TomTom Go 500 European coverage

Hope this isn't a dull question, but what do TomTom mean by "major european routes"? For example, will this feature get me to a town called Ruoms in the Ardeche, France? Would I be better off buying the 700?
Another factor to consider is that new roads are being built in Europe all the time, how will the maps be updated?
I have been unabe to discover if there is a database of cities/towns/villages covered.
I would apprecite any comments as I do do not yet have any form of GPS and am inclining towards the Tomtom system, either 500 or 700.

[Charlie]

Welcome to our forums.
Major European Routes is motorways etc...no street level detail. Updates are released on a yearly basis and you can pay for the updates normally through TomToms website.