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

JOIN US AS LINCOLN SAILS INTO SMALL LUXURY UTILITIES WITH THE NEW CORSAIR... PAT GOSS ON KEEPING A CLEAR VIEW IN A TIGHT SPOT... ZACH MASKELL GOES OVER THE EDGE LIVING HIGH WIDE AND HANDSOME... AND THEN, A NEW TURN FOR AFFORDABLE AND EFFICIENT, THE REDESIGNED NISSAN VERSA...

SO, COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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IT'S A...TAKE A LOOK.

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John: THESE DAYS, IF YOU'RE IN THE LUXURY VEHICLE BUSINESS, THAT MEANS YOU'RE ALSO IN THE SUV BUSINESS.

AND, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, BOASTING ONE OF THE FRESHEST UTILITY LINEUPS IN THE INDUSTRY IS LINCOLN.

THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF WHICH IS AN ALL-NEW COMPACT, THE CORSAIR.

SO, LET'S FIND OUT IF THEIR SMALLEST UTE WILL HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE BRAND'S FUTURE.

* THIS 2020 LINCOLN CORSAIR IS AN ALL-NEW CROSSOVER, REPLACING THE MKC AS THE SMALLEST OFFERING IN LINCOLN'S SUV LINEUP.

BUT, LIKE THE MKC, IT SHARES A CHASSIS WITH THE COMPACT FORD ESCAPE; WHICH IS ALSO ALL-NEW FOR 2020.

STANDARD ENGINE HERE, IS THE ESCAPE'S AVAILABLE 2.0 LITER ECOBOOST I4, WITH 250 HORSEPOWER AND 280 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

OPTIONAL, IS THE 2.3 LITER ECOBOOST WHICH MOST PEOPLE ASSOCIATE WITH THE MUSTANG, BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY LINCOLN THAT BROUGHT IT TO MARKET FIRST IN THE MKC.

OUTPUT NOW SITS AT 295 HORSEPOWER AND 310 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

BOTH ENGINES GET A NEW 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND BOTH CAN TOW UP TO 3,000 POUNDS.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS STANDARD WITH THE 2.3 LITER, OPTIONAL WITH THE 2.0.

LINCOLN'S INTELLIGENT AWD SYSTEM IS PRIMARILY GEARED TOWARDS ALL-WEATHER CAPABILITY, NOT REALLY FOR OFF-ROAD USE, BUT IT DOES ADD A PERFORMANCE BENEFIT AS WELL, AND FOR FUEL ECONOMY'S SAKE, THE REAR CAN BE FULLY DISCONNECTED IF NOT NEEDED FOR TRACTION.

IN THIS NEW ERA OF LINCOLN, SMALL AND ENTRY-LEVEL DOESN'T MEAN DE-CONTENTED.

THE LIST OF STANDARD FEATURES IS QUITE LENGTHY...

HEATED FRONT SEATS, POWER LIFTGATE, AND REMOTE START... AND MOST MATERIALS ARE QUITE NICE, AS THE INTERIOR HAS LITTLE RESEMBLANCE TO THE ESCAPE.

LINCOLN CALLS IT "A SANCTUARY FOR THE SENSES."

WE MAY NOT GO THAT FAR, BUT FOR A COMPACT, IT IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

IT'S ALSO VERY COMFORTABLE IN ALL SEATING POSITIONS.

THE DASH IS LOW, WHICH AIDS VISIBILITY ALL AROUND, BUT THAT ALSO MEANS, THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN RESTS ON TOP; ONE THING IT DOES SHARE WITH THE ESCAPE.

BUT, IT DOESN'T LOOK TOO OUT OF PLACE, IS EASY TO REACH, AND FUNCTIONALLY PRETTY SIMPLE TO FIGURE OUT.

PLENTY OF TECH FILTERS DOWN FROM LARGER LINCOLN'S SUCH AS THE AVAILABLE 12.3 INCH FULL LED GAUGE PANEL, PIANO KEY-LIKE GEAR SELECTORS, 14-SPEAKER REVEL AUDIO, PHONE AS A KEY, AND CO-PILOT 360 SAFETY.

REAR SEAT LEG ROOM IS QUITE GOOD WITH 6.0 INCHES OF SEAT TRAVEL, BUT MOST ADULTS WOULD APPRECIATE A LITTLE MORE HEADROOM.

PLENTY OF SPACE FOR GEAR IN THE BACK HOWEVER; 27.6 CUBIC-FEET, EXPANDING TO 57.6 WITH THE REAR SEATBACKS FOLDED.

OUR FIRST DRIVE OPPORTUNITY SAW US CAVORTING AROUND THE ROLLING HILLS AROUND SAN FRANCISCO.

POWER FROM THE 2.3 LITER IS PLENTIFUL, AND IT IS DELIVERED QUITE SMOOTHLY; HAVING A MUCH DIFFERENT FEEL THAN IN THE MUSTANG.

THE BASE 2.0 LITER IS CERTAINLY ADEQUATE, BUT THE UPGRADE IS WORTH THE MONEY.

BETWEEN ALL OF THE SOUND DEADENING AND ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION, YOU WON'T REALLY HEAR A WHOLE LOT OF GRUMBLING COMING FROM EITHER ENGINE.

HMMM...MAYBE THIS REALLY IS A SANCTUARY.

SAME BASIC SUSPENSION DESIGN AS THE ESCAPE UP FRONT; YET IT, AS WELL AS STEERING RESPONSE, ARE TUNED SPECIFICALLY FOR LINCOLN CUSTOMERS.

READ THAT A BIT SOFTER.

THE REAR GETS A MORE THOROUGH REVAMPING WITH A UNIQUE MULTI-LINK ARRANGEMENT.

ADAPTIVE DAMPERS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE HERE, AS WELL AS LINCOLN DRIVE MODES TO FURTHER CUSTOMIZE THE RIDE.

LINCOLN ENGINEERS ARE QUICK TO POINT OUT THAT ALL DEVELOPMENT WAS DONE INDEPENDENT OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING OVER AT FORD, ONCE THEY BOTH HAD THE BASIC ARCHITECTURE TO BUILD UPON.

AND AFTER HAVING DRIVEN BOTH RECENTLY, WE WILL AGREE THAT CORSAIR'S RIDE IS MUCH SMOOTHER AND MORE SOPHISTICATED THAN THE ESCAPE'S.

NOT THE USUAL SPORT AND COMFORT DRIVE MODES HERE; INSTEAD, YOUR OPTIONS ARE NORMAL, CONSERVE, EXCITE, SLIPPERY, AND DEEP, EACH VERY COMPREHENSIVE WITH POWERTRAIN AND CHASSIS ADJUSTMENTS.

IN "EXCITE," BODY ROLL IS WELL-CONTROLLED; STEERING QUICK AND FAIRLY RESPONSIVE.

FROM ALL ANGLES, CORSAIR LOOKS QUITE REGAL.

WHERE THE FORD ESCAPE APPEARS LIKE A TALLER HATCHBACK, THE CORSAIR LOOKS LIKE A SMALLER VERSION OF LARGER LINCOLN SUVs, WHICH IS A VERY GOOD THING.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE 2.0 LITER ARE 22-CITY, 29-HIGHWAY, AND 25-COMBINED.

NOT MUCH PENALTY FOR THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE 2.3 LITER, AT 21-CITY, 28-HIGHWAY, AND 24-COMBINED.

BOTH HAVE AN AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE, THE 2.0 LITER'S A TINY BIT BETTER AT 13.2 BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL CONSUMPTION, WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 6.0 TONS.

PRICING STARTS AT $36,940, WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE A $2,200 OPTION.

BUT LIKE MOST LUXURY RIDES, IT RATCHETS UP QUICKLY TO TOP TRIM RESERVE WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AND THE 2.3 LITER ECOBOOST, AT $46,965.

THE REALLY TOUGH THING FOR SMALL LUXURY UTILITIES TO OVERCOME, IS THAT UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO BE PAMPERED, YOU CAN BUY A LOT MORE VEHICLE FOR LESS MONEY IF YOU LOOK TO THE MIDSIZE MASS MARKET BRANDS, LIKE COUSIN FORD.

SO, LUXURY COMPACTS MUST BE REALLY SPECIAL TO APPEAL TO MORE THAN JUST BRAND LOYALISTS, OF WHICH THERE ARE VERY FEW THESE DAYS.

THE 2020 LINCOLN CORSAIR PACKS ENOUGH LUXURY, TECHNOLOGY, AND REFINEMENT TO BE JUST THE KIND OF UTE THAT CAN PULL THAT OFF.

* ALONG WITH TODAY'S NEWEST CARS AND TRUCKS, EVEN OUR HOMES ARE FILLED WITH THE LATEST IN INNOVATIVE COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE TECHNOLOGIES.

MAYBE THAT'S ONE REASON SO MANY HOUSEHOLDS ARE RELUCTANT TO TAKE LONG FAMILY GETAWAYS.

WE'D SIMPLY MISS ALL OF OUR STUFF!

WELL, OUR ZACH MASKELL WENT OVER THE EDGE AT THE SWEETEST PLACE ON EARTH, TO PROVE YOU CAN TAKE YOUR HOME, ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO GO.

* Zach Maskell: WELCOME TO AMERICA'S LARGEST RV SHOW.

HERE IN HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA WE'VE GOT ABOUT 50 MANUFACTURERS AND OVER 1400 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES TO CHECK OUT.

LET'S GET TO IT.

IMAGINE TRYING TO COVER 33 FOOTBALL FIELDS, FULL OF EVERY SIZE CARAVAN.

CHOICES INCLUDE THE POPULAR TEARDROP TRAILER...

WHICH CAN HAVE AS LITTLE AS JUST A BED.

THESE CLASS B MOTORHOMES ARE BUILT ON A VAN CHASSIS AND CAN BE VERY VERSATILE.

THOSE INTERESTED IN "VAN LIFE," SEEKING A MINIMALISTIC LIFE OF FREEDOM AND EXPRESSION ON THE OPEN ROAD HAS SKYROCKETED.

CLASS C'S ARE USUALLY ON TRUCK PLATFORMS, AND HAVE BATHROOMS, LARGER KITCHENS, AND BEDS.

AND THE BIG DOGS...

THE CLASS A, HOME AWAY FROM HOME BEHEMOTHS, THAT CAN BE FULLY LOADED, INCLUDING A WASHER AND DRYER.

Heather Leach: WHEN PEOPLE COME HERE, YES, THEY'RE SHOPPING FOR RV'S AND YOU KNOW...COMPARING BUT I'M ALWAYS AMAZED AT THE PEOPLE THAT SAY, "LAST YEAR I WAS OVER IN THE CAMPGROUND, WE MET THESE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR, THAT ARE HERE FOR THE SHOW, WE PICK THE SAME SPOTS NEXT YEAR BECAUSE WE'RE NOW FRIENDS WITH THEM AND WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND MEET HERE."

Zach: THESE MODERN NOMADS WERE AMONG THE VERY FIRST TO SEE THE 2021 MODELS.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE A HYBRID SHOW.

THE FIRST DAY IS AN INDUSTRY DAY.

THE MANUFACTURERS RENT ALL THE SPACE AND THE DEALERS COME IN AND GET TO SEE NEW PRODUCT AND GET TO LEARN ABOUT IT.

AND THEN, WHEN CONSUMERS COME IN, THEY TAKE OVER THE DISPLAYS AND THEN SELL IT TO THE CONSUMERS.

IT ALL STARTED WITH THIS IN 1910.

A THREE TON PACKARD TRUCK, CONSIDERED THE FIRST EVER MOTOR HOME...

SIMPLY PUTTING WOOD ON TOP OF A CAR PLATFORM.

TODAY, YOUR OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS.

Steve Fretz: SO, EACH MANUFACTURER SETS UP THE DISPLAY AND HAS REPRESENTATION; HAS INCENTIVES FOR THE DEALERS TO DO BUSINESS, AND KIND OF USES IT AS A BAROMETER FOR WHAT PEOPLE LIKE, AND WHAT THEY DON'T LIKE BECAUSE IT'S STILL EARLY ENOUGH IN THE SEASON, THAT IF THEY NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE THEY CAN MAKE A CHANGE BASED ON CONSUMER FEEDBACK.

Zach: WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE YOUR HUNTING TRIP, OR DAY AT THE PARK A SIMPLE SET UP.

AS WITH ANYTHING, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

Steve: THE TRAVEL TRAILERS WILL PROBABLY START OUT AROUND $10,000 AND GO UP TO MAYBE $150,000 AND ON THE MOTORIZED SIDE, YOU CAN PROBABLY GET INTO A NEW MOTORHOME FOR AS LOW AS IN THE 50'S AND ALMOST SKY IS THE LIMIT.

AT THE SHOW HERE, YOU'LL PROBABLY FIND THINGS INTO THE 5, 6, $700,000 RANGE.

Zach: THIS COUPLE'S SON TRAVELS TO DRAG RACES ALL OVER THE U.S.

THEY SAID, "IF THEY COULD GET A NICE DEAL ON A TOY HAULER, THEY'LL BE SPENDING MORE NIGHTS AT THE TRACK."

THE GOLF CART'S GOING TO FIT NICELY IN THE BACK.

NOW, IF YOU NEED SOMETHING ON A GRAND SCALE, YOU'LL FIND THIS TO FIT THE BILL.

I'VE DEFINITELY, BEEN IN HOTELS THAT ARE NOT NEARLY AS NICE AS THIS, I MEAN...THIS LOOKS LIKE A BRAND NEW KITCHEN.

Anthony Pinto: WHAT YOU HAVE HERE IS A TRUE INDUCTION COOKTOP IN THE RENEGADE XL.

REAL HARDWOOD CABINETS, YOUR SAMSUNG MICROWAVE, GIANT, LARGE, OVERSIZED, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

STAINLESS STEEL IS REALLY GREAT FOR WORKING WITH.

YOU CAN GET A DISHWASHER IN THESE GUYS.

A LOT OF RETIREES WILL GET THIS.

THEY'LL SELL THEIR BIGGER HOMES, WE'RE IN THE NORTHEAST IN NEW JERSEY, SO SOMEBODY MIGHT LIVE IN LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE NEW YORK AREA.

AND THEY'RE LIKE, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SELLING MY BIG HOUSE, I'M DOWN SIZING, I'M GOING TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND THEN A SMALL CONDO, OF COURSE IN FLORIDA."

Zach: THEY'RE DOWN SIZING, WHERE I'D BE UPSIZING."

Anthony: YES, THIS... Zach: THE DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE MADE A BIG SHIFT.

SEEN AS ONE OF THE MOST MOBILE GENERATIONS EVER, MILLENNIAL'S HAVE BEEN BUYING UP THE SMALLER HI-TECH CAMPERS.

WITH THE ADAPTATION OF SOLAR PANELS, LIGHTWEIGHT AND ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS...

IT'S CLEAR MANUFACTURES ARE REACHING ALL THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND THAT THE AMERICAN RVING LIFESTYLE IS ALIVE AND VERY WELL INDEED.

* John: IF YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR, IT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

SO HERE'S PAT GOSS WITH A CLEARER VIEW.

Pat Goss: WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOUR MODERN CAR IS THAT IT COULD BE A ROLLING COMPUTER.

IT HAS ALL KINDS OF SENSORS, CAMERAS AND SO ON...

DOES ALL SORTS OF NEAT THINGS FOR YOU.

ONE OF THE MORE COMMON CAMERAS IS MOUNTED UP HERE BEHIND THE WINDSHIELD.

AND IT LOOKS AT THE LINES ON THE ROAD, HELPS YOU TO STAY IN THE LANE PROPERLY.

WELL, IF YOUR WINDSHIELD GETS BROKEN AND HAS TO BE REPLACED, YOU MAY HAVE TO RECALIBRATE THAT CAMERA.

WELL, THE THING THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IS: DOES YOUR CAMERA NEED TO BE RECALIBRATED WITH A WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT?

SOME CARS DO, SOME CARS DON'T.

IF YOURS DOES, THEN YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE PROCESS IS...

IT MAY BE SOMETHING SIMPLE, OR IT MAY BE SOMETHING VERY COMPLEX.

THE REASON, I'M TELLING YOU THIS IS BECAUSE SOME GLASS SHOPS WILL AUTOMATICALLY TELL YOU THAT YOUR CAMERA NEEDS RECALIBRATION, AND IT'S GOING TO BE 2, 3, 4 HUNDRED DOLLARS.

IF YOURS DOESN'T, AND YOU BUY INTO THAT, THEN YOU'RE WASTING MONEY.

ALRIGHT, ANOTHER THING: BUMPERS...THEY GET SCRATCHED, THEY GET DINGED, THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED.

WELL, A LOT OF BUMPERS WILL HAVE SENSORS IN THEM USED FOR PARKING MANEUVERS AND LANE DISTANCE KEEPING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SOME OF THE REPLACEMENT BUMPERS, ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT ARE UNIVERSAL, DON'T HAVE THE HOLES FOR THOSE SENSORS, AND THE TECHNICIAN HAS TO POSITION THEM.

WELL, IF THEY'RE NOT POSITIONED RIGHT, THE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK RIGHT.

SO, SELECT YOUR BODY SHOP CAREFULLY AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO THOSE SENSORS THE WAY THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE.

SOMETHING JUST ABOUT EVERY CAR HAS THESE DAYS IS A BACKUP CAMERA.

BACKUP CAMERAS GET DIRTY, AND MANY OF YOU JUST LOVE PAPER TOWELS TO CLEAN THEM, DRY.

WELL, DON'T DO THAT.

YOU SHOULD WET THE LENS WITH SOME KIND OF GLASS CLEANER OR POLISH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND THEN USE A MICROFIBER CLOTH TO CLEAN THEM.

OTHERWISE, YOU CAN SCRATCH THE LENS AND THAT CAN BE VERY DISTRACTING, AND SOMETIMES GETS SO BAD THAT YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE CAMERA.

WASTED MONEY!

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

* Greg Carloss: SAYING GOODBYE TO ONE OF OUR LONG-TERMS IS NEVER EASY, BUT SOME STAFFERS ARE TAKING THE LOSS OF THIS 2019 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN HARDER THAN OTHERS.

THOUGH, IN OUR CARE FOR JUST FOUR MONTHS, WE BECAME QUITE ATTACHED TO VOLKSWAGEN'S SMALLEST UTILITY, BUT COMPARED TO OTHERS IN ITS CLASS, IT'S NOT SMALL AT ALL.

REAR SEAT PASSENGERS FOUND ABUNDANT LEGROOM, WITH PLENTY OF SPACE IN BACK FOR STORING GEAR.

THE STANDARD 2.0 LITER TURBO'S 184 HORSEPOWER GOT THE JOB DONE, WITH THE ADDED BENEFIT OF A NICE AGGRESSIVE GROWL WHEN YOU GET ON IT, AND WE GOT ON IT PLENTY DURING OUR 7,591 MILE ENCOUNTER, AND STILL AVERAGED A GREAT 26.2 MILES PER GALLON.

EVEN WITH OUR R-LINE'S 19 INCH WHEELS AND LOW PROFILE TIRES, MANY DRIVERS PRAISED THE TIGUAN'S SMOOTH RIDE QUALITY; GREAT FOR LONG-TRIPS, THOUGH A FEW PASSENGERS DID WISH FOR MORE SEAT COMFORT.

SO, IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR A SMALL CROSSOVER THE TIGUAN IS A GREAT PLACE TO START.

THE FUEL-EFFICIENT MILES KEEP ROLLING IN OUR 2019 HONDA INSIGHT.

WE'RE NOW AROUND 14,000 MILES, AVERAGING 47.3 MILES PER GALLON WHICH IS RIGHT IN LINE WITH WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING.

THOSE IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS COME SEAMLESSLY FROM THE TWO-MOTOR HYBRID SYSTEM WITH A 1.5 LITER I4 PAIRED UP WITH A CVT.

THE 151 HORSEPOWER HAS ENOUGH STAMINA TO KEEP UP WITH MOST OF OUR DRIVING NEEDS.

FOURTEEN-THOUSAND MILES IN AND NOW WE'RE STARTING TO NOTICE THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE THE INSIGHT A GREAT DAILY DRIVER.

LIKE, HOW EASY IT IS TO MANEUVER IN TIGHT AREAS AND THEN OF COURSE, THERE'S THE TECHNOLOGY.

I LIKE USING APPLE CARPLAY WHILE OTHERS ON STAFF HAVE GOTTEN A TON OF USE OUT OF THE SIDE-VIEW CAMERA.

THE DECIDEDLY UPSCALE AND TECH FILLED DRIVER'S SPACE REMAINS A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO SPEND HIGHWAY TIME, AS WE EMBARK ON FALL GETAWAYS.

WE'LL FIND OUT HOW OUR MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PLUG-IN HYBRID IS FAIRING, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

* John: THE NAMES "MUSTANG" AND "CAMARO" HAVE BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH AMERICAN PERFORMANCE SINCE THE '60s, AS MUSCLE CARS HAVE CHARACTERIZED THE PASSION AND ENTHUSIASM OF AMERICAN GEARHEADS.

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF AMERICAN MUSCLE SUPERCARS BY TOM GLATCH, PAYS HOMAGE TO THOSE WHO HAVE CRAFTED THESE DRAMATIC SPORTS CARS, AND REVISITS AUTOMOBILES LIKE, THE YENKO CAMARO, DODGE VIPER, AND CALLAWAY CORVETTES.

THIS MUST READ IS GREAT FOR THOSE FOND OF THE MUSCLE CAR ERA, AS WELL AS THOSE PROUD OF AMERICA'S MODERN EFFORTS IN THE SPORTS CAR INDUSTRY.

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF AMERICAN MUSCLE SUPERCARS IS AN EXCELLENT COLLECTION OF AMERICAN PERFORMANCE CARS PAST AND PRESENT.

THE AUTO INDUSTRY IS CONSTANTLY MOVING FORWARD.

TO HELP US KEEP UP, HERE'S LAUREN MORRISON WITH THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

* Lauren Morrison: WE KNOW ELECTRIC CARS WILL BE MORE COMMON IN THE FUTURE.

TWO OF THE BIG HURDLES HAVE BEEN RANGE ANXIETY AND CHARGING.

BUT, AUTOMAKERS CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS ON BOTH FRONTS.

ELECTRIFY AMERICA IS TEAMING UP WITH A VARIETY OF PARTNERS TO MAKE CHARGING EVs EASIER AND MORE CONVENIENT.

THEY'VE RECENTLY SIGNED A DEAL WITH EVGO ALLOWING DRIVERS TO CHARGE THEIR PERSONAL EVs ON BOTH NETWORKS USING THEIR EXISTING ACCOUNTS WITHOUT ADDITIONAL FEES.

ELECTRIFY AMERICA ANNOUNCED A SIMILAR AGREEMENT WITH CHARGEPOINT AND IS ALSO WORKING WITH GREENLOTS, SEMACONNECT AND EVCONNECT.

AT THE SAME TIME, ELECTRIFY AMERICA IS COLLABORATING WITH FORD TO PROVIDE FAST CHARGING FOR THEIR NEAR FUTURE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

WE ALREADY KNOW A MUSTANG-INSPIRED SUV EV WILL ARRIVE NEXT YEAR.

AND AS THESE PARTNERSHIPS GROW, SO WILL THE NUMBER OF CHARGING STATIONS.

ELECTRIFY AMERICA EXPECTS TO HAVE 800 CHARGING STATIONS INSTALLED OR IN THE WORKS BY DECEMBER 2021.

THEIR PLAN CALLS FOR EXPANDING TO 45 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

AND AS THE NUMBER OF PLACES TO CHARGE INCREASES, SO IS THE COMMITMENT TO THE HARDWARE TO MAKE ELECTRIFIED VEHICLES RUN.

BMW HAS EXPANDED ITS PLANT IN SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA.

THEY'VE SPENT $10 MILLION TO INSTALL A NEW BATTERY ASSEMBLY LINE.

BMW HAS BEEN MAKING BATTERIES AT THE SPARTANBURG PLANT SINCE 2015.

THIS NEW ASSEMBLY LINE WILL ALLOW THE GERMAN BRAND TO MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF BATTERIES THEY PRODUCE.

BUT IT'S ABOUT MORE THAN ADDITIONAL SPACE.

THE NEW 4TH-GENERATION BATTERIES HAVE A HIGHER PERFORMANCE.

THEY'RE BEING ASSEMBLED ON-SITE FOR THE BMW X5 AND BMW X3 PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VARIANTS.

THE 2020 BMW X5 XDRIVE45E SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLE IS ALREADY IN PRODUCTION.

THEY'LL START MAKING THE BMW X3 XDRIVE30E IN DECEMBER.

SO, THE WAVE OF ELECTRIFICATION OF THE AUTO INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO GAIN MOMENTUM.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

John: AT ONE POINT IN TIME, THE NISSAN VERSA WAS THE LEAST EXPENSIVE CAR YOU COULD BUY IN AMERICA.

WELL, THAT'S NO LONGER THE CASE.

INDEED, AS IT STARTS A 3RD GENERATION, ITS APPARENT MISSION IS TO BRING A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF REFINEMENT, TECHNOLOGY, AND EXCITEMENT TO THE ECONOMY CAR CLASS.

NOW, IF IT SUCCEEDS, THAT COULD MAKE THIS VERSA AN EVEN BIGGER BARGAIN THAN BEFORE.

* WHILE FOR THE MOST PART, NISSAN HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO MATCH HONDA OR TOYOTA WHEN IT COMES TO COMPACT AND MIDSIZE 4-DOORS; THEIR VERSA SUBCOMPACT SEDAN HAS BEEN A LEADER IN ITS SEGMENT FOR SOME TIME.

AND AN ALL-NEW VERSION FOR 2020, AIMS TO KEEP THAT IN PLACE.

ALWAYS A LITTLE BULBOUS AND CHUNKY-LOOKING; THIS 3RD GENERATION VERSA LOSES THE JELLYBEAN CURVES.

IN THEIR PLACE, ARE SHARPER LINES AND EXAGGERATED FENDERS THAT GIVE IT A SLIMMED-DOWN LOOK, DESPITE HITTING THE NEW-GEN TRIFECTA OF BEING LONGER, LOWER, AND WIDER.

YES, THEY INSISTED ON APPLYING NISSAN'S RECENT HALLMARKS OF A V-MOTION GRILLE AND FLOATING ROOF.

THE FRONT END LOOKS GOOD; THE FLOATING ROOF HOWEVER, APPEARS A LITTLE FORCED.

THEY MADE A POINT OF FILLING UP THE WHEEL WELLS, WHETHER YOU GET THE STANDARD 15 INCH STEELIES, OR THESE OPTIONAL 17s.

THAT ALONE HAS GONE A LONG WAY TOWARDS GIVING VERSA A MUCH MORE MODERN LOOK.

IT'S NO SECRET THAT PREVIOUS VERSA'S HAVE PUT A HIGHER PRIORITY ON PRICE POINT THAN DRIVING ENJOYMENT; AND WHILE WE'RE NOT TALKING SPORT SEDAN HERE, RESPONSE HAS VASTLY IMPROVED.

THOUGH, THE VERSA REMAINS THE SMALLEST CAR IN THEIR LINEUP HERE, IT'S STATISTICALLY A COMPACT, AND INSIDE IT EVEN FEELS MORE LIKE A MIDSIZE; REAFFIRMING YET AGAIN TO US, WHY MIDSIZE FAMILY CARS ARE IN A SLUMP.

YES, PEOPLE ARE DEFECTING TO SUVs THERE'S NO DENYING THAT, BUT THEY'RE ALSO FINDING THE AMOUNT OF SPACE AND EVEN COMFORT FEATURES THEY'RE USED TO IN SMALLER CARS.

IT DOESN'T EXACTLY FEEL ALL GROWN UP IN HERE, BUT CERTAINLY LESS ENTRY-LEVEL THAN BEFORE.

MATERIALS ARE MUCH NICER AND THE COPIOUS AMOUNT OF REAL CONTROLS FEEL MORE SUBSTANTIAL TO THE TOUCH.

PLUS, JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IS WHERE YOU EXPECT IT TO BE.

FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS DO GET MORE SPACE THAN BEFORE, BUT REAR SEAT PASSENGERS ACTUALLY LOOSE A LITTLE, WHICH IS A SHAME AS THAT WAS A REAL HIGHLIGHT OF PREVIOUS VERSA'S.

CARGO SPACE REMAINS QUITE GOOD, 15.0 CUBIC-FEET IN THE TRUNK.

THE STANDARD NATURALLY-ASPIRATED 1.6 LITER I4 THAT POWERS THE VERSA IS NOT NEW.

BUT IT HAS BEEN UPDATED FOR 2020; CRANKING OUT 13-MORE HORSEPOWER AND 7-MORE POUND-FEET OF TORQUE THAN BEFORE, FOR TOTALS OF 122 HORSEPOWER AND 114 POUND-FEET.

HERE IN OUR TEST CAR, IT'S CONNECTED TO A CVT, BUT A 5-SPEED MANUAL IS STILL AVAILABLE IF YOU STICK WITH BASE TRIM.

THE CVT HAS RECEIVED SOME UPDATES AS WELL.

WE ACTUALLY CAN'T SAY, WE'RE IN LOVE WITH IT, BUT ITS QUICKER RESPONSE AND INCREASED SMOOTHNESS ARE CERTAINLY APPRECIATED.

DESPITE THE ADDITIONAL HORSEPOWER, OUR VERSA SR-TRIMMED TEST CAR WAS ACTUALLY SLOWER TO 60 THAN LAST GEN, TAKING A LENGTHY 11.3 SECONDS TO GET THE JOB DONE.

BUT IT WAS NOTICEABLY SMOOTHER.

THERE ARE SIMULATED SHIFTS IN THE CVT WHICH DON'T REALLY ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING OTHER THAN IMPEDING YOUR MOMENTUM, AND PERHAPS GIVING YOU THE SOUND OF A TRADITIONAL AUTOMATIC.

BEST QUARTER MILE TIME WAS 18.6 SECONDS AT 75 MILES PER HOUR.

THE FRONT SUSPENSION, IS YOUR TYPICAL INDEPENDENT STRUT SETUP WITH TWIN-TUBE SHOCK ABSORBERS AND A 21MM STABILIZER BAR.

IN BACK, IS AN ECONOMY-MINDED TORSION BEAM, ALSO WITH TWIN-TUBE SHOCK ABSORBERS.

STEERING WEIGHT AND RESPONSE ARE ACCEPTABLE FOR A FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE, SAFETY-FOCUSED, SUBCOMPACT COMMUTER.

ON THAT SAFETY FRONT, BASE S TRIM DOES INCLUDE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, BUT ALL OTHER TRIMS GET THE FULL NISSAN SAFETY SHIELD 360, WHICH ADDS LANE DEPARTURE AND BLIND SPOT WARNINGS.

NOW, EFFICIENCY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VERSA STRONGPOINT; THAT CONTINUES HERE WITH GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS OF 32-CITY, 40-HIGHWAY, AND 35-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED A GOOD 34.5 MILES PER GALLON ON REGULAR.

THE BASE S TRIM MANUAL STARTS AT JUST $15,625, MID-LEVEL SV AT $18,535; TOP SR AT $19,135, AND IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING, NO MORE NOTE HATCHBACK FOR NOW.

IN SOME CIRCLES, "VERY NICE" MAY NOT SOUND LIKE HIGH PRAISE.

BUT THE 2020 NISSAN VERSA IS INDEED VERY NICE WHETHER YOU'RE COMPARING IT TO SUBCOMPACTS, COMPACTS, OR EVEN MIDSIZE SEDANS.

IT MAY NOT BE THE CHEAPEST CAR YOU CAN BUY ANYMORE, BUT IT'S A MORE THAN COMPETENT COMMUTER, AND FOR US, A FAR GREATER VALUE THAN EVER BEFORE.

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 SLIP INSIDE THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500.

AND THEN, THE AUDI Q3 BRINGS A BIG DOSE OF LUXURY TO A SMALL PACKAGE.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, I'M JOHN DAVIS, WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK !

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