2016 Cadillac CTS-V & ATS-V & 2016 Audi Q3

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

JOIN US AS WE GET SERIOUS ABOUT SPORT SEDANS, WITH THE CADILLAC CTS-V... PAT GOSS WITH HOW TO SPOT THAT PERFECT CLASSIC CAR FIND... ZACH MASKELL GOES OVER THE EDGE CRUISING, WITH ONE OF A KIND GEARHEADS... THEN WE'LL SEE IF THE AUDI Q3 STANDS OUT FROM THE SMALL UTILITY CROWD...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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John: NO MATTER WHERE YOUR CAR COMPANY HAILS FROM, IF YOU BUILD A SPORT SEDAN, YOU'LL ULTIMATELY GET COMPARED TO THE COMPANIES THAT HAVE DONE IT THE BEST, FOR THE LONGEST TIME...

THE GERMANS!

BMW, MERCEDES, AND VW/AUDI.

WHETHER THAT'S FAIR OR NOT, IS A TOPIC FOR ANOTHER DAY.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT A HOME GROWN CONTENDER TO PUT THROUGH ITS PACES, THE CADILLAC CTS-V!

AMERICAN CAR MAKERS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CATCH UP, AND ONE UP THE GERMAN SPORT SEDAN CONCEPT FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY.

NUMEROUS TIMES CRITICS, INCLUDING US, THOUGHT THEY GOT CLOSE.

BUT IT TOOK THE 21ST CENTURY CADILLAC BRAND TO REALLY CLOSE THE GAP, WITH THE 2016 CTS-V AIMING TO FILL IT FOR GOOD.

THE CTS-V IS THE ORIGINAL V FOR VELOCITY OF COURSE, BUT JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT MAKES IT GO FAST NOW, COMES FROM THE CHEVROLET CORVETTE; MAKING THIS ESSENTIALLY A 4-DOOR CORVETTE WITH A NICER INTERIOR.

THAT KINSHIP START NATURALLY ENOUGH UNDER THE HOOD WITH THE Z06s GLORIOUS 6.2 LITER CHUNK OF SUPERCHARGED ALUMINUM WITH PUSHRODS, PRODUCING 640 HORSEPOWER AND 630 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THE M5 AND E63 AMG DON'T EVEN COME CLOSE.

THIS THING IS CLEARLY NOT SOME MILD MANNERED PRETENDER.

JUST HEARING IT RUMBLE AT STARTUP WILL PUT FEAR INTO YOU; FLOOR IT AND ITS "OH MY GOSH" AWESOME POWER!

IT IS STILL BUILT ON THE ATS PLATFORM, BUT SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL BRACING HAD TO TAKE PLACE; AND LIKE SOME OF US AROUND HERE, HAS STIFFER JOINTS ALL AROUND.

OH YEAH, IT'S RACE CAR RIGID.

JUST AS IN SOME FRONT WHEEL DRIVE TRANSAXLES THAT FEATURE UNEQUAL HALF-SHAFTS TO PREVENT TORQUE STEER; A SIMILAR ARRANGEMENT IN THE CTS-V'S REAR, WORKS TO QUELL AXLE HOPPING ON HARD ACCELERATION.

THE RESULTS ARE, ACCORDING TO THE FACTORY, A BLISTERING 3.7 SECONDS TO 60.

THERE ARE BREMBO BRAKES OBVIOUSLY.

AND TOPPING IT OFF, GM STUFFED AS MUCH RUBBER INTO THE WHEEL WELLS AS POSSIBLE; 265/35/19 MICHELIN PILOT SUPER SPORTS IN FRONT, 295/30/19s IN BACK.

WE'VE SAID IT MANY TIMES BEFORE ABOUT V-SERIES CARS; YOU REALLY NEED TO GET THEM ON A RACE TRACK FOR FULL AFFECT.

TOOLING TO THE WINERY ON THE WEEKEND OR EVEN SLICING UP YOUR LOCAL BACK ROADS IN THIS CTS-V DOES NOT REVEAL THE TRUE STORY OF HOW COMPETENT IT IS.

SO, WE JUMPED AT THE CHANGE TO TRY IT OUT A ROAD AMERICA!

YEP, THIS CADDY IS ONE AWESOME TRACK MACHINE.

BETWEEN PERFORMANCE TRACTION MANAGEMENT AND THE POWER DISTRIBUTING ELECTRONIC LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL, YOU HAVE NO TROUBLE GETTING ALL 640 HORSES TO THE PAVEMENT WITH LITTLE CONCERN ABOUT BEING OUT OF CONTROL.

MORE POWER THAN THE GERMANS, AND BETTER USE OF IT THAN HOTRODS LIKE HELLCATS AND SHELBY'S.

AND THAT VERY LINEAR POWER DELIVERY ALSO WORKS WELL WITH THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT COMES WITH ALL CTS-Vs.

THERE'S PLENTY OF MID-RANGE MUSCLE COMING OUT OF TURNS, WITH MINIMAL WEIGHT TRANSFER THANKS TO MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL, EVEN WITH A HEFTY 4,145 POUNDS TO MANAGE.

BRAKES ARE ALL DAY LONG DURABLE.

DRIVEN HARD IT SEEMS TO MOVE AROUND ON YOU A LITTLE, BUT IT SEEMS TO CATCH ITSELF AND NEVER GET OUT OF SHAPE.

YOU KNOW THERE'S ELECTRONIC INTERVENTION HAPPENING, BUT YOU STILL FEEL IN TOTAL CONTROL.

THERE'S A MORE AGGRESSIVE LOOK TO GO ALONG WITH ALL OF THAT PERFORMANCE.

VIRTUALLY EVERY BODY PANEL IS UNIQUE AND PURPOSEFULLY DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE DOWNFORCE, MINIMIZE LIFT, OR ENHANCE COOLING.

THE AIR EXTRACTING HOOD IS MADE OF CARBON FIBER AS ARE THE FRONT SPLITTER, REAR DIFFUSER, AND SPOILER IF YOU OPT FOR THE CARBON FIBER PACKAGE.

AS FOR THE INTERIOR, THANKFULLY IT DOES NOT APPEAR LIKE IT WAS DONE ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET; JUST AN ENHANCED PERFORMANCE FEEL THANKS TO SUEDED MATERIALS, PERFORMANCE SEATS, HEAD UP DISPLAY, AND OF COURSE THE CORVETTES' PERFORMANCE DATA RECORDER.

AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, IT DOESN'T FEEL ANY LESS CADILLAC WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING SANELY.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 14-CITY, 21-HIGHWAY, AND 17-COMBINED.

SO THERE IS A GAS GUZZLER TAX.

BASE PRICE IS $85,990.

AND IF THAT'S TOO MUCH, DON'T FORGET THAT THIS BIG V HAS A LITTLE BROTHER ATS-V WHICH PACKS ALMOST AS MUCH PERFORMANCE FOR $61,460.

NOW, WE KNOW THAT MANY SPORT SEDAN AFICIONADOS WILL NEVER BE CONVINCED THAT A 4-DOOR DESIGNED ANYWHERE BUT GERMANY IS WORTH A SECOND LOOK.

BUT IF YOU HAVE AN OPEN MIND, THEN YOU'LL SEE WHERE WE'RE COMING FROM WHEN WE SAY THAT HANDS DOWN, THE 2016 CADILLAC CTS-V BEATS ALL COMERS IN THE TRADITIONAL EUROPEAN SPORT SEDAN CATEGORY IN EVERY WAY!

AND WE'RE JUST ECSTATIC TO BE ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND WHERE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS ARE POPPING UP AT PLACES LIKE THE T.F.

GREEN AIRPORT, AND THE RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL.

FIFTY EV CHARGERS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED SINCE RHODE ISLAND'S EV INITIATIVE GOT ITS FIRST CHARGE IN 2013.

THE GOAL IS A FREE STATEWIDE CHARGING NETWORK THAT WILL ALSO HELP MAKE REGIONAL EV TRAVEL CONVENIENT.

Marion Gold: WE'RE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH STATES UP AND DOWN THE EASTERN SEABOARD AND UP INTO CANADA TO SET UP A CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO THAT PEOPLE CAN DRIVE FROM RHODE ISLAND ALL THE WAY UP TO QUEBEC AND BE ABLE TO CHARGE THEIR VEHICLES AS THEY GO.

John: THE FEDERALLY FUNDED CHARGING STATIONS ARE OWNED AND MAINTAINED BY ENERGY SUPPLIER NATIONAL GRID, WHO WORKED THROUGH THE OCEAN STATE CLEAN CITIES COALITION TO IDENTIFY IDEAL CHARGING STATION SITES.

ALL TO HELP RHODE ISLAND PLUG-IN TO THE EV HIGHWAY FAST LANE.

BUYING A NEW CAR IS A GOOD WAY TO HELP ENSURE YOU DON'T BREAK DOWN ON YOUR NEXT ROAD TRIP.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT?

THAT JUST DOESN'T CUT IT FOR FOLKS YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE NEXT.

TIME NOW TO GO CRUISIN' OVER THE EDGE WITH ZACH MASKELL, AS HE JOINS TROOPS OF GREASE MONKEYS, IN TAKING OVER OUR FAVORITE OCEAN SIDE RESORT.

Zach Maskell: IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE TO DO SOMETHING EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE... MIGHT THIS BE IT?

I'M A BIG FAN OF PEACE AND RELAXATION.

HOWEVER, AS YOU MIGHT GUESS I'M ALSO LOVE, IN YOUR FACE ACTION.

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU WE FOUND A PLACE THAT COMBINES ALL THOSE THINGS TOGETHER.

IT'S NO UTOPIA...

IT'S OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND.

MY ONLY GRIPE WITH IT IS THAT THIS ONLY LASTS ONE WEEK!

THIS IS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF CRUISIN' OCEAN CITY, OR "CRUISIN' WEEK."

BEING ONE OF THE BIGGEST SHOWS ON THE EAST COAST, OVER 3,500 CARS ARE ON DISPLAY, WITH THOUSANDS MORE JUST SHOWING UP.

HOT RODS... CUSTOMS... STREET MACHINES...

ANYTHING 1974 AND OLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR A TROPHY.

Tommy Sims: WE'LL BE HERE FOR AS LONG AS THEY HAVE IT.

AND IF THEY MOVE IT FROM HERE, WE'LL GO WHEREVER THEY GO.

Zach: THIS COUPLE HASN'T MISSED A YEAR SINCE THE BEGINNING.

Woman: I LIKE THE OCEAN MYSELF.

[LAUGHS] I COME FOR THE OCEAN.

Ryan Herbert: SO, IT STARTED IN 1991 WITH MY FATHER-IN-LAW, JACK HANNON AND HE HAD A RADIO SHOW THAT HE WAS DOING AND HE WANTED TO BRING THE CAR SHOW HE WAS DOING FOR THE RADIO SHOW TO OCEAN CITY.

Zach: LITTLE DID HE KNOW THIS WOULD BECOME ONE OF THE SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS FOR SO MANY.

Colin Rock: AND I ACTUALLY, JUST TALKED TO SOMEBODY WHO DROVE ALL THE WAY FROM COLORADO.

WHICH IS AWESOME THAT PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE U.S. TO SEE THIS EVENT WHICH IS STILL ONE OF MY FAVORITE ONES OF THE YEAR.

Zach: YOU'VE GOT THE MAIN SHOW AT THE INLET... OTHER SATELLITE SHOWS... ALL SORTS OF VEHICLES CRUISING THE STRIP... AND ACTION INSIDE THE CONVENTION CENTER...

I GAVE MY BEST SHOT AT AUCTIONEERING GIBBERISH... THEN CHECKED OUT THE SWEET MEMORABILIA AND CARS UP FOR GRABS.

THAT'S WHERE WE FOUND A YOUNG CRUISER, LOOKING FOR SOME INSPIRATION.

Young Cruiser: WELL, IN ONLY A FEW YEARS I'LL HAVE MY VERY OWN CAMARO.

Zach: AND WE BUMPED INTO SOMEONE ELSE HANGING OUT.

CHRISTIE BRIMBERRY OF FAST N' LOUD WAS STROLLING AROUND THE SHOW, POSING WITH CARS AND SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS.

Christy Brimberry: THIS IS OUR FIRST TRIP TO THE EAST COAST.

IT'S BEEN FANTASTIC.

WE DEFINITELY WILL BE BACK OUT HERE AGAIN.

Zach: WELL, IT WAS TIME TO RELAX, AND JUST SIT AND ADMIRE THE SHOW CARS MOVING JUST A FEW INCHES ABOVE THE SAND.

IF THIS WAS THE CASE EVERYDAY, I MAY BE LOOKING FOR SOME BEACHFRONT PROPERTY.

Tommy Sims: LOOK AT THE CARS.

THE CROWD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS STAND BACK AND LOOK AT THE CARS AND LOOK AT THE WORKMANSHIP INTO THESE VEHICLES.

Zach: SOME WERE ALREADY IN OVERDRIVE, PLANNING AHEAD FOR THE NEXT SHOW.

Nicole Frod: I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR WHEN I CAN DRIVE MY OWN CAR AND EVERYONE CAN SEE THAT A GIRL... CAN DRIVE TOO.

Zach: AH, THE BEAUTY OF CAR SHOWS.

CAN YOU SAY CONTAGIOUS?

AND THE COOLEST PART ABOUT OCEAN CITY, IS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE COME AND GO, YOU'LL RARELY SEE THE SAME STUFF!

Woman: EVERY DAY WE SEE SOMETHING WE DIDN'T SEE THE DAY BEFORE.

Zach: VENDORS, AUCTIONS, CELEBRITIES, BANDS, AND SO MUCH MORE.

IF YOU CLAIM TO BE AN AUTO ENTHUSIAST AND ARE REMOTELY CLOSE TO THIS BEACH TOWN; I DON'T KNOW HOW ON EARTH YOU'VE BEEN MISSING IT.

LUCKILY, IT'S BACK AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

SO IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU HAVE A COMPLETELY RESTORED CAR, COMPLETELY ORIGINAL, OR FULLY BUILT, BRING IT TO CRUISING WEEKEND AND YOU'LL GET ALONG WITH ANYBODY ELSE WITH A HOT ROD.

* John: BUT THE REAL TREAT ABOUT THE TOURING COUPE PACKAGE IS WHAT YOU CAN'T SEE.

CADILLAC'S TOURING SUSPENSION SYSTEM INCLUDES LARGER FRONT AND REAR ANTI-SWAY BARS, HIGH EFFORT BALL-TYPE STEERING, STIFFER SPRINGS, AND MORE RESPONSIVE SHOCK VALVING.

AND ALL OF IT WORKS WONDERS.

AN AVERAGE SPEED THROUGH OUR SLOW SLALOM OF 43.7 MILES PER HOUR RATES GOOD FOR ANY CAR, AND BETTER THAN MOST.

THERE'S STILL LOTS OF BODY ROLL, BUT STEERING IS QUICK AND PRECISE, WITH LITTLE PLOW.

IF YOU REMEMBER THAT THE EL DO' IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, YOU'RE EVEN MORE IMPRESSED.

SEEING CLASSIC CARS ON THE ROAD IS ONE THING, BUT BUYING YOUR OWN REQUIRES SOME EXPERT ADVICE.

SO HERE'S OUR EXPERT, PAT GOSS!

Pat Goss: FOR ALL OF YOU WHO WANT TO BUY AN OLDER OR A COLLECTIBLE CAR, THERE'S A LOT MORE TO IT THAN MEETS THE EYE.

SHINY PAINT MAY NOT BE THE ANSWER.

AND TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS, WE HAVE TONY FLEMING, WHO IS AN EXPERT IN ALL OF THIS.

TONY, WE'VE GOT TWO CARS HERE.

ONE IS THIS CORVETTE, WHICH IS A WONDERFUL CAR.

AND I DON'T KNOW OF ANYTHING THAT'S WRONG WITH IT.

THEN WE HAVE YOUR MERCEDES, WHICH LOOKS WONDERFUL, BUT... Tony Fleming: YOU KNOW, IT IS SHINY.

AND THAT REALLY IS THE KEY: TO MAKING SURE THAT YOU REALLY GET AN EXPERT TO LOOK AT THE CAR.

BECAUSE IF THE PAINT WASN'T SHINY, AND IT WAS A LITTLE TIRED LOOKING, YOU'D BE MORE SUSPECT, WOULD YOU NOT?

Pat: OH, ABSOLUTELY.

Tony: AND I WAS THE SAME WAY.

AND I FEEL THAT, NOT THAT I'M AN EXPERT, BUT I'VE BOUGHT SOMEWHERE AROUND 3,000 PLUS OF THESE CARS, AND I MISSED SOME SERIOUS SPOTS ON THIS CAR BECAUSE I OVERLOOKED.

IT HAD SHINY PAINT, IT HAD A NEW INTERIOR, IT HAD A NEW TOP.

TO ME, IT SAYS, "WOW, THIS IS A REALLY GREAT CAR."

AND IT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE.

PAT: OKAY.

SO, YOU LOOKED AT THIS SITTING ON THE GROUND WHICH IS AN ABSOLUTE NO-NO.

Tony: THAT IS FOR SURE.

EVERYBODY NEEDS TO KNOW THAT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN A CAR, AND THE WAY IT FUNCTIONS, REALLY IS FROM THE BOTTOM UP.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN MAKE ANYTHING SHINY.

I GUESS THEY'D SAY, "YOU CAN SHINE A PIG," RIGHT?

BUT HERE, THE UNDERNEATH OF IT LOOKS GOOD TOO?

BUT THEN I THINK IF YOU LOOK HERE, AND A LITTLE FURTHER, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, IT'S NOT AS NICE.

Pat: LET'S RAISE THIS UP, AND SEE WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, HERE... ALRIGHT TONY, NOW THAT WE'VE GOT THE CAR UP IN THE AIR, AH, SHOW ME WHAT YOU SAW UNDER THIS CAR.

Tony: SO HERE'S WHAT I'M SEEING.

I'M SAYING, "OKAY, HERE ARE THE NICE PIECES INSIDE HERE, THE RIBS YOU CAN SEE, THE EXHAUST IS NICE AND SHINY; SILVER PAINT RIGHT HERE."

SO I SAY, "YOU KNOW WHAT?

SHINY PAINT OUTSIDE, NICE LOOKING UNDERNEATH HERE.

WHAT A GREAT CAR."

Pat: OKAY, BUT WHAT DIDN'T YOU SEE?

Tony: WELL, WHAT I DIDN'T SEE WAS THIS UGLINESS UP HERE.

THE CAR WAS ON THE GROUND, SO THE WHEELS ARE A LITTLE BIGGER THAN THE STOCK ONES, SO IT HID ALL OF THIS ROT THAT WAS UP THERE.

NOW, WHAT WE'LL HAVE TO DO IS COMPLETELY CUT ALL OF THIS OUT, RE-WELD IT ALL BACK IN, IT'S, A BIG JOB.

Pat: OKAY, BUT IT'LL BE A NICE CAR WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH IT.

Tony: WHOEVER GETS THE CAR IS GOING TO GET A GREAT CAR.

Pat: YEAH!

Tony: YEAH!

Pat: OKAY, BUT THE MORAL TO ALL OF THIS IS, EVEN THE EXPERTS CAN BE FOOLED.

SO, IF YOU'RE A NEOPHYTE IN THIS, YOU COULD REALLY BE FOOLED.

Tony: THAT'S FOR SURE.

AND ON TOP OF IT, YOU'RE A RETAIL CUSTOMER... LIKE, WE CAN DO THIS FOR A LOT LESS THAN ANYONE ELSE CAN DO IT, BECAUSE IT'S WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY.

BUT IF YOU BOUGHT THIS CAR THINKING YOU GOT THIS GREAT DEAL, AND THEN YOU FOUND THIS OUT AND HAD TO GO AND GET IT DONE SOMEWHERE, IT COULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE.

Pat: OKAY, THANK YOU TONY.

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

John: WE CAN ALL AEE THAT SOME CARS ARE WORKS OF ART.

AND WE CAN ALSO AGREE THAT SOME WORKS OF ART ARE ABOUT CARS.

THIS COLLISION OF ART AND THE AUTOMOBILE IS NEVER MORE APPARENT THAN IN THE ART OF THE CAR PHOTO BOOK, WITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOB PAULDING.

YOU WON'T SEE ANY BEAUTY SHOTS OF COMPLETE CARS HERE, JUST PAGES AND PAGES OF ARTFUL COMPOSITIONS OF THE LOUVRE'S AND LOGOS... ...TRIMS AND TAILFINS...

...WHEELS AND WIRE... AND EVEN THE INEVITABLE RUST... THAT MAKE CARS WHAT THEY ARE, AND KEEP US STARING IN WONDER.

SO, WHETHER YOU APPRECIATE FINE PHOTOGRAPHY OR FINE AUTOMOBILES, THIS BOOK IS A MUST SEE... MUST READ.

LET'S GET A GLIMPSE OF SOMETHING NEW ON THE ROAD, WITH MORE QUICKSPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS... LEXUS, NOW A MAKER OF HOVERBOARDS, HASN'T FORGOTTEN ABOUT THEIR BETTER KNOWN CARS AND SUVs.

SO WHILE WE'RE STILL WAITING ON OUR FIRST RIDE ON THEIR FUTURE BOARD, WE ACCEPTED THEIR INVITE TO TRY THE NEW 2016 LEXUS RX IN DOWN TO EARTH PORTLAND, OREGON.

AS THE BRANDS MOST POPULAR MODEL, IT'S A LITTLE SURPRISING THAT THEY WENT ALL IN WITH THE ULTRA AGGRESSIVE STYLING OF THE SMALLER, NICHEIER NX.

BUT THE RX TAKES ALL THOSE SHARP ANGLES AND CREASES, AND UPS THE INTENSITY.

THERE'S ALSO A LITTLE NISSAN MURANO THROWN IN WITH A FLOATING ROOF DESIGN AND BLACKED OUT D PILLARS.

THE INTERIOR ALSO SEES A MAJOR UPDATE, AND IN LINE WITH THEIR OTHER NEW OFFERINGS, IS A GREAT EXERCISE IN SLEEK AND SIMPLISTIC DESIGN.

THE DASH-MOUNTED CENTER SCREEN IS LARGE, ALMOST HOME THEATER LARGE WHEN OPTIONED UP TO THE 12.3 INCH SIZE.

LEXUS, THOUGH, DIDN'T MESS TOO MUCH WITH THE GOOD THINGS THEY ALREADY HAD GOING... Ben Davis: THERE'S A VERY LOYAL MARKET FOR THE RX, SO LEXUS WAS EXTRA CAREFUL NOT TO DRAMATICALLY MODIFY INTERIOR DIMENSIONS, OR RESTYLE FAMILIAR CONTROLS IN A WAY THAT WOULD UPSET THEIR LARGE GROUPS OF REPEAT BUYERS.

John: A CARRYOVER 3.5 LITER V6 SITS UNDER HOOD, BUT ADDS POWER FOR A 295 HORSEPOWER RATING.

THE ALSO RETURNING 450H HYBRID HAS AN ATKINSON CYCLE 3.5 V6, THAT IN CONJUNCTION WITH ELECTRICS MOTOR/ GENERATORS OUTPUTS 308 HP.

ALL WHEEL DRIVE IS OPTIONAL ON BOTH POWERTRAINS.

AS IS AN ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT ELECTRONICALLY ADJUSTS THE DAMPERS, AIDING RIDE QUALITY, AND PUSHING IT TO A GREATER LEVEL OF REFINEMENT, MORE BEFITTING A LEXUS.

ON SALE SOON, THE 2016 LEXUS RX WILL START AT JUST OVER $40,000.

HYBRID, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, AND F SPORT ADDITIONS WILL MAKE THAT CLIMB EVER HIGHER.

IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, AMERICAN ROADS ARE BEING LITERALLY OVERRUN WITH TALL, EUROPEAN STYLE DELIVERY VANS.

NOW, THE COMPANY THAT STARTED THE TREND, MERCEDES-BENZ, IS ADDING TO ITS NORTH AMERICAN OFFERINGS WITH THE MID-SIZE METRIS.

METRIS HOPE TO BUILD ON THE REPUTATION OF GREAT DURABILITY AND DEPENDABILITY OF ITS BIG BROTHER SPRINTER, BUT WITH A SHAPE THAT IS MORE MINIVAN THAN TOP HEAVY BOX.

IT DOES SHARE FRONT END RESEMBLANCE WITH SPRINTER, AND INSIDE IT IS STILL ALL BUSINESS WITH HARD PLASTICS, BIG KNOBS AND BUTTONS, AND LITTLE BRIGHTWORK.

BUT THE CLOTH FRONT SEATS DO GIVE ALL DAY LONG COMFORT.

AND THE BEEFY STEERING WHEEL LENDS SPORT SEDAN CONFIDENCE TO YOUR DRIVING.

WORKING BACK, THE CAVERNOUS BELLY OF THE METRIS CAN BE OPTIONED INTO A NO-FRILL PASSENGER VAN WITH TOTAL ROOM FOR SEVEN, OR EIGHT, OR LEFT EMPTY FOR HAULING CARGO.

IN EUROPE NEAR LUXURY LIMO MODELS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.

186 CUBIC FEET IS THE MAX CARGO ROOM, WITH JUST UNDER 5,000 POUND TOW CAPACITY, AND 2,500 POUND PAYLOAD CAPACITY.

THESE ARE THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER TO MOST BUYERS.

OTHER IMPORTANT ONES, 208 HORSEPOWER AND 258 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

PLENTY FOR HAULING, JUST DON'T EXPECT TO DO IT IN RECORD TIME.

THE 2.0 LITER I4 RUNS ON GAS, NOT DIESEL, AND SENDS POWER TO THE REAR WHEELS THROUGH A 7-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

ON SALE SOON, THE 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS WILL START AROUND $30,000 WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF CONFIGURATIONS.

AND WE'LL GRAB MORE QUICKSPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS, SOON!

THOUGH THEY HAVEN'T BEEN AROUND ALL THAT LONG, THE RAPID POPULARITY AND GROWTH OF CAR BASE CROSSOVER UTILITIES HAS BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING.

WITH EVERY TYPE OF BRAND, INCLUDING ULTRA LUXURY AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE, WANTING A PIECE OF THE ACTION.

WHAT'S TRENDING RIGHT NOW IS THE MOVE TO MAKE LUXURY UTEs EVER SMALLER.

AND THAT'S JUST WHERE THIS AUDI Q3 FITS IN.

IT HAS BEEN HARD TO KEEP UP WITH THE ALMOST OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF NEW, SMALL LUXURY CROSSOVERS OF LATE.

SO THAT'S OUR EXCUSE FOR JUST NOW GETTING AROUND TO A FULL TEST OF THIS 2016 AUDI Q3, WHICH ACTUALLY STARTED ARRIVING HERE AT THE END OF THE 2015 MODEL YEAR.

SOME MAY BE TURNED OFF BY THE Q3s INTERIOR.

COMPARED TO THE X1, GLA, AND EVEN THE LEXUS NX, IT IS A BIT SMALLER.

YOU SURE FEEL LIKE SPACE UP FRONT IS AT A PREMIUM AND THAT YOU SIT TOO CLOSE THE PASSENGER BESIDE YOU.

PLUS THOSE SEATS ARE A LITTLE HARD.

ALSO THE DULL LOOKING DASH AND DOOR MATERIALS DON'T LIVE UP TO THE LOFTY AUDI HEIGHTS WE'RE USED TO; CAPPED OFF BY A BARGAIN BASEMENT SOUNDING AUDIO.

BUT SOME PERSPECTIVE IS IN ORDER, AS WE'RE TALKING A SUB $40,000 AUDI HERE.

ON THE PLUS SIDE, THE LAYOUT IS HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, AND EVERYTHING WORKS LIKE A CHARM, AND THE DASH TOP LOCATION OF THE NAVIGATION DISPLAY IS PERFECT.

AND AT LEAST THERE'S A STANDARD BACK-UP CAMERA.

COSTLIER RIVALS OFTEN MAKE THAT AN OPTION.

REAR SEAT SPACE IS MORE ON PAR FOR THE CLASS, WITH GOOD HEAD AND ACCEPTABLE LEGROOM.

CARGO SPACE IS QUITE GOOD TOO AT 16.7 CUBIC-FEET SEATS UP, AND 48.2 SEATS DOWN.

THE CARGO AREA IS WELL APPOINTED AND A POWER LIFT GATE IS OPTIONAL.

THE Q3 STARTS TO MAKE EVEN MORE SENSE ONCE YOU GET UNDERWAY.

THERE'S A HIGH SEATING POSITION AND THE Q3'S EXTREMELY STABLE RIDE QUALITY HAS IT FEELING MORE LIKE A REAL MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLE.

MOST OTHERS IN THIS SEGMENT REMIND US MORE OF BLOATED HATCHBACKS.

PLUS, HANDLING IS STILL AUDI GREAT, BUMPS ARE SOAKED UP WELL, AND ALL IN ALL IT'S VERY COMFORTABLE AND ENJOYABLE DRIVE.

POWER COMES FROM VOLKSWAGEN'S LATEST 2.0 LITER I4 TURBO, NOW DELIVERING 200 HORSEPOWER WITH 207 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

IT'S SIMPLY A GREAT MOTOR!

ATTACHED TO IT IS A 6-SPEED TIPTRONIC AUTOMATIC, AND QUATTRO ALL WHEEL DRIVE SHOULD YOU SO CHOOSE.

AT THE TEST TRACK, OUR QUATTRO-ASSISTED Q3 SPRANG TO 60 IN A FINE 7.7 SECONDS.

THERE IS A HINT OF TURBO LAG, AS THINGS GET MUCH MORE INTERESTING ONCE YOU GET ROLLING; THOUGH SMOOTH AND LAZY SHIFTING KEPT QUARTER MILE TIMES TO 16.1 SECONDS AT 89 MILES PER HOUR.

THROUGH THE CONES, THE TIGUAN-BASED Q3 FELT LIGHT, TOSSABLE, AND PLENTY NIMBLE.

AND THAT WILL ONLY GET BETTER WITH NEXT GEN, WHICH WE ASSUME WILL USE VW'S MQB ARCHITECTURE; AND THAT WON'T BE THAT FAR OFF AS THIS Q3 DEBUTED IN EUROPE FOR 2012.

BODY ROLL IS MINIMAL, WHILE THE ELECTRIC ASSISTED STEERING IS QUICK, LIGHT, AND DIRECT; BUT OFFERS LITTLE FEEL.

ON THE BRAKING FRONT, WE AVERAGED A SHORT 115 FOOT STOPPING DISTANCE FROM 60, WITH A NICE FIRM PEDAL EVEN THOUGH ABS NOISE WAS FAIRLY PRONOUNCED.

Q3 STYLING IS QUITE ATTRACTIVE FOR A SMALL UTE, LOOKING EVERY BIT A PART OF THE AUDI CLAN WITH AN AGGRESSIVE FRONT AND SLANTED REAR.

ANOTHER BONUS IS THAT A PANORAMIC SUNROOF COMES STANDARD.

IT ALSO COMES EQUIPPED WITH 18-INCH WHEELS, SATIN FINISH ROOF RAILS, A REAR SPOILER, TWIN CHROME EXHAUST TIPS, AND LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE MORE IN LINE WITH SUVs AS WELL, 20-CITY, 28-HIGHWAY, AND 23-COMBINED.

WE CONSIDER OUR AVERAGE OF 24.8 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM GOOD, BUT NOT STELLAR FOR A 4-BANGER.

STILL, THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE RATES AVERAGE AT 14.3 BARRELS OF ANNUAL OIL USE WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 6.4 TONS.

PRICING STARTS AT A REASONABLE $34,625.

OUR PREMIUM PLUS QUATTRO TESTER, AT $36,725.

THERE'S MUCH TO LIKE ABOUT THE 2016 AUDI Q3.

IT MAY NOT BE OUR FAVORITE SMALL, LUXURY CROSSOVER, BUT EXCEPT FOR SOME INTERIOR SHORTCOMINGS, IT'S A FINE CANDIDATE.

WELL EQUIPPED FROM THE GET GO, SUBSTANTIAL IN FEEL, YET WITH THE EXCELLENT ROAD MANNERS AUDI IS KNOWN FOR.

IF THAT FITS YOUR CROSSOVER WISH LIST, THEN THIS Q IS FOR YOU.

WELL, THAT OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.

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, FOR OUR VERSION OF A FAMILY FEUD, AS WE SORT THROUGH TODAY'S TOP MINIVANS.

THEN STEP OUR GAME UP IN THE BMW X5 M. 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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Annoucer: THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.

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