When buying a car, people focus on many things, but car color is often overlooked. It might seem like a small detail, but research shows that the color you choose can significantly affect your car’s resale value, potentially costing you thousands of dollars.
Automotive reports, such as a comprehensive analysis by vehicle research site iSeeCars, have meticulously tracked the depreciation rates of used cars, unearthing fascinating insights into which colors are financial winners and which are, well, not so much. By comparing inflation-adjusted manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) to list prices of over 1.2 million used 2022 models sold between August 2024 and May 2025, a clear picture emerges. The average vehicle, it turns out, sheds approximately 31.0% of its value over the first three years of ownership, but this isn’t a uniform fate for all.
This deep dive aims to equip you with the knowledge to make an informed color choice, not just for today’s enjoyment, but for tomorrow’s bottom line. We’ll explore the colors that defy the average depreciation trend, uncovering why some seemingly unconventional choices can be smart financial moves, while some perennial favorites might silently erode your car’s worth. Get ready to see your car’s color in a whole new light, understanding its tangible impact on everything from market demand to safety perceptions.
1. **Yellow**
When it comes to retaining value, yellow cars stand out—literally and financially. According to the iSeeCars study, yellow vehicles depreciate by only 24.0% over three years, making them the undisputed champion among all car colors for value retention. This translates to a dollar difference of $13,667 from the original MSRP, saving owners an estimated $693 compared to the market average depreciation. Executive Analyst Karl Brauer from iSeeCars highlights that yellow, alongside orange, has consistently been a top performer since the company began tracking depreciation by color. The reason is compelling: these aren’t widely popular colors, yet their demand often outstrips their supply, creating a premium in the used market.
Yellow’s vibrant nature isn’t just for show; it also contributes to increased visibility, making it a safer choice on the road. Australia’s Monash University Research Centre suggests that yellow vehicles make it easier for other drivers to spot them quickly, potentially reducing accident risk. While it might be a bold choice, this combination of high visibility and strong financial performance makes yellow an intriguing option for the discerning car buyer. However, it’s worth noting that yellow doesn’t always look good on all vehicles, meaning body style plays a role in its appeal and practicality.
Interestingly, yellow’s strong performance is consistent across several vehicle segments. For coupes, yellow cars experience a mere 14.5% depreciation over three years, commanding a $13,401 dollar difference from MSRP. Convertibles also reward this bright hue, with yellow models depreciating by only 21.4% (a $15,651 difference). Even for SUVs, yellow stands as a top performer with 30.2% depreciation, significantly better than the segment average. While yellow excels at hiding dust and pollen, it does tend to emphasize mud splashes after a rainy drive, which is a maintenance consideration for owners.
Regionally, yellow consistently holds its ground as the color with the lowest depreciation across all top 50 U.S. metro areas analyzed, from Miami-Ft. Lauderdale to Indianapolis. In New York, for instance, yellow cars show a 21.5% depreciation, while in Los Angeles, it’s 21.9%. This widespread appreciation for yellow’s retained value underscores its strength as a strategic color choice for car owners nationwide, demonstrating that its demand-over-supply dynamic is a truly national phenomenon.
2. **Orange**
Closely following yellow in value retention is orange, which shows an impressive 24.4% depreciation over three years, equating to a $9,951 difference from MSRP. Like yellow, orange benefits from a unique market dynamic: it’s not a common color, but it enjoys a dedicated following, creating a favorable balance of demand and supply in the used car market. Karl Brauer emphasizes that this scarcity combined with focused demand translates directly into higher resale value, making it a surprisingly shrewd choice for many.
Did you know that orange cars not only stand out for safety reasons, reducing accident risk due to their high visibility, but they also look fantastic? While they do require a bit more upkeep to keep that vibrant look, their uniqueness definitely turns heads.
Orange particularly shines in specific vehicle segments. For pickup trucks, it’s the absolute best color for retained value, losing only 16.0% of its value (a $10,540 difference from MSRP). This is largely due to its adoption by high-performance truck models like the Ford F-150 Raptor and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. Similarly, in SUVs, orange ranks highest for value retention at 27.1% depreciation, while for sedans, it leads with a 25.3% depreciation. Coupes (18.4% depreciation) and convertibles (19.8% depreciation) also see orange as a top-tier color for resale, reflecting the segment’s inclination towards expressive, high-visibility choices.
It’s fascinating to note the variation by segment; while orange proves incredibly valuable for many vehicle types, it conspicuously fails to make the list for minivans. This absence suggests a clear rejection of bright, bold colors by minivan buyers, perhaps preferring more subdued tones for family transportation. This highlights a crucial takeaway: the impact of color isn’t universal and must be considered in the context of the specific vehicle type. Despite this, for many drivers seeking a bold statement that pays dividends at resale, orange remains a top contender.
3. **Green**
Green cars, perhaps surprisingly to some, also demonstrate strong value retention, coming in third overall with a 26.3% depreciation over three years, which represents a $13,152 difference from the MSRP. This places green firmly among the best car colors for resale value, outperforming the overall average depreciation significantly. While it might not have the flashy rarity of yellow or orange, green car ownership still suggests a demographic that values a unique aesthetic without sacrificing financial prudence.
However, the performance of green is notably nuanced across different vehicle segments. It’s an exceptional choice for minivans, topping the list with an astonishingly low 15.3% depreciation, a $7,145 difference from MSRP, suggesting that minivan buyers, despite shying away from yellow or orange, appreciate a distinctive yet milder shade. Green also performs very well for pickup trucks, ranking second with a 19.3% depreciation (a $9,268 difference), and for convertibles, where it shows a 27.4% depreciation. This indicates that for certain utility or leisure-oriented vehicles, green signifies an appealing blend of uniqueness and style.
On the other hand, green experiences a significant drop in value retention for sedans, ranking as the second-worst color in that segment with a 33.8% depreciation ($19,653 difference). This stark contrast highlights that while green can be a smart choice for an SUV, pickup, or minivan, new car buyers considering a sedan might want to steer clear to protect their investment. As Brauer notes, “Apparently used sedan buyers don’t appreciate a green vehicle,” a critical piece of advice for prospective sedan owners.
From a maintenance perspective, green cars are relatively easy to keep clean, surprising many owners. However, it’s worth noting that green tends to show imperfections more readily than colors like gray, silver, or white. Furthermore, green cars are among those frequently stolen, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), alongside black, silver, white, and gold vehicles. This dual consideration of maintenance ease and theft risk adds layers to the decision-making process for those eyeing a green vehicle.
4. **Beige**
Beige cars offer an above-average performance in value retention, experiencing a 29.5% depreciation over three years, which translates to an $18,455 difference from the MSRP. While not as dramatic in its value retention as yellow or orange, beige still represents a more financially sound choice compared to the overall market average of 31.0%. This suggests that for those seeking a neutral, understated look that also supports resale value, beige is a strong contender.
Beige cars offer a blend of understated elegance and practicality, making them a consistently safe and appealing choice in the used car market. This timeless appeal helps them hold their value better than trendier or less common colors.
Beige really shines in practical vehicle categories like SUVs, where it has a respectable 30.7% depreciation, and sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks, with a 27.8% depreciation. However, it seems truck buyers lean towards more distinctive colors, as beige depreciates at 28.7% in that segment.
While the context doesn’t explicitly detail beige’s maintenance profile, its neutral, earthy tone likely offers a decent ability to camouflage light dust and dirt, similar to other lighter, non-metallic hues. This practical aspect, combined with its respectable resale value, makes beige a sensible and dependable choice for buyers who prioritize both aesthetics and financial return without venturing into more vibrant color territories.
5. **Red**
Red cars show a commendable 29.8% depreciation over three years, placing them comfortably above the overall market average of 31.0%. This represents a $13,013 difference from the MSRP, signaling that red remains a solid choice for maintaining value. Red cars embody a sense of energy and style, appealing to buyers who desire a vehicle that makes a statement without necessarily sacrificing practical considerations like resale potential.
Red’s performance is relatively consistent across several popular segments. For SUVs, red cars experience a 31.4% depreciation, placing them in the middle of the pack for value retention within that category. Minivans see red cars depreciate by 30.5%, which is better than the minivan average of 40.9%, making it a relatively strong choice for this segment. Similarly, for sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks, red cars show a 28.3% depreciation, again outperforming the segment average.
In the more performance-oriented categories, red continues to be a popular and value-retaining option. For coupes, red vehicles depreciate by 21.1%, while convertibles see a 29.6% depreciation for red models. This suggests that the classic association of red with sportiness and performance translates into sustained demand and better resale value in these particular market segments, where buyers often seek to express a more dynamic personality through their vehicle choice.
From a maintenance perspective, red cars are noted for hiding mud easier than some other colors. However, a significant drawback is that red can become dull if dirty, meaning regular cleaning is essential to keep its vibrant appeal intact. Despite this, red’s enduring popularity and above-average resale performance confirm its status as a color that appeals to a broad range of car buyers, balancing aesthetic appeal with financial foresight.
6. **Silver**
Silver cars retain their value quite well, with a 29.8% depreciation over three years, identical to red, and performing better than the overall market average. This translates to a $12,636 difference from the MSRP, indicating that silver remains a reliable option for resale value. Historically a popular choice, silver continues to be a favored neutral that offers a blend of sophistication and practicality, which resonates well with a wide base of used car buyers.
Silver’s popularity extends across many vehicle types, though its resale performance varies by segment. For pickup trucks, silver vehicles depreciate by 27.0%, which is slightly better than the truck segment average, showcasing its utility appeal. In the minivan segment, silver stands out as a strong performer, with only 29.2% depreciation, significantly better than the minivan average of 40.9%, suggesting it’s a dependable and valued option for family vehicles. For sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks, silver performs well with a 28.0% depreciation, indicating its broad appeal across practical passenger cars.
Silver is a popular choice for luxury cars, with 10.5% of new luxury vehicles sporting this color and maintaining strong resale value. While silver coupes perform well with only a 20.1% depreciation, it’s surprisingly the least value-retaining color for convertibles, depreciating at a high 39.5%.
Maintenance-wise, silver is among the easiest colors to keep clean, alongside gray. It excels at hiding dust and dirt longer, and it also tends to camouflage mud buildup, particularly near the rocker panels. This makes silver a highly practical choice for owners who prefer a vehicle that looks cleaner for longer with less frequent washing. However, the National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that silver cars are among the most stolen, a factor that prospective buyers should consider, balancing convenience and value retention with potential security risks.
Having explored the colors that best retain their value, it’s equally crucial for car buyers and owners to understand the nuances of other popular, and sometimes less financially rewarding, shades. The overall market average sees a vehicle depreciate by 31.0% over three years, a benchmark against which all colors are measured. While some neutral tones still outperform this average, others, despite their widespread popularity, surprisingly fall short, highlighting a complex interplay between consumer preference and market dynamics.
This section will delve into the impact of the remaining six car colors, providing a comprehensive analysis of their depreciation rates, segment-specific trends, and additional factors like maintenance and theft risk. By understanding these diverse outcomes, consumers can make more informed decisions, balancing personal aesthetic preferences with long-term financial foresight.
7. **Brown**
Brown cars present an interesting case in the automotive color spectrum, typically exhibiting an above-average performance in value retention with a 30.4% depreciation over three years. This rate is notably better than the overall market average and translates to a $14,197 difference from the original MSRP. While not as attention-grabbing as yellow or orange, brown often appeals to a segment of buyers looking for a sophisticated, earthy tone that still offers a degree of uniqueness compared to more common neutrals.
The performance of brown, however, varies significantly across different vehicle segments, underscoring the importance of matching color to body style. For minivans, brown is an exceptionally strong performer, ranking second with a mere 21.3% depreciation, equating to a $9,826 difference. This suggests that minivan buyers, despite shying away from brighter hues, appreciate brown as a distinctive yet practical choice for family transportation.
Conversely, brown struggles in other popular segments. For SUVs, it ranks near the bottom, experiencing a 33.4% depreciation. In sedans, brown is among the worst performers, with a 31.9% depreciation, placing it among the bottom three colors for value retention in that category. This disparity highlights that while brown can be a wise choice for certain vehicle types, especially those prioritizing subtle distinction, it can significantly hinder resale value in others.
8. **Gray**
Gray cars typically offer above-average value retention, depreciating by 30.5% over three years, which is just slightly better than the overall market average. This performance represents a $13,648 difference from the MSRP, positioning gray as a reliable, if not spectacular, choice for preserving investment. Gray’s widespread appeal stems from its sophisticated neutrality, offering a sleek look that is both modern and understated, making it a perennial favorite among many buyers.
Achromatic colors, including gray, have seen a general gain in popularity, with lighter shades specifically gaining market share as some gray shades were retired. Volkswagen’s director of product planning, Serban Boldea, notes that 80% of car consumers opt for white, black, silver, and gray largely due to resale value, considering them the “most simple and safe colors.” This sustained demand helps to stabilize its value in the used car market.
Gray is a versatile color that performs well across many vehicle types, showing solid depreciation rates for pickup trucks (24.5%) and coupes (21.2%). It also holds its own for SUVs and sedans, but be cautious with minivans, as gray ranks near the bottom with a significant 43.1% depreciation.
From a practical standpoint, gray is renowned as one of the easiest colors to keep clean. It excels at hiding dust and dirt, allowing vehicles to maintain a cleaner appearance for longer periods. This low-maintenance quality further enhances its appeal, contributing to its consistent demand and relatively stable resale value, even if it doesn’t offer the premium boost seen with rarer colors.
9. **Blue**
Blue cars, according to the iSeeCars study, typically experience a 30.9% depreciation over three years, which is just slightly better than the overall market average, resulting in a $13,994 difference from the MSRP. This places blue in a favorable position compared to the average, appealing to buyers who desire a touch of color without venturing into the bolder, more polarizing choices like yellow or orange. Its popularity is reportedly rising, with some car paint experts noting increased consumer demand for broader and more colorful choices.
Segment-wise, blue demonstrates strong performance in certain categories. For coupes, blue vehicles show a strong 19.0% depreciation, ranking third and reflecting a preference for expressive colors in this segment. Convertibles also reward blue, with a 29.3% depreciation, ranking fourth. Even for pickup trucks, blue is a better-than-average option, experiencing a 26.2% depreciation. These figures suggest that blue offers a good balance between aesthetic appeal and financial prudence for specific vehicle types.
However, blue’s performance is not universally stellar. It experiences a 33.1% depreciation in SUVs and a 30.6% depreciation in sedans, which are closer to or slightly worse than the overall average for those segments. While consumers still choose neutral colors, with silver gaining popularity, blue’s growth reflects a trend towards slightly more personalized choices, particularly in less practical car types like compacts, where candy-colored blues are more common.
From a maintenance perspective, blue presents some challenges. It is generally harder to keep clean, as blues tend to show water spots easily. Additionally, scratches and swirl marks can appear quickly on this color, demanding more diligent care from owners to preserve its appearance. Despite these maintenance considerations, blue’s overall value retention and growing popularity make it a compelling option for those seeking a stylish yet financially sound vehicle.
10. **Black**
Black cars, despite their enduring popularity and sophisticated appeal, exhibit a below-average value retention, depreciating by 31.9% over three years. This rate is worse than the overall market average and translates to a $15,381 difference from the MSRP, placing it among the colors that lose the most value. Black is often chosen for its sleek appearance and ability to showcase styling, making it a common sight on luxury and performance vehicles.
According to Karl Brauer, an analyst at iSeeCars, common colors like white and black, despite their popularity, offer no unique appeal in the used car market. This lack of distinction means buyers can easily find similar cars at lower prices, leading to increased depreciation.
Across various segments, black consistently ranks among the poorer performers for value retention. For SUVs, it’s the least valuable, depreciating by 33.6%. In minivans, black cars lose 42.4% of their value, ranking sixth from the top in depreciation. Even in coupes, where black takes the lead in new car sales (21%), it falls to the bottom for resale value with a 24.9% depreciation, and similarly ranks poorly for convertibles.
Maintenance is another significant consideration for black cars. While “sleek black looks fantastic on almost any car,” it’s a “double-edged sword” as it “looks best when fresh from the car wash. Give it a few minutes; it will likely be covered with pollen, dirt, and dust.” This demanding upkeep, combined with its higher depreciation and a higher risk of theft as reported by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), suggests that buyers prioritize aesthetics over long-term financial return when choosing black.
11.White cars are the most popular choice, but surprisingly, they also experience above-average depreciation, losing 32.1% of their value over three years. This means a significant $15,557 difference from the original price, a paradox given how many people choose white for various car types.
As Karl Brauer points out, “White and black are the two most common car colors… But it also means those colors provide zero distinction in the used market, reducing their value and making it easy for buyers to shop around for the lowest-priced model in these shades.” This high supply translates to a less competitive used market for sellers, impacting value retention.
White’s depreciation is consistently high across most vehicle segments. For pickup trucks, it’s worse than average at 28.3% depreciation, and for SUVs, it’s among the least valuable with 33.2% depreciation. Minivans see white cars depreciate by a significant 43.9%, placing it at the very bottom. Even in sportier segments like coupes and convertibles, where white is common, it ranks poorly for value retention, with 25.8% and 33.5% depreciation respectively.
Despite the depreciation, white offers significant advantages in other areas. It is considered the safest car color, with a 12% lesser chance of accident involvement compared to black vehicles in all types of weather and lighting, according to Australia’s Monash University. Furthermore, white is categorized as easy to care for, hiding swirl marks from automatic car washes and tending to look newer for longer, although it does show mud and splashes more easily than gray or silver. However, like black, white cars are frequently stolen, according to the NICB, a factor that must be weighed against its safety and ease of maintenance.
12.Gold cars unfortunately sit at the bottom of the value retention scale, losing a striking 34.4% of their value in three years. This translates to a substantial $16,679 difference from the MSRP, making gold the least financially advantageous color if maximizing resale value is your goal.
While gold might offer a sense of luxury or uniqueness to a niche market, its lack of widespread appeal in the used car market severely impacts its long-term worth. Its limited presence in popular car color reports, often tied with “beige” or “gold/beige” and registering minimal percentages in various segments (0.5% for SUVs, 1% for luxury cars, 2% for sedans), further illustrates its low demand.
Segment-specific data underscores gold’s poor performance. It ranks as the absolute worst color for sedan value retention, with a staggering 37.9% depreciation. For SUVs, while not the worst, it still experiences a 31.4% depreciation, which is still above the average for that segment. This consistent underperformance across different vehicle types makes gold a particularly risky choice for buyers concerned about future resale.
Interestingly, gold vehicles are listed among the safest car colors, tending to stand out for the same reasons as orange, thereby potentially reducing accident risk. However, this safety benefit is overshadowed by its significant depreciation rate and the fact that gold cars are also frequently stolen, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. For the consumer, choosing gold means accepting a substantial financial sacrifice in exchange for a distinctive, yet ultimately low-demand, aesthetic.
Understanding how car colors affect resale value is crucial, as it can significantly impact your finances. While personal taste matters, knowing that colors like yellow and orange hold their value better than popular shades like black and white, as shown by iSeeCars data, can lead to smarter choices. Being informed about these trends helps you make a decision that benefits both your style and your wallet, making you a savvier car owner.
