TomTom Start 20

June 2011

Price: £129.99

The new Start 20 sat-nav is the latest entry point to the TomTom range. But at £129.99, it looks expensive compared to similarly specced rivals – so we hit the road to see if it’s worth the money.

At this end of the market, we didn’t expect Bluetooth or live traffic notifications, but the Start 20 doesn’t even come with Traffic Message Channel (TMC) info. Instead, you get TomTom’s IQ routes technology, which tells you the best route depending on the time of day.

While the built-in mount has been modified to prevent over-tightening and potentially breaking the spring, we prefer the simpler click-and-grip mount used by competitors.

The new device is aimed at infrequent drivers, and those who recently passed their test, and the 4.3-inch widescreen has TomTom’s usual great menus and simple mapping. At complex junctions, the lane-assist feature comes into its own, bringing up guidance to stop you getting lost.

The Start 20 gets the sleek new look from pricier models, but it’s more costly than rivals with traffic info. A 20 Europe is available for £20 more, while a five-inch 25 Europe will set you back £169.99.