Garmin DriveSmart 86, 8-inch Car GPS Navigator with Bright, Crisp High-Resolution Maps and Garmin Voice Assist
Best for
Best 8-inch+
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Based on 2 trusted sources
Current price
$299.99
Updated May 17, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
7 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
Across the reviewers we read, the DriveSmart 86 is the pick for drivers who specifically want the largest available screen. Crutchfield's expert review praises plug-and-play simplicity and the breadth of built-in apps, while Best Buy's verified-purchase aggregate (around 0.90 sentiment) repeatedly cites the bright 8-inch display and easy map readability as the main reasons buyers chose it over the 6-inch models. A high-trust r/Garmin thread in the signals confirms the 76 and 86 are 'exactly the same' software-wise as the 66, with size as the main differentiator.
What reviewers liked
- Crutchfield reviewer praises plug-and-play setup and breadth of built-in apps
- Best Buy verified-purchase reviewers consistently praise the bright 8-inch high-resolution display and lane-guidance readability
- r/Garmin community confirms the 86 runs the same DriveSmart software stack as the 66/76 — feature parity at the largest size
- Supports Apple CarPlay integration per a poi-factory.com owner write-up
Where it falls short
- tomsguide.com calls it 'competent' but says it doesn't offer anything particularly special for the price
- Best Buy reviewers note the 8-inch unit is larger than older models and may obstruct windshield placement
- Multiple reviewers in the signals wish it included a built-in dashcam
- Functionally identical software to the cheaper 66/76, so you're paying mostly for screen size
Across the reviewers we read, the DriveSmart 86 is the pick for drivers who specifically want the largest available screen. Crutchfield's expert review praises plug-and-play simplicity and the breadth of built-in apps, while Best Buy's verified-purchase aggregate (around 0.90 sentiment) repeatedly cites the bright 8-inch display and easy map readability as the main reasons buyers chose it over the 6-inch models. A high-trust r/Garmin thread in the signals confirms the 76 and 86 are 'exactly the same' software-wise as the 66, with size as the main differentiator.
The disagreement worth surfacing comes from tomsguide.com, which describes the 86 as a 'competent GPS device' with 'a lot of great features' but 'nothing particularly special' — a more reserved take than the retailer reviews. Best Buy owners also flag that the 8-inch footprint is noticeably larger than older Garmins and can crowd a windshield mount, and several reviewers in the signals wish it included a built-in dashcam at this price.
- 8” navigator with high-resolution, dual-orientation display and map updates of North America .Special Feature:Large Display; Voice Assist; Hands-Free Calling; Live Traffic and Weather; Traffic Cams and Parking; Smart Notifications,Driver Alerts; Tripadvisor; National Parks Directory; Find Places by Name; Garmin Real Directions Feature.
- Hands-free calling when paired with your compatible smartphone with BLUETOOTH technology and convenient Garmin voice assist lets you ask for directions to places you want to go
- Road trip–ready features include the HISTORY database of notable sites, a U.S. national parks directory, Tripadvisor traveler ratings and millions of Foursquare POIs
- Driver alerts for things such as school zones, sharp curves and speed changes help encourage safer driving and increase situational awareness
- Access live traffic, fuel prices, weather, parking and smart notifications when you pair this navigator with your compatible smartphone running the Garmin Drive app
- With Alexa Built-in (Drivers should focus on driving and only use this function when safe to do so. Must pair with the Garmin Drive app running on your compatible phone), you can ask to play music, listen to audiobooks, hear the news and more — all while you keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road
- Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity allows easy map and software updates without a computer
- Included dual USB charger provides an extra charging port for phones, tablets or other electronics
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Bright screen, wish it had a built in dash cam. Love the highlights / places to go to while on trip...next time add a dash cam..
The DriveSmart 76 and 86 are exactly the same just that the screen sizes are bigger. Only difference is that the 76 has a slighty worse ...
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“Garmin DriveSmart 86 Honest Review: 8” · Inch Screen Saved My ...
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