Brown is an earthy and natural color that can lend an elegant, vintage, or rugged look to a vehicle. While brown may not be the most common car color today, many automakers offer some shades of brown in their color palettes. Here’s an overview of the new cars you can buy today that are available in brown exterior paint colors.
Why Consider a Brown Car?
For some car buyers, brown evokes a feeling of warmth, earthiness, and nature. It’s a great choice for those looking for something a little different than common black, white, or gray vehicles on the road. Brown can give a car a classic, vintage look, hearkening back to the browns popular on vehicles in the 1960s and 1970s. For SUVs and trucks, the color brown can reinforce a rugged, outdoorsy character as well.
Of course, brown isn’t for everyone. Some see it as drab or boring. And because it’s not a widely selected exterior color today, finding a brown car usually means looking at higher trim levels or ordering a custom paint job. But if you want something unique that makes a statement, brown is worth a look.
Luxury Vehicles Available in Brown
Several luxury automakers offer brown exterior colors to give high-end models an extra dose of elegance and flair. Here are some of the luxury vehicles you can buy today in shades of brown:
- BMW X7 – Available in Ametrin Metallic brown.
- Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV – Can be ordered in Selenite Grey Magno matte metallic brown.
- Audi A6 and S6 – Offered with Java Brown metallic paint.
- Volvo XC90 SUV – Comes in Amber Brown metallic.
- Porsche 911 – Can be customized in Chocolat Brown metallic.
- Land Rover Defender – Available in Carpathian Grey premium metallic paint with brown hues.
For most luxury brands, you’ll pay extra for these brown exterior paint choices. But if you want to stand apart from other high-end vehicles, they can provide the perfect touch of exclusivity.
Everyday Cars Available in Brown
You don’t have to buy a pricey luxury vehicle if you want a brown car. Many mainstream automakers also offer brown paint colors, usually on higher trim configurations. Here are some of the most affordable 2023 model year vehicles you can buy with brown exterior color options:
- Toyota RAV4 – The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims come with an exclusive Ice Edge brown color.
- Honda CR-V – Higher EX and Touring models offer Everlasting Brown Pearl paint.
- Subaru Outback – Comes in Autumn Green Metallic which is a brownish-green hue.
- Ford Escape – The top Titanium trim includes Smoked Quartz Tinted Metallic brown.
- Kia Sportage – The SX Prestige model offers Warm White exterior color with brown tones.
- Hyundai Tucson – Comes in Sunset Brown exterior paint on Limited trims and above.
While most manufacturers limit brown colors to just one or two top-of-the-line models, Toyota offers several shades of brown across the RAV4 lineup. Overall, you’ll typically pay $300-$600 extra for these brown paint options from non-luxury brands.
Trucks Available in Brown
Brown is a natural fit for pickup trucks and can reinforce their rugged, utilitarian image. Here are some of the top trucks you can buy today in brown exterior colors:
- Toyota Tundra – Comes in Army Green which features brown hues.
- Ford F-150 – Available in Smoked Quartz and Desert Brown paints.
- Nissan Titan – PRO-4X models include Max Steel Metallic brown exterior color.
- GMC Sierra – Elevation and Denali trims offer Meteorite Grey Metallic brown.
- Chevrolet Colorado – The Z71 offers an exclusive Sand Dune Metallic brown paint job.
The brown shades offered on trucks tend to be more rugged, with names like Army Green and Sand Dune. They help reinforce a truck’s rugged image and versatility for work sites. Browns can also help trucks blend in better in rural or natural settings.
Brown SUVs
Brown exterior colors are also great choices for SUVs. Natural brown hues fit with the normal use cases of SUVs, from family hauling to outdoor adventures. Here are some top SUVs available in brown for 2023:
- Jeep Grand Cherokee – Overland and Summit models come in Hydro Blue Pearl Coat brown.
- Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport – The SEL trim offers Cinnamon Brown exterior paint.
- Subaru Ascent – Can be ordered in Autumn Green Metallic featuring brown tones.
- Kia Telluride – The uplevel SX trim comes in Everlasting Silver with brown hues.
- Nissan Pathfinder – The range-topping Platinum model offers Grand Blue Metallic brown paint.
With available third-row seating, SUVs like these are great family vehicles, and their brown color options help give them a unique look that stands out in school parking lots or on the road. It’s a great way to express personality through your vehicle’s exterior color.
Electric Vehicles in Brown
Electric vehicles are a new automotive segment, but some models already offer the chance to get a brown exterior color. Here are some EVs available in brown:
- Polestar 2 – Comes in Zink Brown metallic paint as an optional color.
- Rivian R1S SUV – Launch edition includes Compass Yellow which is a brownish-yellow hue.
- VinFast VF 8 SUV – Exclusive Eco Brown exterior color mimics natural wood.
- Canoo Pickup – Features a Desert Brown paint option befitting an EV truck.
These colors lend EVs an earthy, natural look befitting their environmental credentials. They help distinguish electric vehicles and challenge the notion that EVs have to be more futuristic and technical in appearance.
Vintage Browns on Classic Cars
For those looking for a classic car with lots of personality, brown is an iconic color tied to some of the most memorable vehicles of the 1960s and 1970s. Here are some examples of highly coveted vintage cars offered in shades of brown:
- 1960s Ford Broncos in Buckskin Brown
- 1970s Chevy Blazers in Chestnut Brown
- 1960s Dodge Chargers in Commando Brown
- 1970s Plymouth Road Runners in Moulin Rouge Brown
- 1960s Chevy Impalas in Fawn Brown
These shades evoke nostalgia and perfectly match the rugged yet sophisticated style of these vintage vehicles. Restoring one of these iconic cars in its classic brown hue makes a statement and provides a cool way to stand out at car shows.
Specialty and Custom Brown Paint Jobs
Beyond factory paint options, there are also aftermarket providers that can create custom brown paint jobs for virtually any vehicle. A specialty brown exterior color is a great way make your car uniquely yours.
These custom jobs allow you to match the exact brown shade you want. There are limitless shades of brown from milk chocolate to deep chestnut. Custom paint can also incorporate special touches like metal flakes, pearlescent elements, or a matte finish. A skilled auto paint shop can match any sample color using computer mixing systems.
Full custom paint jobs range from $3,000 to $7,000 based on the level of detail. But you can also choose custom brown vehicle wraps at a lower cost. Whatever route you take, a specialty brown paint color is the ultimate way to get the exact look you want.
Finding the Perfect Brown
Brown vehicle color options run the gamut from deep cocoa metallic to light beige and from shimmering copper to flat khaki green-browns. With so many potential shades of brown, it takes time to find the one that fits your vehicle and preferences perfectly.
If you’re looking at a new car, bring some paint swatches to the dealership to view in person. Natural sunlight is key to seeing how the brown appears on an actual vehicle’s body panels. Complementary colors like black wheels or trim can also influence the look.
For a custom job, work closely with the shop to view paint samples in different lights. Custom mixing takes some back and forth to nail down the perfect shade. Whether a factory or custom paint job, make sure you’ll love looking at your chosen brown for years to come.
Caring for Brown Paint
Browns’ natural, earthy look comes with the trade-off of potentially showing dirt, grime, and imperfections more visibly. That means taking measures to protect and preserve your brown exterior paint.
- Regular hand washes or professional detailing is key to keeping brown exteriors looking clean.
- Wax and paint sealants add an extra layer of protection against contaminants that can dull brown paint.
- Quick touch-up paint can hide scratches and stone chips on brown vehicles.
- Avoid parking under trees or overhangs where sap and bird droppings can adhere to paint.
- Garaging your brown car will reduce exposure to sun, dirt, and other hazards.
With the right level of care, a brown exterior color can maintain its allure for many years. Take steps above to keep your brown paint brilliant.
Brown Car FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about brown car colors:
- Does brown show dirt more? Generally, yes – light browns and beiges will show dirt, dust, and road contaminants more noticeably than darker shades.
- Is brown paint harder to match? Browns can be tricky for auto paint shops to color match correctly, especially multi-coat browns with distinct pearl, metal flake or mica elements.
- Do brown cars fade faster? There’s no evidence brown fades faster. With proper care, brown paints are formulated to resist UV rays and environmental damage just like any other color.
- Is brown a popular car color? Brown remains a niche choice – only 1-2% of cars sold today are brown compared to 25% that are black, white or gray.
- Does brown paint cost more? Sometimes – “premium” browns from luxury brands often incur a small upcharge. For mainstream vehicles, most browns cost the same as standard paints.
Conclusion
While brown is far from the most popular car color choice today, there are still many great options across vehicle segments for those interested in a rich, earthy brown exterior. Browns lend elegance to luxury cars, reinforce rugged personalities for trucks and SUVs, and provide vintage flair on classic vehicles. With the right shade of brown and proper care, this distinctive color can give your vehicle an appealing aesthetic that sets it apart on the road.
