For some drivers, regular car washes and interior detailing are part of the ownership experience, while others take a more relaxed approach. American Muscle surveyed 1,005 car owners about their cleaning habits, what motivates them to wash their vehicles, and how much importance they place on keeping their rides spotless. We discovered major differences across brands, vehicle types, and generations.
Key Takeaways
- Dodge and BMW drivers are the cleanest in America, with 61% of their owners cleaning their vehicles at least every 2 weeks.
- Coupe and sports car owners keep their vehicles cleanest, with 65% cleaning them at least every 2 weeks, while sedan owners rank last at 36%.
- On average, Americans wash their cars about every 2 weeks, but 1 in 10 never clean them at all, inside or out.
- More than half of drivers (52%) have been embarrassed by how dirty their car was, and about 1 in 4 (26%) have turned down giving someone a ride because of the mess.
- 23% of Americans say keeping their car clean isn't that important, with Gen Z and millennials (26%) being the most likely to say so.
The Cleanest Cars in America
Vehicle pride often shows up in how frequently owners wash and maintain their rides. Some drivers treat cleanliness as part of the ownership experience, while others are more focused on simply getting from point A to point B.
Dodge and BMW owners stood out as America's cleanest drivers. Among both groups, 61% reported cleaning their vehicles at least every 2 weeks, placing them ahead of all other brands in the survey. Volkswagen came in third, at 50%.
As for vehicle type, coupe and sports car owners were the most dedicated to keeping their vehicles spotless, with 65% cleaning them at least every 2 weeks. Sedan owners ranked at the bottom, with just 36% maintaining the same schedule.
Tesla owners presented one of the study's most interesting contrasts. While 87% described their vehicles as clean, only 27% reported cleaning them every couple of weeks. This gap suggests that many Tesla owners feel their vehicles stay cleaner longer, or that they have a different definition of what qualifies as a clean car.
How Often Americans Clean Their Cars
Cleaning routines vary widely from driver to driver. While many Americans make car washing a regular habit, others wait until the dirt becomes impossible to ignore.
The typical American cleans their vehicle about once every 2 weeks. On the other hand, 1 in 10 drivers admitted they never clean their vehicle. Those most likely to fess up to this habit were:
- Lexus owners: 27%
- Chevrolet owners: 15%
- Honda owners: 14%
Other drivers cleaned far more often than average. Volkswagen owners led the way, with 42% cleaning their vehicles multiple times per week. Jeep and BMW owners tied for second place at 35% each.
Dirty vehicles also created social discomfort for many drivers. Over half (52%) said they've been embarrassed by the dirtiness of their car, and 26% declined giving someone a ride because of it. For 28% of Americans, a noticeable odor inside the vehicle was the point at which they considered their car too dirty.
How Much Drivers Care About Cleanliness
Attitudes toward vehicle cleanliness often come down to personal priorities. While some drivers see a clean vehicle as an extension of their pride in ownership, others place less importance on appearances.
Nearly one-quarter of Americans (23%) said keeping their vehicle clean isn't that important. Younger generations were the most likely to share that perspective:
- Gen Z: 26%
- Millennials: 26%
- Gen X: 21%
Baby boomers placed the greatest value on keeping their vehicles clean. Only 13% said cleanliness isn't important, making them the generation least likely to overlook dirt and clutter.
Clean Cars, Different Priorities
Americans may share the road, but they don't all share the same standards for vehicle cleanliness. Brand loyalty, vehicle type, and generational attitudes all affect how often drivers clean their rides.
For enthusiasts, though, it's no surprise that coupe and sports car owners topped the rankings, since the drivers who invest in their vehicles tend to take pride in showing them off. Whether you're maintaining a weekend cruiser or a daily driver, keeping it clean is one more way to protect your investment and keep your ride looking as good as it performs.
Methodology
We surveyed 1,005 Americans who own a car about how often they clean their vehicles, what prompts them to clean, and how they feel about cleanliness and ownership. Among respondents, 11% were baby boomers, 26% were Gen X, 50% were millennials, and 13% were Gen Z. By gender, 57% were women, 42% were men, and 1% were non-binary or preferred not to say. Data was collected in June 2026.
About AmericanMuscle
American Muscle supports muscle car enthusiasts with high-quality parts built for power and reliability. Whether you're chasing horsepower or throttle response, American Muscle carries performance intake systems for muscle cars engineered to help engines breathe better and perform stronger.
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The information and findings presented in this article may be shared for noncommercial purposes only. If you reference or republish this content, please provide an attribution and link to American Muscle.
