Kavanic Tesla Wheel Covers Review: Better Than Stock?
Aftermarket hubcaps are by far the most popular wheel accessories for Tesla Model 3, and Y. Considering each OEM wheel cover has drawbacks, I’m not surprised you’re looking for alternatives.
There is one brand that stands out, and that’s Kavanic.
I’ve included it in my best wheel covers roundup with a few other options. But since this is the only one I’ve bought for our car, I decided to do an in-depth review of Kavanic Tesla wheel covers.
I’ll share with you what I learned before buying the Kavanics hubcaps.
You’ll see all the wheel cover designs for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
You’ll see how Kavanic compares to Tesla stock wheel covers.
And I’ll tell you the pros and cons based on my experience.
If you’re unsure whether Kavanic is the right choice, this blog post should help.
Kavanic Overview
Let’s start with a quick overview of the company, the products, and the purchasing options. Then, we’ll get to the different wheel cover styles.
Company
Kavanic Auto is a small company based in China focusing on a few accessories for Tesla vehicles. They manufacture wheel covers, center caps with a logo, wheel cap kits, and frunk and trunk emblems with embedded near-field communication (NFC).
Wheel Cover Styles
While fellow Tesla Model 3 owners are limited to two options, Kavanic currently offers a 19-inch Matte Black Model Y wheel cover replacement in four designs. All products are sold with a Matte Black support logo, and center caps in different colors can be purchased separately.
Kavanic Sellers
At the time of writing, Kavanic has a Shopify-powered website, which is still not functional. Many online resellers speculate on the price, as I’ve mentioned multiple times in my Tesla customization articles.
I purchased my wheel covers from the Kavanic Amazon Store a while ago. Cut a sweet Prime deal back then, and looking at the prices right now, it’s still the best place to buy.
Kavanic Wheel Covers for Tesla Model 3
Both Kavanic Tesla Model 3 wheel cover options are designed to replace the OEM 18″ Aero hubcaps.
Arachnid Hubcaps
As you probably figured by the name, these hubcaps mimic the Tesla Model S factory wheels. I like the design, but it doesn’t look as attractive in this size as the 21-inch Model S wheels – something to consider if you plan to purchase the Arachnid.
Uberturbine Hubcaps
While those Kavanic wheel covers copy the 20″ Model 3 wheels, they still look beautiful in 18 inches and have a symmetrical design. Despite being a bit more expensive, the Uberturbine style Matt Black hubcaps are far more popular, and these are the ones we have on our Model 3.
Kavanic Tesla Model Y Wheel Covers
All four 19-inch Matte Black Kavanic Tesla Model Y wheel cover options are made for the Gemini wheel.
Gemini Style
These are the cheapest but the best-selling Kavanic Tesla Model Y hubcaps. I guess Model Y owners like the Gemini design but opt for this aftermarket option as it comes in Matte Black, which goes well with any exterior color.
Blade Style
The Blade style wheel cover is the second most popular Kavanic Tesla Model Y product. The sleek aerodynamic design and just an extra $10 on top of the Gemini price must be the reason.
Cyclone Style
That’s the latest Kavanic Model Y wheel cover style, so it’s still hard to tell whether owners find it attractive. I’m not a big fan due to the many details involved in the design. You can tell it’s a cover and not a wheel from a mile away.
Uberturbine Style
This one is supposed to look like the 21-inch Tesla Model Y OEM wheels. I think it’s not as good as the Kavanic Tesla Model 3 Uberturbine hubcaps, though. On top of that, it’s the most expensive Model Y wheel cover option, which explains why it’s not very popular among owners.
Kavanic Vs. OEM Wheel Cover
It’s time to compare and see if and where Kavanic hubcaps are better than stock. I’ve done it based on my experience and feedback from my buddy Pete – the Model Y owner who helped me write the Tesla winter accessories roundup.
Installation
If you read some Amazon reviews, you’ll see people complaining that Kavanic wheel covers won’t fit or even break during the installation.
I had no issues with the Model 3 Uberturbines, and Pete confirmed that he could easily install the Blade style hubcaps on his MY. That said, I assume some folks didn’t follow the instructions.
Yes, it may take a little longer than installing the stock covers, but as long as you apply the foam tape properly and snap the center of the cover first, each hubcap fits like a dream.
Quality
At first glance, the Kavanic Tesla Model 3 hubcaps look identical to the stock ones. However, the originals appear to be lighter and made of better-quality plastic. I’d expect that when buying an aftermarket product, and it doesn’t bother me.
Protection
While Kavanic aimed to mimic the OEM style, I think their wheel covers are better in terms of rim protection. Being slightly bigger than the stock Tesla hubcaps, the Kavanic’s will hide scratches on your rim and reduce the chances of new curb rash.
Range
Both the company and YouTubers doing reviews of Kavanic wheel covers claim your Tesla will be more efficient after installation. Pete and I haven’t noticed any range improvement on our EVs, but there was no negative impact, so I’m happy.
Pricing
The money you’ll pay for any Kavanic product will be much less than what you’ll be charged for OEM wheel cover replacement. Plus, most covers are out of stock in the Tesla shop anyway.
Packaging
My Kavanic Tesla Model 3 wheel covers arrived in a basic but solid box. The pieces were wrapped in bubble packs, which I used for my stock hubcaps.
Delivery
If you’re buying from Amazon, delivery time depends on the time of the year. As far as I remember, my wheel covers arrived in a week or so. I think the “Used-Like-New” options ship quickly.
I’ve only ordered one wall connector from the Tesla store, which came in four or five days. So, shipping time is pretty much the same.
My Experience with Kavanic Hubcaps
Let me elaborate on the Kavanic Tesla wheel covers review by adding the pros and cons of the Uberturbine Model 3 hubcaps. I had those on for about twelve months before buying aftermarket rims. I installed them again with the Aero wheels for the winter of 2023-2024.
What I Like About Kavanic Hubcaps
The design is more appealing, and the Matte Black finish matches my chrome delete.
They fit tight and protect better from curb rash by covering the edge of the rim.
I got to choose the center cap logo color that best suited my exterior.
I never experienced any noise or saw a wheel cover coming loose.
Drawbacks of Kavanic Wheel Covers
Removing them when I had to rotate my tires was a bit more challenging. But after watching a YouTube video, I was able to handle it.
The different logos are a nice option, but paying an extra $10 for a sticker that cost them less than a dime felt like a rip-off.
Conclusion
Below, you’ll see a visualization of the most important factors for the Stock Vs. Kavanic wheel cover comparison. I hope my honest review will help you make the right decision based on your priorities.
If you decide to buy Kavanic hubcaps, please use my Amazon affiliate links for all Tesla Model 3 styles and all Tesla Model Y styles.
You won’t pay a penny more, but you’ll help me keep the lights on, as I may get a small commission. Thanks.
