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Buying or Painting a Vehicle?
A Guide to The Best Car Colors of 2025
Stand Out or Blend In - The Most Popular Car Colors Right Now
When cars first emerged as horseless carriages, they were painted black to mimic the familiar look of horse-drawn carriages. Black was also the only available color for Ford’s original Model T, because black asphalt enamels were quick-drying and more durable than other oil-based options.
The introduction of Duco paint in 1923 revolutionized car manufacturing by enabling vehicles to be offered in a range of vibrant colors, which came after the assembly-line advancements after World War I.
Over the decades, car colors have reflected the mood of the times. During the Great Depression and World War II, subdued, understated tones dominated the streets. The prosperity of the 1950s brought an explosion of bright candy colors, and patriotic shades like red, white, and blue surged in popularity during America’s bicentennial celebration in 1976.
But that’s enough with the history lessons. If you’re looking to buy a car in 2025, there are several factors you should consider besides pure aesthetics and matching your personality, which we’re going to discuss in this blog, starting with the nuances of light and dark car paints.
Benefits of Light-Colored Cars
Even though darker car paints offer a timeless, classy look, light-colored cars offer several practical advantages.
Better Fuel Efficiency in Warm Climate
Light-colored car exteriors reflect more sunlight, helping to keep the cabin cooler. This reduces the need for air conditioning, leading to better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory even shows that lighter-colored vehicles can improve fuel economy by 2% and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 1.9% compared to identical darker-colored models.
Better Visibility and Safety
Light-colored cars tend to be more visible on the road in most weather conditions, potentially enhancing safety. Studies suggest that white vehicles have a 12% lower chance of being involved in accidents. Brighter colors like yellow, orange, and gold are also very noticeable, though they may not suit every vehicle’s design. While it’s not universally proven, choosing a lighter shade could contribute to improved road safety.
Easier to Maintain
When it comes to upkeep, lighter automotive paints like white, light gray, and silver are the easiest to maintain, as they tend to show less dirt and grime. White will show mud and splashes more easily than gray and silver, but it can hide swirl marks from automatic car washes better. But there’s no denying that gray and silver hide dirt and dust the best.
Benefits of Dark-Colored Cars
Just because light cars offer the above advantages, doesn’t mean you should just write off darker hues. They offer several advantages too, and can make a top choice for car color.
Look More Elegant
Dark car colors have long been associated with luxury and sophistication, making them a favorite among drivers who want their vehicles to make a statement. There’s a timeless elegance to black cars in particular, often regarded as the gold standard of refinement. These rich hues will definitely stand out if they’re kept clean and polished. A well-maintained dark-colored car has the power to turn heads and leave a lasting impression, whether parked curbside or cruising down the highway.
Better Resale Value
When it comes to resale value, some automotive colors are more likely to retain their worth in the used car market. Neutral colors like black, gray, and silver tend to hold their value well over time, making them the safest bets for buyers who want to ensure strong resale potential.
Serban Boldea, Volkswagen’s director of product planning, points out that black and gray are among the top color choices due to their high resale value. While vibrant colors like bright blue, yellow, orange, or purple may stand out, they could put you at a disadvantage when selling your vehicle, as color trends can shift and your car color may be out of date when you’re ready to sell your vehicle.
Need a Paint Job? Make the Right Choice for Your Wallet
The Most Popular Car Colors of America
According to a recent analysis by iSeeCars.com, white is the most popular color in New Jersey, accounting for 26.2%, while blue is the most popular non-grayscale color at 10%. But obviously, there are other options if you don’t fancy either of them. Let’s talk about some of the most popular car colors out there and their attributes so you can make an informed decision.
White
White cars are a popular choice for many reasons. They are excellent at concealing dirt, dust, and tiny scratches, helping your car maintain a cleaner appearance for longer. Also, white cars reflect heat, keeping the interior cooler in warm climates. White cars tend to look newer for a longer period, plus today’s whites are more brilliant, often shining with shimmering effects.
Black
Black cars are renowned for their sleek, glossy appearance, adding a sense of style and sophistication to even the most basic models. The bold, refined look makes black a timeless choice for those seeking elegance. However, black cars also tend to fade faster than other colors, and their ability to absorb heat means the interior can get hotter in warmer climates. The paint coat can be more expensive to maintain, as it requires regular care to keep its deep, lustrous finish.
Gray
Gray cars, especially the lighter shades, are known for aging gracefully and maintaining their appeal over time. Their neutral tone helps preserve resale value, as gray is a versatile and timeless color. One of the biggest advantages of gray cars is how easy they are to keep clean. The shade naturally conceals dirt, dust, and minor damage, making maintenance less of a hassle. Whether new or used, gray is a sleek, low-maintenance, long-lasting color option.
Silver
Silver cars offer a shiny, eye-catching finish that often stands out more than gray, depending on the model, with a sleek and modern look. They are also excellent at hiding dirt, dust, and blemishes. Moreover, silver cars don’t show mud buildup on lower panels as easily as white vehicles, so you can maintain a tidier look even in wet or muddy conditions.
Red
Red is well known for its boldness and ability to make any vehicle appear flamboyant and sporty. It’s a color that demands attention, so your car will definitely stand out in a crowd. Red also does a surprisingly good job of concealing dirt and muck. But if it accumulates too much, the color can quickly lose its vibrancy and become dull, so red cars need a lot of care to maintain their finish.
Blue
Blue exudes a calm and composed personality, making it ideal for those who prefer a more understated look. Darker shades of blue particularly convey a confident and authoritative appearance with a sophisticated edge. However, blue cars can be more challenging to clean and maintain, as darker shades tend to highlight dust and dirt more than lighter colors.
The BASF 2024-2025 Automotive Color Trends report provides insights into the most popular car colors in North America by highlighting the percentage of vehicles sold in each color category, offering a snapshot of consumer preferences.
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Car Colors That Are Stolen the Most
Mizzoni’s Myth Busters
At Mizzoni’s, we often hear several myths surrounding car colors, and these two are the most prevailing ones. It’s a myth that certain car colors like red increase insurance rates. In reality, color has no bearing on how much you pay for car insurance. Insurance rates are determined by factors like the make, model, mileage, safety features, and your driving history, not the color of your car.
Another persistent myth is that certain car colors are more likely to get pulled over, but there’s no evidence supporting this claim either. Police tend to pull over cars based on driving behavior and speed, not the car’s color.