14 "Factory Customs" Make Your Ride One-of-a-Kind

So you’ve always wanted a really cool set of wheels. Problem is, something—maybe your lack of wrenching skills, or time, or money—has always kept that pimped-out ride of your dreams just out of reach. Well, friend, that’s all changed thanks to the introduction of new models we like to call “factory customs.” From funky urban cruisers to rugged four-wheel-drives built for the backcountry, the one thing all the vehicles on the following pages have in common are unusually long lists of “personalization” options designed to make your new ride a true one-of-a-kind from the moment you drive it off the dealer’s lot.

Written by: Alan Rider Photos courtesy: Manufacturers

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Nissan’s marketing types like to call their new Cube compact a “mobile device.” We just call it good clean fun, thanks to quirky styling that’s a guaranteed conversation starter. If for some reason it doesn’t turn enough heads for you in stock form however, you can always dress it up with dozens of eye-catching add-ons, including the custom grille and swoopy bodywork pictured here that comes as part of the—no, we’re not making this up—“Ginormous Package.”

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While that funky exterior will turn heads, we think the Cube’s real selling point is its humongous passenger cabin. Deck it out with a few choice accessories—we like the oval shag carpet dash-topper (even though we’re not sure what practical purpose it serves) and the interior accent lights that let you select your perfect hue from 20 different colors—and you have a daily driver that’s both practical and flashy. And, really, how cool is that?

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Warning: The all-new Kia Soul is not for the timid. From its wedge-shaped profile to its muscular fender flares to its trapezoidal taillights, this wedge-shaped compact hatchback comes standard with a healthy dose of in-your-face attitude. Add options like monster 18-inch alloy wheels, a prominent rear spoiler, and funky graphics like the oversize “dragon tattoo,” and you have a boxy little runabout that grabs passersby by the lapels and demands to be noticed.

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One look at the Kia Soul’s interior and you gotta believe the designers responsible for creating it weren’t exactly strangers to the club scene. What else could explain some of the lounge-inspired options offered here, including the sharp two-tone red-and-black dash trim, bold hound’s-tooth-patterned upholstery, and a premium 315-watt audio system with LED lights hidden behind the speaker grilles that pulsate in time with the music. Burly bouncers and motorized mirror balls sold separately.

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The über-hip “box-on-wheels” design of this second-generation Scion xB definitely stands out in a crowd. But there’s always room for improvement, right? Fortunately, Scion makes it easy to take it to the next level with styling accessories that include a half-dozen different alloy wheel and wheelcover designs, genuine carbon-fiber window trim, and a prominent rear spoiler. Or add some go to your show with performance-oriented bells-and-whistles including engine, drivetrain, suspension, brake, and exhaust upgrades.

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The parade of factory customization options rolls on inside the Scion xB with everything from pure bling pieces like your choice of five different shift knobs to cool electronic goodies like a premium Pioneer audio system and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with twin 7-inch headrest-mounted monitors. Through their Optomize program, your Scion dealer can also hook you up with a long list of aftermarket sparkly bits from alloy pedal sets to chromed-out fire extinguishers.

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If you have a hard time making decisions, the MINI Cooper hardtop, convertible, and Clubman wagon models might just overload your circuits. With one of the longest option and accessory lists of any car on the market, there are literally thousands of possible ways you can trick out your Mini, including high-performance hardware, aerodynamic body kits, 17 different styles of wheels, and full-length roof decals ranging from the British Union Jack to the universal heliport symbol.

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The Mini’s array of customization options only grows more dizzying once you step inside. Virtually every surface you see can be tweaked, with eight different fabric and leather upholstery choices plus more than a dozen dash and door trim materials including genuine English oak and carbon fiber. Did we mention there are also five different steering wheel designs, four styles of backlit door sill scuff plates, a half-dozen different electronic goodies, and…oh well, you get the picture.

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Considering the fact that the Swedish are famous for their sleek design sensibilities (think IKEA), it’s not surprising the compact Volvo C30 coupe is long on style. But the C30’s designers actually went out of their way to help you make it your own by creating a “Custom Build” program that lets you pick and choose from an extensive list of personalization options including scoops, spoilers, 14 different alloy wheel designs, xenon headlights, and more.

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Inside the C30’s four-place cabin, the customization possibilities continue in numbers that boggle the mind. Choose from interior trim pieces painted in your choice of eight colors to match the car’s exterior, a dozen different upholstery styles, wood- or leather-rimmed steering wheels, five different gearshift knobs, and interior accent lights you can set to one of eight different shades. And that doesn’t even include electronic extras like the GPS navigation and premium 650-watt Dynaudio sound systems.