If you don’t want to read the whole review and simply want to know what we thought was the best sat nav in 2024 in the UK, then check out the Garmin Drive 55 MT-D. It’s a fantastic satnav that comes with everything you need to drive from point A to point B quickly and easily without getting stuck in traffic. There might be better navigators on the market, but there are none that offer the value-for-money of the Drive 55.
We specifically like the 5.5-Inch screen which has the same total dimensions of a standard 6-Inch device, but thanks to the edge-to-edge design, a much larger screen. The maps and directions have not improved much from previous models, but what has improved is the overall performance which is now hard to beat.
As with all Garmin’s you’re getting free lifetime map updates, free traffic alerts and if you connect it to your smartphone, hands-free calling and live driver’s information. Two great features that have been heavily developed over the years, are the TripAdvisor feature allowing you to view places of interest along your route whilst reading reviews from TripAdvisor from people who have been before and when you pair this sat nav with a compatible Garmin Reverse Camera (sold separately), you can easily see vehicles, pedestrians and other obstacles behind your vehicle.
Overall a cracking device that is well worth the price.
Market Update
The Sat Nav market has slowed down over the last few years. Gone are the days when every new model had a new feature that we hadn’t seen before. Today the features are the same as they were last year, but what has changed is the quality and user-friendliness. In the past, new features were so clunky they didn’t work correctly, or was difficult to use, those days don’t exist any longer.
The honest reason that the sat nav market has stopped developing is down to the integration of GPS navigation into smartphones. This led to a decline in standalone GPS navigation devices, as people found it more convenient to use their smartphones for navigation purposes. Many navigation apps, such as Google Maps and Apple Maps, have become widely used for both walking and driving directions.
What’s new in the Sat nav market? Not much. We still have the two big name, Garmin and TomTom, and we still have a few up and coming designs. Would we recommend any of them? Nope. If you want a satnav, buy a Garmin or a TomTom. The “Other” manufactures just don’t seem to be doing much these days. Google has improved its google maps, however I just find that unless you have a massive phone, you just cannot see the screen. Magellan the only other serious competitor in the navigator space, seems to have moved more into outdoor gps units. This leaves either the imports, or the supermarket devices, however I would not touch these. They work okay, but are often really difficult to use, and have little or no update facilities.
Car Sat Nav’s
With prices starting at £39.99 for rising all the way up to £399.99 for a top of the range Sat Nav it can be a really hard decision to choose the best sat nav from all the available unit across the market. In this review, we’re looking at the best satnav’s in 2024 and trying to make a decision which you should be buying and which you should leave in the shop.
Over the last ten years that we have been running this website, we have tested literally hundreds of different models and designs. Of all the units that we have tested, it’s still the brand named sat nav devices that offer the best value for money. If you choose correctly, they should last you a good few years before you need to update with a newer model.
Yes, you can get a cheap sat nav off the internet, however often these units either break quickly, have maps that are out of date within a few months or have a selection of fantastic features that honestly you will use once and then get bored. Brand Named Satellite Navigators typically cost more, however they have been tried and tested over the years. When you buy a brand named sat nav unit, you can be sure that you’re buying a quality product that will continue to work for the foreseeable future no-matter whether the roads are changed or not.
TomTom Vs Garmin
The TomTom Vs Garmin sat nav conversation still remains the same. There are many people across the market who feel that TomTom sat nav’s the easily the best sat nav’s on the market in the UK, whereas other feel the Garmin’s are the better. Over the last few years, we’ve seen TomTom really close up to Garmin in their performance. The difference in performance is really not measurable, however there is still a difference in price with the TomTom’s being more expensive to buy and some of the TomTom units require you to be connected to your smartphone to use the traffic alerts.
For 2024, both Garmin and TomTom have updated their range of navigation devices.
TomTom Models:
- Go Classic
- Go Navigator
- Go Exclusive
- Go Superior
Garmin Models
- Garmin Drive 53
- Garmin Drive 5.5
- Garmin DriveSmart 66
- Garmin DriveSmart 76
- Garmin DriveCam 76
- Garmin DriveSmart 86
Why The Garmin Drive 55 Is The Best Sat Nav
So what’s our Top Sat Nav Unit for your car in the UK for 2024? If I am honest, I love the Garmin DriveSmart 66 with its edge-to-edge, six-inch screen that looks more like a seven-inch unit of old. The problem with it is that it’s a massive device and users often complain that it’s too big for their cars.
The key difference between the new Drive 55 and the older models, is the introduction on an End-to-Screen that not only means the 5-Inch version is now actually a 5.5-Inch, but also the unit offers a higher display resolution (1280 x 720 pixels), VS. the previous units which had a display resolution of 480 x 272 pixels. The result is crystal clear, as shown in the image below.
52 vs 55
The image to the left (Thanks to TheWirecutter) shows the key difference between the old Garmin 52 and the all new Garmin 55. Apart from the screen, there are few other changes. The maps have been updated to be both more detailed and clearer while showing 3-D buildings in cities and terrain in the countryside. As standard, the unit comes with both updated safety camera alerts and map updates. Traffic alerts have been updated, but are still similar to previous models.
As in the past, you have a choice of an “S” Version that typically comes with a smartphone app for connection to live traffic updates, or the “D”, that includes traffic alerts from an included cable. With the introduction of the Drive 55 with its 5.5-Inch, the range is now complete. If you want a smaller unit, then try the 55, however if you like your models slightly bigger, the DriveSmart 65 with it’s 6.95-Inch screen is perfect for your needs. Personally I would also be buying the digital “D” version of the navigator. It’s more expensive and does not provide live updates (the refresh rate is 5-minutes Vs. 1-Minute for the “S” version), but the fact you don’t need to use your smartphone, and because it doesn’t need mobile signal, it’s better in the countryside.
Whilst there some great driving features such as driver alerts and bluetooth, there are also a few new gimmicks such as the ability to connect your satnav to your Garmin watch so you know where you’ve parked, however what we really like about this model is the ability to update the unit over WiFi and the all new TripAdvisor concept allowing you to view ratings for travel points of interest along your route from the world largest travel site directly to your car.
The Garmin DriveSmart 5.5 Navigator
The Garmin DriveSmart 55 Navigator was one of our favorite navigators for a couple of years and even today, provides a great unit that will do everything you need. We chose the 55 for two reasons. Firstly, the number one compliant that we got in the past when we chose the larger Garmin DriveSmart 61LMT-D, was that it’s too big a unit. The screen is huge and for those with small cars, there is nowhere to put it. I can understand this, but given the screen clarity and size, we always thought the 5-inch screen were too small.
In 2021, Garmin bought out the DriveSmart 55, with and end-to-screen and a much higher screen resolution (1280 x 720 pixels, VS. 480 x 272 pixels). The difference means that you don’t need a massive screen to see directions. Secondly, while maps, traffic alerts and directions are all slightly improved over the previous version, what’s really improved, is the ability to update the unit over WiFi and the all new TripAdvisor concept allowing you to view ratings for travel points of interest along your route from the world largest travel site directly to your car.
Other core updates include, a direct access feature that helps to navigate through complex desinations such as airports or shopping centres, “check-up-ahead” to view potential stops without leaving the map and a selection of driver alerts such as sharp curves, speed changes, safety cameras and level crossings.
The choice of the “S” or “D” version is up to you, however remember the “S” with the smartphone app has a refresh rate of about 1 minute, where as the “D” version has a refresh rate of about 5-minutes. If you’re relying on traffic alerts to keep you out of the traffic, the “S” is a better option, that said, we have personally have the “D” with an included cable, that works well.
Key Features Include:
- Large Touchscreen Display: The Garmin DriveSmart 55 features a spacious 5.5-inch touchscreen display that provides a clear and easy-to-read view of maps, directions, and other information.
- Detailed Maps and Updates: It comes preloaded with detailed maps of North America and provides free lifetime map updates, ensuring that you always have the latest road information.
- Real-time Traffic and Weather: The device offers real-time traffic updates and can suggest alternative routes to help you avoid traffic jams. It also provides weather updates to keep you informed about current conditions on your route.
- Garmin Real Directions: Instead of simply saying “turn left,” this feature provides easy-to-understand, spoken directions using recognizable landmarks, buildings, and traffic lights.
- Live Parking Information: You can access live parking information, including pricing and availability, to make finding a parking spot easier.
- Smart Notifications: The Garmin DriveSmart 55 can sync with your smartphone to display notifications for calls, texts, app alerts, and more, right on the GPS screen. This feature helps you stay connected without taking your eyes off the road.
- Extra features Including: Wifi, Voice-Activated Directions, Voice-Activated Navigation, Driver Alerts, Tripadvisor Ratings, Built-in Trip Planner and best of all, its compatible with Garmin Backup Cameras allowing you to pair this GPS navigator with a compatible Garmin backup camera to see what’s behind your vehicle when in reverse.