For beginners, styling a car 3D model involves 5 core steps: gather reference images, block out basic shapes, refine details, apply materials/textures, and set up lighting/rendering.
Reference images (front, side, top angles) ensure accurate real-car proportions. Blocking out uses simple primitives (cubes, cylinders) to build the car’s structure without small details. Refining adds key edges (e.g., door lines, wheel arches) with basic tools. Materials/textures (metal for body, rubber for tires) make surfaces look real. Lighting/rendering uses soft lights to show depth and export the final result.
For free software like Blender, try pre-made material presets first—they let you practice styling without starting from scratch, easing the learning curve.