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

JOIN US, AS WE TEST INFINITI'S SLICKED-BACK SUV, THE QX55...

IT'S AN OPEN AND SHUT CASE DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE... BRIAN ROBINSON GOES TWO WHEELIN' ON A CLASSICALLY INSPIRED BMW... AND WE GET AN UPDATE ON HONDA'S PRACTICAL PERFORMER, THE NEW-GEN HONDA CIVIC.

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.

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

"I DO."

WE'RE TIRERACK.COM AND WE HAVE ANSWERS.

AND, TOOLS TO HELP.

"LIKE OUR TIRE DECISION GUIDE.

IT'S, UH, TAKE A LOOK."

"OH!"

FIND, DELIVER, INSTALL.

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.

John: INFINITI HAS BEEN WAGING WAR WITH EUROPEAN LUXURY BRANDS SINCE THE LATE 1980'S.

AND, SINCE COUPE-STYLE UTILITY VEHICLES ARE THE LATEST MUST HAVES FOR AUTOMOTIVE EUROPHILES, IT MAKES SENSE THAT INFINITI WOULD JOIN IN, TOO.

SO, LET'S FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS INFINITI QX55, AND SEE IF IT'S A WORTHY CONTENDER.

* WHILE MANY PEOPLE STILL HAVE A HARD TIME WRAPPING THEIR HEADS AROUND COUPE-STYLE SUVS, THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IF YOU'RE TRADING IN YOUR LUXURY SEDAN FOR AN SUV, YOU MIGHT AS WELL GET THE BEST LOOKING ONE YOU CAN, AND THERE'LL STILL BE MUCH MORE CARGO SPACE INSIDE THAN WHAT YOU'RE USED TO.

SO, FOR INFINITI BUYERS, THAT MEANS TAKING A LOOK AT THE 2022 QX55, A SLANT-BACKED VERSION OF THEIR QX50 COMPACT UTILITY.

AND THE COUPE-LIKE SHAPE IS NOTHING NEW TO INFINITI, AS THE QX55 BEARS MUCH RESEMBLANCE TO INFINITI'S FX FROM THE EARLY 2000s; A COUPE-STYLED SUV WAY BEFORE THAT WAS EVEN A THING.

THE WHEELBASE AND MOST BODY PANELS FORWARD OF THE B-PILLAR STAY THE SAME, BUT THE 55'S THIN ROOF LINE HAS MUCH MORE OF A DOWNWARD TRAJECTORY AS IT HEADS AFT; A NEW SPOILER SITS WHERE THE ROOF MEETS BACK GLASS, AND THE GREENHOUSE COMES TO A SHARP POINT IN BACK, REPLACING THE INFINITI ZIG-ZAG D-PILLAR LOOK.

REAR SEAT HEADROOM AND CARGO SPACE BOTH GET SACRIFICED IN THE TRANSFORMATION, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS SOME; LOSING ONLY ABOUT FOUR CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO SPACE DOWN TO A STILL RESPECTABLE 26.9; 54.1 WITH REAR SEATBACKS FOLDED.

REAR SEAT LEGROOM ACTUALLY STAYS THE SAME; THOUGH IT'S STILL A LITTLE TIGHT BACK THERE FOR TALLER FOLKS.

FRONT SEATS ARE QUITE COMFORTABLE AND SUPPORTIVE, WITH PLENTY OF WIDTH FOR A SMALLER SUV.

AS GREAT AS ALL OF THAT IS, THE THING THAT WILL ULTIMATELY DECIDE THE QX55'S FATE IS ITS LUXURY EXPERIENCE.

AND, REST ASSURED, THERE'S NO SACRIFICING FOR STYLE HERE, AS MOON ROOF, HEATED SEATS, ALUMINUM TRIM, 20-INCH WHEELS, WIRELESS APPLE CARPLAY, ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION, AND EVEN ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE ARE ALL STANDARD.

PLUS THE USUAL NICER LEATHER, OPEN-PORE WOOD, AMBIENT LIGHTING, AROUNDVIEW MONITOR, MOTION-ACTIVATED LIFT-GATE, AND INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL UPGRADES ARE ALL AVAILABLE.

MOST EVERYTHING UP FRONT IS STRAIGHT CARRYOVER FROM THE QX50, INCLUDING THEIR LATEST INTOUCH DUAL HD CENTER STACK DISPLAY WITH NAVIGATION.

LIKEWISE, UNDER THE HOOD IS INFINITI'S 2.0-LITER VC-TURBO 4-CYLINDER, CRANKING OUT THE SAME 268-HORSEPOWER AND 280 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE; MATCHING CVT AS WELL.

BUT, OUR SENSORY TRIMMED QX55 WEIGHS ABOUT 60 POUNDS LESS THAN A COMPARABLE QX50; SO OFF TO MASON DIXON DRAGWAY WHERE, IN OUR SLALOM COURSE, IT DID INDEED FEEL VERY LIGHT ON ITS FEET.

THERE WAS A FAIR AMOUNT OF BODY ROLL, BUT GREAT BALANCE WITH NO EXCESSIVE UNDERSTEER OR OVERSTEER; AND WE WERE REALLY FLYING THROUGH THE CONES MUCH FASTER THAN THE TYPICAL SMALL SUV WOULD ALLOW.

ALL ENABLED BY INFINITI'S DIRECT ADAPTIVE STEERING, WHICH WE FOUND VERY LIGHT AND RESPONSIVE.

AS FOR STRAIGHT-LINE WORK, THE QX55 HOOKS UP WELL OFF THE LINE, BUT POWER DELIVERY IS MORE STEADY THAN AGGRESSIVE.

WE HIT 60 IN A RESPECTABLE 6.7-SECONDS, WHICH IS ACTUALLY A FEW TENTHS SLOWER THAN WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN THE QX50.

THIS VARIABLE COMPRESSION TURBO ENGINE HAS A UNIQUE GROWL TO IT THAT IS QUITE PLEASANT, EVEN WITH THE CONTINUAL HIGH REVVING NATURE OF THE CVT.

THE QUARTER-MILE PASSED BY IN 15.4-SECONDS AT 92 MILES-PER-HOUR.

ON PUBLIC ROADS, WE FOUND THE QX55'S RIDE TO BE QUITE PLUSH, WITH AN EXCEPTIONALLY SMOOTH DEMEANOR, DESPITE THE RELATIVELY SHORT WHEELBASE AND 20-INCH WHEELS.

AND ALSO VERY QUIET, PROVIDING THE OVERALL LUXURIOUS DRIVING EXPERIENCE PEOPLE HAVE COME TO EXPECT FROM INFINITI.

WHICH BRINGS US TO AN EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT UPDATE.

WHEN NISSAN FIRST DEBUTED THIS VARIABLE COMPRESSION ENGINE, WE LOVED THE TECH BEHIND IT, BUT FOUND IT DELIVERED POWER IN A WAY THAT DIDN'T FEEL AS REFINED AS WHAT WE'RE USED TO FROM INFINITI.

WELL, A SOFTWARE UPGRADE SEEMS TO HAVE SMOOTHED THOSE ROUGH EDGES A GREAT DEAL.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 22-CITY, 28-HIGHWAY, AND 25-COMBINED; WE AVERAGED AN OKAY 23.3 MILES-PER-GALLON OF PREMIUM.

PRICING STARTS WITH LUXE TRIM AT $47,525; TOP SENSORY GOES FOR $58,075, ABOUT 5-GRAND OVER THE QX50 EQUIVALENT.

WHILE THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF COMPACT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CHOOSE FROM, THERE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE ROOM FOR ANOTHER GREAT LOOKING LUXURY-MINDED UTILITY.

ESPECIALLY IF IT COMES WITH VERY LITTLE COMPROMISE AND IS AS STYLISH AS THE 2022 INFINITI QX55.

* John: LAST YEAR, BMW MADE A SECOND ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN THE AMERICAN CRUISER MARKET WITH THE R 18.

THE SECRET TO ITS SUCCESS WAS DRAWING AS MUCH ON THEIR OWN HISTORY FOR INSPIRATION AS AMERICAN V-TWINS.

WELL THE NEXT LOGICAL STEP IS THIS TRANSCONTINENTAL LUXURY TOURING VERSION.

* Brian Robinson: THE R 18 ARRIVED WITH MUCH LESS FANFARE THAN BMW'S ORIGINAL AMERICAN-STYLE CRUISER, THE R1200C; BUT THIS R 18 TRANSCONTINENTAL IS LOOKING TO MAKE A MUCH BIGGER ENTRANCE.

MOST PEOPLE REMEMBER BMW'S R1200C AS THAT ONE BIKE FROM THAT ONE JAMES BOND MOVIE.

WELL, NO MAJOR MOVIE DEBUTS THIS TIME AROUND FOR THE R 18, BUT IT LOOKS TO HAVE MUCH MORE SUBSTANCE AND HOPEFULLY A LITTLE MORE STAYING POWER.

THIS 2022 R 18 TRANSCONTINENTAL GOES AFTER THE HEART OF THE LUXURY LONG-DISTANCE TRAVEL SEGMENT.

LIKE MOST VEHICLES, 2 OR 4-WHEELED, IT'S NOT GOING TO APPEAL TO EVERYONE, BUT I THINK BMW WAS ABLE TO NAIL THE STYLE; INCORPORATING CRUISER FAMILIARS SUCH AS HEAVY-DUTY DOUBLE CRADLE STEEL FRAME WITH HIDDEN SUSPENSION FOR A RIGID-FRAME LOOK, AND DOUBLE-SIDED SWING-ARM; WITH TRADITIONAL BMW HALLMARKS LIKE THE LONG TEARDROP TANK, EXPOSED DRIVE SHAFT, AND THEIR BOXER ENGINE, WHICH HAS BEEN A BRAND STAPLE SINCE THE 1930's.

IT'S THEIR MOST POWERFUL BOXER EVER, 1,802CCs OUTPUTTING 91 HORSEPOWER WITH 116 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

AND IT RUMBLES, NOT QUITE IN A V-TWIN WAY, BUT IT SOUNDS GREAT.

PART OF THE CRUISER APPEAL IS OF COURSE STYLE, BUT BEING COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO COVER LARGE CHUNKS OF GROUND AT ANY GIVEN TIME IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO MOST BUYERS.

SO, THE TRANSCONTINENTAL ADDS A FORK-MOUNTED FAIRING WITH TALL NON-ADJUSTABLE WINDSCREEN, ADDITIONAL LIGHTING AND WIND DEFLECTORS.

THE BACK SIDE OF THAT FAIRING FEATURES A ROW OF HIGH-MOUNTED BIG ANALOG GAUGES.

BELOW, IS A HUGE 10 INCH TFT DISPLAY THAT LOOKS LIKE IT CAME STRAIGHT OUT OF A 7 SERIES.

INPUTS ARE MADE ON BMW'S FAMILIAR JOGWHEEL CONTROLLER, WHICH IS VERY INTUITIVE TO OPERATE.

AND OF COURSE, THEY'VE ADDED PLACES TO STORE SOME LUGGAGE; 27 LITERS IN THE SIDE CASES, 48 IN THE TOP TRUNK, ALL WITH CENTRAL LOCKING.

SPECIAL FIRST EDITION MODELS INCLUDE THROWBACK BMW PIN STRIPPING AND ACRES OF CHROME.

AN AVAILABLE PREMIUM PACKAGE ADDS ADAPTIVE LIGHTING, REVERSE, ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, AND EVEN A SOUND SYSTEM DESIGNED BY GUITAR AMPLIFIER MAKER, MARSHALL.

THE WIDE SEAT IS MORE LONG DISTANCE SUPPORTIVE THAN CUSHY; HEATED OF COURSE, AND THE INTEGRATED BACKREST WILL KEEP YOUR PASSENGER HAPPY FOR THE FULL 250 PLUS MILES, YOU CAN GET OUT OF A TOPPED-OFF TANK.

AND AS FOR THE ACTUAL RIDING, THE TRANSCONTINENTAL IS A HEAVY ONE, WELL OVER 900 POUNDS BUT VERY WELL-BALANCED.

I FELT NO NEED TO GO SEARCHING FOR ITS CORNERING LIMITS, BUT THEY APPEAR TO BE MORE THAN ADEQUATE.

THE TRANSCONTINENTAL'S BASE PRICE OF $24,995 IS NOT OUT OF LINE AT ALL WHEN COMPARED TO THE ELECTRA GLIDES AND ROADMASTERS OF THE WORLD; ALSO A COUPLE GRAND LESS THAN BMW'S OWN K1600GTL SPORT-LUXURY TOURER.

THERE ARE OPTIONS OF COURSE, AND THIS FIRST EDITION, WITH A FEW PACKAGES ADDED ON, STICKERS FOR CLOSER TO $32,000.

IT'S HARD TO SAY FOR CERTAIN WHETHER THE R18 WILL HAVE ULTIMATE STAYING POWER, BUT THE FACT THAT THIS TIME AROUND BMW PAID JUST AS MUCH ATTENTION TO THEIR OWN MOTORCYCLE HISTORY AS THEY DID TO AMERICA'S GIVES US HOPE.

THE 2022 BMW R 18 TRANSCONTINENTAL PERFECTLY MERGES BMW'S LONG DISTANCE LUXURY CRUISING ABILITIES WITH AMERICAN CRUISER STYLE AND VIBE.

AND IT'S READY TO ROCK-N-ROLL YOU ALL OVER THIS CONTINENT.

John: WHILE, THERE ARE FEWER REASONS THAN EVER TO ACTUALLY OPEN YOUR CAR'S HOOD THESE DAYS, PAT GOSS HAS THE SCOOP ON SOME UPLIFTING PARTS THAT ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

* Pat Goss: IF YOU HAVE AN SUV OR EVEN A REGULAR PASSENGER CAR, AND YOU NOTICE THAT MAYBE THE HOOD, OR THE HATCH, ONE OR THE OTHER, THAT IT DOESN'T STAY UP LIKE IT USED TO, IT MAY SLOWLY COME DOWN.

WELL, THAT'S BECAUSE YOU MAY HAVE WORN PROP STRUTS, THESE ARE GAS-CHARGED STRUTS THAT HOLD THE HATCH OR THE HOOD OPEN, AND TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS ABOUT THESE, WE HAVE OUR ONLINE PARTS GURU, MR. TOM TAYLOR.

WELCOME BACK TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Tom Taylor: THANKS FOR HAVING ME, PAT.

Pat: ABSOLUTELY.

ALRIGHT, WHATCHA GOT FOR US HERE?

Tom: LIKE YOU SAID, THE STRUTS HAVE BEEN ON HATCHBACKS FOR A LONG TIME, SINCE THE '80s, BUT JUST OVER THE LAST 10-15 YEARS, THEY'VE BEEN ADDED TO HOODS ALSO, AND THAT'S CREATED A SURPRISING PROBLEM.

THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GETS HOT, AND GAS EXPANDS WHEN IT GETS HOT, SO THE STRUT MAY STAY OPEN WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS HOT, BUT IF YOU DRIVE IT INTO YOUR SHOP AND IT'S 20-30 DEGREES IN YOUR SHOP, BECAUSE YOU'RE IN MINNESOTA OR WISCONSIN, OR SOMEWHERE COLD, UM, THE STRUT COOLS DOWN, THE PRESSURE DROPS, AND THE HOOD COMES DOWN REAL FAST...

HITTING SOMEBODY IN THE HEAD, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAR, OR DAMAGE TO A PERSON.

Pat: WELL, LET ME TELL YOU, I THINK THIS APPLIES TO A LOT OF AREAS, WE SEE IT HERE IN MARYLAND, EVEN ON SUMMER DAYS, BECAUSE THE DIFFERENCE IN TEMPERATURE BETWEEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE.

Tom: SURE, YEAH, AIR-CONDITIONED SHOP.

THEY'VE, UH, THE TOOL INDUSTRY HAS COME UP WITH SOME GREAT TOOLS TO PREVENT THOSE SUDDEN CLOSURES.

THIS IS A CLAMP THAT USES SOFT ALUMINUM, SOFT BRASS, SO YOU CLAMP IT ON THE STEEL ROD, IT WON'T HURT THE ROD AND THE STRUT CAN'T CLOSE.

Pat: OKAY, ALSO HAS A TAG, SO YOU DON'T FORGET IT.

Tom: YEAH, YOU DON'T WANT TO TRY TO SLAM A HOOD THAT'S PROPPED UP WITH ONE OF THESE CLAMPS.

Pat: ALRIGHT, OVER HERE YOU HAVE A TOOL THAT EVERY ONE OF MY TECHNICIANS, IN BOTH SHOPS, IT'S MANDATORY THAT THEY USE IT.

Tom: OH, GOOD.

IT'S JUST A SIMPLE PROP ROD THAT YOU CAN ADJUST TO DIFFERENT HEIGHTS, MORE INSURANCE THAT, THAT HOOD WON'T COME DOWN SUDDENLY.

Pat: OKAY, AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, MOST PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA HOW HEAVY A HOOD OR A HATCH CAN BE, UNTIL IT HITS THEM IN THE HEAD.

Tom: RIGHT, YEAH, IF YOU'RE A DO-IT-YOURSELFER OR A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC, YOU MAY NOT KNOW HOW OLD THE STRUTS ARE, MAY NOT KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE, SO USING EITHER OF THESE TOOLS OR BOTH IS GOOD INSURANCE.

Pat: ALRIGHT TOM, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

John: SIT BACK RELAX AND LET US DO THE DRIVING WITH A NEW ROUND OF QUICK SPINS.

* FORD'S VENERABLE F-SERIES PICKUPS HAVE BEEN THE FULL-SIZE SEGMENT LEADER FOR OVER 4-DECADES AND THAT ISN'T LIKELY TO BE CHANGING ANYTIME SOON WITH THE FORWARD-THINKING DESIGN OF THE F150 LIGHTNING EV.

BUT, RECENTLY WE TOOK A QUICK SPIN IN ONE OF FORD'S TRADITIONAL PICKUPS: THE LATEST F250 SUPER DUTY.

ALMOST AS WELL-KNOWN AS THE F-SERIES NAME IS THE "POWER STROKE" MONIKER OF THE OPTIONAL 6.7 LITER TURBOCHARGED DIESEL V8.

GREAT FOR HEAVY TOWING, ITS RATED AT 475 HORSEPOWER AND UP TO 1,050 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, MATED TO A 10-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

AND SPEAKING OF TOWING, THE F250 COMES STANDARD WITH A TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND TRAILER SWAY CONTROL TO HELP KEEP YOUR PAYLOAD IN LINE.

OTHER STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDE FORD'S BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM WITH CROSS-TRAFFIC ALERT, PRE-COLLISION ASSIST, AND REVERSE SENSING.

OUR TRUCK SPORTED THE TREMOR PACKAGE: ADDING A LITTLE MORE OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY.

THAT MEANS 35-INCH OFF ROAD TIRES WRAPPED AROUND SPECIAL 18-INCH DARK ALUMINUM WHEELS, A LIMITED-SLIP FRONT AND ELECTRONIC-LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL, OFF-ROAD RUNNING BOARDS, SKID PLATES, AND PERFORMANCE SHOCK ABSORBERS ON ALL FOUR CORNERS.

THE TREMOR ALSO ADDS SPECIAL ROCK CRAWL AND TRAIL CONTROL MODES, MEANING OFF-ROAD CAPABILITIES ON THIS F250 ARE AS TECH SAVVY AS THEY ARE MECHANICAL.

AS READY FOR THE ROUGH-AND-TUMBLE AS THE F250 TREMOR IS, THE INTERIOR IS FIT FOR A KING, NOT QUITE KING RANCH, BUT CLOSE ENOUGH.

THE DRIVER'S COMMANDING VIEW OF THE ROAD, OR TRAIL, IS ATOP A HEATED AND COOLED MEMORY FRONT SEAT.

THE AVAILABLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS BUILT INTO FORD'S SYNC 3 INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, ALONG WITH A 10-SPEAKER B&O SOUND SYSTEM.

OUR F250 STICKERS FOR ABOUT $75,000; INCLUDING THE $10,500 FOR THE POWERSTROKE DIESEL.

BUT, THE TREMOR OFF ROAD PACKAGE CAN BE ADDED TO A LARIAT 4X4 FOR JUST $3,975.

Ben Davis: THE VOLKSWAGEN GTI AND EVEN SPORTIER GOLF R HAVE LONG BEEN A FAVORITE FOR A LOT OF SPORTS CAR FANS FOR DECADES.

WELL, MAYBE NOT QUITE DECADES YET FOR THE GOLF R, BUT NEVERTHELESS THESE WELL BALANCED 2022 EIGHTH-GEN DAILY DRIVER ROCKETS ARE A BIG BREATH OF FUN IN AN INCREASINGLY DIMINISHING SEGMENT.

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF STRAIGHTENING THEM OUT ON THE TWISTY MOUNTAIN ROADS THE LOCALS REFER TO AS "THE RATTLER" IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, RECENTLY, AND IT WAS PROBABLY ON MY TOP 3 TRIPS OF THE LAST 20 YEARS.

[ENGINE NOISE] THIS IS THE 2022 VW GOLF R AND I JUST DID THIS SAME EXACT ROAD IN A GTI AND RIGHT OFF THE BAT YOU NOTICE A MORE FIRM SUSPENSION, STEERING HAS MORE HEFT TO IT, INPUTS ARE A LITTLE BIT QUICKER AS WELL.

THE EXTRA POWER IS NICE, BUT IT'S EASY TO WRING ENOUGH POWER OUT OF THE GTI WHERE ON A TIGHT ROAD LIKE THIS YOU REALLY DON'T NOTICE THE POWER AS MUCH AS YOU NOTICE THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION.

WHILE BOTH CARS STILL OFFER A 6 SPEED MANUAL, I'M NOT AS ON THE FENCE OVER WHICH TRANS I WOULD CHOOSE LIKE I WAS WITH THE OUTGOING 7TH GEN CAR.

THE SHIFTER KNOB HAS GROWN A BIT LARGER THAN I'M USED TO AND I PREFER WEIGHTIER THROWS WITH A HEAVIER CLUTCH FEEL.

I DON'T MIND THE LATTER TWO CHARACTERISTICS AS MUCH AS I DO THE LARGER KNOB.

THE DSG REMAINS AMAZING, BUT I DID NOTICE SOME UNPLEASANT EXHAUST DRONE BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MILES-PER-HOUR THAT I NEVER DID IN THE DOZENS OF MK7'S THAT I'VE DRIVEN, BUT IT DOES QUIET DOWN NICE ABOVE 70 MILES PER HOUR WITH A SWEET SPOT AROUND 85, TOO BAD THAT'S ILLEGAL.

PERFORMANCE ASIDE, BOTH CARS ARE LONG-HAUL COMFORTABLE WITH AMAZING VISIBILITY AND PERHAPS BORDERLINE TOO MUCH TECH.

MAYBE I'M GETTING ANCIENT, BUT HAPTIC TOUCH CONTROLS FOR THE VOLUME KNOB AND EVEN THE SUNROOF TAKE SOME GETTING USED TO.

SO MANY THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT THESE TWO CARS, BUT MY FAVORITE IS THE CLOTH SEATS.

VELCRO-LIKE GRIP WITH DEEP BOLSTERING, FIRM COMFORT, AND GTI SIGNATURE PLAID.

THE LEATHER IS OKAY, BUT THE CLOTH SEAT SHOULD BE IN THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART.

PRICING STARTS WITH THE BASE GTI S MANUAL AT $29,545 WITH AN SE MID-LEVEL TRIM FOR JUST UNDER $5,000 MORE.

TOP TIER AUTOBAHN STARTS AT $37,995.

AND FINALLY, GOLF R WILL SET YOU BACK $43,645.

ADD A DSG 7-SPEED AUTO TO ANY TRIM FOR $800 PLUS $995 FOR FREIGHT.

THERE'S A LOT MORE TO TALK ABOUT WITH THESE 2 HOT HATCHES AND WE'LL COVER IT ALL SOON ON MOTORWEEK .

John: FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS, THE HONDA CIVIC HAS EMBODIED SAFE, RELIABLE, ENTRY-LEVEL FAMILY TRANSPORTATION.

ALONG THE WAY, BOTH FUN AND FRUGALITY HAVE ADDED VARIETY TO THE MIX.

SO, LET'S FIND OUT WHAT'S NEXT, AS AN ALL-NEW 11TH GENERATION HONDA CIVIC HITS THE STREETS.

* MUCH LIKE AN AGING POP-STAR THAT IS CONSTANTLY REINVENTING THEMSELVES TO STAY RELEVANT, THE HONDA CIVIC HAS HAD SOME MAJOR HITS OVER THE YEARS AS IT CHANGES WITH THE TIMES; YET, THROUGH IT ALL, HAS STAYED TRUE TO ITS PRACTICAL CORE.

FOR 2022, THE CIVIC IS MORE MODERN, EFFICIENT, AND STYLISH THAN EVER; READY TO PLEASE A WHOLE NEW GENERATION OF FANS.

AS IS USUALLY THE CASE, THE TRADITIONAL 4-DOOR SEDAN IS THE FIRST TO ARRIVE; WITH A HATCHBACK, ALONG WITH SIs AND TYPE Rs, TO FOLLOW.

THE EXTERIOR DESIGN HAS BEEN SIMPLIFIED; DEFINITELY MORE EYE-CATCHING AND PERHAPS A LITTLE SPORTIER THAN BEFORE, WITH AN ALTERED PROFILE DUE TO THE LONG AND LOW HOOD, PULLED BACK A-PILLARS, MIRRORS NOW MOUNTED ON THE DOORS, AND 1.4 INCHES OF ADDITIONAL WHEELBASE.

THE USER EXPERIENCE IS AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT PART OF VEHICLES TODAY, INTRODUCING AS MUCH TECH AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT BEING DISTRACTING OR DIFFICULT TO USE.

HONDA HAS PERFORMED THIS TASK QUITE WELL IN THE NEW CIVIC.

THEY'VE BEEN USING DIGITAL SPEEDOMETERS FOR SOME TIME NOW, BUT UP THEIR GAME HERE TO A FULLY DIGITAL 10 INCH LCD INSTRUMENT PANEL; THOUGH AS OF NOW ONLY IN TOURING TRIM, WHICH ALSO ADDS FIRST TIME BOSE AUDIO, WIRELESS PHONE CHARGER, AND WIDER LEATHER SEATS.

THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN IS MOUNTED HIGH, ON TOP OF THE VERY LINEAR DASH; 7.0 INCH SCREEN IS STANDARD, 9.0 INCH WITH UPGRADES.

RISING TO MEET THAT DASH, IS A SUBSTANTIAL CENTER CONSOLE WITH A TRADITIONAL-LOOKING SHIFTER, AND PLENTY OF STORAGE SPACE.

PASSENGER SPACE IS VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TO LAST YEAR, AND WE FOUND OUR CAR'S SPLIT FOLDING REAR SEATS MORE THAN ROOMY FOR COMMUTING ADULTS.

AT 14.8 CUBIC-FEET, THERE'S ACTUALLY A LITTLE LESS SPACE IN THE TRUNK THAN BEFORE, BUT ITS STILL GENEROUS.

BOTH THE STANDARD 158 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER I4 AND OPTIONAL 1.5 LITER TURBO-4 GET UPGRADES FOR '22.

THE NATURALLY-ASPIRATED 2.0 LITER'S IS MORE ALONG THE LINE OF INCREASING EFFICIENCY; WHILE, THE TURBO GAINS 6.0 HORSEPOWER TO 180, AND 15 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE TO 177.

OUR TEST CAR WAS PACKING THE 1.5 LITER TURBO; AND WE PUT IT TO THE TEST, RIGHT AWAY AT MASON DIXON DRAGWAY.

THERE WAS A BIT OF TURBO LAG AT LAUNCH, BUT ONCE THE POWER HITS, IT HITS PRETTY HARD, AND STAYS CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE QUARTER-MILE.

WE HIT 60 IN 7.7 SECONDS, AND CLEARED THE QUARTER-MILE IN 16.2 SECONDS AT 88 MILES-PER-HOUR.

REGARDLESS OF ENGINE, A CVT MANAGES POWER FLOW, AND WHILE HONDA'S IS BETTER THAN MOST, THE EXTENDED HIGH RPM WHINE DOES DETRACT FROM THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE.

SAME SUSPENSION DESIGN AS BEFORE; MACPHERSON STRUT FRONT, MULTI-LINK REAR; BUT UPGRADES INCLUDE A WIDER TRACK, REDUCED FRICTION, AND MORE COMPLIANT BUSHINGS.

IT RESULTED IN THE CIVIC STAYING COMPLETELY GLUED TO THE PAVEMENT THROUGH OUR SLALOM COURSE.

SURPRISINGLY, LITTLE BODY ROLL, ONLY MINOR UNDERSTEER, AND VERY QUICK RESPONSE FROM STEERING INPUTS.

OVERALL, QUITE NIMBLE AND COMPETENT; BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, A GREAT BASE FOR SI AND TYPE Rs TO BUILD UPON.

PRICING STARTS WITH LX AT $22,715; PROGRESSING UP THROUGH THE TYPICAL HONDA TRIMS, TO ARRIVE AT TOURING FOR $29,315.

SOME MAY CRITICIZE HONDA FOR MOSTLY PLAYING IT CONSERVATIVE WITH EVERYTHING THEY DO.

BUT OUR TAKE ON IT IS, THEY JUST KEEP PLAYING THE HITS; YOU KNOW, THE VERY REASON EVERYONE SHOWS UP IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THE 2022 HONDA CIVIC IS JUST THAT, HONDA'S BIGGEST HIT EVER, REDEFINED FOR A NEW GENERATION.

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 LOAD UP HYUNDAI'S STYLISH TAKE ON THE COMPACT PICKUP TRUCK: THE SANTA CRUZ.

THEN, WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN JEEP STRETCHES A LEGEND WITH THE NEW GRAND CHEROKEE L. TIL' 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.

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

"I DO."

WE'RE TIRERACK.COM AND WE HAVE ANSWERS, AND, TOOLS TO HELP.

"LIKE, OUR TIRE DECISION GUIDE.

IT'S, UH, TAKE A LOOK."

"OH!"

FIND, DELIVER, INSTALL.

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] * YOU'RE WATCHING PBS.