MapQuest review
MapQuest packs all the essential navigational tools you need when driving, featuring an intuitive layering system, good voice commands, and a capable auto-rerouting feature. This app is highly accessible and easy to use, but isn't as customizable as some of its competitors.
Pros
Practically useful: The features with which MapQuest boasts, namely voice navigation, routing around accidents, multi-stop directions, bookmarking, and a cheap gas stations finder have impressed us as robust and extremely useful. There's a catch, though: while you can enjoy them all in the US, if you live in another country or travel abroad you may find that some either don't work or are not relevant.
Customized layers: A quick tap on the layers icon in the bottom-right corner of the map brings up a sidebar, which lets you stack up layers such as hotels, parking, gas, hospitals, bars, airports, postal, movies, groceries, and even ice cream. This approach to layering does away with the confusing agglomeration of icons other navigational apps feature.
Great navigation: The navigation window features a progress bar with the estimated time of arrival, as well as a compass, both of which come in handy, especially during a long drive. The directions provided are consistent, easy to remember, and precise, helping you reach your destination in due time.
Cons
No offline mode: You cannot use this app without a GPS/Internet connection. The competition offers offline maps.
Low level of customization: Apart from choosing between the Driving or Walking modes and selecting whether to allow highways, toll roads, unpaved roads, and a few other options, there's not much you can configure about your route. Other navigational apps are more rich in terms of route setup.
Bottom Line
MapQuest delivers the seamless navigation it promises, making a good impression with its beautifully clean interface and inspired layering system. That said, this is not the most customizable app of its kind, nor does it work offline. In other words, when traveling outside the US, do make sure you take MapFactor or at least Google Maps with you.
