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2023 cars

Best Car Colors for 2023: Popular, Stylish, and Distinctive Choices

White led both Axalta’s and BASF’s reports on 2023 car production, but their figures differ and the runner-up was not the same. See what the data says about global and regional color patterns—and what it cannot tell you about the best color for your car.

By ThatPainter Team 4 min read
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White was the most popular car color in both Axalta’s and BASF’s reports on 2023 vehicle production, though each report measured a different share. Gray ranked second in Axalta’s data, while black ranked second in BASF’s. These figures describe production patterns, not which color is best for every buyer.

If you are choosing a color, treat the reports as a guide to what was common and what stood out—not as proof of resale, safety, heat, or owner-satisfaction benefits. Your best choice depends on the colors offered for the particular vehicle and trim, and on whether you prefer a familiar neutral or a more distinctive hue.

2023 car colors at a glance

Color or category Axalta, global builds BASF, global production What the reports show
White 31% 36% Ranked first in both reports.
Gray 22% 15% Ranked second in Axalta; Axalta said it surpassed black globally.
Black 18% 21% Ranked second in BASF.
Silver Not listed in the cited Axalta figures 9% A major achromatic color in BASF’s report.
Blue 7% 8% The leading chromatic color in the listed global figures.
Chromatic colors combined Not provided here 19% BASF reported this combined share for 2023.

Sources: Axalta’s Global Automotive 2023 Color Popularity Report and BASF’s Color Report for Automotive OEM Coatings. Their data sources, coverage, and category definitions differ, so the percentages should not be averaged or treated as one harmonized dataset.

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What the 2023 reports tell us

Both reports identify white as the leading global color in their 2023 data. The second-place result differs: Axalta reported gray at 22% and black at 18%, while BASF reported black at 21% and gray at 15%. Axalta specifically said gray had overtaken black globally.

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These are industry production or build figures, not a representative survey of what individual drivers like best. They provide a snapshot of vehicles produced in 2023, not a current ranking of cars available to buy.

BASF reported that chromatic colors—the colors other than the achromatic group of white, gray, black, and silver—accounted for 19% combined. Blue led the chromatic colors in the cited global figures, at 7% in Axalta’s report and 8% in BASF’s. Those numbers establish relative prevalence, not a universal style ranking.

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How color preferences varied by region

Global rankings can conceal regional differences. Axalta reported gray as Europe’s top color at 26%, with black at 23%. BASF described North American buyers shifting toward lighter achromatic shades, while EMEA moved toward darker black and gray.

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BASF also reported country-level differences in chromatic colors: blue accounted for 11% in Germany; red and orange were each favored at approximately 9% in Spain and the UK; green reached 6% in France; and Italy had a 30% chromatic-color share among the countries listed in the report. These are report findings about production patterns, not statements about every buyer in those countries.

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Choosing among popular and distinctive colors

The reports can help frame a choice, but they do not establish that one color is better for resale, safety, maintenance, or comfort. Consider these distinctions instead:

  • Common versus distinctive: White, gray, and black were prominent in both global reports. Blue was less common than those leading neutrals but led the chromatic colors in the cited figures.
  • Global versus regional preference: Gray led in Europe according to Axalta, while global results differed between Axalta and BASF.
  • Available versus desirable: The reports do not tell you which shades are offered for a particular model, market, or trim. Check the manufacturer’s choices for the vehicle you are considering.

BASF’s global head of automotive color design, Mark Gutjahr, summarized the regional variation: “While the achromatic colors are still the most popular, each country appears to have its favorite place on the chromatic realm.”

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What about Techno Blue?

Axalta named Techno Blue its 2023 Global Automotive Color of the Year, describing it as an ultramodern blue with hue-shifting effects. That designation signaled a design direction; it did not mean Techno Blue was the most-produced color. In Axalta’s global popularity figures, blue accounted for 7%.

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How to use the data when choosing a car color

  1. Decide what you mean by “best.” You may mean common in the market, distinctive, or simply appealing to you. The production reports answer the first question better than the others.
  2. Check the actual vehicle and trim. The reports do not establish model-specific availability. Review the manufacturer’s colors for the exact market, model, and trim you want.
  3. Use regional context carefully. A global share may not reflect the color mix where you live; Axalta and BASF report different regional patterns.
  4. Choose based on your preference, not an unsupported promise. The cited reports do not show that a particular color improves resale value, safety, heat retention, or satisfaction.
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FAQ

What was the most popular car color in 2023?

White ranked first in both cited global reports. Axalta reported 31% of global builds, while BASF reported 36% of global production. The figures come from separate datasets and should not be combined.

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Was gray or black more popular in 2023?

It depends on the report. Axalta put gray second at 22%, ahead of black at 18%; BASF put black second at 21%, ahead of gray at 15%.

What was the most popular non-neutral car color?

Blue led the chromatic colors in both cited global figures: 7% in Axalta’s report and 8% in BASF’s.

Does the most popular color mean it is the best choice?

No. Production prevalence shows what automakers produced, not what every buyer should choose. The best color for you depends on your preference and the options available on the vehicle you want.

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Was Techno Blue the most popular car color in 2023?

No. Axalta named Techno Blue its 2023 Color of the Year, a design signal separate from its popularity ranking. Blue accounted for 7% in Axalta’s global figures.

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