Detroit's New In-Car Tech: Comparison Test (with Video)

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GM Smart Audio

What it is: A sound system with a massive 40-gigabyte hard drive and a tasty 8-in. LCD. A USB connector is also on tap for uploading music files from a thumb drive or iPod.

Likes: The LCD motors out of the top of the dash like a cruise missile readying for launch. It’s robust, detailed and artifact-free, and its size is an advantage; everything it displays is bigger (maps, driving instructions, buttons, whatever), so it’s easier to use.

Best trick: Similar to a TiVo, it captures up to an hour’s worth of audio in a buffer so you can rewind to any previously played tune.

Dislikes: No Bluetooth. availability: Just on the $32,990 CTS, for now.

Pricing: $1000 for the head unit and hard drive; $3145 more gets the Nav and a better sound system.

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