Used car marketplace Motorway has released its second annual consumer trends report, Fast Forward, which uses its platform of data insights to reveal the biggest cultural shifts set to influence car buying in 2026.
Retro design, social media aesthetics and tech-rich models are reshaping demand and used car values. From K-pop colour palettes to 80s maximalism, cars are no longer just how we get from A to B – they’re how we show who we are. Here are some of Motorway’s top predictions for the year ahead:
NOSTALGIA, IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR
Nostalgia is firmly in the driver’s seat. From Y2K film revivals to Britpop reunions, 2025 was a cultural rewind – and the used car market followed suit. Motorway saw an uplift of nostalgic classic models being sold on the platform, with some selling for higher prices than the year before – such as the Subaru Outback increasing by 32.67%, and the Renault Clio by 4.99%. Just take the Renault 5, recently crowned 2025 European Car of the Year – its blend of 1970s heritage with contemporary electric engineering is a clear signal that retro design is driving mainstream demand. In 2026, expect throwback features and vintage silhouettes to stick around, with 61% of UK car owners saying they’d opt for a model from the 2000s or earlier.
MAXIMALISM MAKES A RETURN
Subtlety is taking a backseat. As “Clean Girl” and “Cottagecore” fade, the bold glamour of the 1980s is back, and it’s hitting the roads. From saturated colours to layered interiors, maximalist design is influencing both new models and used car preferences. In fact, Motorway saw the Range Rover Defender increase in price by 6.29% in 2025, reflecting growing demand for showier, statement-making vehicles. The upcoming launch of the Ford Mustang FX is setting the tone for the year ahead, with its bold reimagining of the iconic car wrapped in unapologetic 80s styling.
SOCIALLY INSPIRED, TO EXPRESS YOURSELF
CarTok is booming. With over 165,000 TikToks dedicated to car décor, Brits are customising their rides like never before – from fluffy dice and leopard-print mats to bobblehead mascots. 40% of UK car owners personalised their car in 2025, and 25% now turn to social media for styling inspiration. Pantone’s rumoured 2026 Colour of the Year, Transformative Teal, is already gaining traction, with 22% of drivers saying they’d like to see it in the interior of their next car.
K-POP TAKES THE WHEEL
As K-pop continues to dominate playlists, fashion trends, and even food choices, it’s now set to influence how UK car owners want their cars to look and feel. From BLACKPINK’S ‘Hot Pink’ to EXO’s ‘Cosmic Latte’, fans are bringing their fandom to the road – with almost one in ten (8%) of drivers saying they would like to see the K-pop inspired ‘Neon Magenta’ on future car exteriors. Korean car makes like Hyundai and Kia are also rising in popularity on Motorway, with models like the Hyundai Santa FE and Kia Rio selling for 2.77% and 1.37% more on average in 2025 – a clear sign that K-pop’s bold aesthetic is driving demand.
TECH TAKES THE WHEEL
With over half of UK car owners using digital tools, and Gen Z turning to TikTok and AI assistants, technology is shaping not just what we drive, but how we drive. In 2025, cars with in-car tech sold for 91% more on Motorway, making the likes of navigation, safety, and smartphone connectivity essential. Millennials now rank technology above fuel type, brand, and environmental impact, while 35% of Gen Z call it their top priority. Generational driving habits are shifting too: 72% of 18-24 year-olds prefer automatics, compared with just 35% of over-65s. Manuals still outsold automatics by 14.7% last year, but younger car owners are driving change.
Becky Wells, Automotive Expert at Motorway said: “We’re excited to share the second instalment of Motorway’s consumer trends report, Fast Forward – a snapshot of how culture is shaping car preferences and consumer demand. From retro styling to the power of TikTok, drivers are expressing themselves more than ever, and it’s showing up in the used car market.”
Read the full report from Motorway HERE.
