Car manufacturers are increasingly experimenting with bright colors in interiors and exteriors, but the reality on the roads remains largely monochrome. According to a new study by iSeeCars, in 2025, 80.4% of new cars had shades of gray: white, black, silver, or gray.
White, Black, and Gray Dominate the Market
The study showed that white remains the most popular color with a share of 25.7%. Black and gray took second and third places with 23.4% and 22.9% respectively. If you add silver (8.4%), the total share of “gray” colors exceeds 80%. This is a stark contrast to 1996, when only 47.3% of cars were painted in these shades.
Bright Colors Are Losing Ground
Only a few brave souls choose bright colors. Blue took fourth place with a 9.1% share, red — 7%, and green — only 2.2%. Other colors have almost disappeared from the market: brown and beige each have 0.4%, orange — 0.3%, and yellow — just 0.1%. Over the past 30 years, the popularity of gold and purple has fallen by almost 100%, while green and brown have fallen by approximately 84%.
According to iSeeCars, the color gray has shown incredible growth of 528.4% compared to 1996, black has grown by 64.5%, and white by 16.7%.
Pickups Are the Least Colorful, Sports Cars Are the Brightest
The study also found that pickups have the highest percentage of “gray” colors — 83.5% in 2025, a significant jump from 43.4% in 1996. In contrast, sports cars remain the most colorful: only 63.6% of them have gray shades. Blue among sports cars has a 15.5% share, red — 10.8%, and purple — even 1.8%.
Why Are Bright Colors Disappearing?
Although the study does not provide a direct reason, experts point to several factors. Most likely, gray colors are more acceptable to the mass buyer, so dealers order predominantly such cars. It is much easier to sell a black or white pickup truck than a green or purple one, which determines the choice of car manufacturers.
Color Popularity Tables by Category
Most Popular Pickup Colors in 2025
Most Popular SUV Colors in 2025
- White — 25.1%
- Black — 23.4%
- Gray — 21.9%
- Blue — 9.5%
- Silver — 8.9%
Most Popular Passenger Car Colors in 2025
- Gray — 28.4%
- Black — 23.7%
- White — 21.2%
- Blue — 9.9%
- Silver — 7.4%
Most Popular Sports Car Colors in 2025
- Gray — 21.2%
- Black — 20.9%
- White — 16.6%
- Blue — 15.5%
- Red — 10.8%
Interestingly, although car manufacturers are actively adding bright colors to new models, the actual demand for them remains low. Perhaps, over time, when consumers tire of monotony, we will see a return to a more diverse palette. After all, 30 years ago, almost half of all cars were bright, and this trend could become relevant again, especially with the development of individualization and customization of vehicles.