As a new driver just passing the test, finding the best and safest car on a budget can be difficult.  It’s crucial that time is taken to choose the ideal model to feel confident and at ease behind the wheel.

Research shows that Gen Z frequently struggles with the car purchasing process. Their young age, limited finances and nerves means many first-time drivers struggle to choose the car that best suits their needs.

Analysing needs

Group 1 Automotive has analysed the best used cars for Gen Z. This uses consumer data by Mintel to discover the most important factors for this generation.

The vehicles were then ranked according to brand, size, reliability, upfront cost, value for money and sustainability. These factors are weighted according to the importance for Gen Z motorists.

The Best Used Cars for Gen Z

Money money

When it came to Gen Z, value for money was the most important factor after reliability, followed by price paid upfront and sustainability.

Brand and car size were weighted the same for each generation, however, ranked according to their preferences. For example, where Gen Z prefers brands such as BMW over Toyota, the brand is given a numeric score and then ranked according to weighting.

For those looking for a car that is reliable and has a low upfront cost, the Toyota Yaris Hybrid and Toyota Auris Hybrid both fare well. Both cars are optimised for low running costs with their compact size and good fuel economy, therefore making for a great starter vehicle for those who are looking for a used car on a budget.

Upmarket

Surprisingly, the Mercedes A-Class Hybrid also ranks highly for Gen Z motorists; offering a compromise for those seeking a car from one of their preferred brands, balancing out the higher upfront cost with a better value for money due to the hybrid technology.

Despite being slightly larger than the average Gen Z would like, this car offers luxury finishes that are suited to a younger buyer.

Similarly, the BMW 3 series diesel (2012-2019) scored 67.89 and the BMW 3 series petrol (2012-2019) scored 66.53. Both placed within the top 10 when it came to the best cars for Gen Z.

However, interestingly, the 2019-present versions scored extremely poorly, with the petrol version scoring 55.60 and the diesel version scoring just 43.53. The 2012-2019 versions scored highly for their brand, reliability and upfront cost score.

Read more

You can read the full research here: https://www.group1auto.co.uk/news/used-car-buying-guide-for-each-generation