Nearly half (47%) of Gen Z drivers in the UK have a nickname for their vehicle, with Baby being the most common, says recent research by Honda UK.
The new study explores how UK drivers personify their cars and which driving memories trigger the most nostalgia.
The survey of 1,500 UK drivers found that while most (77%) still call their vehicle a “car,” younger drivers are much more likely to give it nicknames. Favourites include affectionate names like “Baby”, “Babe,” and “Betty.” Power-driven names like “Beast” and “Rocket” were also popular. Nostalgic picks like “Herbie,” “Churchill,” and “Elvis” also made the list.
A small sample of drivers in Wales revealed just 14% have a nickname for their car and 78% simply refer to it a “car”.
Top 10 positive driving triggers across the UK
Twenty-five years after the Honda Insight (above) became the first petrol-electric hybrid to go on sale, drivers admitted to Honda that giving cars nicknames helps create an emotional connection. Whether it’s about affection, personality, or nostalgia, these names become part of the driver’s own story.
Millennials are the most nostalgic when it comes to music, with 46% reflecting on songs that shaped their formative driving years. Boomers, on the other hand, feel most nostalgic when seeing classic cars on the road (29%) and the days of using physical maps (24%).
Celebrating 25 years of hybrids, Honda shared a milestone that mirrors Gen Z’s age. Drivers in this age group (29%) often feel nostalgic about simple things, like the breeze through an open window.
Honda found that one in four drivers (25%) still hops in the driver’s seat daily for the commute to work. Younger generations – Gen Z (38%) and millennials (34%) – are the most frequent commuters.
Our cars also play a vital role in how we socialise. Roughly 30% drive weekly to social events, with Gen Z (36%) and Millennials (33%) leading the charge. Londoners are the most socially active drivers, with one in three (34%) using their cars several times a week for social events.
Brand and design are also key areas of focus for the younger crowd. Around a quarter of Gen Z (26%) and Millennials (28%) value style, viewing their cars as an extension of their personal brand. But safety and technology still top their list.
