As the automotive industry attempts to give its consumers the best things possible, they combine the best cars and the best technologies. New car technologies are not just for aesthetic purposes, most of the time, the added cash on the price tags of new vehicles spells additional comfort, and especially, safety. Askmen.com ranked 10 of technologies that combine innovation and practicality, some are already available and some are coming soon. Here they are with their tag prices and cars to which you have to look for them:

Navigation With Live Traffic Information
Car: BMW 3-Series ($2,100)
Coolness rating: 10
Practicality rating: 8

GPS technology has improved commendably during its short time on Earth. No longer do systems advise drivers to cross lakes or drive five miles past the destination, make a U-turn, then come back. Having reliable directions is one thing, but having live traffic alerts beamed onto their cars' nav screens is the real icing on the cake. The best systems can route users around the mess and recalculate the trip without missing a beat or spoiling your plans.

Keyless Ignition with Memory Settings
Car: Cadillac STS (standard); Jaguar XKR (standard)
Coolness rating: 9
Practicality rating: 8

We're talking about multifunction systems that automatically unlock your car when you're within range and allow you to hop in, push the brake and a "start" button, and the car awakes. What's more, the car automatically remembers each driver's favorite settings for seat, steering wheel, mirrors, HVAC, stereo, and more. Best of all, no pointing is necessary.

Wi-Fi
Car: Aftermarket only (prices vary)
Coolness rating: 9
Practicality rating: 8

Passengers or stationary drivers can stay connected with their notebooks through portable, in-car routers for Wi-Fi that have all but eliminated dead spots. Generally speaking, the coverage and quality is similar to that provided to cell phones.

Reclining Rear Seats With Massage
Car: Lexus LS long-wheelbase models ($12,570)
Coolness rating: 10
Practicality rating: 6

Japanese luxury sedans may lack a little prestige and boldness compared to their European counterparts, but their gadgetry is amazing. Take the extended wheelbase Lexus LS models, for example. For the price of a used ES 300, buyers can choose the $12,570 Executive Class Seating option. In exchange, they'll get a right rear seat that reclines, pops up a footrest and indulges the lucky owner with a shiatsu. The coolness and brag factor of having this is understandably high, but the novelty wears a little.

Safety Warning Systems
Car: Various cars (prices vary)
Coolness rating: 7
Practicality rating: 9

Today's safety warning systems can sense lane departure, maintain an adequate space cushion in cruise control mode, recognize imminent crashes and prepare seat belts and airbags for impact, minimize wheel spin, and maximize traction -- without you having to lift a finger. Some say cars have become smarter than drivers, and in some instances, that's true and possibly the only way to keep them -- and us --reasonably safe when they're on the road.

Premium Audio Systems
Car: Audi A8 (B&O - $6,300); Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (Bose -- standard); Lexus LS 460 (Mark Levinson - $5,645 to $6,345)
Coolness rating: 10
Practicality rating: 7

They are fine-tuned through the collaboration of experts from the audio and auto firms for listening experiences that redefine aural pleasure behind the wheel.

Search & Send
Car: Mercedes-Benz C-, CL- and S-Class (part of option packages, prices vary)
Coolness rating: 7
Practicality rating: 7

We can't help but wonder how many GPS users are defeating the purpose by taking many precious minutes to program detailed directions when they could just be driving. In what will be an undoubted time saver, Mercedes is offering its Search & Send on selected 2008 models. Quickly find your desired spot with Google or Yahoo! Map pages, and then send that info to your car. This should also enable custom routes too, not just what the GPS thinks you should do.

Parrot Rhythm N' Blue
Car: Aftermarket only ($369 suggested retail)
Coolness rating: 8
Practicality rating:: 7

Your mind may not immediately jump to "Parrot" when you're pressed to name well-known car stereo manufacturers. But if you're a techie and was asked to name a firm that was an early player in voice-recognition, Parrot would be one of the first you'd recall. In an effort to bridge that gap and make your life easier, Parrots Rhythm N' Blue combines a decent car stereo with CD, radio, MP3, and Bluetooth capability plus voice recognition for dialing your contacts.

Night Vision
Car, price: BMW 7-Series ($2,200); Mercedes-Benz CL600 (standard)
Coolness rating:: 9
Practicality rating:: 4

2008's night vision technology is the sort of thing The Rockford Files' Jim Rockford would have appreciated while on a stakeout, had it existed over 30 years ago for the Firebird. The technology is handy and the thermal imaging is ingenious, but the night vision available to motorists is positioned best for occasional reference rather than a primary means of nocturnal navigation.

Broadcast TV
Car: Rolls-Royce Phantom (standard feature)
Coolness rating: 6
Practicality rating: 6

On the upside, the Rolls-Royce Phantom complements its DVD entertainment system with live television through its two generous 12-inch screens for rear passengers. On the downside (and what tempered our ratings) was the limitation to free TV, not cable networks via satellite.