What does your car colour say about you? A psychologist reveals all (2024)

Believe it or not, it's not just the make and model of our cars that reveal a lot about our personalities, but colour choices too. Psychologist Lee Chambers for USwitch explainsthe true personality traits of motorists, with some surprising results - read on to discover what your car's colour says about you...

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Black cars

Those who drive black cars tend to ooze sophistication and have great style. They also appreciate control, but often take a reserved approach, avoiding any unnecessary drama. In 2020, black cars were officially the second most popular new car colour in the UK.

What does your car colour say about you? A psychologist reveals all (1)

The super stylish Polestar 2 is electric, too

The Polestar 2 is a stunning five-door hatchback from Volvo's new all-electric sister brand, new for 2021. Taking on the Tesla Model 3, it blends kerb appeal with practicality and performance, plus Scandi chic inside. Its 78kWh battery pack and two electric motors result in a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds, yet it has an impressive range of 292 miles.

Grey/silver cars

Grey or silver car owners are described by Lee as having a sensible nature, often considering practicality over desire. You can also expect them to keep their word as they are very reliable and tend to conform to society, often shying away from the spotlight. For the third year in a row, grey was the most popular new car colour in the UK, with silver at No 6.

What does your car colour say about you? A psychologist reveals all (2)

The Kia Stinger GT S is a fast family hatchback

If you're looking for a stylish fastback that stands out from the crowd, then the new Kia Stinger GT S could be right up your street. Powered by a throaty 3.3-litre V6, it's fast, fun, well equipped and spacious, yet comes with Kia's seven-year warranty for extra peace of mind.

Gold cars

Owners of gold cars are traditional, so they tend to stick to what they know, rather than trying new things. Those who fancy gold also love comfort and can’t resist a little glamour. However, gold cars are one of the least popular new car colour choices.

The uber-luxe Bentley Flying Spur

If you've just won the lottery, then you'll probably splash out on a luxury car and the all-new Bentley Flying Spur is one of the best. Looking especially opulent in gold, this gorgeous limo is capable of effortless performance and it's priced from £168,300.

MORE: Celebrity children who drive cars cooler than yours

White cars

Psychologist Lee reckons white car drivers tend to be clinical, highly organised, and strive to achieve a high status within society. According to the latest official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), white was the third most popular new car colour in the UK in 2020.

What does your car colour say about you? A psychologist reveals all (4)

Looking chic in white, the new SEAT Leon is great value for money

A new rival to the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf, the latest SEAT Leon offers good looks, value for money, space, loads of standard kit and sharp handling. Available with a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines, there's also a plug-in hybrid version which can travel electric-only for more than 30 miles with zero CO2 emissions.

Yellow cars

It probably comes as no surprise to hear that yellow car drivers often have a sunny nature. They are bursting with energy and always look on the bright side of life. However, yellow is not a popular new car colour, just squeaking into the Top 10 at No 9. In 2020, just 0.4% of new car buyers choose a yellow motor.

What does your car colour say about you? A psychologist reveals all (5)

Suzuki Swift Sport - sporty AND eye-catching!

If you love yellow and you're looking for a hot hatch, then the Suzuki Swift Sport in eye-catching Champion Yellow could be the car for you. Sporty and fun to drive, it's also efficient thanks to its hybrid engine which is capable of up to 50mpg.

Red cars

Broadly speaking, red car drivers are highly sensual and like to be the centre of attention. They are high-energy, dynamic, and love to socialise with new people, though there can be subtle differences between the various shades of red. In 2021, red cars accounted for almost one in 10 new registrations and were the fifth most popular new car colour.

What does your car colour say about you? A psychologist reveals all (6)

Hyundai i10 is a great choice for city dwellers

The dinky Hyundai i10 is one of the best city cars on the market and the latest version is better than ever. Offering improved space and top technology, it's also great value and comes with a tempting five-year warranty.

Blue cars

Safe, with an air of calm confidence and unlikely to be fazed, you can trust the driver of a blue car because they are likely to be faithful friends. Blue is the fourth favourite new car colour in the UK, accounting for nearly one in six registrations.

What does your car colour say about you? A psychologist reveals all (7)

The statement making Honda Civic Type R

We've chosen the awesome Honda Civic Type R, which comes in one of the most vibrant shades of blue on the market (Racing Blue Pearl). Offering on-road thrills and glorious OTT styling, yet without sacrificing comfort or practicality, it's a great value hot hatch statement.

Purple cars

People that drive purple cars wants to be perceived as original and unique - they love to make a statement and stand out from the crowd. However, purple is also one of the most unpopular new car colours on the market, but it is growing steadily in popularity.

What does your car colour say about you? A psychologist reveals all (8)

The McLaren 720S in Lantana Purple is one sporty motor

Purple may not be popular as a colour, but that hasn't stopped McLaren offering Lantana Purple as an option for its awesome 720S supercar. Priced from £219,500, its 4.0-litte twin-turbo V8 can propel it from 0-62mph in just 2.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 212mph!

MORE: 10 reasons to switch to an electric car - they might surprise you!

Green cars

Drivers who opt for a green car usually lead a well-balanced life and are extremely down to earth. They are grounded and humble, known for taking a very simple and understated approach to daily life. Green car drivers opting for darker shades tend to be more traditional than those choosing brighter greens. Green cars accounted for just 0.9% of new cars sales in 2020.

What does your car colour say about you? A psychologist reveals all (9)

The Ford Puma is one of the UK's most popular cars

Launched in 2020, the Ford Puma has quickly established itself as one of the UK's most popular new cars. The sporty new ST version is not only fast and a hoot to drive, but it's available in fantastic Mean Green.

Pink cars

Pink is the most unpopular car colour on the road. If you drive a pink motor, you’re definitely not one to shy away from the spotlight. You are bright, bubbly and bold - and have a heart of gold.

What does your car colour say about you? A psychologist reveals all (10)

The Nissan Micra C+C is pretty in pink

The Nissan Micra C+C from 2006 is still the most common pink car - and it's rare enough. These days the only newer pink vehicles you're likely to see on the road are cars that have been resprayed or 'wrapped' (covering your vehicle with a vinyl film in the colour or design of your choice).

What does your car colour say about you? A psychologist reveals all (2024)

FAQs

What is the psychology of car color choice? ›

The color of a car is more than just a superficial choice; it's a reflection of personality, cultural influences, and societal trends. Whether it's the passion of red, the trustworthiness of blue, or the sophistication of black, each color tells a story and shapes the overall automotive experience.

What does your color car say about you? ›

Drivers of a light green car may have a more energetic driving style. The colour orange is bright, warm and uplifting. A person who chooses to drive an orange car would be telling others they are optimistic, adventurous, outgoing, uninhibited, and not afraid to take a few risks.

What is the psychology of blue cars? ›

Blue: Calmness and Trustworthiness

It's worth noting that different shades of blue, such as light blue, may enhance the feelings of calmness and approachability, while darker shades, like navy blue, can exude authority.

What is the psychology of GREY cars? ›

Silver/gray – practicality and reliability

Grey car owners tend to be shy and avoid the spotlight while silver car owners like to be perceived as fun but not as extroverts, they enjoy a sleek and elegant look without wanting to draw too much attention to them.

What is the most chosen car color? ›

The study examined over 6.1 million cars on the road to determine the share for each color. White is the nation's most popular color, making up over a quarter of cars, followed by black, gray, and silver. Grayscale colored cars (white, black, gray, and silver) account for 78.5 percent of all vehicles on the road.

What psychologists say about colors? ›

Color Psychology as Therapy
  • Red is used to stimulate the body and mind and to increase circulation.
  • Yellow is thought to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.
  • Orange is used to heal the lungs and to increase energy levels.
  • Blue is believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain.
Feb 20, 2024

Does your car show your personality? ›

In fact, studies have shown that the type of car you prefer to drive is directly influenced by your personality traits. It's like the saying goes, your car is an extension of yourself.

What is the safest color car to drive? ›

Overwhelmingly, white is considered the safest car color with the lowest risk of being struck. According to one study, white cars are 12% less likely to be in a crash than black cars, even during the day.

What is the psychology of white cars? ›

White or dull-colored cars are conservative and low-risk. Many people are conservative and risk-averse when it comes to major purchases. White or dull-colored cars don't stand out. For many people, their car is a transportation tool, and doesn't necessarily represent a canvas to reflect their style or personality.

What is the psychology of black cars? ›

Black is the most popular car color for luxury models but also popular among the middle class. When you think of black you might think of black-tie events and sophistication. And that's just what you get with a black car. Driving a black car indicates that you prefer to exude excellence and power in yourself.

What is the red car mentality? ›

The Red Car Theory operates on selective attention, guiding individuals to focus on their goals and aspirations. By honing in on their desired objectives, individuals can harness the power of their subconscious mind to seek out and notice opportunities that resonate with their aspirations.

What is the yellow car theory? ›

If we change what we think about, what we notice in our surroundings will change. We call this connection between our thoughts and our attention "The Yellow Car Phenomenon." For example, when was the last time you saw a yellow car that wasn't a taxi? Maybe last week or last month?

What does the color gray do to the mind? ›

Gray: comfort, maturity, calmness

Gray is the most neutral of neutrals and is associated with self-restraint or conformism at times, but also sleek sophistication and modern style. It has a calming, unemotional effect and can be somewhat draining on its own, but makes other colors stand out when used in combination.

What is the psychology of blue grey? ›

The color Blue Grey can give off a sense of separation and dreariness. However, it can also add a level of professionalism and sophistication to your designs.

Is grey a safe car color? ›

Grey and Silver Cars

Grey cars are associated with an 11 percent higher risk than the safest car. Silver cars are associated with a 10 percent higher risk than the safest car. Again, the reason for the correlation between color and crash risk is visibility. Grey and silver cars can be difficult to see.

What is the color preference test in psychology? ›

The color test begins by asking the participant to look at 8 different colored cards and then asking them to place the cards in order of preference. The colors used are divided into two groups of four, auxiliary colors (violet, brown, grey and black) and basic colors (blue, yellow, red and green).

What is the psychology of color coding? ›

There are many stereotypical color associations: red to anger, orange causing excitement, yellow to happiness, green is serenity, blue to sadness, and purple signifies importance. However, these feelings do vary slightly from person to person.

What psychology says about your favorite color? ›

It was found that the preference of light blue significantly predicted conscientiousness. Emotional stability was significantly predicted by red and light blue preferences. Openness to new experiences was predicted by green, purple, and white preferences.

What is color preference theory? ›

The ecological valence theory (EVT) of color preference was formulated by Palmer and Schloss to test the hypothesis that people like colors to the degree that they like the environmental objects that are characteristically those colors [2, 3].

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