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Monday December 15, 2008
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As cars seem more and more alike, what sets them apart is leading-edge technology rather than acceleration or leather appointments packages. When one car has standard Bluetooth, better navigation, night vision, superior mileage with low emissions, or free Mayday calling, that's an advantage in attracting buyers. And that's what's behind our third annual PCMag.com / TechnoRide Digital Drive Awards: useful technology, applied intelligently. We honor the 10 best cars (also runners-up) and the best technology of 2008. The Digital Drive Car of the Year is the Acura TL and the Digital Drive Technology of the Year is Ford Sync.
Slideshow, 2008 PCMag.com / Technoride Digital Drive Top 10 Cars: Click Here
Here's how we chose the Digital Drive winners: We looked for pioneering use of cutting-edge technology as well as all-round application of established technology. On a high-end car such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, we expected lots of technology, because the S-Class goes out the door nicely equipped for $100,000. On more affordable cars such as the Volkswagen Jetta Diesel or Nissan Altima Hybrid, we looked for a couple standout features, in both cases here their energy efficiency. To be eligible for the Digital Drive Awards, the car had to be available in 2008. And we expected two core building blocks of technology - Bluetooth and a music adapter, not just a line-in jack - to be offered, at best included in the base price, at the very least offered as a dealer option. Here are the winners, which includes two from BMW (the leader in technology), and two from Nissan (and sibling Infiniti). See the slideshow for even more details on the winners. And use the Feedback section below to remind us how blind and short-sighted our winning choices are.
2008 Digital Drive Car of the Year: Acura TL
 Acura TL. Car of the year. The 2009 Acura TL represents the perfect blend of technology and performance for a soft economy at a price of $40,715-$43,995, about $10,000 less than a comparably equipped BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class. You start with Bluetooth and satellite radio standard, then check a single options box - Technology Package - to get Pioneer navigation mounted high in the center stack (photo, left), real time traffic and weather, restaurant reviews, upgraded audio, enhanced Bluetooth, even a GPS-linked solar sensor that diverts more cooled air to the side of the car with the sun.
Your other option is front-drive and a 280-hp engine or, new for 2009, a 307-hp engine and Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) that powers all wheels and provides extra power to the outside wheels in turns or on slippery roads (torque vectoring). And with all-wheel drive, the engine, no longer feels as if it wants to rip the wheel out of your hands under acceleration.
Other cars have more total technology than the Acura TL, in particular our top 10 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the runner-up BMW 7 Series. But when your 401K looks more like a 201K, maybe this isn't the time to plunk down $5K on active cruise control and night vision. This is the right technology car for the times. The Acura TL's only drawback: its polarizing massive grille medallion.
Other Digital Drive Top 10 Cars
See the slideshow for more details.
BMW 3 Series. BMW fixes iDrive (really) and offers a diesel that approaches 40 mpg in highway driving. This is an expensive car that's cheap to drive on the highway but not an economy car.
BMW X6. Torque-vectoring perfected: the rear wheels actually steer you around turns for more safety or performance.
Cadillac CTS. Excellent navigation, audio, and performance technology, plus OnStar. The one American car that needn't apologize to the Germans.
Hyundai Genesis. Awesome engine, audio, and loads of tech for half the price of a big Lexus or BMW.
Infiniti EX35. Front, side, rear cameras are great for parking, backing, pulling out. Lane departure warning actually steers you back into lane.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class. More tech than you can shake a stick at. Comfort, safety, performance, and of course prestige.
Nissan Altima hybrid. With Prius looking old, there's a newer, roomier standard-bearer for hybrids. Fun to drive, good navigation.
Porsche 911. Perfection in the double-clutch gearbox and the first Germany luxury car with touchscreen navigation.
Volkswagen Jetta diesel. This, not a gasoline hybrid, is more efficient for highway driving.
2008 Digital Drive Awards: Runners-Up
Ten cars that came powerfully close to cracking the top. Our runners-up include cars we've driven and love, but they won't be available until spring 2009.
Audi A4.. Lane departure warning, blind spot detection, active cruise control, and the cockpit controller (MMI) that's finally on the console, not dash. Why it's not in the Top 10:. The BMW 3 Series handles better, has almost as many technical goodies, and trumps with the diesel option.
 BMW 7 Series. (Photo, left.) More navigation, safety, handling, comfort, and entertainment features than any other car. Why it's not in the Top 10: It would be except it doesn't ship until spring 2009. An early favorite for 2009 Digital Drive Car of the Year.
Ferrari 612. Inspired Bose navigation and audio with intuitive inner-outer tuning knobs; infrared sensor switches from display to menu when your hand approaches. Why it's not in the Top 10: You don't buy a Ferrari for its navigation or effortless satellite radio tuning.
Ford Focus. Ford-Microsoft Sync partnership provides great entertainment and Bluetooth free or cheap (entry model). Why it's not in the Top 10: Aging, one trick pony (a horse called Sync). The 2010 Focus, arriving here from Europe, will be a contender.
Ford Fusion Hybrid. 39 mpg city trumps Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima hybrids, great navigation, Sync, free Mayday calling. Why it's not in the Top 10: Availability: It's the best hybrid sedan you can't buy (until spring 2009).
 Honda Accord. (Photo, left.) A large family car with mainstream technology offered in understandable packages. Active noise cancellation on four-cylinder models. Why it's not in the Top 10: All-round vehicle excellence more than individual tech standouts.
 Hyundai Sonata. (Photo, right.) Cheapest factory navigation yet ($1,250). Loads of safety features for less than $20,000; it's hard to kill yourself in a Sonata. Why it's not in the Top 10: Cheapest factory navigation should be $999 (or less). Let's do it, Hyundai. You've been the setting the auto world on its head with affordable technology in other areas.
Infiniti M35 / M45.Long list of tech features topped by the best integration of navigation, audio, and climate control on a single screen. Why it's not in the Top 10: Getting on in years but makes a great used car.
Lincoln MKS. Best audio (THX), navigation, Bluetooth, and information (Sirius Travel Link) package you can buy. Or get for free in the base price (Sync Bluetooth and music connection). Cooled (and heated) seats standard. "Leather-wrapped cyberspace" tagline is apt. Why it's not in the Top 10: Uninspiring car under the leather and technology. It might win over Lincoln Town Car drivers young enough to buy one last car; it needs to win over BMW owners.
Toyota Camry hybrid. With the Toyota Prius overdue for a refresh, Toyota shows how you can get great economy in a nearly full-size car. And Toyota has years of experience making hybrids reliable.Why it's not in the Top 10: Close call. The Nissan Altima hybrid is more fun to drive, handles better in extreme conditions, and the navigation is better.
Posted By:
Bill Howard
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