Car Stereotypes Have a Long History
Admit it: you've probably seen certain cars on the road during your daily commute and immediately pictured a woman behind the wheel. Sometimes, it could be because they're more compact; other times, it could be because they're more colorful than the types men usually pick. Of course, real drivers rarely fit into tidy categories. That's not going to stop the stereotypes, though, and you might be guilty of this, too.
1. Volkswagen Beetle
With a famously colorful and cheerful appearance, the Volkswagen Beetle likely tops the list for most people in terms of what they assume women drive. Whether it's the rounded bodywork or the bright paint choices, there's a certain feminine feel to the Punch Buggy that, despite having many male owners as well, never completely shook off the stereotype.
2. Mazda MX-5 Miata
Yep, even the Miata, a pretty powerful sports car, has spent decades being dismissed by some men as a “girl’s car.” Why? Well, simply because it’s compact, lightweight, and not as intimidating-looking as the traditional, oh-so-masculine muscle car.
3. Mini Cooper
One look at the tiny Mini Cooper (or just a glance at its name), and you'll see why it's been given an unmistakable image. It might as well have a banner on the front windshield saying, "Women drive this!"—or at least, that's what men assume. Though performance-oriented versions may give it a tougher feel, the Mini’s cute factor makes it difficult to shed the stereotype.
4. Fiat 500
If any modern car seems almost designed to attract assumptions, it’s the Fiat 500. Case in point: its rounded headlights, tiny form, and colorful paint. There's no denying that it looks substantially weaker than your massive American muscle cars, and that means in men's eyes, it's pretty feminine.
5. Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler might have a rugged, traditionally masculine appearance, but take a brightly colored one on the road, and you'll see the judging eyes from male drivers. Add some cute accessories, and you'll leave no doubt in their minds.
6. Nissan Juke
For men who insist on attaching genders to cars, the Nissan Juke is another one they'll frequently associate with women. Whether it's the curving roofline or the overall unique styling (perhaps the jolly-looking headlights?), male drivers have firmly placed this one in the feminine pile.
7. Volkswagen Eos
If a woman were to drive a convertible, it would be this one—or, at least, that's what men think. In terms of "feminine" qualities, the Eos had it all: it was relatively compact, it was stylish, and it came equipped with a retractable hardtop. Most importantly, it just doesn't have that aggressive look to it.
8. Honda CR-V
There’s nothing particularly dainty about a Honda CR-V, but its manageable size and family-friendly reputation have still made it popular with, according to the men, female drivers. Never mind the fact that it's a great all-around vehicle for drivers of all genders and ages...
9. Nissan Rogue
The Rogue could have anyone behind the wheel, but men will still assume the opposite. As it turns out, being a convenient crossover with lots of cargo space (enough for the whole family!) and practical dimensions apparently means it isn't macho enough for macho enthusiasts.
10. Range Rover Evoque
You might think men would never picture a woman driving a Range Rover, but you'd be surprised. Given that the Evoque brought a more fashion-conscious look, you can immediately see why it quickly attracted assumptions about who it was geared toward.
11. Mercedes-Benz CLA
Unlike the larger sedans Mercedes was known for, the CLA had a much more streamlined form and, in turn, a more approachable size. It’s precisely because of its miniature, elegant chassis that it gained a pretty unnecessary stereotype, and men would probably be fairly confident their assumptions are correct if they ever saw this on the road.
12. Mini Countryman
The Cooper's tiny structure might have inevitably linked it to women, but even making a larger vehicle didn’t necessarily make the stereotypes disappear. Boasting the brand’s distinctive rounded design and customization-heavy personality, men who already thought of the regular Mini as feminine applied the same assumption to the Countryman, despite its heftier build.
13. Nissan Micra
The Nissan Micra is a small hatchback, so you probably already see where this is going. Obviously, none of its features say it's only reserved for the queens of the road, but some men still seem to classify it as too girly to be handled by masculine drivers.
14. Toyota Yaris
With a similar look to the Nissan Micra, of course the Yaris, too, would be associated with the same unfounded assumptions. Apparently, as long as there's a cute, compact form-factor, you can guarantee men will point and say "small car equals woman driver."
15. Honda Fit
Another tiny hatchback that gets judged more by its dimensions than by anything else it offers is the Honda Fit. Sure, its modest exterior and surprisingly useful interior made it an excellent everyday car for all drivers, but it still gets lumped into the same feminine stereotype just because of its outside image.
16. Chevrolet Spark
Chevrolet made tons of muscle cars that men would consider masculine enough for macho car enthusiasts, but slap on the Spark badge, and they'll suddenly switch gears. Proportions aside, the Spark had eye-catching colors. Colors! Predictably, men often assumed its driver would be female without looking twice.
17. Buick Encore
Since the Encore essentially took the Buick and smushed it, that styling would end up making it appealing to drivers who wanted a less massive SUV. And who wanted less massive SUVs? Since smaller road presence meant it couldn't compete with bigger vehicles, men often assume only women would gravitate towards it.
18. Volvo C30
The C30, with its compact three-door body and an unusually design-forward character, meant it wasn't immune to picking up the same assumptions attached to other premium hatchbacks. In fact, even its more powerful cousins couldn't escape from being labeled as feminine.
19. Audi TT
Men typically saw the Audi TT as merely a fashion accessory than a car with serious power, and the rounded profile and design-focused interior only encouraged that thought more. This was the furthest thing from a muscle car, and for that, it was anything but masculine.
20. Porsche Boxster
If you weren't driving a 911, were you really driving a Porsche? On top of that, the Boxster was smaller, less expensive, and (initially) less powerful than the one everyone wanted, so of course some men began attaching feminine stereotypes to it. Don't believe us? Take your Boxster out for a ride, and you'll probably see what we mean.
