Golden Ratio: How Attractive is Your Car?

From energy efficiency to mileage, from comfort to style, even down to the colour - for many choosing a car is a momentous occasion.

And while only 32% of people believe the design of the car to be important, nearly half of us believe that our cars represent our personalities.

But how attractive is your car? Well, with one in six people believing Audi drivers to be the most attractive on the roads, it might be the case that the cars are doing all the leg work.

Here, we will explore some of the top attractive car brands according to Moneybarn’s survey - and find out whether their cars match up to the golden ratio test of beauty.

The golden ratio

The ancient golden ratio has been used historically to measure something, or someone’s beauty by its, or their, proportions. Using the formula, we can find out how aesthetic a car is scientifically to the public eye by calculating its width against its height. The closer the decimal is to the golden ratio’s calculation of 1.61803398875, the more attractive the car is stylistically. And with cars varying in lengths and sizes across brands and models, this will determine, scientifically, if the most attractive car brand matches the public opinion.

Car brands

Audi

It is public opinion that Audi is the most attractive car brand. According to Carparison, the Audi A3 model was the most popular with European customers, resulting in almost 100,000 sales in 2020. But how attractive is the A3? With a height of 1,425mm and a width of 1,816mm, the Audi A3 only just falls short of the golden ratio with a calculation of 1.274 – making it within reaching distance.

Meanwhile, the undisputedly stunning Audi TT, which we see in the tenth spot, holds on to the beautiful car awards with a calculation of 1.354 – closing in on the golden ratio’s 1.618 decimal of perfect beauty. With the famed Audi service packages available, as well as the marque’s reputation for comfort and elegance, what is not to love about these cars.

BMW

Next up is the classic BMW brand, whose style is easily recognisable. The most popular model with drivers is the BMW 3 series, selling over 111,000 models in 2021 alone. This saloon boasts confidence, comfort, and practicality, but how attractive is it according to science? With a minimal width of 1,827mm against a minimal height of 1,433mm, the BMW 3 series calculates a total of 1.274 – placing it on par with the Audi A3.

Ford

One of the most popular Ford models of recent years is the Ford Puma, surpassing its predecessors the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, with an impressive 83,246 model sales during the first half of 2021. And just within reaching distance of the golden ratio, but not quite making it, the Ford Puma gathers a calculation of 1.177.

While the Ford Fiesta scores 1.169, the Ford Focus manages to pull back its strength in the looks department with 1.251 – making it one of the most beautiful Ford models available.

Mercedes

It would not be a car line up without the amazing Mercedes C-Class model, would it? This has been a traditional best seller since its arrival. This compact executive car can be spotted anywhere, boasting a width of 1,810mm and a height of 1,400mm. But how does it hold up against the golden ratio? Well, the C-Class manages a calculation of 1.292, placing it as one of the most beautiful on our list and just a short drive away from the perfect 1.618.

While all these cars are close to the perfect golden ratio, one comes out on top. The Audi is the most attractive car brand, not only by public opinion but also according to science, and it is the sleek, sporty Audi TT that clinches first place. The golden ratio has determined that this is scientifically one of the most aesthetically pleasing cars and, by extension, the drivers must be too.

Sources:

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/read-this/almost-half-of-drivers-believe-their-car-reflects-their-personality-3667825

https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/awesome-interesting-uk-viral-survey-reveals-audi-drivers-to-be-the-most-attractive-on-the-road-20211216

https://www.moneybarn.com/blog/latest-motor-news/desirable-driving-habits

https://www.carparisonleasing.co.uk/blog/what-were-the-best-selling-audi-models-in-europe-in-2020

https://www.carparisonleasing.co.uk/blog/what-were-the-top-10-best-selling-bmw-models-across-europe-in-2021

https://fordauthority.com/2021/07/ford-puma-beats-out-fiesta-focus-to-become-european-best-seller/

https://carsalesbase.com/europe-mercedes-benz/