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

JOIN US AS WE FORGET THE HYPE AND HIT THE TRACK IN A NEW BREED OF KIA, THE STINGER... PAT GOSS TALKS SIMPLE TOOLS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE... LAUREN MORRISON DISCOVERS WHERE DO-IT-YOURSELFERS GET ROOM TO GROW... AND TOYOTA PUTS MORE PUNCH INTO THE CAPABLE HIGHLANDER...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... Man: IT'S GOT 430 FOOT UNITS OF BEAST.

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

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE.

Man: OOPS.

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 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: FANS OF THE SHOW KNOW THAT WE RECENTLY BESTOWED OUR 2018 DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS "BEST OF THE YEAR" HONOR ON THE UPSTART KIA STINGER.

AND TO CELEBRATE THE OCCASION, WHERE ELSE WOULD WE GO BUT TO OUR FAVORITE ROAD COURSE.

SO LET'S GET THIS TRACK PARTY STARTED!

* WE'VE ALREADY SPENT A LOT OF TIME BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A 2018 KIA STINGER GT COMPACT SPORT-LUXURY SEDAN.

BUT, THIS IS OUR FIRST CHANCE TO REALLY WRING OUT A REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE VERSION AT A PROPER ROAD RACING COURSE ALL TO OURSELVES.

GETTING RIGHT TO IT, AFTER A WEEK OF HANDS ON RESEARCH AT SAVANNAH'S ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY, ALL OF OUR DRIVERS CAME AWAY IMPRESSED WITH THE LIVELY FEEL OF THE STINGER.

AT TRACK SPEED, IT IS VERY RESPONSIVE, AND QUICK TO OBEY YOUR INPUTS.

WHILE, STEERING AND SUSPENSION FEEDBACK IS GOOD ON THE STREETS, WE'D LIKE EVEN MORE FOR THE TRACK, SO YOU DO NEED A FEW LAPS TO GET A FIRM GRASP ON WHAT THE CAR CAN DO.

BUT, THE TWIN-TURBO V6 HAS PLENTY OF GUTS FOR THE TRACK, AND DELIVERS A BROAD SPREAD OF LAG-FREE POWER; IT NEVER FEELS PEAKY OR BOOSTY EITHER, SO KUDOS TO THEM, AS THAT'S HARD TO DO ON A TWIN TURBO.

AND NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU'RE PUSHING, THERE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE MORE IN RESERVE.

THERE'S NO V8 EXHAUST NOTE, BUT IT'S NOT SHABBY FOR A V6.

THE GT'S BREMBO BRAKES ARE REALLY GOOD, ONLY SHOWING FADE AT THE END OF OUR TRACK DAYS.

TRACTION WAS PROVIDED BY 19-INCH WHEELS, WEARING MICHELIN PILOT SPORT PERFORMANCE TIRES.

PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT GETTING INTO TURNS AND THE STINGER JUST HUNKERS DOWN WITH PLENTY OF GRIP.

GET TOO EAGER WITH THE THROTTLE HOWEVER, AND THIS STINGER WILL STING, WITH A PREDICTABLE AMOUNT OF OVERSTEER, JUST THE WAY A DRIVER'S CAR SHOULD.

HAVING A TRUE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIDN'T SEEM TO HINDER THINGS AT ALL; TRIGGERING THE WELL-POSITIONED PADDLE SHIFTERS, RESULTED IN VERY QUICK SHIFTS.

IS IT PERFECT?

NOT QUITE.

DESPITE ALL OF ITS CAPABILITIES, THE STINGER DOESN'T HAVE ALL OF THE CHASSIS STIFFNESS, WE'VE COME TO EXPECT FROM THE BEST EUROPEAN SPORT SEDANS.

BUT, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF A SMALL DEGREE.

FRONT SEATS ARE PLENTY SUPPORTIVE FOR TRACK WORK, AND THANKFULLY, SINCE IT'S DOUBTFUL TOO MANY STINGERS WILL END UP THERE, THEY ARE MORE THAN COMFORTABLE FOR LONG DISTANCE CRUISING.

THE STINGER DOES FEEL GREAT ON THE STREET.

SO, ANY LACK OF TRACK RIGIDITY ACTUALLY TRANSLATES INTO A GREAT HIGHWAY RIDE.

AND THE AVAILABLE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ADDS A LEVEL OF SECURITY FOR WHEN THE WEATHER TURNS UGLY, AS WELL AS AIDS THE STREET HANDLING EXPERIENCE WITH DYNAMIC TORQUE VECTORING, THOUGH YOU DO HAVE TO PAY A PENALTY IN THE FORM OF ADDITIONAL WEIGHT AND LESS OVERALL RESPONSIVENESS.

[ENGINE REVS/TIRES SCREECH] IT WAS AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE STINGER THAT WE TOOK TO THE DRAG STRIP FOR QUARTER MILE TESTING.

HITTING 60 IN JUST 4.5 SECONDS, IT GETS OFF THE LINE QUICKLY WITH EFFORTLESS, NO DRAMA LAUNCHES.

THE AUTOMATIC RIFLES THROUGH GEARS WITH ULTRA-SMOOTHNESS, AND ENGINE POWER IS SEAMLESS THROUGHOUT THE BAND; ALL HELPING US COMPLETE THE QUARTER MILE IN 13.1 SECONDS AT 108 MILES PER HOUR.

EASILY, THE MOST FUN WE'VE EVER HAD WITH A KIA AT A DRAG STRIP.

[ENGINE STARTS UP] ALL OF THAT FUN HAPPENS BECAUSE OF THE GT'S TWIN-TURBO V6 IN THE ENGINE BAY, OF COURSE.

KIA'S 3.3 LITER IS QUICK TO REV, WHILE IT DELIVERS 365 HORSEPOWER AND 376 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

BASE STINGERS DO COME WITH THE REQUISITE 2.0 LITER TURBO-4 WHICH PUNCHES OUT A STILL FINE 255 HORSEPOWER.

THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THE 5-DOOR HATCH IS BECOMING THE NEW NORM FOR PERFORMANCE SEDANS, AND THE STINGER'S REAR HATCH IS VERY WELL DISGUISED.

PLUS, IT'S HARD TO FAULT THE ADDED PRACTICALITY WITH 23.3 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO ROOM REAR SEATS UP, EXPANDING TO 40.9 CUBIC-FEET SEATS DOWN.

UP FRONT FOR THE DRIVER, IS A COMPACT, FLAT-BOTTOM STEERING WHEEL, SIMPLE, YET, COMPREHENSIVE GAUGE CLUSTER, AND KIA'S UVO INFOTAINMENT WITH 8.0 INCH TOUCHSCREEN; ALONG WITH A HEALTHY DOSE OF WELL-PLACED TRADITIONAL CONTROLS.

BASE 4-CYLINDER STINGER PRICING IS $32,800; V6 GT'S START AT $39,250.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT 50 GRAND FOR OUR GT2 TEST CAR.

THE SAME SPORT-SEDAN BALLPARK AS A BMW 3-SERIES OR AUDI S4.

WE KNOW THAT TO SOME, AWARDING OUR MOTORWEEK BEST OF THE YEAR DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD TO THE 2018 KIA STINGER, MAY HAVE COME AS A SURPRISE.

BUT, YOU WOULD HAVE TO LIVE IN A PADDED ROOM NOT TO KNOW THIS FIRST, TRUE, EURO-STYLED SPORT-LUXURY SEDAN FROM A KOREAN BRAND IS CAUSING QUITE A STIR IN THE AUTOMOTIVE PRESS.

AND AS IF WE NEEDED IT, THE PROOF, AS THEY SAY, IS IN THE DRIVING.

* WORKING ON YOUR OWN CAR CAN BE REWARDING, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FINISHED EFFORTS OUT FOR A SPIN.

BUT, FINDING THE SPACE FOR DO-IT-YOURSELF CAR CARE CAN BE A RARE COMMODITY, ESPECIALLY IN CROWDED URBAN AREAS, GATED COMMUNITIES, OR WHERE GARAGE SPACE IS OTHERWISE OCCUPIED.

WELL, OUR LAUREN MORRISON FOUND A CAR CLUB IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA THAT'S DESIGNED JUST FOR DIY'ERS.

* Lauren Morrison: WHETHER, IT BE A HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION THAT FROWNS ON YOU FIXING UP YOUR CAR IN THE FRONT YARD, OR A GARAGE THAT'S JUST TOO SMALL, FINDING THE SPACE TO WORK ON YOUR CAR IS A PAIN, BUT NOT IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THE DO-IT-YOURSELF CAR CLUB HERE IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

Robert Mitchell: IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A HOBBY AND A PASSION.

I BUILT MY FIRST CAR WHEN I WAS 9-YEARS-OLD IN MY DAD'S TOOL AND DIE SHOP.

THAT'S JUST ME.

Lauren: A PASSION, AND NOWHERE TO PRACTICE IT, IS HOW ROBERT MITCHELL CAME UP WITH THE DO-IT-YOURSELF CAR CLUB CONCEPT.

Robert Mitchell: IT STARTED OUT WITH THREE OF US WORKING OUT OF A LITTLE 600 SQUARE FOOT GARAGE, THAT WAS PART OF AN OLD AUTO SHOP, AND WE FOUND MORE PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO GET INVOLVED.

Lauren: WITH ABOUT 40 ACTIVE MEMBERS TODAY, THE CLUB HAS MOVED TO A LARGER SPACE, WHERE MEMBERS CAN RENT A SPOT BY THE HOUR, DAY, WEEK, OR MONTH TO DO ANYTHING FROM A TUNE-UP, TO A FULL ON FRAME OFF RESTORATION, LIKE KATE DARGAN AND HER 1951 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCK, "IRENE."

Kate Dargan: AND IT'S HER TIME NOW.

SO, SHE GETS A WHOLE NEW LOOK FOR HER NEXT 50 YEARS.

Lauren: WHILE, THIS IS KATE'S FIRST RESTORATION, THAT'S PART OF THE BEAUTY OF THE CLUB, THERE'S ALWAYS ANOTHER GEARHEAD, LIKE CLIFF MILLER, HANGING AROUND TO BOUNCE IDEAS OFF OF.

Kate: I MEAN, HE CAN LOOK AT THE PARTS AND SAY, "OH, THAT GOES THERE."

SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE HAVING, YOU KNOW, A FRIEND, OR YOUR UNCLE HANGING OUT WITH YOU WORKING.

Lauren: WHILE, YOU'VE GOT FIRST TIMERS, YOU'VE ALSO GOT OLD PROS, LIKE MIGUEL WILLET, WHO ESTIMATES HE'S HAD AROUND 500 CARS IN HIS LIFETIME...

BUT THE 1967 FIREBIRD CONVERTIBLE HE'S WORKING ON NOW IS SOMETHING SPECIAL.

Miguel Willet: AND ONE DAY, I CAME HOME AND IT WAS GONE.

MY DAD HAD SOLD IT.

SO I THINK, I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR ONE THE REST OF MY LIFE.

Lauren: WHILE MIGUEL ACTUALLY USES SEVERAL DIFFERENT SHOPS HE SAYS, "THIS CAR CLUB KEEPS HIM COMING BACK."

Miguel: I FIND THAT I'M HERE MORE THAN THOSE PLACES, MAINLY BECAUSE THE ACCESS TO OTHER PEOPLE, THE CAMARADERIE, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY BRINGS FOOD AND YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO EAT, AND YOU'RE NOT STOPPING, AND THEY SHOW UP.

ALL THAT STUFF MEANS A LOT TO ME.

Lauren: YOUNG, OR OLD, EXPERT, OR NOVICE, THERE'S REALLY ONLY ONE RULE TO JOIN...YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE SOME KIND OF VINTAGE VEHICLE.

BEYOND THAT, THE CLUB HAS YOU COVERED.

Robert: JACK STANDS, FLOOR JACKS, TUNE-UP EQUIPMENT, MOST OF THE GENERAL BASIC TOOLS THEY WOULD NEED IF THEY DON'T HAVE THEM THEMSELVES TO COMPLETELY RESTORE A CAR.

Lauren: WITH MEMBERS WHO COME FROM FAR AND WIDE... Robert: WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THE BAY AREA THAT DRIVE ALL THE WAY UP HERE AND BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO WORK ON THEM BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THIS AROUND.

Lauren: THIS GEARHEAD GATHERING PLACE IS A DO IT YOURSELFERS' PARADISE!

Robert: EVERYONE HERE LOVES OLD VEHICLES, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WHETHER IT'S A CHEVY, A FORD, A DODGE, A PONTIAC, AN AMG, AND AN ALFA ROMEO.

IT DOESN'T REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THEY ALL LOVE OLD, CLASSIC CARS.

John: EVEN IF YOU KNOW HOW TO FIX YOUR CAR YOURSELF, YOU STILL NEED THE RIGHT TOOLS.

PAT SHOWS US WHAT HE KEEPS HANDY DOWN IN GOSS' GARAGE.

Pat Goss: IT'S BEEN SAID, "CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN," BUT I THINK, WHEN IT COMES TO FIXING CARS TOOLS MAKE THE MAN.

WELL, HERE'S ONE THAT REALLY WORKS.

YOU KNOW, THE TIE WRAPS YOU USE TO BUNDLE WIRES AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS UNDER THE CAR?

WELL, THEY'RE ALWAYS TOUGH TO GET TIGHT, SO THIS TOOL FROM SNAPON, WHAT THIS DOES, THE TIE WRAP GOES INTO THE TOOL AND IT PULLS THE WRAP UP TIGHT TO MAKE A GOOD SOLID CONNECTION.

IT WORKS REALLY, REALLY WELL.

NOW, LOTS OF TIME YOU'RE GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN WIRING, WELL ONE OF THE THINGS YOU'RE GOING TO WANT IT A PAIR OF WIRE STRIPPERS THIS IS AN ELITE TYPE RIGHT HERE.

WHAT YOU DO IS PUT THE WIRE THROUGH HERE, AND THEN YOU SQUEEZE THIS.

THESE JAWS COME DOWN AND BREAK THE COATING ON THE WIRE, THEN IT PULLS OFF, WORKS WELL.

THESE ARE THE ONES I USE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

THEY HAVE THE DIFFERENT WIRE SIZES, AND SO ON HERE IN THE HANDLE.

YOU SIMPLY PUT IT IN THERE, AND THEN PULL IT APART, AND YOU HAVE YOUR STRIPPED WIRE.

NOW, IN MOST CASES, YOU'RE GOING TO STRIP THE WIRE BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO PUT A WIRE CONNECTOR ON TO IT.

WE'LL HAVE THIS CONNECTOR AND ONE OF THE THINGS YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO IN THIS WIRE CONNECTOR...

THERE IS A SIDE OF IT THAT HAS A SPLIT IN IT, AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO IS YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS, AND YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THE LITTLE TAB THAT STICKS DOWN, AND YOU'RE GOING TO SQUEEZE IT RIGHT INTO THAT SPLIT, WHICH IS GOING TO MAKE A DIMPLE, GONNA TO PUSH THE METAL RIGHT DOWN INTO THE WIRE, AND YOU'LL HAVE ALMOST A FACTORY CONNECTION.

HERE, WE HAVE A STRAP WRENCH, WE USE THESE FOR ALL KINDS OF ODD BALL SIZES AND SHAPES.

IT GIVES US A LOT OF LEVERAGE AS YOU PUT IT AROUND SOMETHING LIKE WE HAVE ON THIS OIL FILTER AND THEN PUT FORCE ON IT, IT TIGHTENS ITSELF, GRABS REALLY WELL.

GIVES YOU A LOT OF LEVERAGE.

HERE, WE HAVE A CLOSE FIT RATCHET.

THESE THINGS ARE DESIGNED, SO THAT THE SOCKETS FIT UP INTO THE RATCHET, SO YOU DON'T HAVE THE SOCKET STICKING WAY DOWN.

THINGS LIKE ENGINE MOUNTS, AND SO ON, WHERE YOU HAVE NO SPACE AT ALL, THIS WILL LET YOU GET IN THERE AND BE ABLE TO RATCHET, RATHER THAN WORK WITH AN OPEN END OR BOX WRENCH, A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME.

INVALUABLE TOOL.

HERE'S SOMETHING ELSE YOU'LL FIND A THOUSAND AND ONE USES FOR THIS IS A FLANGE TOOL AND IT CAN BE USED TO STRAIGHTEN OR ALIGN VARIOUS METAL PARTS ON THE CAR.

SIMPLY GO ALONG LIKE THAT.

HAS DIFFERENT ANGLES THAT YOU CAN USE.

THE METAL GOES IN BETWEEN HERE.

IT REALLY, REALLY COMES IN HANDY FOR LOTS OF THINGS.

SO TOOLS, VERY IMPORTANT.

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

* John: OUR 2018 HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVAN HAS ONLY BEEN WITH US FOR TWO MONTHS, BUT WE'VE ALREADY RACKED UP 4,000 MILES, HAD THE SEATS ARRANGED IN EVERY CONFIGURATION POSSIBLE, AND LOADED IT FULL OF EQUIPMENT FOR OUR ANNUAL TREK SOUTH TO OUR WINTER TESTING FACILITY.

THIS FAMILY TRUCKSTER MAY NOT WIN ANYONE OVER ON ITS EXTERIOR DESIGN, BUT THAT CLUMSY STYLING IS JUST A CLEVER DISGUISE; AS SPENDING ANY TIME AT ALL INSIDE THE CABIN, REVEALS THE ODYSSEY IS REALLY A LUXURY-SEDAN IN MOM-MOBILE'S CLOTHING.

AT LEAST IN THIS WELL-OUTFITTED ELITE; WHERE HEATED STEERING WHEEL, VENTILATED SEATS, AND PREMIUM AUDIO ARE ALL STANDARD.

EARLY REPORTS ARE POSITIVE, WITH THE 3.5 LITER V6 AVERAGING A FINE 23.7 MILES PER GALLON SO FAR.

LEAVING US IS OUR 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK.

TRYING TO QUICKLY WRAP UP A YEAR'S WORTH OF MILES IN THE CROSSTREK IS IMPOSSIBLE.

BUT A QUICK RUN THROUGH THE FINAL NUMBERS, SAYS A LOT; 19,606 MILES WAS OUR ULTIMATE TALLY, WITH AN AVERAGE OF 28.8 MILES PER GALLON FROM THE 2.0 LITER FLAT-4 WORKING THROUGH A CVT.

THAT POWERTRAIN COMBO WAS OUR ONLY SIGNIFICANT COMPLAINT, AS OUR POWER-HUNGRY STAFF ALWAYS SEEMED TO WANT A LITTLE MORE.

ADD TO THAT A DESIRE FOR SOME ADDITIONAL SEAT COMFORT FOR LONG TRIPS.

BUT, THAT'S MINOR CONSIDERING CROSSTREK'S BULLETPROOF MECHANICS AND ITS STARK, BUT ROOMY AND WELL THOUGHT-OUT INTERIOR.

REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER OR THE ABUSE THAT WE PUT IT THROUGH, THE SUBARU CROSSTREK WAS ALWAYS A FAITHFUL COMPANION.

AS SAD AS WE ARE TO SEE IT GO, OUR DISAPPOINTMENT IS TEMPERED SOMEWHAT BY RUMORS THAT THE ALL-NEW '18 CROSSTREK IS ON ITS WAY TO US.

SO STAY TUNED FOR THAT!

BUT FIRST, WE'LL UPDATE YOU ON THE BMW X1 AND VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT ON OUR NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A CHANCE TO STEP ON THE THROTTLE IN A NEW RIDE.

SO HERE WE GO IN THIS WEEK'S QUICKSPIN.

THE 2019 JEEP CHEROKEE IS THE LATEST EDITION OF A TRUE SUV PIONEERING NAME.

IN FACT, IT WAS THE BOXY 4-DOOR 1984 XJ CHEROKEE THAT STARTED THE TREND OF SUV'S BECOMING A FAMILY STAPLE.

BUT WHEN THE CURRENT GEN KL CHEROKEE ARRIVED FOR 2014, THERE WAS AN UPROAR AMONG JEEP PURISTS WHO SAW THEIR FULL-FRAMED, MOUNTAIN GOAT TRANSFORMED INTO A CAR-BASED CROSSOVER, COMPLETE WITH SOFTER LINES AND POLARIZING STYLING.

WELL...WHILE, JEEP ALREADY HAS PROVEN THE LATEST CHEROKEE HAS OFF-ROAD CHOPS, THE 2019 REFRESH ATTEMPTS TO RECTIFY OTHER ISSUES.

FOR ONE THING, THE SPLIT, SQUINTY FRONT LAMPS ARE GONE.

NOW, THE LED DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS ARE BLENDED INTO A SINGLE HEADLIGHT UNIT.

THE 7-SLOT GRILLE, NOW ALSO LOOKS MORE TRADITIONAL, WITH EVEN MORE TWEAKS TO THE LIFTGATE AND THE REAR END.

UNDER THE NEW ALUMINUM HOOD ARE THREE ENGINE OPTIONS: A 180 HORSEPOWER 2.4 LITER I4, A 271 HORSEPOWER 3.2 LITER V6, AND THE ALL-NEW 2.0 LITER TURBO CHARGED INLINE-4 WITH 270 HORSES.

Garick Zikan: SO HERE WE ARE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF THE NEW JEEP CHEROKEE.

WE'VE HAD THE CHANCE TO TRY THE NEW 2.0 LITER INLINE TURBO AND THE V6.

THEY BOTH PRODUCE ABOUT THE SAME HORSEPOWER, BUT THE TURBO HAS 56 MORE POUND FEET OF TORQUE.

BOTH ENGINES WORK WELL HERE, BUT YOU REALLY NOTICE THAT EXTRA THRUST YOU GET FROM THE TURBO.

John: THE NEW TURBO ENGINE LED TO REFINEMENTS IN THE 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

SHIFTS COME QUICKLY AND SMOOTHLY.

THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ALSO STAYED ON POINT DURING OUR DRIVE THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA COUNTRYSIDE.

INSIDE, MORE NEW TOUCHES, LIKE PIANO BLACK AND SATIN CHROME ACCENTS, AND A NEW GENERATION UCONNECT SYSTEM WITH BOTH APPLE CAR PLAY AND ANDROID AUTO NOW STANDARD.

SO THE 2019 JEEP CHEROKEE EVOLVES EVEN FURTHER.

ROLLING INTO DEALERS NOW, WITH PRICES STARTING UNDER $24,000.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPIN'S SOON.

FEW BRANDS HAVE THE SUV LANDSCAPE COVERED AS TOTALLY AS TOYOTA.

EVEN WHEN IT COMES TO LARGE FAMILY DUTY, THEY HAVE A TRIO TO CHOOSE FROM.

BUT IT'S THE HIGHLANDER CROSSOVER THAT PICKS UP THE BULK OF THAT BUSINESS, AND IT'S BEEN UPDATED FOR 2017 TO GIVE THOSE FAMILIES MORE OF WHAT THEY REALLY WANT.

* NOW, MIDWAY THROUGH ITS 3RD GENERATION, THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ADDS A MULTITUDE OF UPDATES FOR 2017.

BUT DON'T THINK, THEY'RE THE HASTILY ASSEMBLED KIND OF REVISIONS IN RESPONSE TO SOME SALES SLUMP, RATHER JUST THE NORMAL PROGRESSION OF KEEPING CURRENT WITH THE SEGMENT.

AS DESPITE A RASH OF RECENTLY RE-ENGINEERED COMPETITION, THE HIGHLANDER REMAINS A TOP SELLER IN THE FAMILY 3-ROW UTILITY WORLD.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE THE BIG MOUTH LOOK, IN FACT MOST OF OUR STAFF DON'T, BUT YOU CERTAINLY WON'T BE ABLE TO IGNORE IT, AS IT SEEMS TO BE SWALLOWING UP AS MUCH ROAD AS POSSIBLE WHILE HEADING IN YOUR DIRECTION.

THE BIG NEWS FOR '17 IS NEW SE TRIM.

IT TAMES THAT FRONT END SOMEWHAT WITH DARK PIECES REPLACING THE USUAL CHROME.

NINETEEN INCH WHEELS ARE ADDED AS WELL, TO SUPPORT A SPORTIER IMAGE.

FORTUNATELY, IT DOESN'T STOP WITH LOOKS.

SE'S ALSO GET A RETUNED SUSPENSION FOR A LITTLE MORE AGILITY.

STILL, THIS IS PERHAPS WHERE HIGHLANDER SHOWS ITS AGE THE MOST, HAVING A HEAVIER FEEL COMPARED TO MUCH OF THE COMPETITION WHO HAVE MOVED ON TO LIGHTER WEIGHT MATERIALS.

BUT THAT ALSO GIVES IT A TOTALLY SOLID, SAFE, AND SECURE FEELING COMPARED TO MANY RIVALS.

FROM THE HIGH SEATING POSITION, DRIVERS WILL BE ENJOYING THAT ENHANCED NIMBLENESS FROM NEW BLACK LEATHER SEATS WITH SILVER STITCHING.

OF COURSE, ITS ACCOMPANIED BY DARK DASH AND DOOR TRIM.

CONTROLS AND LAYOUT ARE ALL VERY FAMILIAR, WITH NO MAJOR CHANGES HERE; INCLUDING THE VERY HELPFUL STORAGE IN THE DASH.

GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE WITH ELECTRONICS TO KEEP CHARGED, ALL HIGHLANDERS NOW COME WITH FIVE USB PORTS!

BOTH 7 AND 8-PASSENGER VERSIONS ARE AVAILABLE, WITH THE 2ND ROW SEATS REMAINING VERY COMFORTABLE AND SPACIOUS.

AND WHILE, MANY COMPETITORS HAVE STEPPED THEIR GAME UP IN THE 3RD ROW DEPARTMENT, ACCESS HERE IS STILL VERY GOOD, THOUGH VERY LOW SEAT BOTTOMS MAKE FOR AN AWKWARD SEATING POSITION.

CARGO SPACE CONTINUES TO BE GOOD HERE; 13.8 CUBIC-FEET BEHIND THE 3RD ROW, 42.3 BEHIND THE 2ND, AND A MAX OF 83.7 CUBIC-FEET.

BOOSTING PRACTICALITY FURTHER, THE HIGHLANDER IS ONE OF THE FEW SUV'S THAT STILL HAS A FLIP UP GLASS FOR THE REAR HATCH; THOUGH ONLY IN UPPER TRIM LEVELS.

[ENGINE STARTS UP] EVEN BETTER NEWS, IS THE ARRIVAL OF A HIGHER POWER.

AN ENHANCED VERSION OF THE 3.5 LITER V6 THAT GETS A 25 HORSEPOWER BOOST TO 295.

TORQUE RISES 15 POUND-FEET TO 263.

ALL THIS WHILE, ACTUALLY IMPROVING FUEL ECONOMY, THANKS TO A NEW 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

GOVERNMENT RATINGS ARE NOW 20-CITY, 26-HIGHWAY, AND 22-COMBINED WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

OUR AVERAGE WAS 21.0 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.

KEEPING THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE AN AVERAGE ONE, AT 15.0 BARRELS OF ANNUAL OIL CONSUMPTION ALONG WITH EMISSIONS OF 6.6 TONS OF CO2.

[ENGINE REVS/TIRES SCREECH] AT THE TRACK, THANKS TO THE UPGRADED V6, HIGHLANDER CERTAINLY FEELS LESS SLUGGISH OFF THE LINE.

THERE'S A STRONG LOW END PULL TO GET YOU GOING, WHILE IT EAGERLY DELIVERS POWER ON THE HIGH END AS WELL.

WE HIT 60 IN 7.7 SECONDS, WITH A QUARTER MILE TIME OF 16.0 SECONDS FLAT AT 92 MILES PER HOUR.

BASE LE TRIM STILL COMES WITH A 185 HORSEPOWER 2.7 LITER I4, THOUGH IN FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE ONLY, AND OF COURSE THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID REMAINS AVAILABLE AS WELL.

AS FOR HOW THE UPGRADED SE SUSPENSION HANDLED OUR CONES; WELL, THERE IS STILL SOME MILD UNDERSTEER AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, BUT THE TAUTER SUSPENSION IS VERY NOTICEABLE.

IN FACT, AFTER A FEW RUNS, WE WERE REALLY HAULING THE GOODS, SHAVING EVER CLOSER TO THE CONES AND KEEPING SPEEDS HIGHER THAN WE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED GOING IN.

EVEN BODY ROLL IS WELL SUBDUED; IT WAS TIRE SIDEWALL FLEXING THAT SEEMED TO HOLD US BACK THE MOST.

OF COURSE, IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY SAFETY THESE DAYS, AND FOR 2017, ALL HIGHLANDERS GET TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE P WITH AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT.

HIGHLANDER PRICING STARTS AT JUST $31,625.

NEW SE TRIM GOES FOR $40,685, WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ADDING ANOTHER $1,460.

EVEN WITH THE RAPID PACE OF CHANGE THESE DAYS, THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS HAD NO PROBLEM STAYING NEAR THE TOP THE SALES CHARTS IN THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE 3-ROW CROSSOVER UTILITY SEGMENT.

TOYOTA FANS WILL FIND MORE OF WHAT THEY LOVE HERE IN THIS UPGRADED 2017 VERSION.

AND THAT SHOULD ENSURE CURRENT HIGHLANDER SALES REMAIN HIGH, UNTIL AN ALL-NEW ONE HITS THE STREETS.

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'RE BACK AT OUR WINTER PROVING GROUNDS FOR A WILD RUN IN THE LAMBORGHINI HURACAN PERFORMANTE, AND THEN BUICK DESIGN WITH THE PRACTICALITY DRIVERS DEMAND.

PAT GOSS HAS TIPS ON KEEPING YOUR CAR RUNNING SMOOTHLY.

ZACH MASKELL IS BACK AT IT AGAIN, GOING OVER THE EDGE.

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 MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY... Man: "IT'S GOT 430 FOOT UNITS OF BEAST.

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

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE.

Man: OOPS.

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] *