Car Tech

The Acura RL is like a time machine. It has barely changed since its introduction. The good news is that it debuted as an amazing car. The bad news is that there are now lots of amazing cars on the market. Brian Cooley takes you for a drive to check the tech in the car Acura largely forgot.

(Full CNET Review of the 2011 Acura RL)

One has to feel bad even bringing up the derision that followed the Chrysler Sebring around. It wasn't *that* bad a car, but some mediocre cars just get ganged up on. Well, that's largely history now as the Sebring morphs into the 200 and still isn't a bad car. Brian Cooley takes you for a drive to check the tech.

Remember when hybrids were humble little cars, like the hunchback Prius? Well, hybridization has certainly jumped the shark when ponderous BMW 7 Series arrives in our garage with an electric motor buried in its power train. Yes, it is a technically marvelous machine, but does it really accomplish anything truly desirable? Or is this, as they say, a "halo product"? Brian Cooley takes you for a drive to check the tech.

(CNET's full review of the BMW 7 Hybrid names it an Editors' Choice.)

Kia has come a long way since it was a cheaper Hyundai (and who wouldn't want to progress with that hanging over their heads?) Brian Cooley takes you for a drive in the crisply folded 2011 Kia Optima to check the tech.

Brian Cooley takes you for a drive in the 2011 Honda CR-V EX-L Navi to check the tech, such as it is.

(CNET review of the 2011 CR-V EX-L)

This BMW concept starts to stretch credulity with its changing colors and other silliness. But another part of the Connected Drive platform is very real and very enticing. Brian Cooley shows us another reason why BMW tops surveys when consumers are asked about connected cars.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 Geneva auto show)

The SLK has always been a lesser SL--way lesser. But, as Brian Cooley shows us, it might actually be coming up to snuff alongside its very pricey bigger sibling. Hmm, you may be able to drive it without that bag over your head (think how much more you'll be able to enjoy the open top.)

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 Geneva auto show)

Kia used to be a cheaper Hyundai. Not cool. But starting with the Soul they began to fully recast their brand, and Optima is their most important step yet in that direction. Brian Cooley takes you for a drive to check the tech.

As the concept of "premium compact" car starts to take hold in the U.S., Audi's timing is right for this concept of the next little A3. Brian Cooley sees it becoming what the A4 used to be, but with a lot more tech. Not a bad package.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 Geneva auto show)