My 2023 IONIQ 5 SE AWD is due to be returned for lease in 2026. I made one modification to the vehicle. I swapped out the Hyundai badges for those Morse Code ones, otherwise the car is exactly as I received it, no damage, etc.
For those who have experience returning leased vehicles (especially Hyundais), I was wondering whether the dealerships would care about this modification or if I need to bring it back to its original condition. I do have the original badges here so that I can do it, but it would take a few hours of work.
Let me know your experiences and thoughts on lease returns with Hyundai.
You should be fine with the Morse code badges since it’s a “real” Hyundai badge that goes on some newer Hyundais now (doesn’t it?).
Just schedule your 3rd party inspection at lease end, that’s all that matters, the inspector most likely won’t even notice (the dealership definitely doesn’t care as it’s not their car, it’s HMF’s car).
Worst case and they do notate it you can always put the original badges back on after the inspection. But again I bet they won’t even notice.
I’m leaning toward your way of thinking. Plus, I put these badges on with heavy glue, and it’s going to be tough getting them off, and I don’t want to do any actual damage.
For the badges if you want to take them off just use a hair dryer or a heat gun (on low setting) to CAREFULLY heat each end up from one side to another. Then use very fine fishing line from top to bottom while you pull L to R towards the badges and not the paint until it comes off.
Once off, the excess glue can be taken off by again heating CAREFULLY and wiping it off and using Goo Be Gone (not Goof Off) for anything left that is stubborn. For the last step of the Goo Be Gone, just try some sparingly on a rag and test first on the paint in a very inconspicuous location where it will not show. Make sure that location is the same “material” (i.e. metal, plastic, etc.) as the area where the badges are as well.
