When the kids go to college, you will want to give them the means to find their way back home, which is why we've included some top, but inexpensive, GPS devices in our Car Tech category. The Garmin Nuvi 200 in particular earns high marks. Or you could make sure they can use a cell phone and keep their hands on the wheel, with either the Venturi Mini or Sony MEX BT5100's hands-free calling features. And if separation anxiety is leading you to splurge, we've included a few cars suitable for the college-age driver, with the Mini Cooper Clubman offering style and cargo area for dorm room furnishings.
Editors' top pick
The bottom line: The Garmin Nuvi 200 series offers drivers and travelers a more budget-friendly version of the popular portable navigation devices, but we think the price is still slightly high for what you get.
Price:
$124.95 - $198.99
The bottom line: The sleek Mio C520 is a good-value GPS device, packing in advanced navigation features, a large screen, and other extras for an affordable price. However, you can get a better user experience and smoother performance from competing systems.
Price:
$287.99 - $399.99
The bottom line: The TomTom One 130S is a reasonably priced entry-level GPS with a solid set of features and ease of use. Unfortunately, the system's barely audible voice directions ruin the experience.
Price:
$196.95 - $268.23
The bottom line: The Venturi Mini is a stylish, all-in-one car tech device with an attractive design and an easy-to-use interface. While it lacks some of the robustness of in-dash systems, its portability and price tag make it an attractive option.
The bottom line: The MEX-BT5100 is a good all-in-one option for those thinking of investing in a in a decent stereo and a hands-free speakerphone.
Price:
$219.95 - $329.99
The bottom line: The made-for-iPod Alpine iDA-X001 is a useful interface for bringing a digital-music library on the road. We like its stylish design and breadth of functions, although its user interface falls behind that of the iPod itself.
The bottom line: The DEH-P6000UB is a good-looking, good-sounding car stereo with great iPod support and some decent audio-tweaking options.
Price:
$177.15 - $249.99
The bottom line: The 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT lacks the cabin tech for modern entertainment and information. But its saving grace is the usable interior space and the good fuel economy.
The bottom line: The 2009 Toyota Corolla is your classic commuter, good on fuel economy and reasonably comfortable. But its cabin tech isn't particularly impressive and doesn't go out of its way to work with personal electronics.
The bottom line: 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.
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