Showing Off Some Options

Ah, the joys of the family road trip--getting lost, dealing with screaming kids, and the constant search for a good radio station. Now that SUVs have truly taken over the role once held by plain-jane wood-paneled wagons, many aftermarket suppliers are jumping at the chance to help owners intelligently customize their vehicles, making them more comfortable for long hauls on the highway.

The folks at Best Buy have packed their version of a smart but cool set of add-ons into a 2003 Nissan Murano. These are some of the best tools to help avoid another round of "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall," and you won't have to sacrifice the kids' college funds to buy them.

True, a backseat jacuzzi or helipad might be more exciting additions to a standard sport/ute, but this Murano's mods are intended to make your SUV a nicer place to spend long hours on the Interstate. Leave the wacky graphics, coffee-can exhaust tips, and 24-inch spinners to the kids who don't know any better.

If you're looking for convenience and value with an edge, take a look at some of the options listed. In the long run, you might even save a buck or two, considering you'll no longer have to take out a bank loan to buy aspirin in bulk.

A global positioning system could save a friendship or keep you out of divorce court. It could even save you from getting to know the scenery a bit too well. Garmin's GPS is clear, simple to use, and a good deal less expensive than many of the big-buck sat/nav systems that automakers sell.

This option is all about you, the driver. (Why should passengers have all the fun?) The Bose stereo in this Murano is already potent, but adding some Rockford Fosgate know-how will make a good thing better. You'll score big points with your kids and friends, but your neighbors might not be as happy.