If you think updating your vehicle has to cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, we’ve got some budget-friendly inspiration for you.
These 12 cheap car upgrades can make your car more comfortable, enhance its appearance, improve safety, and help maximise its longevity.
12 Budget-Friendly Car Upgrades
- Get Creative With a Cheap Navigation System
- Add a Dashboard Cover
- Replace the Centre Console
- Add Seat Covers
- Add a Steering Wheel Cover
- Purchase Floor Mats
- Get a Backup Camera
- Add Bluetooth Capability
- Organise Your Car’s Boot
- Wax Your Vehicle
1. Get Creative With a Cheap Navigation System
If you don’t have a GPS-enabled navigation system, the price point of a portable GPS unit may be off-putting. But there’s a cheaper alternative — simply purchase a dashboard mount for your smartphone and activate voice navigation on Google Maps.
2. Add a Dashboard Cover
A dashboard that looks worn out automatically cheapens the look of your vehicle. If your dashboard is faded, cracked, or simply needs a refreshed look, a dashboard cover is an easy, affordable upgrade.
Along with covering up fading, a dashboard cover can protect against harsh UV rays and further damage.
3. Replace the Centre Console
Replacing the center console can reinvigorate your car’s appearance and add function for around $100. From extra storage to dual cup holders, a new centre console is an easy, affordable car upgrade. Go a step further and add a console cover to protect against spills and damage.
4. Add Seat Covers
Along with making car seats more comfortable, seat covers protect your car’s interior against scratches, UV rays, fading, wear and tear, and spills. If you have pets or kids, seat covers are a must-have!
Seat covers are one of the most affordable ways to protect your investment and make car trips more comfortable and enjoyable. They are also easy to install and add a luxurious aspect to the interior.
Seat covers can also add an instant update to your vehicle and help make an old car look new again.
5. Add a Steering Wheel Cover
As with seat covers, steering wheel covers can upgrade your vehicle’s appearance, protect it against damage, and add a bit of flair.
Benefits of steering wheel covers include:
- Conceal cosmetic flaws and defects
- Add a touch of personality to your car
- Improve grip
- Enhance comfort
- May decrease hand fatigue on long trips
- Protect your steering wheel from wear and tear
- Prevent your steering wheel from getting overly hot in sunlight
- Protect your steering wheel against damage from oils or dirt on your hands
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6. Purchase Floor Mats
Car floors are exposed to mud, dirty shoes, debris, moisture, gravel, crumbs, and pet hair. This constant wear and tear can lead to stains and damage.
Adding floor mats and liners is a cheap car upgrade that can instantly make your car look better — and keep it that way.
Benefits of floor mats include:
- Add style and personality to your vehicle
- Easy installation
- Protects your vehicle’s interior
- Conceal existing stains or damage on the floor
- Easy to clean and maintain – simply shake them out occasionally and give them a quick wipe-down
7. Get a Backup Camera
Installing a backup camera may not be one of the cheapest car upgrades on our list, but it may be the most important. Along with modernising your car, a backup camera offers invaluable safety advantages.
The Federal Government has recently announced that it is mandating reversing technologies for all new vehicles in Australia from 2025 onwards. The Australian Design Rule 108/00 will require all new vehicle models to have reversing technologies that comply with the new standards.
For the most budget-friendly backup camera, consider a plug-and-play option that connects to the vehicle’s power point or reverse lights.
8. Add Bluetooth Capability
Another affordable car upgrade that increases safety is adding Bluetooth. Going hands-free makes it safer to make calls or enjoy media while driving.
Various Bluetooth kits exist, including budget-friendly options that use adaptors connected to your car’s stereo or universal kits.
9. Organise Your Car’s Boot
A boot organiser is a cheap way to make your car feel more expensive and functional. Rather than opening up your boot to reveal a disordered mess, a boot organiser keeps your spare items and necessities in one place. A boot organiser can also prevent items from getting tossed around while driving.
Even a pricier boot organiser with dividers, pockets, and added features is still an affordable upgrade.
10. Wax Your Vehicle
A good wax job is an affordable way to instantly upgrade your car’s appearance. Wax makes the vehicle’s exterior look newer, shiny, and well-cared for.
And a car wax goes beyond aesthetics. A quality wax job provides protection against damaging elements that can wear down the paint and lead to costly touch-ups.
11. Add a USB Charger
A USB charger is a cheap way to add convenience to your vehicle without spending much. Never worry about a dead phone battery again!
A USB phone charger is easy to add – many plug right into the car’s cigarette lighter. Some models include dual ports to enable two devices to be charged at once.
12. Add a Performance Air Filter
We’ve covered cheap ways to make a car look better and feel more comfortable — but what about performance upgrades? These can get especially pricy, but we did want to include a budget-friendly option for our list: adding a performance air filter.
Although they do help keep dirt out of the engine, standard air filters are usually made from cheap materials, such as paper. Cheap air filters require frequent replacement and restrict how much air the engine can easily take in.
Performance air filters are constructed from higher-quality materials, such as oiled foam, and can last for years with proper maintenance. A performance air filter can also allow the engine to intake more air. This can add a bit of power and performance without breaking your budget.
Custom and Affordable Car Upgrades
There are many affordable ways to improve your car’s appearance, enhance comfort, and even extend your vehicle’s lifespan. Adding seat covers, steering wheel covers, floor mats, and organising the boot are some of the cheapest ways to upgrade your car.
If you want to protect your investment and enjoy the most comfortable ride possible,
we offer a range of affordable car upgrades and accessories.
Not sure which upgrades would be best suited to your car? Our team is happy to help! Contact us for personalised recommendations or browse our range of budget-friendly car accessories.