Published : 28 January 2024
Read Time : 5 min
Author: Nikil Jonathan
In this Feature Explained article, we take a look at the rear defogger in cars and dive into the pros, cons, cost, and ultimately, help you decide: defogger or no defogger?

A rear defogger is a system that removes fog and melts frost from a car's rear windshield. Invented by Heinz Kunert, a German engineer, the rear defogger has become a fairly common sight among mass market cars since the early 2000s. While this feature was initially limited to premium and high-end cars in India, it eventually found its way down to even budget hatchbacks like the Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios.
The pros or advantages of a rear dogger are:
The shortcomings or cons of having a rear defogger in your car are:
Ever squinted through a foggy rear window? It's like driving blind! Here's the magic behind a rear defogger: think invisible wires on your back window, powered by electricity. These heat up, evaporating moisture like tiny invisible suns, giving you a crystal-clear view, whether winter chills or morning mist try to blur it. It's a simple but clever system that keeps your rearview clear and your driving safe, rain or shine. So next time you hit that defogger button, remember, a tiny electric orchestra is warming up your back window for a clear-view performance!
Here’s how you can activate the rear defogger feature in your car:
These quick tips will have you banishing foggy rear views and driving with confidence in no time! Remember, these apply to most cars, but always check your owner's manual for specific instructions on your model.
Mid and top variants of most mass-market cars sold in India come with a rear defogger. Hence, if the rear defogger stops working, you will have to change the entire rear windshield. Moreover, you’ll also have to replace the entire rear windshield if it cracks or breaks. Fortunately, the cost difference between a rear windshield with the defogger and one without the rear defogger is quite marginal.
Let’s take a look at the cost of a rear windshield for the Maruti Arena WagonR as an example. The rear windshield without the defogger in the WagonR LXi costs Rs. 1,550 while the rear windshield with the rear defogger for the WagonR VXi costs Rs. 1,558. For more expensive mass market cars, it should typically cost around Rs. 3,000. The price difference between a heated and non-heated rear windshield ranges from Rs. 200 to Rs. 500.
Apart from the cost of the rear windshield with rear defogger elements, you will also have to pay labour charges. You may also have to pay for other parts such as wiring and the switch on the centre console if they are faulty.
Currently, there aren’t any aftermarket brands that sell rear defoggers for cars. The only way you can get a rear defogger once you’ve purchased a car is to buy a rear windshield with a defogger from a higher variant and get it fixed from an authorised service centre.
Repairing or replacing the rear defogger isn’t something most car owners can do by themselves. It’s worth noting that there’s little to no scope for repairing a malfunctioning rear defogger. If the heating element breaks the circuit, then the entire windshield will need a replacement as the fine wires are difficult to put back together. Fixing the rear windshield is a labour-intensive process and best left to professionals. That said, replacing or repairing a rear defogger isn’t a time-consuming affair as it can be done by professionals at the service centre in an hour or two.
Most carmakers offer a rear washer defogger on their hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs. A rear defogger can be found right from affordable cars such as the Maruti Celerio ZXi variant and Maruti WagonR VXi to expensive SUVs such as the Audi Q7 and BMW X7. However, in the mass market segment, you will need to spend a little extra and go for the mid or top variant to get a rear defogger as standard. Carmakers often reserve this feature for the higher variants. Nissan Magnite is one of the rare cars that offers a rear defogger right from the base variant. You can check the Magnite’s variants explained to find out which one you should buy based on your budget:
Nissan Magnite Petrol Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?
If you are in the market for a budget hatchback and want this feature, then we recommend getting a higher variant with a rear defogger. Here’s why:
Consider skipping rear defogger if:
Ultimately, weigh the convenience and safety benefits against your climate and budget. For foggy or chilly regions, a defogged variant offers long-term value and peace of mind, making it a smart upgrade.
Note: Check your Car EMI with our - Car Loan EMI Calculator
You can use our Fuel Cost Calculator to see how much any petrol, diesel or CNG car will cost to run based on the latest fuel price in your city.
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Content Writer
Nikil's a huge fan of classic cars, especially Italian beauties such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint and the Iso Grifo. His love for cars and bikes originated when he first laid his eyes on a poster of the Ferrari F40 and the MV Agusta F4 when he was just a child. He also loves all things analogue, especially vintage cameras and turntables.

























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