, Teen, we’re making a new $60k sedan just for you.

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Shmokesshweed@reddit

Lots of teens have parents that make lots of money.

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Desert_366@reddit

No they want suv's but can only afford sedans. Dont confuse lack of options with actual wants.

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brianwhite12@reddit

I want sedan, not an suv.

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PEEWUN@reddit

Prove it.

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opeth10657@reddit

Not a teen, but an AWD EV sedan would be great. Tesla is a no go, and they're basically it for sedans.

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mercasio391@reddit

Half of American teens might want a sedan, but 99% of American teens drive what their parents already drive, or are willing to get for them if they are very lucky.

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tylerderped@reddit

Maddy is the realest friend holy shit

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ps93chi@reddit

I think y’all are missing the point. Teens can’t afford to buy cars YET. Companies are always trying to get the younger generation loyal to their brand

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