What the New Car Smell Actually Means and How to Replace It 

An object’s smell often changes throughout its lifetime. Moldy bread can smell sickly sweet, spoiled milk has a pungent aroma, and our clothes start to smell rank when it’s time for a trip through the washing machine. Cars are no exception to this lifecycle of smell, which is why that new car smell is something many of us either love or hate. 

It’s an often-asked question: where does that new car smell come from? The source reveals a startling reality that many are still hesitant to accept. Regardless of what makes that new car smell, Drift’s luxurious car fresheners can replace it with premium scents designed to express your style and help you put your own label on what a fresh car really smells like. 

The Value of the New Car Smell in American Culture 

Our brains are programmed to associate smells with different emotions or values. If someone approaches us and smells pleasant, we may be more apt to talk to them than if they haven’t showered in a week. In American culture, the smell of a new car is often associated with luxury and a premium experience that many of us may rarely get to participate in. 

We can equate the smell of a new car to that of a new pair of shoes, new carpeting, or even new tires. Quality comes to mind, as does the accomplishment of being able to afford something of higher value. Some people may even refuse to purchase a car unless it carries that distinctive new car smell.

Where Does the New Car Smell Come From? 

Regardless of which side you stand with (loving or hating that new car smell), research shows that the new car smell stems from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Around 50 or 60 of them off-gas from various points throughout a new car’s interior, with the most common VOCs including: 

• Ethylbenzene
• Xylene
• Styrene
• Toluene
• trimethylbenzene

In many cases, you’re either immune to the effects of VOCs or have an allergic reaction similar to pollen — difficulty breathing, sore throat, and skin and eye irritation. Several studies have been conducted on these harsh chemicals dating back to before the late 1990s. A study by Scientific Instrument Services showed that VOCs were present in new cars, but it wasn’t the first time — or the last — we’ve been warned. 

Indeed, a German study done in 2007 seemed to disprove these prior results, causing many to question whether they should breathe in that new car smell deeply or get rid of it as soon as humanly possible. A more recent 2023 study reveals high health risks due to VOCs in new cars, but the jury is still out for many people. In fact, the Chinese reportedly despise the new car smell so much (according to a 2018 J.D. Power press release) that they actively work to reduce it in new vehicles. 

New Car Smell vs. Fresh Car Smell

There’s something to be said about the difference between a new car smell and a fresh-smelling car. The new car smell tells us the leather seats, plastic surfaces, carpeting, and electronics have come straight from the factory, and the vehicle’s story — intertwined with ours — has only just begun. It’s up to us to put miles on the odometer, fill the cabin with laughter and joy, and glance only occasionally at the road we leave behind. 

Compare that to the smell of a fresh car, and you’ve got an entirely different animal. Freshly detailed cars often take on a clean scent that’s nearly indescribable but distinctive nonetheless. It’s less chemical-intense and often evokes the same feeling as a freshly cleaned home. 

A routine cleaning can help you maintain that fresh car smell and avoid offensive odors. Vacuuming out crumbs, wiping away spills, and throwing away trash regularly ensures your home-away-from-home (on wheels) doesn’t start to smell as ripe as week-old laundry. Don’t forget to change out that cabin filter, too. 

How to Achieve a Better-Smelling Car With Drift

It can be tempting to replace the new car smell in your vehicle with artificial or synthetic car air freshener products. A trip to the auto parts store or a quick online search reveals an endless number of options, from the type of car freshener to the numerous scents you can choose from. However, for the best results from a long-lasting, sophisticated scent, there’s only one clear choice: Drift. 

Drift’s exclusive lineup of car fresheners replaces not only that new car smell but also the mass-produced and ineffective fresheners that only seem to mask odors. Our premium Wood, Metal, and Stone car fresheners elevate your car’s interior with sustainably sourced materials and natural essential oils. You won’t find phthalates, parabens, mineral oils, DEA, formaldehyde, petroleum, propylene, dichlorobenzene, and other harsh chemicals in our products. 

Our signature car fresheners are also vegan, cruelty-free, and pet-friendly. Better yet, infusing your new car with Drift’s elite scents is easy. Place the provided metal clip on your drive or passenger visor, and magnetically attach the scent block to enjoy one of the following custom scents: 

If you’re unsure which scent best suits your style, take our Scent Quiz! Your answers to a few simple questions will determine your recommendation. Our premium scents also last up to 30 days, so you can easily try out multiple varieties and earn a free refill when you refer a friend. 

Join Drift’s Scent of the Month Club For Exclusive New Scents

Similar to other scents that come and go, the novelty of the new car smell fades as we travel the roads of our lives. Infuse your brand-new car with pleasant aromas that mark your vehicle as distinctively yours. Explore Drift’s premium car fresheners and join the Scent of the Month Club to receive exclusive scents you can mix and match to achieve the perfect aromatic environment.