Car color plays a measurable role in road safety. Lighter colors are more visible to other drivers, particularly in low-light conditions, a practical consideration that often gets overlooked.
It is also a factor that matters in the auto transport industry, where the color of a vehicle directly influences how easily damage is spotted during inspection. That is what motivated us to take a closer look at where American color preferences actually stand in 2025 and where they appear to be heading. Let’s dive in!
USA Car Color Market Share in 2025
The 2025 market share for the car color market in the U.S. is much the same as the previous year. Achromatic colors were still in the lead. White was at the top of the list, although its market share did decline. Black and gray were close behind. The market share for the top colors in 2025 is as follows:
| Rank | Color | USA Share | US Market Character |
| 01 | White | 31% | The “Safe” Leader: Remains #1, but is losing ground to high-impact colors. |
| 02 | Gray | 21% | The Modern Foundation: The “Cactus Gray” effect; popular for trucks and SUVs. |
| 03 | Black | 19% | The Professional Choice: Dropped slightly as buyers move toward Blue/Red. |
| 04 | Blue | 10% | The American Favorite: Nearly double the global average (6%). |
| 05 | Silver | 8% | The Tech Legacy: Holding steady in the US better than in Europe or Asia. |
| 06 | Red | 7% | The Performance Pick: A strong showing, particularly in the sports and compact segments. |
| 07 | Green | 2% | The Eco-Rising Star: Doubled its popularity in the last year due to the EV surge. |
| 08 | Other | 2% | The Individualists: Includes specialty colors like Midnight Purple and Matte Gold. |
Source: Data compiled from Axalta 2025 Global Report, Motor1, iSeeCars, and Kelley Blue Book [1], [2], [3], [4]
Key USA-Specific Trends in 2025
The US car color market had a few trends in 2025 that made it different from the rest of the world.
The Chromatic Shift: Americans in 2025 were more likely to go for bolder colors than car buyers in most other countries. Blue accounted for 9% to 10% of the market, and red accounted for 7% to 8%, both of which are significantly higher than the global average. This is a sign of a growing number of US car buyers who want a car that reflects their personality and is a little different from the rest.
White’s Gradual Decline: White retained the top spot, but the figures do not make for pleasant reading. White declined from 34% in 2023 to around 29% in 2025. This is a significant drop for a color that was once invincible.
Gray as the New Neutral: Gray had a great year. It came close to black in terms of popularity and was particularly popular in the SUV and truck market because it hides dirt better and has a more modern look than white.
Silver’s Ongoing Retreat: Silver continued to fall behind, dropping to between 7% and 10%. Gray has effectively become the go-to metallic neutral in its place due to a shift in consumers’ perceptions of what constitutes modern and stylish.
Regional Trends: Regional color preferences varied. White remained the number-one choice in 45 out of 50 states. Black was the leader in the other five, which tended to be the more developed areas or the northern parts of the country.
Segment-Specific Trends: Vehicle type was also a factor. Premium car buyers remained loyal to black and pearl white. Compact and sports car buyers were the most likely to choose blue or red, as these consumers tend to be the ones who crave something that is personalized and dynamic.
Comparison: USA vs. Global Car Color Trends (2025)
Comparing U.S. figures with worldwide figures makes the difference fairly obvious, particularly when it comes to chromatic colors.
| Rank | Color | USA Share | Global Share | The “Market Gap” Insight |
| 01 | White | 31% | 29% | Universal Leader: US holds higher white volume due to fleet and truck dominance. |
| 02 | Gray | 22% | 22% | Perfect Alignment: The modern “high-tech” standard across all borders. |
| 03 | Black | 19% | 23% | Global Premium: Black is 4% more popular globally, especially in Europe/Asia. |
| 04 | Blue | 10% | 6% | The USA Surge: American demand is 66% higher than the global average. |
| 05 | Silver | 8% | 7% | Legacy Tech: Still slightly more popular in the US than the global average. |
| 06 | Red | 7% | 5% | The Performance Gap: Americans choose Red 40% more often than the rest of the world. |
| 07 | Green | 2% | ~1% | The EV Disruptor: US adoption of green is doubling the global pace. |
| 08 | Other | 1% | 7% | The Global Niche: Includes Yellow/Gold, which is huge in Asia but tiny in the US. |
American consumers clearly had a greater desire for blue and red than other consumers. Nevertheless, neutrals remained the most popular. The U.S. is only slightly more receptive to bold color statements than the average consumer.
Conclusion
The U.S. car color market in 2025 remains dominated by white, black, and gray, but the details beneath that are worth noting. White is gradually losing ground, gray has become the preferred neutral, and colors like blue and red are gaining traction at rates well above the global average. For buyers, color is a decision that touches safety, maintenance, and resale value. For those in the auto transport industry, it also affects how easily damage is identified at inspection. The overall shift is gradual, but the American market is quietly moving toward more personal choices.
Questions and Answers
1. Q: Is there a correlation between car color and the risk of being in an accident?
A: Several studies have investigated the link between car color and accident risk, and the findings consistently suggest that color does play a role in vehicle visibility and safety. A landmark study from Monash University’s Accident Research Centre, as well as a study published in the BMJ, found that lighter-colored cars are generally safer.
- Black Cars: These are often cited as the most dangerous. One study found that black cars have a 12% higher crash risk than white cars during the day, and this risk jumps to 47% at dawn and dusk [6].
- Grey and Silver Cars: These colors also carry a higher risk than white, with grey cars being 11% more likely to be in an accident, and silver cars 10% more likely [6].
- Blue and Red Cars: These colors have a 7% higher accident risk compared to white cars [6].
- White, Gold, and Yellow Cars: These are consistently ranked among the safest colors due to their high visibility in various lighting and weather conditions [6].
A 2003 study published in the BMJ also found that silver cars were associated with a significantly lower risk of serious injury in a crash compared to white cars, while brown, black, and green cars were associated with a higher risk [7].
It is important to note that while these correlations exist, driver behavior, road conditions, and other factors are the primary determinants of accident risk. However, choosing a more visible car color can be a passive safety measure.
2. Q: Why are grayscale colors (white, black, gray, and silver) so dominant?
A: The dominance of grayscale colors, which account for approximately 80% of all vehicles, can be attributed to their practicality and broad appeal [1]. These colors are seen as timeless, professional, and less likely to go out of style. They are also a safe choice for buyers who are concerned about resale value, as they appeal to a wide range of potential customers [5].
3. Q: Does the color of my car affect its resale value?
A: Yes, car color can have a significant impact on resale value. While neutral colors like white, black, and silver are considered safe choices, they tend to have average depreciation rates. Surprisingly, rarer and more vibrant colors can hold their value much better. For example, a study by iSeeCars.com found that yellow cars have the lowest depreciation rate, losing only 4.5% of their value over a three-year period, which is 70% less than the average vehicle [5]. This is largely due to the low supply and high demand for these unique colors in the used car market.
4. Q: What are the least popular car colors?
A: The least popular car colors in the U.S. are typically vibrant and non-traditional hues. Consistently at the bottom of the rankings are purple, gold, and yellow, each with a market share of 0.2% or less. Brown, beige, and orange also have very low popularity, each accounting for less than 1% of vehicles on the road [1].
5. Q: Are there significant regional differences in car color preferences?
A: Yes, there are notable regional differences. While white is the top color in 45 states, black is the most popular choice in five states located primarily in the Midwest and Northeast: Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin [1]. This suggests that factors like climate and regional tastes can influence color selection.
References
[1] Axalta Releases 2025 Global Automotive Color Popularity Report
[2] The Most Popular Car Color Last Year Was A Boring One (Again) – Motor1.com
[3] Here’s The Most Popular Car Color In 2025 – GM Authority
[4] What Are the Most Popular Car Colors in Each State – iSeeCars
References for Q&A
[1] iSeeCars.com. “What Are the Most Popular Car Colors in Each State.” https://www.iseecars.com/articles/what-are-the-most-popular-car-colors-in-each-state
[2] Edmunds. “Most Popular Car Colors in America.” https://www.edmunds.com/most-popular-car-colors/
[3] BASF. “BASF Color Report: Green and gray redefine the 2025 automotive color landscape.” https://www.basf.com/global/en/media/news-releases/2026/01/p-26-Coat01
[4] Germain Auto Group. “Most Popular Car Colors | Study by iSeeCars.” https://www.germaincars.com/most-popular-car-colors/
[5] Forbes. “Here’s Why The Most Popular Car Colors Are Also The Dullest.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2022/10/04/heres-why-the-most-popular-car-colors-are-also-the-dullest/
[6] Newstead, S. & D’Elia, A. (2007). An investigation into the relationship between vehicle colour and crash risk. Monash University Accident Research Centre. https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/216475/An-investigation-into-the-relationship-between-vehicle-colour-and-crash-risk.pdf
[7] Furness, S., Connor, J., Robinson, E., Norton, R., Ameratunga, S., & Jackson, R. (2003). Car colour and risk of car crash injury: population based case control study. BMJ, 327(7429), 1455–1456. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC300804/
