Wheel warming has gone mainstream, with the feature standard or optional not just on luxury vehicles, but on an increasing number of models with sticker prices of $40,000 or less — in some cases, even on sub-$30,000 rides.
Whether a heated steering wheel is just nice to have or a must-have might depend on how often you have to clear snow and ice from your car on frigid nights. The chunky gloves you need for subzero weather are incompatible with a good grip on the wheel and can lead to a lot of fumbling with dashboard controls, capacitive or not. But like heated seats, a warm steering wheel also can be a treat on a cool night with the moonroof open or for people afflicted with arthritis or circulation issues.
Here are the 2023 and 2024 model-year vehicles offering a heated steering wheel as standard or optional equipment. All vehicles on this list have an MSRP of $40,000 or less (including destination and any higher trim level or option package needed to get the heated wheel). The 2023 list is complete; the 2024 list will grow through the year as it includes only vehicles for which 2024 U.S. specs have thus far been officially announced.
2023 Cars Under $40,000 With Heated Steering Wheels
Acura: Integra
BMW: 2 Series, X2
Buick: Encore GX, Envision
Cadillac: CT4, XT4
Chevrolet: Bolt EV, Bolt EUV, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Malibu, Trailblazer
Chrysler: Pacifica, Voyager
Dodge: Challenger, Charger, Hornet
Fisker: Ocean
Ford: Bronco Sport, Escape, Maverick, Mustang
GMC: Terrain
Hyundai: Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Tucson
Jeep: Cherokee, Compass, Renegade, Wrangler
Kia: K5, Niro, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Sportage, Sportage Hybrid
Mazda: CX-30, CX-5, Mazda3, MX-30
Mercedes-Benz: GLA
Mini: Clubman, Convertible, Countryman, Hardtop, SE Hardtop
Mitsubishi: Eclipse Cross, Outlander
Nissan: Altima, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Rogue, Sentra
Subaru: Forester, Legacy, Outback
Toyota: Camry, Camry Hybrid, GR Corolla, Prius, Prius Prime, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid
Volkswagen: Golf GTI, Jetta, Taos, Tiguan
Volvo: XC40
2024 Cars Under $40,000 With Heated Steering Wheels
Acura: Integra
BMW: 2 Series
Buick: Encore GX, Envision, Envista
Cadillac: CT4, XT4
Chevrolet: Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, Trailblazer, Trax
Chrysler: Voyager
Dodge: Hornet
Ford: Bronco Sport, Escape, Maverick, Mustang
GMC: Terrain
Honda: CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Odyssey
Hyundai: Kona, Tucson
Jeep: Compass, Wrangler
Kia: K5, Niro, Niro PHEV, Sportage
Lexus: UX 250h
Mazda: CX-5, Mazda3
Mini: Clubman, Convertible, Countryman, Hardtop, SE Hardtop
Mitsubishi: Eclipse Cross, Outlander
Nissan: Altima, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Sentra
Subaru: Forester, Legacy, Outback
Toyota: Prius, Prius Prime, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid
Volkswagen: Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Golf GTI, Jetta, Jetta GLI, Taos, Tiguan
What to Shop For
A basic heated steering wheel includes a heating element in the rim and sensors to control temperature and prevent overheating. Some are simply on or off, while others let you choose levels of heat like most heated seats. Some heated steering wheels are more complicated and can interact with the automatic climate control to turn down or off when the cabin temperature rises, while others are among features that you can turn on remotely to precondition the cabin. Heated steering wheels also vary in how hot they’re allowed to get and in how well they heat the entire circumference of the wheel.
