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

JOIN US FOR ANOTHER DOSE OF HIGH RIDING SWEDISH LUXURY, THE VOLVO V60 CROSS COUNTRY... PAT GOSS TALKS TOOLS THAT WILL SAVE YOU TIME AND TROUBLE... HOW ONE CITY IS GROWING THE SPIRIT OF GOING GREEN... AND A FUN TO DRIVE FUSION OF REFINEMENT AND PRACTICALITY, THE MAZDA3 HATCHBACK...

SO, COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

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John: LET'S START WITH SOME GREAT NEWS.

DESPITE SETTING NEW STANDARDS OF LUXURY AND TECHNOLOGY FOR SUVs, VOLVO HASN'T ABANDONED ONE OF THEIR CORE VEHICLES, THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE WAGON.

THEY'VE BEEN A BRAND MAINSTAY SINCE 1996.

NOW WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE 2020 VOLVO V60 CROSS COUNTRY WE CAN HEAR CHEERS FROM AT LEAST A FEW PEOPLE OUT THERE.

SO, LET'S FIND OUT IF WE SHOULD FURTHER SPREAD THE WORD.

* IF YOU'RE ONE OF THAT SMALL GROUP OF AMERICAN BUYERS THAT ACTUALLY DAY DREAMS OF BUYING A SMART-LOOKING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE LUXURY WAGON, INSTEAD OF A BULKIER SUV, THE ARRIVAL OF THE 2020 VOLVO V60 CROSS COUNTRY IS JUST FOR YOU, AND THOSE WITH SIMILAR DISCRIMINATING TASTE ALL AROUND THE GLOBE.

THAT'S WHY VOLVO HAS KEPT THIS TRADITION BURNING BRIGHT.

NO SURPRISE, THE V60 CROSS COUNTRY IS BASED ON VOLVO'S SPA ARCHITECTURE THAT DEBUTED WITH THE XC90 FOR 2016.

ITS SLICK AND MODERN MID-SIZE SHAPE CHECKS OFF ALL THE ESSENTIALS OF BEING GORGEOUS, CLASSY, RUGGED, YOU NAME IT.

SURELY, VOLVO TWO-BOX-BUYERS OF YORE NEVER SAW THIS ONE COMING.

LIKE OTHER VOLVOS BASED ON THIS FRONT-DRIVE ARCHITECTURE, POWER COMES FROM A 2.0 LITER TURBO I4, BUT HERE, YOU CAN'T THE SUPERCHARGED T6 VERSION OR THE PLUG-IN T8; JUST THE BASE T5 WITH 250 HORSEPOWER AND 258 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

STANDARD IS THE SAME FINE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND CAPABLE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM AS VOLVO'S UTILITIES, WITH A 50/50 SPLIT OF POWER WHEN NEEDED.

THERE'S AN EQUALLY GORGEOUS INTERIOR, THOUGH THE VIBE IS A LITTLE MORE "FAMILY" THAN THE ALL-OUT LUXURY OF VOLVO CROSSOVERS.

STILL A LACK OF BASIC MANUAL CONTROLS, WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING GOING THROUGH THE LARGE SENSUS TOUCH PANEL, BUT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN BOTH RESPONSE TIME AND OVERALL USABILITY.

BEING A RUGGEDIZED VERSION OF THE STANDARD FRONT-DRIVE V60 WAGON, THE CROSS COUNTRY COMES VERY WELL EQUIPPED, WITH PANORAMIC MOONROOF, HEATED LEATHER SEATING, AND 12-INCH DIGITAL GAUGE CLUSTER.

THE ADVANCED PACKAGE ADDS A HEAD-UP DISPLAY, 360 SURROUND VIEW CAMERA, AND PILOT ASSIST SEMI-SELF-DRIVING SYSTEM.

WHILE, THE PRO PACKAGE SPICES UP THE INTERIOR WITH UNIQUE TRIMS, AND THE EXTERIOR WITH 19-INCH ALLOYS.

THERE'S GOOD ROOM IN ALL SEATING POSITIONS, SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU'D FIND IN A MIDSIZE SUV, BUT WITH A LOWER STEP IN HEIGHT.

HOWEVER, THE LOWER STANCE MEANS LUGGAGE CAPACITY IS CLOSER TO A COMPACT UTE AT 23.2 CUBIC-FEET OF SPACE; EXPANDING TO 50.9 WITH SEATBACKS FOLDED.

THROUGH OUR HANDLING COURSE, THE CROSS COUNTRY WAS FAIRLY ENTERTAINING, IF NOT OVERLY SPORTY.

SAME SUSPENSION DESIGN AS THE STANDARD V60, AND MOSTLY THE SAME PARTS, BUT THEY'VE CHANGED THINGS ENOUGH TO PROVIDE OVER TWO ADDITIONAL INCHES OF GROUND CLEARANCE.

STILL, THIS PLATFORM'S STABLE BALANCE AND RESPONSIVE STEERING WERE EVIDENT.

[ENGINE REVS/TIRES SCREECH] THE 2.0 LITER TURBO CONTINUES TO IMPRESS US DESPITE HOW MANY VOLVO'S WE'VE DRIVEN WITH IT OVER THE LAST 4-YEARS.

POWER COMES ON READILY, WITH A QUICK JAUNT TO 60 IN 6.4 SECONDS.

THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC DOES PRIORITIZE SMOOTHNESS OVER QUICKNESS, BUT A 14.9 SECOND QUARTER MILE AT 91 MILES PER HOUR, IS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO GET THE GROCERIES HOME BEFORE THE ICE CREAM MELTS.

VOLVO CONTINUES TO RATCHET UP SAFETY SYSTEMS IN ACTIVE DRIVING AIDS, AND THIS V60 WILL PRETTY MUCH TAKE OVER DRIVING WHEN IT FEELS AN IMPENDING INCIDENT IS UNAVOIDABLE, AND THAT INCLUDES WITH PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS, AND ANIMALS.

WITH ALL SYSTEMS ON, YOU CAN SOMETIMES FEEL LIKE YOU'RE FIGHTING WITH THE CAR, AS IT NOT ONLY ENSURES YOU STAY ON THE ROAD, BUT IT CONSTANTLY ATTEMPTS TO CENTER YOU IN THE LANE AS WELL.

THE CROSS COUNTRY IS VERY MUCH THE OUTBACK OF SWEDISH WAGONS, IF YOU WILL.

SO EVEN WITH STANDARD ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, YOU WON'T BE ROCK CRAWLING WITH IT.

YET, THE QUICK RESPONDING AWD SYSTEM CAN APPLY HANDLE SOME PRETTY DICEY ALL-ROAD CONDITIONS.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 22-CITY, 31-HIGHWAY, AND 25-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED A SLIGHTLY DISAPPOINTING 22.3 MILES PER GALLON ON PREMIUM.

RATINGS MAKE FOR AN AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE; 13.2 BARRELS OF PETROLEUM ANNUALLY WITH 5.9 TONS OF CO2 EMITTED.

PRICES STARTS AT $46,095.

IT'S HARD TO SAY, THAT'S A BARGAIN WITH SO MANY CROSSOVER COMPETITORS; NOT TO MENTION THE OUTBACK AS WELL.

BUT IT IS STILL A LOT OF SWEDISH ENGINEERING FOR THE MONEY.

RECENTLY, A FEW LUXURY BRANDS SUCH AS BUICK AND JAGUAR HAVE ATTEMPTED TO JUMP BACK INTO WAGONS, OFFERING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE EVEN.

BUT NONE CAN HOLD A CANDLE TO THIS VOLVO.

THERE ARE FEW AUTOMOTIVE SHAPES THAT ARE MORE ICONIC THAN THE VOLVO WAGON.

SO, FOR THOSE WAGON LOVERS, INCLUDING THAT SMALL RED-WHITE-AND-BLUE CROWD, THE 2020 V60 CROSS COUNTRY IS YOUR DAY DREAM COME TRUE.

* THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR ACCOUNTS FOR A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE FUEL, AND ENERGY CONSUMED IN OUR COUNTRY, AND IT'S ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH OF THE POLLUTION THAT CLOUDS OUR SKIES.

SO, FOR MANY CITIES, BOTH ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND AIR QUALITY ARE GROWING CONCERNS.

THE SOLUTION, OF COURSE, IS TO MAKE SMARTER ENERGY CHOICES THAT REDUCE VEHICULAR EMISSIONS, BUT IT TAKES MORE THAN A FEW HYBRIDS AND HYPER-MILERS TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT.

IT TAKES A COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT, AND ONE REGION IN UTAH IS MAKING AN OLYMPIAN EFFORT TO DO JUST THAT.

* THE 2002 WINTER OLYMPICS HOST, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, ALREADY ENCOURAGES MASS TRANSIT WITH AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF COMMUTER TRAINS, LIGHT RAIL, AND TRANSIT BUSES, MANY POWERED BY COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS, TO MOVE PEOPLE SEAMLESSLY FROM THE SUBURBS TO DOWNTOWN AND OF COURSE, TO NEARBY SKI RESORTS.

AND UNDER A NEW PROJECT CALLED "WESTSMART EV," FUNDED BY THE DOE AND LED BY UTAH CLEAN CITIES COALITION PARTNERS, THE REGION IS BUILDING ON THAT SUCCESS BY ADDING PRACTICAL ELECTRIC-DRIVEN TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS INTO THE MIX.

James Campbell: WELL, THE WESTSMART EV PROJECT IS REALLY INTENDED TO INCREASE ELECTRIC VEHICLE ADOPTION IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN WEST... ONE WAS TO ADDRESS, TO BUILD ELECTRIC HIGHWAYS BY INSTALLING FAST-CHARGING STATIONS ALL ALONG INTERSTATE 15, INTERSTATE 80 AND INTERSTATE 70, SO THE MAJOR INTERSTATES, TO ADDRESS LONG RANGE, RANGE ANXIETY.

John: THE NUMBER OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES REGISTERED IN UTAH HAS JUMPED FROM 3400 TO AROUND 9000 SINCE 2017.

EV MARKET SHARE, WHILE STILL BELOW 2% STATEWIDE, HAS NEARLY DOUBLED IN THE PAST YEAR.

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR RIDE-SHARE DRIVERS TO BUY EVs ACCOUNT FOR A GOOD PORTION OF THAT, PLUS THE INCREASING AVAILABILITY OF FAST-CHARGING STATIONS NEAR AIRPORTS AND POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATIONS.

VISITORS TO NEARBY PARK CITY CAN CHARGE UP THEIR ELECTRIC CARS, HOP ON AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE, OR BOARD ONE OF THESE "ELECTRIC EXPRESS" SHUTTLE BUSES FOR A FREE RIDE AROUND TOWN.

IN JUST OVER TWO YEARS, THE EV BUSES HAVE RACKED UP MORE THAN A MILLION ENERGY EFFICIENT EMISSIONS-FREE MILES THAT'S THE LARGEST CUMULATIVE MILES OF ANY ELECTRIC BUS FLEET IN THE U.S... NEAR-FUTURE PLANS CALL FOR ADDITIONAL ELECTRIC TRANSIT BUSES TO CONNECT SALT LAKE CITY WITH THE MAJOR TOURIST AND CONVENTION DESTINATIONS NEARBY.

James: OUR SECOND APPROACH WAS TO REALLY GO AFTER WORKPLACE CHARGING.

WE KNOW THAT, IF THERE'S, IF YOU HAVE CHARGING AT WORK, YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO BUY AN EV...

SO, THIS REALLY WENT AFTER THE DAILY COMMUTERS... John: ONE ENTHUSIASTIC, EARLY ADOPTER OF WORKPLACE CHARGING WAS PACKSIZE, A MAKER OF JUST-THE-RIGHT-SIZE CARDBOARD BOXES.

PACKSIZE HAS INSTALLED MORE THAN 50 FREE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS AT ITS SALT LAKE CITY HEADQUARTERS, AND MORE THAN HALF OF THE COMPANY'S EMPLOYEES NOW DRIVE ELECTRIC AS A RESULT.

Hanko Keisser: WORKPLACE RECHARGING IS A SOLUTION THAT WE ARE USING TO CREATE A LIVABLE ENVIRONMENT RIGHT HERE IN THE WASATCH FRONT AIRSHED.

AT THE COMPANY PACKSIZE, WE FOUND THAT WE WERE LIMITED TO GROW BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WE COULD ATTRACT TO MOVE INTO THE STATE.

AND, AS MILLENNIAL'S ARE GOOGLING "QUALITY OF LIFE," THEY'RE FINDING THAT AIR QUALITY IS ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE CHALLENGES HERE IN THIS AREA, AND AT THAT POINT, WE AT PACKSIZE DECIDED WE HAVE TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

John: BUT PACKSIZE DIDN'T STOP THERE.

THEY WENT ALL-IN ON ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO FOLLOW THEIR LEAD.

Hanko: WE THEN, DECIDED THAT WE CAN SCALE THIS PROGRAM TO OTHER BUSINESSES, AND AT THAT POINT, WE FOUNDED LEADERS FOR CLEAN AIR, WHICH IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS OTHER COMPANIES TO DO EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING AT PACKSIZE, AND WE ARE NOW PLACING ONE NEW CHARGER EVERY DAY.

John: LANCER AUTOMOTIVE SAW THE DRIVE FOR CLEANER AIR AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AS AN ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY, AND HAS REFOCUSED ITS BUSINESS TO GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE.

THIS REPAIR SHOP NOW SPECIALIZES IN THE MAINTENANCE OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES.

THEY INSTALL EV CHARGING EQUIPMENT, PERFORM NATURAL GAS AND PROPANE CONVERSIONS, AND CONDUCT TRAINING CLASSES TO EDUCATE FLEET MANAGERS AND CONSUMERS ON THE BENEFITS OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS.

SALT LAKE CITY'S MODEL OF PUBLIC INVESTMENT FOSTERING PRIVATE COMMITMENT PROVES THAT THE REGION IS TRULY EMBRACING ITS SMART ENERGY AND CLEAN AIR CHALLENGE.

AND CREATING A TRUE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY THAT JUST MIGHT BE A WINNING TEMPLATE FOR THE REST OF AMERICA TO FOLLOW.

* YOU KNOW, CARS AND TRUCKS ARE MORE COMPLICATED THESE DAYS, BUT THERE'S STILL CAR CARE YOU CAN DO YOURSELF.

HERE'S PAT GOSS WITH A FEW THINGS TO KEEP HANDY.

Pat Goss: THIS TIME, WE HAVE SOME HANDY HELPERS THAT EVERY TOOL BOX SHOULD HAVE AND THE FIRST ONE IS WRENCH ID.

IF YOU'VE EVER MADE A DOZEN TRIPS BACK-AND-FORTH TO THE TOOL BOX TO GET THE RIGHT SIZE WRENCH WELL THIS WILL PREVENT THAT.

FIRST, YOU ZERO IT LIKE THIS THEN YOU PUT IT OVER THE HEAD OF THE BOLT LIKE THIS, AND WHAT YOU HAVE IS THE WRENCH SIZE THAT FITS THIS BOLT, AND IF THERE IS A DIRECT CONVERSION FROM METRIC TO SAE IT GIVES YOU BOTH WRENCH SIZES.

AMAZING TOOL THAT SAVE YOU A LOT OF A LOT OF TRIPS TO THE TOOL BOX.

ALRIGHT, YOU'RE TIGHTENING NUTS AND BOLTS AND SO ON, YOU WANT HIM TO STAY TIGHT, YOU"RE GOING USE A THREAD LOCKER.

WELL HERE, WE HAVE THE TRADITIONAL BLUE WHICH CAN HOLD THINGS TOGETHER BUT YOU CAN REMOVE THEM.

OVER HERE, IS THE RED WHICH HOLDS THINGS TOGETHER AND YOU CAN'T REMOVE THEM, YOU HAVE TO CUT THE BOLTS APART IN ORDER TO GET THEM SEPARATED.

HERE'S SOMETHING BRAND NEW.

THIS IS ORANGE GIVES YOU THE HOLDING POWER OF THE RED BUT YOU CAN REMOVE IT.

ALRIGHT...OVER HERE, WE HAVE SELF FUSING SILICONE TAPE.

MOUTHFUL.

ALRIGHT, WHAT THIS DOES IS THIS IS TAPE THAT YOU CAN USE FOR TEMPORARY REPAIRS ON ALL SORTS OF THINGS LIKE THIS AIRLINE WE HAVE REPAIRED IT RIGHT HERE.

WE START WITH THE TAPE AS YOU GO AROUND, YOU STRETCH IT THAT MAKES IT CONFORM TO ALL OF THE DIFFERENT CURVES AND EVERYTHING OF WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO REPAIR AND IF FUSES TO ITSELF, SO YOU HAVE A GOOD REPAIR THAT CONFORMS TO WHAT YOU WORKING ON.

WORKS ON ALL SORTS OF THINGS INCLUDING TEMPORARY REPAIRS OF WATER PIPES IN THE HOME.

OVER HERE, WE HAVE LIQUID ELECTRICAL TAPE.

NEVER HEARD OF IT?

WELL, NOW YOU HAVE.

THIS IS AMAZING STUFF.

YOU SPREAD IT ON WITH A BRUSH YOU CAN REPAIR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING ELECTRICAL WITH IT, INCLUDING THINGS LIKE CELLPHONE POWER CORDS LIKE, HERE WE HAVE A BATTERY CABLE THAT HAS EXPOSED METAL YOU COULD COAT THAT AND PROTECT AGAINST SHORTS.

MAYBE YOU'RE DOING WIRING AND YOUR SPLICING WIRES TOGETHER.

NOW, IF YOU EVER TRIED TO WRAP UP A BIG ROLL OF BLACK PLASTIC TAPE THROUGH SOME OF THESE THINGS REALLY HARD TO DO.

WELL, YOU CAN COAT ALL OF THESE THINGS WITH THE LIQUID ELECTRICAL TAPE.

AND IT GIVES YOU A WATER TIGHT, VIBRATION FREE, GOOD ELECTRICAL CONNECTION.

NOW, SPEAKING OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, COUPLE THINGS...YOU DON'T DO IS YOU DON'T SPLICE YOUR WIRES LIKE THIS, SIDE BY SIDE, YOU DO THEM END-TO-END LIKE THIS AND ON CARS, AND BOATS, AND JUST ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN A HOUSE, YOU DO NOT USE WIRE NUTS.

USE THE LIQUID ELECTRICAL TAPE INSTEAD.

IT DOES A GOOD JOB EASY TO DO AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT DROP ME A LINE, RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .

Greg Carloss: WE'RE APPROACHING THE 16,000 MILE MARK IN OUR 2019 HONDA INSIGHT.

AS A HYBRID, NATURALLY THE FOCUS IS ON FUEL ECONOMY...

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF TECH HERE TOO.

A SUITE OF DRIVER ASSISTANCE FEATURES, CALLED "HONDA SENSING," IS GETTING OUR ATTENTION.

ONE OF OUR DRIVERS WAS CURIOUS ABOUT THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, OFFICIALLY CALLED "COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING."

WE'RE HAPPY, HE REPORTED IT WORKED GREAT.

THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO GETS GOOD REVIEWS DURING OUR MID-ATLANTIC COMMUTING.

APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO KEEPS EVERYONE CONNECTED, AND HAPPY.

WE'RE NOW AVERAGING 49.6 MILES PER GALLON WHICH IS SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN THE EPA'S COMBINED RATING.

THE TWO-MOTOR HYBRID SYSTEM WITH A 1.5 LITER I4 PAIRED UP WITH A CVT SHOULD KEEP US AWAY FROM GAS STATIONS DURING THE HOLIDAY DRIVING SEASON.

MOSTLY COMMUTING DUTY THIS TIME AROUND FOR THIS 2019 PORSCHE MACAN S, AS WE'VE ADDED JUST 1,000 MILES ONTO THE TALLY FROM LAST REPORT; HITTING 5,000 MILES IN 3-MONTHS' TIME.

STILL, FUEL ECONOMY REMAINS CONSISTENT, AT 21.4 MILES PER GALLON.

AS DRIVING ENTHUSIASTS, WE LOVE THE WAY THE PORSCHE MACAN S HANDLES.

IT'S JUST A FUN CAR TO RIDE ON BACK ROADS.

NOW, YOU COULD ARGUE THAT THE TIGHT SUSPENSION AND SHARP STEERING MAKE IT A BIT SENSITIVE ON LAID-BACK HIGHWAY DRIVES, BUT FOR ME THAT"S A TOTALLY FAIR TRADE-OFF.

SO, IF YOU WANT A SPORTS CAR, BUT NEED AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SUV FOR PRACTICAL REASONS; THIS PORSCHE MACAN S WITH ITS 348 HORSEPOWER TURBO V6 IS A GREAT PLACE TO START.

CATCH OUR UPDATES ON THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV AND NISSAN ALTIMA, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

[DOOR CLOSES] John: IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW COMING INTO VIEW.

FOR A LOOK SEE, HERE'S LAUREN MORRISON WITH THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

Lauren Morrison: AUTOMOBILITY LA IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S PREMIER AUTO SHOWS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO DRIVING GREEN.

AND, FOR 2019 THERE WAS A LOT OF NEWS.

HYUNDAI TURNED HEADS IN LA WITH THEIR VISION T PLUG-IN HYBRID SUV CONCEPT, HINTING AT THE BRAND'S FUTURE DESIGN LANGUAGE.

MEANWHILE, THE HERE AND NOW HYUNDAI IONIQ ELECTRIC GETS A LONGER 170 MILE RANGE.

WHILE, THE RM19 RACING MIDSHIP SPORTS CAR PROTOTYPE MAY SHOW A NEW TURN FOR THE STREET-GOING VELOSTER.

AT TOYOTA, THE 5TH-GENERATION RAV4 CROSSOVER ADDS A NEW PLUG-IN HYBRID.

CORPORATE COUSIN LEXUS SAYS, "THE TOP WILL DROP IN 15 SECONDS ON THE LIMITED-PRODUCTION LC 500 CONVERTIBLE."

BMW'S NEW 4-DOOR M8 GRAN COUPE OFFERS UP TO 617 HORSEPOWER.

THE SPORTY 4-DOOR TOUCH ALSO TRICKLED DOWN TO THE BMW 2 SERIES GRAN COUPE.

THIS CARBON-FIBER RICH BMW M2 CS STEPS BEYOND THE M2 COMPETITION WITH 444 HORSEPOWER.

EXOTIC CAR PROWESS IN A LUXURY SUV, IT WAS THE LA DEBUT FOR ASTON MARTIN DBX.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, EQ BOOST IS ADDED TO THE V8 BITURBO IN THE MERCEDES-AMG GLS 63, AND THE MERCEDES-AMG GLE 63 S. MERCEDES FIRST PURE EV, THE EQC 400 4MATIC, ARRIVED IN LA WITH A $67,900 PRICE TAG.

AUDI'S ALL-ELECTRIC E-TRON BECOMES MORE STYLISH AS A SPORTBACK...

WHILE, THE AUDI RS Q8 IS THEIR FIRST SUV TO WEAR THE RACING SPORT BADGE IN AMERICA.

OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT NEW ARRIVALS IS FORD'S FIRST PURPOSE BUILT ALL-ELECTRIC VEHICLE, THE MUSTANG MACH-E.

THERE WILL BE A NEW PLUG-IN HYBRID OPTION FOR THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED LINCOLN CORSAIR.

VOLKSWAGEN'S LATEST CHARGE TOWARD EVs IS THE ID.

SPACE VIZZION CONCEPT.

THE PORSCHE TAYCAN 4S ALSO ARRIVED FOR LA'S AUTO SHOW.

THEIR ENTRY LEVEL TRIM ALL-ELECTRIC SPORTS SEDAN SPORTS 562 HORSEPOWER FOR A 0-60 OF 3.8 SECONDS.

VERY CITY STREET WORTHY, KIA'S SELTOS CROSSOVER SLIPS IN BETWEEN THE SOUL AND SPORTAGE.

JUST AS THE COOL MAZDA CX-30 FITS BETWEEN THE CX-3 AND CX-5.

THIS FIAT 500X SPORT IS THE ONLY COMPACT UTE WITH STANDARD ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AND 30 MPG EFFICIENCY.

THE TWO-SEAT MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS GP IS THE MOST POWERFUL ROAD-READY MINI TO DATE.

A LIMITED NUMBER OF THE ACURA MDX PMC EDITION WILL BE MADE, ALL DRAPED IN VALENCIA RED PEARL.

THE GENESIS G90 FLAGSHIP SEDAN GETS AN UPDATED AND HUGE CREST-SHAPED GRILLE.

FINALLY, THE TOYOTA COROLLA, INCLUDING THE NEW HYBRID, WAS NAMED 2020 GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR, WHILE THE HONDA CR-V AND ITS HYBRID WON 2020 GREEN SUV OF THE YEAR.

AND THAT'S IT FROM LA, AND THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

John: THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF GOOD SMALL CARS THESE DAYS.

SO, IT'S GETTING HARDER FOR GREAT ONES LIKE THE MAZDA3 TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD; NOT TO MENTION, COMPETE WITH THE RISING POPULARITY OF CROSSOVER UTEs.

NOW ON THE SURFACE, ADDING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SHOULD NOT ONLY GIVE MAZDA3 FANS MORE, BUT PERHAPS KEEP SOME FROM BECOMING UTE DEFECTORS.

LET'S SEE IF WE'RE RIGHT.

* THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT MAZDA'S.

THE BRAND HAS A WAY OF PROVIDING THE SOUL OF THE MIATA IN ALL OF THEIR CARS; SOMETHING YOU EITHER GET OR YOU DON'T.

MOST RECENTLY, THEY'VE BEEN FOCUSING ON INCREASING REFINEMENT, COMFORT, AND LUXURY.

DESPITE SOME CARRYOVER HARDWARE, MAZDA CONSIDERS THIS 2019 MAZDA3 THE START OF A NEW 4TH GENERATION.

MUCH LIKE THE RECENT MAZDA6 AND CX-5 MAKEOVERS, INSIDE IS WHERE YOU IMMEDIATELY NOTICE A TRANSFORMATION.

IT'S GONE FROM BEING A PLEASANT PLACE TO VISIT TO ONE THAT IS MAGNETIC AND INVITING.

THE DASH IS QUITE LINEAR AND TO SOME MIGHT LOOK PLAIN.

BUT, PLAIN IN A GOOD WAY; UNCLUTTERED, BUSINESS-LIKE, YET, FRIENDLY.

THE PREVIOUS GEN'S NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.5 LITER I4 ENGINE UPGRADE IS NOW STANDARD IN ALL 3s, BUT THAT ALSO HAS BEEN UPDATED, SLIGHTLY.

TWO ADDITIONAL HORSEPOWER HAVE BEEN SQUEAKED OUT OF THE SKYACTIV-G POWER PLANT, AS WELL ONE MORE POUND-FEET OF TORQUE; BRINGING BOTH NUMBERS TO 186.

A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COMES STANDARD ON MOST MODELS; A 6-SPEED MANUAL IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE SAME PRICE, BUT ONLY IN A PREMIUM-TRIMMED HATCHBACK.

BIGGER NEWS; ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS OBTAINABLE IN THE MAZDA3 FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.

WE'RE NOT SURE IT WAS TRULY NECESSARY, BUT HEY; IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO SELL CARS THESE DAYS, AND YOU ALREADY HAVE THE HARDWARE IN PLACE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, MORE POWER TO YOU.

SAFETY FEATURES HAVE ALSO BEEN ADDRESSED; NOW STANDARD IN ALL HATCHBACKS, ARE DRIVER ATTENTION ALERT, SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT, AND LANE KEEP ASSIST.

AS BEFORE, AND LIKE OTHERS IN THE SEGMENT, THERE'S A SIMPLER LESS COSTLY TORSION-BEAM SUSPENSION IN THE REAR, BUT WE NEVER SEEM TO HEAR TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT MAZDA'S SETUP.

IT FEELS FLAT AND NIMBLE AS ALWAYS.

TURN-IN IS A LITTLE MUTED, BUT THE CAR STILL RESPONDS QUICKER THAN MOST OF ITS PEERS.

THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM FEATURES UNIQUE TUNING FROM MAZDA'S CROSSOVER FAMILY.

HERE, IT CAN DETECT SPIRITED DRIVING, AND QUICKLY SHIFT ADDITIONAL POWER TO THE REAR TO AID THE HANDLING PROCESS.

NOW, THINGS ARE NOT SO EXCITING OVER IN THE ACCELERATION DEPARTMENT.

THIS CAR REALLY NEEDS MORE POWER, OR WE SHOULD SAY, THIS CHASSIS CAN CERTAINLY HANDLE A LOT MORE.

THERE'S REALLY NO URGENCY OFF THE LINE; IT JUST KIND OF LUMBERS ITS WAY TO 60 IN MID 7.0 SECONDS.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS AREN'T THAT IMPRESSIVE EITHER; 24-CITY, 32-HIGHWAY, AND 27-COMBINED WITH THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE HATCHBACK.

NOW, AS FOR A MOST PRACTICAL MATTER, AND MOST LIKELY, THE REASON YOU WANT A HATCHBACK IN THE FIRST PLACE; THERE'S 20.1 CUBIC-FEET.

OF CARGO ROOM BEHIND THE SEATS, COMPARED TO THE SEDAN'S 13.2 CUBIC-FEET OF TRUNKS SPACE.

NOT TO MENTION, THAT'S WAY MORE THAN THE CX-3 UTILITY'S PALTRY 12.4 CUBIC-FEET.

PRICING STARTS AT $21,920 FOR A MAZDA3 SEDAN; YOU WILL PAY MORE THE HATCHBACK, WHICH STARTS AT $24,520.

ADD ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AND PREMIUM TRIM, AND YOU CAN BE LOOKING AT OVER $30,000; A LOT OF CAR, YES, BUT WE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT A COMPACT HERE.

OUR INITIAL TAKE?

WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, NOW THERE REALLY IS NO REASON TO BUY THE CX-3 UTE.

BUT, UPON FURTHER REVIEW, THE MAZDA3 HATCHBACK IS MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

YES, THERE IS MORE UTILITY HERE THAN IN MANY ACTUAL UTILITIES, BUT ALSO AN EVER MORE ENTICING DRIVING EXPERIENCE, WITH A MORE PREMIUM FEEL AND INTERIOR.

SO, TRUTH BE TOLD, THE MAZDA3 NOT ONLY IS A COMPACT STANDOUT; IT'S JUST A GREAT CAR, PERIOD.

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 DOWN TO PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME...

WHEN THE LEXUS ES STEPS UP BOTH ITS ENGINEERING AND LUXURY.

AND MIDSIZE-TRUCKS GO BUMPER TO BUMPER, TO SEE WHICH ONE IS TOP GUN.

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...

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]