TomTom Go Live Top Gear Edition review

As a navigator, the Top Gear Edition is exactly what we’d expect from TomTom’s current range. The interface is cleaner than last year’s models, and it’s very easy to enter a destination. Tap Address and you can enter a postcode or full address, and recent cities and streets are shown to make it quicker. You get a year’s free subscription to Live services, including Google Local Search, so you can find local businesses and restaurants that mere point-of-interest databases would never include.

Live services also include HD Traffic, which is up-to-the-minute congestion information that can really help avoid long tailbacks. The weather service is arguably less useful, but it can read out a forecast for conditions at your destination. A feature that could save you money is that mobile speed camera locations are sent to the device in real-time. You also get warnings for fixed cameras and average speed checks.

Built-in Bluetooth means you can make hands-free calls on a compatible phone. We found the voice recognition was hit and miss and only worked well in quiet cars, or at low speeds. It’s possible to control plenty of functions, though, including making phone calls and setting destinations.

The driving view remains one of the clearest around, but routing isn’t always as good as local knowledge. For example, Clarkson asked us to leave the motorway early on several occasions when the fastest route was to continue further. The device always got us to our destination, though.

It’s disappointing that European maps aren’t included at this price, and TomTom is still using a recessed micro USB port, which means you can’t use a standard cable. However, despite the relatively steep price, none of these gripes are likely to bother Top Gear fans. For everyone else, there are better value models around, including the Mio Spirit 685.