$38,000 SUV Challenge & 2013 Porsche 911 C4S

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

JOIN US AND SEE WHICH OF TODAY'S TOP MID-SIZE UTILITIES DELIVER FULL-SIZE RESULTS... PAT GOSS SHOWS US HOW A LITTLE CABLE LUBE HELPS KEEP THINGS MOVING SMOOTHLY... YOLANDA VAZQUEZ TAKES US ON A TOUR THROUGH AMERICA'S AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY... AND WE'LL SEE IF IT'S ALL SMILES FOR AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PORSCHE 911.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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

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John Davis: SPORT UTILITY AND CROSSOVER VEHICLES COME IN ALL SIZES, AND AN EVER INCREASING AMOUNT OF SHAPES.

BUT IT'S STILL THE MID-SIZE, 5-PASSENGER VARIETY THAT ATTRACTS THE MAJORITY OF BUYERS.

SO WE ONCE AGAIN JOINED WITH OUR FRIENDS AT CARS.COM AND USA TODAY TO PUT SIX OF THE BIGGEST SELLERS TO THE TEST AND SEE WHICH ONES OFFER THE MOST BANG FOR THE BUCK.

OVER THE LAST DECADE, THE MID SIZE 5-PASSENGER UTILITY HAS INCREASINGLY BECOME THE FAMILY "CAR" OF CHOICE.

SO WE JOINED THE EDITORS OF CARS.COM AND USA TODAY IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS TO SEE WHICH ONES HANDLE FAMILY DUTIES BEST.

OUR HALF DOZEN CROSSOVER AND SUV CONTENDERS ARE A MIX OF 2013 AND 2014 MODELS; SOME TWO-WHEEL-DRIVE, SOME ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, BUT ALL COMING IN UNDER A PRICE CAP OF $38,000.

THEY ARE...

THE EURO-SLEEK 2013 FORD EDGE.

REDESIGNED FOR '13, AND WEARING A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT NAME, THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT.

A PERENNIAL FAVORITE IN THE SEGMENT, THE TRAIL READY 2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SUV.

NOT QUITE ALL-NEW, BUT VASTLY UPDATED FOR 2014, THE KIA SORENTO.

FOLLOWED BY THE VERY SPORTY LOOKING 2013 NISSAN MURANO.

AND FINALLY, THE MOST CAR-LIKE OF THE BUNCH, THE 2013 TOYOTA VENZA.

AS BEFORE, WE'VE ENLISTED A LOCAL FAMILY TO HELP IN OUR SCORING AS THEIR PRIORITIES ARE OFTEN DIFFERENT THAN OURS; AS WE LOOKED AT A WIDE VARIETY OF ITEMS FROM RIDE COMFORT, TO FUEL ECONOMY, TO FAMILY FRIENDLY FEATURES.

A FULL RUNDOWN OF OUR SCORING IS AVAILABLE AT CARS.COM.

BUT FOR NOW, HERE ARE OUR TOP FOUR FINISHERS.

DESPITE HAVING THE OLDEST BASIC DESIGN IN THE GROUP, THE FORD EDGE HELD UP WELL ENOUGH FOR 4TH PLACE.

ITS SOLID, WELL-EQUIPPED NATURE WAS BACKED UP BY A JUST UNDER THE CEILING $37,125 PRICE.

THAT BUYS A 285-HORSEPOWER, 3.5-LITER V6 WITH 22 MPG COMBINED ECONOMY, ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, HEATED LEATHER SEATS, BLIND SPOT MONITORING, AS WELL AS FORD'S CONTROVERSIAL MYFORD TOUCH INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM.

STILL, ITS AGE SHOWED WITH NO KEYLESS ACCESS OR POWER LIFTGATE.

Mike Hanley: I REALLY LIKED THE FORD EDGE'S QUIET INTERIOR, IT'S REALLY NICE TO RIDE IN, VERY SILENT ON THE INSIDE.

BUT IN TERMS OF THE MULTI-MEDIA SYSTEM, THIS ONE'S QUITE A BIT MORE CUMBERSOME, I THOUGHT, THAN THE GRAND CHEROKEE'S.

Ben Davis: THE EDGE WAS MY LEAST FAVORITE.

MYFORD TOUCH STILL DOESN'T DO ME ANY FAVORS, AND THE DASH, ALTHOUGH IT'S VERY DRIVER-CENTRIC AND VERY SPORT ORIENTED, IT'S GETTING OLD ON ME, AND THE WOOD GRAIN KIND OF LOOKS IKEA-ISH.

IT'S THE MOST TIRED OF THE SEGMENT, I BELIEVE.

John: THIRD PLACE GOES TO THE KIA SORENTO.

ITS $37,650 PRICE WAS ALMOST THE HIGHEST IN THE GROUP.

BUT THAT INCLUDES A 290-HORSEPOWER, 3.3-LITER V6, ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, HEATED AND COOLED LEATHER SEATS, POWER LIFTGATE, AND A PANORAMIC SUNROOF.

POSITION MEMORY IS AN OPTION.

FUEL ECONOMY IS JUST 20 MILES-PER-GALLON COMBINED.

STILL, OUR TESTERS RAVED ABOUT THE SORENTO'S STYLE AND OVERALL UPSCALE APPEAL.

Joe Bruzek: THE SORENTO'S RIDE QUALITY IS VERY REFINED, AND IT'S COMPOSED LIKE A MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE SUV.

Aaron Bragman: THE KIA IS, FRANKLY, A GREAT UPDATE.

THE STYLING ON THE OUTSIDE IS FANTASTIC.

STYLING INSIDE LOOKS GREAT.

John: THE SECOND PLACE HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT'S STICKER OF $34,205 WAS BY FAR THE GROUP'S LOWEST.

PLUS, ITS 23 MPG COMBINED FUEL ECONOMY WAS THE HIGHEST.

BOTH REFLECT THE TEST ONLY 4-CYLINDER; A 2.0-LITER TURBO.

EVEN WITH THE GROUP'S LOWEST OUTPUT, 264-HORSEPOWER, IT DIDN'T FEEL ANEMIC.

OUR SPORT ARRIVED WITH A PANORAMIC SUNROOF, LEATHER, AND SEAT HEAT.

SEAT POSITION MEMORY AND POWER LIFTGATE ARE NOT OFFERED.

THE LACK OF ALL-WHEEL DRIVE DIDN'T INFLUENCE OUR JUDGES SINCE OUR WELL-EQUIPPED SPORT, EVEN AFTER ADDING AWD, STILL COMES IN UNDER THE $38G PRICE LIMIT.

Joe Bruzek: THE SANTA FE SPORT'S TURBO-CHARGED 4-CYLINDER IS A POWERHOUSE OF A 4-CYLINDER, AND IT GIVES ALL OF THESE OTHER V6'S A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY.

Brian Brown: THE HYUNDAI'S THE ONE THAT I THINK WE WERE IMPRESSED THE MOST WITH.

IT ACTUALLY HAS A NICE INTERIOR.

WHAT YOU GET FOR THE MONEY IS EXCEPTIONAL.

THE RIDE WAS REALLY NICE.

WE SCORED IT REALLY HIGH ON MOST THINGS.

John: THAT LEAVES US WITH OUR WINNER, THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE.

EVEN WITH THE MOST TRADITIONAL SUV TRAITS OF THIS BUNCH, IT STOOD OUT.

THE JEEP PACKS A HIGH LEVEL OF REFINEMENT INSIDE, WITH MUCH IMPROVED VISIBILITY ALL AROUND WHILE DRIVING.

THE BIGGEST UPDATE FOR 2014, A NEW 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC FOR THE 3.6-LITER V6 IMPROVES PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS FUEL ECONOMY, THOUGH IT STILL COMES IN AT JUST 20 MPG COMBINED.

PRICING WAS ALSO NEAR THE TOP AT $37,585, BUT THE GC IS WORTH IT.

Ben Davis: I LIKE THAT THE GRAND CHEROKEE RIDES LIKE A TRUCK.

YOU SIT REALLY HIGH OFF THE ROAD; IT'S A GREAT COMMANDING VIEW OF TRAFFIC.

AND IT'S THE MOST COMFORTABLE INSIDE FOR ME AS WELL.

IT'S JUST A VERY ELEGANTLY DESIGNED INTERIOR.

Jim Healey: THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LOOKS LIKE AN SUV, THAT'S A TERRIFIC PART ABOUT IT.

A LOT OF WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO THE V6 PACKAGE.

IT NOW HAS AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC, WHICH WORKS QUITE WELL.

IT'S GOT DUAL EXHAUST, LOOKS MEAN, SOUNDS GOOD.

John: NOW, ALL OF THESE UTILITIES PROVIDE PLENTY OF SPACE AND FEATURES FOR A YOUNG FAMILY ON THE GO, BUT IN THIS CHALLENGE IT WAS THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE THAT DID IT BEST.

STILL, WITH SUCH A WIDE VARIETY OF SHARPLY FOCUSED DESIGNS, IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT THE MID-SIZE 5-PASSENGER UTILITY IS BECOMING A HOUSEHOLD MAINSTAY.

SO, NO MATTER IF YOU CALL IT AN SUV OR CUV, OR JUST "FAMILY CAR," THERE'S LIKELY MORE THAN ONE "RIGHT ONE" FOR YOU.

WE LOVE CARS.

FROM TODAY'S LATEST, TO WORLD-CLASS RACERS AND AMERICAN LEGENDS, ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE PIONEERS THAT STARTED IT ALL.

AND WHILE THERE ARE MANY GREAT CAR MUSEUMS THAT DOT OUR LAND, AND THE WORLD, NONE CAN QUITE COMPARE TO A COLLECTION THAT ONLY RECENTLY OPENED ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC.

IT STARTED OUT AS ONE MAN'S DREAM, BUT NOW IT'S A NATIONAL TREASURE, AND OUR YOLANDA VAZQUEZ TAKES US THERE.

Yolanda: SOME OF THE WORLD'S MOST MAGNIFICENT AND MEMORABLE CARS... Scot: THIS IS A 1977 PLYMOUTH FURY SPORT... Yolanda: ...HAVE FOUND A NEW HOME IN THE NATION'S LARGEST AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM.

Ron Bergtoll: I'M A TACOMA RESIDENT, I TELL YOU, THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

Yolanda: FILLED WITH FOUR FLOORS OF CLASSIC, VINTAGE, AND SUPER HORSEPOWER CARS, THE LEMAY-AMERICA'S CAR MUSEUM, LOCATED IN TACOMA, WASHINGTON, OFFERS A LITTLE SOMETHING...

HUG THOSE CORNERS!

HUG THOSE CORNERS!

WHOA!

...FOR EVERYONE.

AND THE FUN CONTINUES WITH AN UP CLOSE LOOK AT SOME CLASSIC BEAUTIES.

Scot Keller: MY VISION FOR THE MUSEUM AND OUR VISION FOR THE MUSEUM IS REALLY TO CREATE A SPACE PEOPLE CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF.

Yolanda: THE MUSEUM'S ALUMINUM ROOF SETS THE STAGE FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE ABUNDANCE FOUND INSIDE.

MUST-SEE VEHICLES INCLUDE THIS BEAUTIFUL 1930 RED DUISENBERG J CONVERTIBLE AND THIS 1917 CRANE SIMPLEX BOUGHT NEW BY JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER.

David Madeira: BEAUTIFUL TOURING CAR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ERA.

JAY LENO'S GOT ONE LIKE IT.

Yolanda: WITH SPACE FOR 500 CARS, A LARGE PORTION OF THEM ARE FROM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE LATE HAROLD LEMAY.

AFTER WWII, THE TACOMA-BASED RESIDENT STARTED A REFUSE COLLECTION BUSINESS AND TURNED IT INTO A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ENTERPRISE.

HE WAS A MODEST MAN WHO HAD A PASSION FOR CARS.

David: HE REALLY LOVED EVERY CAR HE EVER SAW.

HE JUST COULDN'T HELP HIMSELF.

FOUND A REASON TO LOVE IT.

Yolanda: A CAR GUY TO HIS CORE, LEMAY AMASSED A PRETTY IMPRESSIVE COLLECTION, SO WHEN HE PASSED AWAY IN 2000, A $65 MILLION FUNDRAISING EFFORT BEGAN TO PRESERVE NOT ONLY HIS LEGACY BUT ALSO A ROLLING SLICE OF AMERICANA.

David: SO I CAME OUT HERE FROM THE EAST AND WE DEVELOPED A PLAN TO BUILD AMERICA'S CAR MUSEUM, THIS NEEDS TO BE ABOUT US.

Yolanda: PRESIDENT AND CEO DAVID MADEIRA SAYS THEIR GOAL WAS TO CREATE A FLEXIBLE SPACE WHERE VEHICLES FROM THEMED EXHIBITS LIKE THE BRITISH INVASION, INDY RACE CARS, AND FERRARI MYSTIQUE COULD BE ROTATED AROUND.

BUT IT'S THE TRIED AND TRUE AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE ICONS OF THE 20TH CENTURY THAT RESONATE THE MOST WITH ATTENDEES.

Bill Holme: IT'S BEAUTIFUL TO SEE THESE OLDER CARS IN THIS MUSEUM, THEY'RE JUST WONDERFUL.

THEY GO BACK ALL THE WAY FROM THE EARLY 1900s TO CURRENT PERIOD.

IT'S AN AMAZING COLLECTION THAT YOU WILL NOT SEE ANYWHERE ELSE.

Yolanda: FOR EXAMPLE, THIS 1948 TUCKER IS VERY RARE.

AND THE LIST OF CLASSIC AND RARELY SEEN CARS GO ON AND ON.

William Casey: I'VE TRAVELED ALL OVER THE WORLD AND NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

Yolanda: 93-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM CASEY TRAVELED FROM CONNECTICUT TO VISIT THE MUSEUM.

HE SAYS IT'S LIKE TAKING A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.

SO YOU'VE SEEN CARS FROM QUITE A NUMBER OF DECADES, RIGHT?

William: OH YEAH.

SINCE 19...LET'S SEE, 1948, WHEN I BOUGHT MY FIRST CAR, A CHEVY.

Scot: WE GET ASKED, WHAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT CAR IN THE MUSEUM?

I HAVE MY FAVORITES, WE'VE GOT CARS HERE THAT ARE WORTH MULTIPLE SEVEN FIGURES.

BUT REALLY, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE MOST IMPORTANT CAR HERE IS THE ONE THAT YOU HAVE AN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WITH.

Yolanda: CHIEF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER SCOT KELLER IS PARTICULARLY FOND OF THIS 1963 SPLIT WINDOW DARK BLUE CORVETTE... Scot: EVERY TIME I WALK PAST THIS CAR, I'M INSTANTLY TRANSPORTED BACK TO THAT ERA.

Yolanda: HE SAYS VEHICLES LIKE THIS FLINTSTONE'S FLINTMOBILE, '80s ERA MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND 1977 PLYMOUTH FURY... Scot: CAN I DELIVER IT TO THE HOUSE OR ARE YOU GOING TO JUST LEAVE IT HERE?

Yolanda:...CONJURE UP THE MOST AMAZING MEMORIES.

THEY ALSO TELL THE STORY OF AMERICA'S NEVER-ENDING LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE AUTOMOBILE.

HAROLD LEMAY MADE THAT CONNECTION LONG AGO AND NOW HE HAS A MUSEUM THAT EMBODIES THAT SPIRIT.

David: I THINK KNOWING THAT THIS PLACE WILL EXIST FOR A LONG TIME TELLING HIS STORY, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, ALL OF OUR STORIES, I THINK WOULD THRILL HIM.

I HOPE SO.

John: NOW LET'S HEAD OVER TO GOSS' GARAGE, WHERE PAT'S GOING TO HOOK US UP WITH TIPS TO KEEP CRITICAL CABLES MOVING SMOOTHLY.

Pat: JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING MECHANICAL NEEDS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION.

AND HERE TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS ABOUT MOTORCYCLES, LYNDON ABLE, GENERAL MANAGER OF PATRIOT HARLEY-DAVIDSON IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA.

LYNDON, WELCOME BACK.

Lyndon: THANKS, PAT.

Pat: ALRIGHT, MOTORCYCLES AND CABLES.

Lyndon: YES.

LIKE A LOT OF THINGS, CABLES ON YOUR MOTORCYCLE WILL LAST LONGER IF THEY'RE PROPERLY MAINTAINED.

IN THIS CASE, MAINTENANCE MEANS MOSTLY LUBRICATION.

A LITTLE EXAMPLE HERE, WE HAVE A THROTTLE AND THROTTLE CABLE.

USED PROPERLY, LUBRICATED PROPERLY, THIS IS A NICE, SMOOTH ACTION.

IF IT'S NOT LUBRICATED, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS, THIS WILL GET FROZEN UP INSIDE THIS THROTTLE AND WILL START WORKING BACK AND FORTH AND YOU'LL END UP WITH SOMETHING THAT YOU SEE RIGHT HERE.

GO JUST A LITTLE BIT LONGER AND YOU END UP WITH THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS CABLE LITERALLY HANGING ON BY A THREAD.

THAT IS A DIRECT RESULT OF IMPROPER LUBRICATION.

Pat: AND IT'S ALSO WALKING HOME.

Lyndon: AND IT'S A WALK HOME, RIGHT.

Pat: OKAY.

NOW LUBRICANTS, WE HAVE A COUPLE TYPES HERE.

ANYTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THEM, OTHER THAN THAT WE WANT CABLE LUBE AND NOT REGULAR LUBE?

Lyndon: YEAH, YOU SHOULD USE THE PROPER -- JUST LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, YOU SHOULD BE USING THE PROPER TOOL FOR THE JOB.

THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT LUBRICANTS.

I LIKE THIS ONE, BUT IT CAN STAIN BRAIDED CABLE, SO FOR THAT APPLICATION WE LIKE TO USE CLEAR LUBRICANT.

WHICHEVER ONE YOU USE, YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THEY HAVE A NICE NARROW SPOUT, AND THAT'S TO ALLOW YOU TO GET IN BETWEEN THE HOUSING AND THE CABLE SO THAT THE LUBRICANT CAN GET WHERE YOU WANT IT TO BE.

ON THIS MOTORCYCLE, YOU CAN SEE THAT GRAVITY IS HELPING YOU DO THE JOB TO GET THESE CABLES LUBRICATED.

THIS COMES OFF, YOU GET INSIDE HERE, GET THAT LUBRICANT IN THERE, WORK IT BACK AND FORTH.

GRAVITY WILL HELP YOU TAKE IT ALL THE WAY DOWN.

SOMETIMES GRAVITY IS NOT WORKING IN YOUR FAVOR.

YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT THE INITIAL RUN IS UPHILL.

DON'T JUST THINK THAT IT'S TOO HARD TO DO AND ONLY LUBRICATE THIS, BECAUSE YOU'RE ONLY GETTING THE FIRST TWO INCHES.

PULL THIS OFF, AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE, HOLD IT UP SO THAT GRAVITY CAN ALLOW THAT LUBRICANT TO GET ALL THE WAY DOWN THE CABLE.

IF YOU DO THAT RIGHT, YOUR CABLES WILL LAST MUCH LONGER AND SAVE YOU A LOT OF MONEY IN THE PROCESS.

Pat: ALRIGHT.

AND KEEP IN MIND, FOLKS, THAT THIS DOESN'T JUST APPLY TO MOTORCYCLES.

IT ALSO APPLIES TO THINGS LIKE LAWN MOWERS, HERE'S A CABLE, HERE'S A CABLE.

ALL KINDS OF MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT.

SO, BY LUBRICATING THESE CABLES, YOU'LL GET A LOT MORE LIFE OUT OF THAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, AND IT'LL BE A LOT MORE RELIABLE.

LYNDON, THANK YOU.

Lyndon: THANK YOU.

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

SUBARU IS ON A ROLL WITH ONE HIT AFTER ANOTHER, AND A YEAR WITH THE LATEST IMPREZA COMPACT DRIVES HOME THE REASONS WHY.

WORDS LIKE SMART, PRACTICAL, AND SECURE COME TO MIND, AS MIX OF A ROOMY CABIN, ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, AND GOOD FUEL ECONOMY ARE WELL BLENDED IN OUR IMPREZA 2.0I SPORT HATCHBACK.

THE STANDARD 2.0-LITER FLAT-4 RESPONDS WITH MORE URGENCY THAN ITS 148-HORSE RATING INDICATES, AND ADDS SOMETHING WE DIDN'T EXPECT FROM THIS IMPREZA: A FUN TO DRIVE NATURE.

THE CVT TRANNY, DESPITE ITS WHINE, ALSO DELIVERED WITH AN EXCELLENT 28.7 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR AFTER NEARLY 20,000 MILES.

PLUS, EVERY MILE WAS MECHANICALLY FAULT FREE.

JUST CHANGE THE NAV-AUDIO SYSTEM TO SOMETHING A MERE MORTAL CAN EASILY OPERATE AND THE SUBARU IMPREZA WOULD BE JUST ABOUT AS PERFECT AS A SMALL CAR CAN GET.

AS THE IMPREZA LEAVES OUR LOT, TWO NEW CROSSOVERS ENTER, AND BOTH ARE CURRENT DRIVERS' CHOICE WINNERS.

OUR BEST LARGE UTILITY OF THE YEAR IS THE ALL-NEW NISSAN PATHFINDER.

ITS SEVEN PASSENGER SEATING AND LARGE CARGO CAPACITY WILL NO DOUBT BE FULLY UTILIZED.

EQUIPPED FOR A SMALLER PORTAGE OF FIVE IS THIS TOYOTA RAV4, OUR WINNER AS BEST SMALL UTILITY OF THE YEAR.

WE'LL SOON KNOW HOW BOTH HOLD UP TO FOUR SEASONS IN THE MOTORWEEK WORLD.

WE'LL UPDATE OUR JOURNEY WITH ANOTHER CROSSOVER, THE MAZDA CX-5, PLUS THE HONDA ACCD, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

TIME NOW FOR ANOTHER AUTOMOTIVE MEET-AND-GREET WITH THIS WEEK'S CAR KEYS.

IT'S NO SECRET THAT ONE OF OUR FAVORITE CARS IS THE VOLKSWAGEN GTI.

WELL, THERE'S A NEW ONE ON ITS WAY TO THE STATES, AND IT'S BRINGING ALONG A NEW FRIEND WITH IT, THE 2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTD.

THE GTD'S LOOK AND HANDLING MAY BE ALL GTI, BUT THAT "D" STANDS FOR A NEW 2.0-LITER TURBO DIESEL UNDER THE HOOD.

IT LIGHTLY CLATTERS OUT 184-HORSEPOWER AND 280 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

Brian Robinson: LEAVE IT TO VOLKSWAGEN TO BRING A HIGH PERFORMANCE DIESEL TO THE STATES.

THIS THING FLAT OUT ROCKS!

AND WHILE IT MIGHT NOT HAVE THE STRAIGHT LINE SPEED OF THE GTI, ALL THE HANDLING'S THERE, WITH THE MILEAGE OF A HYBRID.

John: INDEED, THE 7.5 SECOND 0 TO 60 IS WELL SHORT OF THE GTI, BUT THE GTD FULLY MATCHES IT WHEN IT COMES TO ATTITUDE BOTH INSIDE AND OUT.

THE FRONT END SPORTS A GTI AGGRESSIVE FACE, BUT GETS CLASSED UP A LITTLE WITH CHROME TRIM INSTEAD OF RED.

IN BACK, ITS BUSINESS AS USUAL WITH A LARGE SPOILER UP TOP AND DOUBLED UP EXHAUST TIPS DOWN BELOW.

GTI ELEMENTS LIKE THE TARTAN PLAID SEATS, STAINLESS STEEL PEDALS, AND SPORT STEERING WHEEL HIGHLIGHT THE INTERIOR.

WHILE IT'S ALREADY ON SALE IN EUROPE, WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR, SO PRICING HASN'T BEEN SET JUST YET.

EXPECT TO PAY A SMALL PREMIUM FOR THE GTD OVER THE GTI.

AND YOU CAN EXPECT MORE CAR KEYS FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSION SOON!

WITH A HUGE INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF ELECTRONIC DRIVING AIDS, WE FOUND THAT THE ALL-NEW 2012 PORSCHE 911 TO BE EASILY THE BEST PERFORMING 911 YET.

BUT YOU KNEW THAT PORSCHE WOULDN'T STOP THERE, AND THE FIRST UPGRADE TO THE REAR-DRIVE 991 IS THE 2013 CARRERA 4.

NOW IN TYPICAL C4 FASHION, JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO GO ALONG WITH THE ADDITION OF ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

BUT AT WHAT POINT DOES MORE PERFORMANCE RESULT IN LESS FUN?

WELL, LET'S SEE IF WE'RE THERE YET.

IN FACT, WE WERE SO EAGER TO FIND OUT IF THIS "MORE GRIP AND LESS SLIP" PORSCHE IS INDEED MORE CAPABLE OR LESS FUN, WE SOMEHOW CONVINCED PORSCHE INTO GIVING US THE VERY FIRST 2013 C4 TO LAND ON OUR SHORES; A FULL POTENTIAL C4S.

FROM THERE, WE QUICKLY HEADED TO ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY NEAR SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.

AND ALONG THE WAY, WE DID TRAVERSE SOME NASTY WEATHER, INCLUDING FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW THAT THE C4 PROVED MORE THAN CAPABLE OF HANDLING.

THE UPGRADE TO C4 STATUS IS MORE NOTICEABLE THAN PREVIOUS GENERATIONS.

AND IF THE SERIOUSLY WIDER HIPS AREN'T CLUE ENOUGH, THERE'S A NEW LED LIGHT STRIP RUNNING ACROSS THE REAR THAT CLUES IN THE CLUELESS.

STANDARD WHEELS ARE 20-INCHERS WITH 245/35 PIRELLI RUBBER UP FRONT, EXTRA-MEATY 305/30s IN THE REAR.

ADDITIONAL C4-EXCLUSIVE ELEMENTS INCLUDE BLACK ROCKER EXTENSIONS AND A TWEAKED FRONT FASCIA WITH LARGER AIR OPENINGS.

BUT IT TAKES MORE THAN FANCY BODYWORK TO GET YOU AROUND A RACE TRACK, AND AFTER ONLY A FEW LAPS WE STARTED TO FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS LATEST C4S.

IN FACT, THIS CAR FEELS SO NAILED DOWN TO THE TRACK THAT IT'S ALMOST BORING.

ALL C4s USE AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM DERIVED FROM THE LAST 911 TURBO AND WORKS WITH PORSCHE'S TRACTION MANAGEMENT AND BRAKING SYSTEMS TO TORQUE VECTOR POWER WHEREVER IT IS MOST BENEFICIAL, INCLUDING ALMOST 100% TO THE FRONT, THOUGH WE CAN'T THINK OF TOO MANY TIMES WHERE THAT WOULD BE USEFUL.

IT ADDS ONLY 111-POUNDS TO THE 911, BUT ADDS TONS MORE GRIP.

AT SPEED, EVERYTHING FEELS SO REFINED AND SORTED OUT.

CORNERING IS VIRTUALLY FLAT, STEERING FEEDBACK IS SPOT ON, JUST POINT IT WHERE YOU WANT AND IT RESPONDS INSTANTLY.

YOU HAVE TO DISABLE EVERY ELECTRONIC NANNY YOU POSSIBLY CAN TO GET ANY REAR END PLAY, OTHERWISE ALL YOU GET IS TENACIOUS GRIP.

BRAKES ARE SIMPLY PHENOMENAL!

AFTER THREE DAYS OF CRUELTY AT THE FEET OF OUR TEST DRIVERS, THERE WAS NO CHANGE TO THEIR FEEL OR EFFECTIVENESS.

ENGINE CHOICES ARE THE SAME AS STANDARD 911s; A 3.4 FLAT-6 IN THE C4, AND A 3.8-LITER IN OUR C4S, PUMPING OUT 400-HORSEPOWER AND 325 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

PORSCHE'S PDK IS OPTIONAL, BUT WE WERE HAPPY TO STICK WITH THE 7-SPEED MANUAL FOR THIS TEST.

OURS DID INCLUDE THE OPTIONAL SPORT CHRONO PACKAGE THAT ADDS A NEW REV MATCHING FEATURE ON DOWNSHIFTS.

IT'S A SPECTACULAR GEARBOX, ONE EVERYONE ELSE SHOULD BE STRIVING TO IMITATE.

IT'S NOT THE PREFERRED CHOICE, HOWEVER, WHEN IT COMES TO STRAIGHT-LINE TESTING.

NOR WERE THE COLD AND WINDY TRACK CONDITIONS THAT WE FACED IDEAL.

STILL, WE MANAGED A SPRINT TO 60 IN 4.4-SECONDS.

OPT FOR THE PDK AND YOU SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM GETTING DOWN INTO THE 3'S.

THE QUARTER MILE TOOK JUST 12.7-SECONDS AND WAS REACHED AT 114 MILES-PER-HOUR.

ALL-IN-ALL, IT'S THE MOST SECURE FEELING, MOST REASSURING 911 WE'VE EVER DRIVEN, AND A NIGHT-AND-DAY DIFFERENCE OVER PREVIOUS ALL-WHEEL DRIVE CARRERAS.

EVERYTHING WORKS SO SEAMLESSLY THAT YOU HARDLY EVER KNOW WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON, AND YOU FEEL VIRTUALLY INVINCIBLE.

ON THE STREET, THE C4S FEELS FIRM AND PURPOSEFUL, BUT NEVER UNCOMFORTABLE.

WITH SEVEN GEARS TO MANAGE, YOU DO STAY BUSY, THOUGH 7TH IS CLEARLY JUST A NOD TOWARDS FUEL ECONOMY, NO REASON TO USE IT UNLESS YOU'RE EATING UP INTERSTATE MILES.

INSIDE, THERE'S NO DRASTIC CHANGE OVER A BASIC 911, BUT WE'VE REALLY COME TO LOVE THE FUNDAMENTAL CONTROL LAYOUT.

WHEN FIRST SAMPLED IN THE PANAMERA, WE WEREN'T TOO SURE ABOUT IT, BUT IT IS VERY EASY TO MASTER.

AND AFTER ALL OF THE CENTRAL CONTROLLERS WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH IN LUXURY CARS, IT'S REFRESHING TO SEE ACTUAL BUTTONS THAT WORK AND DO WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO.

THERE IS A TOUCH SCREEN FOR CONTROLLING THE RADIO, NAVIGATION, AND MANY VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, BUT YOU HARDLY EVER NEED TO TOUCH IT.

WE ARE STILL NOT FANS OF THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE, HOWEVER.

SEATS ARE SUPER-COMFORTABLE, THERE'S A PERFECT AMOUNT OF ENGINE GROWL, AND LIKE ANY OTHER 911, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU COULD DRIVE IT ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

PRICING STARTS AT $91,980 FOR A BASE CARRERA 4.

THAT'S $6,730 MORE THAN A BASE 911, AND WHILE THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT FOR A LITTLE MORE TRACTION, IT ALSO BUYS SHARPER SHEET METAL AND SOME EXCLUSIVITY.

OUR C4S STARTS AT $106,580.

THERE'S NO DENYING THAT THAT'S PRICY, BUT IT'S NOT OUTRAGEOUS FOR A CAR THAT OFFERS AS MUCH PERFORMANCE AS THIS ONE.

BEING IN THIS PROFESSION WE OFTEN GET ASKED, "WHAT CAR WOULD YOU REALLY LIKE TO OWN?"

AND WHILE THAT ANSWER CHANGES OVER TIME AS WE DRIVE NEWER AND BETTER CARS, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE ANSWER IS A 911, AND NOW THE ANSWER IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE 2013 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 4S.

WELL, I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , AS WE PLUG IN AND TAKE CHARGE OF THE FORD FUSION ENERGI.

THEN CHECK UP ON GM'S TRIO OF BIG FAMILY CROSSOVERS.

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.

MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY TIRE RACK.

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 3M PAINT DEFENDER SYSTEM.

HELPS PROTECT YOUR PAINT IN THREE STEPS.

DRYING TO A CLEAR, REMOVABLE FILM FOR PROTECTION.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT 3MAUTO.COM.

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