HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US AND SEE IF BIG LUXURY WILL MEAN BIG SALES FOR THE MERCEDES-BENZ GL.
PAT GOSS HAS PERFECT TIMING KEEPING OUR ENGINES IN PERFECT SYNC.
ZACH MASKELL KNOWS NO LIMIT IN HIS QUEST FOR THE CAR WORLD'S BEST.
AND WE'LL SEE IF THE TOYOTA TUNDRA IS FINALLY READY TO TAKE ON THE BIG BOYS.
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: DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE, YOU MAY SEE A LOT OF MERCEDES- BENZ GL-CLASS UTILITIES, OR VERY FEW.
THEY DO TEND TO SWARM MOSTLY WHERE PROPERTY VALUES ARE THE HIGHEST.
BUT EVEN WITH THAT LIMITED FOOTPRINT, THE GL HAS BEEN A VERY SUCCESSFUL DESIGN FOR MERCEDES.
IN JUST ONE GENERATION IT'S QUICKLY BECOME ONE OF THE TOP SELLING LUXURY SUVs IN THE U.S.
SO, LET'S SEE IF A SECOND GO WILL EXPAND THE GL'S FOOTPRINT EVEN FARTHER.
DESPITE THE BIG 3-POINTED STAR OF GERMANY'S MERCEDES-BENZ BRAND ON THE GRILLE, IT'S HARD TO THINK OF A MORE AMERICAN VEHICLE THAN THIS 2013 GL550.
IN FACT, IT'S EVEN BUILT HERE IN ALABAMA.
AS THIS LARGE, LUXURIOUS, 7-PASSENGER PEOPLE MOVER HAS JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ANY WELL-TO-DO FAMILY COULD ASK FOR IN HOUSEHOLD TRANSPORTATION.
FOR '13, THE GL SERIES IS BIGGER IN EVERY DIMENSION, BUT STILL HAS THE LOOK AIMED AT TRADITIONAL LUXURY SUV BUYERS.
THAT CONTRASTS WITH ANOTHER NEW ARRIVAL IN THIS CLASS, THE RANGE ROVER SPORT, WHICH SEEMS OUT FOR NEW BLOOD.
THOSE TRADITIONAL BUYERS WILLING TO SPEND CLOSE TO 6-FIGURES FOR AN SUV EXPECT GREAT COMFORT, LUXURY, AND QUALITY.
THE INTERIOR OF THE NEW GL CERTAINLY GETS A THOROUGH MAKEOVER THAT WE THINK WILL KEEP THEM MORE THAN HAPPY.
THERE'S SOFT YET DURABLE LEATHER UPHOLSTERY, ATTRACTIVE BURL WALNUT TRIM, AND EVERYTHING INSIDE WORKS WITH PRECISION, VERY BENZ-LIKE INDEED.
SOME OF OUR STAFF DID FIND THE FRONT SEAT SIDE BOLSTERS A BIT AGGRESSIVE FOR A FAMILY VEHICLE, BUT MOST FOUND THEM TO BE UBER-COMFORTABLE OVERALL.
EVEN WITH THE NICELY INTEGRATED AND WELL-WORKING COMAND SYSTEM, THERE'S A LOT GOING ON ON THE DASH.
THERE ARE ALSO LOTS OF SAFETY FEATURES TO HELP KEEP YOU IN YOUR LANE AND OUT OF TROUBLE.
AMONG THEM; COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, NIGHT VIEW ASSIST PLUS, ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM, ATTENTION ASSIST, AND ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST.
WE FOUND SECOND ROW SEAT ROOM TO BE PLENTIFUL, AND SURPRISINGLY, SO IS THE THIRD ROW.
ACCESS IS EASY THANKS TO A NEW OPTIONAL POWER FOLD FEATURE.
AND THE TOUCH OF ANOTHER SWITCH IS ALSO ALL IT TAKES TO GET MAXIMUM CARGO ROOM OF 93.8 CUBIC-FEET.
ENGINE CHOICES RANGE FROM MILD TO WILD, WITH A BLUETEC DIESEL, AND A PAIR OF GAS V8s TO CHOOSE FROM.
OUR GL550 TESTER WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE 429-HORSEPOWER VERSION OF MERCEDES' BI-TURBO 4.7-LITER V8, CRANKING OUT 516 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
ALL ENGINES ARE MATED TO A SMOOTH AND EASY SHIFTING 7-SPEED AUTOMATIC WITH DIRECT SELECT SHIFT CONTROLS MOUNTED ON THE STEERING WHEEL.
ALL GLs ALSO COME WITH 4MATIC ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE AND HAVE A MAXIMUM TOW RATING OF 7,500 POUNDS.
WE FOUND ALL ENGINE CHOICES PROVIDE ADEQUATE POWER TO MOVE THIS 5,500 POUND BEAST ROUND ABOUT.
IN OUR 550, WE HIT 60 IN A BLISTERING 5.3-SECONDS AND CLEARED THE QUARTER MILE IN JUST 13.8-SECONDS AT 102 MILES-PER-HOUR.
THERE ARE MORE THAN A FEW SPORT SEDANS THAT CAN'T TOUCH THAT.
AFTER A TINY BIT OF TURBO LAG, IT'S OFF TO THE RACES AS THE GL HOOKS UP AND TAKES OFF.
SHIFT TIMES ARRIVE QUICKLY AND HAPPEN RAPIDLY WHILE THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO HUNKER DOWN AND GROWL ITS WAY TO THE END OF THE TRACK.
THROUGH THE CONES WE FOUND IT HARD TO GET A TRUE SENSE FOR JUST HOW CAPABLE A HANDLER THE GL IS, AS A VERY QUICK ON THE TRIGGER STABILITY SYSTEM KEPT US FROM GETTING TOO AGGRESSIVE.
JUST ANOTHER REMINDER THAT THE GL INTENDS TO KEEP YOU SAFE.
PUSHED AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, WE FOUND THE ELECTRO- MECHANICAL STEERING TO BE NUMB AND OVER-BOOSTED, WHILE THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION HELD BODY ROLL TO ALMOST NIL.
NO ISSUES ON THE BRAKING END, WITH VERY CONSISTENT STOPS AVERAGING A SHORT 122-FEET FROM 60.
OF COURSE THE GL FEELS MOST AT HOME CRUISING THE HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS, STILL IT DOES MANAGE QUITE ADEQUATE DUTY ON BACKWOODS TRAILS.
AND DESPITE ALL OF THE LUXURY CODDLING, IT FEELS MORE COMFORTING THAN OSTENTATIOUS WITH A VERY SMOOTH, CONTROLLED RIDE THAT EATS UP THE MILES AND TIME WITH EASE.
IT'S HARD TO FIND FAULTS WITH THE VEHICLE AS IT SEEMS TO EXUDE QUALITY.
EVEN NIT-PICKING THE LIGHT STEERING, WHEN DRIVEN AT A RELAXED PACE, THE GL IS ACTUALLY A REAL JOY WITH A GRACEFULLY QUIET INTERIOR.
WHILE NOT ON ANYBODY'S MOST EFFICIENT LIST, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS HAVE IMPROVED OVER LAST YEAR.
OUR GL550 RATES 13-CITY, 18-HIGHWAY, AND 15-COMBINED.
WE BEAT ALL OF THOSE NUMBERS IN OUR MIXED LOOP, AVERAGING 19.8 MILES-PER-GALLON OF PREMIUM.
THE GL350 BLUETEC IS THE ECONOMY LEADER AT 22 COMBINED.
OUR 550'S ENERGY IMPACT SCORE A LOW 22.0-BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMED PER YEAR WITH ANNUAL CO2 EMISSIONS OF 9.7-TONS.
WITH SO MUCH GOING FOR IT, GL BASE PRICING FOR THE 350 BLUETEC OF $63,305 SOUNDS ALMOST REASONABLE.
BUT LOAD ON THE OPTIONS, LIKE OUR 550 TESTER, AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT A MOST UN-BUDGET FRIENDLY $98,545.
PRICEY?
YES!
BUT WE CAN'T THINK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT IS MORE CAPABLE OF HAULING SEVEN BODIES IN AS MUCH COMFORT AND LUXURY AS THE 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GL.
AMONG TOP DRAWER SUVS, THE LATEST RANGE ROVER SPORT MAY MANAGE A LITTLE MORE STYLE, BUT THE GL IS OUR PICK FOR THE ULTIMATE IN BIG FAMILY TRANSPORTATION.
OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, WHERE THE CITY'S "CLEAN FUEL RULE" PROMPTED THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO CONVERT ALL OF THEIR VEHICLES TO ALTERNATIVE FUELS.
OF THEIR 700 REFUSE TRUCKS, 80% NOW RUN ON COMPRESSED OR LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS, WITH A GOAL OF 100% BY 2015.
ALREADY THE CITY SAVES $6 MILLION A YEAR ON FUEL COSTS.
WITH FIVE REFUELING STATIONS ONLINE, AND A SIXTH NEARLY COMPLETED, L.A. HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST FLEET NATURAL GAS REFUELING OPERATIONS IN THE NATION.
THESE FOUR 15,000 GALLON LNG TANKS SERVE ONE YARD ALONE.
Alexander Helou: WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH STORAGE CAPACITY ONSITE SO IF THERE'S AN EARTHQUAKE, OUR TRUCKS ARE GOING OUT, CLEANING THE DEBRIS BEFORE THE FIRST RESPONDERS GO OUT.
John: SERVING FOUR MILLION RESIDENTS IS NOT EASY.
NOR IS CONVERTING A BIG FLEET TO ALT-FUELS.
BUT IN L.A., ADOPTING CLEAN FUELS FOR CLEANER AIR IS A "NO-BRAINER."
WHETHER IT'S WORKING OVERTIME, REALLY ODD JOBS, CASHING HIS TAX REFUND, OR JUST FISHING FOR GOLF BALLS IN A WATER HAZARD, OUR ZACH MASKELL HAS OFTEN GONE WAY OVER THE EDGE TO FINANCE HIS AUTOMOTIVE DREAMS.
WELL, NOW HE'S FOUND A CUSTOMIZER WHOSE TOP PRIORITY IS TO HELP EVERYONE, FROM HIS NEIGHBORS TO OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALISTS, HAVE THE RIDE OF THEIR DREAMS.
Zach Maskell: THERE'S LITERALLY NO LIMITATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO CUSTOMIZING YOUR RIDE AT ONE AUTO-BODY SHOP IN BALTIMORE.
IN FACT, THEY'VE GAINED SO MUCH POPULARITY, MANY OF THE SUPER BOWL CHAMPS FLOCK HERE.
SUPER BOWL XLVII CHAMPS RAY RICE, TORREY SMITH, AND MICHAEL OHER LED AN ALL-STAR ROSTER OF PRO ATHLETES WHO'VE BEEN FLOCKING TO NO LIMIT.
IT HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN THE HOTSPOT; IT TOOK YEARS OF DEDICATION TO TURN THIS PLACE INTO A WELL-OILED MACHINE.
OWNER DAVID BARRON USED TO GO DRIVEWAY TO DRIVEWAY, INSTALLING CAR STEREOS AND OTHER MODS, UNTIL HE FOUND AN OLD TIRE SHOP TO LITERALLY CALL HOME.
David Barron: I STARTED SLEEPING ON THE COUCH AT NIGHT TIME, THIS IS WHERE I LIVED.
I WOULD WORK 80, 90 HOURS A WEEK AND I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE.
Zach: THAT'S WHEN BARRON WAS STILL SOLO.
HE'S NOW GOT A FLEET OF 10 WORKERS WHO SEE 20 TO 25 CARS A DAY.
David: IT'S STILL A MOM-AND-POP.
LIKE I STILL HAVE MY HANDS ON THE CAR.
THEY STILL CALL ME ON MY PHONE AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING IF THEY WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
SO, PEOPLE STILL WANT TO DEAL WITH THAT.
THEY DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH CORPORATE.
Zach: BARRON KNOWS THAT HIS CUSTOMERS COME IN FOR THE EXPERIENCE, AND EVERYONE NEEDS SOME HELP ALONG THE WAY.
HE TAKES PRIDE IN TRANSFORMING THEIR NIGHTTIME INTERNET BROWSING AND MAGAZINE FLIPPING IDEAS INTO REALITY.
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU WANT YOUR WINDOWS TINTED OR A FULL MAKEOVER; YOU'LL BE TAKEN CARE OF.
CHECK OUT THIS FISKER KARMA OWNED BY FORMER RAVEN'S PLAYER FRANK WALKER.
BARRON'S CREW PAINTED MUCH OF THE CHROME GOLD!
IT WAS ALSO THE FIRST FISKER TO WEAR 24-INCH WHEELS.
FELLOW FOOTBALLER JARED GAITHER WASN'T HAPPY WITH HIS STOCK JEEP, SO HE ORDERED UP A CUSTOMIZED SOUND SYSTEM, A LIFT KIT ON 22-INCH WHEELS, AND A TRAIN HORN, ALONG WITH OTHER MODS.
David: THIRTEEN YEARS AGO, MIKE PHELPS WAS STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I PUT SPINNERS ON HIS ESCALADE IN 2000.
Zach: AND AFTER WORD OF MOUTH SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE, NBA STAR ALLEN IVERSON BROUGHT IN A FLEET OF CARS; THEN THE RAVEN'S LOCKER ROOM GOT WIND... AND THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES, WASHINGTON WIZARDS, AND NOW CUSTOMERS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
SUPER BOWL CHAMPION RUNNING BACK RAY RICE FELT LIKE A KID ON CHRISTMAS SEEING HIS NEW AND IMPROVED 2014 PORSCHE PANAMERA TURBO S. Ray Rice: THIS MIGHT BE THE RED CARPET.
David: THIS IS THE BIG BOY SET.
Ray: I'VE GRADUATED.
Zach: THEY SAY SIMPLE IS CLEAN, AND WE'LL SAY "JOB WELL DONE."
RICE LEFT WITH A FULL FAB SPEED EXHAUST AND COLOR MATCHED HRE WHEELS.
Ray: THIS IS ILLEGAL.
David: HUH?
Ray: THIS IS ILLEGAL.
[ LAUGHTER ] THIS IS A CRIME, MAN.
[ ENGINE STARTS ] Zach: JOKES ASIDE, RICE ISN'T JUST WORRIED ABOUT SCORING TOUCHDOWNS COME GAME DAY.
WHAT YOU'VE GOT PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BATTLE.
Ray: IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO BE A COMPETITOR.
YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU CAME FROM THE BOTTOM, YOU ALWAYS WANT TO FEEL LIKE YOU'RE PUTTING YOURSELF IN A DIFFERENT POSITION.
Zach: HE CALLS BARRON "THE MAGICIAN."
HE DOES WHAT HE DOES ON THE FIELD AND BARRON HANDLES THE REST.
LEAVING WITH HIS PORSCHE, RICE DROPPED OFF HIS RANGER ROVER TO GET SOME NEW SHOES.
AND MEANWHILE, ANOTHER RAVEN WAS GETTING A WHOLE NEW LOOK.
ABSOLUTELY CRAZY TRANSFORMATION.
BOTH OF THESE TRUCKS CAME IN COMPLETELY STOCK, THE NOW LOOK COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
David: FORD F-150 RAPTOR, ALREADY LOOKS CRAZY.
WE MATTE BLACKED IT, 22-INCH WHEELS, 37-INCH TIRES.
IT JUST GOES WITH THE AGGRESSIVENESS OF THE RAPTOR.
THIS ONE HERE, LARDARIUS WEBB OF THE RAVENS.
CAME IN PEARL WHITE, NOW COMPLETELY MATTE WHITE.
ALL THE CHROME ACCENTS ARE GLOSS BLACK, 26-INCH WHEELS COLOR MATCHED.
JUST A TOTALLY DIFFERENT LOOK.
Zach: VINYL WRAPS ARE QUICKLY REPLACING THE TRADITIONAL PAINT JOB.
THIS SHOP GETS A COUPLE CUSTOMERS A WEEK ASKING FOR THEM.
THEY'RE CHEAPER, TEMPORARY, EASY TO REPAIR, AND SIMPLE TO WORK WITH.
BUT LET'S NOT FORGET ABOUT THE WHEELS.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CHOICES READY FOR QUICK MOUNTING.
THE LOBBY IS LIKE BEING IN A SHOE STORE FOR CARS, DECORATED WITH THE PRICELESS SIGNATURES OF THOSE WHO HAVE STOPPED BY.
I'M STANDING HERE LOOKING AT ALL THIS SPORTS MEMORABILIA UP ON THE WALLS, AND NOTICE THAT THERE'S A BLANK SPOT.
SO, GUYS, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT?
OH, IT'S NUMBER 52.
JUST LIKE A RESTAURANT RECEIVING ITS FRESH GRUB OF THE DAY, VANS FILLED WITH THE GOODS MAKE THEIR DAILY DROP OFFS.
BARRON SAID HE LIKES TO RELATE TO HIS CUSTOMERS, AND HIS RIDE PROVES IT.
HIS DENALI IS LOWERED ON 26-INCH WHEELS WITH SIDE EXHAUST AND SUEDE INTERIOR.
WITH DEDICATED EMPLOYEES AND A BOSS THAT'S STILL GETTING HIS HANDS DIRTY, WE CAN SEE WHY NO LIMIT HAS BECOME A CROWD FAVORITE.
John: PAT GOSS LIKES TO KEEP CARS RUNNING SMOOTHLY.
AND HE KNOWS THAT, LIKE LIFE, TIMING IS EVERYTHING.
Pat Goss: THROUGHOUT MOST OF AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY, VEHICLE MANUFACTURES ELECTED TO BUILD THEIR ENGINES WITH METAL TIMING CHAINS TO CONTROL THE VALVES AND CAMSHAFTS IN THEIR ENGINES.
BUT THEN 30, 40 YEARS AGO, SOME PLACE THROUGH THERE, SOMEBODY CAME UP WITH A BRIGHT IDEA TO USE A RUBBER BELT.
THEY FOUND OUT OVER TIME THAT HAD SOME LIMITATIONS AND NOW VIRTUALLY EVERY MANUFACTURER IS BACK TO USING A METAL CHAIN.
SEEMS THEY HAD IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME AROUND.
BUT THAT'S NOT OUR ISSUE.
OUR ISSUE IS TIMING BELTS, BECAUSE THERE ARE STILL MANY OF MILLIONS OF CARS ON THE ROAD THAT HAVE TIMING BELTS.
AND THOSE TIMING BELTS NEED TO BE REPLACED ON A REGULAR BASIS.
LOOK IN YOUR OWNERS MANUAL TO SEE IF THEY HAVE A LISTING FOR TIME OR MILEAGE.
YOU REPLACE THE BELT BASED ON WHICHEVER COMES FIRST...
THE TIME OR THE MILEAGE.
THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF ENGINES.
INTERFERENCE ENGINES; THESE ARE ENGINES IF THE BELT BREAKS IT DOES INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE.
AND NON-INTERFERENCE ENGINES; WHICH -- WELL, ALL THAT IS, IT DOESN'T DAMAGE THE INTERNALS OF THE ENGINE, BUT IT LEAVES YOU STRANDED.
NOW, KEEP IN MIND, THAT IF THERE'S NOTHING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT TIME, FIVE TO SIX YEARS, THAT'S IT, THAT'S ALL THE LIFE YOU CAN EXPECT OUT OF A RUBBER PART.
BUT LOOK AT THIS, IT'S COMPLICATED.
THERE ARE PULLEYS AND VARIOUS PARTS TO KEEP THE BELT TIGHT AND PARTS TO KEEP THE BELT MOVING IN THE PROPER DIRECTION, AND SO ON.
THESE ARE IDLERS AND TENSIONERS.
THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF WEAR ON THEM, AND THAT MEANS YOU NEED TO REPLACE THEM WHEN YOU REPLACE THE BELT.
NOW, IT USED TO BE YOU HAD TO MAKE UP A KIT.
BUT TODAY, CONTINENTAL HAS A SOLUTION FOR YOU.
OF COURSE YOU COULD BUY JUST A BASIC BELT, NOT RECOMMENDED.
BUT YOU COULD ALSO BUY A KIT, AND THE KITS GOING TO INCLUDE ANY TYPE OF TENSIONER, IDLER.
ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THAT MOVES AND HAS A BEARING IN IT AND IS SUBJECT TO WEAR.
BUT YOU COULD TAKE THAT A STEP FURTHER AND GO UP TO A KIT THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING -- EVEN THE OIL SEALS AROUND THE CAMSHAFT, AND MAYBE THE CRANKSHAFT, AND SO ON.
ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE PRONE TO WEAR AND THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH THE TIMING BELT.
AND ALWAYS, WHEN YOU REPLACE A TIMING BELT, YOU DO A WATER PUMP.
SO, CONTINENTAL INCLUDES A WATER PUMP IN ONE OF THESE KITS, BUT THEY ALSO GIVE YOU THE OPTION OF A STANDARD WATER PUMP WHICH HAS A PLASTIC IMPELLER IN IT, OR AN UPGRADED WATER PUMP THAT HAS A METAL IMPELLER.
I WOULD OPT FOR THE TOP OF THE LINE WITH THE METAL IMPELLER, WHICH IS GOING TO GIVE YOU MORE DURABILITY AND MORE RELIABILITY.
BUT THE BIG THING IS, YOU DO THE COMPLETE KIT.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
John: THE HONDA ACCORD IS HAVING QUITE A YEAR.
THE 9TH GENERATION ACCORD IS A HIT WITH BUYERS.
THERE'S A NEW HYBRID MODEL THAT'S THE MOST FUEL EFFICIENT CAR OF ITS SIZE.
AND NOW ADDED ICING ON ITS CAKE, IT'S BEEN NAMED GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR!
AS WE RACK UP THE MILES IN OUR LONG-TERM GAS-POWERED ACCORD EX-L WITH NAV, WE CAN SAY, "I TOLD YOU SO" AS THE LOG BOOK PRAISE FOR OUR BLACK FOUR-DOOR JUST KEEPS ROLLING IN.
ALONG WITH MODEST GAS RECEIPTS.
AT SEVEN MONTHS AND 14,000 MILES, OUR 4-CYLINDER CVT AUTOMATIC IS RETURNING A FINE 30.4 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.
OUR ONLY MECHANICAL ISSUES ARE SOME MINOR VIBRATIONS FROM THE CVT TRANSMISSION WHEN COLD, AND THE LANE KEEP CAMERA STAYED ON ONCE UNTIL THE CAR WAS RESTARTED.
THE HONDA ACCORD IS A VERY IMPRESSIVE FAMILY CAR THAT DESERVES ALL THE ACCOLADES IT CAN MUSTER.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE FUEL ECONOMY CROWN IN TRUCKS, CHRYSLER'S RAM PICKUP IS IN HOT PURSUIT.
RAM WAS THE FIRST TO TEAM A MODERN OVERHEAD-CAM V6 ENGINE WITH AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND ACTIVE GRILLE SHUTTERS.
THAT'S HOW OUR 2013 SLT QUAD CAB 4X4 IS EQUIPPED, AND WE'RE GLAD.
WHILE HIGHWAY FUEL ECONOMY IN THE MID-20s IS NORMAL, EVEN AROUND TOWN THE RAM V6 SHINES.
19.7 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR IN MOSTLY STOP AND GO DRIVING IS EXCELLENT FOR A FULL-SIZE PICKUP.
OUR ONLY MECHANICAL HICCUP OCCURRED WHEN THE UCONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM FROZE UP.
AN IGNITION RESTART CLEARED IT UP.
AND WHAT A COMFORTABLE AND CONVENIENT TRUCK IT IS FOR WORK OR PLAY.
THE RAM BOX CARGO SYSTEM PROVIDES COVERED STORAGE OUTSIDE, WHILE THE EXTENDED CAB MAKES ROOM FOR BULKIER THINGS INSIDE.
NOW, WITH THE FIRST DIESEL IN A LIGHT DUTY PICKUP ON THE WAY, THE RAM 1500 JUST KEEPS MOVING UP IN STATURE.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR TOYOTA RAV4 ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.
WHEN THE TUNDRA REPLACED THE T100 IN THE TOYOTA LINEUP FOR 2000, IT WAS PROOF THAT TOYOTA WAS SERIOUS ABOUT TAKING ON THE DOMESTICS IN THE FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK MARKET.
AND WHILE SALES NEVER REALLY CHALLENGED F-150 OR SILVERADO, THE TUNDRA HAS CARVED OUT QUITE A NICHE FOR ITSELF AMONG PERSONAL USE BUYERS.
NOW LET'S SEE IF A NEW MANLY MAKEOVER WILL HELP THEM CARVE OUT EVEN MORE SALES.
IT'S HARD TO IGNORE THE 2014 TOYOTA TUNDRA'S CHANGED FACE.
IT'S LARGER AND MORE IN YOUR FACE, AND IN TUNE WITH THE MORE RUGGED APPEARANCE THAT GRACES THE REST OF THE TRUCK.
AND THAT MORE MACHO DESIGN WAS BY DESIGN.
DESPITE BEING JUST AS CAPABLE AS DOMESTIC LIGHT-DUTY PICKUPS, THE TUNDRA HAS THUS FAR BEEN UNABLE TO SHED ITS SOFT IMAGE.
WELL, AS TRUCK CURRENT MARKETING-THINK GOES; THE BIGGER THE GRILLE, THE MORE CAPABLE THE TRUCK!
SO THE NEW TUNDRA'S COW CATCHER GROWS IN SIZE, YET STILL BLENDS IN NICELY WITH A NEW 3-PIECE FRONT BUMPER.
THE STANCE IS CERTAINLY WIDER, AND FENDERS ARE A LITTLE MORE SQUARED OFF, ALL HELPING TO REAFFIRM THIS TUNDRA'S CREDENTIALS, AS DOES TOWING UP TO 10,400-POUNDS.
THE REAR END IS "BRANDED" WITH TUNDRA SCRIPT; AN INTEGRATED TAILGATE SPOILER, AND A 3-PIECE BUMPER OF ITS OWN, WHILE AERO TRICKS ON THE REAR TAILLIGHT LENSES AND SIDE MIRRORS HELP THIS BRUTISH BRICK GET THROUGH THE AIR AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE.
TO KEEP PACE WITH THE HIGH DOLLAR PICKUPS NOW IN VOGUE, TOYOTA ADDS A NEW 1794 MODEL THAT PEGS THE BLING-O-METER WITH 20-INCH ALLOY WHEELS AND A POWER MOON ROOF.
3-CABS ARE AVAILABLE; THE 2-DOOR REGULAR CAB AND A PAIR OF 4-DOORS; THE EXTENDED DOUBLE CAB AND THE CREWMAX CREW CAB WITH A STANDARD POWER SLIDING BACK WINDOW.
ALL TUNDRAS ADD HALOGEN REFLECTOR BEAM HEADLIGHTS WITH MANUAL LEVEL CONTROL; AND THE 1794 EDITION ADDS LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS.
WE ARE DISAPPOINTED TO SEE NO MAJOR POWERTRAIN CHANGES, HOWEVER.
IT'S NOT THAT THEY'RE INADEQUATE, BUT DOMESTIC FULL-SIZE PICKUPS, ALONG WITH NISSAN'S TITAN, ARE MAKING SOME SERIOUS STRIDES IN MIXING MORE POWER WITH MORE FUEL ECONOMY AND TOYOTA IS AT RISK OF GETTING LEFT BEHIND.
AS BEFORE, A 4.0-LITER V6 IS THE BASE ENGINE, AND A PAIR OF V8'S ARE AVAILABLE.
WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TIME IN THE VOLUME LEADING 5.7-LITER V8 RATED AT 381-HORSEPOWER AND 401 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
WHILE IT PULLS STRONGLY AND HAS A VERY RESPONSIVE THROTTLE, COMPARED TO DOMESTIC V8'S IT TENDS TO SOUND LIKE IT'S WORKING MUCH TOO HARD.
IT'S PAIRED WITH A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH TOW/HAUL MODE, AND GETS GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS OF 13-CITY, 17-HIGHWAY, AND 15-COMBINED FOR OUR 4-WHEEL-DRIVE TESTER.
THAT MAKES FOR A VERY POOR ENERGY IMPACT SCORE THANKS TO 22.0-BARRELS OF ANNUAL OIL CONSUMPTION AND YEARLY CO2 EMISSIONS OF 10.0-TONS.
WHILE THE EXTERIOR HAS UNDENIABLY TAKEN THE MACHO ROUTE, THE INTERIOR HAS GOTTEN EVEN FRIENDLIER.
MATERIALS VARY GREATLY WITH TRIM LEVEL, BUT OUR CREWMAX LIMITED HAD VERY COMFORTABLE LEATHER CLAD SEATS AND WOOD-STYLE TRIM.
ALSO, TUNDRA IS THE ONLY TRUCK WITH AVAILABLE BLIND-SPOT MONITORING AND REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT.
CREWMAX MODELS OFFER PLENTY OF ROOM IN THE REAR SEATS AS WELL, WHETHER LEFT IN PLACE FOR SEATING OR FOLDED UP OUT OF THE WAY FOR CARGO.
SWITCHGEAR IS NICE AND BIG WITH A FAIRLY LOGICAL LAYOUT, AND MAJOR CONTROLS ARE CLOSER TO THE DRIVER THAN BEFORE FOR EASE OF USE.
ONE COMPLAINT -- LIKE MOST RIVALS, THE TUNDRA'S NAVIGATION SCREEN IS HARD TO READ IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT.
THE TUNDRA'S FRAME ALSO CARRIES OVER FROM LAST YEAR, BUT THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN REVISED, AND AN IMPROVEMENT IS QUICKLY NOTICED.
RIDE QUALITY IS SMOOTHER AND YOU REALLY FEEL LIKE YOU'RE RIDING HIGH AND BREATHING THIN AIR.
STEERING REMAINS HYDRAULIC, PROVIDING GOOD OVERALL FEEL, WITH BETTER STRAIGHT LINE STABILITY.
DURING OUR LIMITED OFF PAVEMENT TIME, WE FOUND THE TUNDRA TO BE PLENTY CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LESS TRAVELED WAY TO YOUR FAVORITE CAMPSITE OR HUNTING SPOT; AND ENGAGING 4-WHEEL-DRIVE ON THE FLY WAS QUICK AND SMOOTH.
AN AUTOMATIC LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL IS STANDARD.
WHEN IT COMES TO PRICING, STARTING AT JUST $26,915, THE TOYOTA TUNDRA IS A LOT OF TRUCK FOR THE MONEY.
THE 2014 TOYOTA TUNDRA HAS IMPROVED GREATLY, AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, HAS PROVED ITSELF TO BE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE BIG-3.
STILL, IN THIS FULL-SIZE ARENA, THE DOMESTICS DO IT BETTER.
HOWEVER, WHILE FORD, CHEVROLET, AND RAM MAY NOT BE WORRIED AT THE MOMENT; THE TUNDRA IS HERE TO STAY, AND IT'S GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME.
WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW.
FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , WHY NOT CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST, AS WELL COMPLETE EPISODES AT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.
AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME AS WE ENTER A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF DECADENCE WITH THE BMW M6 GRAND COUPE.
AND WE GET KIA'S TAKE ON LUXURY WITH THE SURPRISING CADENZA.
UNTIL THEN, I'M JOHN DAVIS.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME 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.
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