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

WE'RE PUNCHING THROUGH THE STRAIGHTAWAYS IN CADILLAC'S CT5-V BLACKWING... THEN, IT'S OVER TO GOSS' GARAGE FOR A REFRESHER COURSE ON COOLANT CHECKS... BRIAN ROBINSON PACKS HIS BAG FOR A PORSCHE HERITAGE THROWBACK IN HAWAII... AND WE TRADE OUR SUPER-BOOST IN FOR SUPER-LUX IN INFINITI'S REDEFINED QX60...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE BROUGHT TO YOU BY... FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS LUCAS OIL PRODUCTS HAS HELPED PEOPLE TACKLE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE, MARINE, AND INDUSTRIAL FIELDS.

FROM OUR ORIGINAL FOUR CORE PRODUCTS... LUCAS OIL HAS DEVELOPED OVER 400 CUSTOM PRODUCTS TO HELP BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND DO IT YOURSELFERS.

TO LEARN MORE VISIT LUCASOIL.COM.

LUCAS OIL, KEEP THAT ENGINE ALIVE.

TIRERACK.COM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

AND NOW, A VERY BRIEF HISTORY OF TIRERACK.COM.

FIRST, THERE WAS THE WHEEL.

THEN, THE TIRE.

"WE'LL CALL IT TIRE RACK."

FORTY YEARS LATER, WE'RE NOT SLOWING DOWN.

TIRERACK.COM.

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John: MUCH LIKE BIGFOOT, FOR YEARS NOW WE'VE BEEN HEARING TALES OF A MYTHICAL CREATURE KNOWN AS THE CADILLAC BLACKWING.

A LITERAL FIRE-BREATHING BEAST, SO FEROCIOUS IT STRIKES FEAR IN THE HEARTS OF BOTH LESSER SEDANS AND ROAD COURSES ALL OVER THE LAND.

WELL, WON'T YOU JOIN US NOW AS WE HIT THE TRACK IN SEARCH OF TRUTH ABOUT THE BLACKWING?

* THERE ARE TWO CADILLAC BLACKWING SEDANS AVAILABLE, A COMPACT CT4-V AND A MIDSIZE CT5-V.

BUT CONSIDERING ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY IS A BIG TRACK THAT CAN EASILY HANDLE BIG HORSEPOWER, THE CHOICE FOR US WAS OBVIOUS; THE 2022 CT5-V BLACKWING.

ITS 6.2 LITER SUPERCHARGED V8 CRANKS OUT 668 HORSEPOWER AND A WHOPPING 659 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

ASSEMBLED AT THE BOWLING GREEN CORVETTE PLANT; IT FEATURES TITANIUM VALVES, FORGED PISTONS, AND ROTOCAST ALUMINUM HEADS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'LL HOLD UP TO SOME SERIOUS ABUSE AND HELP MAKE THIS BLACKWING THE MOST POWERFUL PRODUCTION CADILLAC EVER, AND ALSO THE FASTEST!

OFF THE LINE, IT'S EVERYTHING YOU WANT IT TO BE: EXPLOSIVE WITH POWER, REQUIRING RIGHT FOOT RESTRAINT.

BUT, IT ACTUALLY DOESN'T TAKE AS MUCH PATIENCE AS YOU'D THINK WAITING FOR THE SPECIAL COMPOUND MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4S 305S TO GET GOOD TRACTION.

WE HIT 60 IN 3.6 SECONDS ON JUST OUR SECOND RUN.

SEDANS IN GENERAL ARE RARE ENOUGH THESE DAYS, BUT ONE WITH THAT KIND OF POWER AND A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, WE'RE TALKING MORE UNICORN STATUS HERE.

THE STANDARD TREMEC 6-SPEED GETS A TWIN-DISC CLUTCH AND A SHORT-THROW SHIFTER, BOTH OF WHICH WERE A MECHANICAL JOY TO OPERATE AS WE WORKED OUR WAY THROUGH THE QUARTER-MILE IN 11.7 SECONDS AT 124 MILES PER HOUR.

AN AVAILABLE 10-SPEED AUTOMATIC IS TWO/TENTHS QUICKER TO 60 ACCORDING TO GM, BUT WE HAD BIGGER THINGS OUR MINDS; GETTING THROUGH ALL OF ROEBLING'S NINE TURNS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

IF YOU'LL REMEMBER, THE CT5 SHARES A CHASSIS WITH CHEVROLET'S CAMARO, SO IT'S MORE THAN TRACK-WORTHY RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO.

BUT SIGNIFICANT UPDATES HAVE TAKEN PLACE TO PUSH THE BLACKWING INTO WORLD-CLASS SPORT SEDAN TERRITORY.

STARTING WITH FASTER-RESPONDING MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL 4.0 AND THE BIGGEST BRAKES EVER BOLTED ONTO A PRODUCTION CADILLAC.

THE STRUCTURE ITSELF HAS ALSO BEEN STIFFENED WITH SHOCK TOWER BRACES, BEEFIER REAR CROSS MEMBERS, AND ADDED CHASSIS REINFORCEMENTS BELOW.

STEERING RESPONSE IS QUICKENED DUE TO THE RETUNED HYDRO BUSHINGS AND CROSS-AXIS BALL JOINTS OF THE MACPHERSON STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION; SAME TREATMENTS IN BACK, WITH THE ADDITION OF STIFFER KNUCKLES AND CRADLE MOUNTS FOR THE 5-LINK SUSPENSION.

THE ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP REAR DIFFERENTIAL GETS A LIGHTER ALUMINUM HOUSING, IMPROVED COOLING, AND OPTIMIZED CONTROL FOR BOTH SENDING MORE POWER ACROSS THE AXLE AND PROPORTIONING IT UNIQUELY DEPENDENT ON DRIVE MODE.

STILL, AT TIMES YOU CAN FEEL LIKE YOU'RE FIGHTING WITH IT A BIT GOING AROUND THE TRACK, AS THE FRONTS COULD USE A LITTLE MORE GRIP TO DIAL BACK SOME OF THAT INITIAL UNDERSTEER, WHICH CAN EASILY BE OVERCOME WITH ALL OF THAT GLORIOUS MID-RANGE TORQUE; BUT WE'RE NOT AFRAID OF A LITTLE MANHANDLING, AS THIS BLACKWING STAYS PRETTY FLAT; FEELING DARN FAST AND HIGHLY CAPABLE.

WHETHER, IT'S THE PERFORMANCE TRACTION MANAGEMENT, OR JUST THE AMOUNT OF MECHANICAL GRIP PROVIDED BY THE SETUP, EVEN WITH ALL OF THAT POWER, MAJOR OVERSTEER IS NOT A NATURALLY TENDENCY.

AT THE RISK OF SOUNDING TRITE, PERHAPS THE BEST WAY TO PAINT THE CT5-V BLACKING PICTURE IS TO PORTRAY IT AS THE WELL-MANNERED OFFSPRING OF A HELLCAT CHARGER AND BMW M3.

IT SURE LOOKS LIKE ONE MEAN CADILLAC; THE STANCE IS JUST ABOUT PERFECT, AND A PAIR OF OPTIONAL CARBON FIBER PACKAGES ADD THE MATERIAL TO THE FRONT SPLITTER, WHEEL ARCHES, REAR SPOILER, GRILLE, ROCKER EXTENSIONS, AND REAR DIFFUSER.

PLENTY OF CARBON FIBER INSIDE TOO, INCLUDING ON THE AVAILABLE RACING SEATS; THOUGH WE FOUND THEIR LEATHER COVERING TO BE A LITTLE SLIPPERY OUT ON THE TRACK.

THERE'S A 10 INCH TOUCHSCREEN FOR INFOTAINMENT, PLUS, A 12 INCH CONFIGURABLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHICH CAN DISPLAY INFO FROM THE AVAILABLE SECOND GEN PERFORMANCE DATA RECORDER.

IN NORMAL STREET USE, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 13-CITY, 21-HIGHWAY, AND 15-COMBINED.

WHILE, EVERYONE LOVES THE IDEA THAT CADILLAC WAS ABLE TO NOT ONLY MAKE A WORLD-CLASS SPORT SEDAN, BUT ONE THAT'S INSANELY BEASTLY; NOT EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY IT, AS PRICING STARTS AT $84,990, AND YOU CAN EASILY CLEAR SIX FIGURES WITH OPTIONS.

CADILLAC HAS ALREADY SAID THAT THERE WILL BE NO MORE GASOLINE POWERED V-CARS; THE UPCOMING ESCALADE-V SUV NOTWITHSTANDING.

THE BRAND'S FUTURE IS DESTINED TO BE ALL-ELECTRIC.

WHAT A SHAME TO GET CARS LIKE THE BLACKWINGS JUST ABOUT PERFECT ONLY TO HAVE THEM EXIT STAGE LEFT!

SO, LET US ENJOY THIS REMARKABLE SERIES, OUR MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE BEST SPORT SEDAN PICK, WHILE WE CAN.

AND, HOPE THAT THE SPIRIT OF OUR 2022 CT5-V BLACKWING WILL LIVE ON IN SOME FUTURE CADILLAC EV SUPER SEDAN.

* WE'VE LITERALLY TRAVELED ALL OVER THE WORLD IN PORSCHES.

EVEN FLYING ALONGSIDE A FEW OF THEM IN A CARGO PLANE AS PART OF A MULTI-CONTINENT TEST DRIVE.

OUR LATEST PORSCHE ADVENTURE TAKES US TO THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII, WHERE WE FIND OUT THAT WITH PORSCHE, THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY THANKFULLY STAY THE SAME.

* Brian Robinson: ALOHA, AND WELCOME TO THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII, AN ISLAND KNOWN NOT JUST FOR ITS INCREDIBLE BEAUTY, BUT FOR ITS ACTIVE VOLCANOES THAT ARE CONSTANTLY GROWING AND RESHAPING THE ISLAND ITSELF.

YET, THROUGH ALL OF THE CHANGE, THERE'S A TREMENDOUS SENSE OF HERITAGE AND CULTURE WEAVING THROUGH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING: SOMETHING THAT COULD ALSO BE SAID ABOUT PORSCHE.

I'M HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII TO, UH, GET A REAL FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE OF PORSCHE'S SENSE OF HERITAGE, BY DRIVING SOME OF THEIR MOST HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT VEHICLES BACK-TO-BACK WITH THEIR MODERN-DAY COUNTERPART.

THAT, OF COURSE, BEGINS WITH THE CAR THAT STARTED THE PORSCHE STORY: THE 356 SPEEDSTER.

DRIVING ONE WAS DEFINITELY ON MY BUCKET LIST, AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

YOU ARE TRULY IN THE ELEMENTS, AND A VERY ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE JOY OF DRIVING.

YET, IT'S SHOCKINGLY COMFORTABLE AND EASY TO DRIVE.

PORSCHE HAS KEPT THE SPEEDSTER NAME ALIVE WITH OCCASIONAL LIMITED-EDITION RELEASE, BUT THE CAR IN THEIR CURRENT LINEUP THAT PROVIDES AN EQUALLY VISCERAL EXPERIENCE TO THE ORIGINAL IS THE 718 BOXSTER T. THIS 356 MAY WORK WITH A LOT LESS HORSEPOWER FROM ITS 1.6 LITER AIR-COOLED POWER-PLANT, BUT IT DOESN'T FEEL UNDERPOWERED AT ALL, ESPECIALLY KEEPING UP WITH HAWAIIAN HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

THIS BOXSTER 25 YEARS IS A SPECIAL EDITION LIMITED TO 1,250 EXAMPLES.

THE NEODYME COLOR, FRONT FASCIA, SIDE INTAKES, AND 2-TONE 20 INCH WHEELS HARKEN BACK TO THE ORIGINAL BOXSTER AND THE CONCEPT THAT GAVE BIRTH TO IT.

THE ULTIMATE BOXSTER IS OF COURSE THE 718 SPYDER WITH ITS NATURALLY-ASPIRATED 4.0 LITER ENGINE AND 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

ITS PREDECESSOR IN SPIRIT IS THE 914/6; THE FIRST PRODUCTION MID-ENGINE SPORTS CAR FROM GERMANY.

YES, IT WAS A JOINT VENTURE WITH VOLKSWAGEN, BUT IT FELT ALL PORSCHE RIPPING AROUND THE BIG ISLAND.

LEAVING THE BOXSTER SCENE, YET, KEEPING THE TOP DOWN THEME INTACT, NEXT UP WAS A SPIN IN THE TYPE-964 911 CABRIOLET.

THIS QUINTESSENTIAL 911 BROUGHT A HOST OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES ALONG WITH IT WHEN IT ARRIVED IN 1989, AND STILL LOOKS GORGEOUS TODAY, BUT OF COURSE, THE CURRENT 911 CARRERA S IS BETTER IN EVERY MEASURABLE WAY.

AND I CAN'T GET THROUGH THIS WHOLE EXPERIENCE WITHOUT SOME TURBO TIME, SPECIFICALLY THE CURRENT 911 TURBO CABRIOLET, AS WELL AS ITS 944 TURBO CABRIOLET PREDECESSOR.

PORSCHE'S STORY BEGAN IN 1948 WITH THE TYPE 356; AND AFTER 55 YEARS OF BUILDING SPORTS CARS EXCLUSIVELY, 2003 SAW THE ARRIVAL OF AN SUV, AND OF COURSE, LATER A SEDAN, AND EVEN FULLY-ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

YET, NO MATTER WHAT FORM IT TAKES, IT ALWAYS TRULY DOES FEEL LIKE A PORSCHE.

CHANGING WITH THE TIMES, WHILE KEEPING A STRONG SENSE OF HISTORY AND CULTURE IS WHAT HAS MADE PORSCHE THE SPECIAL BRAND IT IS TODAY; MUCH LIKE IT MAKES THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII A SPECIAL PLACE TO VISIT ANY DAY.

* Stephanie Hart: WE EXPECT A NEW MUSTANG FROM FORD EVERY 10 YEARS OR SO, AND WE THINK WE'VE GOTTEN OUR FIRST GLIMPSE AT THE NEXT GENERATION.

WRAPPED IN CAMOUFLAGE FRONT TO BACK, THIS UNDERCOVER COUPE IS CURRENTLY REFERRED TO AS THE S650-- FOLLOWING THE CURRENT S550 AND PREVIOUS S197 MUSTANGS.

THE S650 IS EXPECTED TO LAUNCH IN THE 2024 MODEL YEAR.

IT APPEARS TO HAVE THINNER, SHARPER HEADLIGHTS UPFRONT AND A REDESIGN OF THOSE SIGNATURE TRI-BAR TAILLIGHTS IN THE BACK, CARRIED BY THAT FAMILIAR FASTBACK PROFILE.

WE CAN'T TELL WHAT ENGINE IT'S USING, BUT WE EXPECT THE S650 TO OFFER SOME SORT OF V8.

THIS SPY SHOT SHOWS A DUAL-TIP EXHAUST-- DIFFERENT FROM THE CURRENT GT'S STANDARD QUAD-TIP DESIGN, MEANING THIS COULD BE AN ECOBOOST 4-CYLINDER.

THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN RUMORS OF A HYBRID POWERPLANT.

NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE NEXT-GEN PONY CAR.

AND WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE NEWS ON THE ALL-NEW FORD MUSTANG COMING UP RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK !

John: ENGINE COOLANT: FROM CHECKING THE LEVELS TO SIMPLY CHOOSING THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOUR CAR, PAT GOSS KNOWS IT ALL.

* Pat Goss: COOLING SYSTEMS ON AUTOMOBILES ARE OFTEN DRASTICALLY NEGLECTED BY MOST DRIVERS.

AND I GUESS THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THERE AND SO ON, SO YOU NEED TO CHECK THE COOLING SYSTEM ON A REGULAR BASIS.

NOW, ONE WAY TO DO THAT IS TO USE COOLANT TEST STRIPS.

NOW, COOLANT TEST STRIPS ARE GOING TO TELL YOU THE PH OF THE COOLANT, AND WHETHER IT HAS BECOME ACIDIC.

COOLANTS TEND TO BECOME ACIDIC AS THEY AGE.

AND, LET'S FACE IT, ANYTHING THAT IS ACIDIC, WELL, IT CAN DAMAGE METAL PARTS AND EVEN SOME FORMS OF PLASTIC.

NOW...ALSO, IF YOU LIVE WHERE IT GETS COLD, MAKE SURE THAT YOU DON'T FORGET A HYDROMETER, BECAUSE THE HYDROMETER IS GOING TO TELL YOU THE FREEZE PROTECTION OF THE COOLANT.

THAT IS THE COOLANT AND THE WATER MIXED, THAT'S IN YOUR COOLING SYSTEM.

AND OVER HERE...WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF TECHNICIANS NEVER HEARD OF, AND THAT IS TO USE A DIGITAL VOLT-OHM METER TO MEASURE CONDUCTIVITY OF THE COOLANT IN THE COOLING SYSTEM.

YOU SET IT ON LOW VOLTAGE SCALE, DC VOLTAGE SCALE, YOU PUT THE NEGATIVE CLIP ON THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE, THE POSITIVE LEAD FOR THAT METER GOES INTO THE COOLANT.

REV THE ENGINE TO 2000 - 2500 RPM, HOLD IT STEADY AND WATCH FOR A READING ON THAT METER.

IF THAT READING GOES ABOVE .5, THEN YOU HAVE CONDUCTIVE COOLANT AND IT COULD BE EATING AWAY AT THE METAL AND PLASTIC PARTS OF YOUR COOLING SYSTEM.

ALRIGHT...NOW, WHAT ABOUT THE COOLANTS THEMSELVES?

WELL, THERE'S ALL KINDS OF THEM OUT THERE AS WE CAN SEE HERE.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT COLORS, WE HAVE DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS, WHY DO WE HAVE ALL OF THESE?

WELL, THAT'S BECAUSE THERE ARE DIFFERENT METALS, THERE ARE DIFFERENT PLASTICS, DIFFERENT GASKET MATERIALS USED IN THE VARIOUS ENGINES AND COOLING SYSTEMS.

SO, YOU HAVE TO MATCH THE COOLANT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR PARTICULAR ENGINE.

AND REMEMBER ONE THING: NOT ONLY TO YOU BUY THE REGULAR, ER, THE PROPER COOLANT FOR YOUR COOLING SYSTEM, BUT YOU WANT TO MIX IT WITH DISTILLED WATER.

NOW, YOU DON'T POUR WATER OR COOLANT DIRECTLY INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM.

YOU ALWAYS MIX IT 50/50 FIRST, THEN YOU ADD IT.

THAT WAY, YOU KEEP THE SYSTEM BALANCED.

NOW, IF YOU DO THIS, YOU CAN AVOID A LOT OF PROBLEMS SUCH AS WHAT WE SEE OVER HERE: THIS IS COOLANT THAT HAS GONE BAD, AND BELIEVE ME, IT GETS RUSTY, IT GETS NASTY, AND IT DOES A LOT OF DAMAGE.

SO, KEEP AN EYE ON THE COOLANT, CHECK IT REGULARLY-- IT SHOULD BE DONE AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR, AND IF YOU DO THAT, YOU CAN SAVE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS.

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

[ENGINE REVVING] Susan Childress: PHEW, WHAT A RIDE... PHEW... Greg Carloss: THIS 2021 ACURA TLX JOINED OUR LONG-TERM FLEET ONE YEAR AGO, FRESH OFF WINNING OUR 2021 DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST LUXURY SEDAN, AS WE FELT IT HAD AN IDEAL MIX OF LUXURY, COMFORT, PERFORMANCE, AND TECHNOLOGY.

WELL, IT DIDN'T TAKE MANY OF THE 22,116 MILES THAT WE DROVE TO CONFIRM THAT.

WHETHER, IT WAS SEEING US THROUGH AN EPIC WINTER STORM IN TEXAS, PROVIDING DRIVING PLEASURE DURING QUICK ESCAPES THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE, OR ALLOWING US TO EAT UP HIGHWAY MILES IN EXCEPTIONAL COMFORT, THE TLX HAS BEEN THE PERFECT COMPANION.

THERE'S A LOT TO LOVE ABOUT THIS TLX, WHICH MEANS THERE WILL BE A LOT TO MISS.

NAMELY, THE CHASSIS, WHICH IS UP FOR JUST ABOUT ANY TYPE OF DRIVING.

WHETHER, IT'S RELAXED CRUISING OR SPIRITED CORNERING, THE SUSPENSION RESPONDS ACCORDINGLY, WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN OF PROPER TUNING.

TWO LITER TURBO 4-CYLINDER ENGINES HAVE BECOME THE POWER UNIT OF CHOICE FOR MOST LUXURY CARMAKERS AND THE TLX'S IS A GOOD ONE; DELIVERING 272 HORSEPOWER VERY FREELY AND AVERAGING A GOOD 24.6 MILES PER GALLON.

SO, FAREWELL TLX.

IT'S BEEN GREAT TO KNOW YA!

WE'LL CHECK IN ON ANOTHER LONG-TIME LONG-TERMER, THE SUBARU CROSSTREK, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

John: WE ADMIT, ITS BEEN A LITTLE HARD TO FOLLOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH INFINITI SUVS THESE DAYS, WITH NEW STRATEGY AND SEEMINGLY CONSTANT NAME CHANGES.

WELL, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS 2022 INFINITI QX60 IS THAT IT'S BASED ON NISSAN'S ALL-NEW PATHFINDER, AND IT HOPES TO RAISE THE BAR FOR LUXURY-FOCUSED FAMILY UTILITIES.

* SINCE ITS INCEPTION, INFINITI'S MIDSIZE 3-ROW CROSSOVER, REGARDLESS OF THEIR CURRENT NAMING SCHEME, HAS ALWAYS ATTEMPTED TO STAND OUT WITH STYLE; YET, HAS CONSISTENTLY BROUGHT TREMENDOUS VALUE ALONG WITH IT.

2022 STARTS A NEW GENERATION OF QX60, AND THE TIMING COULDN'T BE BETTER.

THE QX60 IS A PLATFORM MATE WITH NISSAN'S EXCELLENT NEW PATHFINDER, BUT TOOK A MORE POLISHED AND SILKIER PATH THROUGH THE DESIGN STUDIO AS OPPOSED TO PATHFINDER'S RETURN-TO-RUGGED ROUTE.

NOT AS ROUNDED AS BEFORE; BODY SIDES ARE SMOOTHER AND FLATTER, THE FRONT END MUCH TALLER, AND A FLOATING ROOF DESIGN THANKFULLY DOES AWAY WITH THE EXAGGERATED D-PILLARS OF THE PREVIOUS GENERATION.

ONLY BASE PURE TRIM COMES WITH 18 INCH WHEELS, ALL OTHERS GET 20s.

THAT REVISED D PLATFORM CHASSIS DELIVERS A MUCH MORE COMPETENT RIDE THAN BEFORE.

BUT, IN THE QX THE SUSPENSION TUNING DIALS DOWN THE PATHFINDER'S ROUGHNESS WHILE CRANKING UP THE REFINEMENT.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY SPORTIER, BUT THERE'S LESS CORNERING ROLL FOR SURE.

IT DEFINITELY HAS A MORE "TRUCKINESS" FEEL TOO.

WHILE, SOME MIGHT CONCLUDE THAT COMPROMISES LONG DISTANCE COMFORT A BIT, WE GENUINELY LIKED IT.

TECH IS ON DISPLAY INSIDE TO THE FULL WITH DUAL 12 INCH SCREENS, AND AN AVAILABLE 10.8 INCH HEAD UP DISPLAY.

BUT THE CASE FOR EXCELLENT COMFORT IS MADE EVEN STRONGER WITH LUXURIOUS MATERIALS, WELL SUPPORTED STANDARD LEATHER SEATING, AND MORE ROOM IN BOTH 2ND AND 3RD ROWS.

SEATING FOR SEVEN IS STANDARD, 2ND ROW CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS ARE INCLUDED WITH TOP AUTOGRAPH TRIM.

THEY'RE HEATED, OF COURSE, AND BETWEEN THEM IS A NICE REMOVABLE CENTER CONSOLE.

UP FRONT, A TALL MULTI-LEVEL CONSOLE ALLOWS FOR STORAGE UNDERNEATH; AND HOUSES THE SLIDE-SHIFTER AS WELL AS DRIVE MODE SELECTION, AND THE SWITCH FOR THE NEW ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE.

JUST IN FRONT OF IT IS A CONTROL PANEL FOR AUDIO AND CLIMATE THAT FEATURES A MIX OF TRADITIONAL AND TOUCH-SENSITIVE CONTROLS.

THE 12 INCH INTOUCH INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM IS VERY INTUITIVE AND EASY TO OPERATE; APPLE CARPLAY CAN BE USED WIRELESSLY; ANDROID USERS STILL HAVE TO PLUG IN FOR THE TIME BEING.

AUTOGRAPH TRIM COMES WITH 17 SPEAKER BOSE AUDIO, UPGRADED QUILTED LEATHER, REAR SUNSHADES, AND ROOF RAILS; BUT THE PANORAMIC ROOF IS STANDARD ON ALL QX60S.

WITH SO MUCH ADDED ROOM FOR PASSENGERS, CARGO SPACE BEHIND THE 3RD ROW FALLS A BIT TO 14.5 CUBIC-FEET, BUT SPACE BEHIND THE 2ND ROW AND MAX CARGO IMPROVES TO 41.6 AND 75.4 CUBIC-FEET.

PLUS, THERE'S SOME ADDITIONAL SPACE UNDER THE FLOOR, ALL BEHIND A STANDARD POWER LIFT-GATE.

POWERING IT ALL IS NISSAN'S FAMILIAR 3.5 LITER V6 WITH 295 HORSEPOWER AND 270 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE; NO CHANGES FROM LAST GEN, THOUGH IT'S NOW WORKING THROUGH A NEW 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND NOT A CVT.

IT'S THE SAME SETUP FOUND IN THE PATHFINDER, YET, NISSAN WISELY GIVES INFINITI BUYERS A LITTLE MORE POWER.

THE NEW TRANSMISSION NOT ONLY PROVIDES A BETTER OVERALL DRIVING EXPERIENCE, BUT ALLOWS TOWING CAPACITY TO INCREASE FROM FIVE TO 6,000 POUNDS.

AND QUIETS THINGS DOWN IN THE CABIN CONSIDERABLY.

THICKER REAR GLASS AND ADDITIONAL SOUND INSULATION WERE ALSO USED QUITE EFFECTIVELY TO FURTHER THAT CAUSE.

INFINITI HAS ALSO ADDRESSED THE STEERING SYSTEM, TIGHTENING THINGS UP TO REDUCE EFFORT AND REQUIRE LESS CORRECTION ON THE HIGHWAY.

EXTENDED RAIN PUT A DAMPER ON GETTING ANY TRACK IMPRESSIONS, BUT ALLOWED US TO GET A GOOD FEEL FOR THE INTELLIGENT ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SETUP, WHICH WE FOUND VERY CONFIDENCE INSPIRING.

THERE'S A NEW DIRECT COUPLING MECHANISM THAT SPEEDS UP RESPONSE, AND ADDITIONAL SENSORS TO HELP IT ACT IN MORE OF AN ANTICIPATORY MANNER INSTEAD OF JUST REACTING TO WHEEL SLIP.

STANDARD SAFETY INCLUDES EMERGENCY BRAKING FOR BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE.

MOST EVERYTHING ELSE, INCLUDING LANE DEPARTURE AND DRIVER ATTENTION ALERT ARE IN ALL BUT THE BASE MODEL.

WITH ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 20-CITY, 25-HIGHWAY, AND 22-COMBINED; OUR AVERAGE, 21.8 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.

FOR AN AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE, CONSUMING 15.0 BARRELS OF OIL YEARLY, WITH 6.7 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS.

MOST IMPRESSIVE OF ALL, INFINITI WAS ABLE TO DELIVER SOME SERIOUS LUXURY WHILE STARTING AT JUST $47,875.

ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE IS A $2,000 OPTION FOR MOST TRIMS; A BIT MORE WITH TOP AUTOGRAPH AS IT COMES PACKAGED WITH THE MAX TOWING SETUP.

WITH A NEW GENERATION COMES A NEW RAISING OF THE BAR.

THE 2022 INFINITI QX60 IS ONE STRIKINGLY BEAUTIFUL UTILITY; ONE THAT DOESN'T FORGET THE UTILITY.

IT'S PACKED FULL OF TECH AND IS PRICED LOW ENOUGH TO BE CROSS-SHOPPED WITH NON-LUXURY BRANDS.

THAT'S A DIFFICULT TASK FOR OTHER LUXURY MARQUES TO MATCH AND REASON ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THE EXCELLENT QX60 WILL BE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE FOR YEARS TO COME.

John: 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 TAKE A HUMBLE HYUNDAI TO THE TRACK TO SEE WHAT THE ELANTRA N IS ALL ABOUT.

THEN, WE CHARGE UP AN ELECTRIC VOLKSWAGEN SUV THAT HAS ITS OWN ID.

IT'S DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE FOR WHEEL TIPS AND TRICKS, THEN OUT AND ABOUT FOR MORE QUICKSPINS.

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... FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS LUCAS OIL PRODUCTS HAS HELPED PEOPLE TACKLE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE, MARINE, AND INDUSTRIAL FIELDS.

FROM OUR ORIGINAL FOUR CORE PRODUCTS... LUCAS OIL HAS DEVELOPED OVER 400 CUSTOM PRODUCTS TO HELP BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND DO IT YOURSELFERS.

TO LEARN MORE VISIT LUCASOIL.COM.

LUCAS OIL, KEEP THAT ENGINE ALIVE.

TIRERACK.COM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

AND NOW, A VERY BRIEF HISTORY OF TIRERACK.COM.

FIRST, THERE WAS THE WHEEL.

THEN, THE TIRE.

"WE'LL CALL IT TIRE RACK."

FORTY YEARS LATER, WE'RE NOT SLOWING DOWN.

TIRERACK.COM.

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.

* Announcer: THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.

[SOUND OF CAR ENGINE REVVING] * YOUR WATCHING PBS.