Best (and worst) heated steering wheels
Discussion
Looking for your experiences and advice when it comes to heated steering wheels - what cars have you tried with heated steering wheels, and how good/bad (i.e. warm) were they?
My limited experience with some rental cars is:
- Seat Leon from around 2020: 3-level control, level 3 heats up reasonably quickly and I have to turn down to 2 or 1 after around 20 minutes. (And there's even a nice convenient button the steering wheel to control it.)
- Cupra Born from around 2021: similar 3-level control, but level 3 becomes far too hot within minutes of starting, I mostly run it between 0 and 1. (Control is annoyingly only via a touch-screen).
- Ford Kuga, not sure about the exact year, around 2021: single level control, felt quite weak - weaker than level 1 on the Leon, button by the climate controls.
Most reports on various forums tell me there's only one level of control on most cars which seems a bit limiting, other than Volvo (and the aforementioned VAG's). I'd rather avoid a VAG though - I'm looking for a manual hatchback right now and Mazda 3 is very much the frontrunner, pending a test drive... and that steering wheel story.
Ps. no need for comments about them being unnecessary, concrete pills, and other such drivel. For some people there are medical issues involved, and gloves don't solve them (except for the heated variety, but those are inconvenient) : ) . Air vents don't help much either before anyone suggests that - the trouble is the big lump of cold steering wheel.
My limited experience with some rental cars is:
- Seat Leon from around 2020: 3-level control, level 3 heats up reasonably quickly and I have to turn down to 2 or 1 after around 20 minutes. (And there's even a nice convenient button the steering wheel to control it.)
- Cupra Born from around 2021: similar 3-level control, but level 3 becomes far too hot within minutes of starting, I mostly run it between 0 and 1. (Control is annoyingly only via a touch-screen).
- Ford Kuga, not sure about the exact year, around 2021: single level control, felt quite weak - weaker than level 1 on the Leon, button by the climate controls.
Most reports on various forums tell me there's only one level of control on most cars which seems a bit limiting, other than Volvo (and the aforementioned VAG's). I'd rather avoid a VAG though - I'm looking for a manual hatchback right now and Mazda 3 is very much the frontrunner, pending a test drive... and that steering wheel story.
Ps. no need for comments about them being unnecessary, concrete pills, and other such drivel. For some people there are medical issues involved, and gloves don't solve them (except for the heated variety, but those are inconvenient) : ) . Air vents don't help much either before anyone suggests that - the trouble is the big lump of cold steering wheel.
MitchT said:
Anyone know what the BMW ones are like?
Is it worth having one at all? Half of me loves the idea, the other half of me thinks if the weather's cold enough to necessitate a heated steering wheel then I'll likely be wearing gloves anyway.
Have one on the iX3 and its wonderful and wouldn't want to be without it now, as I wouldn't want to be without heated seats.Is it worth having one at all? Half of me loves the idea, the other half of me thinks if the weather's cold enough to necessitate a heated steering wheel then I'll likely be wearing gloves anyway.
Only 1 level of heating on the BMW wheel, which is activated either through the App (part of the pre-heating) or via a button on the steering wheel.
It gets warm very quick and its comfortable to leave on continuously - the pre-set output feels perfect to me. On the Cupra I had before this, settings 2 and 3 were too hot and therefore effectively unusable.
The only annoyance is that there is no indicator to tell me it is on, so I have to press the button off and on just to be sure.
BikeSausage said:
The most basic is the Lexus. On or off, and not evenly distributed.
That sounds the same as the Toyota version - I'd have expected something better on the premium models. On the Toyota one, it's only heated around the sides from about 10 to 2 down to 20 to 4.Assuming it's the same as on my car, it's fine as long as you're on the motorway and your hands stay approximately at the sides of the wheel. However the point when you most want a heated steering wheel, driving the first few miles after a cold start and the car hasn't warmed up yet, turning at junctions etc is a rather odd experience as you hands go from nice toasty sections of wheel to the bits at the top and bottom which are literally freezing cold!
MitchT said:
Is it worth having one at all? Half of me loves the idea, the other half of me thinks if the weather's cold enough to necessitate a heated steering wheel then I'll likely be wearing gloves anyway.
I've had my first one on a ropey old L322 - it's absolutely fantastic. If you're a big softy who gets cold, and particularly cold hands in winter then it's a game-changer.I wouldn't say I couldn't do without, but I'd consider it a big plus point for a car used regularly in the colder months.
MattyD803 said:
Only 1 level of heating on the BMW wheel, which is activated either through the App (part of the pre-heating) or via a button on the steering wheel.
I know with BimmerCode expert mode you can code what each level of the heated seats maps to as a termperature. There might be similar configuration available for the pre-set on the wheel too...Chris
the 2023 leaf has a heated steering wheel the button is out of the way on the dash near where the typical rotary dial for lights would be on bmws etc
it gets warm quickly and is a good temperature but only the outside of the steering wheel gets warm the inside, about where the sticking in takes an age to warm up and is icy cold until then
it gets warm quickly and is a good temperature but only the outside of the steering wheel gets warm the inside, about where the sticking in takes an age to warm up and is icy cold until then
Skoda and Volvo both have three level control. Volvo is far better because its automatic - switches itself on in cold weather and not in warm weather.
I have a minor issue with circulation/cold hands and absolutely wouldn’t buy a car without a heated steering wheel now. It’s one of the best convenience features.
I have a minor issue with circulation/cold hands and absolutely wouldn’t buy a car without a heated steering wheel now. It’s one of the best convenience features.
The one in my Kia is nice - only one setting, but it feels warmer in about 30 seconds and toasty hot within a few minutes. I've usually turned it off again before 10 minutes has passed. But by then the heater is blowing out warm air and the whole car is getting to a comfortable temperature anyway - as with seat heaters, you only really appreciate them for the first few minutes, and only on the coldest of days.
Worst I’ve experienced was on a 2021 Honda jazz - paid extra for the model with the heated wheel and seat heaters.
Seat heaters were fine, no problems at all. The heated wheel though was completely useless.
Only went like warm for a few minutes sometimes. Took it back and they said that’s normal operation.
Seat heaters were fine, no problems at all. The heated wheel though was completely useless.
Only went like warm for a few minutes sometimes. Took it back and they said that’s normal operation.
MitchT said:
Anyone know what the BMW ones are like?
Is it worth having one at all? Half of me loves the idea, the other half of me thinks if the weather's cold enough to necessitate a heated steering wheel then I'll likely be wearing gloves anyway.
As above, my Z4 one is just on or off rather than variable, but it's nice to have.Is it worth having one at all? Half of me loves the idea, the other half of me thinks if the weather's cold enough to necessitate a heated steering wheel then I'll likely be wearing gloves anyway.
My 2005 Range Rover has one. It's two settings are 'on' and 'off'.
When switched off, the wheel is cold and when switched on, the wheel gets nicely warm but not too hot.
I still maintain it's one of the best inventions ever, and one that I certainly never knew I needed until i tried one!
When switched off, the wheel is cold and when switched on, the wheel gets nicely warm but not too hot.
I still maintain it's one of the best inventions ever, and one that I certainly never knew I needed until i tried one!
Deranged Rover said:
My 2005 Range Rover has one. It's two settings are 'on' and 'off'.
When switched off, the wheel is cold and when switched on, the wheel gets nicely warm but not too hot.
I still maintain it's one of the best inventions ever, and one that I certainly never knew I needed until i tried one!
Ditto on my 2011 Autobiog, love it !When switched off, the wheel is cold and when switched on, the wheel gets nicely warm but not too hot.
I still maintain it's one of the best inventions ever, and one that I certainly never knew I needed until i tried one!
Have one in our Kona, one setting but never too hot and evenly heated all the way round. Always considered it a gimmick but I've seen the light!
It's rarely on for more than a few minutes, unless I get in with freezing hands. Usually after I've been up in the roof space in our detached garage, I've grabbed the aluminium loft ladder when it's been -5° in there. Brrrrr...
It does make me wonder if the heat is in any way detrimental to the condition and lifespan of the leather. Accordingly, as I keep cars long term, it's getting treated with cleaner/conditioner twice a year.
It's rarely on for more than a few minutes, unless I get in with freezing hands. Usually after I've been up in the roof space in our detached garage, I've grabbed the aluminium loft ladder when it's been -5° in there. Brrrrr...
It does make me wonder if the heat is in any way detrimental to the condition and lifespan of the leather. Accordingly, as I keep cars long term, it's getting treated with cleaner/conditioner twice a year.
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