Best motoring kit 2014
We’ve tested hundreds of products over the past year, but here we name 20 that broke new ground or stood out above the rest
Auto Express publishes well over 100 product tests every year, so we get to try hundreds of accessories and essential pieces of kit covering much of what is available in the aftermarket for your car.
Every now and then, though, a product will grab our attention. It could be that it breaks new ground or simply does a better job than its competitors.
Whatever the reason, it has to be good, so we’ve gathered together 20 that caught our eye over the past 12 months. They’re all top performers and ideal for buying as Christmas presents or spending gift vouchers on. For some, we've listed the cheapest price we found at the time of writing.
The best motoring products 2014
Halfords Advanced Professional 200pc Socket & Ratchet Spanner SetRRP: £150
While this socket and spanner kit may not look different to rival sets, we can’t get over its value for money. It was on offer at £150 when we tested it, and Halfords has halved the price once again to make for an end-of-year bargain. The tools are of excellent quality and it includes everything to suit most DIY needs.
Transcend DrivePro 200RRP: £99.99
Dash cam sales have boomed in 2014, with makers eager to get a slice of a market fuelled by road accident insurance scammers. The Transcend is among the cheapest but also the best, as it’s one of the few to include a Wi-Fi link so footage can be viewed on your smartphone. The footage is sharp and the camera copes well with changing light conditions, too.
Vax PowerWash VPW4Best price: £174.99
This year, we tested Vax pressure washers for the first time, and the new PowerWash range made a really big impression. The 2,500W VPW4 model won our multi-test by combining great cleaning with a bargain price tag. It’s not quite perfect, as the 10-metre hose has to be disconnected to go on the storage reel, but it really packs a punch – delivering the kind of performance you’d expect to pay much more for.
Belkin CarAudio Connect FM BluetoothBest price: £69.99
Belkin's CarAudio Connect FM transmitter adds another dimension to wireless music playback. Simply hook up your smartphone to the device via Bluetooth and it’ll re-transmit music by FM frequency much clearer than rival transmitters.
Gerber GDC Zip BladeRRP: £9.99
The GDC (Gerber Daily Carry) Zip Blade is part of a three-strong range, which includes a multi-tip screwdriver and a light, but the blade is the most useful. It’s perfect for opening packaging with its 17mm locking blade and the flat top allows pressure to be applied for tougher jobs. It’s perfectly weighted for a keyring, too.
G3 Professional Body Prep MittRRP: £12.99
We've long been convinced that claying your car before waxing is beneficial, but not everybody has the time to do it. This mitt from bodywork specialist G3 can really speed up the process. One side of the microfibre mitt is impregnated with the ‘clay’ material, which means that using your palm rather than finger tips covers a greater area with each wipe – cutting the time it takes.
Jawbone ERARRP: £79.99
The innovation used in the design of the Jawbone ERA impressed us as much as the performance of the Bluetooth hands-free earpiece itself. The unit can detect voice interaction from facial vibrations when talking – plus it’s a comfy fit and also looks stylish.
Pioneer SPH-DA120RRP: £349.99
The first aftermarket head unit to incorporate Apple’s new CarPlay technology, this Pioneer stereo is preloaded with software that gives near-full iPhone integration. It relies on Siri interaction, so you given spoken instructions to make calls, send texts and use the included Apple Maps.
Anki DRIVEBest price: £149.99
We thought Anki DRIVE really shook up the racing games and toy market when we first tested it back in June. Just like a traditional electric track racer, you control a car that careers around a miniature course. However, thanks to new, modern features, vehicles are now controlled by an app and up to four cars can race at once. Its innovative approach is sure to appeal to many.
Boot Buddy VersaLinerBest price: £147.93
Many of the samples we test each year are sent back to the supplier after testing. However, some aren’t – and this is one that we hope won’t be going anywhere. If you frequently carry tools or heavy car parts like we do, nothing protects the boot like a Versaliner. The hard but flexible sides are seriously tough, and with the optional rubber mat, there’s little movement. The bumper protector also does a great job of preventing damage when loading or hitching up a trailer.
Sony XAV-602BTBest price: £349.99
This Sony stereo can be as valuable to Android users as Pioneer’s CarPlay-enabled SPH-DA120 is to iPhone fans. When we tried it, stereo tech was not as advanced as it is now, but this remains one of the best to buy, with integrated sat-nav and MirrorLink control.
Headrestmount.co.uk standard camera mountRRP: £120
Action cams are becoming more and more popular, as drivers who fancy themselves on the track want to record footage to show friends. But it’s not always easy to get a good angle for capturing all that unfolds – which is where this headrest-mounted cam holder comes in. It simply clamps on to the seat’s rails and can accommodate a GoPro, digital camera or video recorder.
Ring Powerpack RPP170Best price: £124.99
We've used several powerpacks over the years and appreciated their impressive, all-in-one versatility, but this new-for-2014 version from Ring is now our favourite thanks to its charging cradle. Simply drop it on and it’s always ready for the next event without having to mess around with leads.
Bosch GSB 18 v-LiBest price: £228.95
Despite not being the cheapest, this excellent Bosch cordless drill caught the eye. It oozes quality and has impressive stamina – thanks to its 4.0Ah lithium battery – and easily completed our durability tests. It’s compact with top balance and is the only drill you’ll ever need.
RoadPilot MobilePrice: Free
Standalone safety camera locators aren’t as popular as they once were, with most sat-navs now displaying speed limits and warnings of traps. But we were left impressed with RoadPilot Mobile after our group test. It wasn’t the overall winner, but it was the best-ranking app, and we’re still using it.
Gran Turismo 6Best price: £15.99
The long-established Gran Turismo series continues to go from strength to strength, and we think the sixth edition of the racing simulator is one of the best driving games available on modern consoles. It’s a shame that this hasn’t made it on to the Sony PS4 just yet, but the PS3 console is more than powerful enough to make this look excellent. Most aspects of the game are as good as in real life.
Snugg Adaptable Headrest MountBest price: £19.99 (plus case)
Apple's iPad is ideal for allowing passengers to watch movies or TV shows on the move, and a headrest holder puts the screen at eye level. This holder – used with the case, available separately – stood out and made viewing easy. It’s neat and you always get a secure fit as the cover is designed for your model of iPad.
Sealey LSTART 235Best price: £129.11
Considering how large conventional powerpacks usually are, this Sealey LSTART 235 broke the mould when we tested it. Its tiny size makes it small enough to fit in most gloveboxes or door pockets, and yet it still has the ability to jump start a car and power USB accessories – just like a normal power supply – making it hugely attractive.
TomTom Start 50Best price: £109.95
As much as TomTom and rival Garmin continue to concentrate on innovative new features for their sat-navs, many will be grateful for the entry-level Start 50, included in TomTom’s refreshed line-up. It’s better than other budget navs we’ve seen as it feels more sophisticated.
Garmin HUD+Best price: £99.99
For those looking to grab a slice of the future for their car, the Garmin HUD+ is one of the most innovative navigational aids available. Taking inspiration from the head-up display technology featuring on an increasing number of premium cars, the device sits on the dash and displays key directions on the windscreen. Other manufacturers are sure to follow with similarly groundbreaking designs.
