Steering wheels are an essential part of any car tuning project. Whether you are looking for a radical makeover or simply want to drive more comfortably, they are very useful. There are many options of shape, material and design available, one for every taste. Then again, that is also the reason why finding the ideal one for your car may be a difficult task.
This article shows ten steering wheels with the best user ratings available on Amazon. Keep in mind that removing the original one takes away the driver’s airbag as well. It is also important to carefully read the user’s manual to when performing the replacement. We hope that the model you choose makes you enjoy driving your car more than ever!
Features
First of all, it is interesting to know what variables we must consider when choosing a steering wheel. We tend to focus on visual ones, like its color, because they are the most intuitive. It is important to keep the cabin’s design harmonious and attractive, indeed, but there are some other items that deserve attention.
For example, material is directly tied to price and durability. Leather is smooth and breathable but can dry and crack if you do not keep it hydrated. Wood is beautiful and usually lightweight, but less resistant to scratches. Metal is not recommended if you live in hot weather because its temperature rises too fast.
Last, but not least, the steering wheel’s diameter plays a key role as well. Larger ones might not be pretty, but they make steering easier. Smaller ones are more common in sports cars because their drivers tend to prefer more challenging steering. Now that you know the basics, let us dive into our recommendations!
- 5 stars: 82% of 54 ratings
- Color: Black, Anthracite gray
- Diameter: 350 mm
- Material: Leather, anodized aluminum
- Use: Universal fit
The flat bottom says it all: it is a performance steering wheel. Anthracite aluminum and black leather finish perfectly blends into any cabin design while the perforated leather ensures adequate grip. There is also an angular design inspired in fighter jets and a matte black horn button. This is a great option to consider if you want to make your driving experience sportier than ever.
Pros and cons
- Anatomic design is great for performance cars
- Sporty appearance is too retro for some cars
- 5 stars: 92% of 70 ratings
- Color: Black, multiple options
- Diameter: 350 mm
- Material: Leather, aluminum
- Use: Off-road vehicles
If you are proud of your car’s color, look no further. NRG’s steering wheel comes in a variety of colors and features a classic three-spoke design made in aluminum. It was designed for off-road vehicles, so reduced weight is more important than fancy trim here. The external ring is covered in leather, so you will be able to enjoy your weekend getaways with plenty of safety when driving.
Pros and cons
- Countless color schemes to choose from
- Only suitable to off-road vehicles
- 5 stars: 93% of 46 ratings
- Color: Black, yellow ring
- Diameter: 350 mm
- Material: Leather, aluminum
- Use: Universal fit
One of the favorite suppliers for car tuning would surely make it to this selection. Sparco made a leather steering wheel with a classic design which will perfectly fit in any performance car. The yellow ring gives it a distinctive touch while the external ring made in leather optimizes your grip. While there are no options of color or trim, the universal fit should make its installation free of any hassles.
Pros and cons
- High-quality construction makes it durable
- No appearance options whatsoever
- 5 stars: 79% of 172 ratings
- Color: Black, silver
- Diameter: 350 mm
- Material: Foam, aluminum
- Use: Universal fit
Give your car a 1970s feel with a typical deep-dish steering wheel! Grant’s classic model is inspired in the old days when small diameters were in fashion. While it may require higher effort to steer, the extra thick will surely provide you all the safety when doing so. Keep in mind that you also need to purchase Grant’s Standard Installation Kit 3000 or 4000 in order to properly use this product.
Pros and cons
- Deep-dish design is suitable to classic cars
- Small diameter makes the car hard to steer
- 5 stars: 79% of 65 ratings
- Color: Wood, black
- Diameter: 350 mm
- Material: Wood, aluminum
- Use: Universal fit
Nostalgic drivers will love this one. Kyostar brings back the muscle car era with a deep dish steering wheel whose main feature is the wooden ring. Both that material and the aluminum of the three spokes feature the highest quality in order to maximize its durability. Besides, it includes a horn button and has universal fit. Keep in mind that your car must use a boss kit beforehand.
Pros and cons
- Affordable price with good build quality
- Cheap appearance and feel
- 5 stars: 96% of 41 ratings
- Color: Black, red, gold
- Diameter: 350 mm
- Material: Suede, aluminum
- Use: Universal fit
Is leather not your thing? NRG’s portfolio has no problem with that! This steering wheel applies suede on the outer ring in black with red stitching. While the three solid spokes are shown in gold here, the official website offers this model in many other options, including “Digital Camo” and “Floral”. If your car tuning project presents a specific theme, this might be the best option to match it.
Pros and cons
- Rare alternative to suede upholstery
- Most color options may look tacky
- 5 stars: 90% of 60 ratings
- Color: Black
- Diameter: 350 mm
- Material: Aluminum
- Use: Universal fit
This is what you get from a company that has decades of experience in its craft. Momo’s minimalist style comes in all black this time. The steering wheel uses high-quality materials with airleather grip and carbon fiber inserts. Besides, that videogame-like design will surely allow you to hold it with optimal grip. If you want to enjoy your car to the maximum, this is definitely a wonderful steering wheel model to consider.
Pros and cons
- High-quality leather upholstery
- Optimal grip, typical from Momo
- All-black design goes well with all cars
- One of the most expensive models
- Minimalist design may be divisive
- The product uses US-spec electrical plugs
- 5 stars: 61% of 11 ratings
- Color: Black
- Diameter: 330 mm
- Material: Foam, aluminum
- Use: Universal fit
All-black steering wheels have timeless charm. They are a staple on performance cars and perfectly blend into the design of any cabin. As if that was not enough, Momo is a reference in the market segment itself. This wheel features brushed aluminum spokes and leather rim so as to maximize your grip while keeping total weight to a minimum. We are sure it will do wonders for your car!
Pros and cons
- Classic design for performance cars
- Not much feedback about its quality yet
- 5 stars: 78% of 637 ratings
- Color: Black, silver
- Diameter: 343 mm
- Material: Vinyl, steel
- Use: Universal fit
This is a classic. Vinyl ring with foam, and three steel spokes with three holes each. Typical classic look that all sports and racing cars used in the golden age. And now, you can equip your own car with this timeless beauty. As with all Grant steering wheels, you have to get the company’s Installation kit in order to apply the Classic model to your car model. Any Grant Standard 3000 or 4000 Series Installation Kits will work.
Pros and cons
- Timeless three-spoke design
- Affordable price
- Robust and durable construction
- Looks and feels too cheap
- Requires additional installation tools
- Not the best customer feedback
- 5 stars: 83% of 42 ratings
- Color: Brown, silver
- Diameter: 390 mm
- Material: Mahogany, aluminum
- Use: Universal fit
There is a reason for the price increase compared to the others. The rim of Nardi’s steering wheel applies fine polished mahogany wood, while the three spokes are made of polished aluminum. It is a whole new standard of elegance designed for classic cars. If you take a look at what customers have written about it, you are going to see comments such as “this is a work of art”.
Pros and cons
- As beautiful as it is well-built
- As expensive as it is well-built
Top Picks on Car Steering Wheels in 2023
We are going to start our reviews by compiling the steering wheels on the table below. They all rank high on Amazon, so we have firm proof that many customers have tried them and had a great experience. And, of course, we made that table using the technical criteria that we have just shown above. Below that table, we will move on to individual reviews of those aftermarket steering wheels.
| Product name | Color | Diameter | Material | Buy now! |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black, Anthracite gray | 350 mm | Leather, anodized aluminum | ||
| Black, multiple options | 350 mm | Leather, aluminum | ||
| Black, yellow ring | 350 mm | Leather, aluminum | ||
| Black, silver | 350 mm | Foam, aluminum | ||
| Wood, black | 350 mm | Wood, aluminum | ||
| Black, red, gold | 350 mm | Suede, aluminum | ||
| Black | 350 mm | Aluminum | ||
| Black | 330 mm | Foam, aluminum | ||
| Black, silver | 343 mm | Vinyl, steel | ||
| Brown, silver | 390 mm | Mahogany, aluminum |
Conclusion
As you may have noticed, we declare the as the best steering wheel for classic cars. It is more expensive by far, yes, but it pays off in quality.
If you have a collectible car, or simply enjoy your classic car a lot, look no further. This steering wheel is highly durable and will make your car look better than ever.
Now, if sportiness is what you want, the is the best steering wheel for performance tuning.
The manufacturer honors its tradition in this market niche with discreet, yet elegant color scheme, perfect grip, and an overall reliability that will make your steering wheel last for years looking like all-new.
Our honorable mention here is the .
This manufacturer frequently offers value-oriented products, which means you will get a decent level of quality without paying much. This specific steering wheel is also interesting because of its retro design. Great option for that muscle car you want to restore.
Frequently asked questions
No. If your car did not come from the factory with an airbag, you can safely replace the steering wheel for an aftermarket one.
Now, there are no laws against doing that when the original one had an airbag. On the other hand, since aftermarket steering wheels do not have the means to receive an airbag, you would be taking it out of your car in the end. That, unfortunately, is illegal.
The best solution for any North-American state is to visit your local DMV (for example: ). Asking others, even police officers, may lead you to conflicting information. To stay on the safe side, it is better to talk directly to the people who would effectively process your fine if you ever got one because of that item.
According to the , yes, as long as they have a horn switch. Aftermarket steering wheels are only illegal there if they were incorrectly installed.
No, and that is their biggest problem. Manufacturers design aftermarket steering wheels for cars in general, so it is impossible for one of them to accept airbags from all models of all makers.
Conversely, even if an aftermarket wheel had an airbag of its own, it would be difficult to link it with the electronic system of all cars in order to make it work with the same reliability as the factory airbag.
Joe Stewart is a 35-year-old automotive enthusiast born in Miami, Florida. He is a part-time collaborator in AutomoBible and specializes at making car passion accessible to readers thanks to his product curations of all types.
Stewart worked in the automotive industry for several years especially in the field of accessories. He executed projects for several automakers whether to improve existing solutions or to design new ones according to their needs.
Nowadays, Stewart is expressing his passion for cars on AutomoBible. He is always looking for exciting new products and he tests them whenever he can, whether on his own 2020 Dodge Charger or on his friends's cars.
