Best Car Colors For 2023: Discover The Hottest Automotive Hues Of The Year (2024)

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by Dylan Lumpe Car Culture / 16 Comments

Boring old white cars are a thing of the past.

In a world filled with predominantly black, white, and grey cars, it's quite the treat to come across a brightly colored vehicle.

Most people choose more basic colors to be safe; in other words, colors that can easily be matched if a bumper bashing occurs, colors that offer the best resale value, and colors that fit in with daily traffic.

Many automakers have started developing new, exciting car paint colors, which should lure the automotive enthusiast away from the monotonous trend of common colors. Take Porsche, for example, producing the most unique colors for almost all the cars in its line-up. Yet, brands like Honda stick with the most basic shades of white, black, grey, blue, or red.

It's time to stand out, be bold, and choose a color that isn't necessarily safe but one which emphasizes the achievement of owning a car. Here are our favorite hues for new vehicles in 2023.

Best Car Colors For 2023: Discover The Hottest Automotive Hues Of The Year (1) BMW M

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing – Blaze Orange

Cadillac may put luxury above all else, but that doesn't mean settling for dull colors. Models from GM's most prestigious brand have become increasingly fun, stylish, and eye-catching in recent years, especially in the Blackwing trim.

The Cadillac CT4 and CT5 Blackwings are offered in various colors, such as blue, red, yellow, and more.

The color that stands out most has to be Blaze Orange, worn proudly by Cadillac's most performance-oriented sedan, the CT5 Blackwing. This slightly burnt orange hue perfectly extenuates the sleek lines and sharp edges of the new CT5, reminding people that you're not just cruising around in a boring old business vehicle.

Mazda 3 – Soul Red Crystal Metallic

Not long ago, red was associated with going fast, a color usually reserved for the sports car. Nowadays, red has become a standard color, even for the most basic of vehicles. It's not uncommon to find basic SUVs and budget hatchbacks in red, which has made the color less exclusive.

Many manufacturers have played around with different shades and hues of red to make it stand out again, and Mazda knocked it out of the park.

Although the color is standard across Mazda's range, it looks remarkably well splashed over the body of the Mazda 3.

What exactly makes this color so unique? It has an almost two-tone look, being a dark cherry color in dreary lighting conditions and relatively bright and glowy in direct light. It's classy and stylish and will never go out of fashion.

Best Car Colors For 2023: Discover The Hottest Automotive Hues Of The Year (3) Mazda

BMW M4 – Mint Green

BMW has a tradition of launching a new M car with a unique color, and the current BMW M3 and M4 arrived with a range of unconventional colors.

Notably, the M3 and M4 were launched in the bold Sao Paulo Yellow and Isle of Man Green. These cool car colors set the tone for what was to come later.

Now available through the BMW Individual color options, the M4 can be bought wearing Mint Green, a color not too dissimilar to toothpaste or bubblegum milkshake. If that doesn't scream unique, we're not quite sure what does. This is a bold paint choice for BMW's famed two-door coupe, and it looks great.

Best Car Colors For 2023: Discover The Hottest Automotive Hues Of The Year (4) BMW M

Jeep Gladiator – Earl Gray

The Jeep Wrangler is a top choice when it comes to aftermarket customization. People want these cars to stand out, so many examples often sport ridiculous or outrageous options, including purple, green, and even gold.

Let's take a step back from the dazzling colors for a moment. Usually, gray cars are rather common and make for a relatively popular color choice among commuters worldwide, thus making it quite dull.

When the company introduced the Jeep Gladiator, a vehicle used to take on the smaller truck market, it also introduced Earl Gray. It's a unique take on the gray hue with a tinge of baby blue.

MINI Cooper Convertible – Zesty Yellow

Mini has been popularized as a modern and funky brand that doesn't conform to market trends but attempts to be unique. One way Mini does this is through its colors and paint options. Minis can be found wearing the union jack flag, for example, or driving around in bright, eye-catching colors.

Speaking of eye-catching, the Cooper Convertible looks particularly striking in Zesty Yellow, a paint color that screams youthfulness and joy. The color is almost luminescent and complements the nonchalant and free nature emphasized by a convertible.

Best Car Colors For 2023: Discover The Hottest Automotive Hues Of The Year (6) MINI

Ford Ranger Raptor – Code Orange

The baby Raptor has made waves worldwide, filling the gap in the smaller truck market. Usually, performance variants were reserved for the bigger trucks, such as the Ford F-150s and RAM TRXs of the world. Thankfully, Ford took advantage of such a gap by creating a 405 horsepower Ranger owing to inspiration from the Mustang.

A unique truck requires a unique color scheme, and nothing contrasts the black accents and Raptor decal better than a near-red orange color, Code Orange. Whether on the highway or covered in dust, thanks to dune-hopping adventures, the Code Orange glows in the sun and makes a bold statement even in the dark.

Best Car Colors For 2023: Discover The Hottest Automotive Hues Of The Year (7) Ford

BMW Z4 – Thundernight Metallic Purple

Purple has become one of the most popular colors for gearheads. The 911 GT3 RS looked quite handsome in a dark purple hue, and even car influencers such as The Stradman have taken a massive liking to purple cars, having owned a purple C8, Veyron, and 458.

Such trends are prompting more and more automakers to hop on the bandwagon, with one of the latest examples coming from BMW.

Introduced with BMW's M240i, Thundernight Metallic Purple has gained acceptance throughout the industry, leading to BMW wanting to introduce this color to more models. The purple color is now available for the Z4, contrasting well with the dark accents around the exterior.

Best Car Colors For 2023: Discover The Hottest Automotive Hues Of The Year (8) BMW

Volkswagen Arteon – Kingfisher Blue Metallic

The Arteon is Volkswagen's solution for the businessman in search of a luxury car that's less obvious.

People often associate luxury and classy vehicles with dull, primary colors. Volkswagen thought the opposite, even debuting the Arteon in Turmeric Yellow.

Volkswagen continues to keep the Arteon unique in styling, which explains the reasoning behind one of their latest color choices for the luxury sedan - Kingfisher Blue Metallic. The shade changes slightly in a different light. When it's darker, the color is a deeper blue. Direct sunlight unveils a brighter tinge comparable to tropical seas.

The color isn't over the top but remains unique enough to ensure the Arteon stands out in a sea of comparable BMWs, Mercs, and Audis.

Best Car Colors For 2023: Discover The Hottest Automotive Hues Of The Year (9) Volkswagen

Acura Integra – Indy Yellow Pearl

For most, it's impossible not to love a yellow car. Why, you ask? Like red, yellow has a sports car stigma attached to it, thanks to its popularity with brands such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Porsche.

What makes it more special than red, however, is the fact that not just any car gets access to yellow. Few manufacturers are brave enough to offer it as a standard color option.

The new Acura Integra wears the color particularly well, thanks to its intelligent design and sportiness comparable to the modern hot hatch market. The Acura Integra Type S may not be a fully blown hot hatch, but it certainly looks like one. In Indy Yellow Pearl, the Integra shines bright, mainly thanks to glittery elements in the paint. This is one of the most eye-catching colors available on the market today.

Best Car Colors For 2023: Discover The Hottest Automotive Hues Of The Year (10) Acura

Porsche GT3 RS – Gemini Metallic

Porsche is very well known for offering a wide array of OEM options, parts, interior designs, and paint colors. Whether you're shopping for a standard 911 Carrera, a 911 Turbo, a Porsche Taycan, or even a Macan, these high-end vehicles' color palettes are nearly endless.

Recently unveiled is Porsche's 992 generation 911 GT3 RS, a car so extreme that it has left enthusiasts wondering how it was road legal. The vehicle boasts numerous black accents on the aero parts, and although the GT3 RS is delectable in all colors, one that particularly stood out is Gemini Metallic.

The hue isn't exactly bright but offers a classy blue shade that perfectly emphasizes the car's seriousness while providing a nice subtle contrast to the black accents. This is one of the most well-balanced and visually appealing new car colors of 2023.

Best Car Colors For 2023: Discover The Hottest Automotive Hues Of The Year (11) Colors by Porsche, screenshots by CarBuzz
Best Car Colors For 2023: Discover The Hottest Automotive Hues Of The Year (2024)

FAQs

Best Car Colors For 2023: Discover The Hottest Automotive Hues Of The Year? ›

Gray, white, blue, and orange all gained substantial market share, while silver, red, black, and brown lost ground. Cars in uncommon colors like beige and yellow held their value better than mainstream colors.

What is the most popular car color in 2023? ›

In 2023, white is once again the most popular car color (in 40 states). Black is the second most popular color (in the remaining 10 states.) Gray comes in third, followed by silver.

What is the most attractive car color? ›

As the most popular car color on the road today, white accounts for 26% of all cars on the road. White is a very classic color that looks great on SUVs, sedans, and all other vehicle types. Not only is white a safe choice, but it also holds its resale as well as any other color on the road today.

What color car is best for hot weather? ›

Car Paint Color

Darker colors like black or navy blue tend to absorb more heat than lighter colors like white or silver due to their higher levels of absorption. This means that lighter colors may be better for those who want to limit their car's temperature during hot months.

What is the new color for cars in 2023? ›

Axalta marks its ninth edition of the exclusive Global Automotive Color of the Year with Techno Blue, an ultramodern blue with hue-shifting effects.

What color car is easiest to keep clean? ›

Beige, light blue, light gray, and silver are the best car color choices for those who want to keep their vehicles clean. In addition, white paint can hide dust and debris well. But, dirt that accumulates can be tough to hide on a white car.

What color makes a car look expensive? ›

Eminent White Pearl

White cars have a natural sense of luxury and classiness that can't be denied. So, it's a great choice if you want to keep your car color simple but not dark.

What is the safest color car? ›

According to Kelley Blue Book, white is the most popular color choice for minivans, pickup trucks, sedans and luxury cars alike. White is also considered the safest color. In fact, in comparison to white vehicles, black cars are 12% more likely to be involved in an accident.

What color car paint lasts the longest? ›

A solid white. It reflects more heat thus staying cooler (relatively) than a darker color. Although all paints fade with sun exposure, white is less noticeable since it already a light color. The least durable would be a dark metallic color.

What color car is classy? ›

Neutral colors like white, black, silver, and gray are consistently associated with luxury and elite social status. They are elegant and often considered “classy,” at least compared to “loud” car colors like yellow and red. When considering practicality, sliver and gray hues are much easier to keep clean.

What is a woman's favorite color of car? ›

The study also found that men's new preferred car color is yellow. Last year, orange ranked first among men. Women's current favorite car color is teal. The study reveals they have a stronger preference for teal cars by 19.0 percent.

Which car color hides scratches best? ›

After polling a number of paint-less dent removal businesses and auto body repairers, the unanimous answer was.... White! Due to its brightness and its property of refracting light, White hides blemishes the best.

Which color cars get hottest in the sun? ›

Black absorbs all visible parts of the spectrum, turning that light energy into heat. The more energy it absorbs, the more heat it emits. White and silver, however, behave in the opposite manner, reflecting all light thrown their way. The result here is less energy absorption and less heat emission.

What colour car is best in the sun? ›

White cars don't show up dirt and road grime as much as darkly coloured ones, so you can get away with washing them less often – technically making them cheaper to own. With its increased resistance to sunlight, white paint might last longer than black or silver as well.

What is the best color car for sun damage? ›

Light Grey: Similar to white and silver, light grey reflects a considerable amount of sunlight. Beige or Light Tan: These colours also do a good job in reflecting sunlight and keeping a car cooler. Light Blue: It can be cooler than its darker counterparts, especially when it's a non-metallic finish.

What is the most popular car color in 2024? ›

Here's a brief overview of the most popular car colors in 2024 and their associated meanings:
  • White: White continues to be the reigning champion as the most popular car color. ...
  • Gray: Similar to white, gray highlights a car's natural appearance with a neutral tone. ...
  • Black: Black exudes sophistication and elegance.
Feb 23, 2024

What is the least popular car color? ›

But even among privately-owned vehicles, some visually distinctive colors like red and yellow have lost serious ground over the past five years. Yellow, as it happens, is by far the least popular color, with just 0.1% of buyers opting for the shade this year.

What color car is least stolen? ›

What color car gets stolen the least? The color of a car that gets stolen the least can vary based on different reports and locations. However, some studies suggest that less common colors like green, yellow or pink are stolen less frequently compared to more standard colors like black, white or silver.

What is the car color of the year 2024? ›

Axalta Announces Starry Night as 2024 Global Automotive Color of the Year.

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