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Thanksgiving is family, food, football, the colors of autumn and, if you are brave, good business. For us, it's about the cars, the people who make them, the people who drive them and the technology that makes them more usable, faster, or both. Before the carving begins, members of the Digital Trends car team take a minute to think about the cars and industry trends that we are very grateful for in 2018.
Nick Mokey, Editor-in-Chief
Spare car tech
We live in the golden age of automotive electronics and you do not need to buy a Tesla Model 3 to participate in the action, or even spend a lot.
I drive a 28-year-old van, but I added Bluetooth to my stereo for $ 45, much higher front speakers for $ 23 and a keyless entry for $ 33. The entire van overflows with the colorful light of my choice with $ 15 LED light strips and I can leave my doors ajar while I camp without killing the battery, because I swapped the ceiling lights for $ 5 for the LEDs . On my front bumper, four blinding LED lights turn the night on the forest roads and collectively cost me $ 23. It's only through stress that I did not add a wireless tire pressure monitoring system at $ 35 – a $ 8 digital gauge, accurate to one tenth of PSI, will suffice. It's always fun to watch the Lane Assist Pilot Assist in the 2019 Volvo S60, or the dynamic air suspension of the 2019 Audi Q9, but damn it, I love my pickup truck. And it's fun to tackle 21st century technologies without spending a fortune.
Now, if only there was an inexpensive way to get more than 90 horsepower from the engine …
Miles Branman
The glorious return of the wagon of the American market
After falling out of favor with Americans at the turn of the century, family members are making a comeback. Without room to flourish as commercial vehicles (SUVs still reign in this area), automakers are positioning their long-roof models as off-road tools (Subaru & Outback and Volkswagen Golf Alltrack), high-end accessories (Volvo V90 and Jaguar XF Sportbrake), and specialized hot-rods (Porsche's Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo and Mercedes-AMG's E63 S Wagon).
Booming EV options
The slow net of pure electric vehicles quickly turns into a raging river. Whether it's the disruption of the Tesla market or society's growing awareness of global degradation, we have on sale and on the road very compelling EVs. Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai's Nissan's Leaf and Ioniq Electric will soon be joined by affordable models from Volkswagen, Mini, Ford and Subaru. In the premium segment, Tesla will face competition from Jaguar, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Audi. Most of these models are expected in a year or two, so if you do not already see something you like, you will not wait long.
Stephen Edelstein
Fruits previously forbidden
American enthusiasts once threw jealous eyes on Europe and Japan, where many of the hottest cars were sequestered. This so-called forbidden fruit is rare nowadays. Of course, the United States does not take advantage of some great cars, but we now have the majority of good things. Cars like the Honda Civic Type R (pictured), the Ford Focus RS and the Nissan GT-R, which were previously out of reach, are now within reach of US buyers. In addition, we still have local performance cars like the Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.
The electric cars we really want to drive
Tesla understood it years ago, but now other automakers are starting to understand. Electric cars are needed to fight climate change, but if cars are boring, it's a hard pill to swallow. The Tesla Model S proved that people were making fun of the car, as long as it was desirable. The Jaguar I-Pace, the Audi e-tron and the next Porsche Taycan show that other manufacturers are also discovering it. Here is a future of sustainable performance and luxury.
Ronan Glon
Cars that combine technology, power and efficiency
Automakers realize that electric cars do not need to be boring, hybrids do not need to be inflated with money and advanced technology does not need to neutralize performance genes of a car. The Jaguar I-Pace (a model that, unsurprisingly, has been on the list of priorities of almost everyone this year) is an excellent driving car despite its significant weight. Many recent additions to the hybrid car segment (such as the Audi A6) offer the benefits of a petrol-electric powertrain without looking like the Prius. And while the Porsche Panamera boasts an impressive range of technical features, you can drive it as if you're going to miss your flight (to use a polite expression) and have fun driving without the feeling of flying a spaceship. It's purely driver-oriented, it does not impose its technology, but the features are there when you need it.
The proliferation of good sound systems
In the '90s, I remember when my family's driving class spent a lot of time and money customizing their car audio system. Standards have sucked, to put it plainly. Even stereo in relatively high-end models left much to be desired in terms of sound quality. But in 2018, it is difficult to find one that is really awful. Hell, even an econobox on the Hertz lot now has a half-decent setup. The best part is that it is like that that they come straight from the factory; there is no assembly required. High-end companies such as Volvo, Audi and Mercedes-Benz are taking a new step in sound with complex systems that, thanks to advanced technology, turn the interior of a car into a real one. hole in the Offspring concert, less sweat.
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