2013 Jaguar XF AWD & 2013 Acura RDX

HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK!

JOIN US AND SEE IF ALL-WHEEL DRIVE HELPS THE JAGUAR XF STAY ON POINT.

PAT GOSS HAS SOME NEW ADVICE FOR THOSE OF US RIDING AROUND ON AGING TIRES.

YOLANDA VAZQUEZ FINDS A SMART WAY TO FEED THE METER IN THIS WEEK'S FYI.

AND THEN WE'LL CHECK OUT A NEW DIRECTION FOR ACURA'S RDX COMPACT CROSSOVER.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION Announcer: MOTORWEEK, TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... AND THAT IS WHERE BABIES COME FROM.

DAD, I HAVE A QUESTION.

YOU DO?

DOES THE ASYMMETRICAL TREAD PATTERN OF A TIRE HAVE ANY EFFECT ON STOPPING DISTANCE?

Announcer: THERE'S A BETTER PLACE TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR TIRES.

UH... GO ASK YOUR MOTHER.

Announcer: TIRERACK.COM CAN HELP YOU GET THE ANSWERS YOU NEED AND HELP YOU FIND WHICH TIRES ARE BEST FOR YOU.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

AND BY... ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS.

NO MATTER WHAT CUSTOMERS DRIVE, THEY CAN PURCHASE ONLINE FROM A COMPREHENSIVE SELECTION OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.

AND BY... 3M, MAKER OF INNOVATIVE AUTO CARE PRODUCTS.

AGED OR YELLOWED LENSES REDUCE BRIGHTNESS OF HEAD, TAIL AND DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS.

THE 3M HEADLIGHT RESTORATION SYSTEM HELPS RESTORE LENS CLARITY FOR SAFER DRIVING.

John: THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN SOME UNCERTAIN ONES FOR JAGUAR.

BUT AFTER THE FABLED BRITISH CARMAKER WAS ACQUIRED BY INDIA'S TATA, A WHOLE NEW JAGUAR BRAND BEGAN TO SLOWLY TAKE SHAPE.

SO, WHILE WE'LL HAVE STILL TO WAIT A BIT TO TRY THE JUST ANNOUNCED F-TYPE ROADSTER, THERE IS AN UPDATED XF SEDAN TO TEND TO, ONE THAT ADDS A LOT MORE PAW POWER FOR WHEN THE GOING TURNS DICEY.

THE MOST NOTABLE ADDITION FOR THE 2013 JAGUAR XF LUXURY SPORTS SEDAN IS THE ADDITION OF ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

WHY?

WELL, QUITE SIMPLY, LUXURY BUYERS IN THE JAG'S KEY NORTHEAST MARKET EXPECT IT.

AND YOU CAN THANK AUDI FOR THAT.

BUT IT'S NOT JUST AUDI; EVERY OTHER LUXURY BRAND OFFERS ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ON THEIR CORE SEDANS.

AND IT'S NOT LIKE THEY HAD TO GO FAR TO ACQUIRE A DECENT SYSTEM, AS JUST ACROSS THE HALL WERE THE TRACTION EXPERTS AT LAND ROVER.

AVAILABLE IN BOTH OUR XF AND FLAGSHIP XJ, THE INSTINCTIVE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM HAS ALMOST A FULL REAR BIAS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, BUT IT CAN DIVERT UP TO 50% OF THE POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS WHEN NEEDED.

IT ALL WORKS VERY SEAMLESSLY AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH JAGUAR'S DRIVE CONTROL AND DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL TO MAKE FOR ONE SUREFOOTED CAT, NO MATTER WHAT THE ROAD CONDITIONS.

AWD CAN EXCLUSIVELY BE FITTED TO THE OTHER BIG ADDITION FOR '13; REPLACING THE NORMALLY-ASPIRATED V8 IS A NEW SUPERCHARGED 3.0-LITER V6; THE FIRST SIX IN THE XF.

HORSEPOWER RINGS IN AT 340, WHILE 332 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE IS SENT THROUGH A NEW, MORE FUEL EFFICIENT 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

AUTOMATIC STOP/START IS ALSO PART OF THE BETTER MPG EQUATION.

ON THAT, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE NOT BAD AT 17-CITY, 28-HIGHWAY, AND 21-COMBINED.

A 10% BUMP OVER LAST YEAR'S BASE V8.

WE AVERAGED A FINE 25.1 MPG.

THE V6 WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE RATES 16, 26, AND 19.

WANT A COUPLE MORE MPGs?

ALSO NEW IS A 240-HORSEPOWER TURBOCHARGED I4.

A FIRST FOR ANY U.S-BOUND JAGUAR.

BUT TAKE HEART JAG FANS, THREE VERSIONS OF THE POTENT, SUPERCHARGED 5.0-LITER V8 CARRY ON.

WHERE YOU WON'T FIND MUCH CHANGE IS IN INSIDE THE XF.

IT STILL CODDLES ONE NICELY, EVEN IF MATERIAL QUALITY IS NOT QUITE UP TO GERMAN RIVALS.

ITEMS LIKE THE PADDLE SHIFTERS AND CONTROL STALKS DON'T FEEL AS SUBSTANTIAL.

HOWEVER, THE VERY HIGH-END, SUEDE-LIKE HEADLINER IS AN EXCEPTION.

AS IS THE COOL ROLLOVER DASH VENT COVERS THAT OPEN ON STARTING.

FRONT SEATS PROVIDED EXPECTED SUPPORT AND COMFORT, AS DO THE SIMULATED DUAL REAR BUCKETS.

REAR SEAT LEGROOM IS TIGHT FOR ADULTS, EVEN IF SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN THE BMW 5 SERIES.

SMALLER THAN MOST RIVALS, HOWEVER, IS THE SCREEN FOR THE UPDATED INFOTAINMENT AND AUDIO SYSTEM.

NO CHANGES ON THE OUTSIDE, AS THE EXTERIOR IS FRESH OFF A NIP/TUCK JUST LAST YEAR.

THE FRONT END HAS A VERY AGGRESSIVE LOOK.

BUT AS YOU MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN THE SIDE, THINGS QUICKLY TURN A LITTLE MORE CONSERVATIVE, WITH MOSTLY FLAT PANELS AND OUR CAR'S UNINSPIRED 19-INCH WHEEL DESIGN.

FOR TRACK WORK, WE CHOSE A REAR DRIVE XF TO SEE WHAT THE NEW SUPERCHARGED 6-CYLINDER IS CAPABLE OF.

AND WE WEREN'T EXACTLY OVERWHELMED.

0 TO 60 SPRINTS OF 6.2-SECONDS ARE NOT SLOW BY ANY MEANS, BUT LIKE A CAT JUST WAKING UP FROM A MID-DAY NAP, THIS JAG IS JUST IN NO PARTICULAR HURRY TO SCOOT AWAY.

BUT AS IT WORKS ITS WAY DOWN THE TRACK, IT WAKES UP QUITE A BIT, ACHIEVING A COMMENDABLE 14.6-SECOND QUARTER MILE AT 102 MILES-PER-HOUR.

STILL, SOFT SHIFTS AND A WEAK EXHAUST NOTE REMIND US THAT THIS CAT IS MORE FOR PROWLING AROUND TOWN THAN CHASING DOWN DINNER ACROSS THE FLATS.

AND THAT ATTITUDE WAS REINFORCED WHEN WE TACKLED OUR SLALOM.

GOING IN THE XF FEELS SECURE, BUT WITH A LOOSENESS TO THE REAR THAT AN ENTHUSIAST WILL ENJOY.

HOWEVER, THE STEERING IS SO LIGHT AND OVERBOOSTED THAT IT TAKES A WHILE TO GAIN CONFIDENCE ABOUT THE CAR.

THIS JAG DID FULLY BEAR ITS CLAWS WHEN IT CAME TO BRAKING, HOWEVER; BRINGING US TO A HALT IN ONLY 116-FEET, A VERY SHORT AVERAGE.

XF PRICES ARE CERTAINLY COMPETITIVE WITH RIVALS.

OUR V6 STARTS AT $50,875.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ADDS $3-Gs MORE.

TRUE, YOU CAN HAVE A 535I OR E350 FOR ABOUT THE SAME MONEY, AND NEITHER IS A STRANGER TO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

SO WHY A JAGUAR XF?

WELL, HOW ABOUT EXCLUSIVITY?

BMW SELLS 10 TIMES AS MANY 5 SERIES HERE AS JAG THE XF.

AND PASSION!

SOMETHING THAT'S CORE TO THE JAGUAR DNA AND OFTEN LESS OBVIOUS IN ITS GERMAN PEERS.

REGARDLESS, WE ARE GLAD TO SEE JAGUAR STEPPING UP ITS GAME TODAY WITH MORE EFFICIENT ENGINES AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, AS IT BODES WELL FOR WHERE THE BRAND IS HEADED IN THE FUTURE.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON AND THE ESSENTIAL BAKING COMPANY.

THE ORGANIC BAKERY BEGAN USING ALMOST PURE B99 BIODIESEL IN DELIVERY TRUCKS IN 2005.

CURRENTLY, THEIR 18 BIODIESEL TRUCKS, SERVE 21 ROUTES-7 DAYS A WEEK THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

DRIVERS USED TO REFUEL OFFSITE, NOW A LOCAL BIO-DIESEL CO-OP PROVIDES SOLAR POWERED MOBILE FUELING RIGHT IN THEIR PARKING LOT.

EVEN THOUGH BIODIESEL CAN COST MORE THAN PETROLEUM DIESEL, THE COMPANY FEELS THE SUSTAINABLE FUEL IS A SMART INVESTMENT.

STEVE KAVANAUGH: WHAT WE REALLY LIKE ABOUT BIOFUELS, WE DON'T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT TO THE TRUCKS.

WE JUST PUT THE FUEL IN IT.

AND SO THERE'S NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE.

John: ESSENTIAL WORKED WITH WESTERN WASHINGTON CLEAN CITIES COALITION MEMBERS TO IDENTIFY THE RIGHT ALTERNATIVE FUEL FOR THEM, AND IS FINDING THAT B99 IS THE PERFECT RECIPE TO MAKE THEIR BREAD EMPIRE "RISE" IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.

FROM BACK UP CAMERAS, TO SELF-PARKING CARS, TODAY'S WORLD IS ALL ABOUT CONVENIENCE.

YET HUNTING FOR CHANGE FOR A PARKING METER IS ANYTHING BUT.

LUCKILY, YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS FOUND A MUCH SMARTER WAY IN THIS WEEK'S FYI.

Yolanda: NO MORE FUMBLING AROUND FOR CHANGE, OR FEEDING METERS WITH COINS.

SMART PHONES ARE ABOUT TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE WAY WE PARK.

Announcer: WELCOME TO PARKMOBILE.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS... Yolanda: COMPANIES LIKE ATLANTA-BASED PARKMOBILE, WHICH HAS A STRONG PRESENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND ALONG THE EAST COAST, ARE LOOKING TO TAKE THE HEADACHE AND HASSLE OUT OF PARKING, WITH THEIR EASY TO USE, PAY BY PHONE PARKING SYSTEM.

BUT THEY'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES IN THE GAME.

Announcer: THIS TIME WHEN JANE FINDS PARKING, SHE SIMPLY USES HER PANGO MOBILE APPLICATION TO PAY AS SHE WALKS AWAY.

Yolanda: MARYLAND BASED PANGO MOBILE PARKING DRAWS UPON THEIR MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE SERVICING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS IN EUROPE BY BRINGING THEIR SMART PARKING SERVICE TO THE STATES.

Dani Shavit: WE'RE PROVIDING A CONVENIENT, AND A VERY EASY, SMART SOLUTION FOR PAYMENT FOR PARKING.

Yolanda: CEO AND FOUNDER DANI SHAVIT EXPLAINS HOW IT WORKS.

USERS MUST FIRST SIGN UP ONLINE REGISTERING THEIR VEHICLE, LICENSE PLATE NUMBER, AND CREDIT CARD INFORMATION.

THEY THEN DOWNLOAD PANGO'S FREE APP ON THEIR PHONE.

WHEN THEY'RE READY TO PARK, THEY TYPE IN THEIR ZONE NUMBER DISPLAYED ON THE METER AND HIT THE START BUTTON.

Dani: AT THAT SAME MOMENT, YOU WILL GET A VIRTUAL METER ON THE SCREEN THAT SHOWS YOU THAT YOU'RE PARKED IN LATROBE, IN ZONE 70101.

Yolanda: A TEXT MESSAGE ALSO APPEARS CONFIRMING THE ACTIVATION OF YOUR PARKING SESSION.

IT'S TICKING, IT'S GOING, AND YOU'RE GOOD?

Dani: NOW YOU MAY CLOSE THE APPLICATION AND GO TO YOUR ERRANDS.

Yolanda: WHEN YOU'RE DONE, SIMPLY HIT THE STOP BUTTON.

YOU'LL GET A RECAP OF YOUR PARKING ACTIVITY, ALONG WITH THE CHARGES.

AND IF BY CHANCE YOU DON'T HAVE A SMART PHONE, NO WORRIES...

Phone: WELCOME TO PANGO PARKING SYSTEMS.

ENTER A PARKING ZONE FOLLOWED BY THE POUND KEY.

Yolanda: THERE'S A TOLL-FREE NUMBER TO CALL.

THE COMPANY RECENTLY SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF LATROBE, PENNSYLVANIA.

PANGO STICKERS WHERE PLACED ON THE EXISTING COIN METERS AS AN ADDITIONAL PAYMENT OPTION.

Alex Graziani: AS A SMART PHONE USER, WE WANTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A WAY WE COULD DO BETTER, AND PROVIDE ANOTHER CHOICE FOR PARKING IN TOWN.

Yolanda: CITY MANAGER ALEX GRAZIANI SAYS THE HIGH TECH TOOL TAKES A LITTLE GETTING USED TO.

BUT HE'S SEEN AN UPTICK IN THE NUMBER OF USERS AND HOPES OTHER CITIES WILL FOLLOW LATROBE'S LEAD.

Graziani: PART OF THIS IS TRYING TO PUT THIS COMMUNITY ON THE MAP, AND SAY, HEY, WE'RE WILLING TO BEHAVE, IF YOU WILL, LIKE A BUSINESS, AND BE ENTREPRENEURIAL.

AND TRY TO EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY IN A SMART WAY, THAT AGAIN LIMITS OUR INVESTMENTS IN IT, BUT MAXIMIZES CONVENIENCE FOR THE USERS.

Yolanda: PERPETUAL PARKER NANCY KUKOVICH EXPLAINS WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE PRIOR TO PANGO.

Nancy Kukovich: IT WAS NOT GOOD.

Yolanda: THE LATROBE RESIDENT RECEIVED HER FAIR SHARE OF PARKING TICKETS.

NOW SHE PARKS, PAYS ONLY FOR THE TIME SHE NEEDS, AND DOESN'T WORRY ABOUT VISITS FROM PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

Kukovich: IT'S JUST BEEN FANTASTIC.

I'VE HAD ONE TICKET SINCE THEN BECAUSE I FORGOT TO TURN IT ON.

BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I'M TICKET-FREE FOR 2 OR 3 MONTHS.

Yolanda: WHILE PAY BY PHONE PARKING APPS ARE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS, GRAZIANI SAYS PARKING SOLUTIONS MAY BECOME SO ADVANCED THAT THESE METERS COULD BECOME OBSOLETE.

Graziani: WITH SMART PHONES AND SMART CARS, TECHNOLOGY WILL MOVE TO CAR BASED PAY SYSTEMS AND THE METERS WILL GO AWAY.

Yolanda: SHAVIT DOESN'T THINK IT WILL COME TO THAT, BUT HE DOES SEE MORE MUNICIPALITIES AND PARKING SYSTEMS, LIKE THIS GARAGE IN NEW YORK CITY, ADDING ON THEIR SERVICES.

Dani: I BELIEVE THAT DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS, MOST CITIES IN U.S. WILL ADOPT PAY BY PHONE.

Yolanda: AS THE DEMAND FOR CASHLESS PAYMENT INCREASES, IT'S CLEAR THINGS ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE IN THE ONCE COIN-DRIVEN METERED PARKING WORLD.

John: PAT GOSS NEVER "TIRES" OF GIVING US SOUND ADVICE.

SO LET'S ROLL DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE FOR A QUICK TREAD CHECKUP.

Pat Goss: A QUARTER ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE.

A QUARTER IS NOW A PENNY.

WELL, AT LEAST WHEN IT COMES TO MEASURING TREAD DEPTH ON TIRES.

SEE, FOR MANY YEARS WE'VE BEEN TOLD TO TAKE A PENNY AND WE PLACE LINCOLN'S HEAD DOWN IN THE GROOVE OF THE TIRE.

AND IF WE CAN SEE THE TOP OF THE HEAD, THE TIRE IS TOO WORN TO USE.

BUT THEY'VE FOUND THAT WE ACTUALLY NEED MORE TREAD ON A TIRE TO BE COMPLETELY SAFE.

SO, THE NEW MEASUREMENT IS USING A QUARTER.

WE PUT WASHINGTON'S HEAD DOWN IN THE GROOVE, AND IF WE CAN SEE THE TOP OF HIS HEAD, THE TIRE IS TOO WORN TO USE.

NOW, THE REASON FOR THIS IS, AS TIRES WEAR DOWN, THEY LOSE THEIR ABILITY TO DISPERSE WATER.

AND THAT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE A LOSS OF TRACTION ON RAINY DAYS.

SO THAT LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA TREAD DEPTH MEANS A GREATER MARGIN OF SAFETY.

IT HELPS PREVENT THE HYDROPLANING THAT IS SO COMMON.

NOW, HERE WE HAVE A BRAND NEW TIRE, AND WE ALSO HAVE A BETTER WAY TO MEASURE TREAD DEPTH.

INSTEAD OF USING COINS, THIS IS A TREAD DEPTH GAUGE.

IT'S ABOUT TWO BUCKS AT THE AUTO PARTS STORE.

YOU SIMPLY PUT THAT DOWN INTO THE TREAD, AND YOU PUSH IT DOWN UNTIL IT BOTTOMS OUT, AND THEN YOU CAN READ THE DEPTH OF THE TREAD WITHIN 1/32 OF AN INCH.

REPLACE A TIRE AT 4/32 OF AN INCH, INSTEAD OF THE OLD 2/32 OF AN INCH, IF YOU WANT REALLY GOOD WET TRACTION THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE TIRE.

NOW ANOTHER BIG CONTROVERSY: HOW OLD CAN A TIRE BE AND STILL BE SAFE?

SOME PEOPLE SAY FIVE YEARS, OTHERS SAY SIX YEARS.

PERSONALLY, I LOOK TOWARD FIVE YEARS.

NOW, LIKE THIS BRAND NEW TIRE THAT WE HAVE HERE, IT'S NEVER BEEN SOLD, BUT IT'S ALREADY EIGHT MONTHS OLD.

NOW, HOW DO YOU TELL THE AGE OF TIRES ON YOUR VEHICLE?

WELL, ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE, STAMPED INTO THE RUBBER, IS A D.O.T LABEL, AND IT IS FOUR NUMBERS LONG.

IT TELLS YOU THE WEEK AND THE YEAR YOUR TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED.

YOU DON'T WANT TO GO BEYOND FIVE OR SIX YEARS.

NOW, CERTAINLY, IF YOU'RE ONLY DRIVING THE CAR A COUPLE OF MILES AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, BACK AND FORTH TO THE STORE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT ISN'T NEARLY AS CRITICAL AS IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET OUT ON THE ROAD AND TRAVEL AT HIGH SPEEDS OR LONG DISTANCES.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN TO BE SORRY FOR SURE.

SO, FOLLOW THE RULES, YOU'LL HAVE A MUCH SAFER RIDE.

AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR A COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK.

John: TIME NOW TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND PUSH THE STARTER ON A COUPLE OF NEW RIDES.

SO LET'S SEE IF THEY PUSH OUR BUTTONS AS WELL.

FURTHER PROVING THAT TURBO 4'S ARE THE NEW IN ENGINE, OFF-ROAD ICON LAND ROVER HAS UNVEILED THE SLIGHTLY RESTYLED BUT MECHANICALLY ENHANCED 2013 LR2.

AS THE ENTRY MODEL OF A BRAND KNOWN FOR BOTH ALL-TERRAIN PROWESS AND ON-ROAD LUXURY, THE LR2 INHERITS WELCOMED UPGRADES.

THE TURBO 4, A GUTSY 2.0-LITER FROM THE RANGE ROVER EVOQUE RATES 240 HORSEPOWER AND IT REPLACES LAST YEAR'S 3.2 INLINE-6, AND IS COMPLETE WITH DIRECT INJECTION, VARIABLE VALVE TIMING AND WEIGHT-SAVING ALL-ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION.

A SIX SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANS WITH MANUAL SHIFT MODE IS AGAIN STANDARD, AS IS THE HALDEX FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM WITH TERRAIN RESPONSE SELECTABLE ROAD CONDITION SYSTEM.

ALL THAT TECH, AND 8.3 INCHES OF GROUND CLEARANCE WILL TAKE THE LR2 WELL-OFF THE BEATEN PATH.

STYLING FOR THE NEW LR2 HAS SUBTLE EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS; REWORKED HEAD AND TAILLIGHTS, DAYTIME RUNNERS, AND POLISHED TRIM ACCENTS.

THE INTERIOR TAKES A NICE STEP UP, TOO, WITH A NEW STANDARD 7-INCH CENTER STACK TOUCHSCREEN, A MORE INFORMATIVE GAUGE CLUSTER, AND, OF COURSE, LEATHER THROUGHOUT.

Greg Carloss: SO WITH THE ADDITION OF SOME NEW STANDARD FEATURES LIKE TOUCHSCREEN AND UPDATED PUSH BUTTON START, YOU'RE REALLY GETTING A COMBINATION OF LUXURY AND RUGGEDNESS WITH THE NEW LR2.

NOW ON THE ROAD, THE 2-LITER TURBO HAS PLENTY OF TORQUE.

AND IF YOU WANNA GO OFF-ROAD, JUST SLIP IT INTO ANY ONE OF THE SELECTABLE TERRAIN MODES, AND YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH GO ANYWHERE.

John: IN DEALERSHIPS SOON, THE 2013 LAND ROVER LR2 STARTS JUST OVER $37,000.

OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE PICK FOR BEST LUXURY SEDAN FOR TWO YEARS RUNNING IS THE INFINITI M LINE, AND FOR 2013 IT HAS A FEW CHANGES TO KEEP IT AT THE FRONT OF THE LUXURY SEDAN PACK.

FOREMOST IS THE EXPANSION OF A SPORT PACKAGE TO BOTH V6 AND V8 ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS.

OUR M37X TEST CAR INCLUDED UPGRADED SUSPENSION TUNING, AND SPORT BRAKES WITH FOUR PISTON FRONT CALIPERS, BEHIND EXCLUSIVE 20-INCH WHEELS.

ONLY THE FOUR-WHEEL ACTIVE STEER SYSTEM DIDN'T MAKE THE JUMP FROM "REAR" TO AWD.

PRESS THE STARTER AND YOU'LL BE GREETED BY A THROATY EXHAUST GROWL THAT HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES.

[ ENGINE REVS ] BRINGING THE FUNK IS A FAVORITE, INFINITI'S 3.7-LITER V6 WITH A HEALTHY 330 HORSEPOWER.

A 420 HORSEPOWER 5.6-LITER V8 IS ALSO AVAILABLE, BUT WE SAY, SAVE YOUR MONEY AND SAVE GAS.

OR GET EVEN MORE MPGs WITH THE MOST ENTERTAINING HYBRID WE'VE YET DRIVEN, THE INFINITI M35H.

AND THE ENTIRE M LINE LIKES TO BE DRIVEN -- AS ESPECIALLY IN REAR WHEEL DRIVE, IT IS ONE SMOOTH BUT EXQUISITE HANDLING SEDAN.

AVAILABLE NOW, THE INFINITI M LINE BEGINS AROUND $49,000; WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AT ABOUT $51,000.

AND WE'LL SHIFT INTO DRIVE FOR MORE CAR KEYS FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS SOON!

John: THE 2007 ACURA RDX WAS HAILED AS THE "URBAN RUNNING" BACK OF COMPACT CROSSOVERS.

WITH TURBO-4 POWER AND SUPER-HANDLING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, IT LOOKED PRIMED TO BLAST THROUGH THE COMPETITION.

BUT AS IT TURNED OUT, MOST COMPACT LUXURY CROSSOVER PRETENDERS AREN'T LOOKING FOR OVERBOARD PERFORMANCE; THEY JUST WANT ROOM FOR THEIR STUFF, A FEW HIGH-END FEATURES TO BRAG ABOUT, AND ENOUGH TRACTION FOR THE OCCASIONAL SNOW DAY.

SO LET'S SEE IF THE RE-PURPOSED ACURA RDX DOES ANY BETTER WITH THIS NEW MISSION.

ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED FOR YOUNG, HOT-SHOT COUPLES WHO WERE LOOKING FOR A JAZZY LUXURY CROSSOVER TO MAKE QUICK GETAWAYS OUT OF THE CITY, THE 2013 ACURA RDX HAS BEEN REDESIGNED MORE FOR THE "BEEN-THERE DONE-THAT" CROWD, WHO WANT REFINEMENT AND ALL-WEATHER SECURITY IN A COMPACT BUT VERSATILE PACKAGE.

AND WE CAN CERTAINLY FEEL THAT THE NEW RDX IS MORE REFINED.

THE MACPHERSON STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION AND TRAILING ARM MULTI-LINK REAR HAVE BEEN RE-ENGINEERED, NOW WITH AN EMPHASIS MORE ON RIDE COMFORT RATHER THAN HANDLING PERFORMANCE.

STILL, NEW AMPLITUDE REACTIVE DAMPERS FEATURE AN INTEGRATED REBOUND SPRING THAT HELPS MAINTAIN MOST OF THE PREVIOUS MODELS CORNERING CAPABILITIES.

POWER TOO TAKES A STEP UPSCALE BY SUBSTITUTING A CORPORATE SINGLE-CAM 3.5-LITER V6.

HORSEPOWER IS UP 33 OVER THE PREVIOUS TURBO-4 TO 273, AND TORQUE RATES 251 POUND-FEET.

THE FAMILIAR SIX INCLUDES VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT, WHILE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GAINS A SIXTH GEAR.

BOTH GELLING TO MAKE GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ACTUALLY BETTER THAN THE 4-CYLINDER AT 19-CITY, 27-HIGHWAY, AND 22-COMBINED FOR OUR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MODEL.

WE AVERAGED AN IMPRESSIVE 26.1 MILES-PER-GALLON OF PREMIUM FUEL IN MIXED DRIVING.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS ALSO MUCH IMPROVED BURNING THROUGH 15 BARRELS OF OIL PER YEAR WHILE EMITTING 6.7 TONS OF CO2.

THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM ITSELF IS LESS REFINED HOWEVER.

GONE IS ACURA'S TORQUE SHIFTING SUPER-HANDLING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE WHERE UP TO 70% OF THE POWER COULD SWITCH TO THE REAR WHEELS.

THE NEW RDX USES THE HONDA CR-V'S INTELLIGENT CONTROL ON-DEMAND SYSTEM.

SO, WHILE YOU WON'T GET MUCH HELP IN SWITCHBACKS, UP TO HALF THE POWER CAN FIND ITS WAY TO THE BACK FOR ABLE TRACTION IN SLUSH AND SNOW.

REFINEMENT CONTINUES INSIDE AS THE NEW COCKPIT HAS A GENUINE PREMIUM FEEL, TRADING A SPORTY EDGE FOR THE MORE TYPICAL BLEND OF ACURA HIGH-TECH MODERN LUXURY.

THE LEATHER UPHOLSTERY LOOKS BOTH INVITING AND DURABLE.

BUT JUST WHEN YOU START APPRECIATING NEW FEATURES LIKE STANDARD 10-WAY POWER DRIVER'S SEAT WITH HEAT, AND PUSH-BUTTON START, YOU ALSO BEGIN NOTICING COST CUTTING MEASURES LIKE ONLY 4-WAY POWER FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER, AND GETTING GPS NAVIGATION REQUIRES ADDING A TECH PACKAGE.

THE NAV SYSTEM IS THE TYPICAL ACURA SETUP, AND WHILE WE LIKE THE POSITION OF THE CENTRAL CONTROLLER, WE FIND THAT MANY TIMES IT JUST TAKES TOO MANY CLICK-THROUGHS TO GET TO WHAT YOU WANT.

WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE GOING TOUCHSCREEN, WHY CAN'T ACURA?

THE REAR SEAT IS ROOMY FOR ITS SIZE, HOWEVER, AND SEAT BACKS FOLD EASILY WITH THE PULL OF A LEVER, THOUGH NOT COMPLETELY FLAT.

STILL, SEAT UP CARGO ROOM IS ALMOST BEST IN CLASS AT 26.1 CUBIC-FEET, AND 61.3 WITH THEM FOLDED.

IF WE HAVE ONE COMPLAINT, IT'S THAT THE NEW RDX DOESN'T REALLY SEEM TO HAVE A SPARKLING PERSONALITY.

IT LOOKS VERY NICE, INSIDE AND OUT, ESPECIALLY WITH ITS MORE SUBDUED SHIELD GRILLE, BUT A BIT STERILE OVERALL, AND PERHAPS NOW TOO SIMILAR TO A LOT OF OTHER COMPACT CROSSOVERS, INCLUDING HONDA'S OWN CR-V. AT OUR TEST TRACK, THE RDX'S ELECTRIC-ASSIST POWER STEERING FELT GREAT, AND DIVING THROUGH THE CONES WAS EASIER THAN WE WERE EXPECTING GIVEN THE ABSENCE OF SUPER-HANDLING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

FRONT END REACTION IS DIRECT AND TURN-INS SHARP, WHILE BODY ROLL IS MODERATE.

STREAKING DOWN THE QUARTER-MILE, THE RDX IS SMOOTH AND QUIET AS IT HITS 95-MILES PER HOUR IN 15.4-SECONDS.

SPRINTS TO 60 TAKE JUST 7.0-SECONDS, THANKS TO A NICE, FIRM LAUNCH AND QUICK-BUILDING POWER.

PANIC STOPS FROM 60 AVERAGED JUST 126-FEET, WITH GOOD PEDAL FEEL AND CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT OUR TESTS.

SO, MAYBE THE RDX HASN'T LOST ALL OF ITS ATHLETIC PRETENSE AFTER ALL.

BUT AS IT IS MORE REFINED AND BETTER EQUIPPED, ITS PRICE HAS ALSO MOVED A BIT UPSCALE.

BASE STICKER JUMPS ABOUT 4% TO $35,215.

ADDING ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE IS ANOTHER $1,400, AND GOING ALL IN WITH THE TECH PACKAGE WILL TAKE YOU TO $40,315.

THE 2013 ACURA RDX SUCCEEDS IN ITS NEW MISSION OF PROVIDING HIGH TECH LUXURY AND FOUR-SEASON TRACTION IN A SMALLER BUT STILL AMPLE SIZED PACKAGE.

AND IT IS TRULY A NICE VEHICLE, IT'S JUST NO LONGER A STANDOUT.

THE FIRST RDX TOOK A PRETTY UNIQUE APPROACH.

THE NEW RDX IS MORE OF A CONSENSUS RESPONSE.

STILL, THAT'S WHAT SMALL LUXURY CROSSOVER BUYERS SEEM TO WANT, AND THE NEW RDX IS A FINE ANSWER FOR THEIR CRAVINGS.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN FOR MORE MOTORWEEK, AS WE GET WOOED BY AUDI'S ULTRA-SMOOTH S7 SEDAN.

THEN WE TEST TWO NEW HYUNDAI ELANTRAS; THE COUPE AND 5-DOOR GT.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, I'M JOHN DAVIS.

WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK.

Announcer: TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MOTORWEEK, TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE, VISIT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

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