What the wealthy are driving

6. Volkswagen Jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta is a small car with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $26,085. It may be a low-profile vehicle and not exactly luxurious, but like the other most popular cars in Downtown Chicago, it’s reliable and affordable.

Although you might not see a lot of Ferraris and Maseratis lining the curbsides of the 60604 zip code, it’s not because the residents can’t afford it. The average income in that area is $782,000 a year, according to the I.R.S.


5. Toyota Prius

The eco-friendly Toyota Prius is one of the most popular cars in three very affluent zip codes, all  in California. It’s popular in the Northern California tech haven of Atherton, in Century City, and in Ross in Marin County.

This small car costs only $30,565, although the residents of any of these towns, who have an average income of $672,000 a year, could certainly afford to pay more if they wanted to. But apparently, those Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and movie studio executives know that you don’t get rich by spending money.


4. Lexus RX

The Lexus RX is a luxury SUV with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $39,950. While it’s not the most expensive vehicle in the world, it’s not cheap either, so it’s not surprising to see that it’s one of the most popular vehicles in some of the most affluent zip codes in the U.S.

The RX is one of the most popular cars in New Vernon, N.J. and Greenwich, Conn. On the West Coast, it’s one of the most popular cars in Medina, Wash., home of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Residents of these communities have an average income of $633,000 a year.


3. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Despite all the Toyotas, Hondas and Volkswagens on this list, there are plenty of people in America’s most affluent zip codes who will not settle for anything but a luxury nameplate. Mercedes-Benz certainly qualifies, which makes the C-Class luxury car a natural choice for the wealthy driver who likes the finer things in life.

According to TrueCar.com, the C-Class is most popular with drivers in Century City, Calif. and Palm Beach, Fla., whose residents earn an average income of $659,000. This makes the car’s $36,095 sticker price an easy pill for these car buyers to swallow.


2. BMW 328i

Along with the Mercedes-Benz, the BMW is another nameplate that discriminating drivers of high net worth insist upon when they want reliability and luxury. So it’s not surprising that the 328i is a favorite among the residents of some of the nation’s wealthiest zip codes.

The $35,795 BMW 328i is one of the most popular cars in New Vernon, N.J. and Century City, Calif., both of which have residents whose average income is $750,000. It’s also one of the most popular cars in Manhattan’s 10274 zip code, home of the $5.7 million average income.


1. Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a runaway favorite with residents of the wealthiest zip codes in the United States. This includes the 10274 zip code in Manhattan.

The $51,365 E-Class is a top vehicle in other wealthy U.S. cities as well. These include Atherton, Calif., Palm Beach, Fla. and Greenwich, Conn.