Digital Native

No car delivered more high-tech gadgets in 2017 than Audi’s flagship, the all-new A8 sedan. You can geek out over a glass cockpit decked out in touchscreens with haptic feedback, or active air suspension powered by a 48V mild hybrid system, or the fact that it’s the world’s first Level 3 semi-autonomous car — before such a thing is even legal to use on the road. But that’s missing the forest for the trees. Behind the wheel of the A8, wafting down the road, all the gadgets and tech melt away into the background, leaving you feeling rather serene. Everything in this car works to make the driving experience less hectic, less stressful, and more pleasant. Other designers should take note of the way Audi’s team in Ingolstadt has managed to blend the digital spaces into overall cabin architecture. Yes, it’s a very good car to drive, but it’s also just a great place to be.