Holiday Gift Guide - Car Tech
Cars and car tech
Garmin Nuvi 3790T
The Garmin Nuvi 3790T, recipient of our Editors' Choice award, combines superslim form factor, a smartphone-worthy touch screen, and Garmin's fantastic GPS software into one lustworthy navigator.
$438 - $449
BlueAnt S4 hands-free voice controlled car speakerphone
Boasting a voice-command system that's always listening, the BlueAnt S4 is one of the first truly handsfree speakerphones. Simply say, "BlueAnt, speak to me," and the S4 will be at your beck and call, literally.
$75-$79
Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT
Whether it's keeping tabs on a young driver or recovering a stolen vehicle, when you give a GPS locator like the Escort Entourage CIS, you're also giving peace of mind.
$399
GoPro Motorsports HD Hero
The speed demon in your life may never run out of oddball uses for the nigh-indestructible GoPro HD Hero. Mostly we use ours to document our favorite cars from angles we'd otherwise never see in glorious 1080p.
$224-$299
Garmin Nuvi 255W
With multiple models offering lifetime traffic, lifetime map updates, or both, the Garmin Nuvi 2200 series is the GPS gift that keeps on giving.
$149
TomTom Ease (U.S. version) - black
The TomTom Ease succeeds in being a good low-cost GPS device for first-time navigators, and its small size and good battery life make it easy to toss into a bag and keep handy.
2010 Audi S4
If you are going all out this holiday season, the Audi S4 would be tough to beat as a gift for the dedicated driver. As modern as it gets, the car offers useful cabin tech and very sporty performance.
$45,900
2011 Hyundai Sonata SE
If you want to give someone a car that epitomizes stylish functionality, there can be no other choice than the Sonata. It is also an excellent value.
$22,595
2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is
No car can satisfy midlife crisis issues better than the BMW Z4 sDrive35is. Open top driving and dynamic performance will make anyone feel young.
$61,095
2011 Ford Fiesta
As a starter car, the Fiesta makes an excellent choice. Cabin tech is modern enough for teenagers and recent college graduates, while the car offers everyday economy.
$13,320
Pioneer AVIC-X920BT
This outstanding receiver is the baby brother of our previous Editors' Choice winner, the AVIC-Z110BT. However, its newer software adds the ability to control the Pandora radio app on a paired iPhone.
$648 - $1,200
Alpine INA-W900
We've had a love-hate relationship with previous Alpine receivers, but its latest all-in-one represents the best mix of a polished interface and useful features to date.
$699 - $1,095
JVC KW-NT3HDT
This in-dash GPS from JVC boasts a standard HD Radio receiver, something most manufacturers make you pay extra for. Additionally, this unit puts that receiver to work connecting to the HD Total Traffic Network for traffic flow and incident data.
$849 - $999
Alpine iDA-X305
Why carry a stack of CDs into the car when an iPod or iPhone can do just as well? The Alpine iDA-X305 is a great single-DIN car stereo with an excellent interface for iPods, iPhones, and other digital audio players and storage devices--perfect for those who don't have the space (or the budget) for a big all-in-one receiver.
$247 - $265
Magellan Premium Car Kit for iPhone or iPod Touch
This car kit not only solves the problem of where to put your iPhone while driving, but it also greatly enhances the phone's in-car performance with a louder speaker and more sensitive GPS receiver.
$99 - $129
Garmin EcoRoute HD
This add-on for the Garmin Nuvi 1490T mentioned in our GPS gift guide gives users access to the most accurate fuel economy estimates for their vehicles and allows the GPS device to plan more efficient routes.
$86 - $141
Scosche MotorMouth II Stereo
The Scosche MotorMouth II plugs straight into a vehicle's dashboard audio input for hands-free calling and audio streaming. This is a car tech installation that's nearly foolproof.
$41 - $49
Bracketron MobileDock Dash Mount
This universal dashboard mount is as adept at holding smartphones as it is at replacing that lost or broken GPS cradle.
Joby GorillaTorch Blade
This last stocking stuffer isn't strictly a car tech item, but give this hands-free flashlight to the greasemonkey in your life and you may never be asked to "hold the light" again!
Breffo Spiderpodium
We could think of no end to the uses for this spidery widget. From holding a phone in place on the dashboard to creating an impromptu rear-seat entertainment system out of an iPod Touch, the Spiderpodium is (literally) one of the most flexible car accessories we've tested.