14 Articles
Opinion
Automakers' sound systems: Crank it, don't yank it

How premium offerings made aftermarket audio all but obsolete

Car Buying
How to test for a new-car infotainment system you can live with

Here's a car-shopping checklist of infotainment functions to test

Here's a quick checklist of infotainment functions to test and questions to ask when new-car shopping.

Featured
Economy-car buyers increasingly get the best deal on technology

Democratization of tech: Same – or better – amenities as luxury cars

One of the great things about technology is – with the exception of Apple products – consumers get more for their money every year. For example, the first 1GB USB drive I bought in 2005 cost me $30. Today you can get 10 for that price, delivered to your door thanks to Amazon. The same goes for car tech.

Opinion
Would you pay $17 a month to give your older Ford connectivity?

Ford SmartLink may be a tall ask for niceties customers simply expect

When it was first introduced in 2007, there was nothing like the original Ford Sync system, since it allowed car owners to connect and use a portable device better than anything that came before it. It took competitors awhile to catch up. But now Ford is the one playing catchup.

CES
Amazon Alexa will become your co-pilot in Toyota, Lexus cars

It's cool, but where's our Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

"Alexa, why can't I have CarPlay?"

Opinion
Car technology I'm thankful and unthankful for

Automakers may know drivetrains and in-cabin comforts but fail at infotainment and connectivity

Here's what we appreciate, and the things that need rethinking.

Followup
Official
2013 Toyota Venza priced from $27,700*

Toyota has announced official pricing on the company's 2013 Venza. Buyers can look forward to laying down $27,700 for the refreshed crossover, excluding any destination fees. That marks an increase of $275 over last year for the base, front-wheel drive LE model equipped with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. Meanwhile, the XLE trim will carry a price tag of $29,775, or $1,585 more than the the 2012

The 2013 Lexus GS Adds Tech, Apps, And A Huge Screen [VIDEO]

Lexus is trying a new recipe with the all-new 2013 GS. We aren't here to go in depth with drive impressions--head to Autoblog for those--we'd rather tell you about the tech ingredients that make the new GS a savory entrée.

The New Toyota Prius V Adds Tech And Cargo

All hail the Prius van. That's what V stands for, right? Actually, Toyota says the V is for versatility. That sounds about right; after all it's pretty much a Prius with a larger cargo area.

CES 2011: Hands on with Toyota Entune [video]

Toyota is ready to bring the fight to Ford's SYNC system with the introduction of its all-new Entune infotainment system, combining music, internet search and a range of other services into the new touchscreen head unit. But is it any good?

CES 2011: Toyota Entune ready to fight Ford's SYNC... almost [w/video]

It's been nearly four years since Ford and Microsoft introduced SYNC to the world, and since then nearly every major OEM has been playing catch-up – including the planet's largest automaker. For Toyota, that ends today with the introduction of Entune, a new integrated multimedia system that uses the driver's Net-enabled and Bluetooth-equipped smartphone.

CES 2011: Toyota Entune ready to fight Ford's SYNC... almost [w/video]

Toyota Entune – Click above for high-res image gallery