Choosing a car color might seem like a personal style decision, but it can have a significant impact on various factors such as maintenance and resale value. The color selected will also influence the number of washes the car needs and its frequency. While automakers introduce new palettes every year, certain car colors remain consistently more popular than others. Each one comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
Gray
Gray is a color that exudes style, comfort, and elegance, which certainly has contributed to its popularity among auto buyers. Its sophisticated aesthetic, paired with the neutral tone, appeals to many buyers. Gray comes in a wide range of shades and depths, offering more richness compared to other colors in the spectrum.
Currently, about 20% of American car buyers opt for the color Gray when buying a car. Warm grays are particularly popular among consumers. This color suits various cars, ranging from compact crossovers to luxury sedans, and it hides dirt and minor imperfections fairly well. However, a potential downside of buying a gray car is that it can blend into the background. Additionally, it lacks the visual warmth offered by some bolder tones, which may not attract drivers looking for a more striking appearance.
White
This color is a popular choice among car buyers across the globe. About 25% of car buyers in the country are estimated to opt for this color. Truck buyers, luxury car buyers, and sports car buyers also share white as a popular color choice. The color gives the vehicle a simple, clean, and aesthetic appearance, providing a well-established combination of aesthetic and practical benefits.
At the same time, the color also offers drivers with higher ease of maintenance and better heat-reflecting properties. The color ensures the car has high visibility for other drivers on the road, especially during the night. White color is not tied to a trend; this means the cars have a higher resale value, and one will not have to worry about selling an old car or buying a white one. Repairing color damage is more affordable with white cars since the color is a base option and does not require spending any extra dollars.
Black
Black is undeniably a popular color choice for cars, second only to white cars in the American automobile market, where it represents approximately 22% of the cars in the country. Its popularity among limousine owners highlights a preference for this color in the luxury market. A clean, shiny black car is hard to compete with when it is properly maintained. But a major drawback of a black car is its tendency to absorb heat quickly, which may necessitate an increase in the use of air conditioning. If the car is left out in the open on a sunny day, the car may instantly heat up.
Buyers can choose from a range of finishes, including glossy, metal, matte, and more, depending on one’s preference. Another challenge with black-colored cars is their visibility at night, making it harder for one to stop them in the dark. On a positive note, black cars have a higher resale value due to their striking appeal. However, the cars are more prone to scratches, dust, and dirt, which means they require more frequent upkeep.
Silver
Silver comes in different finishes and shades, making it one of the most popular chosen colors. It hides dirt and dust well, and has a high resale value. It is also great at hiding small scratches and dents and is considered a modern, neutral option by many. Silver makes up for 14% of cars in the American subcontinent. The color is mostly chosen when buying regular, fleet or luxury vehicles. That said, the color does lack some character and boldness. It is a safe and neutral option that does little for the vehicle to stand out. It is subtle and can often make the car blend into the background. It fails to stand out on the road and might not satisfy someone looking to express a unique sense of style. Under certain lighting conditions, it can also appear dull or washed out compared to more vibrant options.
Blue
This color is another common option for car buyers when buying a car or repainting an old one. The appearance of the car can vary significantly depending on the shade of blue selected. Brighter blues create an energetic and sporty look, while darker tones highlight calmness, elegance, and a touch of professionalism. Blue cars are often perceived as trustworthy and friendly, and tend to hide dirt better than black or white cars. Additionally, blue stands out just enough to draw attention without being outrightly flashy.
However, the choice of the color comes with a set of drawbacks that largely depend on the hue one chooses. Dark blues can be a high-maintenance affair. On the other hand, lighter blues may quickly become outdated as trends change. While blue cars are less common than neutral tones, making them more unique on the road, they might not hold their resale value.
Red
Red is often chosen for sports cars or high-performance vehicles because they need to turn heads. This vibrant color exudes an energetic presence like few other car colors. A deep, glossy red finish looks rich and bold, while a brighter red adds a youthful flair. It stands out in traffic and is generally easier to spot in parking lots. However, there’s a downside: red paint tends to fade more quickly under sunlight, particularly if the vehicle is not protected with wax or ceramic coating.
