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Cars and tech to get you back to school

Summer's over and it's time to pack your meager possessions up and head back to school. Get your car up-to-speed for the new semester, or consider a new car that's perfect for the hard-studying student.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
Tim Stevens Former editor at large for CNET Cars
Tim Stevens got his start writing professionally while still in school in the mid '90s, and since then has covered topics ranging from business process management to video game development to automotive technology.
Wayne Cunningham
Antuan Goodwin
Tim Stevens
2014KiaSoul_01_1280x960.jpg
1 of 8 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Kia Soul

Fun, flexible, and frugal, the Kia Soul is a smart and tech-savvy choice to take back to school this fall. The compact crossover fits nicely into those small, hard-to-find campus parking spaces, and its spacious hatchback can carry all of your dorm room furnishings.

Mazda3
2 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Mazda3

Hatchbacks are a staple of the college campus, offering seating for friends and a flexible cargo area. The latest generation of the Mazda3 adds good looks and an exceptional driving character to hatchback practicality. Modern tech in the dashboard includes navigation and phone integration. Fuel economy, averaging in the low 30s, goes easy on a student budget.

2015_Nissan_Juke_35835332_SS03.jpg
3 of 8 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Nissan Juke

The Nissan Juke brings a unique look to a practical, compact SUV. It can fit in small parking spaces yet hold plenty of gear or passengers. The newest model includes NissanConnect, with Google search integrated in the dashboard. For snowbound campuses, the Juke can be had with all-wheel drive.

35169638_SS32.jpg
4 of 8 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Toyota Prius C

The little Prius C looks more sporty than its suburban siblings, the Prius Liftback and Prius V, and provides flexible hatchback interior space. Entune integrates useful apps, such as Bing search and Yelp, into the dashboard. The hybrid drivetrain, well proven on the road, wrangles fuel economy in the low 40s.

pioneer-avic-8000nexmaincarplaypr-reg.jpg
5 of 8 Pioneer

Pioneer AVH 4000NEX

With the aid of a firmware update coming this summer, the Pioneer AVH-4000NEX will be the least expensive way to add iOS CarPlay integration to the car you currently own. If CarPlay isn't your thing, the touchscreen receiver also supports AppRadio mode for select iOS and Android devices and a host of built-in multimedia sources.

iBolt xProDock
6 of 8 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

iBolt xProDock

The xProDock's gimmick is as an NFC tag that launches a car-specific interface on an Android phone, putting navigation shortcuts to school and frequently called parents or study buddies at your fingertips. Behind the party trick, however, is a well-designed mount adjustable for a variety of smartphone sizes.

Automatic Smart Driving Assistant
7 of 8 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Automatic Smart Driving Assistant

Save fuel driving to and from campus by becoming a more efficient driver with the aid of the Automatic Labs' Automatic Smart Driving Assistant. At the end of each trip, Automatic scores your driving habits with a numerical grade, gives tips to save fuel on the next trip, and helps you to be a smarter driver.

PowerAll jump starter
8 of 8 PowerAll

PowerAll jump starter

A membership to AAA will cost you $57 per year. Jumper cables can be had for only $10, but you will need the help of another driver. The PowerAll costs $130, but it can jump start your car and charge up your phone. Better yet, you can carry it in your bag or stow it in the glove box. The PowerAll is essential safety equipment for cars with unreliable electrics.

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