Automotive Psychology: What Your Car Says About You

Can a car reveal something about its owner? Absolutely. There are plenty of myths and stereotypes about this topic, many of them tied to insulting jokes. However, the way a person drives, the size of vehicle they prefer, and the features they choose can reveal a lot about their temperament and lifestyle.

1. Size

Size matters. However, the idea of a "big SUV complex" is actually a myth. There is much less Freud involved than some people would like to believe. That said, large vehicles are often chosen by shorter, stockier, solidly built people. They are also frequently driven by petite women who may be looking for a greater sense of security.

Small cars are a bit more complicated. People who prefer compact vehicles are generally practical and believe that a car's primary purpose is to get them from one place to another before doing anything else.

2. Driving Style

Driving style is largely determined by a person's temperament. The way someone behaves on the road is often a much stronger indicator of their temperament than the way they act at home or at work. Temperament can also be judged by the way a person plays sports, dances, or swims.

3. Vehicle Care

The way a person maintains and personalizes their vehicle says a great deal about their inner world. If someone is heavily modifying their car to make it deliberately flashy, it may be something to think about. For example, it could indicate a lack of attention from others or problems in their sex life.

4. Driving Position

A person's posture behind the wheel can also reveal a lot about their inner world. Those who sit upright are clearly disciplined people who value order. People who slouch tend to be less confident. That said, driving posture also depends heavily on a person's mood.

5. Interior Trim

People who prefer suede upholstery tend to be more sensitive by nature. Those who choose lots of leather, metal, and chrome are likely to be highly active and may be aggressive. At the same time, people who prefer leather interiors pay a great deal of attention to their appearance. Wood trim, on the other hand, suggests a desire for order and complete control.

6. Exterior Color

A white vehicle suggests a meticulous personality. People who choose bright, eye-catching colors clearly want extra attention and want to feel younger than they are. Those who choose gray, black, or dark blue vehicles are conservatives at heart.

7. Hidden Meaning

Some people give names to objects they use frequently, assign them a gender, and even talk to them. In general, there is nothing wrong with this, but such behavior can clearly indicate that a person may have certain problems in their personal life. They may be lacking attention or, more likely, understanding from the people closest to them.