The article examines whether a purely female car really exists, and why dividing cars into male and female is increasingly a myth. The author shows that when choosing a car, women value comfort, safety, practicality and convenience, but these same criteria matter to men too. Using examples of Volvo, Skoda, compact models, SUVs and sports cars, the article proves that today any car can be driven by both women and men.

In recent years, women’s interest in cars has grown significantly: more and more women in Russia are getting behind the wheel. They are becoming increasingly demanding about the level of comfort in the cabin, safety, practicality, and ease of handling. The presence of an automatic or manual transmission is important for beginners, but in the conditions of a megacity with its constant traffic jams, many men would also like to have an automatic in their “iron horse.” In addition, women, according to some auto dealers, are increasingly paying attention to such “joys of car life” as air conditioning, parking sensors, and safety devices. Automakers are taking this into account as well, but none of them has wanted to limit the customer base by calling a car purely female.
Several years ago, Volvo developed the ACC concept car, created with women’s wishes in mind. For convenience when filling the windshield washer reservoir, its filler neck was brought outside, like a fuel tank filler neck. But this concept never made it into mass production. In advertising its cars, Volvo pays great attention to women’s interests. For example, crash tests simulate the presence of a pregnant woman in the car. And Skoda developed the Fabia Beauty trim level especially for women. Note: only the trim level, while the car itself is positioned as universal.
The division of cars by size (supposedly small compact and bright cars are for women, while huge jeeps are for men) also finds no confirmation on the roads. Indeed, the beauty and compactness of a car may influence the choice of one model or another, but that by no means means that men do not buy small cars. Thus, in Europe, the streets of large cities have long been literally flooded with compact cars such as the Ford KA, Smart, Mini, etc.
When choosing a compact car, Europeans are guided by practical considerations: easy parking, low fuel consumption, and good maneuverability. In our country, with its vast expanses, larger cars are more fashionable, and Russians prefer sedans to hatchbacks. But in the last few years, this situation has begun to change. For many, practicality is becoming more important than appearance and size. Even small Peugeot 206 and Hyundai Getz, judging by the number of men behind the wheel, can hardly be called women’s models. In addition, some models, in terms of power and equipment, can hardly be called small. For example, the Mini Cooper and BMW 130 are not easy to drive, especially at high speeds. Both men and women can be seen behind the wheel of these cars.
In addition to compact cars, women often choose SUVs: they provide a high level of comfort and safety, good off-road capability, and stability on the road. Seeing a large jeep in traffic, drivers are much more willing to give way to it, regardless of whether a woman or a man is behind the wheel. Women are especially fond of “crossover” SUVs such as the Toyota RAV-4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Murano. These cars are indeed comfortable, maneuverable, and equipped with many additional options. However, many men choose them for the same qualities.
Women can often be seen behind the wheel of sports cars. For example, the Audi TT. In this case, the car’s appearance and image come to the fore. Unlike men, who may choose an inconspicuous-looking car because of its functionality, for women an impressive appearance is often one of the main criteria.
Structurally, all modern cars are designed so that they do not require any qualities inherent only to men. Most cars are equipped with power steering and ABS, so women are found behind the wheel even of such monsters as the Hummer H2. As, of course, are men behind the wheel of the Peugeot 1007.
So does a purely female car really exist? Or is it nothing more than a myth?