When it comes to cars, they come in every colour under the rainbow.
In South Africa, it’s no different: on every road, freeway and street, you’ll find automobiles in all sorts of shades and hues. From fiery reds and deep blues to glossy blacks and pearlescent whites, they’re vibrant components of the Rainbow Nation’s thriving car culture.
Which begs the question: what are the most popular car colours in SA in 2026?
THE MOST POPULAR CAR COLOURS OF 2026
According to AutoTrader, 2026’s colour palette for motors is dominated by the following five colours:
- White
- Black
- Grey
- Silver
- Green
“[White’s] popularity is driven by high resale value and its ability to hide dust and deflect the harsh African sun,” explains AutoTrader, adding that it’s favoured by drivers of passenger vehicles and fleets.
Black is seen as a status symbol, which is why buyers opt to buy luxury cars and SUVs in this shade. As such, they’re in high demand, which equates to a high resale value.
As for grey and silver, it’s the colour of choice when buying hatchbacks and sporty SUVs. Aesthetically, they combine sleek elegance with solidity; practicality-wise, it does a relatively good job of hiding dust and dirt.
WHY CARS ARE GOING GREEN
Surprisingly, green is having a huge moment this year.
In the ‘90s and early 2000s, green cars – particularly in grassy, metallic and dark hues – were quite fashionable. However, they became quite an eyesore in an achromatic ocean of whites, blacks and greys.
Now, they’re making a comeback, with the addition of subdued, earthy tones. For lovers of adventurous cars with character and style, it’s a colour that bridges the gap between convention and boldness. In other words, green allows them to be expressive without being overly boisterous.
Of course, the drawbacks of green cars are that dirt, scratches and imperfections are more readily visible. What’s more, green – while trending at the moment – may lose its appeal as neutral colours strengthen their hold on the car market. This could potentially lead to a low resale value.
WHAT OTHER COLOURS ARE POPULAR?
For a colour pop, blue and red are still favoured by those wanting to make a statement in their electric vehicles or sporty whips.
As for bakkie-like vehicles, these are best enjoyed in shades of beige and sand.
So, folks, if you’re looking to purchase a car this year, you can base your aesthetic on one of the aforementioned popular colours. Remember to keep in mind the resale value and how these colours complement your personal preferences and lifestyle choices.
