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Our Two Cents: 8 of the Best Paint Colors in the Car World
Does it matter what color your car is? It may not matter as much as, say, the condition of your brakes or whether your registration is current, but everyone knows the color of your car says something about you. It also impacts the value of your car—though, as Dave Kinney explains in this article, exactly how it changes that value is “clear as mud,” and “an unusual color can also be a double-edged sword.” Most importantly, perhaps, paint colors are fun.
Not that you’d know from spending 10 minutes on the highways nowadays. For years, gray, white, and black have been so in, maybe because previous decades had a taste for Black Cherry Mica, Light Jade, Deep Burnt Orange Metallic, Coral Mist, Plum Crazy, or Panther Pink. Our favorites below celebrate the wealth of colors across automotive history, including one lesser-known but very not-neutral shade you can order right now from Lexus.
Check out our votes for the best-ever automotive paint color, and let us know your candidates below!
Nori Green Pearl (Lexus)
Look, the grays and silvers and whites and blacks that seem to consume our roadways are sensible, sure, but dear God, are they boring. I almost said, “anything that’s an actual color,” just because of how rare those feel nowadays. But then I remembered my go-to answer here.
Nori Green Pearl. No contest. That deep green from Lexus carries enough metal flake to look a mile deep on some of the higher-end vehicles, such as the LC 500 convertible (above) that I drove a few years back. That one also had the Camel interior, making it the perfect combo of interior and exterior tones. — Nate Petroelje
Nassau Blue (Chevrolet)
Like Nate, I am partial to green, especially when it’s paired with a rich brown interior. But I love blue, in just about any hue. Best, though, is Nassau Blue, offered on ’65-66 Corvettes (the C5 generation revived the Nassau name in ’99, but the C2 wears it better, I think). A gorgeous blue-sky-on-a-cloudless-day color, Nassau stands out without being too look-at-me, and it’s perfect with the C2’s flowing design. — Eddy Eckart
B R O W N T O W N
Take me to Brown Town, baby! While I appreciate just about every color in any combination (pink paint and a purple interior notwithstanding), the spectrum of earth tones is the best for me.
Maize, or mustard yellow, is a fantastic shade of bright brown, and Porsche’s various Macademias and Cocoas are a pure interpretation of thumbing your nose at black/gray convention. Brick red will always be “arrest me red” in my book. And gold? Well, that’s the PhD of browns, don’t you know? — Sajeev Mehta
Supersonic Blue (Chevrolet)
A few recent Chevy colors catch my eye on the highways—Cacti Green, a trendy mint color, and Galaxy Gray Metallic, which is a metallic mauve number that no one else seems to have. As far as beautiful colors that I can imagine wanting in five, ten years? Mazda mixes rich, deep metallic blues, shimmering whites, a much classier version of that earthy green you see on Subarus (Zircon Sand Metallic), and, of course, Soul Red Crystal, without which this list would be incomplete.
But my personal favorite is Supersonic Blue, available on the C6 Corvette. It’s not too gray, not too blue, not too green. That smoky blue is the color of my dream Corvette—with dark wheels and headlights, like the 2011 Z06 Carbon Edition. — Grace Jarvis
Aetna Blue (Porsche)
As the resident “colorblind guy,” I’m tempted to say, “Who cares, you’re overthinking it.” Anything resembling fresh concrete is ideal. I do see blues, though, and I like them just fine. Porsche’s Aetna Blue, “a pastel blue with grey overtones,” according to Rennbow, seems like as good a color as any. — Stefan Lombard
Dakar Yellow (BMW)
Generally, I prefer sleeper cars to showy ones, and yellow isn’t exactly subtle. But there’s something subtle and sophisticated about BMW’s pale, flat tone it calls Dakar Yellow. Though it was offered for my beloved Z3 (both in M and non-M form), the color really belongs on the E36-generation M3. The non-metallic finish smacks of the ’90s, and wouldn’t fit on any car that wasn’t from that era, let alone another automaker. To me, Dakar Yellow says, “I’ve got personality, but I’m not precious.” — Eric Weiner
Ermine White (Chevrolet)
I’m the guy everyone loves to hate because I’m unimaginative with my paint selections. Make my cars white, please, specifically Chevrolet Ermine White if I can be picky. It’s unimaginative, and often not very eye-catching, but that isn’t what I love about my cars. White ages well, is easy to clean, and is durable. I want to drive and keep my cars a long time without worrying about them looking dated, and white ensures that. A close second favorite is Porsche Mauritius Blue, a pretty color that is unfortunately quite rare. — Kyle Smith
Marina Blue (Chevrolet)
I’m gonna sound like an old man shaking his fist at a cloud, or maybe like Nate, but I’m over seeing so many modern cars looking like they skipped paint and got a clearcoat on top of primer. Since I’m late to the party, a lot of my classic and modern favorites have already been mentioned, so I’ll expand on Nate’s modern green with Chrysler’s F8, which looks great on Challenger and Chargers. Also, for classic blues, I agree with Eddy on Nassau Blue, but Marina Blue is just as beautiful. — Brandan Gillogly
Podium Green (Aston Martin)
Photos don’t do justice to this green that Aston Martin offers for 2025: They call it “Podium Green,” and it’s one of several colors offered as a “Racing Line” option ($9700!) that is a salute to the company’s involvement in motorsports, particularly Formula 1. I wouldn’t have thought it would have worked with yellow brake calipers ($1900), but it kind of does. — Steven Cole Smith
Rubystone Red (Porsche)
Eric beat me to Dakar, so I’ll go with Porsche’s Rubystone Red, which debuted on the 964-generation 911. I love non-metallic colors, the old easter egg palettes that have all but disappeared from today’s choices, combined with ’90s “sport” styling. What encapsulates all of that better than a bright pink Porsche? And for maximum magenta points, you could get a 964 RS specced with pink-and-purple Recaros. — Alex Sobran
Green is my favorite color, and I do love the old Chevy Nassau and Marina Blues, but a Torch Red car will get the most looks every time (even from the police)!
Call me what you will, I like colour not boredom. Hence my Imolo Yellow Audi S4, Mars Red Scirocco, and Bright Orange GTI Fahrenheit.
All these cars were built many years ago; as was I.
Any kind of Maroon for me! I ordered a brand new ’60 fuel injection Corvette color unseen. A friend of mine told me Corvette was coming out with a maroon. I said, “That is what I am ordering then!! It was called Honduras Maroon, I got alot of compliments on the color, I got it all painted Hondura maroon including the coves. I loved the Cadillac Bronze metal flake color which I think came out in ’66 or ’67, not even sure of the name. But anyway after my ’60 Corvette caught fire, total loss. I bought a ’66 Corvette a year old. Painted in 12 coats of Cadilac Bronze metal flake, it was gorgeous! Had a four speed ,posi 4:11, 327 two four barrels, two tops, the hardtop had a custom padded top matching the paint. Shaved heads, dyno’d at 380 hp. all for $3500 ! I was working out at Vic Tanny’s one morning. The manager came in and asked, “Whose Vette is that outside?” I said, “Mine.” He said, “Gees, that is the sharpiest Vette I have ever seen!” The place emptied as everybody went outside to see it. They all agreed, it was the sharpest Vette they had ever seen.
Another color I really like was a ’95 Ford pickup color only. My brother in law had. Called Electric Current Red, a beautiful maroon with metal flake in it. Never understood why it was just for Ford pickups.
I had that color on my ’63 Avanti.
I like maroon as well. I have a Magnetic Red Metallic Corvette which I love (one year only color ‘05). IMO I must say that the nicest maroon out there is Mazda’s Soul Red Crystal Metallic.
Best color for me: Madeira Maroon on my girl friend’s (the later wife) ’67 Malibu.
I was talking to the Director of Marketing for the local Porsche dealer and she asked me what my favorite Porsche color was. I told her Pasha Red, it was a 1950s 356 color. I then told her it was a very bright red, however, it was toned with black, she replied “then it’s Maroon”. I guess it was!
My favourite colour is maroon as well, but give it to me in solid form, no metallic. My Volvo 544 is painted in Volvo #103 Wine Red. Came to North America on the Volvo 164 models, but it was available in Europe on the 544 models. My 544 has been that colour since 1972. This is one of the purest maroons you ever will see. Beautiful. When I was trying to find the colour specs in 2005 during the car’s restoration, my search for the colour code showed up on a Royal Enfield forum, of all places, as someone had deemed that Volvo colour to be closest to the original Royal Enfield motorcycle colour. Love a good, deep maroon colour!
I had that color on my ’62 Vette.
I could not agree more Torch Red is a great color. I was very surprised that it was not on the list. I have a Torch Red 2011 Corvette Grand Sport, and it is stunning.
I have to agree with marina blue as a personal favorite because that’s the color of my 66 El Camino. Good to see it on the list. It’s sporty without being loud. Nassau blue looks great on that 67 Corvette too. I think color is best matched to the vehicle though. I wouldn’t want marina blue on a 59 Buick Electra 225, when black looks so great on a formal luxury car. I believe every car has a best color that makes that specific vehicle stand out. At the end of the day, it’s all about personal taste.
Back in the day, 1950s, there was a lot of color choice, some worked, some didn’t. There was a common phrase when it didn’t ” That color would only look good on a Porsche”.
Let’s take a moment to call out Porsche for offering just TWO base “free” colors on n the 911.
Black, White.
This on a $120,000 car.
Shame on them.
Copying Tesla
Meh. That kind of a car purchase is optional, and it is not like this is a big hardship for most would-be buyers.
Mossport green on the ‘66 Corvette, gold line tires and tan top-my favorite
Mosport. (Moe Sport – named after the track)
I have a split window Daytona Blue that I love but I think the Mossport Green is even better. Thumbs up to you for mentioning it.
Mosport for Motor Sport. Mossport is a guy (Sir Stirling Moss) who raced there and had a corner that was named for him before the track was opened in 1961.
Green is my overall favorite as well.
Green Machines – my take (from the saddle to the strip)
Funny how green keeps sneaking into my garage. Four of my best rides turned out to be green — not by plan, just by fate. Go figure.
Take my 1973 Honda CB350F. Still wrenching on it. Classic Japanese four-banger with a paint job that belongs in a Vegas light show. Officially “Olive Green,” but let’s be real — it’s firecracker green. Deep, loud, and impossible to replicate today. The original process? Total madness: grey primer, metallic blue flake base (sprayed top-down, thin to rich), then a yellowish transparent coat layered thick-to-thin. The result: a green that glows and shifts like it’s got attitude.
Then there’s British Racing Green. Solid. Non-metallic. Reserved. It’s the color equivalent of a stiff upper lip. Probably started with Bentley. Looks right on a hood ornament, not so much on burnout rubber.
Now British Competition Green? That’s a whole other mood. Flashy, metallic, no fade, often with those gold twin stripes. Say what you want about old Brit rides — underpowered, unreliable — but they sure knew how to dress one up, in this case my 1200 Thruxton High Power edition.
And yeah, I once had a French oddball: a rare Renault sportster with a Gordini/Ferrari hybrid soul. Color? Basically wasp yellow. That thing pulled more trouble than torque. Got wrecked three times — parked. Just sitting there like bait.
Moral of the story? Color’s not just paint. It’s a vibe. A story. Sometimes a curse. But green? Green’s always been good to me. I didn’t mention my Yamaha, green too (but a rather boring green), however a mechanical Kompressor and water injection (not so boring).
Firecracker green? Never heard that before.
I invented that word. When restoring (the tank was dented), I started to figure out the color number. There is no color number; probably because the color depends on the guy who originally sprayed the bike in the factory. I tried (first attempt) to have the color tested by a sophistacated paint specialist. The reslult was a very dull even metallic green. Not the real thing. The original sparkles very intensely, depending on where on the tank and how the light shines upon it (espacially with small halogen bulbs). I managed to get some (primer, blue and varnish) originally reproduced nitro lacquer. Problem is, I’ve to find someone able and willing to spray this stuff. Risking his equipment, workshop and license. Nowadays it’s (in Europe) as legal as snoring coke in the City Hall. Anyway, with the right light, it sparkles like a green firecracker.
My ’67 is Goodwood Green with a black top, black interior and red streak tires. Dam! Breath taking!
Jaguar Racing green is one of the best greens along with Deep Emerald green metallic by Ford (the colour of the 7up Mustangs).
Hear, Hear, for British Racing Green!
BRG is best!!!!!
I concur with BRG. It’s truly classic
LOVE Green. Own a 1972 SS454 Chevrolet El Camino that I had painted 2010 Camaro color = Synergy Green & a 2015 1 of 400 SS Green Flash Camaro = Emerald Jade Metallic + 4 of my Harleys!
Estoril Blue 97 BMW M3, repeated many times since.
Toyota’s new Finish Line Red is stunning, especially considering it’s on a Toyota!
Green is also my favorite. I have a 2007 XK convertible with Emerald Fire paint and Camel leather. The paint
was originally called Jaguar Racing Green (bright deep metallic), but they changed the name to Emerald Fire, because people mixed it up with British Racing Green (flat dark color). Emerald Fire was only available on late ’07s and early 08’s. It’s the most beautiful color Jag ever had.
No hugger orange?
I think you meant Carousel Red.
I’ll vote for Hugger Orange. It’s one of the reasons I bought my current ’65 El Camino, besides the 4-speed.
What’s with all the Chevy colors? B5 Blue has to be the most well known blue produced. And as mentioned, Carousel Red, Hemi Orange, Orbit Orange and Plum Crazy for impact colors.
I’m partial to the F8 green mentioned by Brandan Gillogly-as shown on my ‘69 Barracuda.
Call me crazy but I have a ’69 Butternut Yellow Malibu Convertible with a black top. As much as I have thought about making it another color, I just can’t because the more I think about it, it’s already the perfect color.
Agreed on Hugger Orange! Top 5 anyway!
Blues have really fallen out if favor. Not sure why?
That’s why we have antidepressant drugs… ’cause no one wants to “get the blues”! 😂🤣😂🤣
That’s a good one!👍
It seems they would be more popular with DEWs being used.
Lexus has Ultra Sonic Blue on their IS series. Awesome color.
I still like the Electric Blue MINI used the 2000’s.
My 71 240Z is painted world rally blue, have never had anyone ever say they dislike the color
As a vintage BMW guy, I really appreciate the Ceylon Gold of the early 70s 2002s and 3.0 coupes.
That looks really good with Large Gold Metal flake in it-
Steve McQueen made Highland Green my favorite color.
Second and third that !
Since I owned a Marina Blue ‘67 Camaro w/rally wheels and red line tires just like the one in the article, I, of course, agree…had a friend with a Porsche Turbo (80’s era), car was purple or violet, hard to define, but it worked.
I love the Nassau Blue and Marina Blue but let’s not forget Cortez Silver from the same era!
I had a ’65 Nassau blue corvette. Pretty color according to my wife.
‘ Sanded Silver ‘ . Not the name of a color I know of but should be. The prep work is everything.
I have a soft spot for Mazda’s Soul Red
Soul Red is the nicest color on a “mass” car and looks fabulous across the Mazda like. It has depth, shine, and shows off the curves.
So do I! I’m red green colorblind, but, when I see Soul Red Metallic Crystal, it takes my breath away. It’s stunning…
100% agree. One of the best Reds.
Soul red on an old hot rod just looks outstanding. Maybe the best red of this millennium.
Wife dislikes soul red so we compromised on machine gray metalic as a practical alternative. My choice would definitely been Soul Red Crystal. One of the best reds ever. Maybe i will get a Soul Red Crystal Miata.
“Compromised”?
If it wasn’t on the list (and for shame it not being), I knew it would be in the comments. Nothing on the road currently better than Mazda’s Soul Red.
My vote is my 2001 Mercedes SLK320 in Fire-mist Red
I’ve got a soft spot for that Lexus Nori Green Pearl. Reminds me of British Racing Green. It also is close in the spectrum to Azure Blue Green which is a dark metallic blue/green blend that my ‘95 Honda Prelude SRV (VTEC) is finished in with complimentary black leather interior. And yes, I avoid, even shun most of the popular choice of black, white and silver/greys: but fell off that wagon for my dark grey TLX with red leather interior. My ‘97 Miata is obligatory red, and my ‘18 Pilot is blue, as is my ‘78 Civic.
Ford’s Lava Red Metallic – black from one angle, sparkling dazzling red under the sun ❤️
BMW Golf Yellow.
I am a retired designer and color has always been a factor when purchasing a car. I have owned four white cars starting in the 1970s and never got tired of whites. I have also owned three medium blue cars so blues are my second choice leaning more toward teal blue/greens. I have never owned a red car but Cadillac made some beauties for decades. It comes down to the body style and is it a color that will make me smile for at least ten years. I owned one dark metallic burgundy-red car that I loved but will never own another dark color car. What I really miss are interior color choices.
White’s a great colour for a toilet or a fridge, not a car.
Good call, sir! When I see a white car, I always think an appliance has escaped from a holding pen….
I disagree. The ultimate colour for a Range Rover Classic is white. They are perfect in that colour.
I’ve owned a couple of white cars, one is a 1999 Corvette roadster in Artic White and a 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan in White Diamond Tricoat (a pearlescent color). Both cars have saddle brown leather although the Cadillac had semi-analine leather. The reason for the white is that It’s a cooler color in the summertime heat and the color doesn’t standout much on the highway allowing for some faster cruising at times. I still have the Vette and but I’ve sold the CTS
The original owner of my MGB GT changed its colour from Arctic White to a Mercedes blue (Lapis). I got so many compliments that when I did a respray years back, I redid it in the same colour. It shows the car much better than most of the British Leyland colours of the day.
As I was reading through the comments, I was wondered when someone with a MGB would speak up. I only got part of the way through when you mentioned the current color of yours. I have a MGB that’s painted Mineral Blue by a previous owner. When I purchased the car on a cloudy day up in Connecticut I liked the color. It was originally Minerial Blue per the heritage certificate. It did need some freshening up, so it really didn’t see any sun light for a few weeks. Once it got a few things tidied up I pulled it out of the garage and to my surprise the Mineral Blue actually had silver metal flake in the paint, which wasn’t originally added from the factory. It’s overly noticeable but I think it really shows off the curve of the body. It were to have to repaint it, I’d definitely add the mineral to it again.
That supposed to say “it’s not overly noticeable”
My MGB is “Sandglow” aka “chicken-sh*t” yellow. Still quite attractive.
My early 74 chrome bumper MGB GT is a custom dark racing green, almost black at night, greeen in the sunlight–nothing but compliments from all lookers, and (in my humble opinion) shows off the lines quite nicely. As for whites, I have a 64 Falcon Ranchero in my all time favorite white…Wimbledon White, a Ford color that debuted in 64 (I think). It very closely resembles a well known British sportscar white, Old English White–just a hint of pigment to give it a really warm look. In the sun, I get a lot of “stunning” comments about the
Rancheroo…
Saab Lightning Blue and Lexus Infrared
Lexus Infrared is spectacular. I have it on my IS 500. I fell in love with it on the LC 500.
Well, Hyundai’s Vitamin C orange stands out as well as VW’s chartreuse of the 60’s/70’s that my Father in Law called “Baby Sh@t Green”. Personally, my favorite color of all time is VW’s Bahama Blue used on my long gone ’66 Bug; despite the name it was more of a pale mint green than blue.
+1 for the VW Bahama Blue. My first new car purchase…way back when…was a 1965 Beetle in Bahama Blue. Sunroof, radio, coco mats, opening rear side windows…$1835 out the door in August 1965!
Hugger Orange is a classic color but I’d have to go with Chevy’s Donneybrook Green. I also loved the oddball Mopar colors from the late 60’s.