• On ZDNet: Why I Will never buy a Mac
advertisement
Click Here

Best affordable tech cars

(Apr 21, 2009)

Wayne Cunningham Wayne Cunningham
Senior Editor
When a car costs $100,000, you expect a cabin filled with the latest gadgets. The trick is getting good cabin tech in an affordable car, the kind that most people drive. We're very impressed when we see a navigation system in a car that costs less than $30,000. Good stereos make an appearance at many different price ranges. Sure, these cars often won't have all the tech you could want, but a few quality components make them true tech cars.

2008 Volvo C30

The 2008 Volvo C30 makes for a fun and sporty little car that will stand out in a crowd. It can be optioned up with the full range of tech, though its stereo interface leaves something to be desired. Leave out the automatic transmission option in favor of the manual.

Price: Sorry, pricing not available

Review date: Sep 10, 2007

  • 3h stars

      Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)

Very good

Read full review
Play CNET Video
Close

2008 Scion xB

The new Scion xB has lost its bold exterior creases and some of its character, but has also grown up a bit and now represents one of the best tech values we've seen in a new car.

Price: Sorry, pricing not available

Review date: Aug 10, 2007

  • 3h stars

      Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)

Very good

Read full review
Play CNET Video
Close

2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited V6

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited brings the car maker into the tech world by offering good navigation and digital music options. It makes for a good commute car, but the V-6 might be too thirsty for today's gas prices.

Price: Sorry, pricing not available

Review date: Jun 26, 2008

  • 3 stars

      Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)

Good

Read full review
Play CNET Video
Close

2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe combines head-turning styling and gutsy performance with some advanced--albeit, pricey--cabin technology options, including GPS navigation and a great hands-free calling interface.

Price: Sorry, pricing not available

Review date: Sep 14, 2007

  • 3h stars

      Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)

Very good

Read full review
Play CNET Video
Close

2008 Ford Focus SES

With the exceptional Sync system as standard, the all-new Ford Focus SES has one of the highest tech-to-price ratios of any car we've seen.

Price: Sorry, pricing not available

Review date: Jan 18, 2008

  • 4 stars

      Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)

Excellent

Read full review

2009 Honda Fit Sport

Honda made many positive changes for the 2009 version of the Fit, ending up with a car that features excellent fuel economy and some decent cabin tech.

Price: Sorry, pricing not available

Review date: Oct 23, 2008

  • 4 stars

      Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)

Excellent

Read full review
Play CNET Video
Close

2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman

Mini makes the 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman a bit more practical with extra cargo area, while preserving the things that made the relaunched Mini stand out in the first place.

Price: Sorry, pricing not available

Review date: May 14, 2008

  • 3h stars

      Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)

Very good

Read full review
Play CNET Video
Close