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

JOIN US AS WE SKATE AROUND IN A SPORT-INFUSED AUDI SUV... PAT GOSS HAS A WARNING ABOUT A BIG RISE IN CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT... WE'LL FILL UP WITH THE LATEST ON THE FUTURE OF BIODIESEL... THEN, WE'LL TEST VOLKSWAGEN'S SMALLEST CROSSOVER YET: THE TAOS...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR TIRES ONLINE AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

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John: WITH ALL OF THE SUVs THAT ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, THERE SEEMS TO BE ONE FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYONE; WHETHER YOU'RE LOOKING FOR PRACTICALITY, PERFORMANCE, LUXURY OR STYLE.

BUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, ONE SUV COMES ALONG THAT DOES ALL OF THAT AND MORE; AND NO SURPRISE, IT COMES FROM AUDI!

* THE AUDI Q8 ARRIVED FOR 2019 AS A MORE SPORTY AND STYLISH FLAGSHIP VERSION OF AUDI'S 2ND GENERATION Q7 3-ROW SUV.

THIS 2021 SQ8 ADDS A LOT MORE PERFORMANCE INTO THE MIX.

AUDI IS ONE BRAND THAT STILL BELIEVES IN V8S, AND HAS CRAMMED THEIR 4.0 LITER TWIN-TURBO UNIT BETWEEN THE SQ8'S SHOCK TOWERS TO REPLACE THE STANDARD V6.

THIS ESCALATES OUTPUT FROM 335 TO 500 HORSEPOWER, WITH AN IMPRESSIVE 568 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

SAME 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT WITH REVISED GEARING, AND QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE IS STANDARD; IN REAR-BIASED TUNING SENDING 60 PERCENT OF POWER TO THE REARS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.

WE COULDN'T GET TO MASON DIXON DRAGWAY FAST ENOUGH TO SEE WHAT THE SQ8 WAS CAPABLE OF.

QUATTRO-GRIP PROVIDED THE DRAMA-FREE GETAWAY THAT WE'RE USED TO FROM AUDI, THE SQ8 SQUATTING DOWN BRIEFLY AND THEN JUMPING OFF THE LINE TO 60 IN 4.0 SECONDS FLAT.

THAT'S ALMOST A FULL 2.0 SECONDS QUICKER THAN THE STANDARD Q8 V6, WHICH FELT PLENTY POWERFUL TO US IN OUR ORIGINAL ROAD TEST TWO YEARS AGO.

POWER CONTINUES TO POUR ON STEADILY AND HEAVILY FROM THERE, WITH THE TURBO V8 MAKING ALL OF THE RIGHT NOISES; SOMEHOW SOUNDING OBNOXIOUS AND REFINED AT THE SAME TIME.

AUTOMATIC SHIFTS HAPPENED CLEANLY AND QUICKLY, YET WERE EXTREMELY SMOOTH AS WELL.

IT TOOK 12.5 SECONDS TO COMPLETE THE QUARTER, TRAVELLING AT 111 MILES PER HOUR.

WITH ALL OF THE DRIVE MODES AND ADJUSTMENTS THAT CAN BE MADE TO THE SPORT-TUNED ADAPTIVE AIR SUSPENSION AND EVEN REAR WHEEL STEERING, THE SQ8 CAN DELIVER A WIDE RANGE OF DRIVING EXPERIENCES.

IF YOU DIAL UP DYNAMIC MODE AND CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO DEFEAT AS MANY INTERVENTION SYSTEMS AS POSSIBLE, YOU CAN FLY THOUGH THE CONES LIKE YOU'RE IN A SPORTS SEDAN.

AND, WHILE TRYING TO WRAP OUR HEADS AROUND THAT, IT'S AT THIS POINT WE REMEMBER THIS CHASSIS ALSO DELIVERS TRACK-WORTHY PERFORMANCE UNDERNEATH OF LAMBORGHINI'S URUS AND THE PORSCHE CAYENNE.

DRIVE IT IN NORMAL MODE WITH ALL OF THE SAFETY SYSTEMS ACTIVE AND IT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE; THE CAR VIRTUALLY TAKING OVER, AND KEEPING YOU FROM HAVING ANY FUN AT ALL.

FRONT BRAKES ARE 1.0 INCH LARGER IN DIAMETER THAN THE STANDARD Q8, AND STOPPED US FROM 60 IN 114 FEET; 4.0 FEET SHORTER THAN BEFORE.

THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FIRM AND RESPONSIVE; STOPS WERE CONSISTENTLY STRAIGHT AND TRUE.

LIKE MOST PERFORMANCE-MINDED AUDIS, IT'S AWAY FROM THE TRACK WHERE THE SQ8 TRULY EXCELS.

YES, THE RIDE IS MORE THAN ENTERTAINING, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE AND EVEN RELAXING, WITH NO HARSH RIDE PENALTY TO PAY FOR ALL OF THE ADDED CAPABILITY.

TO THE ALREADY DYNAMIC LOOKING Q8 SHAPE, THE SQ8 ADDS A UNIQUE VERSION OF AUDI'S SINGLEFRAME GRILLE, AS WELL AS SPORTIER TAKES FOR THE FRONT AND REAR FASCIAS, AND QUAD EXHAUST TIPS INTEGRATED INTO THE REAR DIFFUSER.

TWENTY-ONE INCH WHEELS ARE STANDARD, WITH 22S AVAILABLE DUE TO ITS SLANT BACK SHAPE, AUDI WISELY DITCHED THE Q7'S THIRD ROW, KEEPING CAPACITY AT FIVE; YET SACRIFICING VERY LITTLE CARGO SPACE WITH A GREAT 30.5 CUBIC-FEET IN BACK, EXPANDING 60.7 CUBIC-FEET WITH REAR SEATBACKS FOLDED.

PLUS, THERE'S AN EXCEPTIONAL 7,700 POUNDS TOWING CAPABILITY.

REAR PASSENGER SPACE STAYS PLENTIFUL AS WELL; WHILE UP FRONT, IT'S THE SAME DRIVER-ORIENTED HIGH-TECH COCKPIT OF THE Q8, ENHANCED BY A HEATED 3-SPOKE STEERING WHEEL WITH SHIFT PADDLES, AMBIENT LIGHTING, DIAMOND STITCHED VALCONA SPORT SEATS, ALUMINUM TRIM AND AN EXTENDED LEATHER PACKAGE.

AUDI WAS ONE OF THE FIRST BRANDS TO ADOPT FULLY VIRTUAL GAUGES AND NOT ONLY DOES THEIR LATEST VIRTUAL COCKPIT CONTINUE TO LOOK IMPRESSIVE-- THE AMOUNT OF FLEXIBILITY IT HAS IS TRULY AMAZING.

WE'RE LESS ENAMORED WITH THEIR LATEST TWIN SCREEN MULTIMEDIA AND CONTROL SETUP, BUT IT'S EASY ENOUGH TO USE ONCE YOU TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN ITS NUANCES.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 15-CITY, 21-HIGHWAY, AND 17-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED 17.7 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.

SO, THERE'S A WELL BELOW AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE, CONSUMING 19.4 BARRELS OF OIL YEARLY, WITH 8.6 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS.

THE SQ8 IS AVAILABLE IN BOTH PREMIUM PLUS AND PRESTIGE TRIMS, STARTING AT $90,195; THAT'S ABOUT $17,000 OVER A PREMIUM PLUS TRIMMED V6.

THE 2021 AUDI SQ8 DOES EVERYTHING SHORT OF ROCK CRAWLING, WITH POISE, COMPOSURE, AND A WHOLE LOT OF PERFORMANCE.

AND AS GREAT AS IT LOOKS, IT STILL HAS A WAY OF BLENDING IN MORE THAN STANDING OUT.

CLASSY, NOT FLASHY; AND UNLIKE MANY PERFORMANCE-ORIENTED LUXURY SUVs, IT REMAINS EXTREMELY PRACTICAL, TOO.

THAT'S WHAT WE WE'VE COME TO EXPECT FROM AUDI, AND THE SQ8 DELIVERS!

* John: WITH SO MUCH FOCUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRIC CARS THESE DAYS, IT'S EASY TO OVERLOOK SOME OF THE TRIED AND TRUE CLEAN FUELS THAT ARE STILL MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR ENVIRONMENT; BUT, WE RECENTLY VISITED A GROUP OF ALT-FUEL ALL-STARS WHO ARE FUELING THEIR FUTURE WITH BIODIESEL!

* BLYTHEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL SERVES ABOUT 2000 STUDENTS IN RURAL RICHLAND COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA.

TYPICAL OF THE AREA, IT OFFERS A FEW VOCATIONAL CLASSES IN AGRICULTURE, CONSTRUCTION, AND MECHANICS, BUT THIS CHEMISTRY COURSE IS ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL.

THESE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING HOW TO MAKE BIODIESEL FROM DONATED USED COOKING OIL.

THIS UNIQUE CURRICULUM IS THE BRAINCHILD OF WILL EPPS, A SCIENCE TEACHER HERE WHO IDENTIFIED A NEED IN THE LOCAL JOB MARKET AND SOUGHT A SOLUTION.

Will Epps: IN THE SUMMERS, I WORK AS A CHEMIST AT WESTINGHOUSE AND WHAT I NOTICED IS THAT, IN THE LAB SPACE, THERE WAS A LOT OF TURNOVER WITH TECHNICIANS.

AND I WAS, YOU KNOW, AS A CHEMISTRY TEACHER, AND KIND OF BEING ONE FOOT IN BOTH WORLDS, IT KIND OF DAWNED ON ME AND I WAS THINKING WELL, YOU KNOW; WHY CAN'T WE TRAIN HIGH SCHOOL KIDS TO HAVE THIS JOB?

I'M NOTICING THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING IN A CHEMISTRY CLASS, THEY NEED A LITTLE BIT EXTRA TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.

John: PAIRING THAT IDEA WITH SOME BASIC EQUIPMENT FOUND AT THE SCHOOL, WILL GOT THE BIODIESEL PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

IT'S BEEN EXPANDING EVER SINCE AND RECENTLY EARNED A GRANT FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA ENERGY OFFICE THROUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S STATE ENERGY PROGRAM, WITH ADDITIONAL HELP FROM PALMETTO CLEAN FUELS, SOUTH CAROLINA'S CLEAN CITIES COALITION; BUT IT'S REALLY WILL'S INFECTIOUS ENTHUSIASM THAT DRAWS STUDENTS TO THE CLASS.

Ava: I WANTED TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE I HAD, UH, MR. EPPS AS A TEACHER BEFORE, AND HE WAS A REALLY GREAT TEACHER, AND HE CONVINCED ME THAT I WAS GOOD AT SCIENCE, AND THAT I COULD CONTINUE BEING IN SCIENCE CLASSES BECAUSE I WAS PREVIOUSLY A LITTLE INSECURE ABOUT MY ABILITIES WITH SCIENCE.

Camden: AND ALSO, I LIKE DOING THE WORK.

THE WORK'S PRETTY-- IT'S COMPLEX, BUT EASY AT THE SAME TIME.

IT GETS YOUR BRAIN, YOU KNOW, PUMPING.

Tessa: AND, IT BEING MORE LIKE, OUT THERE AND BEING MORE LIKE, PROJECT-BASED INSTEAD OF JUST LIKE PAPERS AND STUFF, I'M LIKE, "THAT COULD BE AN INTERESTING CLASS TO GO INTO."

John: IN THIS LAB, STUDENTS NOT ONLY LEARN THE BASICS OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS, BUT ALSO GAIN OVER 100 HOURS OF LABORATORY EXPERIENCE; ENOUGH TO HELP THEM QUALIFY FOR CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND OTHER LAB INTERNSHIPS AT LOCAL COMPANIES.

Will: IT'S A GREAT PRODUCT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S SIMPLE ENOUGH FOR STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND; YOU KNOW, WE MIX TWO THINGS TOGETHER AND WE GET A PRODUCT THAT SEPARATES OUT, AND THEN WE HAVE A LOT OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY TECHNIQUES THAT WE NEED TO PROOF THAT THE FUEL IS GOOD ENOUGH QUALITY TO GO IN AN ENGINE.

SO, IT KIND OF FITS BOTH WORLDS, UM, AND IT'S REALLY NICE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A WASTE PRODUCT, AND CHANGE IT INTO SOMETHING THAT WE CAN USE AGAIN.

John: THE STUDENT-MADE FUEL IS CURRENTLY BEING TESTED IN THE SCHOOL'S TRACTORS AND BY DIESEL TRUCK OWNERS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WITH GREAT RESULTS, BUT THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO TOP OFF THEIR OWN BUSES WITH A CLEANER BLEND OF B10 OR B20 BIODIESEL MADE RIGHT AT THE SCHOOL.

Will: SO, THE PLAN RIGHT NOW, AND WHERE WE'RE AT, IS THAT WE CAN MAKE 40 GALLONS OF B100 IN A WEEK, AND SO THE GOAL IS TO MAYBE DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THAT CAPACITY OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

AND, YOU KNOW, REALLY OUR PRODUCT IS THE BIODIESEL, BUT REALLY THE PRODUCT IS OUR STUDENTS, AND GETTING THEM INTO THE WORKFORCE AND BEING SUCCESSFUL.

Ayden: WELL...NOW, I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN CHEMISTRY.

Katrell: I'M HAPPY WE CAN, YOU KNOW-- WE'RE DOING AT LEAST A LITTLE SOMETHING TO HELP.

Ty: I KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING RIGHT NOW IS NOT THE BEST, BUT IF WE CAN DO ANY AMOUNT TO HELP IT, THEN THAT'S WHAT I'M ALL FOR.

Tyler: IT'S JUST A REALLY COOL THING TO BE A PART OF; SAYING, "HEY, YOU SEE THAT BUS DRIVING?

I HELPED FUEL THAT."

John: GAINING A HEALTHY RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, TO GO ALONG WITH INVALUABLE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE, THESE STUDENTS ARE LITERALLY FUELING A CLEAN DRIVING FUTURE FOR ALL OF US!

John: MAYBE YOU HAVE AN ALARM SYSTEM TO PREVENT YOUR CAR FROM BEING STOLEN.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MORE VALUABLE PARTS OF YOUR CAR?

PAT GOSS HAS ADVICE ON HOW TO KEEP ONE PRECIOUS COMPONENT OUT OF THE HANDS OF THIEVES.

Pat Goss: THERE'S A NEW PROBLEM THAT'S AFFECTING DRIVERS, AND IT'S ALMOST AN EPIDEMIC.

AND THAT IS CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT.

AND HERE TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS, WE HAVE TOM TAYLOR, OUR ONLINE PARTS GURU.

TOM, WELCOME BACK TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Tom Taylor: THANKS FOR HAVING ME, PAT.

Pat: ABSOLUTELY.

CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE BEING STOLEN RIGHT AND LEFT AROUND HERE, AND I THINK IT'S A NATIONAL THING.

Tom: IT USED TO JUST BE VEHICLES THAT ARE HIGH OFF THE GROUND, PICKUPS AND VANS, WHERE THE THIEF CAN CRAWL UNDER THERE WITH A SAW AND HACK IT OFF, NOW A LOT OF THE HYBRIDS HAVE MORE PRECIOUS METALS IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS.

THE PLATINUM, PALLADIUM, RHODIUM, SO IT'S A LOT MORE- THE THIEVES GET MORE MONEY FOR THE STOLEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND THEY FIGURED OUT HOW TO WIGGLE UNDER THESE REALLY LOW-SLUNG VEHICLES TO EITHER SAW OFF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR MORE COMMONLY NOW, THEY USE A PIPE CUTTER, THAT'S KIND OF A SHARPENED PIECE OF CHAIN THAT YOU JUST SPIN AROUND THE PIPE TO CUT THROUGH IT.

Pat: AH, WELL THEY'LL FIGURE A WAY AROUND JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.

UM, ANY PRACTICAL WAY TO SLOW 'EM DOWN?

Tom: YEAH, THERE'S COMPANIES THAT SELL ELABORATE SHIELDS TO BOLT ON TO SPECIFIC VEHICLES.

AN IDEA I LIKE IS JUST TAKE SIMPLE PIPE CLAMPS AND FESTOON THE PIPE AROUND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHERE THIEVES HAVE ACCESS TO THE BARE PIPE, WITH THOSE, AND ITS... LIKE PORCUPINE BUMPS, THEN ITS HARDER GETTING A SAW OR ONE OF THOSE CHAIN PIPE CUTTERS ON IT.

Pat: OH, VERY GOOD IDEA.

I'LL HAVE TO RECOMMEND THAT TO SOME OF MY CLIENTS.

OKAY...UM, SO YOU'RE SEEING AN INCREASE IN THE SALES OF CONVERTERS.

Tom: YES, AND THE CONVERTERS FOR A LOT OF THE HYBRIDS..

THE HYBRIDS HAVE COMBUSTION ENGINES THAT DON'T WARM UP REAL FAST, THE VEHICLES RUNNING ON BATTERY A LOT.

SO, THEY OFTEN HAVE PIPING THAT GOES TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO SCAVENGE HEAT TO HEAT THEIR VEHICLE'S INTERIORS, SO THOSE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS HAVE PLUMBING THAT GETS DAMAGED WHEN THE CONVERTER IS CUT OFF AND IT REALLY INCREASES THE COST QUITE A BIT.

IT COULD BE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS JUST TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.

Pat: YOU KNOW, WE'RE SEEING THAT WITH SOME OF THE, OUR FLEET CUSTOMERS...

SOME OF THEIR OLDER VANS AND SO ON, THEY DO SO MUCH DAMAGE CUTTING THESE THINGS OFF, THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES JUST TOTAL THEM AND TAKE THEM TO AUCTION.

Tom: YEAH, IT'S SUCH A WASTE TO DESTROY A VEHICLE THAT HAS MORE MILES ON IT, FOR SOMETHING AS DUMB AS THIS.

Pat: ABSOLUTELY.

Tom: JUST ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT HOW...TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR THE THIEVES, SO PARK OVER THOSE MUD PUDDLES, IT'S LIKE LOCKING YOUR CAR OR YOUR HOUSE, MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT HARDER AND THEY'LL TRY TO FIND AN EASIER VICTIM.

Pat: THERE YOU GO.

TOM, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

John: TIME NOW TO HIT THE START BUTTON FOR A NEW ROUND OF FIRST DRIVE QUICKSPINS!

* Brian Robinson: THE POLESTAR 2 ALL-ELECTRIC SPORT SEDAN HAS BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR JUST A YEAR; AND AFTER LAUNCHING WITH DUAL-MOTOR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE AND A RANGE OF 233 MILES, 2022 BRINGS A "BEST OF BOTH WORLDS" SCENARIO WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES: LOWER PRICE, MORE RANGE.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY ELIMINATING ONE OF THE MOTORS; IRONICALLY ENOUGH, IT'S THE REAR ONE THAT GOES AWAY, MAKING FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE AND BOOSTING RANGE TO 265 MILES.

BUT, THEY'VE ALSO INCREASED THE OUTPUT OF THAT FRONT MOTOR, AS WELL AS REVISED THE GEARING, SO YOU GET MORE THAN JUST HALF OF THE DUAL MOTOR'S 408 HORSEPOWER.

IT'S ACTUALLY, RATED AT 231 HORSEPOWER.

AND, IT'S NOT ONLY THE 2-WHEEL-DRIVE VERSION GETTING THE ADDITIONAL RANGE.

THE DUAL MOTOR GETS ANOTHER 16 MILES ADDED TO ITS RANGE FOR A TOTAL OF 249 MILES.

THIS IS A RESULT OF AN UPDATE TO THE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE, AND BUYERS OF ALL '21s WILL GET THE SAME UPDATE OVER THE AIR.

BEST NEWS OF ALL, THE OVERALL DRIVING EXPERIENCE CHANGES VERY LITTLE.

THE POLESTAR 2 IS A FANTASTIC DRIVING CAR.

THE SINGLE MOTOR VERSION IS NOTICEABLY LESS POWERFUL THAN THE DUAL MOTOR VERSION, BUT THERE'S MORE THAN ENOUGH THERE TO GET THE JOB DONE.

PLUS, YOU GET TO ENJOY IT FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME BEFORE YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FINDING SOME PLACE TO PLUG IN.

POLESTAR PUTS THE SINGLE MOTOR VERSION STARTING PRICE AT JUST UNDER $46,000, BUT TAX INCENTIVES COULD BRING IT AS LOW AS $35,000.

YOU CAN ORDER ONLINE NOW, WITH DELIVERIES EXPECTED TO START BY YEAR'S END.

AND FINALLY, THE DUAL MOTOR VERSION GETS A LOWER PRICE FOR '22; NOW STARTING AT JUST UNDER $50,000.

John: WHEN WE FIRST DROVE THE THEN-NEWLY REDESIGNED 3-ROW LINCOLN AVIATOR TWO YEARS AGO, WE CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS INDEED THE RIGHT VEHICLE FOR THE MOMENT AS A PREMIUM SUV THAT DELIVERED HONEST LUXURY, UNDENIABLE PRESENCE AND LOADS OF POWER.

A BIG PART OF THAT POWER PUSH WAS THE OPTIONAL PLUG-IN HYBRID POWERTRAIN THAT COMES ONLY WITH GRAND TOURING TRIM.

NOW HAVING SPENT MORE TIME IN IT, WE FOUND THE ADDITION OF A 75 KILOWATT MOTOR TO THE 3.0 LITER TWIN-TURBO V6, FOR A TOTAL OF 494 HORSEPOWER AND 630 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, PROVIDES A SERIOUS RUSH, AND A 0-60 OF LESS THAN 5.5 SECONDS.

AND, THAT'S WITH ALMOST 800 POUNDS OF ADDED HYBRID HARDWARE.

THE 13.6 KILOWATT HOUR BATTERY ALLOWS 21 MILES OF FULL EV DRIVING RANGE.

THAT'S ADEQUATE FOR AROUND TOWN ERRANDS, AND YOU CAN USE IT WHEN YOU WANT TO AND EVEN SAVE IT FOR LATER.

BATTERY LEVEL IS CLEARLY INDICATED ON THE GAUGE PANEL, AND YOU CAN EASILY "FILL-UP" OVERNIGHT ON NORMAL 120 VOLT HOUSE CURRENT.

GOVERNMENT COMBINED FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 23 MPG AND 56 MPGE ON PREMIUM-- BOTH BETTER THAN MANY SMALLER IMPORTED RIVALS.

INSIDE, THE AVIATOR GRAND TOURING, A 14-SPEAKER REVEL AUDIO SYSTEM PAIRED WITH A SYNC 3-EQUIPPED INFOTAINMENT CENTER COMES STANDARD.

AN ADDITIONAL LUXURY PACKAGE DOUBLES THE SPEAKER COUNT, ADDS 30-WAY PERFECT POSITION SEATS AND REAR DOOR SUNSHADES.

SPEAKING OF SUN, THE VISTA PANORAMIC SUNROOF SHEDS LIGHT ON THE GRAND TOURING'S BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED CABIN, BUT A POWERED SUNSHADE LETS OCCUPANTS CHILL OUT WHEN THE NEED ARISES.

WITH A BASE PRICE OF OVER $69,000, OR NEARLY NINE GRAND MORE THAN THE NON-HYBRID RESERVE, IT'S DEBATABLE IF THE PLUG-IN LINCOLN AVIATOR GRAND TOURING IS WORTH IT; BUT, IF YOU LOOK AT PREMIUM SUVS AS A STATUS SYMBOL, AND MANY DO, THIS ONE HAS A NICE GREEN TINT TO IT.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPINS, SOON!

WHILE, SUVs ARE GETTING SMALLER AND SMALLER, CARMAKERS SEEM TO BE PACKING MORE AND MORE INTO THEM.

CASE IN POINT, THE VOLKSWAGEN TAOS, THEIR SMALLEST CURRENT SUV, SO LET'S FIND OUT HOW MUCH IT ADDS TO THE SMALL CROSSOVER SCENE.

* THE 2022 VOLKSWAGEN TAOS MAY BE VW'S NEW ENTRY INTO THE SMALL CROSSOVER SEGMENT, BUT TRUTH IS, IT'S REALLY NOT ALL THAT SMALL.

WITH 175.8 INCHES OF OVERALL LENGTH, IT'S ACTUALLY AN INCH AND A HALF LONGER THAN THE ORIGINAL COMPACT TIGUAN, WHICH HAS GROWN IN RECENT YEARS TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE TAOS.

SO VW CALLS TAOS A COMPACT TOO.

LIKE MOST CURRENT VW'S, IT'S BASED ON THEIR MQB PLATFORM, AND WITH ITS SCULPTED HOOD, TALL FACE WITH WIDE 3-BAR GRILLE, AND STRONG CHARACTER LINES; IT FITS IN NICELY WITH THE REST OF THE GROWING VOLKSWAGEN UTILITY FAMILY.

AND IT REALLY DOES FEEL ROOMY INSIDE; ONE OF OUR TESTERS EVEN DESCRIBING REAR SEAT LEG ROOM AS ENORMOUS.

THAT REAR SEAT IS NOT ONLY SPLIT/FOLDING BUT HAS A PASS THROUGH AS WELL, SO YOU CAN HAUL LONGER ITEMS LIKE SKIS AND STILL HAVE SEATING FOR TWO ADULTS.

AND THERE'S A GREAT 27.9 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO SPACE IN BACK; EXPANDING TO 65.9 WITH THE SEATBACKS FOLDED.

VW CONTINUES TO RATCHET UP THE AMOUNT OF STANDARD FEATURES IN THEIR VEHICLES, EVEN INCLUDING THEIR DIGITAL COCKPIT HERE IN THE TAOS, SOMETHING MOST CARMAKERS ONLY MAKE AVAILABLE IN THEIR HIGHEST TRIMS.

THOUGH TOP SEL DOES GET A LARGER 10-INCH VERSION OF IT.

THERE ARE SOME HINTS THAT IT'S BUILT TO AN ENTRY-LEVEL PRICE, BUT MOST THINGS YOU INTERACT WITH HAVE A HIGH QUALITY FEEL.

ALL MODELS GET MIB TOUCHSCREEN INFOTAINMENT; A 6.5-INCH SCREEN IN BASE S TRIM, ALL OTHERS STEP UP TO AN 8.0-INCH SCREEN.

THE TAOS USES AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE JETTA'S 1.4-LITER TURBO-4; PUNCHED OUT TO 1.5-LITERS.

INTERNAL FRICTION HAS ALSO BEEN REDUCED, COOLING IMPROVED, FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM UPGRADED, AND TURBO CRANKED UP A BIT TO PRODUCE 158-HORSEPOWER 184 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

ALL OF THIS, AND FINE FUEL ECONOMY TOO.

AT 28-CITY, 36-HIGHWAY, AND 31-COMBINED FOR FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE; GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE BETTER THAN MANY COMPACT SEDANS.

WE AVERAGED A FINE 30.6 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.

STANDARD FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE VERSIONS COME WITH AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WHILE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVES GET A 7-SPEED DSG.

THERE ARE MORE DIFFERENCES AS WELL; AS 4MOTION EQUIPPED TAOS' HAVE A SLIGHTLY SHORTER WHEELBASE, DRIVING MODE SELECTION, AND EVEN A MORE TRICK MULTI-LINK REAR SUSPENSION.

THIS RESULTS IN A SLIGHTLY RECONFIGURED CARGO AREA WHICH DOES MEAN A LOSS OF SOME SPACE.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO DRIVING, THEY EACH HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE FEEL TOO.

OUR FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVER HAS A MORE BASIC TORSION BEAM REAR SETUP; BUT BOTH VERSIONS HAVE THE SAME STRUT-TYPE FRONT SUSPENSION.

SO, OFF TO MASON DIXON DRAGWAY; BUT BEFORE WE STARTED RUNNING QUARTER MILES, WE HIT OUR HANDLING COURSE.

WITHOUT A BACK-TO-BACK COMPARISON IT'S HARD TO SAY HOW MUCH BETTER THE 4MOTION VERSION WOULD BE, BUT THERE'S NOTHING FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG WITH THIS FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE SETUP.

ONLY MINOR BODY ROLL TO DEAL WITH, AND IT WAS QUITE FUN TO WHIP IN AND OUT OF THE CONES, PROVIDED WE KEPT THE SPEEDS JUST SHY OF THE POINT AT WHICH THE STABILITY SYSTEM WANTS TO TAKE OVER.

THE TAOS COULD USE A LITTLE MORE GRUNT OFF THE LINE, AS IT TAKES A WHILE FOR POWER TO GET FLOWING.

SIXTY MILES PER HOUR TOOK A LEISURELY 8.8 SECONDS TO ACHIEVE; WITH THE QUARTER-MILE COMING IN AT 16.7 AT 83 MILES PER HOUR.

SO, POWER MAY NOT BE OVERWHELMING, BUT IT FELT PLENTY ADEQUATE IN EVERY DAY DRIVING SITUATIONS.

THE TORQUE GETS THINGS UP TO SPEED QUICKLY ENOUGH TO FIND GAPS IN TRAFFIC; AND WHILE IT MAY NOT BE AS QUIET INSIDE AS SOME RIVALS; RIDE QUALITY IS QUITE COMFY.

A FAIRLY HIGH SEAT HEIGHT AND GREAT VISIBILITY ALL AROUND REALLY DO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE IN SOMETHING MUCH BIGGER.

EVEN THE SIDE MIRRORS ARE BETTER THAN MOST; VERY SUBSTANTIAL, DELIVERING GREAT REARWARD VISIBILITY.

ONLY BASIC SAFETY SYSTEMS ARE STANDARD; AS AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING REQUIRES ADDING VW'S IQ.DRIVE DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE.

SO, PRICING STARTS AT A RELATIVELY LOW $24,190; AVAILABLE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE PRICING VARIES WITH TRIM LEVEL.

WITH MORE OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM THAN JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER VEHICLE CATEGORY, WE CERTAINLY DIDN'T NEED ANOTHER SMALL CROSSOVER.

SO, IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT; YOU'D BETTER BRING SOMETHING NEW TO THE PARTY.

THE 2022 VOLKSWAGEN TAOS HAS A MIX OF SPACIOUSNESS, STANDARD FEATURES, AND FUNCTIONALITY THAT IS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO SHAKE UP THE SEGMENT.

WHEN IT COMES TO SMALL SUVs, BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER, BUT IT SURE DOESN'T HURT.

AND 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 WHEN WE "N-GAGE" IN SOME TURBOCHARGED FUN WITH A PUNCHY HYUNDAI COMPACT.

THEN, WE'LL STEP IT UP A NOTCH WITH A RED EYED MONSTER FROM THE AUTO-UNDERWORLD.

UNTIL THEN, I'M JOHN DAVIS.

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