Does changing the standard headlight bulbs with xenon bulbs have the same effect as converting to hid kits?

no it doesnt. the xenon bulbs have a small blue effect but they do not light up anywhere close to an hid light will also the hid kits are made to burn hotter but to give you a certain scatter of light so that it wont be to blinding for drivers coming at you you or infront of you. the xenon will blind other drivers it will be like having your highs while your lows are on. if you can get teh hid kit go with that its better and safer for everyone. had the xenons on a crx and the hid kit on a civic sedan. huge difference.