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Upgrading your Hyundai's Exterior with a Body Kit
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I've considered a body kit but I've read in these forums (and others) that even the bolt on kits require a certain degree of body work to make them actually look good.
What is your assessment of these bolt on kits? Can you recommend a kit that doesn't require seam filling & a repaint job?
Originally Posted by CMcCane
Upgrading your Hyundai’s Exterior with a Body Kit
As Hyundai vehicles continue to rack up awards and increase their sales numbers (and therefore their overall exposure), more and more drivers are faced on the opposite end with the need to revitalize the condition of their Hyundai vehicles. Body dating and damage, for instance, are among the biggest troublemakers for owners of all vehicle types, not just Hyundais. If you’ve decided your Elantra or other Hyundai requires more than just a fresh coat of paint to have its appearance dramatically improved, you may want to consider utilizing a Hyundai body kit.
Just as a Toyota body kit or Ford body kit is designed for use on specific vehicles, Hyundai body kits are similarly designed for use on particular models. Aftermarket body kits need to be able to function within the dimensions of the vehicle’s build, so the kits will often contain differently sized pieces for a midsize Sonata as they would for a compact Elantra. Generic body kits that claim to prove functional on any and all vehicle models and nameplates are either exaggerating, or using pieces that aren’t tailored to contour to the design of your Hyundai vehicle. Since the whole point of using a body kit is to enhance appeal and not diminish it, always go with the option most likely to produce positive results.
Your typical body kit is going to contain several components, namely bumpers (for both the front and rear sides of the vehicle), side skirts, and spoilers. Aftermarket guards, scoops, and other pieces are sometimes included or can be added in addition to the parts contained in the kit, but typically the mentioned pieces get the most attention. Since Hyundai primarily focuses on passenger car sales, most Hyundai vehicle drivers are likely to benefit from the using the body kit and other body parts often included in an exterior upgrade. A rear spoiler sticking off of a Chevy Tahoe pickup or Ford Explorer SUV isn’t going to go nearly as well.
Body kit parts tend to be made of one of several materials. If you bought your Elantra to save money for instance, and have no attention of throwing away tons of cash on a body upgrade, go with a fiberglass kit. Fiberglass kits are the least expensive and by far the lightest. Lightweight body components are especially sought after because they reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, thereby reducing engine strain as well. The disadvantage of fiberglass is that is quite fragile, so if you’re looking for a more durable substitute that’s still quite light in weight, carbon fiber is a popular choice. Polyurethane is among the most common of the selected materials, and though it is not as light, it is quite durable and impact resistant.
At the end of the day, your Hyundai body kit upgrade is something you have to pursue decision by decision. You can choose to use everything in the kit if you so desire, or you can scrap the spoilers and keep everything else. Whatever you decide, just be sure the body pieces work well with the overall design of your Hyundai, so as to add to, not subtract from, the current aesthetic appeal of your vehicle.
