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

JOIN US AND SEE IF CAMERO FLAVOR MAKES THE NEW CHEVROLET BLAZER SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT... PAT GOSS WITH ADVICE FOR A COOL AND QUIET RIDE... STEPHANIE HART LOOKS AT HOW WOMEN VIEW LIFE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT... AND ADDING PLUG-IN POWER TO A RUGGED COMPACT RIDER...

THE SUBARU CROSSTREK HYBRID...

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.

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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: WITH SO MANY NEW CROSSOVER UTILITIES ON THE MARKET, TRYING TO MAKE ONE STAND OUT FROM ANOTHER USUALLY COMES DOWN TO THE DETAILS.

BUT RATHER THAN FOCUS ON EXTRA ALL-WEATHER RUGGEDNESS, OR CAVERNOUS CARGO HAULING, CHEVROLET'S ALL-NEW MIDSIZE BLAZER ADDS SOMETHING NO OTHER BRAND CAN.

THE SPORTINESS OF A CAMERO.

SO, LET'S SEE IF THAT BLAZES A NEW TRAIL WORTH FOLLOWING.

* WE HAVE TO ADMIT, THAT WHEN WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS ALL-NEW 2019 CHEVROLET BLAZER WAS NOT A RUGGED, REAR AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, UTILITY, BASED ON THE COLORADO TRUCK, WE WERE QUITE DISAPPOINTED.

AFTER ALL, FORD HAS REVERTED TO A REAR DRIVE ARCHITECTURE FOR ITS NEW EXPLORER.

BUT, THAT'S MOSTLY WHERE OUR DISAPPOINTMENT ENDS.

NO, THIS NEW BLAZER IS FOR A NEW, MORE MODERN TIME, LOOKING TO TAKE ON THE RECENTLY UPDATED FORD EDGE, AS WELL AS THE REBORN HONDA PASSPORT, IN A RESURGING 5-PASSENGER MIDSIZE CROSSOVER FIELD.

BIGGER THAN THE EQUINOX, SMALLER THAN TRAVERSE, THE BLAZER RIDES ON A NEW VERSION OF GMs FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE CROSSOVER CHASSIS THAT DEBUTED BACK WITH THE 2017 CADILLAC XT5, AND ITS CLOSEST IN SIZE TO GMCs ACADIA.

THOUGH, AND HERE'S THE FUN PART, ITS BIG AND BOLD FRONT END HAS IT LOOKING MUCH MORE LIKE THE CAMARO SPORT COUPE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN THE BOWTIE'S CROSSOVER FAMILY, AND THAT'S JUST FINE WITH US.

BASE ENGINE IS THE ACADIA'S 193 HORSEPOWER 2.5 LITER I4.

BUT, IF YOU WANT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, OR TO TOW MORE THAN 1,500 POUNDS, YOU'LL HAVE TO UPGRADE TO GMs 3.6 LITER V6.

YOU'LL GET 308 HORSEPOWER, 270 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, AND BE ABLE TO PULL 4,500 POUNDS.

BOTH ENGINES GET THE SAME 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

BUT WHILE WE LIKE THE SPORTY SHIFTER'S SHAPE, HAVING A ROCKER SWITCH FOR MANUAL GEAR SELECTION IS JUST SILLY.

THE OPTIONAL TWIN-CLUTCH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IS MORE STREET PERFORMANCE ORIENTED THAN MADE FOR OFF-PAVEMENT EXPLORING.

TORQUE VECTORING SENDS POWER TO THE OUTSIDE REAR WHEEL TO HELP TIGHTEN UP TURNS.

INDEED, MAKING THE BLAZER A SPORTIER HANDLER THAN MOST IN THE SEGMENT.

BODY ROLL IS VERY MINIMAL DESPITE A 7.4 INCH HIGH RIDE HEIGHT, AIDED BY 20 INCH WHEELS OF OUR PREMIER-TRIMMED TESTER.

THOUGH, THE INEXPENSIVE-FEELING DRIVE MODE SELECTOR DOES INCLUDE AT LEAST A SKETCH OF A MOUNTAIN TRAIL FOR OFF-ROAD MODE, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO LOCK IT INTO TWO-WHEEL DRIVE.

SEATS ARE FIRMER THAN WE EXPECTED, AS WAS THE RIDE QUALITY.

THOSE LOOKING FOR AN EVEN FIRMER EXPERIENCE CAN GET A BLAZER RS, WHICH ALSO GETS QUICKER STEERING, TO FURTHER ENHANCE A CAMERO-EST FEEL.

HOWEVER, OUR PREMIER HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH INTERIOR FEATURES TO PLEASE THE TYPICAL BUYER.

GREAT FLEXIBILITY AS WELL, THANKS TO SLIDING REAR SEATS, AND SEAT BOTTOMS THAT LOWER WHEN FOLDING THE SEATBACKS, FOR AN ALMOST COMPLETELY FLAT LOAD FLOOR.

AND DOING SO, EXPANDS LOAD SPACE FROM 30.5 TO 64.2 CUBIC-FEET.

GAUGES ARE QUITE COMPREHENSIVE FOR A FAMILY TRUCKSTER; JUST ONE OF MANY THINGS THAT HIGHLIGHT WHAT IS QUITE A NICE INTERIOR FOR THE PRICE POINT.

ITEMS LIKE THE POWER TILT/TELESCOPE STEERING WHEEL AND THE HIGH-QUALITY LEATHER, HAVE IT FITTING IN WITH THE NISSAN MURANO'S NEAR-LUXURY ATMOSPHERE.

THE DASH CONTINUES THE CAMARO VIBE, WITH EVEN THE SAME LOW CIRCULAR CENTRAL VENTS THAT ARE A THROWBACK TO WHEN A/C WAS AN ADD-ON, WITH A HANG-ON UNIT FITTED UNDER THE DASH.

WE ALSO LIKE THAT THEY'VE PLACED THE START BUTTON IN CLEAR SIGHT WAY UP HIGH.

LIKEWISE, THE 8-INCH TOUCHSCREEN IS ELEVATED ON THE CENTER STACK, BUT STILL INTEGRATED AND LOOKING BETTER THAN THOSE THAT APPEAR TO BE JUST PLOPPED ON TOP.

THE SPORTY FEEL CARRIED OVER TO OUR TEST TRACK, WHERE THIS CAMARO... ERR... BLAZER RIPPED THROUGH THE CONES WITH EASE.

THE CHASSIS FEELS FIRM AND RESPONSIVE, WITH VERY MANAGEABLE AMOUNTS OF BODY ROLL.

THOUGH, WE FOUND THE TRACTION NANNIES A LITTLE TOO EAGER TO STEP IN AT THE FIRST SIGN OF UNDERSTEER.

THE V6 PUTS THE POWER DOWN QUITE EFFECTIVELY AS WELL, WITH A PRETTY AGGRESSIVE THROTTLE RESPONSE; 6.2 SECONDS FOR A 0-60 RUN IS MUCH BETTER THAN MOST RIVALS, AND CLOSE TO THE FORD EDGE ST.

CONTINUING THROUGH THE QUARTER MILE, SHIFTS ARE QUICK AND STEADY, ENDING THE PROCEEDINGS WITH A TIME OF 14.8 SECONDS AT 94 MILES PER HOUR.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 18-CITY, 25-HIGHWAY, AND 21-COMBINED FOR AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE V6.

WE AVERAGED A FINE 22.7 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.

STILL, IT RATES A WORSE THAN AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE, CONSUMING 15.7 BARRELS OF OIL, AND EMITTING 7.0 TONS OF CO2 ANNUALLY.

PRICING IS VERY COMPETITIVE, STARTING AT $29,995, TOPPING OUT WITH OUR PREMIER TESTER AT $43,895.

BRINGING THE VAULTED BLAZER NAME BACK AS A CROSSOVER, DOES STING A LITTLE, BUT THIS IS 2019; AND A SPORTY SUV PACKED WITH TECHNOLOGY AND FAMILY FEATURES IS WHERE THE PREMIUM MARKET IS TRULY AT THESE DAYS.

SO, YOU CAN'T BLAME CHEVY FOR GOING THAT ROUTE.

AND IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT IS MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER FINE UTILITY, SOMETHING MORE LIKE THE CAMARO OF CROSSOVERS, THIS IS THE ONE YOU WANT.

* YOU KNOW, IT'S NO SECRET THAT MEN AND WOMEN HAVE VERY DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON LOTS OF THINGS, INCLUDING BUYING A NEW CAR.

SO WHILE, THE MAJORITY OF AUTOMOTIVE ADVERTISING SEEMS TO BE AIMED AT MEN, THE FACT IS THAT WOMEN HAVE A STRONG INFLUENCE IN THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF CAR BUYING DECISIONS.

SO, WHAT PERSUADES WOMEN TO CHOOSE ONE CAR OVER ANOTHER?

OUR FYI REPORTER STEPHANIE HART HAS SOME ANSWERS.

* Stephanie Hart: MOTORWEEK LITERALLY HIT THE STREETS TO GET WOMENS' POINT OF VIEW ON BUYING A NEW CAR.

STARTING WITH THE BIG QUESTION... Anita Moore: I PURCHASED A NISSAN ALTIMA BECAUSE I NEEDED A FAMILY CAR A 4-DOOR CAR FOR ADULTS TO SIT IN THE BACK AND IT'S SPORTY ENOUGH WHERE IT HAS GREAT PICKUP SPEED AND IT'S A GREAT PRICE FOR ME.

Mercy Boakye-Boaceng: I LOOK FOR A CAR THAT'S VERY DURABLE, SPACIOUS WHICH I CAN TAKE MY KIDS BACK AND FORTH EASILY, NOT COMPLICATED FOR ME, AND EASY TO GET IN THAT'S WHAT I LOOK FOR IN A CAR.

Stephanie: HOW DID SAFETY AND TECH FEATURES PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR PURCHASE?

Aprenea McCutchen: SAFETY, THE BASICS, AIRBAGS, WARNING LIGHTS, WARNING SIGNALS.

THE MAXIMA ACTUALLY HAS ALL OF THOSE, MORE THAN WHAT I EXPECTED SO THAT PLAYED A LITTLE BIT.

GPS, NAVIGATION, SATELLITE RADIO, A SMART CAR WAS REALLY IMPORTANT, SO YOU ARE NOT ON YOUR CELL PHONE, YOU CAN JUST PUSH BUTTONS IN THE CAR.

Stephanie: TODAY, WOMEN HAVE FAR MORE BUYING POWER THAN EVER BEFORE... STATISTICS SHOW 80% OF CAR BUYING DECISIONS ARE MADE OR STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY WOMEN.

ITS INSPIRING AND EMPOWERING... AND A GAME CHANGER FOR THE AUTO INDUSTRY.

TRADITIONALLY, IT'S BEEN A MALE-DOMINATED BUSINESS... NOW, WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE WOMEN HIGH RANKING AUTO EXECUTIVES, REIMAGING THE AUTO INDUSTRY.

FEMALE AUTO ENGINEERS, I'VE SPOKEN TO...SAY, "THEY'RE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO CREATE NEW VEHICLES THAT APPEAL SPECIFICALLY TO WOMEN," TAKE THEIR CROSSOVER AND SUV CRAZE RIGHT NOW FOR EXAMPLE, THAT HAS EVOLVED LARGELY DUE TO A WOMAN'S DESIRE FOR A VEHICLE THAT'S SPORTIER THAN A MINIVAN BUT HANDLES BETTER THAN A TRUCK.

THE FUTURE IS FEMALE.

IT'S CLEAR THE AUTO INDUSTRY IS STARTING TO CELEBRATE THAT CONCEPT.

STILL, MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE, ESPECIALLY AT LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIPS.

ANITA MOORE SHARES HER CAR BUYING EXPERIENCE.

Anita: THE DEALERSHIP ACTUALLY GAVE ME THE PERSON, WHO WAS THE LEAST KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT CARS AND IT WAS ACTUALLY ALARMING THAT I KNEW MORE ABOUT WHAT I WANTED, MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE CAR THAT THEY WERE SELLING THAN THE PERSON TALKING TO ME, SO I ENDED UP WALKING AWAY THE FIRST TIME AROUND.

Stephanie: SHE WENT BACK TO THAT SAME DEALERSHIP A FEW MONTHS LATER.

THIS TIME SHE REQUESTED THE MOST EXPERIENCED SALES PERSON.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED... Anita: THIS TIME AROUND THEY TOOK ME SERIOUSLY, WHERE AS THE FIRST TIME AROUND THEY JUST THREW A DEALER AT ME WHO DIDN'T KNOW THE CARS ON THEIR LOT.

Stephanie: DO YOU THINK IT WAS BECAUSE YOU WERE A WOMAN?

Anita: ABSOLUTELY!

AND ACTUALLY, THE FIRST TIME I WENT IN THE TRADE IN VALUE OF MY OLD CAR.

THEY WERE OFFERING $700.00.

I HAD MY SON-IN-LAW TAKE MY CAR, THE SAME CAR, AND THEY OFFERED $2,500.

Stephanie: WOW!

Anita: SO THAT IS DEFINITELY, A DIFFERENCE OF WHO BROUGHT THE CAR THERE.

Stephanie: AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S THE KIND OF PERCEIVED GENDER BIAS THAT HAPPENS EVERY DAY.

BETSY LIBERTO EXPLAINS HER CAR BUYING EXPERIENCE WHEN SHE BROUGHT HER HUSBAND RON WITH HER TO THE DEALERSHIP.

Betsy Liberto: WE WERE FINALLY IN THE LAST STAGES WHERE YOU ARE SIGNING ALL THE PAPERWORK AND THEY'RE TRYING TO UPSELL YOU EVERYTHING THAT THEY WANT YOU TO TAKE, YOU KNOW, EVERY CLEAR COAT, EVERY INSURANCE POLICY, OR WHATEVER, THEY WOULD TRY TO SELL TO HIM.

AND THEN, WE WOULD LOOK AT EACH OTHER, AND WE WOULD BOTH GO... AND THEY WOULD STILL TRY TO SELL TO HIM.

AND THEN FINALLY, IF HE SAID, "NO!"

THEY WERE DONE, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS KIND OF INTERESTING.

Stephanie: IT IS INTERESTING.

Betsy: YEAH.

Stephanie: SO, WHAT ARE TODAY'S WOMEN EXPECTING FROM THE AUTO INDUSTRY?

THE WOMEN I SPOKE TO SAY: CLEAR, BOTTOM LINE CAR PRICING FOR ALL SEXES.

PAIR THAT WITH LATEST SAFETY, TECH, STYLE, AND COMFORT, AND YOU HAVE A DEAL.

John: COMFORT IS A BIG PART OF DRIVING SATISFACTION.

PAT GOSS SHOWS US ONE WAY TO IMPROVE JUST THAT.

Pat Goss: NOW, THAT THE OUTSIDE OF OUR WAGONEER IS ALMOST COMPLETED, ITS TIME TO MOVE INSIDE AND MAKE THAT AREA MORE HOSPITABLE AND MODERN.

NOW, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE'RE GOING TO TREAT SOME SURFACE RUST THAT WE SEE IN THE FLOORS.

NOW, WE'VE TAKEN THE CARPETING OUT AND WE SEE THERE ARE MINOR SURFACE RUST AREAS THAT WE DON'T WANT TO BECOME STRUCTURAL RUST AREAS.

SO, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A WIRE BRUSH, WE'RE GOING TO SCRAPE THE SURFACE OFF OF THE RUST SPOTS, THEN WE'RE GOING TO USE A RUST ENCAPSULATOR THAT WILL PREVENT THE RUST FROM SPREADING OR GETTING ANY WORSE.

THEN, THE NEXT THING WE'RE GOING TO DO...

THE INSIDE OF OLDER VEHICLES THEY WERE HOT, AND THEY WERE NOISY AND SO ON.

WELL, WE'RE GOING TO USE AND HEAT AND SOUND BARRIER COATING TO COAT THE INSIDE OF THIS VEHICLE SO WE CAN GET DOWN INTO THE AREAS WHERE THERE ARE TWO PIECES OF METAL THAT ARE CLOSE TOGETHER, WE WANT TO TRY TO SEAL THOSE OFF SO DIRT CAN'T COLLECT IN THERE AND THAT WILL HELP PREVENT FUTURE RUST PROBLEMS.

NEXT THING...OVER THERE, WE HAVE SOME OF THE ORIGINAL SOUND DEADENING AND HEAT BARRIER MATERIAL THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS FINE IN ITS DAY, BUT ITS DAY HAS COME AND GONE.

WHAT WE'RE GOING TO REPLACE IT WITH IS X-MAT.

NOW, ALL OF THESE PRODUCTS ARE FROM EASTWOOD TOOLS.

NOW, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH THIS IS IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IT HAS A RUBBERIZED BACKING ON IT AND THEN A FOIL COATING.

YOU PEEL THE BACKING OFF, CUT THIS STUFF TO SIZE FIRST, PEEL THE BACKING OFF, STICK IT TO THE FLOOR OR SIDING PANELS WHEREVER YOU WANT IT TO DO ITS JOB.

AND THE OVERALL EFFECT OF THIS IS GOING TO BE MUCH MORE LIKE A MODERN CAR BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO HELP KEEP THE TEMPERATURE DOWN AND THE NOISE LEVELS DOWN.

IF YOU PLAN YOUR INTERIOR AND PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS YOU'LL HAVE A COMFORTABLE NICE INTERIOR FOR A LOT OF YEARS TO COME.

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

John: WE SEARCH HIGH AND LOW FOR THE RIGHT RIDE.

SO HERE, WE GO ON ANOTHER QUICKSPIN.

* THOUGH, THE HONDA CIVIC TYPE R HAS ONLY BEEN AVAILABLE TO US HERE IN THE U.S. FOR TWO MODEL YEARS; FOR 2019, IT GETS A MILD REFRESH THAT IT SHARES WITH THE REST OF THE CIVIC HATCHBACK FAMILY.

AND OF COURSE, WE NEVER PASS UP AN OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE A TYPE R, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE A TRACK LIKE ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY AT OUR DISPOSAL.

POWERTRAIN STILL CONSISTS OF 2.0 LITER TURBO-4 WITH A HEARTY 306 HORSEPOWER, CONNECTED TO A JOY-TO-WORK 6-SPEED MANUAL WITH AUTOMATIC REV MATCHING.

IT PROVED THE PERFECT COMBINATION FOR GETTING US AROUND THIS TWO MILE TRACK IN A HURRY.

THE FACT THAT THE TYPE R IS SO DIALED IN, YOU CAN MASH THE GAS MID-CORNER AND ONLY GOOD THINGS HAPPEN.

IT'S REALLY ALMOST TOO EASY TO DRIVE FAST.

NOT, SOMETHING WE OFTEN SAY ABOUT A FRONT DRIVER.

ONCE YOU TIGHTEN THINGS UP WITH THE R+ DRIVE MODE, THE CHASSIS AND TIRES DELIVERY TONS OF GRIP.

BRAKES HOLD UP WELL TOO.

IT REALLY IS TRACK READY RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX.

YOU MIGHT THINK THAT MOST OF THOSE THINGS THAT MAKE IT SO GREAT ON THE TRACK, WOULD MAKE THE TYPE R LESS THAN IDEAL FOR THE STREET.

NOT SO, IN COMFORT MODE IT'S QUITE COMPLIANT AND VERY LIVABLE.

NOW, AS FOR RECENT UPDATES.

MOST ARE INSIDE.

OUR FAVORITE IS AN UPDATED DISPLAY AUDIO SYSTEM WITH PHYSICAL BUTTONS AND AN ACTUAL VOLUME KNOB.

THAT MAY SEEM SILLY, BUT FUNCTIONALITY-WISE, IT'S THE EQUIVALENT OF SLAPPING A BIGGER TURBO ON AN ENGINE, SPEEDING THINGS UP EXPONENTIALLY.

OTHER FUNCTIONALITY-ENHANCERS INCLUDE MORE ACTUAL BUTTONS FOR CLIMATE CONTROL, UPGRADED STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS, AND AN INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE SWITCH THAT MORE CLEARLY DECLARES WHEN IT'S ENGAGED.

FINALLY, NEW COLOR CHOICES ROUND OUT THE CHANGES IN THIS U.K.

ASSEMBLED HOT HATCH.

THE TYPE R IS STILL THE MOST POWERFUL HONDA YOU CAN BUY, AND STILL A PERFORMANCE BARGAIN, AT AROUND $36,000.

BMW HAS FINALLY FILLED THE TOP SPOT IN THEIR SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLE LINE-UP.

TWENTY YEARS AFTER THE X5 STARTED LUXURIOUSLY RIDING HIGH COMES THEIR LARGEST, AND AROUND 500 POUNDS HEAVIER, 2019 BMW X7.

THE NEW X7 HOLDS ON TO MOST OF THE UPRIGHT, ALMOST REGAL STANCE WE SAW IN THE FRANKFURT 2017 CONCEPT.

ON THE ROAD FROM TALLAHASSEE TO BATON ROUGE, WE SETTLED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF THIS 3-ROW SEVEN PASSENGER FLAGSHIP UTE LOOKING OUT OVER AN EXPANSIVE HOOD WITH A CRYSTAL CLEAR HEAD-UP DISPLAY THAT ACTUALLY HAS DEPTH.

A STANDARD 3.0 LITER TURBO STRAIGHT SIX PROVIDES THE 335 HORSEPOWER.

THE EXTENSIVELY UPDATED TURBOCHARGED 4.4 LITER V8 PULLS WITH THE STRENGTH OF 456 HORSES.

BOTH ENGINES CHANNEL THROUGH A QUICK 8-SPEED STEPTRONIC TRANSMISSION, WHILE BMW XDRIVE INTELLIGENT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS STANDARD.

Greg Carloss: AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, THE BMW X7, AS IT IS THE BIGGEST BMW SUV IS SUPREMELY COMFORTABLE AND SUPREMELY QUIET.

I MEAN, I CAN'T HEAR THE ENGINE AT ALL UNTIL I REALLY GET ON THE THROTTLE.

BUT, THIS IS A BIG VEHICLE.

IT'S OVER 10 INCHES LONGER THAN AN X5, BUT IT DOESN'T DRIVE SO BIG AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT BMW WANTS.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE COMFORTABLE.

A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THAT STANDARD AIR SUSPENSION AND I GOTTA SAY, "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED."

John: A SECOND ROW BENCH IS STANDARD, BUT YOU CAN OPT FOR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS.

EITHER WAY, THIRD ROW SEATS SIT HIGH ENOUGH OFF THE FLOOR THAT MOST ADULTS SHOULD FIND A COMFORTABLE POSITION.

ITS SEMI-AUTONOMOUS WIZARDRY CAN CHANGE LANES... AND TAKE OVER IN TRAFFIC JAMS UP TO 37 MPH... AS LONG AS YOU'RE LOOKING FORWARD AND PAYING ATTENTION.

SO, BMW TAKES THEIR RECIPE OF ROOMINESS AND REFINEMENT WITH SPORTY HANDLING TO AN EVEN LARGER SCALE.

THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRODUCED 2019 BMW X7 IS ON SALE NOW STARTING AT UNDER $74,000 FOR THE XDRIVE40I.

XDRIVE50I TERRITORY BEGINS AT UNDER $93,000.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPINS, SOON!

John: YOU KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS NICE WHEN YOU CAN GET A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA.

WELL, WE LOVE OUR LONG-TERM SUBARU CROSSTREK JUST FINE, AND DIDN'T REALLY FEEL IT WAS IN NEED OF ANYTHING, OTHER THAN MAYBE A LITTLE MORE POWER.

WELL, SUBARU HAS DONE JUST THAT, GIVEN THE CROSSTREK A LITTLE BOOST, AS WELL AS MADE IT MORE EFFICIENT, WITH THE CROSSTREK HYBRID.

* THIS 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK HYBRID IS NOT THE FIRST OF ITS KIND OF COURSE.

WE TESTED THE ORIGINAL XV CROSSTREK HYBRID BACK IN 2014, BUT A HYBRID HAS BEEN OUT OF THE CROSSTREK LINEUP SINCE 2016.

AND THIS ONE IS MUCH MORE SERIOUS THAN BEFORE, A PLUG-IN HYBRID, OR PHEV EVEN; THE FIRST WE'VE DRIVEN FROM THE BRAND.

[ENGINE STARTS UP] WHAT'S NOW LABELED AS STARDRIVE, INTEGRATES TWO ELECTRIC MOTORS INTO THE 2.0 LITER BOXER-4 CVT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE POWERTRAIN.

IT'S A DETUNED VERSION OF THE 2.0 LITER, AT 137 HORSEPOWER AND 134 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

BUT, THE INSTANT SURGE OF POWER YOU GET FROM THE ELECTRIC MOTORS EASILY MAKES UP THE DEFICIENCY.

ALTHOUGH TOTAL OUTPUT IS LISTED AS JUST 148 HORSEPOWER.

THE STANDARD CROSSTREK RATES 152.

STORING THIS PHEV ENERGY IS AN 8.8 KWH BATTERY PACK.

IT ALLOWS FOR UP TO 17 MILES OF EV-ONLY DRIVING, AT SPEEDS UP TO 65 MILES PER HOUR.

AND OTHER THAN THE LACK OF ENGINE NOISE FOR THOSE EV MILES, AND A MUCH DIFFERENT REGENERATIVE BRAKING FEEL, THE CROSSTREK HYBRID DOESN'T BEHAVE UNLIKE THE NON-HYBIRD CROSSTREK THAT'S PART OF OUR CURRENT LONG-TERM FLEET.

BATTERY STORAGE IS UNDER THE RAISED TRUNK FLOOR.

SO, CARGO CAPACITY DOES FALL FROM 20.8 TO 15.9 CUBIC-FEET, WITH A MAX OF 43.1.

BUT, WHATEVER IT IS YOU ARE HAULING WILL GET THERE FASTER, AS SUBARU CLAIMS THE ELECTRIC BOOST SHAVES A FULL-SECOND OFF THE CROSSTREK'S 0-60 TIME.

AND INDEED, WE FOUND THAT TO BE TRUE, AND THEN SOME.

8.5 SECONDS TO 60 IS STILL NOT WHAT WE'D CALL QUICK, BUT THAT'S DOWN FROM 10 AS THE CROSSTREK HYBRID LEAPS OFF THE LINE MORE EAGERLY.

FROM THERE, THE CVT QUICKLY FINDS ITS SWEET SPOT AS THE ENGINE MOANS ITS WAY THROUGH THE QUARTER MILE IN 16.6 SECONDS AT 82 MILES PER HOUR.

DESPITE HAULING MORE EV HARDWARE WEIGHT AROUND, THE CROSSTREK HYBRID FELT RESPONSIVE AND QUITE FUN AT THE TRACK.

UNDERSTEER SEEMS TO ARRIVE A LITTLE MORE QUICKLY THAN THE STANDARD CROSSTREK, BUT WE COULD STILL CARRY QUITE A BIT OF SPEED THROUGH THE CONES.

AN OVERALL SOFT FEEL REMAINS, AND QUITE A BIT OF BODY ROLL DUE TO THE 8.7 INCHES OF GROUND CLEARANCE.

BUT STEERING IS LIGHT, WITH A FAIR AMOUNT OF FEEL COMPARED TO RIVALS.

ACTIVE SAFETY IS A BIG PART OF SUBARU'S STRATEGY, AND EYESIGHT WITH PRE-COLLISION BRAKING IS STANDARD.

AS ALWAYS, IT WORKED SILKY SMOOTHLY, BRINGING US TO A STOP EVERY TIME.

THERE'S EVEN REVERSE AUTOMATIC BRAKING, TO AID BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES.

THE UNIQUE INTERIOR HAS MORE THAN JUST THE USUAL POWER METER GAUGE AND HYBRID DISPLAYS ON ITS 4.2 INCH COLOR LCD DISPLAY; THERE'S GRAY, AND BLUE LEATHER ON THE SEATS, AND DOOR PANELS, AS WELL AS BLUE STITCHING THROUGHOUT THE CABIN, AND AN UPGRADED DASH-TOP MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY.

THE PHEV ALSO COMES VERY WELL EQUIPPED, WITH AN 8.0 INCH STARLINK MULTIMEDIA TOUCHSCREEN, AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL, AND EVEN THE ALL-WEATHER PACKAGE.

IT'S DISTINCTIVE LOOKING OUTSIDE AS WELL; THERE'S BLUE TRIM, SILVER METALLIC FINISHES, BLACK ROOF RAILS AND SPECIAL 18 INCH WHEELS.

AND IF YOU LIKE THIS LAGOON BLUE PEARL PAINT JOB, GOING HYBRID IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT.

STILL, ALL-WHEEL DRIVE CAPABLE, SO NO NEED TO WORRY THERE.

THE X-MODE VERSION OF SUBARU'S SYMMETRICAL ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IS STANDARD; PLOWING THROUGH SNOWY ROADS AS CONFIDENTLY AS EVER.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 35-COMBINED, WITH AN MPGE RATING OF 90-COMBINED.

SO, AS WITH ALL PHEVS, THE MORE YOUR RUN ON BATTERY POWER, THE BETTER YOU'LL DO.

BUT WITHOUT EVEN PLUGGING IT IN, WE STILL AVERAGED 34.0 MILES PER GALLON; QUITE GOOD COMPARED TO THE 29.6, WE'RE AVERAGING WITH OUR LONG-TERM NON-HYBRID CROSSTREK.

THAT ALL MAKES FOR A BETTER THAN AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 5.5 BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL USE, WITH 2.5 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS.

SUBARU IS MARKETING THE CROSSTREK HYBRID AS A PREMIUM VERSION OF THE CROSSTREK, NOT JUST A MORE EFFICIENT ONE, SO IT'S PRICED ACCORDINGLY AT $35,970 TO START.

THE LIST OF AVAILABLE PLUG-IN HYBRID SMALL CROSSOVERS IS A FAIRLY SHORT ONE; SO THIS TIME SUBARU IS AHEAD OF THE GAME.

NOW, WHETHER YOU THINK THE ADDITIONAL COST OF THE 2019 SUBARU CROSSTREK HYBRID IS WORTH IT OR NOT, DEPENDS SOLELY ON YOUR PERSONAL PRIORITIES.

BUT, IT IS WHERE THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD IS HEADED.

SO, WE APPLAUD SUBARU'S FIRST PHEV EFFORT, AS IT MAKES THE ALREADY VERY APPEALING CROSSTREK EVEN MORE SO.

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 THE MERCEDES-BENZ GLE RAISES THE BAR FOR LUXURY UTEs, AND FUEL ECONOMY WITH A BIT OF FLAIR, THE KIA FORTE.

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... 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.

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] *