TomTom XL IQ Europe

Expert Rating:

TomTom XL IQ Europe

With the TomTom XL IQ Europe you get some extras that were not previously available, such as Advanced Lane Guidance, and IQ Routes, as well as some additional changes that make this device more attractive than previous models.

The TomTom XL IQ Europe comes with a 4.3-inch touchscreen that you can see, even under bright lighting conditions. The casing for this device is sleek and black, giving it a slightly more stylish look. The touchscreen is responsive, which makes navigating through the menu simple and easy.

Some additional features that come with the TomTom XL IQ Europe include multi route planning, postcode search, as well as a feature that lets you add your own points of interest to the database. You can also setup the unit to display icons and sound an alarm when you are approaching a certain location.

When viewing the map on the TomTom XL IQ Europe you’ll have the advantage of several visual navigation aids that make it easy to see while you are driving. In addition, it will display speed warning symbols, as well as the Advanced Lane Guidance so that you can easily be in the right lane in advance of approaching a junction on a motorway.

One of the reasons that the IQ technology is so popular is that when calculating your route, it will automatically adjust for the time of day and provide an alternate route if there is normally traffic congestion on the route that would generally be the fastest. Another feature that you get with the TomTom XL IQ Europe is local fuel prices, but this can only be updated with your PC. You won’t get weather service updates or information on traffic conditions.

The voice directions featured with the TomTom XL IQ Europe does not include text to speech capabilities; another drawback is that recalculating a route seems to take longer than what you might expect for a TomTom GPS. You will also not get Bluetooth, which is a feature that many people prefer to have with their satellite navigation devices.

The TomTom XL IQ Europe is a reasonably priced satellite navigation system, but if you do add extras like the TMC device or subscription services, the price adds up quickly. When adding all of this together you could end up paying too much, considering that it does not offer text to speech support or Bluetooth.