Why Do SUVs Come With Tinted Windows?
Why Can SUVs Have Darker Tint?
I want one of those newer SUVs in the market today.
I’ve been shopping for a new vehicle and getting one of the newer SUVs are definitely on top of my list. But, transitioning from my classic pickup to a new SUV is challenging because most SUVs come with tinted windows.
SUVs come with tinted windows as a standard feature. It makes SUVs look cool which essentially leads to more sales based on the emotional response it evokes from customers. The added sun protection it provides to your new SUVs cabin is a bonus.
If you’re planning to add tint to your SUV DIY style, get the EHDIS 7 Piece Tint Installation Set to do that.
There Was A Time SUVs Didn’t Come With Tinted Windows
This wasn’t always the case for SUVs, though. Earlier SUVs didn’t sport car tint as a standard feature. In fact, you would be hard pressed to have that added as an extra feature which cost money for consumers back then. This changed in the 90s when production sedans became a popular choice for buyers looking to save up on their fuel consumption.
If you have an older SUV, get the JNK Networks Real Precut Tint.
SUVs were and continue to be gas guzzlers. So the buying public shifted from the boxy, bulky, unwieldy SUV to cars which proved to be sleeker, classier, and a more economical form of transportation.
The SUV Industry’s Answer
The SUV industry had to find a way to answer back.
So SUVs had to be redesigned to match the sales of their smaller counterparts. First came the sleeker design. Check out pictures of older SUVs and compare it with the newer breed.
See our point?
(Don’t get me wrong, that rugged, boxy look still works but only if it’s done right, like on a Hummer H2 or a Land Rover)
Bringing Sexy Back
But that wasn’t enough.
Something else had to go. The clear panoramic windows had to be traded out with fully-tinted windows to make SUVs look more like toys for the big boys than clunky retro vehicles from days gone by. Compare the two pictures below:
That’s basically the same vehicle. Same year, same model but with different tint levels. Did you find yourself gravitating towards the one with the darker tint? It’s not even that dark, and you’re still going for it.
That’s the secret why SUVs have seen a resurgence in car sales. The updated look and the addition of tinted windows made SUVs, for lack of a better word, sexier. That appealed to the emotional core of the intended buying crowd and ultimately more money going into the manufacturer’s pockets.
Other manufacturers offering SUVs soon followed suit after finding out that the formula worked.
But is it a good thing?
The Pros And Cons To Having SUVs with Tint
Pros
Car Tint Improves Your Old SUV’s Appearance
Do you have an old SUV? Do you want to give it a subtle upgrade that won’t cost too much?
Slap some professionally installed car tint on it.
Ok, here’s an example. These are pictures of old Toyota Land Cruisers.
Notice the first one without any tint. It looks really old, doesn’t it?
Now slap on some light tint, and the general look improves.
Last, but not least, here’s one that’s totally blacked out.
SUVs With Tinted Windows Have Better Cabins
There’s a direct correlation between your car’s interior and the level of tint you have on your windows. The darker your tint, the better the condition of your furniture in the long run.
This is because the dark tint effectively shields your cabin from the harmful effects of UV rays.
Dark Tint Reduces Glare
Tired of having to squint when it’s sunny outside? Do you have to shield your eyes every time another car in the opposite lanes has his high beams on at night? These are basically the reasons why SUV owners love having tinted windows.
Aside from the high seating position, there’s really no way to avoid these instances from temporarily blinding you or affecting your field of vision.
Your tint, depending on the level of opacity, can effectively cut down light from entering your cabin by 70%.
Say goodbye to harsh, bright lights.
Added Security From Unwanted Spying Eyes
It’s no secret that most people get car tints applied to provide another layer of security to their vehicle. Having some tint on your windows gives you another physical barrier that prevents anyone from just looking in and seeing whatever stuff you have left inside your car.
This allows you to park your car and prevent unwanted snoops from looking in and taking account of valuables you may have sitting inside your cabin.
The darker your tint, the more secure your belongings are inside your SUV. You could add another layer of protection by getting Enovoe Car Window Shades to protect your car from the sun, glare and unwanted eyes trying to look inside your cabin.
And if you catch anyone trying to peer inside, you know they’re not up to something good.
Cons
Dark Car Tint Can Make It Harder To See At Night
During the daytime, your car tint cuts down a huge percentage of glare from the sun. It keeps your cabin in the shade, providing just enough light to make it comfortable without being too dark.
At night, that’s when dark car tint becomes a challenge. As someone who has driven a car with too much tint at night, the trade-off between looking cool and safety is just too much.
One way to get around this is to remove the tint on your windshield and rear glass. Or use lighter tint if that’s possible.
Legal Issues Related To Tint
There are certain laws in some states preventing vehicles from having totally blacked out tint. These are for security issues. The local law enforcers will stop you if they can’t see inside your vehicle when you pass by.
This is not meant to harass you. Instead, it’s to prevent instances, like kidnapping, from happening.
If you have a fully tinted SUV, you might consider rolling your windows down when passing through these states. If you have a fully tinted SUV, chances are you’ll get stopped in DC and New York.
That will save you a ticket or two and a faster trip allowing you to get to your destination sooner.
Too Much Tint Is Bad For Pedestrians
SUVs with too much tint present a serious pedestrian hazard when you’re out on the road. Pedestrians should be able to make eye contact with you when they’re crossing the street.
Recommendations
You can still benefit from having tinted windows without going overboard. A recommended 4-inch strip of tint at the top-most portion of your windshield should be enough to provide you with the sun and glare protection you need. This will also reduce the risk of limiting your vision at night.
You could also opt for reflective tint to reduce UV ray penetration. This is a lighter type of tint that will not impede your vision while driving at night. This also gives you the level of protection or security you need.
Here are some SUV tints out there in the market today:
And if you’re looking for something radical for your SUV, try the Red VViViD Colorful Transparent Vinyl Car Window Tint.
Car Tint Innovations
Driver complaints related to tint have been an on-going challenge for car tint manufacturers.
How do you provide a car tint that provides all of the benefits and less of the disadvantages of modern tint?
This has led to two types of innovations: Reactive Tint and Electronically Activated Tint.
Reactive Tint
This type of innovation is also found in prescription eyewear that double as sunglasses. This type of tint darkens as exposure to a combination of light and heat from the sun activates the film. This is perfect for those who regularly drive during the day time.
At night, without the necessary components to activate it, the film remains inert and clear.
Electronically Activated Tint
This is a fairly new innovation that is still in development but has been featured in some concept cars. The reason for that is because this type of system is very expensive and will definitely drive up the price tag attached to the vehicles with this as a basic feature.
This is a more precise tinting system that allows you to control when you want your car to have tint and at what level of opacity based on your need.
The film is electronically charged activating the darkening effect. Removing the electronic charge keeps the film inert and as clear as you want it. You can also set the system to maintain the level of tint opacity when you leave your car.
Related Questions:
Can you pre-order SUVs without tint?
Sure. Most manufacturers allow the release of their products according to how their consumers want. But this will cost you extra even if you have something removed. That’s considered a customization job. It will cost you a small fee. You could just have the tint removed after you get your vehicle.
Can Tinted Windows Prevent Skin Cancer?
Car tints prevent an excessive amount of UV rays from entering your SUV’s cabin. This prevents sun damage to your vehicle. It also gives you the additional protection needed to combat the effects of too much sun exposure. You should still apply a layer of a good sunblock every time you go out, though.
Does Car Tint Raise Your Old SUV’s Value?
In a monetary sense, it doesn’t. But, it does make your SUV more attractive, thereby raising the likelihood of you making a sale. So, if you’re planning to sell your SUV, putting money down on a fresh set of tinted windows or replacing your old ones should make it more valuable to potential buyers.