HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US FOR THE CARS, TRUCKS, AND UTILITIES THAT GRABBED OUR ATTENTION FOR THE 2014 MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS... PAT GOSS KEEPS OUR ENGINES IN BALANCE... ZACH MASKELL DOES SOME SERIOUS EXPLORING OVER THE EDGE... AND WE'LL HOP BACK ON THE PAVEMENT WITH MORE QUICK SPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS.
SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY...
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John Davis: DRIVING CARS AND TRUCKS FOR A LIVING MAY BARELY QUALIFY AS A REAL JOB, BUT IT CAN BE HARD WORK AT TIMES.
AND ONE OF THOSE TIMES IS WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT THE YEAR THAT WAS AND TRY TO PICK THE CARS, TRUCKS, AND UTILITIES THAT STOOD OUT TO US THE MOST.
IT'S OUR ANNUAL MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS, AND TRYING TO NARROW DOWN OUR FAVORITES OUT OF NEARLY 150 VEHICLES IS NOT AN EASY TASK, NEVERTHELESS, HERE ARE OUR WINNING CARS FOR 2014!
WE BEGIN WITH A SEGMENT GOING GREAT GUNS IN POPULARITY, BEST SUBCOMPACT CAR.
BUT "SUB" DOESN'T MEAN YOU WON'T GET BIG THRILLS FROM OUR WINNER, THE FORD FIESTA ST.
WHILE WE DON'T NORMALLY PICK A SUBCOMPACT WINNER THAT IS A NARROWLY FOCUSED PERFORMANCE MODEL, AS DRIVERS, WE COULD NOT RESIST THE FIESTA ST.
THIS EUROPEAN-STYLE 5-DOOR PACKS A POTENT PERFORMANCE PUNCH WITH A 197-HORSEPOWER 1.6-LITER I4, PROVIDING THE POWER AND A LOWERED SUSPENSION THAT CARRIES THE GOODS THROUGH CORNERS.
ALL FOR A BASE PRICE OF AROUND $22,000.
ENOUGH SAID!
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE EASIEST DECISION WE MADE THIS YEAR IS OUR BEST COMPACT CAR WINNER WITH THE MAZDA3.
UP AGAINST A REVITALIZED CIVIC AND ALL-NEW COROLLA AND FORTE, THE "3" STILL MANAGED A UNANIMOUS WIN!
THE MAZDA3'S BLEND OF STERLING GOOD LOOKS, OUTGOING PRACTICALITY, AND DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE SHOOTS IT TO THE HEAD OF ITS CLASS.
AND SKYACTIV KEEPS FUEL ECONOMY HIGH WITHOUT THE COMPLEXITY OR COST OF A HYBRID SYSTEM.
TO US, THE MAZDA3 IS A NO BRAINER.
WHILE RETURNING A NAMEPLATE TO ITS FORMER GLORY IS NOT REQUIRED TO EARN A DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD, IT WORKED FOR THE CHEVROLET IMPALA, OUR BEST FAMILY SEDAN.
THE BEAUTIFUL STYLING AND ROOMY INTERIOR WERE APPRECIATED, BUT WHAT IMPRESSED US MOST WAS ITS GREAT RIDE AND HANDLING THAT KEPT THINGS ENTERTAINING, YET STILL VERY COMFY AND SUPER QUIET INSIDE.
A WINNING FORMULA THAT RAISED THE IMPALA FROM RENTAL CAR APPLIANCE TO SOLID ROAD CITIZEN.
OUR BEST CONVERTIBLE PICK, THE JAGUAR F-TYPE, BRINGS BACK A TRUE SPORTS CAR EDGE TO THE FAMED BRITISH MARQUE.
WITH UP TO 495-HORSEPOWER FROM THE SUPERCHARGED V8 UNDER THE HOOD, THIS TWO-SEATER IS CLEARLY ABOUT MORE THAN JUST LOOKS.
YET, THOSE LOOKS ARE SPECTACULAR.
MODERN WITH JUST A HINT OF JAGUAR'S PAST, THIS RE-IMAGINED ROADSTER LIVES UP TO THE E-TYPE TRADITION.
THE DRIVER-FOCUSED COCKPIT IS ALSO STELLAR IN BOTH DESIGN AND FUNCTION.
OH, AND THE WICKED SOUND FROM THE EXHAUST WILL HAVE YOU GOING TOPLESS ANY CHANCE YOU GET.
WE'RE A LONG-TERM FAN OF THE CADILLAC CTS, BUT NEVER MORE SO THAN NOW AS IT EARNED OUR TROPHY FOR BEST LUXURY SEDAN.
WITH THE ATS NOW SUPPORTING THE BRAND IN THE COMPACT LUXURY-SPORT SEGMENT, THE CTS IS ABLE TO EMBRACE THE MID-SIZE SECTOR; AND DOES SO WITH THE PANACHE AND PROWESS WORTHY OF A GLOBAL PLAYER.
THE LOOK HAS EVOLVED; BUT DRILL FURTHER INTO THE DETAILS, PAST THE EXQUISITE INTERIOR, AND YOU'LL FIND THE CTS IS ACTUALLY BASED ON THE ATS'S DYNAMIC PLATFORM, HELPING IT PERFORM AS GREAT AS IT LOOKS.
OUR WINNER FOR BEST SPORTS SEDAN IS ANOTHER PERENNIAL FAVORITE, THE SUBARU WRX.
WITH THIS LATEST WRX, SUBARU IS TRYING TO CUT THE TIES FROM THE IMPREZA LABEL ON WHICH IT IS STILL BASED.
SOME MAY BEMOAN THE LOSS OF THE HATCHBACK, BUT THE SEDAN LOOKS PLENTY AGGRESSIVE, AND RIDES THAT WAY, TOO.
SUSPENSION FEEL IS STIFFER, BUT GREATLY IMPROVED HANDLING COMES WITH IT.
THERE'S A NEW 6-SPEED MANUAL AND SPORT TUNED CVT IF YOU MUST.
AND EVEN WITH ALL OF THE UPGRADES, PRICE REMAINS ABOUT THE SAME AS BEFORE.
AND TO TOP IT OFF, A HOTTER WRX STI ARRIVES SOON.
THE BMW 4-SERIES TAKES OUR PRIZE FOR BEST SPORT COUPE.
WHILE THE NEW 4 EVOLVED FROM THE 3-SERIES COUPE, WITH THE NEW NAME COMES A NEW DESIGN THAT IS BOTH WIDER AND LONGER IN WHEELBASE THAN BEFORE.
AND WHILE THE 6-SERIES INSPIRED SHEET METAL IS MORE AGGRESSIVE, THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE REMAINS TRADITIONAL BMW.
WHETHER YOU CHOOSE A TURBO-4 OR TURBO-6, YOU'LL BE FINDING EXCUSES TO MAKE ERRAND RUNS, TAKING BACK ROADS, AND LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT.
OUR BEST PERFORMANCE CAR AWARD COULD ONLY GO ONE PLACE, THE CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY.
DESPITE EARLY HUBBUB ABOUT THE TAILLIGHTS, IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE BEHIND THE WHEEL TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE C7.
CRANK THE LT1 OVER AND YOU'LL GET A SOUND THAT BRINGS A SMILE TO YOUR FACE IMMEDIATELY.
NAIL THE GAS AND IT FEELS LIKE YOU JUST GOT REAR ENDED BY A HUMMER TRAVELING AT FULL SPEED.
AND ONCE AT SPEED, YOU'LL GET HANDLING MATCHED ONLY BY CARS OVER TWICE THE PRICE OF THE STINGRAY.
IF HIGHLY PRACTICAL FUEL EFFICIENCY WAS A COMMODITY, THE HONDA ACCORD HYBRID, OUR WINNER FOR BEST ECO-FRIENDLY WOULD BE THE TOP SELLER.
FOR SURE, THERE ARE MORE FUEL STINGY WAYS TO GET AROUND, BUT FOR MOST AMERICANS, EVs ARE NOT THERE YET, AND MANY HYBRIDS COME WITH TOO MANY COMPROMISES.
WELL, THE ACCORD HYBRID IS NEARLY COMPROMISE FREE.
WHILE GIVING UP ONLY A LITTLE TRUNK SPACE FOR 50 MILE-PER-GALLON ECONOMY AND OVER 650 MILES OF RANGE, IT DELIVERS ALL THE COMFORT, SECURITY, AND GOOD ROAD MANNERS THE ACCORD'S NAME IS KNOWN FOR.
AND FINALLY, OUR BEST DREAM MACHINES OF THE YEAR; THE CARS WE'D BUY SHOULD WE STUMBLE UPON AN EXTRA MIL.
FIRST, WE'D STOP AT THE MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP FOR AN SLS AMG BLACK SERIES.
WHILE NOT A REAL RACE CAR, THE GT3 INSPIRED SLS BLACK HAS LOADS OF TRACK WORTHY UPGRADES THAT PUTS THIS 622-HORSEPOWER, 3,400 POUND BEAST HIGH ON ANY MOTORHEAD'S SHOPPING LIST.
NEXT, OVER TO THE PORSCHE PALACE FOR A 911 TURBO S. HORSEPOWER?
YEP, 560.
TORQUE?
PLENTY OF THAT AS WELL, UP TO 553 POUND-FEET WORTH.
TORQUE VECTORING?
TRACK GRIPPING ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE?
PRESENT.
NOTHING ELSE TO SAY REALLY.
AND SINCE WE'RE NOT TOTALLY IMPRACTICALLY MINDED, OUR FINAL STOP WOULD BE AT LAND ROVER FOR A RANGE ROVER SPORT, FOR THOSE TIMES WHEN YOU WANT TO BE CODDLED IN EXTREME LUXURY, WHILE CARRYING 7-PASSENGERS, ACROSS A JUNGLE OR THE LOCAL DESERT.
IT'S A HIGH-TECH, ALL-ALUMINUM TOUR DE FORCE.
THERE YOU HAVE IT, OUR PICKS FOR BEST CARS OF '14.
WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT TRUCKS AND SUVs LATER IN THIS EDITION OF MOTORWEEK .
DECOUPLING FROM THE EVERYDAY WORLD IS WHAT A TRUE ADVENTURE IS ALL ABOUT, AND OUR OVER THE EDGE REPORTER ZACH MASKELL DID JUST THAT.
HE JOINED LAND ROVER ON THEIR "EXPEDITION AMERICA," WHERE HE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO FOCUS ON THE PRIZE; REACHING THE END OF A COAST-TO-COAST, 4,000 MILE JOURNEY...
ALMOST ENTIRELY OFF-ROAD.
SO ALONG WITH A LOT OF BEEF JERKY AND TRAIL MIX, IT WAS AS TRUE AN ADVENTURE AS THEY GET.
Zach: IN MY TIME SPENT ON EARTH I WANT TO SEE AS MUCH AS I CAN.
BEING A PART OF A TRIP FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO OREGON... OFF THE TARMAC... THAT'S A DONE DEAL.
IT'S CALLED THE TRANS-AMERICAN TRAIL.
UNTIL LAND ROVER DECIDED TO CONQUER THE FEAT... ONLY MOTORCYCLES DARED THE RISKY UNDERTAKING.
Sam Correro: IF YOU'RE NOT A COUCH POTATO AND YOU WANT TO GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND RIDE, THEN THIS IS THE THING TO DO.
Zach: THAT'S SAM CORRERO.
IN THE EARLY '80s, HE HAD A DUAL-SPORT MOTORCYCLE HE DIDN'T WANT TO RIDE ON THE HIGHWAYS IN MISSISSIPPI, SO HE STARTED MAKING HIS OWN TRAILS.
AND FROM THERE HE WOUND UP CROSSING THE COUNTRY, SCRIBBLING DOWN EVERY TURN.
Sam: I DIDN'T WAKE UP ONE MORNING AND SAY, "HEY, I'M GOING TO DO THIS."
THIS EVOLVED OVER SEVERAL MONTHS, SEVERAL YEARS.
Zach: ARMED WITH SAM'S ROLLING MAPS, A TURN TRIP AND GPS, VETERAN ADVENTURER TOM "TC" COLLINS IS CALM, COLLECTED, AND PATIENT.
HE NOT ONLY HAD TO FIGURE OUT WHICH PEBBLE WE TURN AT, BUT HE HAD TO DEAL WITH ME ASKING A MILLION QUESTIONS.
HE WOULD DEFINITELY BE MY FIRST PICK FOR A PARTNER TO GO TRAIL BLAZING.
FROM ASHVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, IT WAS ON TO TENNESSEE, THEN FURTHER SOUTH.
Tom Collins: THE REAL OFF-ROAD REALLY BEGINS IN MISSISSIPPI.
FROM THAT POINT, ALL THE WAY TO THE COAST, IT IS ALMOST ALL DIRT ROADS WITH VERY LITTLE PAVEMENT THROWN IN.
Zach: CLARKSDALE MISSISSIPPI, THE ORIGINAL HOME OF THE BLUES, THE LAND ROVER GUYS CHATTED WITH MORGAN FREEMAN, WHO OWNS GROUND ZERO BLUES CLUB.
THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE LANDMARKS ON THE WAY TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
TOM COLLINS SAID THIS WAS GOING TO BE ONE CRAZY RIDE.
YUP, I'D SAY HE JUST ABOUT NAILED IT.
RAZOR SHARP ROCKS, THE POSSIBILITY OF FLOODING, AND THOUSANDS OF UNMARKED ROADS TO TURN ON TO.
ONE THING'S FOR SURE, I WAS HAPPY TO WITNESS HISTORY.
SHOULD MOTHER NATURE ACT UP, WE COULD BE STRANDED FOR DAYS.
WELL, AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT... WE WERE LOCKED AND LOADED, READY FOR BATTLE.
Tom: LAND ROVER PROVIDED 2,013 LR 4s.
THEY WERE EQUIPPED WITH THE HEAVY DUTY PACKAGE; THE LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL, FULL SIZED SPARE.
AND THEN FOR AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES, FROM LAND ROVER, WE HAVE A FULL ROOF RACK AND A WINCH.
Zach: THE FURTHER WE WENT WEST, THE HARDER THE ROCKS CHEWED ON THE STANDARD ALL-TERRAIN TIRES.
THIS LR4 WITH THE LUX PACKAGE JUST SO HAPPENS TO HAVE A COOLER RIGHT IN THE CENTER CONSOLE, LEATHER SEATS, AND THANKS TO THE JOKESTERS WITH LAND ROVER, I FOUND OUT EVEN THE BACK SEATS ARE HEATED.
NOW, THAT DIDN'T REALLY COME IN HANDY TOO MUCH DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION, DEFINITELY DID.
200 MILES A DAY, BUMP AFTER BUMP, CRUISING BETWEEN 1 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR IS PRETTY DRAINING.
BUT WHEN YOU'RE IN A CAR FULL OF MEN, ASKING QUESTIONS LIKE, "DO ALIENS EXIST?"
AND "WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE SUPER MODEL?"
HILARITY ENSUES.
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, WE'VE REACHED OUR NEXT STOP.
Tom Collins: WE'RE AT THE APPROACH TO BLACK BEAR PASS, THE TOP OF THE PASS IS RIGHT BEHIND US, APPROXIMATELY 12,800 FEET.
IT'S A PASS THAT IS TERRIFYING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE; HUGE DROP OFFS, K-TURNS ON SWITCHBACKS WITH 1,000 FOOT DROP OFFS.
Zach: T.C.
HAD NO PROBLEM GETTING THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN COLORADO.
HE'S TAKEN FOUR WHEELS PLACES ONLY FEW HAVE.
USING CAUTION IS THE ONLY WAY TO CROSS THE USA WHEN TAKING THE HARD WAY, BUT INEVITABLY, ONE OF OUR LR4'S TOOK A BULLET, THANKS TO THE SHARP ROCKS IN NEVADA.
A QUICK BREAK AND WE WERE BACK AT IT.
Tom: SO, THIS ONE COMING UP, THAT'S GOING TO BE A SHARP RIGHT.
AND THEN IN .18 KEEP LEFT.
Zach: FROM RICHFIELD, UTAH TO BATTLE MOUNTAIN, NEVADA, IT GOT HOTTER, AND IF YOU WERE THE TRAIL CAR, THE DUST COULD CAUSE ZERO VISIBILITY.
VICTORY IS ALMOST IN SIGHT, BUT SMOKE BLOCKS THE VIEW.
THAT'S BECAUSE FIRE HAS ENGULFED THE FOREST.
BUT TC'S PARADE CONTINUES, AND AFTER 27 DAYS, THE LR4'S RIP DOWN THE BEACH AT PORT ORFORD, OREGON.
LAND ROVER, WITH THE FIRST TRUCKS TO COMPLETE THE TRANS-AMERICAN TRAIL!
AND FOR ME, IT COMPLETED AN ADVENTURE THAT JUST MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO BEAT.
John: PAT GOSS HAS SOME HELPFUL HINTS ABOUT KEEPING OUR ENGINES IN BALANCE.
SO LET'S HEAD ON DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE!
Pat: OPEN THE HOOD ON YOUR CAR, TAKE A LOOK UNDERNEATH THAT HOOD AND YOU'LL SEE SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY COMPACT.
LOTS OF STUFF IN A SMALL SPACE.
AND YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THERE'S A LOT OF SOPHISTICATION IN THERE.
WELL, WHAT THAT ESSENTIALLY MEANS IS THAT THERE'S NOTHING CHEAP TO REPAIR UNDER THE HOOD OF A CAR ANYMORE.
AND THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT YOUR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE DIFFERENTLY.
YOU SEE, COOLING SYSTEMS IN PARTICULAR.
BACK IN THE DAY, YOU USED TO TAKE A HYDROMETER LIKE THIS, YOU WOULD PULL SOME OF THE FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR UP INTO THE HYDROMETER, YOU WOULD FIRST LOOK AT THE FREEZE PROTECTION TO MAKE SURE IT WAS CORRECT, THEN YOU WOULD LOOK AT THE COLOR OF THE COOLANT -- THAT'S THE REASON YOU CAN SEE THROUGH THESE THINGS.
AND IF THE COOLANT LOOKED GOOD, AND THE FREEZE PROTECTION WAS GOOD, EVERYTHING WAS FINE, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.
WELL, THAT DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE.
NOW, THE REASON IS REAL SIMPLE.
WHAT MADE THE COOLANT CHANGE COLOR AS IT GOT OLDER, WAS METAL PARTS - STEEL PARTS INSIDE THE ENGINE THAT RUSTED.
WELL, LOOK AT THIS.
HERE WE HAVE A MODERN RADIATOR, IT'S MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND ALUMINUM.
NEITHER ONE OF THOSE RUSTS.
HERE WE HAVE A MODERN WATER PUMP.
AGAIN, PLASTIC AND ALUMINUM.
LOOK AT THE ENGINE ITSELF.
THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM, SO THE WHOLE BLOCK IS ALUMINUM.
MOST OF THE PARTS THAT THE COOLANT TOUCH IS EITHER GOING TO BE ALUMINUM OR PLASTIC.
SO, YOU MAY HAVE A SITUATION WHERE THE COOLANT NEVER CHANGES COLOR.
SO YOU MIGHT BE GOING ALONG THINKING EVERYTHING IS FINE, WHEN IN REALITY, THE COOLANT HAS LOST ITS ABILITY TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE PLASTIC AND THE METAL IN THE ENGINE, AND YOU HAVE A MAJOR REPAIR.
A MAJOR REPAIR SUCH AS WE SEE RIGHT HERE.
THIS IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET OFF OF A LATE MODEL CAR THAT NEVER HAD THE COOLANT FLUSHED.
WELL, THE COOLANT THAT CAME OUT OF THIS ENGINE LOOKED LIKE BRAND NEW.
YET, THIS GASKET IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BECAUSE THE COOLANT WAS ACIDIC.
YOU DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.
IT WAS A MAJOR EXPENSE.
SO, HERE WE HAVE TWO COOLANTS.
ONE OF THESE IS VERY ACIDIC.
THE OTHER IS BRAND NEW, YOU CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE.
SO, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH COOLANT?
WELL, YOU CHECK IT PERIODICALLY USING COOLANT TEST STRIPS.
OR, BETTER YET, JUST FIGURE OUT A ROUTINE PROCEDURE, USUALLY TWO, MAYBE THREE YEARS, FLUSH THE COOLING SYSTEM, REINSTALL FRESH COOLANT OF THE PROPER TYPE WITH DISTILLED WATER, AND FORGET IT.
YOU'VE PROTECTED THE COOLING SYSTEM PROPERLY.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR A COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
John: TIME NOW TO GET BACK TO HANDING OUT MORE MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS.
LET'S SEE WHICH TRUCKS AND UTILITIES ARE HAULING THEM AWAY THIS YEAR!
OUR BEST SMALL UTILITY AWARD GOES TO THE REINCARNATED JEEP CHEROKEE.
THE NAME MAY HAVE BEEN GONE FROM AMERICA FOR A WHILE, AND EARLY PICTURES HAD MANY SKEPTICAL, BUT THE PROOF FOR US WAS IN THE DRIVING.
THE FACT THAT CHEROKEE RIDES ON AN ALFA ROMEO BASED DODGE DART CHASSIS MAY NOT ENDEAR IT TO JEEP FANATICS, BUT FOR THE MAJORITY OF BUYERS, IT MEANS A WELCOMED CAR-LIKE RIDE QUALITY.
PLUS, TO QUIET CRITICS, CHEROKEE CAN UPGRADE TO A BACKWOODS WORTHY TRAILHAWK MODEL COMPLETE WITH LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL.
AND WHILE WE DOUBT MANY WILL SPEND THE EXTRA BUCKS, THAT'S WHERE OUR MONEY WOULD GO.
WHETHER YOU CHOOSE I4 OR V6 POWER, THERE'S AN INDUSTRY-FIRST 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
BUT THE NEW CHEROKEE IS NOT ABOUT NUMBERS, OTHER THAN MAYBE THE HUGE SALES NUMBERS THAT WE EXPECT TO BE HEADED JEEP'S WAY.
WHEN IT COMES TO HAULING THE WHOLE FAMILY AROUND, CALL US FRUGAL, AS WE WANT TO DO IT AS AFFORDABLY AND COMFORTABLY AS POSSIBLE.
AND THAT'S WHY OUR WINNER FOR BEST LARGE UTILITY IS THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE.
ARE THERE MORE LUXURIOUS THREE-ROW UTES AVAILABLE?
SURE.
BUT TODAY'S FAMILIES ARE PINCHING THEIR PENNIES.
FOR THEM, A FAMILY HAULER WHERE BANG FOR THE BUCK IS KING IS A TRUE NECESSITY.
WELL, FOR AROUND $29,000 TO START, THE SANTA FE DELIVERS GOOD COMFORT FOR SEVEN, 80.0 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO SPACE, 18-INCH ALLOY WHEELS, AND ALL OF THE TECHNOLOGY YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY UNIT RUNNING SMOOTHLY.
THIS MAY HAVE BEEN OUR TOUGHEST DECISION IN ALL OF OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE VOTING: BEST PICKUP TRUCK.
WHILE THERE IS A LOT TO LOVE ABOUT THE MORE FUEL EFFICIENT AND CAPABLE CHEVROLET SILVERADO, AND EVEN TOUGHER LOOKING TOYOTA TUNDRA, IT WAS THE RAM 1500 THAT WAS OUR ONLY REPEAT WINNER FOR 2014.
WE LOVED IT LAST YEAR FOR BOTH ITS HANDSOME NEW STYLE AND FUEL EFFICIENT V6 GASOLINE POWERTRAIN, BUT THIS YEAR, OUR CRUSH IS THE RESULT OF BRINGING THE MANLIEST OF ALL POWERTRAINS TO THE HALF-TON MARKET, A DIESEL!
ITS 3.0-LITER TURBO OIL BURNING V6 PUTS DOWN 420 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE FOR A 9,200-POUND TOW RATING AND OVER 25 MILES-PER-GALLON FOR COMMUTING DUTY.
WITH BIG TRUCK PERFORMANCE, LUXURY SEDAN COMFORT, AND NOW ULTIMATE MANLINESS UNDER THE HOOD, IT'S NO WONDER THE RAM 1500 WINS AGAIN.
THOSE ARE OUR PICKS FOR HAULING BOTH PEOPLE AND CARGO.
BUT STILL TO COME, OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE 2014 BEST OF THE YEAR, LATER IN THIS EPISODE OF MOTORWEEK .
NOW LET'S TAKE A BREAK FROM OUR AWARDS FOR SOME FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS AND MORE QUICK SPINS.
A TRUE PURPOSE-BUILT VEHICLE, THIS 2013 NISSAN NV200 COMPACT CARGO VAN, DELIVERED US A QUICK SPIN AND A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SMALL COMMERCIAL VAN COURIER.
CARGO CAPACITY IS LISTED AT 122.7 CUBIC FEET.
ODDLY, THAT'S LESS THAN RIVAL FORD TRANSIT CONNECT, DESPITE BEING NEARLY SIX INCHES LONGER.
WIDE-HINGED REAR DOORS AND OPTIONAL D-RING TIE DOWNS DO MAKE LIFE EASIER, THOUGH.
AND UP FRONT, PASSENGER LEGROOM IS MORE ACCOMMODATING THAN FORD'S.
LIKE MOST CARGO VANS; YOU'D EXPECT WORK DAY COMFORT, STILL, WE FOUND THE SEATS IN THE NV200 A LITTLE STIFF FOR OUR LIKING.
BUT GOOD STORAGE CAPACITY AND A FOLD-DOWN PASSENGER SEAT WORK TABLE ADD FUNCTIONALITY WHERE IT MATTERS MOST.
ON THE WHOLE, WE FOUND THE CABIN A FINE PLACE TO SPEND WORK TIME IN.
Greg Carloss: GIVEN ITS NATURE AS A CARGO VAN, THE NV200 HAS TWO FEATURES THAT ARE SURPRISINGLY EXCEPTIONAL: CRANKIN' A/C AND A BOOMIN' STEREO!
AND ON THE MORE PRACTICAL SIDE, IT GETS GOOD FUEL ECONOMY, TOO.
John: INDEED, THE NV200'S 131 HORSEPOWER, 2.0 LITER I4, WHILE SLUGGISH, RETURNS AN ESTIMATED 24-MPG COMBINED.
WE SURPASSED THAT AT 28.6 IN OUR TIME.
A REAR VIEW MONITOR IS OPTIONAL; THOUGH NISSAN'S AROUNDVIEW FULL 360 DEGREE CAMERA TECHNOLOGY, WHICH WE ARE HUGE FANS OF, IS NOT OFFERED AT ALL.
ON SALE NOW, THE 2013 NISSAN NV200 STARTS AROUND $21,000.
GM WILL ALSO SELL THE COMPACT VAN BADGED AS THE CHEVROLET CITY EXPRESS.
IF YOU REALLY WANT FAST DELIVERY, WE SUGGEST A NISSAN THAT IS A SUPERCAR IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD, THE GT-R.
IT ALREADY HAS A REPUTATION FOR MONSTROUSLY POWERFUL PERFORMANCE THAT CAN BE A ROUGH-AROUND- THE-EDGES ASSAULT ON THE SENSES WHEN PUSHED TO THE LIMIT.
BUT A QUICK SPIN IN THE LATEST GT-R SHOWED US THAT THIS BEAST FROM THE EAST HAS EVOLVED.
FOR 2015, THE GT-R HAS ACTUALLY GAINED SOME STREET MANNERS.
IT'S LESS CLUNKY, AND A BIT MORE CIVILIZED WHEN GOING FROM POINT A TO B.
DAILY DRIVE TIME SPENT INSIDE IS INDEED QUIETER, AND MORE COMFORTABLE.
UPGRADES TO SUSPENSION PARTS AND THE STEERING SYSTEM ADD TO A MORE PLEASANT AROUND-TOWN EXPERIENCE.
STILL, NOT REVVING OUT ITS 3.8 LITER TWIN-TURBO V6, AND ITS 545 HORSEPOWER, IS A CRIME AGAINST NATURE, AND SOMETHING WE STILL LOVE TO EXPERIENCE OVER AND OVER.
AND IF THIS STILL ISN'T ENOUGH CAR FOR YOU, THE FOLKS AT NISMO CRANKED UP THEIR GT-R VERSION TO 600 HORSEPOWER, ADDED SUSPENSION AND AERO ENHANCEMENTS, AND TOOK IT TO THE ULTIMATE BENCHMARK TRACK, THE NURBURGRING, WHERE IT DIDN'T JUST EXCEL, IT SET THE LAP RECORD FOR A VOLUME PRODUCTION CAR.
NOT TOO SHABBY!
HEADING TO THE U.S.
SOON, THE 2015 NISSAN GT-R STARTS AROUND $100,000.
WELL, AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, WE HAVE ONE MORE MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD TO HAND OUT, AND IT'S OUR BEST OF THE YEAR.
SO, WHO GETS TOP HONOR?
OKAY, IS THIS REALLY A SURPRISE TO ANYONE?
OUR MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE BEST OF THE YEAR AWARD GOES TO THE 2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY.
IT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE WITH HUGE EXPECTATIONS TO FULFILL, AND IT DID SO, AND THEN SOME.
FROM THE PURPOSEFUL NEW DESIGN, TO THE UPGRADED INTERIOR, TO THE MOST POWER EVER IN A STANDARD CORVETTE, THIS 7TH GENERATION STINGER GOT REAL!
WHAT HASN'T CHANGED IS THAT THE CORVETTE CONTINUES TO OFFER EXOTIC CAR PERFORMANCE FOR A REALISTIC PRICE.
ONLY NOW YOU GET A WORLD-CLASS INTERIOR AS AN ADDED BONUS.
MATERIALS ARE NOW PREMIUM QUALITY, AND THE GAUGE PANEL IS AS WONDERFUL LOOKING AS IT IS HIGH-TECH, AND SEEMS TO REVEAL NEW TRICKS EVERY TIME YOU LOOK AT IT.
MAGNETIC RIDE SUSPENSION MEANS THERE'S ALSO PLENTY OF COMFORT TO BE HAD; YET, A VERY COMMUNICATIVE CHASSIS REMAINS.
MOST OF OUR SPOUSES WISH WE COMMUNICATED THIS WELL!
AND DESPITE GROWING A TAD LARGER, MORE LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS, INCLUDING AN ALL-NEW ALUMINUM FRAME, AND CARBON FIBER IN THE HOOD AND ROOF PANEL, KEEP WEIGHT GAIN IN CHECK AND ACHIEVE PERFECT 50/50 BALANCE.
THE REAL STAR OF THIS SHOW, HOWEVER, IS THE GEN IV LT1 V8 SMALL BLOCK THAT CRANKS OUT 455-HORSEPOWER.
460 IF YOU ADD THE PERFORMANCE EXHAUST.
THE NEW 7-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS A REAL JOY TO WORK, AND WITH THE ACTIVE REV MATCH FEATURE ENGAGED, DOWN SHIFTING INTO A CORNER HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER.
AND WITH ALL OF THAT, YOU CAN STILL GET CLOSE TO 30 MILES-PER-GALLON ON THE HIGHWAY!
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT EVEN WITHOUT ROUND TAILLIGHTS, WE WERE TRULY STUNG BY THIS 7TH GENERATION OF THE CHEVROLET CORVETTE.
AND THAT'S WHY THE STINGRAY IS MOTORWEEK'S 2014 DRIVERS' CHOICE BEST OF THE YEAR!
AND THAT'S OUR 2014 MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW.
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.
AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME AS WE RING IN OUR ANNUAL WINTER TESTING SESSION DOWN SOUTH WITH THE PORSCHE 911 TURBO, AND CRUISE SOME TENNESSEE BACK ROADS IN THE NISSAN ROGUE.
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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