I work for a window tinting company in southern ca, so I can give you some good advice. As far as brand names, all the big ones are equal, but don't cheap out on a no name brand. Stick to names like Llumar, Suntek, and Solarguard.
For each individual shade, the ceramic versions will give 10-15% more heat rejection. Ceramic only offers better electronics compatibility if being compared to a "metallized" film and not a regular dyed film.
Any film on the front windows will look lighter than the rear three due to the front getting more light from the windshield. (My car has llumar ctx 35 all the way around, and the fronts look significantly lighter.)
And last but not least, if reducing heat is your biggest concern, the windshield is the biggest offender. From the factory, windshields all come UV coated nowadays, so you don't need to worry about UV damage. What I'd recommend is a product like Suntek's ceramic 80%, or Llumar's AirBlue 80 film. That is 80% light transmission, so it won't affect your vision, but the heat rejection is almost 60%.
In my opinion, window film is something you want to do right the first time. I've seen places come to us after having their defrosters mangled by some idiot tinter that didn't know how to prep the back window. Many others gouge the film while installing, get shit underneath it, etc. And the worst of them use your bad mojo cheapo film that'll turn purple and bubble in a year.
Invest wisely my friend
