TransUnion reports that consumer intent to purchase vehicles remains strong for 2026, with four in ten U.S. adults planning to buy a car, most within the next year.
The company announced these findings on Feb. 3 at the 2026 AFSA Vehicle Finance Conference in Las Vegas. TransUnion surveyed 3,076 U.S. consumers age 18 and older. Among them, 1,190 respondents say they intend to buy a vehicle – 39% of the total sample – showing that vehicle purchases rank high on consumers’ priority lists.
More than 80% of consumers who indicated intent to buy a vehicle expect to purchase within the next 12 months. This trend holds across all generations. Additionally, 65% of prospective buyers expect to trade in their current vehicle, which supports the market for used cars.
“New vehicle purchases remain a clear priority for consumers, with more than a third of those surveyed planning to buy a car within the next 12 months" said Jason Laky, executive vice president and head of financial services for TransUnion. “This intent to purchase points to solid underlying market demand and could meaningfully increase used car supply as shoppers replace existing vehicles.”
Among consumers planning a vehicle transaction, 87% intend to buy, and 13% intend to lease. Younger generations express greater interest in leasing – 17% of Gen Z and Millennials compared with 7% of Baby Boomers – reflecting a preference for flexibility and lower upfront and ownership costs.
These leasing trends emerged as auto loan originations began to rise in 2025, driven by anticipation of tariffs and, to a lesser extent, the end of the EV tax credit. Super prime and subprime segments led this growth, despite ongoing challenges related to affordability.
Affordability remains the most significant obstacle for consumers not planning to buy: 53% cite cost concerns, and 44% cite economic uncertainty. Whether these barriers lessen will depend on the direction of vehicle prices, interest rates and improving consumer confidence.
Half of prospective buyers indicated they intend to purchase a traditional gas-powered vehicle compared to 33% for hybrids and 16% for electric vehicles (EVs). Millennials show a slight preference for hybrids over gas-powered vehicles, while Gen Z favors traditional gas models. Still, nearly half of all respondents say they remain open to considering an EV in the future.
“Internal combustion powertrains still dominate because affordability and charging infrastructure continue to challenge EV adoption,” said Satyan Merchant, senior vice president of auto and mortgage business leader at TransUnion. “Millennials show increasing interest in hybrids, while Gen Z leans toward traditional gas vehicles – likely due to affordability constraints. Audience segmentation and credit based targeting tools enable lenders to pinpoint affordability driven consumers across generations who are most likely to be ready to enter the auto market in the near term.”
