What car colors may say about drivers
Cars and trucks may be modes of transportation, but many people see their vehicles as extensions of their personalities.
The color of a vehicle can say a lot about its driver. In fact, automotive experts say color affects drivers’ decisions when they’re buying new vehicles. In 2015, a survey from PPG Automotive Coatings found the color palette of black, silver, gray, and white makes up 75 percent of new cars on the road. White has been the most popular car color for years, perhaps because neutral tones tend to look new for years, improving resale value as a result.
The Pantone Color Institute periodically highlights popular trends in colors for home decorating, graphic design, fashion, and much more. Their experts know a thing about what color can say about a person. Here’s a look at how drivers may perceive themselves (and how others view them) based on their color choices in vehicles, courtesy of Pantone, NerdWallet, Thrillist and Today.com.
■ White: This color – perhaps thanks to the popularity of Apple products – can often project a persona of a diligent, hardworking person. White is a dependable color that also is sleek and modern. Many people who prefer white also like the purity of the color and its perceived cleanliness.
■ Black: Black vehicles have stood the test of time as status symbols. Those who purchase black cars may view them as classic and powerful. Black also conveys elegance. That’s why limousines and hired cars are often black.
■ Silver: Silver cars may have futuristic connotations because of their metallic hues. Silver vehicles also can be elegant and prestigious. A certain element of modernity is associated with silver cars and trucks.
■ Gray: People who choose gray vehicles may be less concerned about status and more interested in a vehicle that blends in with the crowd. This no-nonsense hue could be ideal for cautious, even-keeled drivers who like to go with the flow.
■ Blue: Light blue to midblue cars convey a sense of calm and coolness. Blue is a dependable color and may indicate the person behind the wheel is friendly. Dark blue can be a confidence-booster and also signal authority, as many police cruisers and law enforcement uniforms feature deep blue.
■ Red: People who own red cars probably like flash and attention. They’re likely magnetic personalities who enjoy standing out in a crowd.
■ Brown/beige: These earth-toned shades may indicate a person who is not pretentious, but easygoing and fiscally responsible. Reliability and comfort is prized above flashiness for those who go brown and beige.
■ Green: Green cars indicate owners who have a very strong sense of self and care little about what others think of them. They may be the people who march to the beat of their own drums. But the popularity of green cars peaked in the 1990s, so fewer green cars may be on the road today than in the past.
Vehicle colors may say a lot about the people behind the wheel.