GTA VI Vehicle Customization: Complete Modding & Upgrade Guide

Vehicle customization is the heart of car culture in Grand Theft Auto VI. What starts as a stock sedan, a plain motorcycle, or a generic helicopter can become a unique expression of your taste, a track-dominating racing machine, or a rolling fortress bristling with weaponry. GTA VI expands the customization systems from previous titles with deeper performance tuning, more cosmetic options, and new modification categories that give you unprecedented control over every vehicle you own.

This guide covers every aspect of vehicle customization in GTA VI: where to go, what to upgrade, how much it costs, and how to build vehicles for every purpose. For information on which vehicles are worth customizing, see our Sports Cars and Fastest Cars guides. For mod shop locations, keep our Map open.

Mod Shop Locations and Types

GTA VI features several distinct mod shop types, each with unique capabilities and specializations. Knowing which shop to visit for which upgrade saves time and money.

Standard Mod Shops

Scattered across Vice City and Leonida are general-purpose vehicle modification shops. These are the most common and accessible customization locations. They handle all basic performance upgrades, cosmetic modifications, and maintenance for land vehicles. Standard shops are your go-to for routine upgrades on daily drivers and mid-tier vehicles.

Services offered: Engine tuning, brakes, suspension, transmission, armor, tire and wheel changes, paint and respray, window tint, neon underglow, xenon headlights, horn changes, plate changes, and limited cosmetic modifications (bumpers, skirts, spoilers, exhausts).

Locations: Six standard mod shops are spread across the map. The most central is the shop in Downtown Vice City near the Pinnacle Building. Others are located in Vice Beach, Port Gellhorn, the Grasslands service town, and two in the suburban areas north of the city. Look for the spray-can icon on your map.

Cost: No entry fee. Services are priced per-modification.

Benny’s Original Motor Works

Benny’s is the premium customization destination, offering exclusive modifications unavailable anywhere else. Benny’s specializes in lowrider hydraulics, widebody conversions, custom interior work, and unique vehicle transformations that fundamentally change a vehicle’s appearance and performance class.

Services offered: Everything available at standard shops, plus: Benny’s exclusive conversions (transform a standard vehicle into a custom variant), widebody kits, custom interior materials and colors, hydraulic suspension systems, air-ride suspension, premium wheel collections, unique paint finishes, and extensive trim and detail modifications.

Vehicles eligible for Benny’s conversion: Not all vehicles can receive Benny’s upgrades. The eligible roster includes approximately 25 vehicles specifically designated for Benny’s conversions. When purchasing a vehicle from an in-game website, look for the Benny’s logo indicating eligibility. Key eligible vehicles include the Bravado Banshee (900R conversion), Karin Sultan (RS Classic conversion), Declasse Voodoo (Custom conversion), and Annis Elegy RH8 (Retro conversion).

Locations: The original Benny’s in Strawberry (returning location) and a new Vice City location in Little Havana. Both offer identical services.

Cost: Benny’s conversions range from $400,000 to $1,500,000 for the full transformation. Individual upgrades beyond the base conversion add additional cost.

Arena Workshop

The Arena Workshop is the destination for weaponized and combat-focused vehicle modifications. Owned through the Maze Bank Foreclosures website, the Arena Workshop is a property rather than a public shop. It is required for installing ram weapons, kinetic mines, boost systems, armor plating, and other Arena War vehicle modifications.

Services offered: All standard modifications plus: ram weapons, kinetic proximity mines, boost systems (shunt boost, jump boost), armor plating, weapon systems (machine guns, flamethrowers, spike dispensers), and Arena-War-exclusive cosmetic modifications.

Vehicles eligible: Arena War vehicles (purchased through the Arena War website) and a selection of compatible standard vehicles that can receive Arena conversions. The full Arena-ready vehicle roster includes approximately 25 vehicles.

Location: The Maze Bank Arena in the Port Gellhorn district. Purchased as a property.

Cost: Property purchase ranges from $995,000 to $2,500,000 depending on configuration. Individual vehicle upgrades range from modest armor additions ($50,000) to full Arena War conversions ($2,000,000+).

Agency Vehicle Workshop

The Agency vehicle workshop, purchased as an upgrade to your Agency property, offers Imani Tech — a specialized suite of defensive and utility modifications unavailable at any other shop.

Services offered: All standard modifications plus Imani Tech exclusive: missile lock-on jammer (prevents homing missile lock-on), remote control unit (drive the vehicle remotely from a distance), armor plating (visual and functional), and slick mines (oil-slick proximity mines that cause pursuers to spin out).

Vehicles eligible: Approximately 20 vehicles in the Imani Tech-compatible roster, including the Dewbauchee Champion, Bravado Buffalo STX, Enus Jubilee, and several others. Imani Tech compatibility is indicated on the vehicle’s purchase page.

Location: Your Agency property, after purchasing the vehicle workshop upgrade.

Cost: Agency property ($2,010,000 base) plus vehicle workshop upgrade ($800,000). Individual Imani Tech installations range from $200,000 to $400,000 per modification.

Auto Shop Property

The Auto Shop is a purchasable business property that serves as both a money-making enterprise and a personal customization facility. Owning an Auto Shop provides discounted modification prices and unlocks exclusive modifications not available at public shops.

Services offered: All standard modifications at a 5% discount, plus exclusive modifications: certain paint finishes, wheel colors, and tire design options unavailable elsewhere. The Auto Shop also unlocks the “Mod Shop Discount” perk for all standard mod shops.

Location: Multiple Auto Shop properties available through Maze Bank Foreclosures. The central Vice City location is the most convenient.

Cost: Auto Shop properties range from $1,670,000 to $1,900,000. The discount on modifications provides long-term savings for active customizers.

Hangar Aircraft Workshop

The hangar aircraft workshop is required for any aircraft customization beyond the factory configuration. Without a hangar workshop, your aircraft remain stock.

Services offered: Aircraft performance upgrades (engine, handling, armor), countermeasures (flares, chaff), weapon systems (homing missiles, barrage missiles, explosive cannons, bombs), liveries and paint, and interior modifications for applicable aircraft.

Location: Your owned hangar at any airport, after purchasing the workshop upgrade.

Cost: Hangar workshop upgrade: $1,150,000. Individual aircraft modifications range from modest handling upgrades ($50,000) to full weapon system installations ($300,000+).

Performance Upgrades: What They Do and What to Prioritize

Performance upgrades transform how your vehicle drives. Understanding what each upgrade actually does helps you spend money where it matters most.

Engine (EMS Upgrade)

Engine Management System upgrades are the most impactful performance modification. Each level (Street, Sport, Race, Competition) increases the engine’s power output by recalibrating fuel mapping, ignition timing, and boost pressure on turbocharged engines. The result is higher top speed and stronger acceleration across the rev range.

EMS Level 1 (Street): +8% power, ~$9,000
EMS Level 2 (Sport): +15% power, ~$12,500
EMS Level 3 (Race): +22% power, ~$18,000
EMS Level 4 (Competition): +30% power, ~$33,500

The Competition upgrade requires a certain number of race wins to unlock and is not available simply by paying. For most vehicles, Level 3 (Race) offers the best balance of cost and performance gain.

Turbo Tuning

Turbo tuning adds forced induction to the engine, dramatically increasing power output. On already fast vehicles, turbo tuning provides the single largest performance gain of any individual modification. The distinctive turbo whistle and blow-off valve sound are bonus features.

Street Turbo: +12% power, ~$8,000
Race Turbo: +18% power, ~$30,000

Turbo tuning stacks with EMS upgrades. A vehicle with EMS Level 3 and Race Turbo receives approximately +40% power compared to stock. This is the most impactful two-upgrade combination in the game.

Transmission

Transmission upgrades improve shift speed and gear ratio optimization. On automatic and semi-automatic vehicles, this means faster gear changes and less time spent between gears during acceleration. On vehicles prone to wheelspin, upgraded transmissions can improve launch traction by optimizing first and second gear ratios.

Street Transmission: Faster shifts, optimized ratios, ~$20,000
Race Transmission: Fastest shifts, competition ratios, sequential shift mode, ~$45,000

Race Transmission is worth the premium for any vehicle used in competitive racing. The sequential shift mode (accessed through the interaction menu) gives you manual control over gear selection, which skilled drivers can use to optimize corner exits.

Brakes

Brake upgrades reduce stopping distance and improve brake feel. This is the most underrated performance upgrade in GTA VI — players who skip brakes in favor of more power inevitably overshoot corners and crash more often.

Street Brakes: Reduced stopping distance, better fade resistance, ~$15,000
Race Brakes: Minimum stopping distance, maximum fade resistance, ~$35,000

Race Brakes should be among your first upgrades on any performance vehicle. A car that stops on a dime is faster in real-world driving than a car with 50 extra horsepower and stock brakes.

Suspension

Suspension upgrades lower the vehicle’s ride height and stiffen spring rates, reducing body roll during cornering and improving steering response. Lowered vehicles also have a slightly reduced center of gravity, which improves high-speed stability.

Street Suspension: Moderate lowering, improved cornering, ~$10,000
Sport Suspension: Significant lowering, body roll reduction, ~$15,000
Race Suspension: Maximum lowering, minimum body roll, ~$22,000

Race Suspension is ideal for dedicated track cars. Street or Sport Suspension is more practical for daily drivers that must navigate curbs, speed bumps, and off-road shortcuts — Race Suspension bottoms out frequently on imperfect roads.

Armor

Armor upgrades increase the vehicle’s resistance to collision damage, bullet penetration, and explosive damage. Higher armor levels add weight, which slightly reduces acceleration and top speed — the trade-off between protection and performance.

Armor 20%: Light reinforcement, ~$7,500
Armor 40%: Moderate reinforcement, ~$15,000
Armor 60%: Heavy reinforcement, ~$25,000
Armor 80%: Maximum reinforcement, ~$40,000
Armor 100%: Complete reinforcement (certain vehicles only), ~$75,000

For daily drivers, 60% armor is the sweet spot — meaningful protection with negligible performance impact. For PvP vehicles, 100% armor (where available) is a necessity.

Recommended Upgrade Order

Spending your upgrade budget in the right sequence maximizes performance gains per dollar. Here is the optimal upgrade order for most vehicles:

Brakes (Race) — Stopping power first. Always.
Suspension (Sport or Race) — Cornering composure.
Transmission (Street, then Race) — Faster acceleration through better gearing.
Engine (EMS Levels 1-3) — Progressive power gains.
Turbo (Race) — The big power spike.
Engine (EMS Level 4) — If unlocked through racing.

Armor can be added at any point based on your threat environment. If you are frequently in PvP situations, move armor up the priority list.

Cosmetic Customization Overview

Beyond performance, GTA VI offers the deepest cosmetic customization in series history. Here is a summary of what is available:

Paint and Finishes

Classic/Metallic/Matte: Standard paint categories with an expanded color palette.
Pearlescent: A secondary color layered over the base for depth and color-shift effects.
Chrome: Full mirror-chrome finish. Attention-grabbing and expensive.
Crew Color: Custom color defined by your Crew on the Rockstar Social Club. Allows hexadecimal color codes for precise color matching.
Special Finishes: Anodized, brushed metal, pure gold, and other exotic finishes. Some are exclusive to specific mod shops.

Wheels and Tires

Over 200 wheel designs across categories including Sport, SUV, Muscle, Lowrider, Tuner, Off-Road, Benny’s Exclusive, and Track. Tire design customization includes custom tire branding, colored tire smoke, and tire lettering. Wheel color can be customized independently of body color.

Body Modifications

Bumpers: Front and rear bumper replacements.
Skirts: Side skirt options.
Spoilers: Rear spoilers and wings (functional — spoilers increase traction at speed).
Hoods: Stock, carbon fiber, and custom hood designs.
Exhausts: Tip style, material, and layout.
Fenders: Flared and widebody arches (where available).
Grilles and Badging: Front grille replacements and badge deletes.

Interior Customization

GTA VI introduces interior customization as a new feature. Available mods include:

Seat Material/Upholstery: Leather, Alcantara, cloth, custom stitching patterns.
Steering Wheel: Stock, sport, and race wheel options.
Shift Knob: Custom shifter designs.
Dashboard Trim: Wood, carbon fiber, aluminum, painted finishes.
Dial Color: Instrument cluster backlighting color.
Roll Cage: Street half-cage or full race cage (visible through windows).

Interior customization is most extensive at Benny’s Original Motor Works and more limited at standard mod shops. Not all vehicles support all interior modifications.

Lighting

Neon Underbody Kits: Colored neon lights beneath the vehicle chassis.
Xenon Headlights: Brighter, whiter headlight output.
Colored Headlights: Custom headlight housing colors.

Windows and Trim

Window Tint: Light smoke, dark smoke, or limo (full blackout).
Trim Color: Customization for chrome trim, mirror caps, and accent pieces.

Vehicle Customization by Type

Cars

Cars offer the most extensive customization catalog. Every category above applies to cars, with the depth varying by vehicle model. The most customizable cars in GTA VI include the Karin Sultan RS Classic (Benny’s), Bravado Banshee 900R (Benny’s), Vapid Dominator GTX, and Dinka Jester RR.

Motorcycles

Motorcycle customization covers performance upgrades (engine, transmission, brakes), exhaust systems, paint and liveries, wheel changes, frame modifications, seat upholstery, and handlebar options. Chopper-style motorcycles have the deepest customization catalog. Sport bikes have more limited options but can still be significantly personalized. For specific bike upgrade details, see our Motorcycles guide.

Aircraft

Aircraft customization is performed at the hangar workshop and includes performance upgrades (engine, handling, armor), countermeasures (flares, chaff), weapon systems, liveries, and paint. The visual customization options are more limited than cars — you cannot change aircraft body panels or interior components — but the performance and combat upgrades dramatically affect gameplay. For the full aircraft catalog, see our Aircraft guide.

Boats and Watercraft

Boat customization at marina workshops covers engine upgrades, paint and liveries, and for certain combat vessels, weapon installations. Like aircraft, boats have a more focused customization catalog than cars but the performance upgrades are transformative — a fully upgraded speedboat handles like a completely different vessel from its stock counterpart. See our Boats & Watercraft guide for details.

Build Recipes: Recommended Setups

The Daily Driver

Purpose: Reliable transportation for missions, free roam, and general use. Recommended base: Annis Elegy RH8, Ubermacht Sentinel XS, or Karin Sultan. Upgrades: Race Brakes, Sport Suspension, Street Transmission, EMS Level 3, 60% Armor, Sport tires, medium window tint. Why: Fast enough for any pursuit, comfortable enough for long drives, tough enough to survive mistakes and ambushes. The Sport Suspension handles curbs and shortcuts without bottoming out.

The Track Weapon

Purpose: Competitive racing in organized events. Recommended base: Progen Emerus, Benefactor Krieger, or Annis Euros. Upgrades: Race Brakes, Race Suspension, Race Transmission, EMS Level 4, Race Turbo, Race tires, full weight reduction (where available), large rear spoiler. Why: Every component is chosen for maximum lap time reduction. The harsh ride and minimal ground clearance are acceptable trade-offs on prepared surfaces.

The PvP Survivor

Purpose: Surviving in hostile lobbies. Recommended base: Dewbauchee Champion, Bravado Buffalo STX, or Enus Jubilee. Upgrades: 100% Armor, Imani Tech missile lock-on jammer, Race Brakes, EMS Level 3, Sport Suspension (for curb-hopping escapes), limo window tint. Why: The missile jammer prevents the most common PvP vehicle kill method. Heavy armor buys time to escape ambushes. Performance is sacrificed for survivability, which is the correct trade-off when death means losing cargo or mission progress.

The Show Car

Purpose: Car meets, photography, personal expression. Recommended base: Pegassi Torero XO, Truffade Thrax, or any Benny’s conversion vehicle. Upgrades: Performance is secondary. Full Benny’s interior customization, premium paint with pearlescent, custom wheels, colored underbody neon, unique horn, all visual body modifications. Why: This build is about making a statement. Performance matters less than presence. Take your time selecting colors and combinations that express your style.

The Off-Road Explorer

Purpose: Navigating Leonida’s swamps, beaches, and backcountry. Recommended base: Karin Sultan RS Classic, Vapid Dominator GTX, or BF400 (motorcycle). Upgrades: Sport Suspension (not Race — you need ground clearance), off-road tires, EMS Level 3, 60% Armor, raised exhaust (where available), skid plates (where available). Why: Off-road capability without sacrificing on-road usability. The Sport Suspension provides ground clearance for rough terrain while maintaining decent cornering on pavement.

Cost-Saving Tips for Vehicle Customization

Wait for Discount Weeks

Rockstar regularly features discount weeks where specific mod shops, upgrade categories, or vehicle classes receive 25-50% price reductions. If you are planning an expensive build, patience can save millions. The in-game phone’s news feed announces active promotions.

Own an Auto Shop

The Auto Shop property provides a permanent 5% discount on all modifications at your owned shop and unlocks exclusive cosmetic options. The property pays for itself over time if you customize vehicles frequently. The Auto Shop staff can also perform vehicle deliveries that generate passive income while you are engaged in other activities.

Prioritize Strategically

You do not need every upgrade on every vehicle. A daily driver needs reliability and protection — prioritize brakes, suspension, and armor. A race car needs maximum performance — prioritize engine, turbo, and transmission. Matching upgrades to purpose avoids wasting money on modifications you will never benefit from.

Free Modifications from the Lucky Wheel

The Diamond Casino & Resort Lucky Wheel occasionally awards free modifications as a prize. These range from free resprays to free performance upgrades. The daily spin is free, so spin regularly even if you do not actively gamble.

Test Before You Invest

Before spending thousands on a visual modification you might dislike, use the preview function in the mod shop. Rotate the camera around the vehicle, check different lighting angles, and make sure the modification works with your overall build vision. Respray costs for poor color choices add up quickly. For vehicles available at Premium Deluxe Motorsport, test driving the stock version before purchasing can save you from buying a car whose handling you dislike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best mod shop in GTA VI?

The best mod shop depends on what you want to do. Los Santos Customs (and its Vice City equivalents) offer the broadest range of standard upgrades and are conveniently located across the map. Benny’s Original Motor Works is the only shop for unique Benny’s conversions, widebody kits, and premium interior customization. The Arena Workshop specializes in weaponized and armored vehicle modifications. Your personal Auto Shop property provides discounted prices and unlocks exclusive modifications not available at public shops.

How much does it cost to fully upgrade a car in GTA VI?

Fully upgrading a standard vehicle at a regular mod shop typically costs between $200,000 and $400,000 depending on the vehicle class and the number of available upgrade categories. A full Benny’s conversion with all upgrades can cost $500,000 to $1,500,000 or more. Weaponized vehicle upgrades, Imani Tech installations, and Arena War conversions represent the highest customization costs, with some complete builds exceeding $4,000,000. Performance upgrades represent the bulk of the cost — cosmetic modifications are generally more affordable.

Do vehicle upgrades carry over if I sell a car?

When you sell a personal vehicle in GTA VI, you receive 60% of the original purchase price plus 50% of the total value of installed upgrades. This means upgrades do partially retain value, but at a significant loss. It is almost always better to keep a customized vehicle rather than sell it, unless you are certain you will never drive it again. Before selling a heavily customized vehicle, consider whether the mods could be more valuable on a different build.

What are Imani Tech upgrades and how do I get them?

Imani Tech is a specialized upgrade suite available only at your personal Agency property’s vehicle workshop. It includes two unique modifications not available anywhere else: a missile lock-on jammer that prevents homing missiles from locking onto your vehicle, and a remote control unit that allows you to drive the vehicle via remote control from a safe distance. Imani Tech is available for a select roster of approximately 20 vehicles. Installing Imani Tech requires owning an Agency property with the vehicle workshop upgrade.

Can I customize aircraft and boats in GTA VI?

Yes. Aircraft are customized in your personal hangar’s aircraft workshop, which must be purchased as a hangar upgrade. Available modifications include performance upgrades (engine, handling, armor), countermeasures (flares, chaff), weapon systems, liveries, and paint. Boats are customized at marina workshops available at certain docks. Boat customization includes engine upgrades, paint and liveries, and for certain vessels, weapon installations. Both aircraft and boat customization is more limited than car customization but still meaningful.

Can I reset modifications to stock?

Yes, any modification can be reverted to stock through the mod shop menu. Each reversion costs a small fee (typically 10% of the upgrade’s original cost). If you want to completely start over on a vehicle, you can restore all categories to stock simultaneously. There is no way to recover the money spent on the original modifications — reversions are for changing your build direction, not for refunds.

Are there unique modifications only available through gameplay unlocks?

Yes. Several modifications are locked behind gameplay achievements rather than simple payment. Notable unlocks include: EMS Level 4 (unlocked by winning a certain number of races in the vehicle’s class), specific liveries (unlocked through business activities, heist completions, and collectible milestones), chrome paint (unlocked by winning 50 races), and unique crew colors (defined through the Rockstar Social Club). These unlock-gated modifications cannot be purchased with in-game currency until the associated achievement is completed. Check specific modification descriptions in the mod shop for unlock requirements.

Last updated: July 5, 2026 by the GTAVIHub Team. Modification catalog and pricing verified against launch patch 1.02. New customization options added through content updates will be documented in future revisions.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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