5 Budget Car Accessories That Can Make Your Ride Feel Luxurious

• Cars
• Car Accessories

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You don't need a six-figure car to enjoy luxury on the road. It's true that there are some very nice luxury car features worth looking for when you're shopping for a new vehicle, but luxury is often about how your car makes you feel when you're driving it. A few smart upgrades can do the trick, and some even cost less than a tank of gas. Adding a few gadgets to the mix can give you more ways to love your car and let you ride in style with every trip.

Small details can make a difference in how much you enjoy driving your car. For example, your priority might be to make your car smell better, look cleaner, or even just feel more comfortable. These are the kind of details that passengers notice, sometimes more than they notice the car itself. If you want a new luxury car look and feel without the high monthly payment to go with it, there's hope. Here are five budget-friendly changes that can trick your brain into thinking you're driving something way nicer than what the steering wheel logo says. 

Smart Car Diffuser

If you've ever set foot in a luxury car (or even a showroom), you know it's more than just a feast for the eyes. Luxury products tend to cater to all the senses, including your sense of smell. There's nothing quite like that scent of "new car" hitting your lungs that create instant brand recognition. Smell is the sense connected to our memory banks, after all, so a single whiff of something can bring back a flood of thoughts and feelings.

You can recreate this same luxury experience in your ride no matter its age, make, or model. A USB-C rechargeable car diffuser, like the Pura Car Pro Smart Diffuser for example, lets you customize a fragrance for your car using essential oils. Instead of hanging a pine tree freshener from your rearview mirror or spraying something that evaporates before you reach the next red light, this diffuser intermittently freshens the air. Choose the scent, the strength of each spritz, and the frequency it fills your interior all to your personal preferences. This diffuser lets you control it through an integrated mobile app; you can also simply rely on its built-in motion detector for hands-free use. You can get the Pura Car Pro Smart Diffuser at Best Buy for $48.99.

Magnetic Phone Mount

By now, most people know the dangers of texting and driving, as it's not wise (or safe) to divert your eyes from the roadway. But today's phones aren't just for texting and calling. Chances are you're using that same device for turn-by-turn directions, traffic alerts, music, and more. Having your phone at eye level can help you get that instant information you need without splitting your concentration and risking danger.

Phone holders are one of the most useful car dash accessories out there, as they can be a game changer for anyone who wants to use their phone responsibly while driving. They typically clip to a vent on your dashboard and then use a magnet or a clamp to hold your phone in place. Most mounts swivel so you can position your phone wherever you need. This way, if you do need to glance at directions or an alert, you can do so much more safely. This Scosche magnetic phone mount, which is a great example of a good phone holder for your car, is available for $27.99 at Best Buy.

Multipurpose Blower and Vacuum

No matter how often or infrequently you drive your vehicle, one thing is always true: Your ride is going to get dirty. Crumbs, dust, and other debris tend to settle in the hardest to reach places. And while you might be diligent about wiping up spills or vacuuming floor mats, having a few specialty tools on hand will help you keep your car neat and tidy, inside and out.

A multipurpose vacuum and blower like the Hedgehog 3-in-1 is one of those tools. Its compact, cordless size lets you get under and in between seats. It comes with crevice tools to reach tight spots like door pockets and vents. For stubborn debris, you can switch to the air blower and blast away the dirt and grime to more easily vacuum it up. There's also an air pump that may come in handy when you're on the go for blowing up things like bike tires, inflatable mattresses, or pool floats. This one is going to cost you a bit more than a tank of gas no matter which brand or style you buy, but when you consider that it's three tools in one, the value is a little easier to justify. You can get the Hedgehog 3-in-1 vacuum, blower, and air pump on Amazon for $119.99.

Rechargeable Car Jump Starter

There's no convenient time to encounter a dead car battery. It always seems to happen at the worst possible moment, like in the early morning right before work when you're already running behind or late at night when auto shops are closed and there's no one in sight. Instead of being stranded, if you already know how to properly jump a car battery then you can use a portable car jump starter and solve the problem yourself.

A rechargeable jump starter is a great little luxury, as it affords you the confidence to know that you won't be stranded if your battery dies. This device can jumpstart most common 12V car and truck batteries. It also works on things like motorcycles, lawnmowers, and even some boats. We recommend you get one that includes everything you need in one kit, including the device, smart cables, a charging cable, and a storage case. This S ZEVZO rechargeable car jump starter device is an excellent example, available on Amazon for $56.99. It's also got built-in emergency lights and doubles as a power bank if you need to charge your phone on some lonesome road in the middle of nowhere.

Electric Car Blanket

Cold weather can change the whole mood of a trip, fast. Even with your car's heat on full blast, it can take forever to feel truly warm as the air blowing through your vents is often ice-cold at first. An electric car blanket can help solve that issue. It plugs into your vehicle's power outlet, giving you instant heat. You get to settle into your seat, drape the blanket over your lap, and relax as the chill leaves your body. It's arguably the next best thing to heated seats, and it doesn't cost nearly as much. 

This Stalwart heated electric car blanket on Amazon, available for $26.99, is a great example. It features an extra-long 60-inch power cord, making it easy to reach from your car's 12-volt auxiliary plug to whatever seat you're sitting in on your next chilly ride. You can choose from different plaid colors like red, green, or black and white. And when you're not using it to warm up, you can fold it neatly, stuff it in a bag, and use it as a pillow — another underrated luxury car accessory.