2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid & 2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Co

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

JOIN US AND SEE IF THE INFINITI QX60 HYBRID DELIVERS LUXURY, TECHNOLOGY, AND EFFICIENCY... PAT GOSS CLEARS THINGS UP A BIT, DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE... FYI'S YOLANDA VAZQUEZ SIZES UP A VERY ECLECTIC CAR COLLECTION... AND WE'LL SEE IF CHEVY CAN LASSO THE BIG BUCK TRUCK BUYER WITH THE SILVERADO HIGH COUNTRY.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT.

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

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John Davis: WHILE NISSAN AND LUXURY DIVISION INFINITI HAVE NEVER ENJOYED THE HYBRID HYPE OF TOYOTA OR HONDA, THEY'VE BEEN IN THE GAS-ELECTRIC GAME FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS NOW.

WE'VE ESPECIALLY ENJOYED THE SEAMLESS HYBRID TECHNOLOGY IN THEIR INFINITI SEDANS.

WELL, NOW THAT'S BEEN EXPANDED INTO A CROSSOVER WITH THE QX60 HYBRID.

WHEN WE KNEW THIS THREE-ROW DESIGN AS THE JX, IT WAS OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE IN LUXURY CROSSOVERS.

SO LET'S SEE IF THIS NEW COMBINATION OF FAVORITES MAKES FOR A NEW FAVORITE FOR US!

THE 2014 INFINITI QX60 HYBRID MAY BE THE LUXURY BRAND'S FIRST HYBRID CROSSOVER UTILITY, BUT IF YOU'VE KEPT UP WITH US, THIS QX, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE JX, IS BASED ON THE NISSAN PATHFINDER.

AND SHARING THE PATHFINDER HYBRID'S HARDWARE ALSO MEANS THAT MUCH LIKE IT, THE QX60 DOESN'T OVERLY SCREAM ECO WHEN YOU GET IN IT, AND THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A WHOLE LOT OF AN UNUSUAL ASSIST FEELING WHILE DRIVING.

IT'S A VERY WELL INTEGRATED SYSTEM AND YOU CAN'T ARGUE WITH GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS OF 25-CITY, 28-HIGHWAY, AND 26-COMBINED.

THAT'S IMPRESSIVE FOR A THREE ROW ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE UTE OF THIS SIZE, AND OUR 27.8 MILE-PER-GALLON AVERAGE OF REGULAR IS A 22% INCREASE OVER THE V6 GASOLINE POWERED PATHFINDER THAT WE HAD AS A LONG-TERM TEST VEHICLE.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE ALSO COMES ON STRONG WITH ANNUAL 12.7-BARRELS OF OIL USE AND 5.4 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS.

UNLIKE PREVIOUS 6-CYLINDER BASED HYBRIDS FROM INFINITI, THIS HYBRID MATES A 2.5-LITER SUPERCHARGED I4 ENGINE WITH A 15KW ELECTRIC MOTOR TO PRODUCE 250-HORSEPOWER AND 243 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

COMPARED TO THE STANDARD QX, TOWING CAPACITY FALLS FROM 5,000 TO 3,500 POUNDS.

A SMALL 0.6 KWH LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACK STORES ENERGY UNDER THE REAR LOAD FLOOR AND TAKES UP SO LITTLE SPACE THAT THERE'S STILL ROOM LEFTOVER FOR A SUBWOOFER.

FUEL ECONOMY NUMBERS AREN'T QUITE AS GOOD AS THOSE IN THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID, WHICH HAS A MORE COMPLEX ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEM.

BUT UNLIKE THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE ONLY HIGHLANDER HYBRID, THE QX60 HYBRID IS AVAILABLE IN ALL OR FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE.

WHEN CRUISING AROUND TOWN, THE STOPPING AND STARTING OF THE GAS ENGINE IS VERY SMOOTH, QUIET, AND UNOBTRUSIVE.

THOUGH WE FOUND THROTTLE TO BE A TAD LAGGY, AND CVTs ARE ALMOST ALWAYS A KILLJOY.

AN UNFORTUNATE AUTOMOTIVE PARADIGM IS, THAT THE LARGER YOU MAKE A VEHICLE, THE HARDER IT IS TO MAKE IT LOOK APPEALING.

BUT THE QX60 BUCKS THAT TREND, AS IT IS A VERY HANDSOME VEHICLE WITH NO VISUAL CHANGES TO THE HYBRID THAT WOULD CAUSE US TO CHANGE OUR MINDS.

THE FRONT END IS LARGE AND VERY INTIMIDATING IN A REAR VIEW MIRROR, BUT BLENDS IN JUST FINE WITH THE LONG HOOD AND PRONOUNCED FRONT FENDERS.

18-INCH ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS ARE STANDARD, 20s ARE OPTIONAL.

BUT WHILE THE EXTERIOR REMAINS FRESH LOOKING, THINGS INSIDE ARE QUICKLY APPROACHING THEIR "BEST BY" DATE.

YET IT REMAINS A VERY QUIET, COMFORTABLE PEOPLE MOVER WITH PLENTY OF ROOM FOR 7.

THE STANDARD LEATHER FRONT SEATS ARE VERY PLUSH AND SUPPORTIVE, AND THE LIGHT COLORS OF OUR TESTER MADE FOR A PLEASANT, RELAXING ENVIRONMENT.

HIGHLY FENG SHUI.

WE LIKE THAT THE CENTRAL CONTROLLER IS LOCATED UP ON THE DASH AND NOT UP ON THE CONSOLE.

IT FEELS A LITTLE ODD AT FIRST, BUT IT'S A MUCH BETTER LOCATION, ALLOWING YOU TO KEEP YOUR EYES MORE ON THE ROAD WHILE USING IT.

ON THE CONSOLE, YOU WILL FIND THE INFINITI DRIVE MODE SELECTOR VERY LOGICALLY PLACED; AND WITH IT, SETTINGS FOR STANDARD, SPORT, ECO, AND SNOW.

SECOND ROW SEATS ARE FLAT AND A LITTLE HARD, BUT THERE'S GOOD ROOM ALL AROUND; AND ACCESS TO THE THIRD ROW IS ABOUT THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS.

A REAR POWER LIFTGATE IS STANDARD.

ON THE STREET, PERFORMANCE IS PLENTIFUL FOR MOST.

BUT AT OUR TEST TRACK, WE WERE GREETED WITH THE TYPICAL UNDERWHELMING PERFORMANCE OF A LARGE HYBRID.

THERE'S NOT MUCH LOW END GRUNT FOR GETTING OFF THE LINE, THUS OUR LENGTHY STROLL TO 60 OF 8.4-SECONDS.

BUT THERE IS SOME DECENT POWER UP HIGHER IN THE REV BAND.

THE CVT DOES ITS BEST TO CONVINCE YOU THAT IT'S A REAL AUTOMATIC, BUT IT'S NO SALE HERE, AS YOU SCREAM YOUR WAY DOWN TO THE END OF THE QUARTER MILE IN 16.7-SECONDS AT 87 MILES-PER-HOUR BRAKING PERFORMANCE WAS GOOD WITH A NICE FIRM PEDAL, AND STOPS FROM 60 THAT AVERAGED 128-FEET.

THE BRAKES WERE ALSO HIGHLY ACTIVE THROUGH OUR SLALOM COURSE, WHERE JUST ABOUT ANY AGGRESSIVE MANEUVERING RESULTED IN THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM TRIGGERING THE STOPPERS, RESULTING IN SOME AWKWARD NOSE DIVING MOMENTS MID CORNER.

NOT MUCH FUN, BUT VERY SAFE, AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET INTO MUCH TROUBLE ON THE STREET.

STEERING FEEL IS LIGHT WITH A TYPICAL "ELECTRIC-Y" DISCONNECTED MANNER.

AS FOR PRICING, HYBRID PARTS ADD A REASONABLE $3,000 TO THE QX60'S BASE PRICE OF $43,095.

ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE CAN BE ADDED FOR JUST $1,400 MORE.

MUCH LIKE OTHER HYBRIDS TO RECENTLY HIT THE MARKET, THE 2014 INFINITI QX60 HYBRID DOESN'T OFFER AMAZING OR GROUNDBREAKING FUEL ECONOMY.

IT'S JUST A WELL-DESIGNED, VIRTUALLY SEAMLESS, ELEGANTLY APPLIED MILEAGE BOOST.

AND IT HAS MADE ONE OF OUR FAVORITE LUXURY CROSSOVERS IMPRESSIVELY BETTER.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO WASHINGTON, D.C. WHERE A VARIED MIX OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS, FROM E85 TO COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS, TO BIO-DIESEL, AND EVEN ALL-ELECTRIC, ARE USED THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT'S FLEET.

EVEN PARKING ENFORCEMENT RUNS ON ELECTRIC-POWER.

NEARLY 60% OF THEIR FLEET RUNS ON CLEANER BURNING FUELS LIKE B20, AND THEY BEGAN USING CNG BACK IN THE LATE '90s.

WITH SAVINGS OF CLOSE TO 350,000 GALLONS OF GASOLINE A YEAR, THE BIGGER INCENTIVE IS A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT.

William Howland, Jr.: THE MAIN BENEFIT IS THAT WE HAVE CLEANER AIR.

THE ENTIRE REGION IS BENEFITING BY THE FACT THAT WE'RE PUTTING CLEANER VEHICLES OUT ON THE STREET.

John: RECENTLY SELECTED AS ONE OF THE TOP 10 GREENEST FLEETS IN AMERICA, THE DISTRICT, AN EARLY MEMBER OF THE CLEAN CITIES PROGRAM, PLANS TO EXPANDS THE USE OF CNG TO ALL OF ITS 90 REFUSE TRUCKS.

A CLEAR SIGNAL OF D.C.'S DEDICATION TO ALTERNATIVE FUELS.

IF YOU'RE LIKE US, THEN NO DOUBT YOU HAVE A FASCINATION WITH AT LEAST ONE STYLE OR VINTAGE OF CARS; SPORTS CARS, CLASSICS, MUSCLE CARS, YOU NAME IT.

WELL, OUR FYI REPORTER YOLANDA VAZQUEZ CAUGHT UP WITH A COLLECTOR IN MASSACHUSETTS WHO'S INTO A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

Yolanda: WHAT AM I ABOUT TO GET INTO?

Man: THIS IS A 1972 CITROEN, AND IT'S A DS21.

Yolanda: NOBODY TAKES MORE PRIDE IN SHOWING OFF THEIR DIVERSE CAR COLLECTION... Charles: AND IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL WITH ALL THE SWITCHES AND ALL OF THE GAUGES.

AND VERY FRENCH IN ITS DESIGN.

VERY AERONAUTICAL; IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A SPACESHIP OR AN AIRCRAFT.

Yolanda:...THAN CHARLES GOULD.

THE MASSACHUSETTS NATIVE HAS NOT ONE...

BUT TWO WAREHOUSES FULL OF CARS, MOTORCYCLES AND VINTAGE VEHICLES.

HIS OBSESSION BEGAN AT THE AGE OF 9, WHEN HE BOUGHT HIS FIRST CAR.

Charles Gould: IT WAS A $20 1954 CHEVROLET THAT MY DAD ALLOWED ME TO BUY.

HE TOLD ME IF I COULD GET IT RUNNING THAT I COULD KEEP IT.

Yolanda: LITTLE DID HE REALIZE THAT CHILDHOOD BET WOULD SPUR A LIFELONG PASSION OF ALL THINGS AUTOMOTIVE.

Charles: YEAH, PEOPLE SAY I'M OUT OF CONTROL.

Yolanda: A LITTLE HUMOR GOES A LONG WAY WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS UNUSUAL COLLECTION.

THERE ARE CARS FROM ALMOST EVERY ERA, AND EVERY COUNTRY.

BUT EVEN A COLLECTOR LIKE GOULD HAS A SPECIAL PASSION; EUROPEAN-MADE MICROCARS.

HE'S COLLECTED EVERYTHING FROM A '69 SKODA TO A MORRIS MINOR 1000.

GOULD HITS THE ROAD WHENEVER HE CAN AND PARTICULARLY LIKES DRIVING THIS 1956 MESSERSCHMITT KR 200.

Charles: YOU GET IN A LITTLE MICROCAR AND YOU CHOOSE THE BACK ROAD BECAUSE HIGHWAYS ARE NO FUN IN THEM.

YOU LIKE THE TWISTY ROADS, AND YOU LIKE THE WIND IN YOUR FACE.

IT JUST CHANGES YOUR WHOLE OUTLOOK ON LIFE.

Yolanda: FROM MICRO TO LAND YACHTS, THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO THE CARS GOULD BUYS.

IT'S WHATEVER TICKLES HIS FANCY AT THE TIME.

HE DOESN'T RESTORE THEM, AND HE RARELY SELLS THEM.

Charles: I HAVE A VERY TOUGH TIME PARTING WITH ANY OF THEM.

I MEAN, EVEN CARS I'VE BOUGHT TO RESELL, OR EVEN CARS I HAVE DOUBLES OR TRIPLES OF -- IT'S JUST SO HARD.

Yolanda: GOULD'S ADDICTION HAS DEFINITELY BECOME A FAMILY AFFAIR WITH HIS TWO TEENAGE DAUGHTERS JOINING IN.

BOTH HAVE BECOME CERTIFIED "GEAR HEADS," HELPING THEIR FATHER FIX UP CARS AND TAKE THEM OUT FOR A SPIN.

IT ALL BEGAN AT A VERY EARLY AGE FOR THEM.

Monique Gould: ONE OF MY FIRST WORDS WAS MESSERSCHMITT.

I MEAN, LIKE, THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN CARS; WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN RIDING IN THEM.

Tricia Gould: YOU DRIVE AROUND IN THESE SMALL LITTLE CARS AND EVERYONE AROUND YOU JUST LOOKS AT THEM, AND THEY'RE IN AWE OF THE CARS, AND IT'S JUST AMAZING.

Yolanda: AND FROM TIME TO TIME, THEY'LL EVEN GO ON BARN FINDS WITH THEIR FATHER, WHICH IS HOW HE'S MADE SOME OF HIS BIGGEST "LITTLE" FINDS.

Monique: IT'S SO MUCH FUN TO OPEN A BARN AND SEE A CAR THERE THAT HASN'T BEEN TOUCHED IN YEARS, AND TO THINK THAT WE CAN REALLY BREATHE LIFE INTO IT AND MAKE IT OUR OWN.

Yolanda: EVEN THOUGH GOULD WOULDN'T ADMIT TO A FAVORITE CAR, HE KNOWS EVERY DETAIL... Charles: THIS IS A 1962 AMPHICAR.

IT WAS MADE IN KARLSRUHE, GERMANY.

AND UP UNTIL VERY RECENTLY, IT WAS THE ONLY NON-MILITARY AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE EVER PRODUCED.

Yolanda: GOULD OFTEN TAKES IT FOR A DIP IN THE CHARLES RIVER.

AND YOU TAKE THIS OUT?

Charles: WE TAKE IT OUT ALL THE TIME, YEAH.

IT'S NO FUN OWNING THEM IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO USE THEM.

Yolanda: HOLDING TRUE TO THAT PHILOSOPHY, GOULD, WHO WORKS AS A FULL-TIME ATTORNEY, PUTS ALL OF HIS CARS ON DISPLAY FOR THEIR FAMILY'S ANNUAL MICROCAR EVENT THAT DRAWS FANS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

Charles: IT'S A LOT OF WORK, BUT WE LOVE IT.

AND IT'S BECOME ONE OF THE MOST RENOWNED EVENTS IN THE COUNTRY FOR COLLECTING THIS GENRE OF CARS, FOR MICROCARS.

Yolanda: GOULD SHARES HIS PRIZED POSSESSIONS WITH OTHERS AS A WAY TO KEEP THE MICROCAR CULTURE ALIVE.

IT'S AN ENDURING LEGACY OF A MASSACHUSETTS MAN WHO'S MADE CARS A BIG PART OF HIS LIFE.

Charles: I NEVER KNEW IT WOULD BE SUCH A HUGE PART OF IT, BUT I ALWAYS KNEW THAT I'D BE INVOLVED WITH CARS, I JUST WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT THEM ALL MY LIFE.

TIME NOW FOR A STOP BY GOSS' GARAGE, WHERE PAT'S GOING TO HELP US SEE A LITTLE MORE CLEARLY.

Pat Goss: JOHN, THIS TIME WE'RE GOING TO RESTORE TWO OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY DEVICES ON OUR CARS; WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES AND HEADLIGHTS.

NOW, WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS SOMETHING THAT -- WELL, IT CHANGES ITS SHAPE, THERE'S NO PROBLEM THERE, BUT, BECAUSE OF THE CONFIGURATION OF THE FRAME, YOU HAVE PRESSURE POINTS WHERE EACH ONE OF THOSE FRAMES ATTACHES TO THE BLADE ITSELF.

AND THAT CAN LEAD TO UNEVEN WIPING OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

TO ADDRESS THOSE PROBLEMS, MANUFACTURERS ARE NOW GOING ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY TO THESE BEAM TYPE BLADES, WHH HAVE THE SPRING ACTION AND EVERYTHING INSIDE THE RUBBER SO IT APPLIES AN ACTUAL EVEN FORCE ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE GLASS.

IT'S A GREAT IDEA; WORKS WELL, WEARS WELL, BUT, LIKE MOST THINGS THAT ARE NEW AND MODERN, AND WORK BETTER, COSTS A LOT OF MONEY.

ALL RIGHT, IF YOU HAVE AN EXPENSIVE BLADE, WHAT MIGHT YOU WANT TO DO?

WELL, HERE WE HAVE PERMATEX WIPER RESTORE.

THIS LITTLE PACKAGE, YOU SIMPLY PULL IT OPEN, LIKE WE'VE DONE HERE, THEN YOU TAKE A HOLD OF IT UP HERE AT THE TOP, AND YOU WIPE IT ACROSS THE RUBBER OF THE WIPER BLADES.

THE CHEMICALS IN IT WILL RESTORE THE RUBBER, MAKE IT FUNCTION LIKE NEW, AND EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE RUBBER.

IT'S A PRACTICAL WAY TO GET MORE LIFE OUT OF YOUR BLADES WITHOUT SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY.

HEADLIGHTS USED TO BE MADE OUT OF GLASS, NOW THEY'RE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC, AND THEY'RE HIGHLY STYLED.

ALRIGHT, ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT FROM THE SUN CAUSES THE SURFACE OF THE PLASTIC TO DEVELOP LITTLE TEENY MICROSCOPIC CRACKS IN IT.

THAT CAUSES THE LIGHT TO SCATTER INSTEAD OF BEING FOCUSED ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT BELONGS.

VERY DANGEROUS.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

WELL, HEADLIGHTS ARE EXPENSIVE, SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK FOR THIS BG LENZSAVER* KIT.

NOW, WHAT THIS DOES, IS IT HAS VARIOUS POLISHES AND APPLICATORS, AND SO ON, THAT WILL BRING THE LENS BACK TO A PERFECTLY CLEAR STATUS.

BUT NOW HOW DO WE KEEP IT THERE?

WELL, THAT'S WHERE THIS KIT DIFFERS FROM EVERYTHING ELSE ON THE MARKET IN THAT IT HAS A SPECIAL COATING THAT GOES OVER THE PLASTIC AFTER YOU'RE DONE THAT PROTECTS AGAINST ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT DAMAGE.

SOMETHING THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK FOR.

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

CHRYSLER SALES ARE ON A ROLL, AND ONE BIG REASON IS THE RAM 1500 PICKUP.

THIS ONCE ALSO-RAN FULL-SIZER IS NOW A TRUCK INNOVATOR WITH AN ALL-COIL SPRING SUSPENSION, 8-SPEED TRANSMISSION, AND EVEN A V6 TURBOCHARGED DIESEL.

OUR LONG-TERM 2013 RAM 1500 SLT QUAD CAB 4X4 CAME WITH THE FIRST TRULY MODERN GAS V6 IN A BIG TRUCK AND IT HAS PERFORMED FLAWLESSLY FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND NEARLY 23,000 MILES.

MOREOVER, ITS AVERAGE 19.0 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR FUEL ECONOMY EXPANDS WELL INTO THE 20s ON HIGHWAY TRIPS.

AND IT'S ON LONG TRIPS WHERE EVEN MORE INNOVATIONS STAND OUT, LIKE THE U-CONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, RAM BOX STORAGE COMPARTMENTS, THE LOCKING TAILGATE, AND THE WIDE USE OF FOUR CAR-LIKE DOORS.

THEY MAKE EVEN OUR EXTENDED CAB QUAD CAB A REALLY USEFUL FAMILY VEHICLE.

THE RAM 1500 IS NOW A REAL CROWD PLEASER THAT NO TRUCK BUYER CAN AFFORD TO OVERLOOK.

WE ALSO HAVE HIGH PRAISE FOR OUR NISSAN VERSA NOTE FOR SOME OF THE SAME REASONS.

FIRST, IT IS QUITE GOOD ON GAS, EVEN WITH THE A/C ON FULL BLAST, AVERAGING 33.6 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR AFTER 9 MONTHS AND 13,300 MILES.

SECOND, IT'S ROOMINESS.

FOUR ADULT COMMUTERS WILL FIND GOOD SPACE, AND A GROWING FAMILY OF FIVE ALSO FITS NICELY.

PLUS, THE HATCHBACK NOTE CAN CARRY ALMOST AS MUCH CARGO AND LUGGAGE AS A SUBCOMPACT UTILITY.

BUT THE NOTE REALLY STANDS APART FROM MOST OTHER SMALL FAMILY CARS IN BEING ENJOYABLE TO DRIVE.

THE 1.6-LITER, 109-HORSEPOWER I4 WITH CVT TRANS MAY NOT SOUND LIKE EXCITEMENT, BUT IT ALLOWS THE NOTE TO SCOOT AROUND TOWN WITH GOOD GUSTO.

STEERING IS DIRECT, AND DESPITE BODY ROLL, IT'S QUITE ENTERTAINING.

SO, THIS NOTE IS A HIGH ONE, AND WE LOVE SINGING ITS PRAISES.

WE'LL SOUND OUT OUR NEWLY ARRIVED KIA K900, AND OUR LONG-SERVING SUBARU FORESTER, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

LET'S TURN THINGS BACK NOW TO YOLANDA VAZQUEZ.

THIS TIME FOR ALL THE LATEST MOTOR NEWS.

Yolanda Vazquez: WHEN IT COMES TO A TEEN'S FIRST CAR, THE OPTIONS MIGHT SEEM ENDLESS.

BUT BEFORE THESE ROOKIE DRIVERS, OR MORE LIKELY THEIR PARENTS, PLUNK DOWN A PAYMENT ON THAT "FIRST CAR", THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY HAS SOME IMPORTANT ADVICE.

AND, OF COURSE, BEING THE IIHS, SAFETY IS THE MAIN PRIORITY.

SO THEY'VE COMPILED A LIST OF SUGGESTED VEHICLES, THAT ALL MEET SOME KEY CRITERIA.

ONE OF THEM INCLUDES AVOIDING VEHICLES WITH HIGH HORSEPOWER, AS THERE IS LESS OF A CHANCE FOR THINGS TO GET OUT OF HAND BEHIND THE WHEEL.

THEY ALSO STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOUR TEEN'S CAR HAVE SOME SORT OF ELECTRONIC STABILITY OR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, AS THESE FEATURES HELP MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

THE IIHS ALSO FAVORS MIDSIZE, OR LARGE SEDANS, AND SUVS, AS THEY GENERALLY PROVE TO BE SAFER IN COLLISIONS.

AND ALONG WITH SIZE, THEY ALSO RECOMMEND CHOOSING VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE BEST SAFETY RATINGS POSSIBLE.

ALL OF THE INSTITUTE'S VEHICLE SUGGESTIONS ARE RELATIVELY NEW ONES; RANGING FROM MODEL YEAR 2005 AND LATER.

THE LIST ALSO INCLUDES SOME OBVIOUS SEDAN CHOICES, LIKE THE TOYOTA CAMRY, HONDA ACCORD, FORD TAURUS, AND BUICK LACROSSE.

ALONG WITH THE KIA SORENTO, NISSAN ROGUE, AND HYUNDAI SANTA FE AMONG UTILITIES.

BUT THEIR SUGGESTIONS EXTEND FAR BEYOND THOSE WITH MANY RECOMMENDED VEHICLES AVAILABLE FOR $10,000 OR LESS.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF VEHICLES, CHECK OUT THE IIHS WEBSITE.

AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

John: THERE SEEMS TO BE NO END IN SIGHT TO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT AMERICANS ARE WILLING TO SPEND ON GUSSIED-UP FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCKS.

JUST LOOK AT FORD WITH ITS F-150 KING RANCH, AND THE RAM 1500 LARAMIE LONGHORN.

WELL, CHEVROLET WANTS INTO THIS TREND AND HAS COME UP WITH A NEW DECKED OUT TRIM LEVEL FOR THEIR ALL-NEW SILVERADO.

GET READY TO HEAD TO THE HIGH COUNTRY.

WHETHER YOU'RE A "HIGH ROLLER" OR AN ACTUAL MEMBER OF "HIGH SOCIETY," YOU'LL FIND PLENTY TO LIKE IN THE 2014 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HIGH COUNTRY, THE FIRST SUPER-PREMIUM TRUCK TRIM FROM CHEVROLET.

AVAILABLE AS A CREW CAB ONLY, THE HIGH COUNTRY MAY ALSO BE THE QUIETEST PICKUP TRUCK EVER.

GM PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO MAKING THE LATEST SILVERADO AS QUIET AS POSSIBLE, INCLUDING INLAYED DOORS, ADDITIONAL SOUND DEADENING MATERIALS, MAKING NUMEROUS AERODYNAMIC TWEAKS, AND PLACING A SEAL BETWEEN THE CAB AND BED.

MOVING THINGS UP TO THE HIGH COUNTRY MOSTLY INVOLVES UPGRADED INTERIOR MATERIALS.

IT'S LIKE A CATTLE RANCHER PUTTING ON HIS FANCY DUDS BEFORE HEADING OUT FOR A NIGHT OF COURTIN'.

SADDLE BROWN IS THE THEME, AND IT'S WELL EXECUTED; HANDSOME, BORDERLINE OPULENT, AND WORTHY OF COMPARISON TO OTHER HIGH DOLLAR HAULERS.

DEEPLY TANNED LEATHER IS LIBERALLY APPLIED, WITH CONTRASTING PIPING AND STITCHING, AND YOU'LL FIND PLENTY OF FEATURES SUCH AS STANDARD HEATED AND COOLED SEATS, CHEVROLET'S MYLINK WITH 8-INCH TOUCHSCREEN, AND OPTIONAL SAFETY SYSTEMS LIKE LANE DEPARTURE WARNING AND SAFETY ALERT SEAT.

STANDARD NAVIGATION, HOWEVER, IS THROUGH ONSTAR.

YOU HAVE TO UPGRADE TO GET AN ONBOARD NAV.

THAT'S A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR ANY TOP TRIM VEHICLE THESE DAYS.

ADJUSTABLE PEDALS AND HEATED STEERING WHEEL ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.

WHILE THE DASH SPORTS THE NEW SILVERADO'S BLOCKY DESIGN, FRONT SEATS ARE ENHANCED.

THEY ARE THE MOST COMFORTABLE YET FOR SILVERADO.

WE LIKE THAT YOU CAN QUICKLY FOLD THE REAR SEATS FOR STORAGE WITHOUT RELEASING A LATCH.

THE RESULTING FLOOR IS NOT FLAT, BUT IT'S NICE AND LOW FOR EASY LOADING.

LIKE ALL FULL-SIZE PICKUPS, HOWEVER, THE CARGO BOX BED IS QUITE HIGH.

STILL, LOADING IS MADE MUCH EASIER THANKS TO THE EZ LIFT AND LOWER TAILGATE AND STANDARD CORNERSTEP BUMPER.

PLUS THERE'S UNDER RAIL LIGHTING WHEN YOU NEED MORE TO GET YOUR CHORES DONE.

BOTH 5'8" AND 6'6" BEDS ARE AVAILABLE.

THERE ARE TWO V8s.

STANDARD IS GM'S 355-HORSEPOWER 5.3-LITER ECOTEC3 SMALL BLOCK.

BUT MOST HIGH COUNTRY BUYERS WILL PROBABLY SPEND THE EXTRA TWO GRAND TO UPGRADE TO THE 6.2-LITER V8 WITH 420-HORSEPOWER AND 460 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE TO GO ALONG WITH IT.

WITH THE 6.2, 0 TO 60 SPRINTS TAKE JUST 6.2-SECONDS, WITH A QUARTER MILE PASS OF 14.8-SECONDS AT 95 MILES-PER-HOUR.

THERE'S ONLY ONE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; HI-LO 4-WHEEL-DRIVE IS AVAILABLE, AND UP TO 9,800 POUNDS CAN BE TOWED.

WE DID EXPERIENCE SOME DRIVETRAIN CLUNKINESS, BUT WE COULDN'T QUITE PUT OUR FINGER ON WHETHER IT WAS TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKING, TRANSMISSION SHIFTING, OR THE V4 FUEL SAVING MODE ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING.

MAYBE THAT'S JUST A DOWNSIDE TO BEING SO QUIET OTHERWISE.

THERE'S ALSO A SLIGHT DELAY IN HIGHWAY PASSING WHILE YOU WAIT FOR ALL 8 CYLINDERS TO PUMP UP AND THE GEARS TO DROP DOWN.

BEAUTY IS CERTAINLY IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER; AND FROM OUR VIEW, THE HIGH COUNTRY DOESN'T LOOK AS RUGGED AS LESSER SILVERADO TRIMS.

MAYBE IT'S THE STANDARD BODY COLORED BUMPERS.

YET, THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF BIG TRUCK CHROME; ON THE GRILLE, DOOR HANDLES, SIDE MOLDINGS, SIDE STEPS, AND NATURALLY, THE 20-INCH WHEELS.

WHILE SALES OF THE ALL-NEW SILVERADO HAVE NOT SKYROCKETED AS SOME EXPECTED, CEDING MARKET SHARE TO THE F-150 AND THE MORE INNOVATIVE RAM 1500, CHEVROLET IS REPORTEDLY MAKING MORE MONEY PER VEHICLE THAN RIVALS, AND THE NEW HIGH COUNTRY WILL ONLY HELP THAT CAUSE.

HIGH COUNTRY PRICING CLIMBS FROM $45,200.

THAT'S A FEW GRAND LESS THAN GMC'S EVEN FANCIER SIERRA DENALI.

IN THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD, FAME IS INDEED FLEETING.

FOR US MEDIA CRITICS, THE LATEST SILVERADO IS ALREADY BEING OVERSHADOWED BY NEXT YEAR'S ALL-ALUMINUM F-150, NOT TO MENTION FEELING THE HEAT FROM DIESEL RAM 1500S.

STILL, OVER 400,000 LOYAL BUYERS WILL OPT FOR A NEW SILVERADO THIS YEAR.

AND THANKS TO THE NEW HIGH COUNTRY, MANY MORE THAN EVER WILL RIDE IN HIGH STYLE.

WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW.

NOW, FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , WHY NOT CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST, AS WELL AS COMPLETE EPISODES AT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME AS WE KICK OFF SEASON 34 OF MOTORWEEK .

WE'LL LOOK AHEAD AT THE FUTURE WITH THE BMW I8.

AND LINCOLN'S FUTURE WITH THEIR ALL-NEW MKZ.

UNTIL THEN, I'M JOHN DAVIS.

WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK .

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