Anyone who was around in the mid to late 90's will remember the veritable cascade of automotive colours that adorned cars of the time. Baby blue, emerald green, yellow, gold, brown, every shade of metallics you could think of and then something happened. Consumers started eschewing these colours and went for safe and resale-ready!
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In South Africa for 2026, the car market continues to be dominated by the achromatic palette—white, black, grey, and silver. However, there is a notable shift as South Africans begin to embrace more expressive and nature-inspired colours.
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1. The Dominant Neutrals
Despite a slight cooling in its lead, White remains the undisputed king of South African roads. Its popularity is driven by high resale value and its ability to hide dust and deflect the harsh African sun.
White (~32-34%): Remains the top choice for both passenger vehicles and fleets.
Black (~22-25%): Seeing significant growth, especially in the luxury and SUV segments. Brands like Jetour and BMW report that black is increasingly seen as a symbol of status.
Grey & Silver: Grey has overtaken silver in popularity, often seen in "Nardo" or "Sonic" flat finishes, which have become a massive trend for hatchbacks and sporty SUVs.
2. The "Green" Revolution
The biggest trend story of 2026 is the surge of Green. Following global trends, various shades of green—from deep forest hues to "Aqua Green"—are becoming the fastest-growing non-neutral choice in the country.
Why? The rise of adventure-style vehicles (like the Toyota Corolla Cross, Suzuki Jimny, and Jetour T2) has made "earthy" tones more desirable.
Key Shade: Secret Safari (a greenish-yellow) was noted as a significant colour for the 2026 season.
3. Other Popular Chromatic Colours
While the neutrals hold the bulk of the market, real colours are making a comeback as Gen Z and Millennial buyers enter the market with a preference for individuality.
| Colour | Market Share (Est.) | Note |
| Blue | 8–10% | Popular in electric vehicles (EVs) and compact hatchbacks. |
| Red | 6–7% | A staple for sporty models, though slightly declining in favour of green. |
| Beige/Sand | 2–3% | Highly popular in the "Bakkie" (pickup) segment for a rugged, off-road look. |
4. Resale Value vs. Trend
If you are looking to buy this year, keep in mind:
Safe bets: White and Silver still offer the fastest turnaround times on the used car market.
The "Black" premium: Black vehicles in the luxury segment are currently retaining their value better than in previous years, thanks to high demand.
Riskier moves: While vibrant colours like orange or gold are eye-catching, they remain niche and can make the car harder to sell later.
