As I mentioned above, I wanted to see how the navigation systems of two mid-range luxury cars worked up against portable GPSes. The two cars at our disposal were the 2006 BMW 3 Series and 2006 Saab 9-5. I tested the BMW's built-in system and the HP rx1950 Navigator while I drove around Geneva and the French Alps near the border of Switzerland. I relied on the Saab 9-5, Garmin Nüvi and Navman ICN 550 navigation systems to find my way from Normandy to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

While this article is about GPS systems, using the navigation systems of the latest BMW 3 Series and Saab 9-5 was but one part of the driving experiences the cars offer. BMW and Saab are two European carmakers that have earned their status as premium brands for their driving performances over the course of decades as opposed to merely being in vogue at the moment.

Saab 9-5

The Saab 9-5 features a 2.3 litre, 260-horespower engine that complements Saab's famous handling capabilities.

BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series I drove has a 2.5-liter, 184-horsepowe engine. The GPS system costs extra, as usual. Again, while this is not a car review, it is difficult not to note how the BMW 3 Series' handling is nothing short of amazing - which also helps to explain why BMW models, including the Mini, have become so popular. The reactivity of the wheels and chassis to the steering wheel without the stiffness of the Saab 9-5 made the BMW 3 Series this writer's favourite of the two. It also made for great handling at high speeds around narrow and windy curves along the mountain roads from Les Contamines, France en route to Geneva. But then again, this review is about GPS systems and not driving.

The key issue is whether or not investing more in a navigation system after paying for either car is worth it when cheaper after-market alternatives exist from Garmin, HP and Navman.