Not enough people buy cars in good colors. A study by PPG showed that white was the most popular paint in the US by a long shot, followed by black, grey, and silver. Boring. But why opt for an exterior that won't get people looking when you could choose from one of 30 new hues available in 2022?
Opulent oranges, beautiful blues, and fiery reds make up some of the new paint options available this year. And not just on high-end luxury cars, either; Chevrolet, Kia, Toyota, and others are expanding their color palettes in the hopes that shoppers opt for something a bit more exciting than white or black.
Look At These Lists:
Acura: Long Beach Blue
While not technically new new to the Acura lineup, introduced last year on the NSX, the lovely Long Beach Blue makes its way to the TLX Type S for the first time via the new PMC Edition. Joined by other colors like 130R White and Curva Red, the PMC Edition TLX also gains copper 20-inch wheels and black roof accents.
Audi: Arrow Gray
For the 2023 Audi S6 and S7, the company introduced a sharp new hue: Arrow Gray. It pairs with a Brilliant Black roof exclusively as part of the Design Edition trim available on both models, joined by 21-inch wheels and a few blacked-out accents.
Bentley: Purple Sector
The Bentley Batur was shown in Monterey with a subtle satin finish. But a car this dramatically styled needs a paint job that's just as dramatic. The arrival of Purple Sector on the first prototype for public testing was exactly what the Batur needed to help it stand out even more.
BMW: Mint Green
This love-it-or-hate Mint Green exterior is part of BMW's massive portfolio of Individual paint options. We actually got a chance to check out this shade firsthand at BMW Welt in Germany, and it's just as eye-catching in person as in these images.
BMW: Thundernight Metallic
Although BMW's Individual paint program offers a vast selection of unique paints, you won't have to put in a special request to get a 2 Series Coupe with the new Thundernight Metallic. Although this purple paint is a $550 extra, the 2 Series coupe is the only BMW (currently) that offers it.
Cadillac: Electric Blue
Two cars as electrifying as the CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing deserve a bold new paint job to match. The aptly named Electric Blue is available on both models for an extra $625, alongside other fresh shades like Blaze Orange and Infrared – but this is our favorite of the bunch.
Chevrolet: Amplify Orange
One of three fresh hues available on the Corvette for 2022 and beyond, Amplify Orange is a bright new addition to the range. It shows off the sharp angles of the C8 and pops when paired with one of the Corvette's black wheel options. It's a $995 option.
Dodge: Stryker Red
Dodge showed off the Charger Daytona SRT in a sultry Stryker Red paint job at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas. Joined by 18-inch carbon fiber wheels and “Stage 2” badging – indicative of higher performance – the electric Charger looks even better in this brighter color instead of the earlier, dark-tinged teaser.
Ferrari: Bianco Courmayeur
In honor of the 10th anniversary of the Cavalcade – Ferrari's annual owner gathering in Monaco – a new Bianco Courmayeur paint job joins the range for 2022. It combines white with blue for a truly unique finish and is available as part of Ferrari's Tailor Made program.
Ford: Blue Ember
Not only is the Ford Mustang Dark Horse the most powerful naturally aspirated Mustang ever built, packing 500 horsepower, but it also has a pretty neat paint job. Debuting in this Blue Ember exterior with black accents, the bold hue helps amplify the Mustang's aggressive exterior.
Ford: Forged Green
The Ford Expedition Timberline comes with a trendy Forged Green paint job to compliment its orange accents and standard 18-inch wheels. As the most rugged Expedition of the bunch, the forest-inspired exterior definitely does this SUV justice.
Honda: Diffused Sky Blue
The newly redesigned Honda Pilot comes with a TrailSport trim that brings with it a lovely Diffused Sky Blue paint job. Closer to baby blue than royal, Honda's subtle shade looks excellent out on the trail.
Hyundai: Digital Teal
Other than the great name, Hyundai's new Digital Teal color for the Ioniq 5 EV is an awesome throwback hue. The greenish, turquoise paint pops alongside the Ioniq 5's bulky silver fenders and side sills, blending well with any of the available two-tone wheel options. Better yet, it's a no-cost option.
Hyundai: Shooting Star
The new Ioniq 5 has two paint jobs that we really like. Alongside Digital Teal, the matte Shooting Star finish further amplifies the Ioniq's futuristic appeal. It's a subtle flat, dark silver that meshes well with the bright silver accents on the exterior and the black wheels.
Jeep: Earl Gray
Although Jeep calls this new paint job “Earl Gray” – like the tea – it's actually closer to a desaturated baby blue or aquamarine. At any rate, it looks awesome on the Gladiator and gives it a really unique look.
Jeep: Gobi Tan
Tan typically isn't the most exciting color in the crayon box, but when it's a desert-inspired Gobi Tan for the Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler, color us intrigued. This new hue was available for a limited time between March and June of this year by special order only (so yes, it's already sold out), and cost Gladiator and Wrangler buyers an extra $495.
Jeep: Tuscadero Pink
Tuscadero Pink might not be every Jeep buyer's first preference when it comes to paint, but the unique hue was available for a limited time on the Wrangler for an extra $395. And it was available on every Wrangler, meaning you could order a V8-powered 392 with the pink paint, if you wanted.
Kia: Ascot Green
Ascot Green is new in the Kia lineup for 2022, specifically atop the Stinger. And it might be the best color available on the Stinger to date. It joins the sporty sedan's updated range alongside a now-standard GT-Line package for the four-cylinder model, which adds sharper wheels and new black chrome accents, further upping the style ante.
Lamborghini: Verde Gea Lucido
The Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato is one of the most ambitious products to come out of Sant'Agata in a long time. It's made even better with this matte Verde Gea Lucido paint job that debuted at launch, which gave the rugged sports car a more upscale look.
Lucid: Sapphire Blue
The current color options for the Lucid Air are… less than robust. But with the new triple-motor Sapphire Edition debuting this year in Monterey, a bold Sapphire Blue paint joins the palette. It's only available on the new, range-topping model, which doesn't go on sale until later next year.
Mazda: Zircon Sand
The current Mazda Miata hasn't seen many changes since its update in 2019, but this year Mazda quietly introduced a new Zircon Sand paint for the 2023 model year. This hue is available both on the CX-50 crossover and on the Miata in the US.
Mercedes-Benz: Nautical Blue / Rose Gold
Two-tone paint is a trend becoming more common in the industry, but few do it better than the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. This limited-edition Haute Voiture model boasts a beautiful Nautical Blue and Rose Gold combo that looks properly luxurious.
McLaren: Platinum Jubilee Silver
In honor of Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years of reign, McLaren MSO introduced a one-off Artura with a special paint job. The Platinum Jubilee Silver paint took eight days to perfect, with designers analyzing the pigment under numerous lighting conditions, joined by a custom “Elizabeth II” nameplate on the hood.
Porsche: Frozen Berry
Porsche has a few new hues available for the 2022 model year – and by a few, we mean a lot. But one of our favorites is the subtle Frozen Berry paint, which was first available on the Taycan but soon extended to the 718 Boxster and Cayman.
Porsche: Ruby Star Neo
Porsche already had Rubystar, but Ruby Star Neo is just a touch different. Available on the new 718 Boxster Style Edition, Ruby Star Neo is a bit brighter and pairs with white accents and wheels. Porsche says this paint is a tribute to the 964 Carrera RS' Ruby Star.
Rivian: Compass Yellow
We've seen the new Rivian R1T in a few unique hues already – blues, reds, etc. And while another color from the pickup's palette also makes the list, Compass Yellow is one of the coolest color options you can get for your new electric pickup. It's a $2,500 option that's well worth the asking price.
Rivian: Rivian Blue
As the first customer examples of the Rivian R1T pickup make their way onto the road, some of them are wearing a shade of paint that looks absolutely perfect for this truck: Rivian Blue. A brighter, bolder blue than the typical darker hues we're used to, this paint helps the electric R1T pop. Although, it is a pricey $2,500 option.
Rolls-Royce: Boat Tail Brown
Ok, that's not really what Rolls-Royce calls this color. While the brownish, beige-ish, pink-ish hue found on the second of three Boat Tail builds doesn't officially have a name, is it exceptionally pretty. Inspired by its owner, a pearl magnate with a penchant for high-end vehicles, the second Boat Tail looks beautiful with the matching exterior and interior color combo.
Rolls Royce: Lime Green
Rolls-Royce rolled out the Lime Green carpet for Art Basel this year. For the Inspired by Fashion collection, the Cullinan debuted this bright new hue in Miami alongside a few others – but this was the boldest of the bunch.
Toyota: Bronze Age
Love it or hate it, the new Toyota Crown at least has an eye-catching design. The model looks even more striking in this combo of Bronze Age paint and black accents. It’s one of a handful of new hues debuting with the Crown.
Best Car Colors Of 2022:
- Acura: Long Beach Blue
- Audi: Arrow Gray
- Bentley: Purple Sector
- BMW: Mint Green
- BMW: Thundernight Metallic
- Cadillac: Electric Blue
- Chevrolet: Amplify Orange
- Dodge: Stryker Red
- Ferrari: Bianco Courmayeur
- Ford: Blue Ember
- Ford: Forged Green
- Honda: Diffused Sky Blue
- Hyundai: Digital Teal
- Hyundai: Shooting Star
- Jeep: Earl Gray
- Jeep: Gobi Tan
- Jeep: Tuscadero Pink
- Kia: Ascot Green
- Lamborghini: Verde Gea Lucido
- Lucid: Sapphire Blue
- Mazda: Zircon Sand
- Mercedes-Benz: Nautical Blue / Rose Gold
- McLaren: Platinum Jubilee Silver
- Porsche: Frozen Berry
- Porsche: Ruby Star Neo
- Rivian: Compass Yellow
- Rivian: Rivian Blue
- Rolls-Royce: Boat Tail Brown
- Rolls Royce: Lime Green
- Toyota: Bronze Age