Women Drivers Know What They Want

When it comes to choosing a car, make no mistake – sisters are doing it for themselves.

Women are increasingly in the driving seat and are just as interested in a car’s performance, build and styling as their male counterparts.

We’ve come a long way since the days when the woman of the house was supposedly only concerned with the car’s colour, leaving all other motoring decisions to the man. Mum might have had a slight influence over what vehicle to buy, but all too often she was relegated to driving the “little run-around” (if she drove at all), while dad commandeered the smart family saloon.

Female car ownership  increased by 20% in a decade

Nowadays, women behind the wheel have a very clear idea of what car make and model will best meet their lifestyle needs.  Research released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that female car ownership rose to a record 11.8 million in 2017, an increase of more than 20% in a decade.

Studies both in the UK and USA have found that men and women’s desires do differ slightly, though, when it comes to their car wish list. Although male and female drivers both appreciate “cool”, market research has shown that women tend to prioritise safety, seat comfort, reliability, visibility  and practicality over a vehicle’s good looks.

Vehicle value for money wins out for women

Value for money also comes into it, with recent research into women’s buying habits showing cost to be an overriding factor, and not just the purchase price or monthly lease payments. According to the findings, running costs such as car insurance, road tax, maintenance and fuel consumption were also important considerations.

Once upon a time, popular opinion had it that men were more competent drivers than women. But recent research suggests that when it comes to safe driving, it’s all about girl power. Motor insurance comparison site, Confused.com revealed that only 33% of motoring claims in 2018 were made by women, against 67% by men. Male drivers also submitted double the number of 'at fault' claims.

The survey also said of the half a million motoring offences in England and Wales during 2018, 79% were committed by men. And, for the third quarter of 2019, Confused.com’s car insurance price index showed that male policyholders paid about £84 more for their cover than women.

Men and women clock similar annual mileage

This study also debunked the myth that women are safer drivers because they don’t do as many miles as men and would, therefore, be less likely to have as many driving incidents or accidents. In fact, the research found that men and women have similar annual average mileage with men covering 6,874 miles and women just slightly less at 6,807 miles.

Top selling vehicles equally popular with men and women

Although male and female motorists might use different criteria when choosing a car, the most popular makes and models remain attractive to both sexes.

Favourites such as the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Vauxhall Corsa continue to top the list of the UKs’ most sought-after cars. And, both male and female drivers are increasingly making the switch to greener driving as sales of electric vehicles continue to rise.

To find your next car, click on our latest leasing deals.  Pink Car Leasing has something for everyone.