25 Essential Car Accessories for a New Car in 2023

New cars in 2023 come equipped with different kinds of aesthetic as well as utilitarian features. However, there still might be some elements of the vehicle that you may want to personalise as per your liking. This is where car accessories come into the picture. Read ahead to learn more about the essential car accessories for a new car in 2023.

What are car accessories?

Car accessories refer to add-ons that are used to upgrade a new car, improve its capabilities or enhance its visual appearance. Accessories for cars come in different forms, shapes and sizes. You can choose from infinite options ranging from cosmetic upgrades to practical features to your vehicle. 

Car accessories can enhance the car's overall experience. In the following sections, we have listed out the best accessories for cars to personalise your vehicle to your liking.

List of accessories for your car

Your search for a car accessories list ends here! Because this section brings you an extensive list of accessories for a car's interior, exterior, safety, etc.

Car interior accessories

The following are some of the accessories for car interiors that enhance the looks and practicality of the cabin.

1. Dashboard decoration

You can decorate the car’s dashboard with various accessories such as idols, air fresheners, bobblehead figures, a parcel tray, a gripping mat, a steering wheel cover, etc. These items can make the interior look unique as per your preference.

2. Ambient lighting

Ambient lighting is a crucial car interior accessory. There are plenty of ambient LED lighting options which you can install in your car. These lights are mainly installed around the dashboard and below the seats to illuminate the cabin.

3. Floor mats

You can personalise the car's cabin by getting custom floor mats. You can choose the design, texture and colour to suit the cabin's overall theme. It is one of the easiest ways to make the cabin look unique.

4. Seat covers

Seats are the prominent components of a car’s interior. The colour, design and texture of seats can dictate how the cabin looks. Getting aftermarket seat covers can help achieve that. You can choose from infinite options and get the one that suits your requirements.

5. Car seat organiser

A car seat organiser is attached to the back of the car seat and offers different-sized sections. You can arrange your laptop, mobile phone, water bottle, books, magazines, newspapers, etc., for easy access.

6. Sun shades

Sun shades are essential for your car's interior as they can protect you and the interior from harmful sun rays. It is an extremely useful accessory, especially in the summer. They can be attached to the windows whenever you need them.

Exterior car accessories

A few accessories for the car exterior can accentuate the vehicle's looks and protect the crucial components. In this section, let's look at some of those accessories.

7. Alloy wheels

Alloy wheels must be on the list when buying accessories for a car's exterior. They are not only practical but provide an aesthetic edge to the exterior of your vehicle as well. You can get a design that glamorises the wheel along with the bonus of being lightweight and stronger than standard steel wheels.

8. Body cover

If you wish to protect your car's exterior, such as paint and other components, getting a car body cover is a wise decision. It will keep your car's exterior protected from sunlight, dust, dirt, bird dropping, etc.

9. Chrome garnish

Chrome elements make your car stand out from the crowd. If you like your vehicle to bling, getting chrome accents for door handles, window sill, headlights, grille, etc., can enhance the vehicle's looks.

Must have car safety accessories for your car

In this section, let’s look at some of the car safety accessories to keep yourself safe on the road.

10. Dash camera

A dash camera is a valuable security feature for recording an accident while driving. Not all roads and streets have CCTV cameras. Thus, it can serve as video proof to help your case in front of the police or court. Moreover, the recorded video can also prove helpful during car insurance claim settlement.

11. Fire extinguisher

A fire extinguisher is a necessity in your car for unforeseen fire accidents. You can buy a compact fire extinguisher and get it fitted in an easy-to-reach area of your car. 

12. Parking camera/sensors

Parking a car in congested places or crowded areas is a challenging task. A parking camera or sensor can save you from getting dents on your car. Some car models come equipped with this feature, but if your car does not come with it, you can buy an aftermarket parking camera separately and install it in your car.

13. Puncture repair kit

A flat tyre is an emergency you must always be ready for while driving, especially on a bad road. A puncture repair kit can help you give a quick fix in situations when no repair centre is nearby.

14. Tyre inflator

Driving your car with the correct tyre pressure is crucial for long-term reliability. So, if you purchase a puncture repair kit, pair it with a tyre inflator as well. A tyre will need inflating once you repair a puncture. Using the inflator, you can inflate a deflated tyre to an optimum level based on its position (front tyres or back tyres). 

15. Glass breaker

If stuck in your car, you need something strong and sharp to break the windows and get out. A glass breaker is just the accessory you need to escape such a panic situation.

16. Windshield treatment

Even with brand-new wipers, excessive rain can restrict your visibility while driving. The solution lies in using a windshield water-repelling treatment. When applied to the windshield, it doesn’t allow moisture to sit on the surface. Thus, you get better visibility while driving during bad weather conditions.

17. Jumper cables

Sometimes your vehicle’s battery may die due to prolonged non-usage of the car. If it happens in the middle of the road, you will need jumper cables to jumpstart your vehicle.

With jumper cables, you can connect your car battery to the battery of another car to jump start. Keeping these cables for emergencies is important to avoid being stranded, especially on long journeys.

Best car accessories for long drives

Here are some of the car accessories that will make your long drives more convenient, enjoyable and comfortable.

18. Seat cushion

The discomfort of sitting for long durations can take the fun out of road trips. An extra cushion adds more padding to the seats, which feels more comfortable and relaxing, especially on long journeys. Make sure you compare the quality to pick long-lasting cushions.

19. Neck/back support

Along with your hip, you also need to take care of your neck and back while driving. Add a neck and back support to your seat to maintain the right posture throughout your long drives.

20. Phone mount

A phone mount will add convenience to times when you need to look at your phone for directions while driving, especially on road trips. Instead of picking up and looking at your phone, you can attach it to a mount fitted on the dash. It is safer and will save you time as well.

21. Universal charger

It is nearly impossible to manage your everyday life without your phone. Similarly, other devices like laptops and smartwatches are also crucial. So, you may want to keep your devices charged up and running while driving. 

That is why a universal charger would be a great accessory to carry in your car. A multi-port universal charger will allow you to charge multiple gadgets simultaneously while driving, especially on long road trips.

22. GPS (Global Positioning System) navigator

A GPS navigator is one of the most important car road trip accessories you need for long journeys. It will help you find the correct routes to your destination when there is no network or power to help you use the phone's navigation system. 

A car’s GPS navigation system maintains its direct connection with satellites even in remote locations. Thus, it proves to be effective in choosing the right roads and making the correct turns. 

Other essential car accessories

Apart from the already mentioned accessories, there are a few other things that you should have in your car. Following are such essential car accessories.

23. Air freshener

Your vehicle’s cabin is a small, confined space that stays closed most of the time. Thus, you should consider an air freshener to soak up the allergens, odours and moisture from the air inside. It will ensure that the car’s cabin smells nice at all times.

24. Vacuum cleaner

The interior of your car collects dust and shredded skin particles. Over time, it impacts the look and hygiene of your vehicle. That is why you should keep a portable vacuum cleaner in your vehicle. Regular cleaning will help to maintain the top-notch condition of your car.

25. Mini dustbin

As a responsible citizen, you should avoid throwing waste on the road. Here, a mini dustbin with disposable garbage bags can be helpful. For example, you are likely to have snacks in your car on a long journey. Kids, in particular, frequently get hungry on long drives. The mini dustbin would be a temporary home for all the empty snack packets until you find a suitable place to throw the waste. Not only will it keep your car clean, but it will also help to protect the environment.

Top electric car accessories in India

Apart from the above-mentioned accessories, Electric Vehicle (EV) owners might need a different set of unique accessories. 

Some of the must-have EV accessories include the following.

• EV home charger

• Additional EV charging cables

• Chargeable blanket for heating

• Charging station poles/holder

Why are car accessories important?

Following are the reasons why car accessories are essential in your day-to-day life.

Emergency

Certain car accessories are necessary to carry to get out of emergencies. For instance, you need jumper cables to restart your car if the battery goes dead in the middle of the road. Similarly, accessories like a glass breaker, puncture kit, fire extinguisher, etc., are necessary to prepare for potential emergencies while driving.

Aesthetics

Another reason you should invest in car accessories is to uplift the vehicle’s aesthetics. From dashboard decoration to headlight lashes and wooden trims, you can use decorative items based on the appeal you wish to have.

Cleanliness

Keeping your car clean elevates its appearance a thousand times! Consider getting a vacuum cleaner, floor mats, seat covers, etc. It will ensure that the car's cabin remains clean and hygienic.

Comfort

Even when you buy a new car full of comfort-centric features, there may be some scope for customisation. There are accessories, such as cushions, neck cushions, sun shades, etc., that you can buy to make your drives more comfortable. 

Personalisation

You might want to add some accessories to align a new car with your everyday lifestyle. It can be a phone holder, baby seat, and other such accessories to help you make a new car look more like your car. 

Practicality

Some accessories are required to improve the practical usage of your car. You can choose a car's model/variant with practical features or add them later. Practical accessories, like LEDs, fog lights, rear parking sensors, etc., make a car more user-friendly. 

Entertainment

Most people prefer a music system, stereo system, etc., to enjoy their favourite music on road trips. However, you can also install an LCD screen for the people in the backseat for some visual entertainment.

How to choose the right accessories for your new car

You might feel tempted to buy more accessories than you need for your car. But it would be better to evaluate car accessories objectively based on the following factors.

• Usability: When picking car accessories, evaluate their usability in terms of lifestyle, driving habits, taste, and preferences. This approach will get you only those accessories that you actually need for your car. 

• Safety: No accessory should be installed at the cost of your vehicle’s safety, and you should consider purchasing car safety accessories that aren’t already in your vehicle.

• Price: The cost is also an essential factor to consider when shopping for new car accessories. Once you know the type of accessories needed in your car, compare multiple products online for their quality and price tag. It will help you find the best car accessories at affordable prices.

Which accessories should I buy when buying a car?

When buying a brand-new car, you will have a lot of options for accessories. Some may be essential, and some may not be required. However, here are some car accessories you should opt for when buying a new vehicle.

• Car body cover

• Cleaning cloth

• Puncture repair kit

• Tyre inflator

• Tool kit

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are a few important questions and answers related to car accessories.

FAQs

Which accessory do I need to check the tyre pressure on a road trip?

There are two options for that. You can either purchase a tyre pressure gauge or a real-time TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System). 

With a pressure gauge, you will need to stop driving and get down to check the tyre pressure. On the other hand, a TPMS will let you have a real-time reading of tyre pressure while driving. The display of the TPMS is installed on the dash of the car to be easily visible to the driver. 

Which car accessories are not legal in India?

There are certain rules around modifying your vehicle with accessories in India. The illegal car accessories in India usually include the following. 

• Any modification on the HSRP (High-security Registration Plate)

• Pressure horns

• Dark film on car windows

• Illegal taillights and headlights

• Kits that lift the vehicle body up

There are more regulations around accessorising a vehicle in India. So, you must ensure the legality of an accessory before installing it in your vehicle. Visit the Parivahan portal to access the latest rules and regulations around adding accessories to your vehicle in India.

Do children need a special type of car seat?

Yes, a special seat in a car keeps children below 12 years of age comfortable. Regular car seats are designed for adults. Thus, the seating posture and seatbelt position don’t align with the physical structure of a 12-year-old or below. Thus, you should get a children's seat installed.

Which are the most popular car accessories?

Some popular car accessories include seat covers, floor mats, dashboard decorations, air fresheners, alloy wheels, etc.

Which are some of the unique car accessories?

Some of the unique car accessories include valve stem lights, a heads-up display, LED exterior lights, an air purifier, etc.

What are electrical and non-electrical car accessories?

An electrical car accessory is a device that requires electricity to operate. For example, a universal car charger requires electricity to function. A non-electrical car accessory does not require electricity — for example, a decorative dashboard item or air freshener.

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