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

JOIN US AS WE GO HANDS ON WITH A HANDS OFF CADILLAC, AND PLUG INTO THE HIGH TECH CT6... PAT GOSS HAS ADVICE ON ADDING MORE MILES TO YOUR TREADS... LAUREN MORRISON GETS A RARE THRILL IN AN EVEN RARER CAR... AND HONDA ADDS POWER, ROOM, AND REFINEMENT TO THE RELIABLE ACCORD...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... Announcer: TIRE RACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

Woman: OH, COME ON.

HOT, HOT, HOT.

Announcer: THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR KIND OF VEHICLE.

Woman: JUST A BOTTLE OF WATER.

Announcer: TIRERACK.COM.

HUM IS THE CONNECTED CAR SYSTEM THAT ASSISTS AND EMPOWERS DRIVERS TO HELP THEM BE PREPARED FOR THE ROAD AHEAD, SO THEY CAN GET WHERE THEY'RE GOING.

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.

AUTOTEMPEST.COM, WHERE YOU CAN COMPARE USED CAR LISTINGS FROM SITES ACROSS THE WEB.

STATE FARM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

WEATHERTECH DIGITAL FIT FLOOR LINERS OFFER LASER MEASURED, CUSTOM FIT, VEHICLE FLOOR PROTECTION IN THE FRONT, BACK, AND UP THE SIDES.

WEATHERTECH.

MADE IN AMERICA.

John: YOU MAY NOT SEE TOO MANY CADILLAC CT6s ON YOUR DAILY COMMUTE, AND THAT'S OKAY WITH CADILLAC, AS THEIR FLAGSHIP SEDAN IS INTENDED AS AN ASPIRATIONAL SHOWCASE OF THE BRAND'S DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY.

AND THERE ARE SOME NEW OPTIONS FOR THE CT6, BOTH HEAVY ON THE TECHNOLOGY SIDE.

SO IT'S TIME TO CHECK THEM OUT WITH SOME HANDS ON, HANDS OFF DRIVING.

* THE CADILLAC CT6 ARRIVED JUST TWO YEARS AGO, AND WE KNEW THEN, THAT THIS 2018 CHINESE-ASSEMBLED PLUG-IN HYBRID WAS ALSO, PART OF THE PLAN.

ITS 18.4 KWH BATTERY PACK IS FAIRLY SIZABLE FOR THE PLUG-IN HYBRID BREED, GETTING YOU OVER 30 MILES OF EV RANGE; PLENTY FOR MOST PEOPLE TO GET TO WORK IN THE MORNING.

REAR-WHEEL DRIVE ONLY, THE ELECTRIC VARIABLE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FEATURES TWO ELECTRIC MOTORS VERY EFFICIENTLY PACKAGED INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION, ALONG WITH THREE GEAR SETS.

IT'S PAIRED WITH A 2.0 LITER TURBO I4, MAKING A TOTAL OUTPUT OF 335 HORSEPOWER AND 432 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

[TIRES SCREECHING] IT ALL WORKED TOGETHER EFFORTLESSLY FROM 0 TO 60 IN 5.6 SECONDS, JUST 2/10THS OFF OUR TIME IN THE TWIN-TURBO V6 CT6.

AS FOR FUEL ECONOMY PERFORMANCE, THE GOVERNMENT'S COMBINED RATING IS 62 MPGE.

WITH A FULL CHARGE, WE DROVE THIS PHEV ON A LONG WEEKEND UNPLUGGED, AND STILL ACHIEVED 31.0 MILES PER GALLON ON PREMIUM; COMPARED TO THE 22.3 MILES PER GALLON, WE SAW FOR THAT TWIN-TURBO V6.

AND IT MAKES FOR A VERY GOOD ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF JUST 5.6 BARRELS OF YEARLY PETROLEUM USE, ALONG WITH 2.4 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS.

NOW, "PLUGGING IN" IS NOT ALL THAT'S NEW ON THE CT6 TECHNOLOGY FRONT.

THOSE OF YOU WANTING TO "DROP OUT" MAY BE INTERESTED IN CADILLAC'S NEW SUPER CRUISE SEMI-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING SYSTEM.

CADILLAC CALLS SUPER CRUISE "THE WORLD'S FIRST, TRUE HANDS-OFF DRIVING SYSTEM FOR FREEWAYS."

THAT'S BECAUSE IT WILL ONLY WORK ON INTERSTATE-STYLE, CONTROLLED ACCESS HIGHWAYS THAT ARE ALREADY MAPPED INTO THE SYSTEM.

TO ENGAGE SUPER CRUISE, YOU FIRST SET THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, AND THEN IF THE CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT, LIKE YOU'RE CENTERED IN YOUR LANE AND ITS DRY WEATHER, YOU'LL GET A WHITE SYMBOL ON THE DASH.

AT THAT POINT, HIT THE SUPER CRUISE BUTTON.

THAT SYMBOL, ALONG WITH THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TURN GREEN.

AND SOMETIMES, IT TOOK A COUPLE OF TRIES TO GET IT TO ENGAGE.

BUT ONCE ALL THAT HAPPENS, YOU CAN TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL AND PUT THEM IN YOUR LAP.

THE SYSTEM DOES THE STEERING COMPLETELY WITHOUT YOU.

NO WARNING LIGHTS OR BUZZER TO TELL YOU TO PUT YOUR HAND ON THE WHEEL OR ELSE.

THERE IS SOME SLIGHT PIN-PONGING LIKE ALL OTHER SEMI-AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS WE'VE TRIED, BUT NOT MUCH.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IT WILL NOT CHANGE LANES OR AUTOMATICALLY MOVE OVER FOR CONSTRUCTION LIKE SOME RIVAL SYSTEMS CLAIM.

ON A CURVE, YOU DO FEEL LIKE YOU ARE HUGGING THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LANE, AND THAT CAN BE A LITTLE ALARMING WHEN SOMEONE PASSES YOU ON THAT SIDE.

BUT, OVERALL I FOUND SUPER CRUISE HANDLED CURVED INTERSTATES IN TRAFFIC VERY WELL, AND DID ALLOW ME TO RELAX, IF JUST A LITTLE, BUT FAR MORE THAN SEMI-AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS WHERE YOUR HANDS HAVE TO CONSTANTLY BE TOUCHING THE WHEEL.

JUST LIKE REGULAR CRUISE CONTROL ALLOWS YOU TO RELAX YOUR RIGHT FOOT FOR A BIT, SUPER CRUISE DOES THE SAME FOR YOUR HANDS.

BUT, LOOK AWAY FROM THE ROAD TOO MUCH, OR DOWN AT YOUR PHONE, AND A CAMERA ALERTS THE SYSTEM, WHICH FIRST PROMPTS YOU WITH LIGHTS AND VIBRATIONS, AND THEN IF YOU IGNORE IT, SHUTS DOWN.

THIS IS THE FIRST SEMI-AUTONOMOUS SYSTEM THAT I'VE DRIVEN, THAT DIDN'T DISAPPOINT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT OVER PROMISE, AND YOU REALLY CAN DRIVE HANDS FREE FOR LONG DISTANCES.

I DROVE IT 70 MILES AN HOUR ON OPEN INTERSTATE FOR OVER A HALF AN HOUR AND DID IT WITH MINIMAL FEAR.

INDEED, SUPER CRUISE IS EXACTLY WHAT CADILLAC SAYS IT IS, "A SUPERIOR CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM."

SUPER CRUISE IS PART OF A $5,000 PACKAGE ADDED TO PREMIUM TRIM, OR STANDARD WITH TOP PLATINUM, WHICH STARTS AT $85,290.

THERE IS ONLY ONE TRIM CHOICE WHEN BUYING THE PLUG-IN.

IT IS VERY WELL-EQUIPPED AT $76,090.

IT'S HARD NOT TO BE IMPRESSED WITH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT GM HAS PACKED INTO THE 2018 CADILLAC CT6.

AS WITH THE CHEVROLET VOLT AND BOLT EV, THE CT6 PHEV IS AHEAD OF THE CURVE IN AFFORDABILITY FOR EV-BASED LUXURY.

AND NOW, BY PLUNGING INTO THE AUTONOMOUS DRIVING POOL WITH SUPER CRUISE, THEY'RE MAKING QUITE A SPLASH THERE AS WELL.

ALL MAKING THE CT6 A WORTHY TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE OF WHAT GM AND AMERICA ARE CAPABLE OF.

* * Fred Simeone: MY DEFINITION OF A SUCCESSFUL MUSEUM EXPERIENCE IS WHEN YOU LEAVE THAT EXIT DOOR WITH MORE UP HERE AND HERE, THAN YOU CAME IN WITH.

SO, IT'S ABOUT EDUCATION.

IT'S ABOUT LEARNING, AND HOPEFULLY, AND THIS IS EVERY COLLECTOR'S DREAM, CONVEYING THE PASSION THAT YOU HAVE ON TO SOMEONE ELSE.

EVERYONE KNOWS MUSEUMS ARE MEANT TO EDUCATE, WHICH IS WHAT WE DO, AND MOST MUSEUMS INTERPRET, WHICH IS ONE OF THE THREE PRINCIPAL RULES OF A MUSEUM.

BUT ONE OF THE FIRST, IS PRESERVE... NOT ENOUGH AMERICAN CAR MUSEUMS, OR MUSEUMS ANYWHERE, ARE INTERESTED IN PRESERVATION.

WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A LESSON IN PRESERVATION, WHICH WE CAN TELL SIMULTANEOUSLY, WHILE DESCRIBING THESE GREAT RACING SPORTS CARS.

Lauren Morrison: THE 1964 SHELBY COBRA DAYTONA COUPE BECAME A SPORTS CAR RACING ICON IN A SHORT BUT ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER, CAPPED OFF BY WINNING THE 1965 GT WORLD SPORTS CAR CHAMPIONSHIP, BREAKING A DECADE-LONG STREAK OF DOMINANCE BY FERRARI AND BRINGING THAT TITLE TO AMERICA FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THE FIRST OF THE SIX DAYTONA COUPES, AND THE ONLY ONE MADE ENTIRELY IN AMERICA, NOW RESIDES AT THE SIMEONE FOUNDATION AUTO MUSEUM IN PHILADELPHIA, WHERE IT HIGHLIGHTS A COLLECTION HONORING THE SPIRIT OF COMPETITION.

PETER BROCK'S BEAUTIFUL AND AERODYNAMIC BODYWORK WAS CREATED IN JUST TWO MONTHS, BUT IN TESTING DELIVERED A TOP SPEED 20 MILES PER HOUR FASTER THAN THE COBRA ROADSTER.

THIS PARTICULAR CAR WENT ON TO SOLIDIFY THE DAYTONA'S LEGACY, AT THE BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS IN 1965, WHERE AN IMPROMPTU TEST SESSION NETTED 23 INTERNATIONAL SPEED ENDURANCE RECORDS.

LAND SPEED RECORD HOLDER CRAIG BREEDLOVE, LAPPED THE SALT FOR 12 HOURS AT TOP SPEED, AVERAGING 150 MILES PER HOUR, INCLUDING PIT STOPS!

HE RECALLS THE EXCITEMENT AND THE CASUAL NATURE OF THAT RECORD-SETTING PERFORMANCE.

Craig Breedlove: SHELBY SENT THE CAR UP WITH A MECHANIC AND WE UNLOADED IT AND GOT SOME 55 GALLON BARRELS OUT THERE, AND HAND PUMPS, AND UM, WE WENT ON THE 10 MILE CIRCLE, WHICH IS DEAD FLAT ON THE SALT.

IT'S PRETTY SLIPPERY, AND IT BREAKS THROUGH FAIRLY SOON INTO THE MUD, SO YOU'VE GOT A FAIRLY GOOD SECTION WHERE IT'S REALLY A LOT OF FUN TO DRIVE IT...

SO WE WERE RUNNING, I DON'T KNOW, 160 OR 70, YOU KNOW, FOR THE SPEED... AND THEN, WE'D SLOW WAY DOWN FROM FUELING IT BY HAND [LAUGHS] IN BETWEEN THE STOPS!

YOU JUST PUT THE CAR IN A DRIFT, AND KEEP STEERING INTO THE SLIDE AND RECOVER IT, AND FEATHER IT WHERE NECESSARY, AND SO ON AND SO FORTH...

IF IT STARTS TO COME AROUND A LITTLE TOO MUCH ON YOU, YOU NEED TO BACK OFF A LITTLE ON THE THROTTLE, AND THEN SQUEEZE IT BACK DOWN AGAIN.. Lauren: AFTER THAT BONNEVILLE RUN, THE DAYTONA WAS BRIEFLY OWNED BY MUSICIAN PHIL SPECTOR, WHO ACTUALLY DROVE IT ON THE STREETS OF L.A.!!

IT THEN DISAPPEARED FROM PUBLIC VIEW, SHROUDED IN MYSTERY AND HIDDEN AWAY FOR 30 YEARS BEFORE BEING ACQUIRED BY FRED SIMEONE FOR THE MUSEUM.

BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS CAR IS NO RELIC OF DAYS GONE BY.

ALL OF THE CARS AT THE SIMEONE MUSEUM ARE KEPT IN ORIGINAL RUNNING CONDITION, AND ARE DRIVEN ROUTINELY FOR PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS.

John: IF YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR, YOUR CAR WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

PAT GOSS SHOWS US WHAT TO KEEP AN EYE ON DOWN IN GOSS' GARAGE.

Pat Goss: SO YOU HAVE A CAR THAT HAS A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IN IT, OR TPMS AS WE REFER TO THEM.

AND YOU THINK YOU CAN TAKE YOUR TRUSTY TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE AND TOSS IT IN THE TRASH.

NOT SO.

SEE TPMS ONLY WARNS YOU IF A TIRE IS DANGEROUSLY LOW ON PRESSURE.

IT DOESN'T TELL YOU THE IDEAL PRESSURE IN MOST CASES.

SO THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE SURE YOU GET PROPER TIRE LIFE, AND GAS MILEAGE, AND ALL THE THINGS THAT GO ALONG WITH TIRE PRESSURE, YOU NEED TO CHECK MANUALLY AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.

ALRIGHT, A COUPLE OF THINGS ABOUT TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS, THERE A COUPLE OF TYPES.

ONE IS INDIRECT READING AND IT READS OFF OF THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FOR THE ABS SYSTEM.

THEY'RE OKAY.

THE OTHERS ARE DIRECT READING SYSTEMS AND THEY HAVE A SENSOR IN EACH WHEEL THAT TELLS THE CAR'S COMPUTER, THE PRESSURE INSIDE EACH ONE OF THOSE TIRES.

AND WITHIN THOSE DIRECT READING SYSTEMS THERE ARE TWO TYPES.

ONE IS RIGHT HERE, THIS IS HELD ON BY THIS GIANT CLAMP THAT GOES ALL THE WAY AROUND THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL.

NOT ALL THAT POPULAR.

THE OTHERS REPLACE THE VALVE STEM.

THE SENSORS INSIDE THE WHEEL, THE VALVE STEM IS OUT, SO THAT YOU CAN CHECK TIRE PRESSURE...AND ADD, AND DELETE AS NEEDED.

NOW, SOME OF THE THINGS WE SEE WITH THESE, WELL...WE SEE LOTS OF WEIRD THINGS WHERE PEOPLE HIT CURBS AND STUFF LIKE THAT OR TECHNICIANS THAT DON'T REALIZE THAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH A TPMS SENSOR, AND YANK IT RIGHT OUT OF THE SENSOR, AND STUFF LIKE THAT, REALLY WEIRD STUFF.

HAVE TO USE A LITTLE COMMON SENSE WITH THESE THINGS.

BUT...ONE OF THE MORE FREQUENT THINGS THAT WE SEE IS PEOPLE WHO WANT DECORATIVE VALVE STEM CAPS, AND THEY GO OUT AND BUY THIS GORGEOUS SET OF METAL CAPS, THEY PUT IT ON TO THE STEM AND A LITTLE WHILE LATER THEY GO TO TAKE IT OFF AND THE WHOLE END OF THIS VALVE STEM FALLS OFF, TURNS TO DUST, AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF ELECTROLYSIS.

SO THERE'S TWO THINGS.

NUMBER 1, DON'T USE METAL CAPS ON THESE ALUMINUM VALVE STEMS, USE PLASTIC CAPS.

NUMBER 2, USE DIELECTRIC GREASE TO GREASE WHATEVER CAP YOU PUT ON THERE TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION AND MAKE IT SO IT'LL COME OFF EASILY?

SO, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A PASSIVE SYSTEM, THERE'S STILL SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO KEEP YOURSELF SAFE.

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

John: STARTING UP A NEW CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME NEVER GETS OLD FOR US.

SO LET'S DO IT AGAIN IN THIS WEEK'S QUICKSPIN.

* THE 2018 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS IS A BOLD MOVE.

THE NAME OF A SPORT COUPE WITH A MORE THAN 20 YEAR RUN, IS NOW ON A CROSSOVER UTILITY.

STILL, THEY SEEM TO BE FOLLOWING THE SAME RECIPE: AN ENJOYABLE AND AFFORDABLE DRIVING EXPERIENCE WITH STANDOUT STYLING.

SIZE WISE, THE ECLIPSE CROSS SLIDES IN BETWEEN THE OUTLANDER SPORT AND THE OUTLANDER.

THE 152 HORSEPOWER 1.5 LITER TURBO CHARGED 4-CYLINDER ENGINE PROVIDED DECENT PULL DURING OUR DRIVE IN CALIFORNIA.

A CVT WITH SIMULATED SHIFT POINTS, SENDS POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS, OR ALL FOUR.

THE RIDE WAS COMFORTABLE AND HANDLING ABLE IF UNREMARKABLE THROUGH THE CURVES.

THE TOP SPECS BRING A LOT OF TECH TO THE COCKPIT, LIKE A POP-UP HEAD-UP DISPLAY, MULTI-VIEW CAMERA, AND MITSUBISHI CONNECT.

MITSUBISHI HAS EXPERIENCE BUILDING RUGGED, DEPENDABLE SUVs.

NOW, BEING PART OF THE NISSAN-RENAULT ALLIANCE WILL ADD MORE ENGINEERING EXPERTISE.

THE 2018 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS IS ON SALE NOW, STARTING AT JUST OVER $23,000.

NISSAN'S KNOW HOW HAS LED TO A MILESTONE VEHICLE: THE 2019 INFINITI QX50.

BUT NOT SO MUCH, THE VEHICLE ITSELF AS WHAT POWER'S IT, THE FIRST PRODUCTION VARIABLE COMPRESSION ENGINE.

THE 268 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER TURBO IS JOINED WITH A CVT.

AND HERE'S HOW IT WORKS.

THE VARIABLE COMPRESSION TURBO IS ON THE LEFT, A CONVENTIONAL ENGINE IS ON THE RIGHT.

A CONTROL SHAFT AT THE BOTTOM MOVES A MULTI-LINK, WHICH RAISES OR LOWERS THE PISTON'S TOP-DEAD-CENTER BY ABOUT A QUARTER OF AN INCH IN EACH OF THE 4-CYLINDERS.

ALTERING, THE COMPRESSION RATIO ADJUSTS POWER AND EFFICIENCY.

THIS MID-SIZE LUXURY CROSSOVER DEBUTED AS THE INFINITI EX CONCEPT IN 2007.

DURING PRODUCTION IT BECAME THE EX35, AND EVENTUALLY THE QX50 IN 2014.

BEYOND THE ENGINE, THE BIGGEST QX50 CHANGE IS TRADING A REAR-DRIVE LAYOUT FOR A FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE CROSSOVER ARCHITECTURE WITH OPTIONAL ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

DESPITE THIS, THE QX50 REMAINS VERY NIMBLE, WITH STEERING THAT IS LIGHTER BUT STILL QUITE DIRECT, EVEN THROUGH, THE CHALLENGING CURVES OF THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS.

THE 2019 INFINITI QX50 IS AT DEALERS NOW, STARTING UNDER $37,000.

THE 2019 RAM 1500 MARKS A MAJOR REDESIGN FOR A LIGHT DUTY PICK-UP THAT ALREADY OFFERED AN IMPRESSIVE BALANCE OF POWER, COMFORT, AND UTILITY.

THE MOST-NEW RAM IN A DECADE IS OVERALL 225 POUNDS LIGHTER.

MOSTLY, FROM THE NEW LADDER TYPE FRAME MADE ALMOST ENTIRELY OF HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL.

THE STIFFER ARCHITECTURE AND ALL-COIL SPRING SUSPENSION MAKES THIS ONE OF THE SMOOTHEST RIDING PICK-UPS EVER.

POWER POURS FROM A 305 HORSEPOWER PENTASTAR V6 OR 395 HORSEPOWER HEMI V8.

A NEW ETORQUE MILD HYBRID SYSTEM AND 48 VOLT BATTERY PACK REPLACE THE TRADITIONAL ALTERNATOR ON THE V6 AND IS AN OPTION ON THE V8.

WE LIKED THE STEERING, AND THE QUICK SHIFTS FROM A NEW GENERATION 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

INSIDE, THE NICELY STYLED CABIN THERE'S MORE ROOM FOR PASSENGERS AND STORAGE.

AN OPTIONAL 12-INCH VERTICAL UCONNECT TOUCHSCREEN IS VERY INTUITIVE AND THE 360 DEGREE SURROUND VIEW CAMERA IS A WELCOME ADDITION.

PAYLOAD AND TOWING BOTH INCREASE AS WELL.

NOW, WE NEVER TURN DOWN A CHANCE TO GO OFF ROAD, AND THE RAM 1500 REBEL HANDLED ITSELF WELL KICKING UP DIRT IN ARIZONA.

WITH FORD AND CHEVY UPDATING THEIR FULL-SIZE TRUCKS, WE KNEW RAM WOULD TOO...

BUT THEY'VE DONE IT BY ZEROING IN ON WHAT THE PERSONAL USE BUYER WANTS... A PLEASANT RIDE WITH A VERY APPEALING INTERIOR AND MORE MODERN CONVENIENCES.

THE 2019 RAM 1500 IS ON SALE NOW, STARTING UNDER $32,000.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPIN'S SOON.

AN ACCORD BY DEFINITION IS AN AGREEMENT.

AND I THINK, WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT THE HONDA ACCORD HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CARS OF ALL TIME, WITH OVER 13 MILLION SOLD HERE IN THE U.S. ALONE.

SO WHILE, AN ALL-NEW ACCORD MAY NOT SPIKE THE EXCITEMENT METER AROUND HERE, IT CERTAINLY IS AN IMPORTANT VEHICLE FOR HONDA, AS WELL AS FOR OTHER CAR MAKERS, AS THEY SEE WHAT THEY'LL BE UP AGAINST FOR YEARS TO COME.

* SEDAN SALES BEING WHAT THEY ARE THESE DAYS, YOU MIGHT THINK HONDA WOULD JUST DO A LIGHT MAKEOVER FOR THE 2018 HONDA ACCORD AND CALL IT A YEAR.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

THIS 10TH GENERATION ACCORD IS ALL-NEW, RIDING ON A LIGHTER CHASSIS THAT ALLOWS FOR A LOWER, WIDER STANCE.

WHEELBASE IS UP BY OVER 2.0 INCHES, WITH VIRTUALLY ALL OF IT UPPING REAR LEG ROOF.

THERE'S GENUINE FULL-SIZE SEDAN SPACE BACK HERE, AND WHILE THE SLOPING ROOM MEANS REALLY BENDING OVER TO GET IN, THERE'S 6-FOOTER-PLUS HEADROOM ONCE YOU DO.

UP FRONT, HONDA HAS BLENDED A SPORTIER THEME INTO THE FAMILIAR SPACE; STARTING WITH A NICELY THICK STEERING WHEEL, AND ADDING ADDITIONAL BOLSTERING TO THE SEATS.

THE GAUGE PANEL IS VIRTUAL, BUT THERE ARE DIALS HERE, NOT JUST A DIGITAL READOUT FOR SPEED LIKE SOME OTHER HONDAS.

A FULL SLATE OF TECH FEATURES NATURALLY, INCLUDING AN 8-INCH TOUCHSCREEN WITH VASTLY IMPROVED INTERFACE; THOUGH...THAT'S MOSTLY DUE TO ADDING SOME ANTIQUATED KNOBS AND BUTTONS BACK INTO THE MIX.

ON THE PRACTICALITY FRONT, SPLIT FOLDING REAR SEATBACKS ARE STANDARD, AND TRUNK SPACE INCREASES BY ALMOST A FULL CUBIC-FEET TO 16.7.

THERE'S LOTS NEW IN THE POWERTRAIN DEPARTMENT AS WELL.

BASE, AND DESTINED TO BE THE MOST POPULAR, IS A 1.5 LITER TURBO-4, WHICH AT 192 HORSEPOWER, IS THE MOST EVER STANDARD IN AN ACCORD; TORQUE IS 192 POUND-FEET.

IT COMES MATED TO EITHER A CVT OR A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

FOR A SMALL TURBO, IT OPERATES VERY SMOOTHLY, AND FEELS TOTALLY ADEQUATE FOR DAILY USE.

THE UPGRADE IS NO LONGER A V6, BUT ANOTHER TURBO-4, A 2.0 LITER NO LESS.

BUT DON'T FRET, IT'S ACTUALLY, A DETUNED VERSION OF THE CIVIC TYPE Rs, CRANKING OUT 252 HORSEPOWER, WITH 273 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, MORE THAN THE LAST V6.

IT CONNECTS TO EITHER A NEW 10-SPEED AUTOMATIC OR A 6-SPEED MANUAL.

WE REALLY ENJOYED THE MANUAL.

IT'S NOT HONDA'S BEST SHIFTER EVER, BUT IT JUST FEELS LIKE YOU'RE GETTING AWAY WITH SOMETHING, ROWING THROUGH THE GEARS IN THIS FAMILY CAR.

FINALLY, THE HYBRID MAKES A RETURN AS WELL, COMBINING A NORMALLY-ASPIRATED 2.0 LITER I4 WITH TWO ELECTRIC MOTORS FOR A COMBINED OUTPUT OF 212 HORSEPOWER.

REGARDLESS OF POWERTRAIN, THE ACCORD FEELS AS QUIET AND FUNCTIONAL AS ALWAYS, BUT BIGGER, AND STILL WITH JUST A DASH OF FUN IN THE MIX.

IT'S NOT LEXUS QUIET, OR MAZDA CAPABLE, BUT IT FINDS A REALLY NICE SWEET SPOT IN BETWEEN.

WHILE, VISIBILITY WASN'T AN ISSUE BEFORE, A-PILLARS HAVE BEEN SLIMMED TO ENHANCE THE OUTWARD VIEW FURTHER.

DESPITE THE WHEELBASE STRETCH, OVERALL LENGTH IS ACTUALLY DOWN, EVEN AS THE FRONT OVERHANG IS UP SLIGHTLY.

BUT, THE ALTERED PROPORTIONS WORK WONDERFULLY, YIELDING A SLEEKER, COUPE-LIKE, PROFILE.

INDEED, HONDA CLEARLY WANTED TO STEER THINGS IN A SPORTIER DIRECTION STYLING-WISE, BUT THANKFULLY WITHOUT GOING OVERBOARD.

A BIT OF WEIGHT WAS LOST ALONG THE WAY AS WELL, AROUND 150 POUNDS FOR MOST TRIM LEVELS.

WHEELS ARE 17 OR 19 INCH ALLOYS.

MOST OF OUR TIME, BOTH AT THE NATIONAL PRESS LAUNCH IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND AROUND OUR HEADQUARTERS, WAS SPENT IN A TOURING TRIM ACCORD WITH THE OPTIONAL 2.0 LITER AND 10-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

NEW IS AN ADAPTIVE DAMPER SYSTEM WITH REAL-TIME DAMPING CONTROL WITH NORMAL AND SPORT MODES.

DESPITE ALL OF THE GEARS, THE TRANSMISSION DISPLAYED ONLY THE OCCASIONAL CLUNKINESS.

AND AT OUR UNFORTUNATELY FRIGID TEST TRACK, THE 2.0T 10-SPEED COMBO STILL DELIVERED, WITH A 0-60 OF 6.5 SECONDS.

THERE'S PLENTY OF LOW-END RUMBLE, ENOUGH TO BATTLE QUITE A BIT OF WHEEL SPIN.

WITH WARMER TEMPS, WE FEEL SUB-6 SECONDS WOULD BE MORE THE ORDER OF THE DAY.

THINGS ARE SMOOTH AND STEADY FROM THERE, EVENTUALLY, TRIPPING THE LIGHTS IN 14.8 SECONDS AT 100 MILES PER HOUR.

EASILY COMPARABLE TO LAST YEAR'S V6.

IT DOESN'T FEEL VASTLY LIGHTER THAN BEFORE, BUT NIMBLER FOR SURE WITH NOTICEABLY LESS BODY ROLL.

TURN-INS ARE QUICKER AND OVERALL THE CAR SIMPLY FEELS MORE RESPONSIVE, AND YES...SPORTIER!

HONDA SENSING SAFETY SYSTEMS, INCLUDING COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING ARE STANDARD ON ALL ACCORDS.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS AREN'T FINALIZED FOR THE 2.0 LITER, BUT IN MIXED DRIVING, WE AVERAGED A GOOD 28.6 MILES PER GALLON ON REGULAR.

PRICING STARTS WITH LX TRIM AT $24,445; TOP LEVEL TOURING TRIM BEGINS AT $34,675.

YES, IT'S NOT A GREAT TIME TO BE IN THE 4-DOOR CAR BUSINESS THESE DAYS, BUT IF THERE'S ONE SEDAN THAT SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM STAYING RELEVANT IN THIS SUV OBSESSED WORLD, IT'S THE 2018 HONDA ACCORD.

IT'S BECAUSE IT STILL DELIVERS WHAT IT ALWAYS HAS; RELIABLE, HIGHLY EFFICIENT, PRACTICAL, TROUBLE-FREE TRANSPORTATION IN AN INCREASINGLY REFINED AND SOPHISTICATED PACKAGE.

HONDA FANS ARE SURE TO FOLLOW, ACCORDINGLY.

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

NOW, FOR MORE MOTORWEEK ; INCLUDING DAILY NEWS UPDATES, PODCASTS, AND EVEN COMPLETE EPISODES, CRUISE ON OVER TO PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME, FOR A CAMARO THAT TAKES TIME ON THE TRACK TO THE EXTREME, AND THE BMW X3 MAKES THE DAILY COMMUTE MORE DYNAMIC.

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 MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY... Announcer: TIRE RACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

Woman: OH, COME ON.

HOT, HOT, HOT.

Announcer: THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR KIND OF VEHICLE.

Woman: JUST A BOTTLE OF WATER.

Announcer: TIRERACK.COM.

WEATHERTECH DIGITAL FIT FLOOR LINERS AND CARGO LINERS OFFER LASER MEASURED, DIGITAL FIT PROTECTION FOR YOUR VEHICLE'S FLOORS.

WEATHERTECH.

MADE IN AMERICA.

HUM IS THE CONNECTED CAR SYSTEM THAT ASSISTS AND EMPOWERS DRIVERS TO HELP THEM BE PREPARED FOR THE ROAD AHEAD, SO THEY CAN GET WHERE THEY'RE GOING.

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.

AUTOTEMPEST.COM, WHERE YOU CAN COMPARE USED CAR LISTINGS FROM SITES ACROSS THE WEB.

STATE FARM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

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

[SOUND OF CAR ENGINE REVVING] *