Who is behind this guide
Robert R. owns Enhanced Automotive, the Kearny Mesa shop behind this guide. The prices below come from our own price sheet of 30 October 2026.
Search for car detailing prices and you'll land on a dozen pages that all disagree with each other. Here are our actual prices, package by package, and what each one covers.
| Package | Coupe or sedan | SUV, truck or van | Cargo van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $169 | $189 | $199 |
| Plus | $229 | $249 | $259 |
| Pro | $389 | $419 | $429 |
Source: Enhanced Automotive's own price sheet, confirmed current on 30 October 2026. These are starting prices. We confirm the final price in writing after we look at the car.
How much does a car detail cost in San Diego?
A full detail at Enhanced Automotive starts at $169 for an Essential, $229 for a Plus and $389 for a Pro on a coupe or sedan. SUVs, trucks and vans start $20 to $30 higher, and a cargo van adds $10 more. The final price depends on the vehicle's size and condition.
Every car owner has a secret stash of receipts, loose change and one french fry from a trip nobody remembers. A detail is where that history ends.
Want your exact number? Pick a package on our car detailing page and we'll confirm the price after we look at the car.
What does each detail package include?
Essential is an exterior wash and wax plus interior cleaning and a thorough vacuum. Plus adds a more thorough interior detail on seats, carpets, mats, trim and crevices. Pro adds a dedicated exterior detail on top of everything in Plus.
| Package | What you get |
|---|---|
| Essential | Exterior wash and wax, interior cleaning and a thorough vacuum. |
| Plus | Everything in Essential, plus a more thorough interior detail on seats, carpets, mats, trim and crevices. |
| Pro | Everything in Plus, plus a dedicated exterior detail. |
Think of the three levels as an answer to "how long has it been?" Essential is a few months. Plus is a season. Pro is the one where the car remembers what it looked like on the lot.
Each package is listed as a two-hour appointment. That is the booking length, not a promise for every car.
How much does interior car detailing cost?
At Enhanced Automotive, interior options run $45 for a vacuum, $65 for a vacuum and clean, and $180 or $250 for the two detail levels. A Plus detail, which adds a deeper interior service to an exterior wash and wax, starts at $229 on a coupe or sedan.
The interior is where a car keeps its secrets, and the vacuum finds most of them.
Seat, carpet and headliner washes each start at $99, and a deep engine wash starts at $99. Pet hair gets its own job: we remove embedded hair from carpet and upholstery, so ask us for a number.
What is the average cost of a full car detail?
We can't give you a national average you can trust, because shops sell different jobs under the same name. Our full detail prices run from $169 for an Essential on a coupe or sedan to $429 for a Pro on a cargo van. Compare what's included, not just the number.
A national average is like the average temperature of a pizza oven and a freezer. It's technically correct and useful to nobody.
Ask any shop three things: what's included, how long it takes, and whether the price changes once they see the car.
What changes the price of a car detail?
Four things move the price: the size of the vehicle, its condition, how much dirt has built up, and the extras you add. The package prices are starting prices, and we confirm the final number after we look at the car.
| Factor | Why it changes the price |
|---|---|
| Vehicle size | A cargo van costs $10 more than an SUV, truck or van on every package. |
| Condition | A car with heavy buildup takes more work than a light refresh. |
| Contamination | Embedded dirt and pet hair need extra attention. |
| Extras | Engine, seat, carpet and headliner washes start at $99 each. |
Pet hair never leaves when the pet does.
Can you build your own detail?
Yes. You can build a detail from single services. Exterior options run $45 for a regular wash, $65 for a wash and wax, and $180 or $250 for the two detail levels. Interior options run $45 for a vacuum, $65 for a vacuum and clean, and $180 or $250 for the two detail levels.
| Level | Exterior | Interior |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (wash or vacuum) | $45 | $45 |
| Mid (wash and wax, or vacuum and clean) | $65 | $65 |
| Detail tier 1 | $180 | $180 |
| Detail tier 2 | $250 | $250 |
It's a salad bar where every item has a price and nobody judges your carpet.
What do we see in the shop?
We list prices because detailing is the service where a quote feels the most like a guess. Our online booking shows the scope, the price, a 10% deposit and the remaining balance before you submit, so there's nothing to decode afterward.
One customer, Kristi Bozeman, wrote in a Google review on 25 February 2025: "I opted for a ceramic coating and interior detail, and I'm thoroughly impressed with the results." That's one customer's review, not a promise for every job.
All detailing happens at our Kearny Mesa shop, 5640 Kearny Mesa Rd, Unit #O. We don't offer mobile detailing, so you bring the car to us. Google rates the shop 4.8 from 67 reviews (checked 30 October 2026). If your headlights are cloudy too, headlight restoration starts at $79.
Car detailing cost FAQ
How much does a car detail cost in San Diego?
At Enhanced Automotive, a detail starts at $169 for an Essential, $229 for a Plus and $389 for a Pro on a coupe or sedan. SUVs, trucks and vans start $20 to $30 higher. We confirm the final price after we look at the car.
How much does interior detailing cost?
Interior options run $45 for a vacuum, $65 for a vacuum and clean, and $180 or $250 for the two detail levels. A Plus detail, which adds a thorough interior detail to an exterior wash and wax, starts at $229 on a coupe or sedan.
How long does a car detail take?
Each package is listed as a two-hour appointment. That is the booking length, not a promise for every car, and heavier jobs or extras can take longer.
Do you detail at my home or office?
No. We do all detailing at our Kearny Mesa shop and we don't offer mobile service.
Do I pay a deposit to book a detail?
Booking a detail on our site shows a 10% deposit and the remaining balance before you submit.
Ready for a real number? Pick a detail package at Enhanced Automotive, or browse our vehicle protection services. Next up: car wrap cost in San Diego.
Robert R.
Owner and Car Wrap Specialist at Enhanced Automotive, wrapping since 2019. The shop is at 5640 Kearny Mesa Rd, Unit #O, San Diego, CA 92111.