Car maintenance tools, dash cams, emergency kits, tires, driving schools, and much more
By Jeff S. Bartlett
There are many gimmicky gifts available for car lovers. Sure, an air freshener, “Back Off” mud flaps, or a bumper sticker may be fun, but there are far more practical ways to treat the auto enthusiasts on your shopping list.
The Cars team at Consumer Reports has pulled together a list of suggestions to turbocharge your holiday shopping. These products were chosen based on our trials and testing. Most can improve the driving experience and potentially make it safer. And there are a few electric bikes and a bike rack to help further your adventures.
The prices run the gamut from stocking stuffers to major treats. Here, we present practical gifts for car lovers.
Dash Cam
These compact cameras are specifically designed for automotive use and create a video record of whatever goes on in front of the car, such as oncoming traffic and crossing pedestrians. Many can also record what’s taking place inside the cabin. Some come with a rear-mounted unit that records activity behind the car.
Photos: John Powers/Consumer Reports, Apeman
In our experience, you often get what you pay for. Our experts favored choices at the extremes. We found that a free app (Driver Dash Cam, available for Android and iPhone) is good for trying out a dash cam before buying one. And when it comes time to buy, resolution counts. We favored the Nextbase 622GW 4K Dash Cam. It has high resolution, image stabilization, and effective night vision. But what sets it apart are its extra features, like a polarizer to limit reflections, its slo-mo mode, and cloud-based file storage. (Price: $299. Available at: Amazon, Best Buy, Crutchfield, Nextbase, and Walmart.)
See our review of dash cams.
Music Subscription
With the ability to connect a smartphone to a car stereo, drivers have more music options than ever. Newer cars can play music stored on or streamed from a phone, and some can even control cell phone apps.
Photo: Ford
Pandora and Spotify are integrated into many infotainment systems, providing a compelling alternative to terrestrial and satellite radio. Each app has a base-level free service that’s ad-supported (meaning you’ll hear an ad every so often between songs).
For $5 per month, Pandora Plus removes ads from its streaming radio service, and Pandora Premium—at $11 per month—allows you to search for individual songs or albums and make playlists. The Family plan is $18 per month. And there are special rates for students and military members.
Spotify, a similar music service, likewise has a no-advertisement Premium service that starts at $12 per month. (Premium Duo can be shared by two users for $17.) Premium Family costs $20 per month and lets family members in the same household enjoy up to six Premium accounts. The Student plan includes Hulu for $6 per month.
Many cars over the past decade come with a satellite radio receiver, enabling access to hundreds of channels with a subscription to SiriusXM.
The service offers an introductory three-month subscription for $2, allowing the music fan on your holiday list to play country, rock, hip-hop, classical, or pop music in the car and via an app. The price climbs to $10 per month for the basic music package. Talk and News can be added à la carte for $5 each, and Sports can be had for $8. The All Access plan includes all content for $25 a month.
Phone Mount
A phone mount can be a low-cost way to add convenience and even safety to your car. CR evaluated 15 cell phone mounts a few years ago, from ones that mount in air vents to those that attach to the windshield, to see what works best regardless of the vehicle type or model. Our car experts used each mount in their daily driving for weeks and logged their impressions.
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
We found pros and cons for each type, ultimately favoring one that mounts on the windshield with a built-in charging capability to offset the energy demands of using phone-based navigation.
Learn how to choose the right phone mount for you, and check our staff picks.
Shop phone mounts: Amazon, Target, and Walmart
Jump-Starter Battery Pack
Micro-sized battery packs are powerful enough to jump-start a car with a failing battery. They can also be used to recharge portable devices such as mobile phones and tablets, which make them a useful part of an emergency kit—as long as you keep them charged up and ready to go. Most weigh only a pound and are roughly the size of a paperback novel.
Photo: Amazon
All of the units we tested had at least one built-in USB port to handle those recharging duties, as well as a built-in flashlight. Some had connectors that allow you to charge certain laptops. These functions add a lot of versatility to the jump packs, making them handy for campers and quite helpful during a power outage. Jump starters designed to tolerate temperatures as high as 140° F can be bought for under $70, such as the Avapow Jump Starter A07 1500A (Amazon) and Nexpow G17 2000A (Walmart).
Learn more about jump starters.
Shop jump starters: Amazon, Home Depot, and Walmart
Tire Pressure Gauge
A simple stocking-friendly tire pressure gauge can be an important reminder to drivers that they should check the pressure monthly. A car’s tires should be properly inflated to get optimum performance, safety, and tread life. Without the proper pressure, tires can wear faster and unevenly, waste fuel, and compromise the vehicle’s handling.
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
There are three basic types of gauges: stick, dial, and digital. Our testing shows that you don’t need to spend much to get a good gauge. Stick gauges are the most compact, making them easy to stow in a glove box. We favor a digital unit from Accutire for its accuracy, durability, ease of use, and price. But the classic Intercomp 360060 dial gauge works well and may appeal to car enthusiasts.
See our tire pressure gauge buying guide and ratings.
Tire Sealant
Pressurized-can sealants, tire-sealant kits, and liquid tire sealants can be smart additions to a car emergency kit, but each has limitations in terms of storage and performance. No matter which type you use, be sure to get flat tires professionally repaired or replaced as quickly as possible, typically within 100 miles or as directed by the manufacturer.
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
Of the three types, we favor the kits. They come with a can of sealant and a compressor that work together. The sealant is connected to the tire via a screw-on tube, and the compressor is plugged into a 12-volt power accessory port. With most kits, the compressor forces air through a container of tire sealant into the flat tire. Unlike the pressurized sealant cans, these kits can pump up a truly flat tire to its recommended pressure. And because the sealant isn’t pressurized before you use it, you can keep the kit in your car. (Pressurized cans risk rupturing if left in a hot car.)
Among the units evaluated, CR staff members favor the AirMan ResQ Pro + (available at Amazon for $65).
See our complete evaluation of tire sealants.
Cordless Tire Inflator
A cordless tire inflator is a great way to top off the air pressure in a tire. It eliminates the need to run a large compressor or drag around hoses at the local gas station. Models typically come with a connection to inflate car tires and, adding to their appeal, a needle adapter to inflate basketballs, footballs, and the like. Most also include a special adapter for blowing up inflatables like pool toys, and some have adapters for inflating high-pressure bicycle tires.
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
Many cordless tire inflators are compatible with a line of battery-powered tools, making it tempting to add the inflator as part of a suite rather than as a stand-alone item. We have evaluated small, drill-looking inflators and slightly larger ones, finding the capabilities of the larger models to be worth the added expense. An advantage of these larger compressors is that most allow you to set the target pressure, then just let it do its job. You don’t need to remain crouched, holding the air nozzle in place. They can inflate a car tire in just 4 to 7 minutes.
If you’re shopping for a cordless toolkit and prize having a great inflator, choose the DeWalt 20V Max Inflator ($119 without battery at Home Depot) for its combination of overall good performance, simple-to-use features, quiet operation, and use of logical hose storage. Consumer Reports has found DeWalt cordless drills to be strong performers as well.
Learn more about choosing a cordless tire inflator.
Code Reader
All 1996 and newer gasoline cars (1997 for diesels) have an onboard diagnostic port to allow technicians to connect scan tools to the car’s main computer. This is an invaluable aid in diagnosing problems, because the many computers and sensors in modern cars trigger a code to indicate a specific problem area.
Photo: Amazon
Consumers can tap into the same OBDII port with a more basic code reader to learn about the problem that triggered a warning light in the instrument panel. This can help with determining the urgency of the issue and aid in discussing it with a technician. However, the low-priced, consumer-grade tools may capture just a general code, rather than a specific one that reveals enough information for a detailed diagnosis.
Prices continue to drop for these tools. Models with their own screen can be found for $50 to $100. And there are simpler units that depend on a Bluetooth connection to a phone, like the Veepeak OBDCheck BLE we tried. At $32, this tiny device proved easy to use.
With luck, such a tool may not be needed frequently, but it can be handy to share one within family or circle of friends.
Shop for the Veepeak OBDCheck BLE at Amazon.
Search for code readers at Amazon.
Headlight Restoration Kit
A headlight restoration kit can be a bright idea for a gift.
As cars age, especially those parked outside regularly, the headlight lens cover can become clouded or hazed because of exposure to the sun’s UV rays. A study by AAA found that over time, the clouding effect can reduce the amount of light emitted by up to 80 percent compared with what you got when the car was new.
Photo: iStock
There are affordable DIY kits for removing the haze and resealing the plastic coating of those lenses. They take a bit of elbow grease, but the improvement can be significant. We evaluated several kits a few years ago and were impressed with the Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit ($22 at Amazon) and the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System ($17 at Amazon).
Learn more in our headlight restoration kit buying guide.
Emergency Kit
If bad holiday weather leaves you stranded alongside a slippery, snowy road, a well-stocked emergency kit can help get you back on your way, or at least make the time waiting for help less stressful.
Emergency kits vary widely in price and content, but they usually include battery jumper cables, a basic first-aid kit, a flashlight, a space blanket, a snow shovel, a tow strap, an ice scraper, and warning triangles. They’re available at retailers like Amazon and Survival Supply.
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
We purchased a few winter emergency kits online to gauge what you might get and how useful they might be in a pinch. The ones we bought cost about $45 to $75. They may seem pricey, but you’ll probably spend more than $100 to buy many of the items individually to assemble your own kit.
Look for a kit that will complement how and where you drive, and consider how much space it might take up in a car.
Learn more about assembling your own emergency kit.
Car Shirts and Accessories
There’s also the option of a simple automotive-themed T-shirt, hoodie, baseball hat, or keychain.
Photo: Ford
Discount clothing stores such as Kohl’s and mass-market stores such as Walmart often stock these items. A fan may appreciate more official brand apparel available through car dealerships or an automaker’s online store, like the BMW, Ford, General Motors, Mopar, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Tesla, Toyota, or Volkswagen stores.
In addition to the usual items, you might find a cool modern or classic car emblem there for a fun decoration.
Driving School
Driving schools offer everything from car-control training for inexperienced drivers to advanced skills for wannabe race-car drivers.
Often held at racetracks around the U.S., a high-speed ride-along can be had for about $150 and a few laps behind the wheel can be $800 or more. Hands-on training varies by car, location, and program, but expect to pay over $2,000. Check the links below for specific pricing and locations, and search online for schools based in your region.
Photo: Jeff S. Bartlett/Consumer Reports
It’s worth noting that significant discounts are often available for the driving experiences and schools for the holidays. But when budgeting, be aware that track insurance is often additional.
• Richard Petty Driving Experience: Sessions range from one-lap ride-alongs to race-driving instructions on NASCAR cars at tracks across the U.S. Prices range from $230 to $4,200, depending on the discounts, course, and experience.
• The Extreme Experience: Drive or ride along in muscle, sports, and super cars at tracks across the U.S. Prices range from $79 for a ride up to $550 to drive a Ferrari 296 GTB on the track.
• Radford Racing School: Conducted at a track near Phoenix, training courses include a teen driving experience (starting at $1,499) and training in high-performance driving skills using muscle cars (starting at $2,199 for one day and climbing up to $4,999 for three days). Plus, there are competition racing programs for karting, drag racing, Formula 4, and more.
• Skip Barber Racing School: The long-running Skip Barber school operates car control (open to teens and adults), teen, winter driving, and high-performance driving programs at major tracks throughout the country.
• StreetSurvival: Teen-driving sessions held nationwide focused on safe driving techniques and concepts. We have even hosted events at the Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center: $125.
Performance Tires
Better tires can transform how well a car holds the road. That’s why upgrading to a top-rated all-season tires, ultra-high-performance all-season, or ultra-high-performance summer all-season tire can improve a car’s handling and braking. In most cases, there’s a better replacement tire available than the one that came with the car.
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
Cars: The Pilot Sport All Season 4 gets top marks for dry braking, hydroplaning resistance, and noise. It also delivers above-average handling, snow traction, and braking performance on wet surfaces. Plus, members give it the highest rating for satisfaction. If want a UHP tire with even more sport capability than the Michelin and don’t need all-season versatility, UHP Summer tires earned the highest scores for performance in our tests.
SUVs: The Michelin CrossClimate2 is the clear standout among all-season SUV tires, with an Overall Score several points above its nearest rivals. This exceptional tire provides above-average—or greater—performance in every test. Plus, it is an all-weather tire, meaning it has cold-weather capabilities like dedicated winter/snow tires but can be used all year. Its high cost is offset by the epic 95,000-mile predicted tread life.
See our tire buying guide and ratings.
Parking Aids
Electronic parking aids, such as parking sensors and 360-degree cameras, are making it easier to park a car without damaging it. Some lower-tech solutions can be used to outfit older cars or add protection. We sampled a few parking aids that promise to make the job easier, and present a couple of our favorites. See our full coverage of parking aids.
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
Backup Camera
The AUTO-VOX CS-2 Wireless Backup Camera connects wirelessly to an included 4.3-inch screen. The camera is powered by a lead from the car’s backup lights, enabling this system to turn on automatically when Reverse is engaged. It has guidelines, which can be turned off.
Price: $90
Where to buy: Amazon
Bumper Protection
The BumpShox is a thick foam rubber bumper guard that frames the license plate and sticks out to help protect your car from being scratched or tapped by other vehicles when they’re being parked. It’s a cinch to install. It can be helpful with city parking and in crowded parking lots. It won’t protect against impacts at an angle, but the convenience is appealing.
Price: $35
Where to buy: Amazon, BumperShox
Best Used and New Cars for Teens
The holidays can be a time to splurge on a large gift. For a teen, there can be none greater than their own car. Whether helping a teen with their first purchase or treating them outright, make safety the top priority in your selection.
Photo: Jeff S. Bartlett/Consumer Reports
Teenagers are among the riskiest drivers because of a combination of immaturity, inexperience, and social pressures. Consequently, they have crash rates that are almost four times those of drivers 20 and older. Choosing the right car can help teens stay safe, but it can be challenging to balance all the factors that make a vehicle ideal for inexperienced drivers.
Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provide lists of cars, SUVs, and minivans that balance accident avoidance, crash protection, performance, and reliability. The vehicle recommendations are ideal for teens, but they can serve any shopper looking for a vehicle that excels in those areas.
See the complete lists of best used cars and best new cars for teens.
New Car Deals
Every month, Consumer Reports tracks the best deals. We present the best new car deals and more specifically, the best deals on new SUVs, looking at the potential savings on models recommended by CR, meaning those that excel in our road tests, surveys, and safety. And we have curated a list of the best deals on fuel-efficient cars and SUVs.
Photo: Alfa Romeo
And we pull together the models with the lowest transaction prices, recommended or not. Those are the most discounted new cars right now. It can still be a challenge to find some models, especially a well-rated one, that’s selling for less than the sticker price. But there are relative savings when you consider that some models are selling for thousands over MSRP.
Our lists spotlight the latest national deals. You can check local transaction prices on our car model pages.
To conveniently find a good deal in your area, use the Consumer Reports Build & Buy Car Buying Service.
Car Seats
Whether shopping for your own precious cargo or a loved one’s, finding the best child car seat to keep them safe is a top priority. CR’s tests show that buying an expensive car seat doesn’t necessarily translate to the best car seat. The larger price may get you additional features, but that doesn’t mean they all work well or have a safety benefit.
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
We have ratings for infant seats, harnessed car seats, and booster seats to help you find the right model. Below are the standout seats in three core categories. Before buying, see our complete car seat buying guide and ratings.
Clek Liing
Graco Trio Grow SnugLock LX 3-in-1
Chicco KidFit Plus Zip Air 2-in-1
Electric Bikes
Electric bikes are more popular than ever. So we’ve been testing a variety of electric road bikes, folding bikes, and mountain bikes. It’s clear that there are many decisions to make in choosing the right bike, factoring in fit, style, range, power, and weight. Below are picks from CR staff members for bikes, a lock, and a rack, but you should explore our buying guide and linked stories for more detailed guidance. Below are our picks in several categories.
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
Raleigh Retroglide Royale 2.0 iE Step Over
Heybike Cityrun
Lectric XP 3.0 Folding
Trek Powerfly 4
Kryptonite FAHGETTABOUDIT 1410
Bike Rack
Küat NV 2.0 and NV 2.0 Add-On Hitch Rack
Price: $849 for NV 2.0, plus $598 for NV 2.0 Add-On extension
Bike capacity: 2 to 4
Where to buy: Amazon, REI
Weight limit: 60 lb. per bike for NV 2.0; 40 lb. per bike when using NV 2.0 Add-On
Rack weight: 58 lb. for NV 2.0; 38 lb. for NV 2.0 Add-On
Assembly time: 30 to 60 minutes, easy assembly
See how to choose a bike rack and our staff picks.
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2024, Consumer Reports, Inc.
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