Which GPS for your car is the best? It is, in all honesty, a really simple option to choose the vehicle that will get you from point A to point B as quickly as possible, using the simplest routes, with the least amount of traffic. Simply visit Garmin or TomTom and purchase one of their most recent GPS devices, and you will have a fantastic device that will provide you with all the directions and extra features you require to assist you while driving.
When you start taking price into account, the choice problem becomes apparent. In 2022, the best GPS navigation device on the market will be a Garmin DriveLuxe. It will sport an HD digital traffic display and a 5-inch screen. Additionally, it will set you back more than $500, which is a lot of money to pay for a GPS device that only provides directions.
This evaluation focuses on inexpensive GPS devices for your automobile that you may realistically purchase and use on a daily basis.
2022’s top car GPS
The Garmin DriveSmart 55 with traffic and free lifetime map updates is the GPS navigation device we believed was the best for your car, so if you don’t want to read the entire review but just want to know what it is, click over to Garmin.
DriveSmart 55 by Garmin
The Garmin DriveSmart 55 was created to bridge the size gap between the huge DriveSmart 65 and the Drive 52. It is a part of Garmin’s brand-new 2022 range of GPS devices.
The 55 has a brand-new 5.5-Inch screen, while the 65 has a 6.96-Inch screen. We like the 61’s brand-new, edge-to-edge style for 2019, but our readers’ main complaint was that the vehicle was so massive that it would not fit in their vehicle.
Garmin did produce a smaller variant, but the screen was simply not clear enough to view properly. Garmin created the 55 with a 5.5-Inch screen and a significantly better screen resolution (480 x 272 pixels vs. 1280 x 720 pixels) for 2020 after listening to everyone. Because of the distinction, you don’t need a huge screen to see directions.
The maps, traffic alerts, and directions have all improved over the previous model in line with the screen update, but what’s amazing—and something we’ve all been pleading for for the past few years—is the ability to update the device over WiFi rather than constantly having to connect your unit to a computer to update the software and maps.
We particularly enjoy the brand-new TripAdvisor concept, which enables you to see reviews for travel attractions along your route from the largest travel website right in your vehicle.
Overall, in 2022, this will undoubtedly be the best GPS navigation system for your car.
Name brands
We strongly advise you to purchase either a TomTom or a Garmin GPS device. Although they cost more, they actually function effectively and will continue to do so for some time. You can find the newest offer at your neighborhood supermarket, which is likely to be a GPS that was imported from China and will cost you less than $30.
You may think that this is a lot, but I honestly wouldn’t do it. While these imports may appear to be a great deal, they frequently don’t work well and lack the ability to be updated, meaning that as soon as the roads are changed your GPS becomes useless. Garmin and TomTom have invested millions of dollars and years of preparation to make you a device that actually works well.
Although brand names do cost more, you get a GPS that will last for years, come with updates, voice directions that actually work, and extra features like large databases of points of interest or websites that let you access travel data from other users to find the best roads to drive on in your area.
The Best Car GPS Models
The automobile gps gadget market has been attempting to streamline itself over the past 12 months. Both TomTom and Garmin previously offered a variety of devices, each with a unique set of capabilities and dimensions. To compare models, place a Garmin 2797 next to a 5575, 6257, and TomTom. From there, you can compare these to the 620, 1525, and even a rider.
The market is simpler now. Garmin offers four different types (Drive, DriveSmart, DriveAssist, and DriveLuxe), whereas TomTom offers three different models (TomTom Go Basic (VIA 1525M/1625M), TomTom Comfort, or a TomTom Supreme). However, in all honesty, we’re just considering the TomTom Go Basic (VIA 1525M/1625M) or the TomTom Supreme, the Garmin Drive, and the Garmin DriveSmart.
Various Brands
We have evaluated a number of other manufacturers over the past 18 months, some of which have actually been good, but there is nothing that I could suggest on my site. Garmin and TomTom are our two favorite brands for auto gps units.
I truly believe that if you’re going to purchase a GPS device in the United States today, you should either purchase a TomTom Go Basic or a TomTom Go Essential.
We used a 7″ Touchscreen GPS Navigator from Aonerex, which was a truly excellent product. While it did function, it worked quite well in my opinion. The 7-inch screen was really clear and the instructions were excellent, however when I tried to update it, it stopped working completely. I’ve also tried the JRCX 8GB Lifetime Map GPS Navigator, which in theory should be a suitable alternative to the more expensive ones but is actually too difficult to use. Even then, I actually only managed to understand the fundamental instructions after spending at least 30 minutes attempting to figure it out.
We’ve utilized the Rand McNally and Magellan gps systems in the past. Magellan makes quality off-road GPS devices, and their devices already have more than 160,000 4WD, ATV, motorcycle, and snowmobile trails pre-loaded in the USA. The TR7 with a 7-Inch screen cost over $500, which is the issue because they are not exactly inexpensive. The Magellan TR7 is not the best gps for your car, which is why I would want the best if I were spending $500.
Reviews of car GPS
Starting with the Garmin Drive, which is an excellent automobile gps navigator that provides all you need to help move your car from Point A to Point B with the least amount of work, the Garmin range for 2022 is available. It is inexpensive and accomplishes the task at hand, but it is priced that way since it only offers instructions and has no other features to aid in driving.
The Drive has a 5-Inch Duel-Orientation display screen as standard equipment, pre-loaded maps of the United States or the United States and Canada, lifetime map updates, traffic updates on chosen models, a world-class user interface, and step-by-step directions.
The main issues are the pricing, which means some items are made cheaply, yet it performs what it does pretty well. The display is not a high-resolution screen, thus it is not as sharp as the DriveSmart below. Even worse, you might need to shade your navigator if you’re driving in direct sunshine in order to read the directions. Additionally, the device lacks Wi-Fi updating, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice controls, so you must connect the Drive to a computer to carry out updates.
The maps are imperfect and lack topographical shading for mountains and 3D buildings in towns, but they are updated for free. The traffic warnings are a useful feature, although they do slightly raise the price and are an optional extra.
Overall, it’s an excellent GPS device for anyone who only need a simple, portable GPS device.
DriveSmart by Garmin
Our favorite GPS navigation system for 2022 is the Garmin DriveSmart, which has a number of practical features that make it easier to navigate from A to B without getting stuck in traffic. There are two varieties of the DriveSmart: the DriveSmart 65, which has a 6.95-Inch Edge-to-Edge display, and the DriveSmart 55, which has an all new 5.5-Inch Edge-to-Edge Display for 2022. You can choose, but in terms of preference, I’ve always believed that bigger is better. Simply put, I believe that having more information visible on your screen makes following directions easier. Just keep in mind that the 7-inch device has a large screen and unit.
After turning the device on, the Garmin menu system and easy-to-use interface pop up, so you can quickly get familiar with your GPS device and learn where to go to make things function as you would expect. The DriveSmart comes with fully integrated, pre-loaded US maps that provide excellent detail and clarity, making it simple to locate an address if necessary.
The maps include free lifetime map updates, so you can be sure that as long as you keep your maps updated, you will always be using your gps device to drive on roads. The device also includes speed camera notifications for the first time and free traffic alerts. Simple routing will ensure that you avoid getting caught in traffic by taking into consideration the flow of traffic along your route. The traffic alerts function effectively, have undergone significant development over the past few years, and now offer significant enhancements. Gone are the days when we would be caught in traffic despite our GPS unit indicating that the road was clear.
Additional elements that have never been seen before mostly focus on making sure you can drive safely. These include warnings for alterations in street speed, impending hairpin curves, school zones, and even one-way streets. We also enjoy the brand-new Bluetooth connectivity, which enables you to use your smartphone to connect to the gps for hands-free calling and voice control, allowing you to operate your gps without taking your hands off the wheel. These functions actually didn’t function properly in the past, but with the most recent DriveSmart update, they now function as you would expect.
In general, we really appreciate the DriveSmart 65 and the brand-new features it has because they all seem to have been created to make driving safer. We appreciate the fact that traffic warnings have significantly improved, making it so that we rarely get trapped in traffic that we are unaware of, as well as the additional features that ensure Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling functions properly. If you plan to travel this year, invest in a DriveSmart; you won’t regret it.
TomTom Go Simple
The TomTom Go Basic (VIA 1525M/1625M) is the brand’s answer to the aforementioned Garmin Drive. TomTom aims to provide a low-cost, straightforward GPS navigation system that will take you from point A to point B.
The GO Basic was created from the ground up and is a part of TomTom’s brand-new 2021 line. Despite having an outdated appearance, it has a modern 5-inch screen and the choice of a 6-inch screen for a few additional dollars. The device includes maps of the US, Canada, and Mexico as standard equipment, and as with other modern gps devices, they also come with free lifetime map upgrades.
It’s easy to locate destinations using the Search menu or by touching a location on the map. By distinctly indicating the appropriate driving lane for your intended route, Advanced Lane Guidance assists you in getting ready for exits and crossroads.
Go Supreme, TomTom
The top-of-the-line GPS device from TomTom, the TomTom GO Supreme, has a number of functions to help you avoid traffic and get to your destination. TomTom’s brand-new 2020 GPS navigation units include the GO supreme, which is designed to take on Garmin. It really does a terrific job, in my opinion.
A 5-inch and 6-inch, brilliantly clear touch screen that functions well in both low light and direct sunshine is included as standard equipment with the GO Supreme. The user interface is functional and resembles earlier versions just marginally, in my opinion, making it easier to use. The maps are excellent, and they include both free lifetime Wi-Fi map updates and, most crucially, world-maps so you can use your GPS while traveling.
Similar to the Garmins mentioned above, TomTom has excellent traffic alerts that not only intelligently plan routes around traffic, but also update in real-time utilizing data from millions of drivers to assist you in taking the best route. Speed camera notifications are one thing that we haven’t seen a lot of in the past. For both stationary and moving safety cameras around the USA, The Supreme includes Speed Camera Alerts.
Hands-free Calling, Smartphone Messages, the option to share your location and ETA with friends via the app, and trip statistic useful recommendations to make your driving simpler and safer are other standard features. All of them have been updated, but since we’ve seen them before, it’s hardly visible.
The first of the three changes for 2020 is Last Mile Navigation and Find My Car, which combines your GPS device with an app on your phone to assist you when you have to park far from your destination and must walk the last few hundred meters. No, you have precise records of where you parked your car and how to get back to it in addition to directions to your destination.
IFTTT Integration makes it possible for all of your navigational tools, mobile apps, smart home appliances, and virtual assistants to operate in unison. If I do this, then that is what IFTTT, which stands for IF That, Then This, basically says. For instance, you might program your GPS to send you a notification when you are 2KM from your destination or to turn on the heating at home when you are 10KM away. It’s a fantastic idea in theory, but I’m not sure if I’ll ever use it in practice.
We’ve seen this before, but TomTom MyDrive and Road Trips have been updated to integrate the above and make it even more user-friendly.
These issues are not deal-breakers, but I detest the magnetic mount that makes it easier to attach your GPS device to the windshield mount, but it also implies that you have a GPS device in your car that is vulnerable to theft.
I also detest the voice controls because they are ineffective. You can enter an address using your voice, but you cannot search the area for anything of interest, not even for a gas station. When I asked for something like, “Show me a gas station,” I was unable to get it to function.
Time will tell, but it’s a fantastic GPS that probably will outperform the Garmin above. I may amend this list of the best later in the year.
How to Shop
You must consider a number of aspects while choosing the best automobile GPS unit. These considerations will frequently assist you in selecting the navigation device that is most appropriate for your unique needs. Additionally, keep in mind that what is appropriate for me may not be right for you.
A huge 7-Inch TomTom is probably not what you want if you’re driving a compact sports vehicle because it won’t fit. In the same vein, if you’re driving a camper van, you’ll probably want a big screen because it will be farther away from you and you’ll need a big screen to view it.
Screen Size – A small screen will restrict the features that can be displayed at once and the touchscreen’s usability.
Fast processing speed Faster route calculations and recalculations result from faster processor speeds.
User Interface – The best user interfaces are frequently the simplest, allowing you to discover all the functions you need quickly and effortlessly.
In theory, voice command is great, but don’t panic if yours doesn’t have it. The majority of users I am aware of never utilize them.
The ability to connect with your phone over Bluetooth is fantastic, but you’re probably never going to utilize it.
Real-Time Traffic – No one enjoys being snarled in traffic, so try to purchase a GPS that has this feature as standard equipment rather than certain models that require a monthly membership to use it.
Having the ability to update your maps is crucial since roads change all the time. If your GPS does not recognize that a road has changed or has even been closed, it may be a headache.