What Tint Shade Should You Choose for Your UTV? 5%, 20%, 35%, 50%, or 70%?

Shade Is a Real Decision — Here's How to Make It

Window tint shade is measured in VLT — visible light transmission. A lower number means darker tint. 5% lets in 5% of light (very dark), 70% lets in 70% (nearly clear). The shade you choose affects how your UTV looks, how well you can see at night, and to some extent how much heat is blocked. Here's a breakdown of each option.

5% — Limo Dark

5% is the darkest option available and it's a bold look. From the outside, you can't see into the cab at all. Maximum privacy, maximum style. The trade-off is reduced nighttime visibility — driving after dark is noticeably darker through 5% film. Best for: UTV owners who prioritize a blacked-out look, work on sites where privacy matters, or mostly ride during daylight hours.

20% — Dark and Clean

20% is the most popular shade across all of our UTV kits. It's dark enough to make a real visual statement and to significantly cut glare, but it's not so dark that nighttime visibility becomes an issue. You can still see clearly through 20% film in low-light conditions. Best for: riders who want a sharp, finished look and use their UTV day and night.

35% — The Balanced Option

35% is the sweet spot for working riders and daily drivers. It provides meaningful heat and glare reduction, looks tinted (not stock), and has minimal impact on visibility in any lighting condition. If you're tinting to match Can-Am Defender factory rear glass, 35% is the match shade. Best for: work UTVs, all-day riders, and anyone prioritizing visibility over aesthetics.

50% — Light Tint with Real Benefits

50% is a light tint that's almost invisible from a distance but still delivers UV protection and some heat reduction. From the outside, it just looks like the windows are slightly darker than stock. Best for: owners who want the performance benefits of tint without a dramatic aesthetic change, or those who added Ceramic or APEX film and want the heat rejection without the dark look.

70% — Nearly Clear

70% is the lightest shade available and is almost invisible once installed. It looks essentially stock. The reason to choose 70% is HVAC efficiency — combined with Ceramic or APEX film, 70% shade blocks a massive amount of heat while maintaining full visibility. Best for: owners with enclosed, climate-controlled cabs who want maximum HVAC performance without any visual impact.

Our Recommendation

For most UTV owners, 20% or 35% hits the best combination of looks and function. If you're primarily after heat performance and ride an enclosed cab, go 70% with APEX Ceramic — the film does the work and the shade stays out of the way. If you want to make a visual statement, go 5% and accept the nighttime trade-off. All five shades are available on every kit at UTVwindowtint.com.