Most uncomfortable rides

Automakers often make compromises when designing a vehicle to meet a specific goal. For example, the Mazda RX-8 R3's Recaro seats feel like they were designed for Lilliputians and will have you walking funnily after extended drives, but they'll firmly hold your butt in place when taking a turn at 9/10s. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR's extra-grippy Recaros aren't much better in the comfort department, with their odd backward cant and lack of height adjustment.

Both the Evo and 2008's Tech Car of the Year, the Nissan GT-R, will rattle your fillings out over a rough road, but you'll be hard pressed to find a better handling pair of street cars (both vehicles have won our Editor's Choice Award). The Audi R8's R-Tronic sequential transmission's lurching low-speed shifts will have you high-tailing it to the chiropractor, but it fires off lightning-quick, smooth shifts at speed.

A slightly uncomfortable ride may be okay to some, if there is a payoff in increased performance. However, some cars are uncomfortable without any added benefit. Some cars are just plain boring. Take the Subaru Impreza GT, a vehicle which is not only nearly completely devoid of cabin tech options, but also features a bland audio system, leaving passengers sitting in an uncomfortable silence.