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

JOIN US FOR A BIG OVERHAUL OF A SMALL CAR, THE KIA RIO... PAT GOSS TAKES US THROUGH ADDING A NEW COAT FOR A FRESH LOOK... STEPHANIE HART CHECKS OUT TECHNOLOGY THAT SEES WHAT YOU CAN'T... AND TOYOTA TRIES TO LURE YOUNGER BLOOD INTO THE ALL-NEW AVALON...

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: YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR TIRES ONLINE AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

Man 1: I DO.

Announcer: WE'RE TIRERACK.COM, AND WE HAVE ANSWERS, AND TOOLS TO HELP.

Man 2: LIKE OUR TIRE DECISION GUIDE.

IT'S A...TAKE A LOOK.

Man 1: OH.

Announcer: FIND...DELIVER...INSTALL...

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.

STATE FARM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

WEATHERTECH DIGITAL FIT FLOOR LINERS ARE DESIGNED TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE'S FLOORS.

LASER MEASURED, THEY OFFER PROTECTION IN THE FRONT, BACK, AND UP THE SIDES.

WEATHERTECH.

MADE IN AMERICA.

John: WHEN IT COMES TO SUBCOMPACT CARS, THERE ARE PLENTY TO CHOOSE FROM.

AND WHILE MOST ARE CLEARLY AIMED AT THE ENTRY-LEVEL BUYER, KIA IS TAKING A DIFFERENT APPROACH WITH THEIR REWORKED RIO SEDAN AND HATCHBACK.

THEY'VE GIVEN IT A MUCH MORE "MATURE" DESIGN; HOPING TO BOTH ATTRACT THOSE LOOKING TO DOWNSIZE, AS WELL AS OVER DELIVER ON WHAT THE TYPICAL FIRST TIME CAR BUYER EXPECTS.

SO LET'S SEE IF IT'S A GOOD STRATEGY.

* LET'S BE SERIOUS, EVERY CARMAKER WANTS THEIR VEHICLE TO APPEAL TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE; IT IS ALL ABOUT SELLING CARS, YOU KNOW.

BUT, KIA IS REALLY TAKING THAT TO HEART WITH THE 2018 RIO.

AND WHILE, MANY SUBCOMPACTS TRY TO ATTRACT ATTENTION WITH UNIQUE SHAPES OR SPLASHY DESIGNS AND COLORS; THE RIO TAKES A MORE ADULT TURN, LEANING CLOSER TOWARDS EUROPEAN STARTER CARS, THAN THEIR TRADITIONAL ASIAN COUNTERPARTS.

WHICH MAKES SENSE, AS THE RIO IS A VERY POPULAR CAR THROUGHOUT EUROPA ALREADY.

FOR US, IT'S STILL AVAILABLE AS BOTH A SEDAN, AND A 5-DOOR HATCHBACK LIKE OUR TEST CAR.

BOTH ARE UNDENIABLY CLASSIER LOOKING; TALLER, SHARPER, AND BETTER PROPORTIONED AS WELL.

BOTH ALSO RIDE ON THE SAME 101.6 INCH WHEELBASE WHICH IS JUST SLIGHTLY LONGER THAN BEFORE... [ENGINE STARTS UP] AND SHARE THE SAME 1.6 LITER I4, WHICH HAS BEEN SLIGHTLY RETUNED.

NUMBERS ARE DOWN A BIT, FROM 138 HORSEPOWER TO 130, AND FROM 123 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE TO 119.

BUT, THAT'S STILL GOOD FOR THE SEGMENT, AND PEAK TORQUE ARRIVES SOONER, WHICH HELPS HIDE THE DECREASES.

AS BEFORE, A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS STANDARD, THOUGH IT IS AVAILABLE ONLY IN THE BASE LX MODEL.

ALL OTHER TRIMS COME WITH A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

AND INDEED, AT OUR TEST TRACK, THE 0-60 SPRINT TOOK THE SAME 9.0 SECONDS THAT IT DID IN THE LAST RIO 5-DOOR, WE TESTED IN 2012.

BUT THIS NEW RIO DID MANAGE TO SHAVE A TENTH OFF THE QUARTER MILE, TAKING 16.8 SECONDS, AND FINISHING ONE MILE PER HOUR QUICKER AT 84 MILES PER HOUR.

WE PRAISED ITS, FUN-TO-DRIVE SPIRIT THEN, AND IT STILL SHINES THROUGH NOW.

UNDERSTEER IS PREDICTABLE AND GRADUAL AS IT IS PLAYFUL, WITH VERY GOOD FEEL THROUGH THE WHEEL.

IT STAYS VERY STABLE, EVEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS, AND WILL LET YOU PUSH FAIRLY HARD BEFORE COMPLAINING.

BRAKES ARE VASTLY IMPROVED.

AT 110 FEET, THE AVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCE FROM 60 IS 20 FEET SHORTER THAN BEFORE.

RESPONSE AND FEEL ARE ALSO MUCH BETTER TOO, ALL FITTING FOR ANY CAR WITH EURO-STYLE ASPIRATIONS.

THE SPRY CHASSIS FEEL IS NOTICEABLE WHEN OUT AND ABOUT AS WELL, BUT THE ENGINE CAN GET A LITTLE BUZZY, AND THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE A LITTLE SLOW ON THE DOWNSHIFT WHEN YOU WANT MORE POWER COMING OUT OF A CORNER.

COMPARED TO THE MANY BARE-BONES CARS THAT STILL POPULATE THE SUBCOMPACT RANKS, THE RIO'S INTERIOR IS TRULY A NOTCH ABOVE.

THE DASH FEATURES A HIGHLY SCULPTED DESIGN, WITH THE CENTER TOUCHSCREEN FLOATING OUT OF IT.

THERE'S NOT MUCH A TRADITIONAL CENTER STACK, JUST A CLUSTER OF CLIMATE CONTROLS CLINGING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DASH.

A WEALTH OF CONTROLS ARE ON THE STEERING WHEEL, AND BEHIND IT, A SIMPLISTIC LOOKING BUT COMPREHENSIVE GAUGE PANEL.

AS FAR AS INTERACTIONS WITH THE CAR, THE SEATS ARE SUFFICIENTLY COMFORTABLE, AND THE MULTIMEDIA SCREEN VERY RESPONSIVE, AND LOGICAL.

LIFT-OVER IS A LITTLE HIGH FOR ACCESSING THE CARGO BAY, BUT THE SPACE IS WELL-FINISHED AND THERE'S A DECENT AMOUNT OF IT; 17.4 CUBIC-FEET SEATS UP, 32.8 SEATS DOWN.

ONLY, BASIC SAFETY SYSTEMS HERE, NO LANE KEEP ASSIST OR BLIND SPOT MONITORING; THOUGH AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING DOES COME WITH TOP EX TRIM.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 28-CITY, 37-HIGHWAY, AND 32-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED A VERY FINE 33.0 MILES PER GALLON ON REGULAR.

THAT MAKES FOR A VERY GOOD ENERGY IMPACT SCORE, BURNING 10.3 BARRELS OF OIL YEARLY WITH 4.6 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS.

PRICING FOR THE 5-DOOR STARTS JUST $300 OVER THE SEDAN, AT $15,095, WITH TOP EX TRIM BEGINNING AT $19,595.

WE'VE OFTEN PRAISED LARGER KIA SEDANS FOR THEIR EUROPEAN INSPIRED TUNING AND EXECUTION.

NOW, THAT CAN ALSO BE SAID OF THE ENTRY LEVEL RIO.

IT WAS A FINE SUBCOMPACT BEFORE, AND IT REALLY STANDS OUT FROM ITS RIVALS NOW.

THE 2018 KIA RIO IS INDEED A VERY SOPHISTICATED DESIGN, THAT LIKE THE BRAND ITSELF, HAS MATURED QUICKLY.

* THE NEXT TIME YOU GO SHOPPING FOR A NEW CAR, DON'T BE SURPRISED IF IT HAS A STANDARD REAR BACKUP CAMERA.

AUTOMAKERS WERE GIVEN TWO YEARS TO ADD CAMERAS, AND THAT PHASE IN PERIOD IS OVER.

INDEED, RESEARCH BY THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY SHOWS THAT BACKUP CAMERAS ARE VERY EFFECTIVE.

AND, WHEN PAIRED WITH OTHER ACTIVE SAFETY FEATURES, BACK UP CRASHES CAN BE REDUCED BY AN IMPRESSIVE 75%, SAVING LIVES AND REDUCING INSURANCE CLAIMS.

OUR FYI REPORTER STEPHANIE HART HAS THE DETAILS.

* Stephanie Hart: BACK UP ACCIDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 267 DEATHS AND 1500 INJURIES A YEAR...ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.

CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY MOST OFTEN, THE VICTIMS.

THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY SAYS, "THE LAW REQUIRING BACK UP CAMERAS, IS A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT MORE STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE."

David Aylor: AND THOSE SYSTEMS ARE EFFECTIVE, BUT WE'VE LEARNED THAT WHEN YOU ADD IN AN ACTIVE SAFETY FEATURE LIKE, AUTOMATIC BRAKING, IT'S MORE EFFECTIVE THAN JUST WARNINGS.

THE DRIVER MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WARNING IS TRYING TO TELL THEM, AND SO...ADDING ACTIVE BRAKING ON TOP OF THAT ADDS MORE BENEFITS... AND SO...I THINK, AS MANUFACTURERS ARE LEARNING MORE, THEY'RE ADDING THAT TECHNOLOGY.

Stephanie: SO HERE'S HOW REAR AUTO BRAKE WORKS: THERE ARE SENSORS ON THE CAR THAT DETECT THINGS BEHIND YOU, SO I'M GOING TO BACK UP WITHOUT REALLY PAYING ATTENTION...

THE SENSORS WILL DETECT THE CAR BEHIND ME AND AUTOMATICALLY APPLY THE BRAKES.

AND WE'RE WAITING FOR A BEEP TO ALERT US A CAR IS BEHIND US... [BEEPING SOUND] THERE YOU HAVE IT... AND WE BRAKE, AND I DID NOT TOUCH THE BRAKE PEDAL AT ALL.

THE CAR DID EVERYTHING ITSELF.

TO BE HONEST, IT WAS NOT SECOND NATURE GIVING UP CONTROL TO A CAR LIKE I DID... AND MY ADRENALINE ACTUALLY DID START GOING RIGHT BEFORE I HEARD THAT BEEP ASSURING ME THE CAR WAS GOING TO STOP.

NOW, AS I'M SURE YOU NOTICED, IT WAS SORT OF A ROUGH STOP, BUT ALL IN ALL, A PRETTY COOL CONCEPT AND INCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGY.

IT'S SURPRISING ONLY 5% OF VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN 2018 OFFER REAR BRAKING.

ESPECIALLY, SINCE THE COMBINATION OF REAR AUTO BRAKING, REAR CAMERAS, AND REAR SENSORS, REDUCE BACK UP CRASHES BY MORE THAN 75%.

REAR AUTOBRAKE WORKS HAND IN HAND WITH THE SELF PARK SYSTEM, PHENOMENAL NEW TECHNOLOGY.

RIDING SHOTGUN WITH ME TODAY IS PHILIP AND WE'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU GUYS, HOW THIS SYSTEM WORKS.

LET'S GO.

Philip: WE'RE GOING TO SET OURSELVES UP AND FIND A PARKING SPOT.

Stephanie: THE CAR IS NOW SEARCHING FOR A SPOT WE CAN FIT INTO.

OKAY, I SEE ONE AND DOES THE CAR SEE IT?

IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO CATCH ON, WE HAVE TO DRIVE PAST THE SPOT.

SO I HAVE TO DO VIRTUALLY VERY LITTLE.

Philip: VERY LITTLE... Stephanie: WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

Philip: YOU STILL HAVE TO STAY IN CONTROL OF THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE, SO LET YOUR HANDS GO OFF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Stephanie: OH, WOW!

AND YOU STILL HAVE TO CHECK YOUR MIRRORS AND REAR VIEW CAMERA.

IT'S LIKE, A RIDE OR SOMETHING.

Philip: IT IS, A LITTLE BIT OF A ROLLER COASTER.

Stephanie: IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG... Philip: AND AS IT BACKS UP, IT WILL GIVE YOU A NOTIFICATION OF WHEN TO STOP.

Stephanie: I'M DOING NOTHING WITH MY HANDS.

Philip: AND NOW, YOU CAN STOP.

Stephanie: RECENTLY, IIHS PUT SIX CARS TO A NEW BACKUP CRASH PREVENTION TEST, RATING A COMBINATION OF SAFETY FEATURES, REAR AUTO BRAKE, PARKING SENSORS, AND REAR CROSS-TRAFFIC ALERT.

THE CADILLAC XT5 AND SUBARU OUTBACK WERE GIVEN SUPERIOR RATINGS.

THE BMW 5 SERIES SEDAN, INFINITY QX60, JEEP CHEROKEE, AND TOYOTA PRIUS SCORED ADVANCED RATINGS.

David: AND RIGHT NOW, THE SYSTEMS ARE SET UP FOR, WHAT WE CALL, "DAMAGEABILITY..." REDUCING THE DAMAGE FROM PARKING LOT CRASHES AT THE GROCERY STORE.

BUT MANUFACTURERS ARE WORKING ON MORE ADVANCED SYSTEMS THAT COULD DETECT AND POTENTIALLY BRAKE FOR PEDESTRIANS.

Stephanie: WHILE ADDING SUCH A COMBINATION OF HIGH-TECH SAFETY FEATURES TO A NEW CAR CAN COST A BUYER HUNDREDS OF EXTRA DOLLARS, REAR BACKUP CRASH PREVENTION PAYS OFF BY PREVENTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF UNNECESSARY DAMAGE.

THAT MEANS MORE, ALL AROUND, PEACE OF MIND.

John: PAT IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO SPRUCE UP DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE.

SO LET'S FIND OUT WHAT HE'S REJUVENATED THIS WEEK.

Pat Goss: WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROJECT 1977 JEEP WAGONEER, AND NOW THAT THE METALWORK IS DONE, WE'RE BACK AT TREASURED MOTORCAR CUSTOMS TO WATCH THE REFINISHING OF THE VEHICLE, THE OWNER HAS CHOSEN THE SHADE OF YELLOW FROM SHERWIN WILLIAMS THAT'S PALER THAN THE ORIGINAL COLOR.

OF COURSE, THERE WILL BE A NOTICEABLE COLOR CHANGE AS WE SEE HERE, BUT THE OWNER IS WILLING TO LIVE WITH THAT.

WE'RE REFURBISHING THIS JEEP NOT GIVING IT A CONCOURS RESTORATION.

SO, WE'VE CUT A FEW CORNERS FOR THE SAKE OF BUDGET.

FOR ONE, WE'RE ONLY SPRAYING THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DOOR JAMBS.

UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE SMALL BODY-COLORED AREAS INSIDE THE JEEP WILL BE PROJECTS FOR ANOTHER DAY.

WITH THE RUSTY AREAS REPAIRED, WE NOW HAVE A SOLID BASE TO APPLY PAINT TO, BUT IT STILL NEEDS TO BE CLEANED, SMOOTHED, AND FREE OF DENTS.

SO, THE NEW PAINT WILL ADHERE PROPERLY, AND THE PAINT, AND FINISH WILL LOOK SMOOTH, AND GLOSSY.

FIRST, ALL OF THE FADED ORIGINAL PAINT IS SCUFFED, NOT REMOVED, THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE IT DOWN TO THE BARE METAL EXCEPT WHERE THE ORIGINAL WOOD GRAIN VINYL DECALS ARE LOCATED.

NOW, THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF THE CAR IS SANDED SMOOTH, LARGER DENTS THE DOORS ARE PULLED, BODY FILLER IS USED ONLY TO LEVEL THE SURFACE, NOT TO FILL DENTS.

THE PRIMER COAT CREATES A PAINTABLE SURFACE, AND MAKES IMPERFECTIONS MORE READILY VISIBLE TO THE EYE, AND EASIER TO ADDRESS.

AFTER MORE SANDING AND A THOROUGH WIPE DOWN, IT'S TIME FOR THE PAINT.

FINALLY, IT GETS A WET SANDING TO POLISH AWAY ANY REMAINING FLAWS AND A FINAL COAT OF CLEAR.

AND OUR JEEP IS LOOKING GREAT.

NOW, ONE THING THAT WE'VE DONE HERE IS WE'VE DECIDED TO USE A MODERN WRAP MATERIAL FROM 3M, THIS IS A SATIN WHITE, IN PLACE OF THE ORIGINAL WOOD GRAIN THAT IT CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH.

NOW, THAT GIVES US A COUPLE OF ADVANTAGES.

NUMBER ONE, WE CAN REMOVE THIS MATERIAL IF WE EVER HAVE A CHANGE OF MIND AND WE WANT TO CHANGE THE LOOK OF THE VEHICLE OR ANYTHING, WE CAN TAKE IT OFF, WE HAVE GOOD PAINT UNDERNEATH, AND WE CAN CHANGE THE COLOR OR DO WHATEVER WANT WITH IT.

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

* John: WE'VE COVERED 18,000 MILES OF MOSTLY HIGHWAYS IN THE 8-MONTHS THAT THIS 2018 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS BEEN IN OUR FLEET.

AND AS EXPECTED, THIS SUMMER HAS BEEN A BUSY ONE, TAKING US ON ODYSSEYS UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST.

WE'VE HAD INTERESTING WEATHER AROUND HERE, EPIC RAINSTORMS, EXTREME HEAT, AND THE ODYSSEY HAS HANDLED IT ALL IN STRIDE.

WE STILL ENJOY THE HIGHLY REFINED, ALMOST LUXURY CAR EXPERIENCE, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE POWER FROM THE 3.5 LITER V6.

MILEAGE IS AVERAGING A FINE 25.6 MILES PER GALLON, AND IT NUDGES 30 ON LONG HAULS.

BUT LONG OR SHORT HAUL, LIGHTLY LOADED OR PACKED TO THE GILLS, THE ODYSSEY REMAINS A GREAT RIDE FOR A FAMILY ON THE MOVE.

OUR 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN IS JUST BACK FROM A 2000 MILE EXCURSION.

WE HEADED WEST TO WISCONSIN, THEN HOME TO MARYLAND BRINGING OUR TOTAL MILES, SO FAR UP TO 7169.

THIS SPORTY LITTLE WAGON HOLDS AN ASTONISHING AMOUNT OF CARGO, BETTER THAN MANY SMALL CROSSOVERS.

WE FIT A WEEK'S WORTH OF LUGGAGE FOR TWO PEOPLE, PLUS, A BUNCH OF VIDEO EQUIPMENT INSIDE.

HIGHWAY DRIVING WAS ALWAYS COMFORTABLE.

THE 170 HORSEPOWER 1.8 LITER TURBO I4 WAS SURPRISINGLY PEPPY, EVEN WHEN FULLY LOADED WITH THE AC BLASTING.

ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION NEVER GOT CONFUSED EVEN WHEN PASSING.

THE SPORTWAGEN IS A FOOT LONGER AND ABOUT 100 POUNDS HEAVIER THAN THE GOLF HATCHBACK, BUT THE HANDLING REMAINS JUST AS SPORTY.

SO FAR WE'RE AVERAGING 30.8 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR, WHICH IS BETTER THAN THE GOVERNMENT'S COMBINED CITY-HIGHWAY NUMBER.

WE'LL SEE HOW THAT NUMBER HOLDS UP WITH MORE WARM WEATHER GET-A-WAYS AHEAD.

WE'LL UPDATE YOU ON OUR KIA NIRO, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

TIME FOR ANOTHER FIRST DRIVE REPORT.

SO LET'S GO FOR A QUICKSPIN.

THE MERCEDES-BENZ CLS HAS BEEN TURNING HEADS SINCE 2004.

NOW, IN ITS 3RD GENERATION, THE EVER HANDSOME 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450 HAS FEWER SHARP LINES, A FORWARD SLANTING FRONT FASCIA, AND A STRETCHED WHEELBASE, AND OVERALL LENGTH.

EFFORTLESS POWER COMES FROM A NEW 362 HORSEPOWER 3.0 LITER TURBO INLINE-6.

A NEW 48-VOLT ELECTRICAL MILD-HYBRID SYSTEM WITH AN INTEGRATED STARTER-GENERATOR BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ADDS 21 HORSEPOWER MORE; TURNING STOP INTO A SILKY SERENE GO WITH VIRTUALLY NO TURBO LAG.

THE 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC SHIFTS QUICKLY AND DECISIVELY.

POWER GOES TO THE REAR WHEELS OR ALL FOUR, AS WE SAILED ALONG ON THE OPTIONAL AIR SUSPENSION.

ENERGIZING COMFORT BRINGS FRAGRANCES TO THE ELEGANT CABIN AND MASSAGES TO THE SEATS FOR A SPA ON WHEELS.

FORWARD THINKING TECHNOLOGY CAN HANDLE MANY DRIVING DUTIES.

AND, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THERE'S SEATING FOR FIVE.

WITH AN E-CLASS PLATFORM, S-CLASS TECHNOLOGY, AND STUNNING STYLE, THE CLS REMAINS TRULY DISTINCT.

THE 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450 GOES ON SALE LATER THIS YEAR, STARTING NEAR $75,000.

THE Z-CAR SPORTS CAR LEGEND BEGAN IN 1970 WITH THE DATSUN 240Z.

WHEN IT ARRIVED FOR 2009, WE CALLED THE 6TH GEN NISSAN 370Z, THE "ULTIMATE" Z CAR.

NOW...10 YEARS ON, THE 2019 NISSAN 370Z NISMO UPSTAGES ITSELF.

EXTERIOR NISMO TOUCHES INCLUDES 19-INCH WHEELS, AND AN OVERSIZE REAR WING.

UNDER THE HOOD, THE 3.7 LITER V6 NOW RATES 350 HORSEPOWER, 18 MORE THAN THE STANDARD Z.

POWER IS PLENTIFUL, WITH AN AGGRESSIVE EXHAUST NOTE.

[ENGINE REVVING] THE 6-SPEED MANUAL INCLUDES AUTOMATIC REV-MATCHING FOR HEEL-AND-TOE STYLE DOWNSHIFTS.

PURISTS CAN TURN IT OFF, BUT THEY WON'T DO IT SMOOTHER.

THE DOUBLE-WISHBONE FRONT AND 4-LINK REAR SUSPENSION IS ALSO NISMO TUNED... FOR AN OLD SCHOOL FIRM RIDE WITH PLENTY OF "SEAT OF YOUR PANTS" FEEL, EVEN IF THE VARIABLE ASSIST STEERING IS STILL NUMB.

IN THE CABIN, HIGHLY BOLSTERED RECARO SEATING, A TRIO OF RETRO DASHTOP-MOUNTED GAUGES, AND A GRIPPY STEERING WHEEL THAT WE WISH WAS FLAT-BOTTOMED.

YES, THEY'LL ALWAYS BE STIFF COMPETITION AMONG FAST SPORT COUPES, BUT THE 2019 NISSAN 370Z NISMO ADDS TO WHAT'S ALREADY AN EXTRAORDINARY LEGEND.

ON SALE NOW, THE PRICE STARTS AT UNDER $46,000.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPIN'S SOON!

IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO WHEN BIG SEDANS WERE THE PINNACLE OF AN AUTOMAKER'S LINE UP.

BUT TIMES CHANGE, AND AS WE ALL KNOW, SUVs AND CROSSOVERS NOW RULE THE ROAD.

BUT TOYOTA FOR ONE HASN'T GIVEN UP ON THEIR FLAGSHIP 4-DOOR AVALON... AND WITH AN ALL NEW DESIGN THEY'RE ALSO AIMING TO ATTRACT NEW BUYERS THAT HAVEN'T GOT SILVER IN THEIR HAIR.

* NOW IN ITS 5TH GENERATION, THE 2019 TOYOTA AVALON IS INDEED FACING HEAD WINDS, AND AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR THE LARGEST 4-DOORS.

IF YOU GO BY THE NUMBERS, IT'S STILL OFFICIALLY MIDSIZE...

BUT WILL COMPETE AGAINST FULL-SIZE AND LARGE CAR CONTENDERS.

TOYOTA IS HARDLY THE FIRST CARMAKER TO GO AFTER YOUTHFUL BUYERS, BUT THE NEW AVALON DOES SEEM TO BE A CONCERTED EFFORT.

THE HUGE, GROUND HUGGING GRILLE, SETS THEIR MID-PREMIUM SEDAN APART FROM CHASSIS MATES CAMRY AND UPSCALE COUSIN LEXUS ES.

THE HIGH-TECH LOOK CONTINUES WITH THE SLIM LED'S.

COMPARED TO LAST YEAR, AVALON IS A BIT LONGER, WITH SHORTER OVERHANGS.

THE WHEELBASE GROWS 2.0 INCHES.

IT'S ALSO, LOWER AND WIDER, WITH AN EXPANDED TRACK.

THE REAR CABIN EXTENDS ANOTHER 7-INCHES, ENHANCING THE ALREADY LOW, ARCHING ROOFLINE.

EVEN THE BACK END GETS A TECHNICAL LOOK WITH CONNECTED 3-DIMENSIONAL, "AERO FIN" STYLE LED TAIL LIGHTS.

THIS COMFORTABLE INTERIOR IS, ON THE OTHER HAND, FULL OF SOFT TOUCHES.

THERE'S YAMAHA WOOD AND ALUMINUM TRIM DEPENDING ON MODEL.

THE THEME IS AUTHENTIC MATERIALS, QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP AND HIGH TECH.

SEATS REMAIN COMFORTABLE EVEN AFTER A LONG DAY OF DRIVING.

THE THIN FLOATING 9-INCH INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY, NOW INCLUDES APPLE CARPLAY, AND TOYOTA REMOTE CONNECT WITH SMARTWATCH AND AMAZON ALEXA CONNECTIVITY.

BEYOND THE LEATHER TRIMMED STEERING WHEEL, THE 7-INCH TFT HAS VITAL STATS.

SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF LIMITED AND TOURING TRIMS ADDS A COLOR 10-INCH HEAD-UP DISPLAY.

IT'S VERY QUIET IN HERE TOO, WITH EXTRA SOUND DEADENING MATERIAL IN THE ENGINE BAY AND NOISE-REDUCING GLASS.

AUDIOPHILES CAN DISRUPT THE SERENE SETTING WITH ENTUNE 3.0 AUDIO PLUS AND THE STANDARD 8-SPEAKERS OR THE 1200 WATT JBL TAILORED ENTUNE 3.0 PREMIUM AUDIO WITH 14 SPEAKERS.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER PREMIUM FEATURES LIKE, DUAL ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL, AND HEATED, AND COOLED FRONT SEATS.

THE ROOMY REAR SEAT CAN ALSO KEEP PASSENGERS WARM IN THE WINTER.

TRUNK SPACE IS A REASONABLE 16.1 CUBIC FEET, EVEN IN THE HYBRID, NOW THAT THE BATTERY PACK MOVES UNDER THE REAR SEAT.

TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE P IS STANDARD, BRINGING HIGH-END SAFETY LIKE, PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM WITH PEDESTRIAN DETECTION, FULL-SPEED RANGE DYNAMIC RADAR CRUISE CONTROL, AND LANE DEPARTURE ALERT WITH STEERING ASSIST.

RIDING ON A NEW TNGA K SEDAN PLATFORM, THE AVALON IS MORE RESPONSIVE, WITH AN EXCEPTIONALLY SMOOTH STREET RIDE.

THE MULTI-LINK REAR SUSPENSION ALLOWS FOR SURPRISINGLY, GOOD GRIP IN CORNERS.

ALL AVALON'S HAVE A CHOICE OF DRIVE MODES, ECO, NORMAL, AND SPORT, EVEN ON THE HYBRID.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, TOURING TRIM GETS ADAPTIVE VARIABLE SUSPENSION.

THAT ALSO ADDS SPORT+ AND CUSTOM TO THE MIX.

GOING FROM NORMAL TO SPORT, AND SPORT PLUS, THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IN THE THROTTLE RESPONSE AND SHIFTS.

THE ADAPTIVE VARIABLE SUSPENSION BECOMES MORE DYNAMIC, WHILE THE RIDE REMAINS SUPPLE.

UNDER THE HOOD THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS.

THE NEW 3.5 LITER V6, IT SHARES WITH THE CAMRY INCREASES HORSEPOWER BY 33, TO 301.

TORQUE ALSO RISES 19 TO 267 POUND-FEET.

OUR DRIVE TIME ALSO INCLUDED THE AVALON HYBRID WHICH COMBINES AN ALSO FAMILIAR 2.5 LITER I4 ENGINE WITH TWO ELECTRIC MOTORS... ONE FOR CHARGING, AND ONE FOR DRIVING, FOR A TOTAL SYSTEM OUTPUT OF 215 HORSEPOWER.

THE ELECTRIC TO GAS TRANSITION IS APPARENT, BUT NOT ABRUPT, AND IT DOES A FINE JOB.

THE V6 DOES DELIVER SMOOTHER ACCELERATION.

THE HYBRID WORKS WITH A CVT... A NEW 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC, SWIFTLY SENDS THE POWER FROM THE V6 TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY.

EPA FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE NOT FINAL, BUT TOYOTA EXPECTS THE V6 TO GET 22-CITY, 32-HIGHWAY, AND 26-COMBINED ON REGULAR GAS.

TOYOTA'S ESTIMATES FOR THE HYBRID ARE 43-CITY, 44-HIGHWAY, AND 44-COMBINED.

THE 2019 TOYOTA AVALON STARTS AT $35,500 FOR AN XLE, RANGING TO $42,200 FOR A TOURING V6.

ADD $1000 FOR THE HYBRIDS.

SO DESPITE A TOUGH SELL FOR SEDANS, TOYOTA CONTINUES TO STEP UP ITS GAME, TRYING TO ATTRACT ACCOMPLISHED, YOUNGER BUYERS WHO WANT MORE FROM A LARGER VEHICLE WITHOUT LUXURY CAR, OR EVEN COMPARABLY SIZED SUV, PRICES.

WITH OTHER BRANDS CURTAILING SEDAN PRODUCTION, THIS NEW AVALON JUST MIGHT HIT A SWEET SPOT.

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...

WHEN WE KICK OFF A BRAND NEW SEASON OF MOTORWEEK WITH STYLE AND SPEED.

THE FERRARI 812 SUPERFAST.

AND A COMPACT CROSSOVER WITH A JAGUAR TOUCH.

THE ALL NEW E-PACE.

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: YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR TIRES ONLINE AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

Man 1: I DO.

Announcer: WE'RE TIRERACK.COM, AND WE HAVE ANSWERS AND TOOLS TO HELP.

Man 2: LIKE OUR TIRE DECISION GUIDE.

IT'S A...TAKE A LOOK.

Man 1: OH.

Announcer: FIND...DELIVER...INSTALL...

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.

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] *