What Kind of Cars and Trucks Do Wealthy Americans Love to Drive? (2024)

What Kind of Cars and Trucks Do Wealthy Americans Love to Drive? (1)

Americans are constantly altering the way they buy and drive cars. The segment class of the industry offers a wide variety of choices and suits different requirements. For instance, a subtle sedan can be a good choice for everyday use while a high-end luxury Coupe can be a weekend getaway machine.

On the study of the behavior of the rich citizens on their habits of buying cars, it was found that a good chunk does not go for gaudy automobiles and see practicality as their first priority. First things first, let us define the bracket of individuals we are talking about as being wealthy is a variable term. The individuals having an income bracket of more than $200,000 a year are included in the list. These can be content with a2021 Lexus RX 350as well, however, even a luxury barge will not make them stand out amongst the ‘normal’ individuals, so a Bimmer is surely not enough!

Cars and trucks are some of the most fun things the rich can buy and experience the inexperienced. It was found that apart from catering status symbols, most of the wealthy people prefer practical SUVs, something like a2021 BMW X5or a pick-up truck over high-performance sports cars. Driving a Ford F-150 pick-up wagon is more preferable to the Audi R8 Coupe or a Lamborghini Huracan.

It does not imply that the wealthy do not appreciate luxury.Most wealthy people go for luxury optionsas additional packages to make the cars more appealing.

Interesting facts for the higher income brackets

Moving up the income ladder, changes can be witnessed in people who are earning more than $400,000 a year. A switch to more luxury cars can be seen. People from this end prefer a variety of luxury cars from luxury automakers. A Merc, BMW M5, or even a Tesla is their favorite choice among others. Also, the buyers want to taste the latest versions. Buying the latest car is what will make them stand out!

Again, once this number exceeds the $500,000 mark, the Ford F-150 is on the top. Getting hold of a practical pick-up truck or an SUV is much preferable.This bounce back to subtle cars is due to the change in the mindset of these individuals. For them, cars are just appliances and they don’t want to shell out on expensive packages when the job is being done by modest cars.

Why move to modest when you can afford expensive?

A number of reasons were found out when researching why the wealthiest prefer subtle rides. An automotive editor Robert Ross found out that some rich folks see automobiles as an appliance rather than a status symbol. Though, these guys may have parked a Rolls Royce in their garage but rely on robust pick-up trucks and subtle SUVs.

Another interesting reason is the advancement in technology and the sheer competition itself. Automakers throughout the globe are offering great value for money with a minimum gap between ultra-luxurious cars and decent affordable cars. Withmost of the standard features inside any of the mid-range cars, rich buyers are aware of getting a sweet deal rather than spending loads.

Whereas, in the case of Silicon Valley CEOs who have recently been rich, they prefer to ride along with the same metal before they bagged riches. Maybe after getting a taste of luxury and being successful, these folks prefer expensive cars and trucks.

The smart way to dig deep into what Americans love to drive

Another smart approach to find what the rich actually drive and prefer is to track down the zip codes where most of them live. TrueCar did extensive research in 2012 to pinpoint zip codes where the ultra-rich live. According to IRS’s data, the wealthiest lived in lower Manhattan. This zip code had an average income of $5.7 million yearly. The most popular rides around this neighborhood were BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Other wealthy areas like Chicago downtown had a more subtle side with rides like Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda CR-V, and Volkswagen Jetta. Whereas in California which is also one of the wealthy states, the Toyota Prius was the top pick.

The Billionaire Club is pretty sensible

Taking the example of Warren Buffet who drives a 2014 Cadillac XTS that is retailed at around $23,000, aclear state of mind and subtle nature can be drawn. Another example is Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft who is worth over $50 billion. He drives a 2009 Ford Fusion Hybrid which comes at a ballpark of around $19,500.

Though these studies reveal most of the rich Americans, there are also few who embrace expensive flashy rides. Celebrities and sports figures own an array of expensive rides from Rolls Royce to Lamborghinis and Ferrari.

Conclusion

An idea can be drawn through two techniques, the studies done on rich individuals and gauging the same by pinpointing rich places where the wealthy Americans reside. It was found that there are interesting changes in the habit of buying cars when moving up the income ladder.

People who exceed $200,000 per year prefer subtle rides like a Ford F-150 or a Honda Civic despite their affordability for expensive cars. A switch in choice can be seen in people who are earning more than $400,000 per annum. They generally go for expensive rides like aLincoln Navigatoror a Tesla Model S.

When this income bracket exceeds $500,000, the subtle list of cars is again at the top. Also, when studying particular zip codes where the rich reside, it was found that they may have expensive cars like a Rolls-Royce in their garage but prefer a subtle and reliable truck or SUV for everyday use.

What Kind of Cars and Trucks Do Wealthy Americans Love to Drive? (2024)

FAQs

What cars do rich people drive most? ›

A 2022 study by Experian Automotive discovered that many wealthy individuals don't actually drive fancy cars. For those with a household income above $250,000, 61% choose to drive non-luxury brands like Toyotas, Fords, and Hondas.

What kind of car do most millionaires drive? ›

Toyotas, Hondas and Fords? According to a 2022 study by Experian Automotive, a lot of wealthy folks simply don't drive fancy cars. The study found that for people with household income of more than $250,000, 61% don't drive luxury brands. They drive Toyotas, Fords and Hondas like the rest of us.

What kinds of cars do first level millionaires typically drive? ›

That gives a whole new meaning to the idea of “the millionaire down the street,” doesn't it? The top 10 cars for $250,000-plus households include the Mercedes E-class, the Lexus RX 350 and the BMW 5 series and 3 series. Following those top four were three Hondas, a Toyota, an Acura and a Volkswagen.

Do rich people drive pickup trucks? ›

It found that the Ford F-150 pickup truck was the most popular car for people in the United States that make over $200,000 per year.

What cars do smart people drive? ›

The most intelligent drivers include those that own MINIs, Mazdas and Toyotas. White and grey cars are driven by smarter people. MINI and Mazda drivers scored highest on the IQ test, followed by Toyota, Mercedes Benz and Nissan drivers.

What do most successful people drive? ›

A recent study by Experian Automotive found that many wealthy individuals don't actually drive fancy cars. In fact, for those with a household income above $200,000, 61% choose to drive non-luxury brands like Toyotas, Fords, and Hondas.

What SUV do rich people drive? ›

It was found that apart from catering status symbols, most of the wealthy people prefer practical SUVs, something like a 2021 BMW X5or a pick-up truck over high-performance sports cars. Driving a Ford F-150 pick-up wagon is more preferable to the Audi R8 Coupe or a Lamborghini Huracan.

What is the poor man's car? ›

Corvettes were referred to as the poor man's sports car because they were placed in a category alongside exotics such as Lamborghini, Ferrari and Porsche but didn't cost nearly as much to buy or maintain.

What does Jeff Bezos drive? ›

He owns a wide portfolio of vehicles, ranging from sedans to performance cars and luxurious SUVs. He owns many exclusive cars from different manufacturers, like Bugatti, Cadillac, Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, and W Motors.

What truck do most millionaires drive? ›

Whether you're measuring people earning over $200,000 per year, or over $500,000 per year, their tastes in cars are astoundingly identical. In fact, their favorite car isn't a car at all, but a truck - the Ford (NYSE:F) F-150.

What trucks carry money? ›

Armored cars are most prominently used in the financial industry to transport currency, financial information, or other valuable assets.

What kind of car does Bill Gates drive? ›

First and most noteworthy, Gates owns a Porsche 959, a low-slung 1980s icon with Ferrari F40-fighting qualities. Moreover, the 959 has an average value of around $1.7 million. Further establishing Porsche as Gates' favorite automaker, the billionaire bought a 930-generation 911 and a Taycan Turbo.

Which car is best for rich family? ›

Some of the popular luxury cars are Mercedes-Benz AMG SL55 Roadster, BMW M2, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine. Toyota Hilux is the cheapest Luxury car in the India . The on road price of Toyota Hilux in Delhi starts at ₹ 30.41 Lakh and has a seating capacity of 5 people.

Do rich people drive Tesla's? ›

Tesla buyers in general are very wealthy

EV buyers are more likely to be wealthy, especially with the price of most Teslas, by far the industry leader, significantly above the price of the average gas-powered car.

Why do millionaires drive cheap cars? ›

Why are there so many wealthy people who drive average cars? Perhaps because driving expensive cars would attract unwanted attention. Many wealthy individuals become wary of showing their worth with a high-end car after becoming the focus of fraud, theft, or frivolous lawsuits.

What is the Favourite car of Bill Gates? ›

Bill Gates just loves Porsche sports cars be they classic or modern, gas-powered or electric. Apart from that, he has other cars in which he is chauffeured most of the time.

What kind of car Mark Zuckerberg drives? ›

The Facebook founder finds his daily comfort inside a Honda Fit or an Acura TSX. He has been spotted in these cars on multiple occasions. He finds the Acura TSX to be safe, comfortable, and not ostentatious. He has also been seen in his Volkswagen Golf GTI on several occasions.

Where do rich people keep all their cars? ›

Locked in a 'car bank'

Just like you may keep your valuables in a bank's safe deposit box, the super rich keep their collectibles at a bank for cars. Exotic Classics in Syosset, New York, may look like a parking lot, but it functions more like a bank. The super-rich car collectors store their classic cars here.

What car should I drive based on income? ›

Financial experts say your car-related expenses shouldn't exceed 20% of your monthly take-home pay. So, let's say you bring home about $2,500 each month. The total amount you should spend on your car — including loan payment, gas, insurance and maintenance — is right around $500.

What is an intelligent vehicle? ›

An intelligent vehicle is defined as a vehicle enhanced. with perception, reasoning, and actuating devices that. enable the automation of driving tasks such as safe lane.

What car is called Smart? ›

Smart is a division of Daimler AG, the parent corporation of Mercedes-Benz. The Smart cars are no longer sold in the U.S. The primary models was the ForTwo, a two-door car designed primarily for urban use. It has tiny dimensions and a small turning radius that make it a breeze to park.

What car does Warren Buffett drive? ›

Warren Buffett's choice of vehicle has become a topic of interest among many people. Renowned for his frugal and simple lifestyle, the billionaire investor drives a 2014 Cadillac XTS.

What is the most popular car that people drive? ›

What's the most common car in America? The Honda Accord is the most common car in America. Especially popular on both the East Coast and in the Pacific Northwest, Accords account for over 3% of all automobiles on the road in 2022.

What type of car do most people drive? ›

Most Popular Cars in the U.S.

The Ford F-Series is the most popular vehicle model nationwide, based on 2022 sales. A whopping 653,957 Ford F-Series pickups were sold in 2022. Other car models that rank among the most popular in 2022 included: Chevrolet Silverado (513,354 sales)

What are considered rich cars? ›

The generally accepted list of luxury brands includes Acura, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Cadillac, Ferrari, Genesis, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Lotus, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Tesla, and Volvo.

What is a rich running car? ›

So, what does “running rich” mean, and how does it occur? Running rich only occurs if there is an issue with your engine's combustion process. The cause of this is your engine receiving too much fuel. Conversely, “running lean” refers to your car receiving too much air and not enough fuel.

Which SUV is the king of the road? ›

Mahindra Scorpio is Known as the king of the road because of the height of the car and seating adjustment.

What is a humble car? ›

A humble car is one that: a) Has performance underpinnings but doesn't tout them. Think a debadged AMG Mercedes or SS Chevrolet. Bonus points for non-flashy colors like white. or.

What is the king of the road in cars? ›

Rolls-Royce Cullinan: The king of the road.

Which car is called the poor man's Porsche? ›

They even earned the nickname, “The Poor Man's Porsche.” The Corvair was manufactured in a number of body styles, including 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, convertible, station wagon, passenger van, commercial van, and pickup.

What are signs of old money? ›

These subtle signs will tell you whether you're around old money or not.
  • They stop at two drinks, and only order small bottles for a table. ...
  • You try to use charge cards rather than credit cards. ...
  • They are actually rather frugal and low-key. ...
  • The brands they wear are different and don't get called out.
Jan 1, 2022

What is considered old money rich? ›

According to the Macmillan Dictionary, old money refers to: “Rich families who have been rich for several generations, especially families who also have a high social status.” Old money might also refer to locations rather than individual families.

Where do old money people get their wealth? ›

Wealth Source

Old money is inherited wealth and often comes from family businesses or investments. Some examples of old money wealth sources would be the Walton family (Walmart), the Rockefeller family (oil and gas), and the Hilton family (hotel magnates).

What kind of car does Donald Trump drive? ›

Donald Trump two Rolls-Royce models in his car collection: a 1956 Silver Cloud and a 2010 Phantom. Both cars are designed for passengers in the rear seat.

What kind of car does Tom Brady drive? ›

Brady's Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, the most costly car in his garage and valued at $3 million, is the crème of the crop. The vehicle reaches 60 mph in about 2.5 seconds and has a top speed of 268 mph. Its 8.0-liter W16 engine produces 1200 horsepower, which is where the power originates from.

What kind of car does Tom Cruise drive? ›

Tom Cruise's love for motorcycles is not hidden, but he also loves his classic American and modern European cars from brands like Bugatti, Buick, Chevy, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. His car collection can rival that of other Hollywood stars like Johnny Depp, Leonardo Di Caprio, and Brad Pitt.

What is the most liked truck in the world? ›

FAQs. What Is The Number One Best-Selling Truck? The Ford F-Series is still the number one best-selling truck for 46 consecutive years. Ford delivered over 650,000 examples of the F-Series in 2022.

Do rich people drive faster? ›

It turns out people with higher incomes say they push past the speed limit more often than middle-income drivers, according to data gathered by the Gallup polling organization for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Do rich people drive cheap cars? ›

It's true. When Experian Automotive pondered which cars the wealthy favored, the number-crunchers dug into their massive database of 600 million vehicles and came up with a surprising answer. They found that more than 60% of people who earn $250,000 or more aren't driving luxury cars after all.

How much money is usually in a Brinks truck? ›

Most of the armored trucks carry around $2 million based on the insurance. They are not allowed to carry maximum money because of the liability.

How often do armored trucks get robbed? ›

According to the FBI, about 25 to 35 armored trucks and drivers are robbed each year, compared with about 4,000 banks. Banks are hit more often because criminals know that armored car robberies are far more dangerous: Unarmed bank tellers are trained to fork over the cash with no questions asked.

Is it smart to buy a truck cash? ›

Buying a car with cash has its benefits. It can help you stick to your budget since you're limited to the money you have on hand, and you won't have to pay interest on an auto loan. But buying upfront could disqualify you from special offers provided by the dealer and leave you strapped for cash in an emergency.

What is the most common car for millionaires? ›

Customer experience and market research company MaritzCX found that the Ford F-150 pickup truck was the most popular vehicle in the U.S. for people earning more than $200,000 a year. In fact, even the ultra-rich may not be splurging on exotic vehicles.

What car does Barack Obama drive? ›

The car collection of Barack Obama is a reflection of his humble nature and his love for both classic and modern vehicles. Obama's car collection includes a Chrysler 300C, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Ford Escape Hybrid.

What is the #1 selling car in the world? ›

Model Y sales have been growing around the world for the last few years, putting the car on the trajectory to become the world's best-selling vehicle. The feat was first predicted even before the car came to market, as Tesla thought the car could see up to a million units of demand per year.

What car does Jeff Bezos drive? ›

This MKT Stretch Limousine is a luxurious car that Jeff Bezos owns and drives for both business and pleasure. Bezos spent around $50,000 on purchasing this symbol of wealth. It was once reported that Bezos arrived at the set of the movie Star Trek Beyond in his MKT Stretch Limousine to play the role of an alien.

Which car does Mark Zuckerberg drive? ›

Which car does Mark Zuckerberg use on a daily basis? The Facebook founder finds his daily comfort inside a Honda Fit or an Acura TSX. He has been spotted in these cars on multiple occasions.

Which car Bill Gates drive? ›

Bill Gates just loves Porsche sports cars be they classic or modern, gas-powered or electric. Apart from that, he has other cars in which he is chauffeured most of the time. That said, the most expensive set of wheels he has ever purchased is his two Gulfstream G650ERs and two Bombardier Challenger 350s.

Which car is king of luxury? ›

Rolls-Royce Phantom The King of The Car World.

What is the average age of the car a millionaire owns? ›

The reality that most millionaires buy their cars new, and that their cars are three or fewer years old, isn't surprising. So why do people so want the opposite to be true?

What kind of car does Warren Buffet drive? ›

Warren Buffett's choice of vehicle has become a topic of interest among many people. Renowned for his frugal and simple lifestyle, the billionaire investor drives a 2014 Cadillac XTS.

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