Autoblog

In case you somehow hadn't noticed(?!), it's not only deer and turkey season, it's also automotive award season. And here's yet another trophy for those keeping track of all of them. CNET.com wants you to help decide their 2006 Tech Car of the Year Award winner. They've done the hard work and weeded out the really big turkeys to give you a list of some real dears.

In early voting, the Lexus LS460 L, with its 19-speaker sound system, live traffic GPS and self-parking system is leading the other nine contenders. So what's it gonna be for you? Acura's RDX with voice commands? Audi's adaptive-suspension-equipped Q7? BMW's 335i with its adaptive cruise control and iDrive? Or are you more a Cadillac guy, voting for the Escalade with OnStar?

See the other five contestants after the jump.

[Source: CNET]

These lo-rez shots of the new, 2007 Honda CR-V came floating across the web last night and, although their origin is a mystery, it doesn't take much imagination to see these images splattered across a brochure at your local dealership.

This newest CR-V shares a platform with its up-market sibling the Acura RDX and many of the styling cues are reminiscent of their mutual lineage. Although we've already shown you an uncamouflaged spy shot and our commenters have passed judgment on the CR-V's newly developed dental problems, a few other design cues are of note. The floor-to-ceiling taillights are an obvious carryover from previous generations, with a little Volvo wagon thrown in for good measure. The steeply descending rear-side window may be an attempt at smooth styling, but the resulting pillar will require serious body contortions to check the blind spot. The chrome surrounds, although a nice touch, seem to add a level of flash that just doesn't seem to fit a mild-mannered cute 'ute.

The interior, in true Honda fashion, is an homage to functionality and bears a similarity to the new Civic's dash and instruments, sans the top mounted speedo. Thankfully, and in no small part to customer complaints, the transmission selector has been moved from its odd dashboard mounting to a more traditional home below the air and radio controls.

We'll hold off on making further judgments until the 'official' shots are released and if Honda decides to drop off a CR-V in the Autoblog Garage, we'd gladly take it for a spin.

After much anticipation, Acura's RDX will hit the showroom floor on August 10 with a sticker price starting at $33,610. The vehicle, slated to compete with the likes of the BMW X3, seats five and cranks out 240 hp thanks to its turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine, the first turbo'd Acura this side of the pond.

Adding the optional Technology Package scores you a 410-watt audio system and navi with voice recognition and rearview camera, among other goodies, but it will cost you -- the price jacks up to $37,110.

Acura projects that it will sell 16,000 by the end of 2006 and 40,000 when it has a whole year to work with in '07.

[Source: Automotive News]