Rating of the best mudguards for 2022

A modern car can be equipped with various accessories, the purpose of some of them is not so obvious. However, during the operation of the machine, they play an important role. Mudguards, which are placed both in front and behind, can also be attributed to such devices. Their main function is to ensure the safety of the driver and prevent damage to the car body from fragments of fine road gravel. In addition, the obligation to install them is provided for at the legislative level.

General information and functional purpose

Correctly, mudguards are called "wheel arch apron" and they are an indispensable element of a car or other type of vehicle on a wheelbase. Traditionally, they are made of rubber or plastic and are attached to the rear of the car fender. The modern market is able to offer both universal and original samples of the devices in question. The price of the original variations is somewhat higher, because they are more difficult to manufacture and are designed for a specific brand of car. Universal models are quite suitable for any car, you just need to properly adjust their size. In scientific terms, mudguards are by no means an element of decor and perform an absolutely specific and applied function, especially since they have a certain amount of additional useful properties.

Aprons are mounted directly near the wheels and block stones, dirt and water (in the form of splashes) flying in the direction of travel, thereby reducing the risk of an emergency and protecting the car body.In the event that the car is not equipped with mudguards, all the dirt from under the wheels scatters both on the windows and towards the side of passing vehicles. This situation is especially relevant for the cold season, when snow flying out from under the wheels can fall on the windshield of a passing car, thereby making it difficult for the driver to see. And this, in turn, can lead to an emergency. Of the additional functions that the mudguard is designed to provide, we can mention the prevention of various chemical reagents that are sprinkled on roads in the winter to get on the body of your own car. It is no secret that these reagents contain aggressive chemicals that can damage the structure of even the metal body base of the vehicle.

Production material

The classic material from which aprons are made is a rubber or rubber base. This material perfectly copes with various mechanical shocks, is freely able to bypass obstacles in off-road conditions, perfectly overcomes high grass and moderately accumulates a mud layer. Among other things, rubber pads do not interfere with the behavior of the car in terms of aerodynamics, due to the fact that they are able to change their own shape in the direction of travel at different speeds. The main disadvantage of rubber is that it is subject to accelerated wear and aging. As a rule, rubber mudguards last for 18 - 24 months. At the same time, it is worth noting that rubber is highly susceptible to low temperatures and in severe frost, even the slightest mechanical impact can simply break the mudguard.

An alternative to rubber / rubber mudguards are plastic linings.In order to increase their strength, they are made in the form of a pocket, therefore, snow permanently accumulates in their grooves or dirt accumulates. At the same time, at any ambient temperature, the plastic will retain its own elasticity and microscopic cracks will not appear in it. Such devices are best suited for movement in urban traffic and even on the highway, but driving on a dirt road or off-road can lead to breakage of the apron when hitting the first serious bump. A similar situation may arise when driving onto a curb.

Existing classification

Before installing aprons on a car, you should clearly determine what type of this protective element is required. According to their design features and external design, they can be divided into:

• Universal - such elements are suitable for any vehicles on a wheelbase and have a simple rectangular shape. Their main advantage is their low cost, you just need to properly adjust the mudguard. Of the main disadvantages, one can name the fact that not all the functionality of a universal mudguard can be implemented on any car.
• Individual (they are also “original”) - such samples are most often made directly by the car manufacturer, their price is slightly higher than that of universal ones. The acquisition of these elements will be justified if the universal apron is not suitable for a particular car model. At the same time, the manufacturer always guarantees that the original mudguard will fully perform all the functions assigned to it. It is worth noting that in retail sales such aprons are the most difficult to find.

Additionally, the protection elements under consideration can be classified according to the material of manufacture:

• Plastic - preferred for use in warm areas, but for the northern regions, the use of plastic mudguards is undesirable. This is due to the fact that plastic retains its shape perfectly and copes with its tasks at a temperature of at least +10 degrees Celsius. Naturally, even at a slight sub-zero temperature, the plastic part will simply break.
• Rubber - are characterized as an average option, characterized by an affordable price with a relatively good margin of safety (service life - from one and a half to two years).
• Polyurethane - this material is suitable for almost any operating conditions, is characterized by high wear resistance and a large margin of safety.

Difficulties in choosing: criteria and advice

As mentioned above, it can be extremely difficult to find an original mudguard for a particular brand of car in retail. Therefore, if a decision is made to purchase an individual model, then it is better to use the ordering method via the Internet and make it the best one on the official website of the car manufacturer or from its authorized dealers.

IMPORTANT! Regarding cars purchased in the USA, mudguards installed on such cars are very poorly suited for Russian conditions, therefore, it is preferable to replace them with universal models. Even the original samples will not save the situation.

The choice of a future mudguard is best based on the following important parameters:

• Size, shape and dimensions - in this case, you should always take into account the features of the car for which the apron is purchased. Not even every universal model can fit every car.
• Material of manufacture - in this matter it is better to be guided by the environmental conditions in which the vehicle will most often be used and, depending on the temperature regime, make a choice.
• Operating conditions - here we are talking about in which road conditions you will have to drive the most - off-road and dirt roads or city roads and highways.
• The ability to resist moisture and chemicals - in urban conditions it is better to use polyurethane pads, they perfectly resist chemical road reagents, from which they are protected by a special coating. If you plan to use the machine only in the warm season, then you can get by with rubber or plastic parts that do not have special protection.
• Manufacturer - as a rule, world-famous and long-established brands care about their reputation, therefore, the risk of purchasing low-quality products from them is extremely small.

More about material selection

Modern mud flaps can differ not only in color, shape and functionality, but also in the material of manufacture, which has its own distinctive features. It is worth mentioning that the functionality of the apron also directly depends on the material of its manufacture.

The main three types of materials (rubber, polyurethane and plastic) and their distinctive properties have already been discussed above. However, with the use of advanced technology, these materials have become possible to mix, thereby achieving a combination of the positive qualities of each material while removing the negative properties. To date, rubber-plastic products have such qualities.

On the one hand, they are simple and budgetary, rather not labor-intensive in terms of production technology, and are quite useful in most weather conditions. They have a slightly extended service life (half a year more than rubber samples and one and a half years more than plastic models), which confirms their reliability. Nevertheless, with all the positive qualities, manufacturers have not completely managed to solve the problem of operation at extremely low temperatures. Yes, indeed, at a temperature of -20 degrees Celsius, a rubber-plastic product will no longer crack, like a completely rubber or completely plastic product, but they are far from the stability of polyurethane models. It should be noted that rubber-plastic products perfectly interact with high curbs and large potholes, which makes them more functional in off-road conditions. In addition, the cost of rubber-plastic products is not too different from their younger counterparts, but still clearly loses to expensive polyurethane samples. This is especially true for individual and original models.

Installation and installation

Immediately before starting the procedure itself, you should decide on the installation location. The process itself is not particularly difficult, and even a novice driver can handle it. You can do everything yourself, using the simplest tools - a pencil, a drill, a curly screwdriver and a set of self-tapping screws.

Step-by-step procedure for installing mudguards:

1. First of all, it is necessary to turn the car wheels in a convenient direction to ensure comfortable operation.With a strong desire, you can even remove the wheel, but this may be necessary only when installing individual samples, and then not for every brand of car;
2. Dismantle the old, outdated, apron;
3. Clear a place for fasteners;
4. Attach the mudguard to be installed to the planned place, mark the place of fastening with a pencil;
5. Drill holes for inserting self-tapping screws with a drill;
6. Fasten the apron with self-tapping screws.

IMPORTANT! The main thing during installation is to properly mark and drill holes. If the original mudguards are to be installed, then there is no need to drill holes, because this is all already done at the factory.

Operations Expert Tips

Nominally, mudguards for cars do not require any special care, but to extend the service life, you still need to follow some simple rules:

• When washing the car, thoroughly wash the wheel arches where the aprons are installed;
• To extend the life of the mudguards, before putting the car into a long parking lot, they must be cleaned of dirt and snow;
• Even if the aprons are made of durable material (rubber-plastic or polyurethane), then you should not check the strength once again, specifically driving through curbs and potholes;
• In case of breakage of the apron, it should be replaced with a new one as soon as possible;
• Despite the simplicity of this product, it is easier not to repair it, but to purchase a new one.

IMPORTANT! It is worth remembering that driving on roads without mudguards is not allowed, and the use of their home-made versions is prohibited (as well as the use of their repaired models).

Features of the selection of aprons for a specific model of the machine

Almost any modern car is better equipped with original mudguards. They are installed in regular fasteners, which does not require drilling additional holes, which means that the risk of corrosion is thereby reduced, which is why the arches do not fall under the circumstances of additional vulnerability. A separate advantage of individual samples is that they are more likely to be combined with the overall design and color of the car, especially since their range is quite wide. The easiest way is to order such a product via the Internet from official manufacturers.

As well as universal, individual aprons are divided into two types - rear and front. In any case, the front ones are designed to protect the bottom of the car from small stones flying into it, dust, sand, dirt, water and other road debris. The rear ones perform a similar function, plus the fact that they prevent small stones flying out from under the rear wheels of the car from getting into the car that goes behind. The use of rear aprons becomes especially relevant in winter, when snow flying out from under the wheels can block the driver’s view behind the next car, and this, in turn, will clearly create an emergency on the road.

Modern original mudguards are made by any more or less significant automotive manufacturer. This is not something special, because in most countries, as, in fact, in the Russian Federation, the operation of a machine without aprons is simply prohibited. Like universal models, they can be made of rubber, plastic, polyurethane, or combinations thereof. Accordingly, their prices are graded according to the same layout as all the others.

When choosing protective products, you should first of all be guided by the brand of the car and the year of its release. Some original samples may be suitable for a whole line of cars at once, regardless of the generation of the model. A striking example here is the Camry line from Toyota, whose individual mudguards fit almost any model. Another thing is when, in the process of technical evolution, the body of the car has undergone drastic changes, which makes it impossible to install, for example, an apron for the first generation on a car from the third generation. Most often, this incompatibility occurs in European cars. An example is the Focus line from Ford.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the exclusive models of cars, which include sports variations or cars produced in a limited series. As a rule, such cars are not designed for everyday use or for driving on poor quality roads. Therefore, finding mudguards for them can be a very big problem. Usually, all parts for such vehicles are made to order and directly by the manufacturer, without the participation of official dealers. Naturally, the cost (as well as the quality) of such elements "takes off" at times.

Rating of the best mudguards for 2022

Budget options

3rd place: "FROSCH NLF.80.15.F10"

This product is an additional protection for the body of the car. It protects well from water and dirt, and also saves the car behind from hitting stones. It is a universal version created on the basis of 3D scanning of the wheel arches of the most common vehicle models. To be configured.It has dimensions of 400x450x100 millimeters with its own weight of 470 grams. The homeland of the brand is Russia, the recommended retail price is 320 rubles.

• The presence of original fasteners;
• Excellent resistance to sandblasting effect;
• Easy installation and assembly.

• Not very durable material.

2nd place: "SKYWAY blister S05201001"

Standard model from the Asian manufacturer. It has a sufficient amount of functionality and is quite adapted to service cars in the realities of Russian nature. Mounted and installed with ease. The material is declared by the manufacturer as having hardening ingredients in its composition. The model belongs to the generic type. It has dimensions of 350x260x65 millimeters and weighs 600 grams. The homeland of the brand is China, the recommended retail price is 390 rubles.

• Versatility;
• Innovative material composition;
• Increased weight.

• Not detected.

1st place: "Airline black AMF-01"

Universal model from the Russian manufacturer. Perfect for domestic roads and can even withstand the frosts of the middle zone of the country. The pads are easy to install and remove. The sample is equipped with its own fasteners, high-quality packaging and instructions for installation and operation. Refers to the universal version. It has dimensions of 310x50x200 millimeters and weighs 410 grams. The country of manufacture is Russia, the recommended retail price is 400 rubles.

• Versatility with a small size and weight;
• Ability to tolerate low sub-zero temperatures;
• Good equipment.

• Not found.

Middle price segment

3rd place: "GEELY ATLAS, 2017 FROSCH standart NLFD.75.14.E13"

The original version of the protective elements is able to provide reliable safety for all road users. The sample is made of high-performance polyurethane, which means that it can operate at the lowest temperatures. The manufacturer claims increased resistance to mechanical and chemical stress. The device is focused on installation on Geely brand cars, the Atlas model in the generation from 2017 to our time. It has dimensions of 400x450x100 millimeters with a weight of 260 grams. Production - Russia (under official license). The recommended price is 760 rubles.

• Flexible manufacturing material (withstands temperatures up to -50 degrees Celsius);
• Mounting holes already made;
• It also has a decorative purpose.

• Not found.

2nd place: "VW Polo 2010-2015, FROSCH optimum seat in NLF.51.30.F10 package"

Another individual model from a domestic manufacturer. Perfectly protects the bottom and body of the car. Installation is made in standard factory grooves. The base is made of polyurethane and retains its elasticity even in severe frosts. Designed to bring aesthetic completeness to the visual component of the vehicle. Designed for the brand "Volkswagen" model "Polo" in the line 2010 - 2015 release. It has dimensions of 450x400x100 with a weight of 500 grams. Country of manufacture - Russia. The recommended retail price is 1100 rubles.

• Perfectly resists sandblasting effect;
• Optimal kit (self-tapping screws);
• The mounting holes are already drilled.

• Relatively large weight.

1st place: "HYUNDAI Solaris, 2017 FROSCH optimum with NLF.20.02.E10 package"

This sample is individual and designed for reliable protection of all road users. A dense and elastic polyurethane mudguard will also ensure the safety of your own car, reliably covering its body and bottom from damage. Resistant to mechanical shocks and low temperatures. It is installed on the brand of Hyundai cars of the Solaris model of 2017. It has dimensions of 400x450x100 millimeters with a weight of 240 grams. The country of origin is Russia, the recommended price for sale is 1200 rubles.

• Extremely light weight;
• The geometry is developed according to individual 3D models;
• The best value for money.

• Not found.

Premium class

3rd place: "Volkswagen Tiguan 2011-2017, Rival 25805001"

This sample is a classic example of the successful use of a composite material. It is distinguished by a high degree of efficiency in road conditions, plus it perfectly withstands low temperatures, plus it is extremely resistant to mechanical damage. The general purpose is to increase the safety of the machine and reduce the level of pollution of the body. Designed for installation in SUVs of the brand "Tiguan" from "Volkswagen" in the model 2011 - 2017. It has dimensions of 259x258x38 millimeters, weight - 450 grams. Production - Russia. The recommended market price is 1300 rubles.

• The basis is a composite material;
• Expanded protective properties;
• Light weight.

• Not found.

2nd Place: "Rival Ford Focus III Sedan/Hatchback/Estate 13, with hardware 21801001"

This option, to some extent, can be called universal, but only for the 3rd generation Focus line from Volkswagen. Differs in simple installation, thanks to existence of regular openings. The material of manufacture is a reliable composite that can withstand even collisions with large potholes or a curb. It can also be safely operated at low temperatures. It has dimensions - 41x198x371 mm and weighs only 390 grams. Produced in Russia under a German license. The recommended market price is 1500 rubles.

• Suitable for most "native" cars;
• The basis is a combined material;
• Easy to find in Russia.

• Overcharge.

1st place: "Volkswagen Touareg 2018-present. Rival 25808001"

An excellent model for the latest generation of Tuareg SUVs from Volkswagen. Suitable for both 2018 cars and the latest variations. It may well remain relevant for future modifications, because the wheel arch is not supposed to change. The protective element itself is made of a composite material, reduces mud spread from under the wheels, keeps the body clean and makes road traffic safer. It has dimensions - 289x285x48 millimeters with a dead weight of 500 grams. The country of manufacture is Russia, the recommended market price is 1600 rubles.

• Composite material used;
• Possibility of updating for future modifications of the Tuareg line;
• Affordable price.

• Not detected.

Instead of an epilogue

The analysis of the modern domestic market of mudguards found that the Russian buyer prefers to choose samples that sufficiently combine the "price-quality" parameters. Universal models are very popular, due to their ease of installation and a wide range of products. At the same time, there is a fairly demanded market for polyurethane protection elements, which are most used in the northern regions of the country. But the reason for the popularity in the north is rather banal - at low temperatures there, any other models simply will not last long. In addition, it should be noted that most of the major automakers have their representatives in Russia, therefore, the issue of finding original aprons is not acute for Russian motorists.