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

JOIN US AS WE GO AFTER COMFORT FOR ALL AGES IN THE ALL-NEW TOYOTA AVALON... PAT GOSS PAINTS ANOTHER AUTOMOTIVE KNOW-HOW MASTERPIECE... STEPHANIE HART WITH A LOOK AT HOW REAR VIEW CAMERAS ARE PUT TO THE TEST... THEN, IT'S THE DESIGNED-FOR-AMERICA VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT...

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: TIRERACK.COM.

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.

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: 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 FOUR 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.

TOWARDS THAT GOAL, TOYOTA'S FLAGSHIP LOSES MOST OF ITS SOFT LINES IN FAVOR OF A SHARPER TECHNICAL LOOK.

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.

IT'S A NICE STEP UP FROM THE PREVIOUS GEN CAR.

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.

STEERING WHEEL-MOUNTED PADDLE SHIFTERS ARE AVAILABLE, ANOTHER NOD TO YOUNGER BUYERS.

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.

* 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.

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 ROLLERCOASTER.

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 A PEDESTRIAN.

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: THIS JUST REDESIGNED 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK ARRIVED ON OUR LONG-TERM LOT WITH JUST 25 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.

IN THE MONTH SINCE, WE'VE ADDED 1,700 MORE, AND MILEAGE IS OFF TO A GOOD START, AVERAGING 33.5 MILES PER GALLON.

WE DO EXPECT THAT TO DROP AS WE CONTINUE TO RACK UP MILES.

BUT BEFORE WE DO THAT, LET'S GET TO KNOW THE CROSSTREK A LITTLE MORE.

ALL NEW FOR '18, OUR 2.0 LITER 4-CYLINDER LONG-TERMER IS OUTFITTED IN LIMITED TRIM; WHICH MEANS A BACK-UP CAMERA, 18-INCH ALLOY WHEELS, LED STEERING RESPONSIVE HEADLIGHTS, AND AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL ARE ALL STANDARD; NOT TO MENTION A CVT AND OF COURSE, X-MODE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

TO THAT WE'VE ADDED A MOONROOF, EYESIGHT DRIVER-ASSIST SYSTEM, REVERSE AUTOMATIC BRAKING, HIGH BEAM ASSIST, NAVIGATION FOR THE 8.0 INCH STARLINK TOUCHSCREEN, AND A 432 WATT HARMON-KARDON SOUND SYSTEM.

IF NOTHING ELSE, WE'LL BE ROCKIN' OUT FOR THE NEXT 11 MONTHS.

THAT SAME MONTHS' TIME HAS SEEN ANOTHER 2,500 MILES ADDED TO OUR 2018 HONDA ODYSSEY'S ODOMETER.

WE'VE SAID IT BEFORE, AND WE'LL SAY IT AGAIN; MINIVANS TRULY ARE THE MOST PRACTICAL VEHICLES OUT THERE.

WHAT OTHER VEHICLE ALLOWS YOU TO HAUL 7 OR 8-ADULTS IN COMFORT ONE MINUTE, AND AFTER FOLDING AND REMOVING SEATS, HAUL FULL SHEETS OF PLYWOOD OR AN 80-INCH FLAT SCREEN THE NEXT; ALL WHILE BEING SO EASY TO DRIVE AND PARK, YOU WOULDN'T THINK TWICE ABOUT LETTING YOUR NEIGHBOR BORROW IT FOR A FEW HOURS.

WHILE, DOING ALL OF THAT AND MORE, WE'RE AVERAGING 23.3 MILES PER GALLON FROM A 3.5 LITER V6 THAT DELIVERS POWER BETTER THAN MANY V8s FROM NOT LONG AGO.

YES, THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO HAUL IN THIS FAMILY TRUCKSTER.

WE'LL UPDATE YOU ON THE KIA NIRO AND THIS VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

TIME FOR ANOTHER FIRST DRIVE REPORT, SO LET'S GO FOR A QUICKSPIN.

* YOU NEED A DIGITAL SCORECARD TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL THE PERFORMANCE MODELS THAT PORSCHE HAS UNLEASHED LATELY.

BUT WE'RE CERTAINLY, NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT ALL OF THE TRACK TIME WE'VE BEEN GETTING IN THESE OUTSTANDING MACHINES.

AND THEN, THERE'S OUR LATEST QUICKSPIN IN THIS 2019 PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS, BASICALLY, A STREET LEGAL RACE CAR, AND THE MOST POWERFUL NATURALLY ASPIRATED PRODUCTION 911 EVER.

AKIN TO TAKING A REMBRANDT AND SOMEHOW MAKING IT EVEN BETTER; PORSCHE STARTED WITH THE ALREADY POTENT 911 GT3, EKED OUT 20 MORE HORSEPOWER FROM ITS 4.0 LITER FLAT-6 FOR A TOTAL OF 520, TOOK OUT AS MUCH WEIGHT AS POSSIBLE, AND DOUBLED THE AMOUNT OF DOWNFORCE IT CAN CREATE.

IF ALL OF THAT DOESN'T SOUND AWESOME TO YOU, THEN YOU'RE WATCHING THE WRONG SHOW, AND QUITE POSSIBLY ON THE WRONG PLANET!

OUR TASTE OF THIS MECHANICAL NIRVANA CAME AT WHERE ELSE, BUT THE AUTOMOTIVE PARADISE THAT IS GERMANY'S NURBURGRING.

David Scrivner: WE'RE LAPPING THE NURBURGRING'S SPRINT COURSE IN THE 911 GT3 RS.

IT HAS 61% REAR WEIGHT BIAS, SO PORSCHE HAS GIVEN IT MORE FRONT DOWNFORCE BY ADDING NACA DUCTS TO THE HOOD.

THIS GIVES YOU GREAT TURNING GRIP ENTERING THE CORNERS AND THROUGHOUT THE TURNS.

IT'S A SUPREMELY WELL-BALANCED, HIGHLY ENTERTAINING, 9000 RPM THRILL RIDE.

John: PORSCHE ACTIVE SUSPENSION MANAGEMENT, ACTIVE ENGINE MOUNTS, AND TORQUE VECTORING LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL ARE ALL STANDARD, AND RIDE HEIGHT, TOE, CAMBER, CASTER, AND THE SWAY BAR, CAN ALL BE ADJUSTED.

PUT YOUR ORDER IN NOW, AND IF YOU'RE LUCKY, YOUR 2019 PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS WILL ARRIVE BY FALL FOR ABOUT $190,000.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPIN'S, SOON!

VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS YOU, AND A LOT OF OTHER AMERICANS, TO REACH THEIR GOAL OF 5% U.S. MARKET SHARE.

IT'S ABOUT 2% TODAY.

THEIR NEW ATLAS AND TIGUAN SUVS WILL CERTAINLY HELP, BUT THEY NEED MORE.

SO, ENTER AN ALL-NEW JETTA COMPACT SEDAN.

NOW VW SAYS, "THAT MORE THAN EVER, IT WAS DESIGNED WITH AMERICAN BUYERS IN MIND."

BUT IN DOING SO, VW RISKS RUINING WHAT MADE JETTA SO POPULAR IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SO LET'S SEE HOW WELL THEY WALK THAT TIGHT ROPE.

* WITH OVER 17.5 MILLION SOLD SINCE 1979, THE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IS A WELL-RECOGNIZED, GLOBAL NAMEPLATE.

WHEN THE LAST JETTA SEDAN DEBUTED, RIGHT AROUND THE BEGINNING OF THIS DECADE, IT WAS PART OF VOLKSWAGEN'S NEW STRATEGY TO NOT ONLY BUILD CARS IN NORTH AMERICA, BUT TO TAILOR THEM SPECIFICALLY FOR AMERICAN DRIVERS.

WHAT THAT MEANT WAS LESS EMPHASIS ON RIDE-AND-HANDLING, MAKING SPACE AND PRICE THE PRIORITIES.

THAT "BIGGER AND CHEAPER IS BETTER" APPROACH YIELDED EXACTLY THE DESIRED RESULTS, RECORD SALES.

FOR 2019, THE 7TH GEN. VOLKSWAGEN JETTA NOT ONLY DOUBLES DOWN ON THAT STRATEGY, BUT ATTEMPTS TO BRING MORE DRIVING EXCITEMENT BACK INTO THE MIX.

WHILE, IT STILL BEARS A RESEMBLANCE TO THE CONSERVATIVE PASSAT, IT'S CERTAINLY THE MOST DYNAMIC JETTA WE'VE EVER SEEN, AND IF YOU WERE EXPECTING TO HEAR THE WORDS "COUPE-LIKE PROFILE;" WELL, THEY'RE HERE.

THE OTHER USUAL DESCRIPTORS APPLY AS WELL, LONGER WHEELBASE, SHORTER OVERHANGS, WIDER TRACK, AND CLICH� AS IT ALL MAY BE, IT'S HARD TO ARGUE WITH THE VERY HANDSOME RESULTS.

A SLICKER SHAPE IS ONLY PART OF WHAT VW HAS DONE TO GET BACK SOME OF THE FUEL ECONOMY LOST WITHOUT DIESEL OR HYBRID MODELS.

ACTIVE GRILLE SHUTTERS UP FRONT, AND WHILE TECHNICALLY THE SAME ENGINE, THE 1.4 LITER TURBO BEHIND THAT GRILLE IS NOW TUNED FOR MORE EFFICIENCY.

3-HORSEPOWER WAS LOST IN THAT TRANSFORMATION, NOW AT 147, BUT TORQUE REMAINS THE SAME AT 184 POUND-FEET.

FURTHERING THE THEME, BASE CARS GET AN EXTRA GEAR FOR A 6-SPEED MANUAL, AND THE OPTIONAL AUTOMATIC IS NOW AN 8-SPEED.

THE RESULTS ARE IMPROVED GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS OF 30-CITY, 40-HIGHWAY, AND 34-COMBINED; THE SAME REGARDLESS OF TRANSMISSION.

WHILE, FAR FROM FLASHY INSIDE, THE EXAGGERATED TILT OF THE CENTER STACK, SETS A MORE DRIVER-ORIENTED TONE TO THE SPACE, AND THERE'S MUCH LESS HARD PLASTIC TO BE FOUND, LEAVING NOTHING MUCH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.

AND IMPRESSIVE FEATURES LIKE THE DIGITAL DASH WON'T BE FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE IN THIS SEGMENT.

TOP SEL PREMIUM TRIM WILL ALSO GET YOU LEATHER SEATS, BOTH HEATED AND VENTILATED; A NEW 8-INCH DISCOVER MEDIA INFOTAINMENT WITH NAVIGATION; SELECTABLE DRIVE MODES, AND A 10-COLOR LED AMBIENT LIGHTING SYSTEM.

THERE IS INDEED PLENTY OF SPACE INSIDE TO GET COMFORTABLE, NO MATTER, WHETHER YOU'RE THE DRIVER OR JUST ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

AND CARGO SPACE IS PLENTIFUL AS WELL, AT 14.1 CUBIC-FEET; 60/40 SPLIT-FOLDING SEATBACKS ARE STANDARD.

OUR EARLY DRIVE TIME CAME AROUND RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, AND WE'LL JUMP RIGHT IN WITH TALK OF THE SUSPENSION.

YES, A TORSION BEAM IS BACK AT THE REAR ON ALL TRIMS.

AND WHILE IT'S EASY TO COMPLAIN; FOR AMERICAN JETTA BUYERS, IT'S LIKELY, THE IDEAL BLEND OF CAPABILITY WITH GREAT EVERYDAY COMFORT.

AND, IT KEEPS COSTS DOWN.

HELPING OFFSET THAT IS THE FACT THAT...THAT TORSION BEAM IS NOW BOLTED TO VW'S MQB ARCHITECTURE.

DOES IT PROVIDE A4-LIKE SPORT SEDAN AGILITY?

NOT QUITE.

IS IT A SENSIBLY ENTERTAINING EVERYDAY COMPACT SEDAN?

WE'D SAY YES AND THEN SOME.

CERTAINLY, MORE LIVELY THAN SEGMENT LEADERS HONDA CIVIC AND TOYOTA COROLLA.

THE NEW 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC STAYS VERY BUSY MANAGING POWER DELIVERY FROM THE LITTLE 1.4 LITER, BUT IT DOES SO WITHOUT UNDO EFFORT.

SPORTY R-LINE TRIM HAS NO ADDED POWER, BUT IT DOES GET AN XDS ELECTRONIC DIFFERENTIAL, UNIQUE WHEELS, BLACK TRIM, AND DUAL EXHAUST TIPS.

VW IS CERTAINLY, ATTEMPTING TO ATTRACT YOUR BUCKS BY DELIVERING AS MUCH BANG AS POSSIBLE; VERY WELL EQUIPPED BASE S TRIM STARTS AT $19,395, DOWN 100 BUCKS FROM LAST YEAR; TOP TRIM SEL PREMIUM GOES FOR $27,795.

PLUS, VW'S NEW PEOPLE FIRST WARRANTY INCLUDES BUMPER-TO-BUMPER PROTECTION FOR 6 YEARS OR 72,000 MILES.

IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO EXPECT THE 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ALONE TO PUT THE BRAND'S SALE'S GOAL WITHIN REACH.

BUT, IT IS ANOTHER CORRECT STEP IN THAT DIRECTION.

VW HAS WALKED THE TIGHT ROPE WELL.

SO, IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT A COMPACT SEDAN, WITH COROLLA AND CIVIC ON YOUR LIST, WE THINK YOU SHOULD ADD THE VERY ENTERTAINING VW JETTA AT THE TOP.

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'LL GET CROSSED UP WITH A NEW STYLE ECLIPSE FROM MITSUBISHI.

THEN, A PAIR OF AUDI 5s PROVE THEY'RE MORE THAN JUST PAMPERED RIDES.

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: TIRERACK.COM.

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.

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] *