2015 Jaguar F-Type Coupe & 2015 Subaru Outback

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

JOIN US AND SEE IF ADDING A HARDTOP TO THE JAGUAR F-TYPE CHANGES HOW HIGH THIS CAT CAN JUMP.

PAT GOSS HAS A FEW DOWN AND DIRTY CAR CARE TIPS.

WE'LL LIGHT UP THE SCREEN WITH ALL THAT'S NEW AT THE 2014 PARIS MOTOR SHOW.

AND SEE IF THE NEW SUBARU OUTBACK IN MORE OR LESS OF A GREAT THING.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

>> ANNOUNCER: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: >> KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT HIS NEXT SET OF TIRES.

IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.

BUT KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

KENNY'S THINKING, OH MAN.

OH MAN.

OH MAN, OH MAN, OH MAN.

THIS IS AWESOME.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

>> DIEHARD.

THE DIEHARD ADVANCED GOLD BATTERY.

DESIGNED TO HELP START YOUR CAR, AND POWER THE EQUIPMENT IN IT.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.

>> JOHN: JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT JAGUAR HAD KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK WITH THE F-TYPE ROADSTER, COMES THIS F-TYPE COUPE.

SWINGING DEEPER INTO THE BASEBALL ANALOGIES, JAGUAR IS DRIVING THIS 2-SEAT FASTBACK DEEP INTO THE GAP OF THEIR LINEUP MAKING IT A PERFECT 2-FOR-2, AND UPPING THEIR BATTING AVERAGE WITH ANOTHER HIGH PERFORMANCE HIT.

IN THE PROCESS, GOING FROM WILD CARD HOPEFUL TO A DIVISION LEADER.

LET'S LOOK AT THE HIGHLIGHTS.

YOU MIGHT THINK THE 2015 JAGUAR F-TYPE R COUPE IS THE MORE PRACTICAL VERSION OF THE WONDERFUL F-TYPE V8 S ROADSTER.

WRONG!

WE THINK IT'S REALLY MORE LIKE ITS EVIL TWIN.

IF THERE'S SUCH A THING AS A GO-AGAINST-THE-GRAIN BRITISH MUSCLE CAR, THIS IS IT.

NOW, ENGINE CHOICES ARE THE SAME AS THE ROADSTER, WITH ONE SLIGHT DIFFERENCE.

THE SUPERCHARGED V6 OFFERINGS CARRY OVER AT 340 AND 380-HORSEPOWER.

AS FOR THE V8, THE SUPERCHARGED 5.0-LITER IN THE F-TYPE V8 S WAS BY NO MEANS UNDERPOWERED, BUT JAG FELT THE COUPE COULD USE MORE PONIES, SO IT NOW RATES 550-HORSEPOWER AND 502 LB-FT. OF TORQUE.

THAT'S A VERY HEALTHY INCREASE OF 55-HORSEPOWER AND 42 LB-FT. JAG CLAIMS THAT'S ENOUGH TO BE THE FASTEST JAGUAR EVER.

AND, WITH ITS ALL-ALUMINUM STRUCTURE, IT'S ALSO THE STIFFEST CAT YET.

AS FOR THAT PRACTICALITY WE MENTIONED, THE CARGO AREA IS GOOD FOR 11 CUBIC-FEET, ALMOST HALF AGAIN THE ROADSTER'S.

THE ALUMINUM BODY THAT HIDES THE CARGO SPACE IS BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED.

THE FRONT END IS VIRTUALLY THE SAME AS THE ROADSTER, BUT THE SWEEPING LINES AT THE REAR ARE AS DYNAMIC AS ANYTHING ON THE ROAD.

A FIXED-PANEL GLASS ROOF IS AN OPTION.

THAT STIFFER STRUCTURE CALLED FOR A STIFFER SUSPENSION TO BE BOLTED TO IT.

ADD IN ADAPTIVE DYNAMICS, AN ACTIVE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, AND BRAKE TORQUE VECTORING, AND YOU'VE GOT A SWEET HANDLING 2-SEATER THAT'S A JOY TO BEHOLD AND DRIVE.

EVEN IN RELAXED CRUISING THE COUPE FEELS TOSSABLE; READY TO BE A WILLING COMPANION FOR ANY LENGTH ADVENTURE.

ALL OF OUR CREW HAD HIGH PRAISE FOR ITS EFFORTLESS PERFORMANCE, SHARP HANDLING, AND THE WONDERFUL SOUNDS THAT IT MAKES; THOUGH SOME FOUND THE LOUD AND AGGRESSIVE EXHAUST NOTE TO HAVE A FAKE AURA TO IT, LIKE IT WAS TRYING A BIT TOO HARD.

THE 8-SPEED QUICKSHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS THE SAME AS IN THE ROADSTER, BUT HAS UPDATED SOFTWARE, HELPING IT FEEL A WHOLE LOT MORE DIRECT.

AT OUR TEST TRACK, IT'S HARD TO SAY WHICH EXPERIENCE WE ENJOYED MORE, LISTENING TO THIS CAT GROWL AT THE LINE, OR FEELING IT POUNCE OFF OF IT.

IF ALL OF THE STARS ALIGN JUST RIGHT AND YOU FIND DECENT TRACTION, YOU CAN HIT 60 IN 4.0-SECONDS, OR PERHAPS LESS.

AND YOU CAN CLEAR THE QUARTER MILE IN 12.0 AT 122 MILES-PER-HOUR.

STEERING IS VERY QUICK AND THE CHASSIS SUPER NIMBLE, BUT WITH THIS MANY PONIES PUNCHING THE REARS INTO ACTION, OVERSTEER IS ALWAYS IN THE WINGS; THOUGH THE ELECTRONIC DIFFERENTIAL TRIES ITS BEST TO KEEP IT HIDDEN.

PUSH HARDER AND IT BEGS FOR MORE.

YOU NEEDLE TOGETHER CORNERS LIKE A BEAD STRINGER HOPPED UP ON RED BULL.

LIKE ANY TRUE PERFORMANCE CAR, HIGHER SPEEDS IS WHERE THIS F-TYPE COUPE FEELS MOST AT HOME.

ELECTRONIC INTERVENTION SEEPS IN FAIRLY QUICKLY, BUT IT DOES SO ALMOST SEAMLESSLY, HELPING MORE THAN HOLDING YOU BACK.

THE COUPE R'S STANDARD SUPER PERFORMANCE BRAKING SYSTEM BROUGHT OUR CAR TO A HALT IN JUST 110-FEET FROM 60.

YOU CAN UPGRADE TO CARBON CERAMICS, BUT WE DOUBT THEY'LL PROVIDE THE EXTRA 12,000 WORTH OF RESULTS.

WHETHER ON TRACK OR ROAD, THE COUPE JUST FEELS BETTER THAN THE ROADSTER, BUT NOT SO MUCH SO THAT IT FEELS LIKE AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT CAR; JUST A BETTER VERSION, EVEN IF IT'S NOT THE QUIETEST CAR ON THE STREET.

WE KNEW THE COUPE WAS COMING FROM THE F-TYPE'S BEGINNINGS, BUT IT WAS HARD FOR US TO IMAGINE THAT IT WOULD TURN OUT THIS GREAT.

PRAISE WAS NOT QUITE AS HIGH FOR THE INTERIOR; BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT, BUT NOT THE MOST INTUITIVE TO USE AND THINGS GET CRAMPED IF YOU'RE GIFTED WITH MUCH HEIGHT OVER 6-FEET.

OH, WELL, NOTHING IS PERFECT.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 16-CITY, 23-HIGHWAY, AND 18-COMBINED.

OUR AVERAGE OF 22.8 MILES-PER-GALLON OF PREMIUM EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS.

THE BASE COUPE IS ACTUALLY $4,000 LESS THAN THE CONVERTIBLE AT $65,925.

HOWEVER OUR R COUPE IS AT THE TOP OF THE HEAP STARTING AT $99,925.

SO, IF THE F-TYPE ROADSTER WAS A HOME RUN, THAN THE 2015 JAGUAR F-TYPE R COUPE IS TRULY A GRAND SLAM!

WE CAN EASILY SEE THE COUPE QUICKLY OUTSELLING THE ROADSTER.

IT'S AMAZING WHAT A SMALL COMPANY CAN DO WITH A BUNCH OF CASH FOR DEVELOPMENT, DESIGNERS WITH A TRUE SENSE OF HISTORY, AND ENGINEERS WITH AN OPEN MIND.

JAGUAR IS CERTAINLY AIMING TO PLEASE, AND THIS ONE IS WAY OUTTA THE PARK!

TIME NOW TO FOR A LITTLE AUTOMOTIVE COUTURE AS WE HOP ACROSS THE POND FOR ALL THAT'S COMING DOWN THE RUNWAY AT THE BIENNIAL 2014 PARIS MOTOR SHOW!

>> JOHN: AMID FINE FRENCH CUISINE, AND IMPECCABLY DRESSED SHOW-GOERS, THERE WAS PLENTY TO ADMIRE AT THE 2014 PARIS MOTOR SHOW, SET THIS YEAR AT THE PARIS EXPO AT PORTE DE VERSAILLES.

EASILY THE MOST ANTICIPATED PUBLIC DEBUT WAS FOR JAGUAR XE SPORT LUXURY COMPACT SEDAN.

FACING A HOST OF SERIOUS 4-DOOR RIVALS, THE ALL-ALUMINUM XE, WITH 4 AND 6 CYLINDER POWER, LOOKS LIKE ONE FINE FELINE.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO DRIVE IT.

BRAND MATE LAND ROVER SHOWED THE PRODUCTION DISCOVERY SPORT.

BASED ON THEIR VISION CONCEPT FROM NEW YORK, THIS 3-ROW COMPACT SUV GRABS POWER FROM A TURBO 4 AND 9 SPEED AUTOMATIC COMBO.

THE PUBLIC ALSO GOT ITS FIRST LOOK AT THE ALL NEW MAZDA MX-5 MIATA SPORTS CAR.

PROGRESSIVELY STYLED, WITH A STANDARD 2.0 LITER SKYACTIV 4 AND 6 SPEED MANUAL.

OFFICIAL TRAP TIMES WILL COME LATER.

AUDI HAD A DROP-TOP OF ITS OWN, THE 2016 TT, AND HIGH PERFORMANCE TTS ROADSTERS.

THESE 2 SEATER'S SHOULD APPEASE THOSE LOOKING FOR AN OPEN AIR ADVENTURE WRAPPED IN AUDI SPORT LUXURY.

THEY ALSO PULLED THE WRAPS OFF THIS TT SPORTBACK CONCEPT, A LONGER AND WIDER 4-DOOR BASED ON THE COUPE.

GERMANY'S BMW ALSO HAD PLENTY TO SHARE: A CONVERTIBLE VARIANT OF THE 2 SERIES WE'VE COME TO LOVE.

AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE QUIRKY X6.

CONCEPTS ARE ALWAYS IN FULL FORCE AT PARIS.

FIRST, THIS C-HR CONCEPT FROM TOYOTA, HINTING AT A SMALL CROSSOVER IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

AND DREAMING A LITTLE BIGGER, THIS Q80 INSPIRATION CONCEPT FROM INFINITI HINTS AT FORTHCOMING DESIGN CUES, PLUS A TWIN TURBO V6 HYBRID DRIVETRAIN.

LAMBORGHINI LOOKS TO TEST THE WATERS OF HYBRID SUPERCAR PERFORMANCE WITH THE ASTERION, A PLUG-IN HYBRID BEAST WITH 910 HORSEPOWER.

VOLKSWAGEN FOLLOWED UP THEIR BIZARRE XL1 DIESEL HYBRID WITH THE XL SPORT, A MORE SPEED ORIENTED RE-IMAGINING, POWERED BY A DUCATI V-TWIN.

BACK TO REALITY, WE CAUGHT UP-CLOSE GLIMPSES OF THE NEXT KIA SORENTO.

THE VOLVO XC90.

AND THE MINI COOPER HARDTOP 4-DOOR.

ALL ARE POISED TO BE SERIOUS MONEYMAKERS FOR THEIR BRANDS.

FIAT FLEXED ITS UTILITY MUSCLE WITH THE 500X, SHARING UNDERPINNINGS WITH THE JEEP RENEGADE.

OTHER SIGHTINGS INCLUDED THIS BEEFED UP FERRARI 458 SPECIALE A.

AND A PAIR OF BRUISERS DEBUTING UNDER THE MERCEDES-AMG BRAND.

BUT, BEING PARIS, THERE'S ALWAYS PLENTY OF MOBILE ECCENTRICITY, LIKE THIS THESE OVER-THE-TOP CONCEPTS FROM PEUGEOT.

A PROPER WAY FOR US TO SAY "AU REVOIR" TILL 2016, AND THE NEXT PARIS MOTOR SHOW.

>> JOHN: PAT GOSS ALWAYS KEEPS US ON SOLID GROUND WHEN IT COMES TO CAR CARE.

BUT NOW HE'S GOT A FEW TIPS FOR HEADING OFF THE BEATEN PATH.

>> PAT GOSS: 4-WHEEL AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ARE BECOMING INCREDIBLY POPULAR, AND THEY HAVE SOME PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES.

BUT SOME OF THE THINGS ABOUT THEM; WELL THEY REQUIRE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MAINTENANCE.

LIKE THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FOR INSTANCE.

YOU NEED TO CHECK THE FLUID IN IT REGULARLY, AND YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE FLUID IN DIFFERENTIALS REGULARLY, TOO.

IN SOME CASES, NO MORE THAN 30-36,000 MILES.

AND IN SOME CASES IT MAY BE AS FREQUENTLY AS EVERY 15,000 MILES.

ALSO LOOK FOR ANY KINDS OF LEAKS WHEN YOU'RE UNDER IT.

AND MOVING BACK HERE ALONG THE VEHICLE, THE NEXT THING WE HAVE IS THE TRANSFER CASE.

THIS IS WHAT DISTRIBUTES THE POWER EITHER TO THE REAR WHEELS OR THE FRONT WHEELS, OR ALL OF THE WHEELS.

AND IT ALSO NEEDS PERIODIC SERVICE.

THE FLUID IN IT HAS TO BE CHANGED.

YOU HAVE TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL.

AND HERE'S A TIP: WHEN YOU CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL IN THE TRANSFER CASE, IF A LOT OF FLUID RUNS OUT AS IF IT'S OVERFILLED, WELL IT PROBABLY IS OVERFILLED.

AND THAT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE HAVE A BAD SEAL IN THE BACK OF THE TRANSMISSION, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IS COMING INTO THE TRANSFER CASE.

GOTTA GET THAT FIXED RIGHT AWAY OR IT GETS REALLY SERIOUS?

NOW UP HERE WE HAVE A MOTOR ON THE TRANSFER CASE, THAT'S WHAT SHIFTS IT THROUGH THE GEARS.

ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THAT IS THAT IT'S EXPOSED, AND IT HAS AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ON IT, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE SEE HERE.

PERIODICALLY, AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR, YOU SHOULD OPEN THAT CONNECTOR AND COAT IT WITH DI-ELECTRIC GREASE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A BAD HABIT OF CORRODING INTERNALLY.

LOOK AT THE BRAKE LINES ON ANY VEHICLE: 4 WHEEL, 2 WHEEL, YOU NAME IT; CAR, TRUCK, WHATEVER.

A LOT OF THE OLDER BRAKE LINES, IF THEY EVER GET NEAR SALT OF ANY KIND, IT COULD BE BEACH OR HIGHWAY SALT OR ANYTHING, THEY WILL RUST.

AND ONE WAY TO HELP PREVENT THAT IS TO USE WHITE LITHIUM GREASE OR AN ANTI-CORROSION SPRAY TO SPRAY ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES.

REAR DIFFERENTIAL: YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE FLUID IN IT; REGULARLY.

THAT MEANS, AGAIN, COULD BE 15,000 MILES, BUT TYPICALLY NOMORE THAN 36.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU USE THE PROPER LUBRICANT, BECAUSE MOST OF THESE WILL BE LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS, AND IF YOU USE THE WRONG LUBRICANT; WELL THE LOCKING MECHANISM MAY NOT WORK.

NOW SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S BECOMING REALLY POPULAR ARE SELF-LEVELING SYSTEMS ON TRUCKS AND ON SUV'S.

AND THAT MEANS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE LINKAGES THAT NEED TO BE LUBRICATED.

THEY'RE WHAT SENSE THE HEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND TURN ON THE AIR PUMP TO LEVEL IT.

SO, KEEP THOSE LUBRICATED SO THEY DON'T WEAR OUT.

NOW IF YOU DO THIS, WELL YOU CAN KEEP YOURSELF OUT OF TROUBLE AND YOU CAN SAVE A LOT OF MONEY.

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

>> JOHN: WE'VE BEEN BUSY DRIVING THE LATEST, SO LET'S CATCH UP WITH A FEW QUICK SPINS.

>> JOHN: NEVER KNOWN FOR ITS SPORTING NATURE, AMERICA'S BEST-SELLING CAR, THE TOYOTA CAMRY, REVAMPS FOR 2015, DEBUTING, AMONG A WIDE RANGE OF UPDATES, A NEW AND MORE AGGRESSIVE TRIM LEVEL, THE XSE.

THE CAMRY XSE ROLLS OFF THE LOT WITH STANDARD 18 INCH WHEELS AND UNIQUE SPORT SUSPENSION.

SHEETMETAL, FROM FRONT TO REAR IS NEARLY ALL-NEW ON ALL CAMRY'S, WITH SPINDLE-LIKE GRILLES LEANING TOWARDS LEXUS TERRITORY.

TIME INSIDE REVEALS A MORE MILDLY REVAMPED INTERIOR; NOT MUCH OF A DEPARTURE FROM CURRENT CAMRY'S, BUT A NEW CENTER GAUGE SCREEN SHOULD AID DRIVER FOCUS.

ALL POWERTRAINS, INCLUDING THE 178-HORSEPOWER 4-CYLINDER, THE 268-HORSEPOWER 6-CYLINDER, AND THE 200-HORSEPOWER HYBRID CARRYOVER.

NEW SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDE OPTIONAL RADAR CRUISE CONTROL AND REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT, AND A STANDARD BACKUP CAMERA.

CURRENT CAMRY OWNERS WILL IMMEDIATELY NOTICE A MORE COMPOSED RIDE.

IT'S MORE STABLE TOO.

THE STEERING IS FIRMER, THE BRAKING IS SURER AS WELL.

AND EXCEPT FOR SOME UNEXPECTED WIND NOISE THE CABIN IS AS QUIET AS A LEXUS.

>> JOHN: ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 TOYOTA CAMRY STARTS AT AROUND $24,000, WITH THE NEW XSE TRIM ADDING OVER 3,000 MORE.

THE RISE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES HAS BEEN A SLOW, ALBEIT, STEADY ONE.

BUT THE PACE HAS PICKED UP RECENTLY, AMONG NEW STARTUPS AND MAJOR CARMAKERS ALIKE.

SO, WHAT'S THE LATEST?

THIS 2015 VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF.

VW'S FIRST ALL-ELECTRIC VEHICLE FOR THE U.S.

SEEMS LIKE BOTH AN ATTEMPT TO PLAY CATCH-UP WITH THE LIKES OF NISSAN, CHEVROLET, AND EVEN TESLA.

AS WELL AS AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE EV'S MORE MAINSTREAM.

THE E-GOLF IS AN EXTENSION OF THE NEWEST GOLF HATCHBACK; CHANGING LITTLE VISUALLY.

PROVING THAT YOU DON'T NEED TO SCREAM "EV", TO DRIVE ONE.

A NEW, MODULAR CHASSIS ALLOWS THE E-GOLF TO RETAIN ALL THE SPACE OF ITS GAS-POWERED KIN.

IT RATES THE SAME 93.5 CU.

FT. FOR PEOPLE, AND A MAXIMUM OF 52.7, FOR CARGO.

JUICING THE E-GOLF IS A 115 HORSEPOWER ELECTRIC MOTOR, CRANKING THE FRONT WHEELS THROUGH A SINGLE SPEED TRANSMISSION.

RANGE IS BETWEEN 70 AND 90 MILES IN NORMAL DRIVING, THOUGH WITH ECO AND ECO+ MODES, AND THREE LEVELS OF REGENERATIVE BRAKING, THAT CAN BE STRETCHED INTO TRIPLE DIGITS.

FULL CHARGING TAKES ABOUT 4 HOURS WITH A 240 VOLT CHARGER.

DC FAST CHARGING CAN DELIVER AN 80% CHARGE IN 30 MINUTES.

THAT'S ALL PRETTY MUCH STANDARD FOR EV'S, THOUGH WITH COMPETITORS LIKE LEAF AND SPARK EV SPECING IN AT ABOUT THE SAME.

SO, WHAT'S THE SELLING POINT?

WELL, OUR QUICK SPIN SHOWED US THAT DRIVING THE E-GOLF WAS LIKE DRIVING ANY OTHER NEW GOLF.

VERY PLEASING AND NORMAL.

>> PATRICK LUCAS: IN TERMS OF SUSPENSION, AND STEERING, AND JUST HOW THE CAR DRIVES... WITH THE EXCEPTION TO SOME ELECTRIC WHIRRING NOISES, YOU'D BE HARD PRESSED TO TELL THAT YOU'RE DRIVING AN ALL-ELECTRIC CAR VERSUS CONVENTIONAL GAS OR DIESEL...

THE E-GOLF INTERIOR IS DEFINITELY ONE OF ITS HIGHLIGHTS.

A LOT OF OTHER ELECTRIC CARS CAN FEEL GIMMICKY, ALMOST EXPERIMENTAL, BUT THIS IS VERY CAR LIKE, VERY FAMILIAR, YOU GET IN, YOU KNOW HOW TO USE EVERYTHING, AND THAT'S PRETTY REFRESHING TO FIND.

>> JOHN: ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF STICKERS AROUND $36,000.

HAULING UP A BIG PAYLOAD IS THE REVAMPED 2015 FORD F-SERIES SUPER DUTY PICKUP.

A TRUCK SERIES THAT IS STILL ALL ABOUT ONE THING: GETTING THE JOB DONE.

AVAILABLE IN F-250, 350, AND 450, THERE ARE 2 ENGINE OPTIONS: A CARRY OVER 6.2 LITER V8 WITH 385 HORSEPOWER AND 405 LB-FT OF TORQUE.

NO CHANGES THERE.

TWEAKED, FOR OF COURSE MORE MUSCLE, IS THE 6.7 LITER POWER STROKE TURBO-DIESEL V8, NOW RATED AT 440 HORSEPOWER AND 860 LB-FT OF TORQUE; SIGNIFICANT GAINS FOR BOTH FIGURES.

TOW CAPACITY RANGES FROM 12,500 TO 19,000 POUNDS WITH A CONVENTIONAL HITCH.

FIFTH WHEEL TOWING BUMPS MAX RATING TO OVER 31,000 POUNDS USING ACCEPTED INDUSTRY MEASURE.

AS IS OFTEN THE CASE, ONE OF THE DRAWS OF A BIG WORK TRUCK, IS TO ESCAPE FROM THE WORK ENVIRONMENT.

AND WITH IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE POPULAR KING RANCH TRIM, YOU CAN DO JUST THAT FOR A PRICE, OF COURSE.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 FORD SUPER DUTY TRUCKS START AT AROUND $32,000 AND CAN GO WAY UP FROM THERE.

FORD HAS ALSO TWEAKED THE FULL-SIZE EXPEDITION FOR 2015, ONE OF THE FEW BODY-ON-FRAME SUV'S STILL AROUND.

UPDATES INCLUDE SMOOTHER STYLING AND IMPROVED INTERIOR COMFORT.

BUT, THE BIGGEST CHANGE IS UNDER THE HOOD WHERE FORD SWAPS THE LATE-GREAT 5.4-LITER V8 FOR THE F-150'S TWIN-TURBO 3.5 LITER ECOBOOST V6 WITH 365 HORSEPOWER.

AND, YOU WON'T FIND US COMPLAINING AS ITS PLENTY CAPABLE AND MORE EFFICIENT.

ON BOTH STANDARD AND EXTENDED WHEELBASES, AN IMPROVED AND QUIETER RIDE WAS OUR MAIN TAKE AWAY.

A NEW CENTER STACK NOW INCLUDES THE LATEST SYNC AND MYFORD TOUCH.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 FORD EXPEDITION STICKERS AROUND $44,000.

AND WE'LL SET OFF ON MORE QUICK SPINS, SOON!

>> JOHN: WHILE STATION WAGONS HAVE LONG BEEN OUT OF AMERICAN FAVOR NATIONWIDE, DRIVE AROUND NEW ENGLAND AND YOU WILL SEE LOTS OF SQUARE-BACK, SUBARU OUTBACK'S.

NOW MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE OF THEIR STANDARD ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, OR EVEN THAT SUBARU USES THE WORD "UTILITY" TO DESCRIBE IT.

ALL WE KNOW IS THAT WHERE VOLVO WAGONS WERE ONCE KING, THE OUTBACK NOW REINS.

AND, THIS ALL-NEW, 5TH GENERATION, 2015 OUTBACK SHOWS NO SIGN OF SURRENDERING THAT CROWN.

>> JOHN: WHILE BEING THE WORLD'S FIRST SPORT UTILITY WAGON MAY HAVE STARTED AS A MARKETING TAG, THERE'S NO DENYING THAT THE SUBARU OUTBACK HAS COME TO EMBODY THE RUGGED, ALL-WEATHER, ALL-ROAD STATION WAGON.

VISUALLY, LIKE THE COMPANION LEGACY SEDAN, THE NEW OUTBACK IS A LITTLE MORE VANILLA AND A LITTLE BIT LESS SUBARU-UNIQUE.

YET, YOU STILL KNOW IT IS A SUBARU, AND PERHAPS THE SUBARU.

FAMILIAR TOO IS THE WAY IT DRIVES, THOUGH THERE IS A WELCOMED AMOUNT OF STEERING AND ROAD FEEL ADDED IN, AND A LITTLE BIT MORE NOISE KEPT OUT.

SOME STAFFERS FOUND THE SUSPENSION TO BE FIRMER THAN EXPECTED, THOUGH THAT CLEARLY FIT'S SUBARU'S RUGGED AND LIVABLE IMAGE.

MANY OTHER DETAIL CHANGES FOCUSED ON WHAT OWNERS ASKED FOR; LIKE A BETTER NAVIGATION SYSTEM, MOVING THE INFO CENTER FROM THE DASH TO THE GAUGE PANEL, A REAL TEMPERATURE GAUGE, MORE SAFETY FEATURES, AND SOFTER MATERIALS.

IT'S MOSTLY ALL FOR THE GOOD, THOUGH SOME OF THE USEFUL INFO HAS BECOME A LITTLE HARDER TO READ, AND THERE'S NOW WAY TOO MANY CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL.

SEATS HOWEVER, HAVE TAKEN A STEP BACK.

THEY ARE A LITTLE MORE SUPPORTIVE, BUT ALSO HARDER.

PLUS, THE OPTIONAL PERFORATED LEATHER RUBBED SOME OF OUR STAFF THE WRONG WAY.

NO ONE CAN DENY THE WEALTH OF INTERIOR SPACE FOR THE MONEY, BOTH IN SEATING, AND IN CARGO ROOM.

THE LATTER CLIMBS TO 35.5 CUBIC-FT. WITH THE SEAT BACKS UP, 73.3 CUBIC-FT. WITH THEM DOWN.

ROOF RAILS WITH RETRACTABLE CROSS BARS ARE AGAIN STANDARD, AND A POWER LIFT GATE IS NOW AVAILABLE.

WE'RE NOT SURE HOW MANY PEOPLE PONY UP FOR THE 256-HORSEPOWER 3.6-LITER BOXER-6 WITH 247 LB-FT. OF TORQUE, BUT IT'S VERY SMOOTH AS IS THE CVT TRANSMISSION ATTACHED TO IT.

BASE OUTBACK'S FIND THE CVT FITTED TO A SLIGHTLY ENHANCED 2.5-LITER BOXER-4 WITH 175-HORSEPOWER.

REGARDLESS OF ENGINE CHOICE, THIS OUTBACK DOES ENHANCE ITS RUGGED WAYS AS THE STANDARD ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SYSTEM NOW INCLUDES X-MODE TRACTION MANAGEMENT, WITH HILL DESCENT CONTROL, AND 8.7-INCHES OF GROUND CLEARANCE.

THAT MAKES IT MORE CAPABLE THAN MOST CROSSOVER UTILITIES.

DESPITE THAT HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE ROLL THROUGH OUR SLALOM COURSE.

AND WHILE THE OUTBACK PREFERS A RELAXED PACE, THERE'S VERY LITTLE UNDERSTEER AND ONLY MINOR COMPUTER INTERVENTION.

NEW ACTIVE TORQUE VECTORING IS STANDARD, USING SELECTIVE BRAKING TO THE INSIDE FRONT WHEEL TO HELP THE OUTBACK PIVOT AROUND CORNERS.

AS FOR ACCELERATION, DESPITE SOUNDING VERY AGGRESSIVE AND JUMPING OFF THE LINE, POWER BUILD IS SLOW AND STEADY; TAKING 7.5-SECONDS TO HIT 60.

THE FULL 1/4-MILE TOOK US 15.8-SECONDS, CROSSING THE LINE AT 91 MILES-PER-HOUR.

SIMULATED SHIFTS ARE ADDED INTO THE CVT TRANSMISSION.

REACTION IS BETTER BUT YOU STILL WON'T BE FOOLED INTO THINKING IT'S A REAL AUTOMATIC.

PANIC BRAKING PRODUCED LOTS OF NOSE DIVE AND AN OUT-OF-SORTS REAR END; AS WELL AS AVERAGE STOPS FROM 60 OF 133-FEET.

DIMENSIONALLY, THE NEW OUTBACK HAS GROWN A LITTLE BIT IN ALL DIRECTIONS, BUT YOU'D BE HARD PRESSED TO NOTICE IT.

3.6R LIMITED MODELS GET THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CONTENT EVER IN AN OUTBACK; INCLUDING HID HEADLIGHTS, DUAL STAINLESS EXHAUST TIPS, 18-INCH ALLOY WHEELS, TURN SIGNAL MIRRORS, HEATED FRONT AND REAR SEATS, AND BOTH WOOD AND MATTE FINISH INTERIOR ACCENTS.

NEW SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDE A STANDARD REAR VIEW CAMERA, THE LATEST VERSION OF EYE SIGHT, SUBARU'S REAR VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM, AND FRONT SEAT CUSHION AIR BAGS.

AN ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE IS CARRYOVER.

NEW ARE HILL HOLDER AND INCLINE START ASSIST.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 20-CITY, 27-HIGHWAY, AND 22-COMBINED WHICH WE MATCHED PERFECTLY ON REGULAR GAS.

BUT MOST BUYERS WILL GIVE UP SOME GUTS AND GO WITH THE 4-CYLINDER FOR A 25% ECONOMY GAIN AND A COMBINED RATING OF 28 MPG.

THAT MAKES FOR A REASONABLE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 11.8 BARRELS OF OIL USED AND 5.2 TONS OF CO2 EMITTED ANNUALLY.

THAT 4-CYLINDER 2.5I OUTBACK STARTS AT $25,745.

OUR 3.6R LIMITED GOES FOR 8-GRAND MORE AT $33,845.

WE THINK THE 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS RECEIVED THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF CHANGE.

IT HAS BEEN UPGRADED, SURE; BUT IT'S STILL A UNIQUE VEHICLE WITH GREAT APPEAL.

IT'S LIKELY MORE PRACTICAL THAN MOST CROSSOVERS, AND DEFINITELY MORE EFFICIENT, PERFORMING EQUALLY WELL IN DAILY COMMUTING AND WEEKEND GETAWAY DUTIES.

SO YES, AMERICANS ARE STILL BUYING WAGONS, AND MOST OF THEM ARE SUBARU OUTBACK'S.

>> JOHN: 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... >> ...WHEN WE CELEBRATE WITH THE INSANELY FUN ALFA ROMEO 4C.

WE'LL SEE IF 2 LESS DOORS ADDS TO THE CADILLAC ATS COUPE.

PLUS A QUICK SPIN IN THE ALUMINUM FORD F-150.

>> UNTIL THEN, 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.

TO ORDER A DVD OF THIS PROGRAM, CALL 1-800-873-6154.

MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY: >> KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT HIS NEXT SET OF TIRES.

IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.

BUT KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

KENNY'S THINKING, OH MAN.

OH MAN.

OH MAN, OH MAN, OH MAN.

THIS IS AWESOME.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

>> DIEHARD.

THE DIEHARD ADVANCED GOLD BATTERY.

DESIGNED TO HELP START YOUR CAR, AND POWER THE EQUIPMENT IN IT.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.

>> ANNOUNCER: THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.

BE MORE PBS.