Battle of the Sexes: Automobiles

Washington DC October 6, 2009; The AIADA newsletter reported that while a new study shows that men and women tend to agree on what they look for in a vehicle, sales show that we're still far apart on the metal packaging.

According to MSN Autos, market research firm Strategic Vision tracks demographic data in its New Vehicle Experience Study, which surveyed 130,000 new-vehicle buyers. One official says that when it comes to the core qualities an automobile should have, men and women tend to have similar expectations.

In the study, the top three desirable traits in a vehicle were "functional," "capable," and "accommodating" for men and women alike. From there, men and women start differentiating on a vehicle's personality.

Men are looking for vehicles that are "aggressive" and "powerful" whereas women are more interested in "smart," "protective," and "cute" autos.

It's worth mentioning that there are two ways to track buying patterns for men versus women — by volume (i.e., of the total number of cars sold, which ones were bought by the most men or women) or by index (i.e., regardless of volume, which vehicles were bought disproportionately by men or women, as expressed by a deviation from the mean). From that data, MSN has picked its choices for the top five men's cars versus the top five vehicles women can't live without.

Click here to view the list.

Battle of the Sexes: Automobiles

Katrina Ramser's Car Tips For Women Drivers

Katrina's 2010 and 2009 Model Reviews For Women Drivers

Katrina's 2008 Model Reviews For Women Drivers