Best car gadgets for Christmas | Top 10

Here are ten of the hottest car-related gift ideas for this Christmas.

If you're shopping for a car fanatic who's already got the full range of apparel from their favourite V8 Supercar team, and that racecar drive experience you bought last year made them car sick, there’s plenty of new toys around to help enrich their daily commute or tickle their tech fancy.

Here are ten of this year's hottest automotive gift ideas for Christmas.

1. Apple CarPlay 

Apple CarPlay enables iPhone users to access selected smartphone functions including phone calls and text messages, music and satnav seamlessly, while minimising driver distraction from the road. 

Set to arrive in selected Hyundai, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Ferrari models in coming months, CarPlay will eventually spread across several other brands. 

Apple CarPlay can also be added to your existing car via a range of new aftermarket in-car AV systems from Pioneer; priced between $1100-$1999.

2. Digital breathalysers 

While it’s best to avoid drinking at all before hopping behind the wheel, circumstance or Australian hospitality often get in the way. A personal breathalayser can’t give you ultimate assurance compared with the finely calibrated units used by the Police, but can be handy guidance before you grab the keys after 'a couple of bevvies'. Personal breathalysers range in price from about $140-$600 and vary in terms of accuracy and data storage.

3. In-car WiFi 

Many luxury cars are now available with built-in WiFi internet connectivity these days, but adding a WiFi hotspot to your car is easier than you think. All you need is a mobile WiFi dongle and data reception to create an on-board WiFi hotspot for up to 10 devices.

In-car Wi-Fi is the next magical step beyond in-car DVD players for keeping all aboard content on long journeys. Like mobile phones, pre-paid and ongoing plans are available, and priced according to usage.

4. Performance apps and GoPro integration 

Smartphone apps for measuring your car’s performance are nothing new, but some cars are now integrating these functions into the car’s multimedia interface. 

BMW and Mini have gone a step further by teaming up with action camera brand GoPro to enable control of the camera via the in-dash screen and iDrive controller, and works with selected ConnectedDrive interfaces from 2012 onwards, plus an iPhone 4 onwards. 

The BMW/Mini system isn’t available in Australia just yet though, as its still waiting to pass local driver distraction/safety rules. Fingers crossed.

5. Smart watches 

Ever since David Hasselhoff was able to communicate with KITT via his wristwatch in the early 80s, many of us have yearned to be able to do the same.

While we’re edging closer to car being able to find their own parking spaces, Mercedes-Benz showed off a Pebble smartwatch concept at CES in January that would allow your car to at least communicate with you. 

The Mercedes smartwatch offers info such as vehicle location and fuel level, plus navigation features and social media interaction. At the very least, it would help you find your Merc in an airport carpark. It’s not here yet, but not too far off.

6. Dash cams 

Dash cam footage is taking the internet by storm, offering a look at epic crashes and near misses in living, moving colour. 

These digital video cameras that are designed to be mounted behind your windscreen and record your movements on a continuous loop. 

One of several dash cams on the Australian market is the Navman MiVue 388, which includes GPS tracking, speed info, and can automatically save the footage if a collision is detected. The Navman MiVue 388 retails for $249.

7. Heads-up displays

More and more cars are coming with built-in heads-up displays, where speed and navigation info is projected onto the windscreen ahead of the driver, helping the driver keep their eyes on the road ahead. 

There are several smartphone apps available to make your phone screen project this info, but the Polaris HUD Plus keeps your phone free for phone duties, and uses built-in GPS to project speed, speed and red light camera alerts and a time display onto your car’s windscreen, with the only requirement being a 12V power source. The Polaris HUD Plus retails for $149.50.

8. Wireless phone chargers 

The first new car models with built-in wireless phone charging have started to trickle onto the Australian market, but the technology is also available for any car with a 12V power source.

An induction charge-capable mobile phone is still a key ingredient, but several wireless car chargers have hit the market to eliminate fumbling with cords or aligning fiddly dock connections. 

Induction charging generally takes longer than corded charging, but examples like the $109.95 Nokia CR-200 are available now.

9. Engine data readers 

If you like to get your hands dirty but mourn the simplicity of your old HQ Holden, you can still get an idea what’s going on inside a modern computer-controlled engine with an engine data reader. 

Units like the Actron OBD2 Auto Scanner can help you clear ‘check engine’ warning lights and advise of numerous other issues by connecting with your car’s OBD2 diagnostic port. 

It can also display throttle position, coolant and transmission temperature in real-time, and is ideal for the modern-day auto DIYer. The Actron OBD2 Auto Scanner retails for $199.

10. Pressure washer – underbody attachment

Pressure washers are an evergreen Christmas gift idea for whoever scores car washing duties in your household. 

However, 4WD fans, boat or caravan owners and aspiring rally drivers have always needed to get down and dirty to clean their undercarriage, regardless of the pressure at hand. 

Karcher is now offering an attachment to help reach the deepest nether regions of your vehicle, and is mounted on wheels to help eliminate wet tracksuit pant knees forever. The Karcher Under Car Chassis Cleaner retails for $179.