Gadgetory

now these cars have to come in 25 grand ish or so equipped CNET style with the smart tech not stripped and we're gonna rank them by CNET score here we go number 5 is the Scion fr-s 25 8c net style in arguably the coolest car when you're on a budget the brand-new FRS comes in all low slung and handles just like it looks all the modern media sources are in there and for less than 900 bucks you can option in navigation on the main screen and get the upgraded audio as well the downside is all kinds of guys in their hotted up civics and Subi's are gonna want to race you and you don't want to do that unless it's downhill because this first-year model is notably tore Calais the smart money waits for a power bump in the 2014 let's hope number four the Scion iQ this is our cheapskate today 17 434 seen that style I know it looks like one of those Nike shoes for a baby but it's actually a cool car as long as you never drive past a storefront and see a reflection of yourself in it instead keep your eyes on the new head unit with integrated Pandora and the nav and premium audio cost you a mere 850 bucks and you're gonna get real-world mpg in the mid 30s though from an engine that sounds like a coffee grinder at times number three Hyundai Veloster the 2012 at 22 to 25 CNET style anytime you can get a cheap car that has style you're ahead of the game and the Veloster definitely has style now I didn't say taste it has two doors on one side one door on the other side and looks like a sow bug from either in the direct injection engine is cutting-edge though not really powerful in this application Hyundai has about the most responsive touch screen in the business though the interface can get a little busy and their 10100 powertrain warranty that is a huge Benny at this price plus our Antwon Goodwin proved the Veloster can double has a decent monitor and speakers for your Xbox 360 number two the 2012 Ford Focus titanium 25 935 done CNET style the titanium just makes the cut price-wise partly because we SPECT the hatch not the sad-looking but cheaper sedan it has a direct injection engine that delivers real-world mpg into the 30s my Ford touch is one of the most ambitious if not over ambitious interfaces in any car it's got a really good voice command and you can even option self-parking tech and stay inside our price point I would recommend you at least consider the manual gearbox as the dual clutch automated manual can be a bit of a carnival ride okay seen its best rated tech savvy car when you're on a budget that's the Prius see the little Prius 22 to atc net style now once you and your therapist work through you becoming a Prius driver go get one of these in the level three trim that's the point at which Toyota's industry-leading and tune apps system gets in there along with GPS navigation and all the modern media options while you fiddle with all that you'll be getting real-world mpg around 50 in a car that looks way less like you hate cars than the original Prius nobody else can touch this package of modern driving for this price and it's the only car on today's list that gets a C net editor's choice you