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Best smartphones between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 buy in India 2018 

When you look at the mid range segment (between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 20,000) many smartphone manufacturers usually try to give consumers the best of both worlds - premium features but at an affordable price point. And we must say that the smartphones that have been launched till date are indeed good performers and also bring some additional features to the table. This could be attributed the stiff competition between the brands where they are trying to offer the best to the consumers and at the same time make their products stand out. SEE ALSO: Sankranti offers: Honor 7X, 8 Pro, 9i and 6X available at discount So if you are on a tight budget and looking for a smartphone under Rs. 20,000 then we have curated a list of mobiles between Rs. 15,000 to 20,000 and it covers the top phones that you can get in this bracket. These smartphones further offer the best mix of features, performance and value. These are currently available in India. Read on below to know more about the devices and what they have to offer. Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates! Oppo F5 Buy At Price of Rs 19,990Key Features 6-inch (2160 × 1080 pixels) 18:9 FHD+ full-screen 2.5D curved glass display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection 2.5GHz Octa-Core MediaTek Helio P23 16nm processor with 800MHz ARM Mali G71 MP2 GPU 4GB RAM with 32GB storage 6GB RAM with 64GB internal storage expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Android 7.1 (Nougat) with ColorOS 3.2 Dual SIM 16MP rear camera with LED flash, f/1.8 aperture 20MP front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture 4G VoLTE 3200mAh built-in battery Vivo V7 Buy At Price of Rs 16,990Key Features 5.7-inch (1440 x 720 pixels) 18:9 FullView 2.5D curved glass display with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection 1.8GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 450 14nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 506 GPU 4GB RAM 32GB internal storage expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Funtouch OS 3.2 based on Android 7.1.2 (Nougat) Dual SIM 16MP rear camera with LED flash 24MP front-facing camera 4G VoLTE 3000mAh built-in battery Honor 9i Buy At Price of Rs 17,999Key Features 5.9-inch (2160 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 18:9 2.5D curved glass display Octa-Core Kirin 659 processor (4 xA53 at 2.36GHz + 4 x A53 at 1.7GHz) with MaliT830-MP2 GPU 4GB RAM 64GB internal memory expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Android 7.0 (Nougat) with EMUI 5.1 Hybrid Dual SIM (nano+nano/microSD) 16MP rear camera with LED flash and secondary 2MP camera 13MP front-facing camera with soft LED flash and secondary 2MP camera 4G VoLTE 3340mAh battery (typical) / 3240mAh (minimum) battery Samsung Galaxy On Max Buy At Price of Rs 15,900Key Features 5.7-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD TFT IPS 2.5D curved glass display MediaTek Helio P25 Lite Octa-Core (2.39GHz + 1.69GHz) 64-bit 16nm processor with ARM Mali T880 GPU 4GB RAM 32GB internal memory expandable up to 128GB with microSD Android 7.0 (Nougat) Dual SIM Samsung Pay Mini 13MP rear camera with LED flash 13MP front camera with LED flash Fingerprint sensor 4G VoLTE 3300mAh battery Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro Buy At Price of Rs 19,900Key Features 5.5 Inch FHD Super AMOLED Display 1.6GHz Exynos 7870 Octa-Core Processor 3GB RAM With 64GB ROM Dual Nano SIM 13MP Camera With LED Flash 13MP Front Camera With LED Flash 4G LTE/WiFi Samsung Pay Bluetooth 4.1 3600mAh Battery Xiaomi Mi Max 2 Buy At Price of Rs 15,999 Key Features 6.44-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD IPS 2.5D curved glass display with 450nits brightness 2GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 625 14nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 506 GPU 4GB RAM with 64GB / 128GB storage expandable memory with microSD MIUI 8 based on Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) Hybrid Dual SIM (micro+nano/microSD) 12MP rear camera with dual-tone LED Flash 5MP front-facing camera 4G VoLTE 5300mAh (typical) / 5200mAh (minimum) battery with Quick Charge 3.0 Samsung Galaxy J7 Max Buy At Price of Rs 16,900Key Features 5.7 Inch Full HD Display 1.6GHz MediaTek Helio P20 Octa-Core Processor 4GB RAM With 32GB ROM Dual Nano SIM 13MP Camera With LED Flash 13MP Front Camera With LED Flash 4G LTE/WiFi Samsung Pay Mini Bluetooth 4.1 3300mAh Battery Buy At Price of Rs Key Features 5.7 Inch Full HD Display 1.6GHz MediaTek Helio P20 Octa-Core Processor 4GB RAM With 32GB ROM Dual Nano SIM 13MP Camera With LED Flash 13MP Front Camera With LED Flash 4G LTE/WiFi Samsung Pay Mini Bluetooth 4.1 3300mAh Battery Gionee M7 Power Buy At Price of Rs 16,999Key Features 6-inch (1440 x 720 pixels) 18:9 FullView 2.5D curved glass display, 85% NTSC color gamut, 500 Nits brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection 1.4GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 435 Mobile Platform with Adreno 505 GPU 4GB RAM 64GB internal storage expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) with Amigo OS 5.0 Hybrid Dual SIM (nano+nano/microSD) 13MP rear camera with LED flash 8MP front-facing camera 4G VoLTE 5000mAh built-in battery with fast charging Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 Buy At Price of Rs 17,990Key Features 5.2 Inch FHD Super AMOLED Display 1.9GHz Octa-Core Exynos 7880 Processor 3GB RAM With 32GB ROM Dual Nano SIM 16MP Camera With LED Flash 16MP Front Camera 4G VoLTE/WiFi Bluetooth 4.2 NFC Type-C Fingerprint Sensor 3000mAh Battery Oppo F5 Youth Buy At Price of Rs 16,990Key Features 6-inch (2160 × 1080 pixels) 18:9 FHD+ full-scren 2.5D curved glass display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection 2.5GHz Octa-Core MediaTek Helio P23 16nm processor with 770MHz ARM Mali G71 MP2 GPU 3GB RAM 32GB storage expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Android 7.1 (Nougat) with ColorOS 3.2 Dual SIM 13MP rear camera with LED flash, f/2.2 aperture 16MP front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture 4G VoLTE 3200mAh built-in battery Sony Xperia XA1 Buy At Price of Rs 16,769Key Features 5 Inch HD Curved Glass Display 2.3GHz Octa-Core Helio P20 64-Bit Processor 3GB RAM With 32GB ROM 23 MP Rear Camera With Auto Focus 8MP Exmor RS Front Camera NFC Bluetooth Stereo Speakers 2300 MAh Battery Honor 7X 64GB Buy At Price of Rs 15,999Key Features 5.93-inch (2160 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 18:9 2.5D curved glass display Octa-Core Kirin 659 processor (4 xA53 at 2.36GHz + 4 x A53 at 1.7GHz) with MaliT830-MP2 GPU 4GB RAM 32GB / 64GB / 128GB internal memory expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Android 7.0 (Nougat) with EMUI 5.1 Hybrid Dual SIM (nano+nano/microSD) 16MP rear camera with LED flash, secondary 2MP camera 8MP front-facing camera 4G VoLTE 3340mAh battery (typical) / 3240mAh (minimum) battery Infinix Zero 5 Pro Buy At Price of Rs 19,999Key Features 5.98 inch Full HD Display 6 GB RAM 128 GB ROM Expandable Upto 128 GB 12MP + 13MP Dual Rear Camera 16MP Front Camera Mediatek Helio P25 MT6757 Octa Core 2.6 GHz Processor Android Nougat 7.0 Dual SIM with Dedicated Memory Card Slot Wide Angle + Telephoto Lens with 2X Optical Zoom Fingerprint Sensor Type C Charger with Fast Charging (9V 2A) 4350 mAh Battery LG Stylus 3 Buy At Price of Rs 15,490Key Features 5.7-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) In-cell Touch 2.5D curved glass IPS display 1.5 GHz Octa-Core MediaTek MT6750 64-bit processor with Mali T860 GPU 3GB RAM 16GB Internal memory expandable memory up to 2TB with microSD Android 7.0 (Nougat) 13MP rear camera with LED flash 8MP front-facing camera Stylus Pen 4G LTE 3200mAh removable battery Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!

Best smartphones under Rs. 10,000 in India

The sub-10,000 market segment is possibly the most popular in India. But choosing a smartphone from the plethora of options here is a tedious task. Sadly, the phones in this range lack high resolution cameras, displays and solid hardware specifications but that's why they are cheaper. To us, a sub-10,000 smartphone should still be usable and shouldn't be a device that you can't use for extended periods. The devices we picked here are dependable and will last reasonably long as well. Is that possible? Well, these particular smartphones will. Best phones under Rs. 10,000 in India Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 was one of the most popular budget devices in India of 2017 selling over five million times within six months of launch. The device is priced at Rs. 9,999 and is available on Flipkart and mi.com. It has a 5.5-inch full HD IPS LCD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC, 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage. The device runs on MIUI 9, based on Android 7.0 Nougat and is powered by a 4,100mAh battery. It sports a 13MP primary camera and a 5MP secondary camera. Buy Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 at Rs. 9,999 @ Flipkart Moto E4 Plus The Moto E4 Plus is priced at Rs. 9,999 and is available on Amazon and Flipkart. It comes with a 5.5-inch HD display, Mediatek MT6737 SoC, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. It runs on Stock Android 7.1.1 Nougat and is powered by a 5,000mAh battery. Coming to the camera department, the Moto E4 Plus features a 13MP primary camera with LED flash and a 5MP secondary camera. Buy Moto E4 Plus at Rs. 9,999 @ Flipkart Micromax Canvas Infinity The Micromax Canvas Infinity is one of the cheapest devices with 18:9 aspect ratio. The device sells for Rs. 9,449 on Flipkart. It has a 5.7-inch HD+ display with 1440 x 720 pixel resolution and 18:9 aspect ratio. The Canvas Infinity comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chipset, Adreno 308 GPU, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The device runs on Android 7.1.2 Nougat and is powered by a 2,900mAh battery. There are 13MP and 16MP  cameras on the back and front, respectively. Buy Micromax Canvas Infinity at Rs. 9,449 @ Flipkart Xiaomi Redmi 4 The Xiaomi Redmi 4 is another popular budget device from Xiaomi. It is priced at Rs. 8,999 for the 3GB/32GB variant. The device is available from Amazon India and mi.com. It runs on MIUI 9, based on Android 7.0 Nougat, and is powered by a 4,100mAh battery. The Redmi Note 4 sports a 5-inch HD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 chipset, Adreno 505 GPU, 3GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage. In terms of optics, the device features a 13MP primary camera and a 5MP secondary camera. Buy Xiaomi Redmi 4 at Rs. 8,999 @ Amazon Xiaomi Redmi Y1 The Xiaomi Redmi Y1 was launched in China as the Redmi Note 5A. The device is available in India starting at Rs. 8,999 for the 3GB RAM variant. It is available from Amazon India and mi.com and runs on MIUI 9, based on Android 7.0 Nougat. The Xiaomi Redmi Y1 has a 5.5-inch HD display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 chipset, Adreno 505 GPU, 3GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage. It features a 13MP primary camera and a 16MP secondary camera. Buy Xiaomi Redmi Y1 at Rs. 8,999 @ Amazon Lenovo K8 Plus The Lenovo K8 Plus is a dual camera device and has two 13MP cameras on its back. The device is available for Rs. 8,981, after a discount of Rs. 2018, on Flipkart. It has a 5.2-inch full HD display, Mediatek Helio P25 chipset, Mali-T880 MP2 GPU, 3GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage. It features a dual camera setup at the back, consisting of a 13MP primary camera and a 5MP secondary camera. On the front, it sports an 8MP camera. The K8 Plus runs on Stock Android 7.1.1 Nougat and is powered by a 4,000mAh battery. While updates are due here, Lenovo had promised Oreo for this at launch. Buy Lenovo K8 Plus at Rs. 8,981 @ Flipkart Xiaomi Redmi 5A The Xiaomi Redmi 5A was launched in India with much fanfare last year. The device is priced at Rs. 5,999, but Xiaomi is offering a Rs. 1000 discount on the first 5 million units sold. As a result, its effectice pricing is Rs. 4,999 for the 16GB variant.  The Xiaomi Redmi 5A comes with a 5-inch HD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chipset, Adreno 308 GPU, 2GB/16GB and 3GB/32GB variants. We would really recommend only buying the 32GB version of this smartphone. Buy Xiaomi Redmi 5A 2GB at Rs. 4,999 @ Flipkart Buy Xiaomi Redmi 5A 3GB @ Rs. 6,999 @ Flipkart


Alcatel tablets now exclusively on Flipkart in India

LAS VEGAS: China-based TCL Communication, which sells Alcatel devices in India, announced at CES 2018 that it will sell Alcatel tablets exclusively through Flipkart. The partnership will make Flipkart an exclusive sales partner for large screen devices in the region, leveraging their expertise to jointly develop, market and distribute Alcatel products. "We hope this partnership turns into an efficient model for us to scale up with similar partners in other growth markets," Christian Gatti, Global President, Alcatel Business Division and Executive Vice President, TCL Communication, said in a statement.. Alcatel's percentage share on Flipkart in India is at 15.1 per cent among large-screen tablets. "In fact, A3 10 has been the best-selling tablet on our platform for the last three months. This has prompted us to enter into this partnership with Alcatel where together, we will provide latest developments in consumer technology to our customers," added Adarsh Menon, Vice President and Head-Electronics and Private Labels, Flipkart. TCL Communication designs, manufactures and markets mobile and Internet products and services under three key brands -- TCL, Alcatel and BlackBerry.

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News Highlights: Top Company News of the Day

News Highlights: Top Company News of the Day

Kinetics Internet Was No. 1, Up 56.9%, Boosted by Bitcoin The fund's largest holding was a position of 12% in Bitcoin Investment Trust. China's Electric Car Market Has Grown Up Beijing has offered the electric car market plenty of support, but there now appears to be solid demand from consumers to go green. That should give confidence to investors in the sector. Celgene to Buy Impact Biomedicines Celgene agreed to buy blood-disease biotechnology company Impact Biomedicines for as much as $7 billion. Continue Reading Below ADVERTISEMENT 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' Falls Short in China "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" opened to a soft $28.7 million in China this weekend, less than the prior two installments in the series. Iranian Tanker Leaks Fuel After Colliding With Chinese Ship A massive Iranian oil tanker was ablaze and leaking fuel in the East China Sea after colliding with a large Chinese cargo ship, Iranian and Chinese officials said. Retail's Tax Windfall Provides Ammunition Against Amazon Corporate tax cuts mean a free cash flow for retailers. How will they use it? Why Uber Can Find You but 911 Can't Software on Apple's iPhones and Google's Android smartphones help mobile apps like Uber and Facebook to pinpoint a user's location. But 911, with a far more pressing purpose, is stuck in the past. Chinese Car Buyers Like a New Option: Used Second-hand car sales are surging in China, putting pressure on auto makers after a year of sputtering growth in the new-vehicle market. Amazon's Alexa to Meet Google's Assistant in a Las Vegas Showdown Amazon.com Inc. and Google are going to the big CES dance this week, looking to find love for their voice-operated platforms. iPhones and Children Are a Toxic Pair, Say Two Big Apple Investors Jana Partners and Calstrs are beginning an unusual activist-investor campaign accusing Apple of failing to do enough to limit smartphone addiction among young users. (END) Dow Jones Newswires January 07, 2018 23:15 ET (04:15 GMT)

These 2 Companies Are the Best Contrarian Value Plays of 2018!

© Provided by Fool With a retail apocalypse apparently on the horizon, nearly any company selling a product in a brick-and-mortar environment is, unfairly or not, being painted with a very wide brush as a potential zombie. With retail continuing to be affected by massive changes originating from forces that have continued to disrupt and change the economics of a number of sectors reliant on in-person transactions, the slow and inevitable shift to e-commerce is something many investors expect will destroy the retail industry altogether. While I agree that disruption is coming and we are living in a truly remarkable time for retail transformation, I also believe that a “one size fits all” mentality with respect to Canadian retailers is both unfair and unrealistic in specific insulated niche retail segments. I’m going to discuss two of my top picks to not only survive the retail/e-commerce apocalypse, but thrive in an e-commerce-oriented world. Sleep Country Sleep Country Canada Holdings Inc. (TSX:ZZZ) is one Canadian retailer which has taken an interesting route to tackling the e-commerce revolution. While it may seem odd to consider e-commerce in the mattress industry (a pretty big box would be required to ship this merchandise), Sleep Country is not resting on its laurels and has instead embraced a new “ship and try” program, which will allow consumers to try a mattress for a specific amount of time and be refunded should the mattress not be to the customer’s liking. Sleep Country has performed very well in 2017, returning approximately 15% to investors who’ve bought into the company’s long-term vision and underlying fundamentals. While the company’s valuation will continue to not be anywhere close to deep-value levels, given Sleep Country’s dominant market position and innovative team, I would expect continued margin expansion to drive a premium valuation in 2018. Canadian Tire Another company operating in the bulky, heavy, difficult-to-ship segment which should be insulated from outside e-commerce threats is Canadian Tire Corporation Limited (TSX:CTC.A). Canadian Tire has been a top pick of mine for some time now due in large part to the vigilance and proactive approach taken by management to combat industry-related threats from Amazon.com, Inc. and others. Canadian Tire has also taken an innovative approach to e-commerce, while initiating a number of other strategic tactical improvements in 2017, including building the company’s private label program and enhancing the company’s customer service levels at its physical locations. I expect 2018 to be a year in which Canadian Tire will continue to expand margins, grow its dividend, and effectively stiff-arm outside e-commerce threats once again. Stay Foolish, my friends. Fool contributor Chris MacDonald has no position in any stocks mentioned in this article. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. David Gardner owns shares of Amazon. The Motley Fool owns shares of Amazon. 

How To Chase Away Your Best Employees

No result found, try new keyword!On top of that, unhappy employees can bring down the business as a whole. Allowing a poor work ethic to permeate the team will drive away those who seek success. Good employees are usually diligent workers looking for some kind of upward mobility.

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Best road bike 2018: serious but affordable carbon and steel bicycles

Best road bike 2018: serious but affordable carbon and steel bicycles

Has the sight of Chris Froome dominating yet another Tour de France spurred you on to pulverise your local time trial route? Or perhaps you simply want to commute at pace, like an office-bound, Lycra-clad cruise missile. Whatever the reason, road bike technology has improved at such a rate that previously out of reach carbon speed machines and pro-spec peloton-punishers are now available at entry-level prices. Ok, so £2,000 is not pocket change, and even so, these sub-£2k bikes won't be mobbing the Giro d'Italia anytime soon, but most of them do have direct lineage to their seriously expensive siblings. Road bikes: what you need to know Be warned: we have found that as frame technology has improved over the years (particularly those of the carbon fibre variety), the finishing kit that completes the bike (gears, wheels, brakes, saddles etc.) has suffered. In short, that ultra, super-duper frame that has been tested in a wind tunnel to within an inch of its life might sound like a good idea, but the overall package may not represent good value. With that in mind, we've collated a list of brilliant road bikes that represent excellent value across the board - from their tyres to their top tubes. Although it's ever so T3, we admit carbon fibre isn't necessarily the be-all and end-all of bike riding for most cyclists. Yes, you can get a full carbon road bike for under £2,000 but the material might not be the right fit for you. Cheaper carbon tends to flex under load, so if you're carrying a few excess pounds, this could prove a problem - or it could push you to lose the weight, who knows? It can also be less comfortable in general and some carbon composites can be brittle and less dependable than their steel or aluminium-framed counterparts. Plus, if the carbon frame is a peach, manufacturers will tend to balance the books by scrimping on things like the groupset (gears and brakes), wheels and finishing kit (saddle, bar tape and cabling). For example, an entry-level groupset, such as Shimano's Tiagra or Comapagnolo's Veloce, could reveal its flaws during a long sportive or timed weekend ride, when competitors require razor sharp cog swaps and bulletproof reliability. But for those simply looking to rack up the miles on gentler rides or take it easy during a friendly competition, this may not be such an issue. The same can be said for wheelsets. Ideally, the lighter and stiffer the wheel, the better for speed and handling but don't forget this will typically mean a compromise in comfort and budget. Similarly, the geometry of a frame and its construction will greatly affect the way it performs and handles. A racy geometry - the angles of the tubes that make up the frame - can be a pain on longer rides, despite performance gains. A fact that's well worth considering if you're simply looking to add a little swag to your daily commute. Ultimately, it pays to do some research. That said, our countdown of the best bikes for less than £2,000 is the ideal starting point, if we say so ourselves. The best road bikes in order of preference 1. Ribble R872 The best road bike under £2,000 Specifications Frame : Carbon Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 6800 11 Speed Wheels: Fulcrum Racing Sport Finishing Kit: Deda Zero 2 Handlebar & Stem Reasons to buy +Top notch components+Rapid carbon frame Online-only, Lancashire-based bike wrangler Ribble has been going from strength to strength of late, unleashing new and improved carbon race bikes that offer a great balance of overall stiffness, (relative) comfort, speed and composed handling. The R872 is a fantastic machine for the price, with recommended builds at frankly silly prices – and they do Black Friday sales, too. Ribble doesn't have the experience, or perhaps even the expertise, of a Specialized or Giant but they sure as hell know how to pass savings on to customers. 2. Specialized Tarmac SL4 Elite Best road bike from a big brand Specifications Frame: Carbon Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 8000 11 Speed Wheels: DTR460 Finishing Kit: Shimano & Specialized Reasons to buy +Excellent frame+Durable components Reasons to avoid -Basic wheels Okay, so you don't get much change from £2,000 (you don't get any) but that smart investment buys some of the best frame technology found in the cycling game. Specialized's FACT 9r carbon fibre construction is light and stiff, for improved straight line speed and inspiring greater downhill confidence, yet it manages to remain comfortable enough for longer rides. The overall package is pretty good for the price too, with ultra-durable (if not the quickest) DT R460 rims, Shimano's mid-to-top range Ultegra 8000 gearing components and hardy Espoir Elite Kevlar-beaded tyres thrown into the mix. Straight out of the box, this bike is built for lengthy sportives and heavy training usage but with a little more tweaking and outlay, it can easily transform into a race-ready piece of kit. 3. Specialized Tarmac Comp Another excellent Specialized steed, with punters here receiving a full FACT9r carbon frame that shares plenty of DNA with the S-Works models ridden by the professionals. Yes, alright, there is teensy a bit of compromise to get it on budget. First off, the Fulcrum S4 wheels will probably require upgrading if you're serious about bossing your local Strava Segments and the Shimano Ultegra groupset is offset by a slightly cheaper Praxis Works crankset. Regardless, that frame is an absolute belter and you can bet your bottom dollar it features Specialized's racing-winning formula. 4. Giant Defy Advanced 3 Best road bike for those who value a bit of comfort Specifications Frame: Composite Groupset: Shimano Tiagra 11 Speed Wheels: Giant SR2 Finishing Kit: Giant Reasons to buy +Disc brakes as standard+A handsome machine+Durable Reasons to avoid -Iffy Tiagra groupset Giant is often credited with leading the way in terms of creating long lasting, comfortable and great value road bikes and its Defy range is a great entry point to the brand. This model is built with endurance and comfort in mind, so perhaps isn't as racy as others mentioned on this list, but flattened seat stays and a specially designed seat post are added to decrease road vibrations and keep the dreaded Numb Arse syndrome at bay for longer. Powerful disc brakes are also thrown into the mix as standard, which is particularly impressive given this bike comes in at £1,549. These offer extra peace of mind in poor weather, even if they can be a bit of a faff to service.  Giant's finishing kit is also solid and will last years of heavy cycling before it gives up the ghost. Only Shimano's entry-level Tiagra groupset lets the package down – more discerning riders may find it can prove lazy to shift and a little unreliable, compared to more expensive offerings. 5. Vitus Vitesse EVO Vri Specifications Frame: Carbon Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 11 Speed Wheels: Mavic Ksyrium 25 Finishing Kit: FSA & Vitus Reasons to buy +Ultegra Di2 electric shifting+800g UCI approved carbon frame Reasons to avoid -Not the most prestigious of marques, perhaps A few years back, online mega sports retailer Wiggle resurrected the French bicycle marque, Vitus. It's been inexorably improving its affordable but really rather good carbon racers ever since. The Vitesse EVO Vri one of the best groupset, wheel and finishing kit packages on this list, with Shimano's utterly brilliant Ultegra Di2 electronic shifters coming as standard. These clever cogs harness the power of an electric motor in the front and rear derailleurs, meaning gear shifts are fast and precise, while the system has been tuned to automatically keep itself true. Ultegra brake calipers also come part and parcel, as do tried-and-tested Mavic Ksyrium 25 performance wheels and a carbon seatpost to finish off the lightweight racer. 6. Canyon Ultimate CF SL Disc 8.0 Another great value road warrior Specifications Frame: Carbon Groupset: Shimano 105 11 Speed Wheels: Mavic Aksium Disc Finishing Kit: Canyon & Fizik Reasons to buy +Solid all-rounder+Excellent build quality Reasons to avoid -Empty List Canyon knows very well that you can easily achieve the perfect bike if you have 10 grand to spare but Canyon also knows that not everyone has that sort of dollar to blow. Its CF SL range is light and durable, with the updated model boasting a Mavic Aksium Disc wheelset with powerful disc brakes, as well as robust Shimano 105 groupset and disc brake. Canyon frames are naturally fast and pointy, designed with pro pelotons in mind, but the CF SL manages to blend in a soupçon of comfort, which is great for those with longer rides in mind. 7. Vitus Vitesse Evo This full carbon, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) accredited frame tips the scales at a race-legal but featherweight 7.59kg thanks to its high-modulus T700 carbon fibre frame, but it also comes equipped with Shimano's excellent Ultegra 6800 groupset. In fact, there's very little compromise here and the overall frame geometry manages to remain speedy yet surprisingly comfortable. Great news for those with miles to munch. 8. BMC Team Machine SLR02 105 This Swiss-made stunner is the result of many professional stage wins from the likes of Cadel Evans and Tejay van Garderen, who have been integral to the overall design and feel of the bike. The frame and forks are pure carbon but it's slightly heavier than rivals due to a beefier finishing kit and the reliable but weighty Shimano WH-RS11 wheelset. BMC create solid bikes that will happily pound mountainous climbs day after day and the Team Machine doesn't disappoint. 9. Eastway Emitter R1 Ultrgra Di2 This is another full carbon beauty that packs a serious amount of kit for the money. How do they do it? In short, retailer Wiggle owns the Eastway brand, so can pass on savings to the customer. The upshot is a sharp lightweight frame, a tried-and-tested Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheelset, as well as Shimano's top spec Di2 electronic groupset. It's an understated machine that hides plenty of performance prowess up its sleeve. 10. Cannondale CAAD12 Ultegra 3 Disc Proof that carbon isn't the only material for high performance machines, Cannondale's aluminium alloy CAAD12 manages to remain light, stiff and ultra-reliable, while packing Shimano's brilliant Ultegra 6800 groupset. In fact, this machine is finished beautifully yet tips the scales at just over 8kg. Plus, it's absolutely plastered in Cannondale logos, which will appeal to what the undiplomatic might call, 'big show-off sods'. 11. Trek Domane ALR 4 A neat introduction into the world of performance bicycles, Trek's ALR 5 takes inspiration from the rugged Domane family, which in turn has been designed to offer great dependability over harsh surfaces. More experienced riders will likely snub the Bontrager rims and entry-level Shimano Tiagra groupset, but it's a solid set-up for the price – you can get it for about a grand if you shop wisely – and one that can soak up the punishment of a daily ride. T3 rating 3/5

18 of the Best Fat Bikes of 2018

New for this year, Fatback has created the FLT line, which stands for Fat, Light, Technology. The Skookum receives a make-over that includes a carbon frameset, which Fatback has designed to be as light as possible, while still standing up to the demands of your winter ripping. Fatback equips the Skookum FLT with Manitou’s Mastodon Pro fat bike fork. The SRAM GX1 build for the Skookum FLT strikes a nice balance between performance and price and is made for all-around ripping. We wouldn’t choose it for bikepacking, but if you’re looking for long-ride and race-day fun in the snow or sand, the Skookum FLT may just be the bike for you. 

The Best Indoor Bike Racks

Last Updated October, 2017: We’ve added new picks and insights. Prices and links have also been updated. Editor’s Choice: ARTIFOX RACK Anything that finds its way into your indoor living space should feel like it belongs there; it should add to the room’s feng shui without contributing to clutter. (It also shouldn’t make your living room look like a toolshed.) ARTIFOX kept ambiance in mind when it designed the RACK, a vertical bike hanger made of stained hardwood that looks like nothing more than an intentional room accent. The rack holds your bike with a single arm-like hook and keeps the wheels from dirtying your walls, unlike many other wall hanging bicycle racks. All you need is a bike pretty enough to match. Introduction Leaving a bike on a New York City sidewalk is like going for a swim in shark-infested South African waters; limbs are lost, spokes are shaken, nothing left but the bones. During idle hours, city bikes need a safe place to rest inside: enter the indoor bike rack. City dwellers are masters at making a square foot somehow larger, and they’ve come up with some creative ways to store bikes. Whether it’s standing in the corner, blending in with wall decor or just plain out of the way, the method comes down to you (and your wallet). These indoor racks will keep your bike dry and safe at night. The Best Indoor Bike Racks Park Tool Storage Hook Bust Budget Pick: Indoor bike storage doesn’t have to be complicated. The simplest solution can be found at your local hardware store (or on Amazon). It’s a standard rubber-coated hook that can be easily installed with nothing more than a drill, allowing you to hang your bike freely from the ceiling or against the support of a wall. The hooks come in different sizes, which means you can store road bikes, mountain bikes, and everything in between — just be sure to buy the right size. CLUG Bike Clip Best Minimalist Bike Rack: Bikes are bulky; they take up enough space when storing them indoors without the addition of a full-on bike rack. The CLUG is as minimal as it gets — it’s nothing more than a simple, polycarbonate C-shaped clip that allows you to balance almost any bike against a wall, vertically or horizontally. It should be noted that the CLUG has specific size requirements and it’s not a hanger — make sure to buy the right size and install it correctly according to the bike you’re storing. Steadyrack Classic Bike Rack Best for Storing Multiple Bikes On a Wall: There are plenty of wall racks that use a tray-like system to cradle your bike and keep it off the ground, but Steadyrack does it best. The wall-mounting storage rack uses two arms to hold a bike’s front wheel in place while the rear sits in a small clip to keep it from swinging. The Steadyrack can also be swung from side to side in nearly 180 degrees, allowing you to stack multiple bikes against each other and maximize available space. When not in use, the arms fold up on themselves to create a less obtrusive profile. ARTIFOX RACK Best Looking Wall Hanger: Anything that finds its way into your indoor living space should feel like it belongs there; it should add to the room’s feng shui without contributing to clutter. (It also shouldn’t make your living room look like a toolshed.) ARTIFOX kept ambiance in mind when it designed the RACK, a vertical bike hanger made of stained hardwood that looks like nothing more than an intentional room accent. The rack holds your bike with a single arm-like hook and keeps the wheels from dirtying your walls, unlike many other wall hanging bicycle racks. All you need is a bike pretty enough to match. The Bike Valet Best for Additional Practicality: Built with structural aluminum and cork pads, the Bike Valet is a smart-looking way to horizontally hang any bike with a diamond geometry. But the Valet does more than that; hidden in its features are two hooks that can be used for hanging helmets, bags, coats and any other piece of commuter gear. The entire thing is simple to install, too, using just two hex screws. Racor Bike Lift Best for Spaces with High Ceilings: Wall mounts are great, but they require a bit of lifting and demand that the bike become a visual highlight in the arrangement of any room. Racor’s Bike Lift brings the bike to the ceiling, up and out of the way of your regular interior movements. The lift uses two simple hooks that grab a bike (up to 50 pounds) by the handlebars and saddle, and works with a rope and pulley system that can elevate your ride up to 12 feet. Excess rope secures to a separate wall cleat. Despite the Bike Lift’s simple components, it offers a unique way to free up space inside (if you have it). Delta Cycle Michelangelo Gravity Storage Rack Best No Setup Required Option: Delta Cycle’s Michelangelo rack may be on the bigger side, but it’s the only wall mounting indoor storage option that doesn’t require installation — no drills, no screws. Instead, the rack works with gravity, using the weight of the bikes to create a stable downward force that can support the weight of two horizontally-hunt bicycles. The Michelangelo is constructed with steel tubes and rubber bumpers that prevent any scuffs and scratches and can support up to 80 pounds of bike weight. Saris The Hottie Storage Rack Best Freestanding Bike Hanger: No available wall space? No problem. The Hottie is a freestanding storage rack that can accommodate two bikes horizontally using two cushioned, adjustable cradles. The rack has a small footprint so it won’t take up too much living space, and it’s built with a wood face that blends nicely in most interior environments. As an added bonus, The Hottie is equipped with a small shelf for storing essentials like your keys and wallet. Feedback Sports Rakk Bike Stand Best Floor Stand: Wall mounts, hangers and racks have many benefits, but if you’re looking for a simpler option that prioritizes accessibility and doesn’t require installation, then a classic bike stand is a good choice. The Rakk is small and conveniently portable. It grabs and holds a bike’s front or rear wheel with spring-loaded arm that keeps enough pressure on the bike to keep it from toppling over, all while preventing scratches to the rim or damage to the spokes. The Rakk is also modular, allowing you to connect multiple together for storing more than one bike. Vadolibero Bike Shelf Best for Letting Your Guests Know Your Bike Is the Most Important Object In Your Life: If you’re storing your bike inside, then you probably care very much about it. Cycling is your passion — declare it to the world! Or to your house guests, at the very least. The Bike Shelf is less a rack and more a furniture piece that makes a statement. It highlights the beauty of the bicycle as an object, placing it where you’d normally display a fancy 4k television or perhaps an antique sculpture. But just because the Bike Shelf comes with an inherent level of vanity that doesn’t mean it isn’t also practical, too. The solid oak shelf is built with a rack for hanging your cycling kit, three modular drawers for storing accessories and tools, and various hanging points that can be used for your helmet, a backpack, headphones and more. The Best Bike Racks for Any Adventure For road bikes, mountain bikes and commuters. Read the Story Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

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20 Best Affordable Luxury Cars For Less Than $40,000

A luxury car doesn't necessarily have to have a luxury price. In November, the average cost of a new car was $35,870, according to Kelley Blue Book. The average luxury car ($57,399 on average) is more than double the cost of a compact SUV ($28,990). The cost of a high-end luxury car ($96,822) could buy a family a mid-sized commuter car ($25,510), a minivan ($35,621) and a subcompact car for their firstborn ($16,311) and leave them enough for a decent investment. But the entry-level luxury vehicle is the great equalizer. An entry-level luxury car ($42,223) or compact SUV ($44,403) is only slightly more than the average electric vehicle ($39,447). Also, each is sold at a discount compared to the working-class, full-size pickup truck ($47,393). If you've ever shopped at Neiman Marcus Last Call or Nordstrom Rack for high-end labels at low prices, you understand luxury automakers are doing with their entry-level offerings. The once entry-level Mercedes-Benz C-class and BMW 3 series have been supplanted by lower-tier vehicles. Why? Because those automakers could use the sales. Luxury car sales dropped 7.2% through November, according to MotorIntelligence. That's compared to an 10.3% drop in the car market overall. The only luxury vehicles that received significant bump were luxury SUVs, which saw sales increase by a modest 3.4% year over year. Those luxury automakers' struggles can be a less-flush car buyer's opportunity to step up to a cushier vehicle. With help from the folks at Kelly Blue Book we found 20 luxury vehicles that cost less than $40,000. Audi A3 © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $31,950 The standard suite of Audi features, including Audi Connect capability information and entertainment services, make this a particularly good bargain at this price and mileage. Standard throw-ins include Xenon headlights with LED trim, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, an SD card slot with 32 gigabytes of operating capacity and rain-sensing wipers and light-sensing headlights. Meanwhile, the A3's efficient-for-a-luxury-vehicle 28 miles per gallon is a fairly sweet perk of its own. Audi Q3 © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $32,900 Though a 200-horsepower 4-cylinder engine is a little underpowered for an Audi, and its Drive Select system to tighten or loosen the handling seems like overkill, it's the little perks that make it pop. An available 14-speaker Bose audio system, enhanced navigation that doubles as a Wi-Fi hotspot and sensor-driven parking and lane-assist systems are all nice options to have. However, the standard panoramic sunroof, 12-way heated leather seats and voice control system all give you Audi feel at a station-wagon price. Acura TLX © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $33,000 Acura and its U.S. operations in Marysville, Ohio just know what the U.S. market wants, and this latest luxury take on the Honda Accord is a prime example. Insulated against sound, tricked out with LED lighting and loaded with automated safety features including lane assistance, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning and collision-mitigating braking, the TLX is a really cushy preview of what will eventually be Honda's self-driving car. There's a whole lot of American labor and ingenuity behind those advancements, but it's just a hint of what's to come. Oh, and if you get stuck with a four-cylinder instead of a V6, doesn't worry: That combined 30 miles per gallon -- including 35 mpg on the highway -- more than makes up for the lack of power. Acura RDX © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $35,800 It's the luxury version of the Honda CR-V, which isn't a bad thing. The CR-V is Honday's best-selling SUV, and Honda-owned Acura loads it up to a 279-horsepower V6 engine, a multiview rear camera, keyless access, power tailgate and automatic climate control. It also offers GPS-linked climate control in the RDX's that communicates with a GPS-linked solar sensor that determines the position of the sun relative to the driver and passenger to tell your dual-zone climate control system then to keep the sunny side of the car as cool as the shaded side. Voice command, navigation, remote start, rain-sensing wipers and all-wheel drive are other options, but the 61 cubic feet of maximum cargo space is a big draw for families. BMW XI © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $33,900 The X1 has a huge-for-a-luxury-compact 58.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down. There's a heads-up display on the windshield, cornering LED headights, automatic climate control, power tailgate, BMW's telematics and infotainment system and lots of other perks built around a zippy 228 horsepower, four-cylinder twin turbo engine. BMW 2 Series © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $34,800 The 2 Series may be the former the entry-level 3 Series' less-fortunate sibling, but it still has the same logo on the front. With a bit more plastic in the interior, a bit more petrochemical upholstery on the seats and just a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, 240-horsepower turbo engine under the hood (albeit with 28.5 combined mpg), it's basically a baby step above the company's Mini badge. However, with its sport setting, stability control and performance suspension, this soft-top bargain BMW wants to give you all the fun of driving this brand at the cost of some of its more luxurious components. You still get the iDrive touchscreen computer system, rain-sensing wipers, automatic climate control and keyless ignition, but the satellite radio is extra, leather and wood are nonexistent and the more high-tech safety features are noticeably absent. Buick Encore © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $22,990 Buick is really big on providing just enough luxury at a sub-premium price. The Encore is nearly a foot shorter than the Honda CR-V, but you can fold both the rear seats and front passenger seat flat for hauling cargo in its 48 cubic feet of space. The Encore's list of features includes available 4G LTE Wi-Fi, available dual climate control, power moon roof, rain sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a rearview camera, split-folding rear seats, OnStar telematics and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, a USB/iPod interface, an auxiliary audio jack and Buick's IntelliLink control interface with a 7-inch touchscreen and integrated smartphone apps. While Buick is a baby step beneath General Motors' big luxury brand, Cadillac, it still loves to pamper its customers. Buick LaCrosse © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $29,565 When Buick first redesigned the bulbous, oversized LaCrosse back in 2009, it was a Big Deal. Buick loaded up on the plush amenities, but downgraded the engine from a V6 to a four-cylinder. Even that only succeeded in getting it a combined 23 miles per gallon until it introduced the semi-hybrid eAssist that manages 30.5. Seeing the one big area where the LaCrosse could improve, Buick upgraded it in 2015, put it on a lighter Chevy Impala platform. It may not be enough to keep the car from dropping out of Buick's SUV-heavy lineup in the future, but it's a fairly sweet deal for drivers who can still get one. Cadillac ATS © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $35,495 The entry-level Caddy doesn't believe in sacrifice, even if GM might sacrifice it in favor of SUVs. The 2.5-liter version gets little more than 200 horsepower, but makes up for it with very un-Cadillac mileage. The 3.6-liter V6 doesn't break 28 miles per gallon, but it produces 335 horsepower and provides the muscle that a good Cadillac should -- complete with limited rear slip differential, magnetic ride control and magnesium paddle shifters. Technologically, the ATS is off to a good start with 4G Wi-Fi. With keyless entry and remote start via smartphone, a Bose sound system and the Cadillac CUE touchscreen console with voice feedback and wireless phone charging, it's loaded. Chevrolet Volt © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $33,220 It's not only a more efficient plug-in hybrid than it's ever been, but it's about $10,000 less expensive than it used to be. The original Volt's all-electric range was a scant 35 miles and its gas mileage wasn't great either. However, its silent interior became the foundation for its 2016 redesign that adds more battery capacity, subtracts weight and goes a lot farther without gas. Not only is the sleeker body a welcome improvement, but the dual 8-inch LED color displays, Chevrolet MyLink apps system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) all make the Volt feel less stuffy. Oh, and the 42.5 mpg from the gas motor and 53 miles of electric range don't hurt, either. Infiniti QX30 © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $29,950 There's a reason for the price: Even for a crossover, this is really small. There's a scant 34 cubic feet of total cargo space with the seats down and a body style that nominally resembles an SUV. However, the leather steering wheel, heated power rearview mirror, 208-horsepower four-cylinder engine, combined 28.5 miles per gallon, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, backup camera and InFiniti InTouch infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen all seem like lovely features... for a sedan. Infiniti Q50 © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $34,200 Introduced four years ago to replace the Infiniti G sedan, this is a more plush version of the tuner favorite Nissan Skyline. The top-of-the-line 3-liter V6 engine cranks out 399 horsepower, while even the hybrid version produces 359. Yet surrounding paddle shifters and sport gauges with a leather interior, wood-and-chrome trim, touchscreen apps systems, navigation and other baubles seem to distract this vehicle from its intended purpose: Laying rubber and taking names. Jaguar XE © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $35,725 Jaguar vehicles have always leaned heavily on their looks, but it's the sporty handling that sells this low-end Jag. The push-button start, automatic dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, HD radio and leather-wrapped steering wheel are somewhat plush, but the fact that a rearview camera, adaptive headlights, head-up display and automatic high beams cost extra suggest that Jaguar knows the line between "luxury" and luxurious. Lexus NX 300h © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $38,335 A luxurious, hybrid version of the Toyota RAV4 seemed like a great idea at the time. Almost 18 cubic feet of cargo space, 36 inches of legroom in the back, a smartphone charger, LED lighting a remote touchpad to control your information and entertainment options also sounded fairly pleasant. However the NX 300h is fairly fortunate that its 33 mpg of combined mileage leads the class right now, since naysayers have noticed that there isn't a lot of hybrid competition for it in the luxury sector. Lexus IS © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $36,210 The paddle-shift transmission, drive modes, 10.3-inch multimedia display, touch-based climate controls and Lexus Enform entertainment system all come at a premium over the similarly-designed Toyota Camry. That said, the base IS 300 produces 241 horsepower from its easily modified four-cylinder turbo engine and features performance driving modes and available all-wheel drive. Lincoln MKZ © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $35,445 In 2017, Ford give this vehicle a honeycomb-chrome grill, Audi-style LED accent lights and a 3-liter, 400 horsepower engine to compete with Audi, Mercedes and BMW's entry-level vehicles. The MKZ's evolution has taken a solid first step, though the hybrid version's 40 mpg combined looks a lot better than the standard model's 24. Mercedes-Benz CLA-class © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $32,700 Why would Mercedes drop a 2-liter 4-cylinder into a vehicle? To get 32 miles per gallon of combined highway and city mileage. The baby Benz produces just 208 horsepower of this baby Benz, but a 375-horsepower all-wheel drive version with sports suspension and racing brakes is available for more than our $40,000 limit. However, the touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and HD radio, the smartphone app with five years of free features and the the radar-based collision, attention and braking assistance are strong standard features for an entry-level car. Mercedes-Benz GLA-clas © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $32,850 From the chrome 18-inch rims to the 43.6 cubic feet of total cargo space and 28.5 miles to the gallon combined, the GLA-class combines luxury and utility. The 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth audio streaming, five years of smartphone apps, Wi-Fi and streaming audio and automated collision, attention, blind-spot, lane-keeping and cruise-control assistance are all nice little features. However, the more than 200 horsepower and 30 miles per gallon make it a powerful, yet frugal choice. Mini Clubman © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $24,100 Once just Mini's stretchy, gate-doored entry into the small car segment, the Clubman has bulked up a bit and added features including various upholstery options and the Mini Connected information and entertainment system with 6.5-inch high-resolution display, third-party app support, Bluetooth audio streaming and voice control. Mini's goal is to dazzle premium customers with a leather-wrapped three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and gearshift, dual-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, keyless ignition, 12-color ambient interior lighting, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, 16-inch alloy wheels, and carbon black leatherette upholstery. However, the biggest update is the choice of a BMW-developed three- or four-cylinder turbocharged engine, and with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. BMW crammed 134 horsepower into the three-cylinder, while the four gets 189 horsepower. Volvo V60 © Provided by Thestreet.com Starting price: $36,150 It looks like a wagon, but its combined 31 mpg are much more efficient than the wood-paneled wagons of the past. The 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine for the front-wheel drive model is the only version that gets anything close to this kind of mileage. The five-cylinder all-wheel-drive upgrade cuts combined mileage to less than 25 miles per gallon, but the base still gets you 43.8 cubic feet of cargo space, 3,500 pounds of towing capacity power driver's and front-passengers' seats, power moonroof and an audio and communications system with a 7-inch touchscreen.

The best cars for teens

Getting a first car is a huge moment in the life of a teenager. That first car is always memorable, but whether those memories are good or bad depends on exactly what kind of vehicle one ends up with. Our list of the best cars for teens includes five solid choices from different categories. All of them cover important bases like affordability, but they each offer something extra that elevates them above basic transportation. Why should you buy this: It’s safe, reliable, but not boring. The Mazda 3 offers the safety and reliability of a good first car, with some extra character thrown in. Who’s it for: Budding car enthusiasts. The Mazda 3 is a great car for teens because it’s simply a great car. It will indoctrinate them into the concept that cars can be fun and entertaining even when they have to be practical, and it also checks important boxes like reliability, value, and safety (it’s an IIHS Top Safety Pick). Unlike many other compact cars, the Mazda 3 gives its driver more than just basic transportation. Handling is above average, exterior styling is pleasing to the eye, and even the base 2.0-liter engine is pretty zingy, making the most of its 155 horsepower (a 184-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder is available on higher trim levels). Mazda also offers plenty of tech features like a nine-speaker Bose audio system and head-up display, albeit as optional extras. The rotary controller paired with the standard 7.0-inch touchscreen display is also easy to use, and paranoid parents can spec safety features like autonomous emergency braking and rear cross traffic alert. Miles Branman/Digital Trends Why should you buy this: It’s a solid car with a choice of three green powertrains. The best Green Car for Teens 2017 Hyundai Ioniq EV The Hyundai Ioniq offers three green powertrain options — all of them good. $29,500.00 from Hyundai Who’s it for: Up-and-coming environmentalists. How much will it cost: $22,200+ (hybrid) Why we picked the Hyundai Ioniq: The Hyundai Ioniq may look like just another hatchback, but that’s because Hyundai put all of the effort into the powertrain. The Ioniq is offered in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric flavors. It’s the only car currently on sale in the United States to offer that combination of options. Whichever powertrain you pick, the Ioniq offers impressive efficiency. The Ioniq Hybrid gets an EPA-rated 55 mpg combined (58 mpg in the efficiency-focused Blue trim), while the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid can operate solely on electric power for up to 29 miles with an efficiency rating of 119 MPGe combined. Finally, the Ioniq Electric offers 124 miles of range at 136 MPGe combined. The Ioniq Electric is the most energy efficient car currently sold in the U.S. Hyundai also tried to make the Ioniq fun. The Ioniq Hybrid and Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid use a six-speed dual-clutch transmission for snappier responses, and the chassis was tuned for relatively lively handling. The combination of efficiency, a focus on driving dynamics, and typical Hyundai value makes the Ioniq a worthy contender. Our full Hyundai Ioniq review The best Sports Car for Teens Subaru BRZ View photos Why should you buy this: It’s all the sports car you’ll ever need. The best Sports Car for Teens 2017 Subaru BRZ The Subaru BRZ is fun to drive, but it won’t scare your parents. $25,495.00 from Subaru Who’s it for: Wannabe racers. How much will it cost: $25,595+ Why we picked the Subaru BRZ: The Subaru BRZ is exactly the kind of car enthusiasts beg car companies to make. Like its nearly identical sibling, the Toyota 86 , the BRZ is a relatively inexpensive, small, rear-wheel drive sports car that offers a high ratio of fun per dollar. With its low-slung two-door coupe body and exciting driving experience, the BRZ is one cool item. But it’s not exactly the fastest car in the world, which should be a relief to parents. The 2.0-liter boxer-four engine produces 205 hp (200 hp in automatic models), which is enough to let the BRZ get out of its own way, but not too much for new drivers to handle. As driving skill and bank accounts expand, the BRZ still has a lot to offer. The Subaru sports car has become a darling of the aftermarket, so there are plenty of opportunities to boost performance with modifications. Read more about the Subaru BRZ The best Pickup Truck for Teens Toyota Tacoma View photos Why should you buy this: It can stand up to all kinds of abuse. The best Pickup Truck for Teens 2018 Toyota Tacoma The Toyota Tacoma is a paradigm of reliability and toughness. $25,200.00 from Toyota Who’s it for: People with things to haul and trails to scour. How much will it cost: $25,200+ Why we picked the Toyota Tacoma: For someone who is just learning how to drive, it’s probably best to go with a smaller, more maneuverable truck than the full-size rigs that dominate the market. The midsize pickup truck segment has experienced a rebirth lately, with reinvigorated entries from General Motors and Honda showing up over the past couple of years. But Toyota has been there all along. The Tacoma stuck it out through the lean times, and got a full redesign for the 2016 model year. The current-generation Tacoma features tough-looking exterior styling and a wider range of tech features than before. It still has everything you want from a truck, including a basic-but-functional interior and an old-school four-wheel drive system. Even if a brand-new Tacoma is out of reach, the previous-generation model is a solid truck as well. Because it was made for about a decade, there should be plenty of used examples on the market. The Tacoma also has a great reputation for reliability, even more so than other Toyotas. After the apocalypse, the only things left on Earth will be some cockroaches, Keith Richards, and Toyota trucks. Read more about the Toyota Tacoma  The best Crossover/SUV for Teens Jeep Renegade View photos Why should you buy this: It’s fun, distinctive, and can play in the dirt. The best Crossover/SUV for Teens 2017 Jeep Renegade Sport The Jeep Renegade is one of the few subcompact SUVs that doesn’t feel like a glorified hatchback. $17,995.00 from Jeep Who’s it for: Young explorers. How much will it cost: $17,995+ Why we picked the Jeep Renegade: The Renegade is the smallest and least-expensive vehicle Jeep makes, so it’s the easiest entry point for fans of this well-known brand. Sharing a platform with the Fiat 500X, it’s part of a wave of subcompact crossovers that undercut more traditional models like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Jeep’s own Cherokee in size and price. Unlike most other vehicles in its class, the Renegade actually feels like a real SUV. That’s partly down to a tall, upright driving position and styling that mimics more traditional Jeeps. But the Renegade also has genuine off-road abilities, at least as long as you choose the high-end ($26,895) Trailhawk model. It gets the same Selec-Terrain system offered in larger Jeeps, and a sophisticated all-wheel drive system. On the road, the Renegade offers the car-like handling typical of crossovers, and its small size makes it a better fit for urban areas than larger models. A distinctive-looking interior and intuitive Uconnect infotainment system round out the package. How We Test The Digital Trends automotive team tests vehicles through a comprehensive scrutinizing process. We examine the qualities of the exterior and interior and judge them based on our expertise and experience in the context of the vehicle’s category and price range. Entertainment technology is thoroughly tested as well as most safety features that can be tested in controlled environments. Test drivers spend extensive time behind the wheel of the vehicles, conducting real-world testing, driving them on highways, back roads, as well as off-road and race tracks when applicable.

Movers and shakers: The UK's 10 best-selling new cars of 2017 revealed

Official figures released on Friday confirmed that new car sales in the UK dropped by 5.7 per cent last year - the first decline in registrations since 2011. Despite the shrinking market, more new vehicles were sold in 2017 than any other year on record bar 2015 and 2016, meaning the sector is still experiencing a period of rich health. So which cars were the most popular sellers over the last 12 months? Here's the countdown from 10 to 1 and how their ranking and sales figures compare to the year previous. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class broke into the top 10 this year with dealers selling more examples than they did in 2017 10.  Mercedes-Benz A-Class, 43,717 registrations Price from: £20,715 2016 position: 11th (41,183) Making an appearance in the top 10 best sellers of 2017 is Mercedes' smallest model, the A-Class hatchback. While it's not the most practical or comfortable (it has a particularly crashy ride) family hatch on sale today, it does have all the interior polish you'd expect from the premium German marque - and badge power can never be overlooked. Fleet operators love them and dealers were offering substantial discounts last term.  The Mercedes-Benz C-Class took the award as the most popular compact premium saloon in the country. In fact, it's the most bought saloon car in the UK 9. Mercedes-Benz C-Class, 45,912 registrations Price from: £29,035 2016 position: 9th (44,184) Retaining the ninth position it scored last year, Mercedes' compact premium saloon has out-sold its main rival, the BMW 3 Series, yet again. Like the A-Class, the C-Class is a firm favourite for company car fleets and the latest range of green engines are proving efficient to run. The new styling - very much in the same taste as the luxurious S-Class - might be another reason why it has sold so well.  Now there's a five-door Mini hatchback there is even greater choice for fans of retro-styled small cars. The BMW-owned brand shifted almost 50,000 examples last term 8. Mini hatchback, 47,669 registrations Price from: £14,640 2016 position: 8th (48,328) The Mini hatchback has done it again - eighth place in the top 10 sellers list. Since the BMW-owned brand added a five-door option the Mini has become even more popular than before. It's still one of the best handling small cars on the market and is proof that retro styling is still very much in fashion.  'That's not a Polo; it's a Golf.' Wrong. This is VW's sixth-generation supermini, though it isn't all that 'mini' anymore  7. Volkswagen Polo, 47,855 registrations Price from: £13,855 2016 position: 7th (54,448) Volkswagen introduced us to a new Polo this year, and it's better than before. It's also quite a lot bigger, too - so much so that it's easy to mistake it for the Golf hatchback. Sales this term might have been hindered by the arrival of this sixth-generation model, with many potentially waiting to get their hands on VW's latest offering. And it was worth stalling a purchase - it's great to drive, has an up-market cabin and more interior space for passengers and luggage. Seventh place it is again. The Astra is one of the better choice affordable family hatchbacks on the market. That said, Vauxhall sold 10,000 fewer in 2017 than the year previous 6. Vauxhall Astra, 49,370 registrations Price from: £17,115 2016 position: 6th (60,719) It's been a difficult year for Vauxhall. Not only has it recently gone through a change of ownership (bought by the French PSA Group from General Motors in the US) but it has also seen a big drop in sales as a brand - down 22 per cent on last year. The Astra is one of the models to suffer, with 10,000 fewer examples leaving showrooms in 2017 compared to the year before. That said, it still retained the same sixth place position it achieved in the 2016 rankings, and it's still arguably one of the best sub-£20k family cars on the market.  The drop in Astra sales pales in comparison to the Corsa, though. It is the biggest faller of the year, dropping from second place in 2016 to fifth place last year. Some 25,000 fewer models left showrooms in 2017 5. Vauxhall Corsa, 52,772 registrations Price from: £11,045 2016 position: 2nd (77,110) While the Astra managed to retain its place in the standings from 12 months previous, the same can't be said for the Corsa. In 2016 it was the second most purchased new vehicle on the market. Fast forwards a year and it has fallen three places after shedding nearly 25,000 sales. Ouch. One of the big problems for Vauxhall's supermini is the quality competition it now faces, with the likes of the Polo and Ford Fiesta attracting attention from customers.  Despite competition in the compact SUV sector coming from all angles, the Qashqai is still the choice for Britons. It moved up one place to the wooden spoon position  4. Nissan Qashqai, 64,216 registrations Price from: £19,295 2016 position: 5th (62,682) Nissan's UK-built Qashqai continues to be the best-selling SUV on the market, as it has been since the first-generation car arrived in 2006. It moved up the top 10 list by one place in 2017, leapfrogging the Corsa in the table. With so many compact SUVs hitting the market, the dominance of the Sunderland-built offroader is mightily impressive. However, it has its work cut out to stay at the top of the charts next year.  The Ford Focus was the UK's most popular car for a decade from 1999 and remains a firm favourite today. Sales in 2017 were on par with 2016 3. Ford Focus, 69,903 registrations Price from: £20,135 2016 position: 3rd (70,545) You must be able to negotiate some good deals on the Ford Focus because a starting price of more than £20,000 for the entry-level car today is will come as a big surprise to many (including us). That's in the same ballpark as the Mercedes A-Class featured at number 10, which is a premium product. When it first arrived in 1999 it was the UK's favourite, and remained that way for a decade. Today's car retains many of the same characteristics as the original - it looks good, drives even better and ticks all the practicality boxes for family buyers.  Thought the VW emissions cheating scandal would hit sales of its cars? Think again. The Golf has moved up two slots from fourth in 2016 to the runner-up last year. Some 5,000 extra units were sold by dealers during a difficult 2017 for the market 2. Volkswagen Golf, 74,605 registrations Price from: £17,765 2016 position: 4th (69,492) What test-cheating scandal? The revelation of VW falsifying diesel emission measurements in official tests back in September 2015 might have damaged the German carmaker's reputation, but it has done little to slow sales of its cars. The proof? The Golf has now jumped from fourth to second in the charts with almost 70,000 units left showroom forecourts between January and December 2017. VW recently facelifted the car, though little has changed in reality. That's no bad thing because the Golf is still one of he most accomplished hatches on sale today. No surprises here - the Ford Fiesta took the title as the UK's favourite car for the ninth year in succession. A new model arrived mid-way through 2017, so expect registrations of new Fiestas to grow over the next 12 months 1. Ford Fiesta, 94,533 registrations Price from: £13,165 2016 position: 1st (120,525) You guessed it - the most popular new car of 2017 is, of course, the Ford Fiesta. This is the ninth successive year for the supermini at the top of the table, though sales dropped back below the 100,000 units ceiling last term. A new version arrived in 2017 and offered even more choice to Fiesta buyers with the premium Vignale model, a widened sporty ST range and even an 'Active' crossover. Could the Fiesta make it a decade as the UK's favourite car? We'll find out in 12 months' time. SAVE MONEY ON MOTORING Car insurance Compare policies Breakdown cover Find the best deals Personal loans Borrow for a car Insurance tips Reduce your costs

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