• Porsche’s 911, the Tesla Model 3 and BMW M3 are among the most wanted dream cars worldwide. 

• However the Ford Mustang is the world’s most sought-after model, taking the top spot globally and in countries such as Chile, Mexico and Georgia. 
• In Australia, the top dream car goes to the Porsche 911, followed by two EV models, the Tesla Model Y and the Tesla Model 3
• Global survey data shows looks matter most, with aesthetics ranking as the top reason people fall in love with a car and aspire to own it. 

WHAT STRANGE CREATURES, we are! When it comes to cars, emotion wins out over practicality almost every time. And the cars we lust after? Across the world, the most desirable cars are remarkably consistent.

New research from car insurance experts, MoneySuperMarket, has revealed which cars the world dreams of owning the most.  

Using a combination of global Google search data and a consumer survey of 4000 drivers worldwide, researchers identified the most searched-for dream cars across the world as well as each country’s top Googled dream model. 

The study also discovered the most preferable colours, the reasons people desire certain vehicles over others, and the main barriers preventing people from owning their ‘dream car’. 

The Car The World Dreams Of Owning The Most 

Taking the top spot as the world’s dream car is the iconic Ford Mustang, racking up well over 100 million (116,686,707) searches over a five-year period.  

Known for its powerful performance and long-standing pop culture status, it’s no surprise that so many people dream of owning one. From Steve McQueen’s 1968 fastback in ‘Bullitt’ to appearances in ‘Goldfinger’, ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’, and ‘Charlie’s Angels’, it’s arguably one of the most iconic cars ever made.  

In addition to the global top spot, the Mustang also ranks as the most-desired in Chile, Mexico, Peru and Georgia, as well as many American states. 

The Top 20 Most Desired Dream Cars In The World 

Second place goes to the Porsche 911, a car loved by the masses and A-listers alike.

While the Mustang scores higher in overall worldwide searches from car fanatics, when drilling down into the country-by-country data, the iconic 911 tops the list of countries more often. With it identified in the data as the car that people would love to own everywhere from Thailand, Portugal, and Brazil, to the United Kingdom.

Porsche appears a further two times in the top 20, ranking eighth with its Cayenne SUV model. The smaller ‘Macan’ SUV model comes in 13th place.

Tesla also makes the top 20 list three times. Its Model 3 is in fourth place, the Model Y takes sixth position, in addition to being the most sought-after dream car in the United States, and the luxury Model S appears further down the rankings, in 18th.  

After the Ford Mustang, two other Ford models feature in the top 20 dream cars list. The rugged Ford Bronco storms into the global ranking in fifth, thanks to 66.7 million searches worldwide over the past five years. The Ford GT has almost 37 million searches, earning it 11th position. 

Elsewhere in the list, Audi, Cadillac, Land Rover, Lamborghini, Mitsubishi, BMW, Nissan and Toyota all make an appearance.

The World’s Top 20 Dream Car Models 

Rank	Car Manufacturer	Car Model	Search Volume (5yr)
1	Ford	Mustang	116,686,707
2	Porsche	911	91,616,454
3	Dodge	Charger	87,045,992
4	Tesla	Model 3	82,352,518
5	Ford	Bronco	66,679,533
6	Tesla	Model Y	64,254,969
7	BMW	M3	64,253,540
8	Porsche	Cayenne	54,514,477
9	Toyota	Supra	48,073,643
10	Audi	R8	40,949,539
11	Ford	GT	36,979,907
12	Cadillac	Escalade	34,046,793
13	Porsche	Macan	34,036,414
14	Land Rover	Defender	33,994,384
15	Lamborghini	Urus	32,502,155
16	Mitsubishi	Lancer	30,123,684
17	Audi	Quattro	29,755,265
18	Tesla	Model S	28,243,246
19	Nissan	Skyline	26,979,618
20	Land Rover	Discovery	25,141,304

Australia’s Top Five Most Desired Dream Cars

Despite motorheads around the globe searching for the Ford Mustang the most, it’s the Porsche 911 that Australians long for more than any other.

Known for its impressive speed, handling and blending luxury with sporty design, it’s clearly earned its place at the top of Australia’s dream cars list, as well as the global second place.

In something of a surprise, it seems Australians are still in love with Teslas. Unlike the rest of the world, two Tesla models complete the top three list, with the Model 3 in second and the Model Y in third place, which is consistent with recent reports that Tesla sales in the UK have grown by more than a fifth, while sales decline elsewhere around the globe.

The The Ford Mustang claims fourth place on the list, while the worldwide winner, the BMW M3, rounds off the top five. 

Australia’s Top 5 Dream Cars

1. Porsche 911. 3,658,700 (five-year searches)

2. Tesla Model Y. 3,594,500

3. Tesla Model 3. 3,325,000

4. Ford Mustang. 2,695,900

5. BMW M3. 2,471,200

Dream Car Colours 

Data from the survey of 4,000 motorists worldwide reveals that black is the most popular colour, with almost one in three drivers (30%) choosing it for their dream car. Red comes second overall and is the top choice in countries including Mexico, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, the UK, Australia and more. 

These may be the favourite colours, but judging from cars on our roads, most people settle for one of the many shades of grey.

Top Colours For Dream Cars 

1. Black. 30%

2. Red. 13%

3. Blue. 11%

4. White. 10%

5. Grey. 9%

Why The World Dreams of These Cars 

The motivations behind dream car choices vary around the globe, but it’s clear that aesthetics matter most. More than half of respondents (51%) say they dream of owning their chosen car because they simply love the way it looks.  

Nearly half (47%) are drawn to the impressive engineering behind a car’s design and machinery, while 36% say their dream car reflects their personal style. 

Top Reasons People Want Their Dream Car

1. I like the way it looks. 51%

2. I appreciate the engineering. 47%

3. It aligns with my aesthetic/vibe. 36%

What’s Preventing People From Owning Their Dream Car? 

Unsurprisingly, with supercars and luxury models topping the list, cost is the biggest barrier: two thirds (67%) say their dream car is too expensive, 23% cite high running costs, and 8% say it’s simply impractical for everyday life.   

Alicia Hempsted, Car Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket sounds a word of warning. “Dreaming big when it comes to cars is exciting, but it’s worth taking a step back to consider the full financial picture – especially if that dream comes with a hefty price tag.”

“Luxury vehicles often carry higher purchase prices, and because insurers face greater potential losses if the car is written off, car insurance premiums for these models can be significantly higher. 

“Before you commit, check the average insurance premium and factor in ongoing running costs to make sure the car fits comfortably within your budget.”