The car brands with the best paint colours in Australia, including Jeep, Mini, Ford and more

Most new vehicles sold in Australia continue to be finished in familiar shades such as white, black, grey and silver, but a small group of manufacturers is taking a more expressive approach to exterior colour. This editorial survey highlights five brands that offer particularly distinctive paint choices across their ranges, from vivid primary tones to unusual greens, purples and pinks.

Ford earns its place through the colour variety available on enthusiast-focused models. Mustang buyers can choose shades including Orange Fury, Molten Magenta and Adriatic Blue, while the Ranger Raptor adds Code Orange and Blue Lightning to the palette. The upcoming Bronco Basecamp is also expected to bring Flare Orange and similarly adventurous colour options, giving Ford a stronger visual identity than many mainstream competitors.

Lepas, a Chery-owned brand preparing to launch its L6 electric vehicle, takes a more fashion-conscious approach. The L6 is shown in striking purple and orange, with further bold colours expected to accompany the brand's expanding model range. Its palette helps distinguish Lepas from other Chery-related marques and signals an intention to make colour part of the product's identity rather than a minor ordering detail.

Mini has long understood the value of a memorable paint finish. The Mini Cooper is available in 11 colours, including Sunny Side Yellow and Ocean Wave Green. Those choices suit the car's deliberately individual character and allow buyers to choose a finish that feels more personal than the conservative colours commonly found elsewhere in the small-car market. For Mini, colour is closely tied to the design experience and remains central to its premium yet playful positioning.

GWM is another prominent source of unconventional colours, particularly with the Ora 5 small electric SUV. Its available and showcased shades include Flamingo Pink, Cute Cyan and Emerald Green. These are confident choices that give the model a noticeably different presence from the restrained finishes typically associated with electric vehicles and mainstream SUVs.

Jeep is the standout for sheer irreverence. The Gladiator Rubicon ute is associated with colours such as Reign purple, Mojito green, Joose orange and Goldilocks gold. These names and finishes reinforce the brand's deliberately unconventional personality, while the Gladiator's open-air design and removable doors add to the sense that it is intended to be enjoyed as much visually as practically.

Together, these brands demonstrate that colour can do more than protect a vehicle's bodywork. A carefully chosen finish can reinforce a model's design, communicate its intended character and give owners a way to make a stronger statement. While the standard whites, blacks, greys and silvers remain dominant, buyers seeking something less predictable now have more mainstream options than they did in the past.