Frivolous question: what car color would you choose?

[Blaggertyjibbet]

Cross-post from the larger families board for traffic. I realise this is a complete first world problem, but am running around in circles and need a bit of clarity!

Bit of back story, we have been limping along for the better part of a decade in our diesel people carrier, and it is now getting expensive and annoying to run between things breaking down more (150k on the clock) and the diesel costs. We want to move to something better for the environment, but have 3 kids and do a lot of road trips with my parents (so we definitely use that 3rd back row).

DH gets a hefty work discount through Volvo, so we think the 2023 XC90 plug-in hybrid is a good fit for us. Lots of space for our kids and gear, but we can use it like an EV for running around town whilst still being able to do long road trips without needing to stop and charge every 2-3 hours, which I really like. It’ll act like a stepping stone for switching to full electric once infrastructure and battery range tech improve.

Crucial (and clearly first world) dilemma: what colour to get? White/Black/Silver? The crystal white is a nice metallic pearl, so not a boring flat white, but I worry it’s a bit ubiquitous. I have always preferred black cars in the past as I always think they look sleek and elegantly understated, and our current car is black. However, it does look dirty quickly and shows up every nick and ding, and it gets hot in the summer. Silver is inoffensive but feels really bland. I don’t really like the other colours they have.

What would you pick? And for the interior would you go light or dark? Our current black interior seems to always look dirty, but maybe the light will be even worse… 🤔

The white on the new Volvos is lovely. Go for that if that’s what you like.

I’ve just gone for a midnight blue mini.

I don’t generally like pale coloured cars although those pearlescent whites are nice to look at. I do like the turquoise colours and metallic blues and greens.

Out of those three I'd probably go black.

But my sister has a yellow car and it's great fun to be a passenger and keep an eye open for how many people are playing 'yellow car'. It's surprising how often it's older teen boys rather than smaller kids

Some studies show that white cars are statistically the safest colour.

I have an XC40 in onyx black with orange/brown leather seats. The black is gorgeous. As part of checking and adjusting tyre pressures every two weeks, I apply tyre dressing to keep it looking like new. White is nice as long as you can keep it clean.

Yes the safety of the white is a consideration! But I do think a clean black car is hard to beat for looks. 🤔 Or is it a bit drug lord??

I'd go with black. It's just a sexy colour and goes with everything imo.

Dark grill seems like a more modern update. I think I like it but am not sure. Is it naff?

Interior options either light or dark:

Honestly, I'd go for anything other than white or black as I really dislike both.

Black just makes me think of the secret service or a hearse. White is a bit tacky and common to me.

Appreciate I may be in the minority though!

I’d love a midnight blue if that were an option! I’ve seen a few different cars on the road in that colour recently and they are always lovely. Different but not too flashy.

These are definitely niggles for me too, hence the silver option being a contender!

Sorry, only half read your post and didn’t realise you had only 3 options🤦‍♀️

Pearlescent white would be my choice then. I have had 2 silver cars that have been shit heaps so wouldn’t get a silver one again. Not a lot of logic in my life😜🤣

Red.

Black will show every speck of dust/sand all summer. Grey is boring. White looks grubby in winter.

You sound like the sort of person who would look after it, so white. Black is boring.

I have grey though and it's very forgiving, I have literally never washed it (got it brand new in 2017) and it looks fine! I imagine silver would be the same.

I live in a warm (mostly hot) climate so we always get light colored cars, mainly white.

Silver has had its day. Renault currently have a really nice green, which I’d never contemplate, because it’ll date.

Black, grey or white are timeless.

Oh pretty. I love white cars!

Did you know that insurers hate silver cars because they're less visible with all the overcast we have? Meaning more dents and crashes etc

So don't do silver x

White cars of that sort of shape with tinted windows have an unfortunate Stormtroopers helmet look about them to me. But maybe the pearlescence mitigates that.

Red or blue. Show up better in poor lighting.

Out of those three, silver. White and black cars both show the dirt. But I would much prefer any bright colour.

White

Ive never had luck with any blue car we've ever owned so that would be out for me.

DS owns a black Puma and it shows every bit of dirt, not to mention scratches.

I've just ordered a mini too! An electric one, british racing green with a black roof.

Pick the cheapest and go get it wrapped any colour you desire ☺️ my car is currently a beautiful satin blue/green flip. When that wears out I'll probably go for a dark satin red.

Anything but white.