The world’s most popular cars for women are ones that prioritize safety and are equipped with the latest in assistance features.
This is according to a global survey commissioned by South African insurer 1st for Women along with assistance from members of the global Women’s World Car of the Year (WWCOTY) jury.
The survey found that safety is the single most important aspect that female buyers consider when purchasing a new car, which was then followed by practicality, space, and performance.
Most popular cars for women
More than 14,000 women from various countries were consulted during the insurer’s survey, but many expressed similar sentiments about what they valued most when looking for a car.
This included a high seating position, a generous amount of interior space, and an ergonomic user experience such as an easy-to-read dashboard.
Practicality was another commonly cited concern, with women expressing that they appreciate cars with an accessible rear bench for installing child seats, a big enough boot for groceries and sports equipment, and the boot itself being easy to open and close.
When it comes to driving, many respondents said that they are looking for a model that is fuel-efficient and responsive so as to make day-to-day trips less stressful, and many also said that they want a car that is environmentally conscious.
“Female motorists are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of cars,” said Charleen Clarke, the South African representative on the WWCOTY jury.
“Accordingly, women are studying emission data and, where possible, they’re selecting a ‘greener’ motoring option.”
Consequently, more women are showing an interest in ‘eco’ cars such as hybrids and fully-electrics.
These findings were published following the announcement of the 2023 WWCOTY category winners, which were as follows:
- 4×4 – Ford Ranger
- Urban Model – Kia Niro
- Large Car – Citroën C5 X
- Family SUV – Jeep Avenger
- Large SUV – Nissan X-Trail
- Performance Car – Audi RS 3
“The WWCOTY finalists represent excellence in their segments based on safety, driving, comfort, technology, design, efficiency, impact on the environment and value for money,” said Seugnette van Wyngaard, head of 1st for Women.
Different market, same story
It’s a similar story in the pre-owned market, where many South African women are looking for affordable cars that have a good safety rating, are practical, and offer a comfortable user experience.
The table below contains data from AutoTrader between January and December 2022:
| Model | Female user searches | Average price | Average mileage | Average registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Hilux | 2,481,377 | R465,178 | 96,943km | 2018 |
| VW Golf | 2,057,057 | R389,468 | 95 646 | 2016 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 1,836,730 | R475,010 | 88,791 | 2016 |
| VW Polo | 1,813,184 | R284,179 | 54,502 | 2019 |
| BMW 3 Series | 1,612,948 | R375,374 | 99,909 | 2015 |
| Ford Ranger | 1,566,374 | R422,402 | 96,806 | 2018 |
| VW Polo Vivo | 1,055,667 | R194,994 | 62,058 | 2019 |
| Toyota Fortuner | 950,317 | R478,553 | 110,217 | 2017 |
| BMW 1 Series | 912,360 | R353,205 | 92,494 | 2016 |
| VW Tiguan | 759,600 | R447,594 | 82,368 | 2017 |
“These are all extremely safe vehicles – which will be one of the core reasons why they’re so popular with women,” said Angelique Lynch, marketing director of AutoTrader.
Many of the cars on the list are also practical and offer a relatively high seating position, which gives the driver a better view of the road and can contribute towards feelings of safety.
Keyword: Cars and features women want