Which billionaire drives a Honda Accord?
Jeff Bezos—the founder of Amazon—is the billionaire most famously associated with driving a Honda Accord, a detail highlighted in a 1999 CBS 60 Minutes profile and repeated in coverage for years afterward. While the Accord became part of his public image for frugality and practicality, there is no reliable, up-to-date confirmation that he still drives one today.
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How the Honda Accord Became Part of Bezos’s Image
The 1999 CBS 60 Minutes segment
The association dates to a widely viewed 1999 60 Minutes interview in which Bezos arrived in—and discussed—his Honda Accord. When pressed about the modest car choice for a rising tech mogul, he shrugged off the symbolism, remarking that it was “a perfectly good car.” The moment became emblematic of early Amazon’s no-frills culture, which prized practicality and thrift.
Reinforced by later profiles
Throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, media profiles and books about Amazon and Bezos frequently referenced the Accord as shorthand for his frugal, efficiency-minded approach. These accounts often noted that he continued to use an Accord well after Amazon’s success was assured, cementing the anecdote in popular memory.
What We Know Today
As Bezos’s public profile expanded—encompassing Amazon, Blue Origin, and media ownership—details about his personal vehicles became less specific. As of 2025, credible, recent reporting does not confirm his current daily driver. High-profile figures commonly keep such information private for security and privacy reasons. The enduring “Honda Accord” narrative remains accurate as a historical detail and a cultural touchstone, rather than a verified statement about his present-day car.
Why the Anecdote Endures
The image of a billionaire in a Honda Accord resonates because it challenges expectations about wealth signaling, especially in the tech sector’s early days. It aligns with a broader ethos of measured spending and operational focus—a story that has been used to explain Amazon’s long-term, efficiency-driven mindset in both business and public imagination.
Summary
Jeff Bezos is the billionaire best known for driving a Honda Accord, a detail captured in a 1999 60 Minutes feature and echoed in subsequent coverage. While the Accord became a symbol of his pragmatic approach, there is no authoritative confirmation that he still drives one today.
Do wealthy people drive Honda?
That’s because, according to a study done by researchers at Experian Automotive (and published on Forbes), 61% of wealthy people actually drive Hondas and Toyotas and Fords, just like all the rest of us.
Why does Jeff Bezos drive a Honda Accord?
In particular, Niebling said the Accord doesn’t need much maintenance compared to luxury vehicles, which saves drivers both time and money. “Driving an Accord, no matter your bank account balance, proves you appreciate value, dependability and efficiency — stuff that matters to all types of car buyers,” he said.
What car do most billionaires drive?
There isn’t one single “most common” car, as billionaires have diverse tastes ranging from practical, value-focused brands like Toyota and Honda to more traditional luxury brands like Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Many wealthy individuals choose reliable and inconspicuous cars such as a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, often buying used, while others opt for a new Ford F-150 or a high-end SUV.
Brands Popular Among the Wealthy:
- Toyota & Honda: . Opens in new tabBillionaires like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg have famously driven cars from these brands for their reliability, practicality, and value, reports AOL.com.
- Ford: . Opens in new tabThe F-150 pickup is a popular choice, especially among those with incomes over $200,000, due to its reliability and low maintenance, according to Yahoo Finance.
- Lexus: . Opens in new tabKnown for providing a luxury experience with attractive prices, Lexus is another favorite for wealthy shoppers.
- Luxury Brands: . Opens in new tabBMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche are also chosen for their prestige, performance, and amenities.
Why These Cars Are Popular:
- Value over Vanity: Many wealthy individuals, following the advice of financial gurus like Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman, focus on value rather than flashing a large amount of cash on a depreciating asset like a luxury car.
- Reliability and Longevity: Brands like Toyota and Honda are favored for their reputation for low maintenance, fuel efficiency, and long lifespan.
- Inconspicuousness: Some billionaires prefer to avoid the attention that comes with driving a high-end, flashy car and choose more low-key options instead.
- For Practicality: A sturdy truck like a Ford F-150 or a versatile SUV can be a practical choice for daily use, even for someone with a massive net worth.
Does Jeff Bezos still drive a Honda Accord?
Yes, Jeff Bezos was known for driving a 1997 Honda Accord for many years after becoming a billionaire, stating that it was “a perfectly good car”. While he has since made luxury purchases, like his superyacht Koru, his choice to drive a practical and modest Honda Accord reflected his frugal business philosophy of focusing spending on things that “matter to customers” rather than personal luxury items.
Details of his Honda Accord
- Model Year: 1997 Honda Accord.
- Reason: Bezos cited that it was a perfectly good car and a symbol of his company’s principle to “Accomplish more with less”.
Historical Context
- Early Amazon: As early as 1999, while Amazon was experiencing significant growth, Bezos was driving this modest car, according to an interview with Bob Simon on 60 Minutes.
- Continued Use: Even as late as 2013, he was reportedly still driving the Honda Accord, as mentioned in the book The Everything Store.
Broader Significance
- Frugal Habits: His choice of a Honda Accord was a well-known example of his long-standing frugal habits and emphasis on fiscal responsibility.
- Relatability: This down-to-earth approach to transportation was seen as a way to appear relatable and responsible, especially when contrasted with other public figures with extravagant spending.
- Evolution of Lifestyle: Although he maintained this frugal habit, his personal lifestyle has evolved to include significant luxury purchases.