A lot of cars can be described as stylish, but a new study has revealed the most eye-catching vehicles using eye-tracking technology.

Released by AutoTrader UK, the study saw 32 people shown 40 images of popular vehicles in various categories.  As the images were shown, the “participants’ eye movements were tracked and recorded to show the average time it took to fixate on each car image, as well as the average time spent looking at each image. These times were then combined using an equal weighting formula to assign a score out of 100 for each car, allowing them to be ranked according to which ones participants’ eyes were drawn to the fastest, and which ones held their gazes for the longest.”

Most Eye-Catching Cars Overall

RankCarFuel TypeAverage Time
Spent (Seconds)
Average Time
to First Fixation (Seconds)
Eye-Catching Score
1Porsche 911Petrol2.512.5191%
2Lexus LC500Petrol1.932.0688%
3Ferrari F40Petrol2.052.1888%
4Porsche TaycanElectric5.633.0986%
5BMW 3 SeriesDiesel/Petrol4.272.7984%
6Tesla Model 3Electric3.862.2584%
7Lamborghini UrusPetrol2.402.9583%
8Volvo XC40Petrol3.182.0982%
9Bugatti VeyronPetrol1.402.0578%
10Mercedes-AMG GTPetrol2.003.0074%
11Audi R8Petrol2.033.0874%
12Volkswagen GolfDiesel/Petrol2.262.1071%
13Hyundai TucsonPetrol2.452.2770%
14Mercedes A-ClassDiesel/Petrol2.622.3970%
15Toyota YarisPetrol1.561.8968%
16Land Rover DefenderDiesel/Petrol3.383.3268%
17Lotus EmiraPetrol1.743.2566%
18McLaren 720SPetrol1.342.7065%
19BMW i8Petrol1.653.2564%
20MG4 EVElectric2.112.4964%
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With that basic primer out of the way, lets jump into the results.  The Porsche 911 was determined to be the most eye-catching overall as it scored a 91% and people spent an average of 2.51 seconds looking at it.

The Porsche was closely followed by the Lexus LC and Ferrari F40, which both had an eye-catching score of 88%.  Luxury and exotic brands dominated the overall top 20 list and it’s not until you get to the 12th place Volkswagen Golf that a mainstream brand makes an appearance.

Most Eye-Catching Electric Vehicles

RankCarAverage Time
Spent (Seconds)
Average Time
to First Fixation (Seconds)
Eye-Catching Score
1Porsche Taycan5.633.0986%
2Tesla Model 33.862.2584%
3MG4 EV2.112.4964%
4Kia EV62.642.9162%
5MINI Electric1.912.5960%
6Audi e-tron2.583.0760%
7Polestar 22.092.9956%
8Vauxhall Mokka Electric1.393.0749%
9Volkswagen ID.31.393.5244%
10Renault ZOE1.103.5741%
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The small study found that the Porsche Taycan was the most eye-catching electric vehicle with a score of 86%.  People spent an average of 5.63 seconds looking at it and that appears to be the longest time in the study.

Following in a relatively close second place was the Tesla Model 3, which had a score of 84%.  The MG4 EV came in a distant third with 64% and it beat the Audi e-tron, Kia EV6, and Volkswagen ID.3.

Most Eye-Catching Supercars

RankCarAverage Time
Spent (Seconds)
Average Time
to First Fixation (Seconds)
Eye-Catching Score
1Porsche 9112.512.5191%
2Lexus LC5001.932.0688%
3Ferrari F402.052.1888%
4Lamborghini Urus2.402.9583%
5Bugatti Veyron1.402.0578%
6Mercedes-AMG GT2.003.0074%
7Audi R82.033.0874%
8Lotus Emira1.743.2566%
9McLaren 720S1.342.7065%
10BMW i81.653.2564%
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The study grouped the aforementioned Porsche 911, Lexus LC, and Ferrari F40 in the supercar category. They were followed by the Lamborghini Urus and Bugatti Veyron, which had eye-catching scores of 83% and 78% respectively.  This put them ahead of the Audi R8, Lotus Emira, and McLaren 720S.

In the “everyday car” category, the BMW 3-Series came out on top with a score of 84%.  Study participants looked at it for an average of 4.27 seconds, which was the most in the class.

Following closely behind was the Volvo XC40 with a score of 82%.  Then came the aforementioned Golf at 71% as well as the Hyundai Tucson and the Mercedes A-Class, both at 70%.

Most Eye-Catching Everyday Cars

RankCarAverage Time
Spent (Seconds)
Average Time
to First Fixation (Seconds)
Eye-Catching Score
1BMW 3 Series4.272.7984%
2Volvo XC403.182.0982%
3Volkswagen Golf2.262.1071%
4Hyundai Tucson2.452.2770%
5Mercedes A-Class2.622.3970%
6Toyota Yaris1.561.8968%
7Land Rover Defender 3.383.3268%
8Audi A32.132.5961%
9MINI Cooper1.482.1761%
10Nissan Qashqai2.002.6060%
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