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

WE'RE TAKING MAZDA'S CX-50 CROSSOVER OUT FOR A ROAD TEST SHAKEDOWN... THEN, IT'S A TOTAL PORSCHE EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER...

THERE'S ALWAYS TIME FOR MORE FIRST DRIVE QUICKSPINS... AND TOP OFF WITH THE LONG AWAITED REDESIGN OF SUBARU'S BRZ COUPE...

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.

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TIRERACK.COM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

FIRST, THERE WAS THE WHEEL.

THEN, THE TIRE.

"WE'LL CALL IT TIRE RACK."

FORTY YEARS LATER, WE'RE NOT SLOWING DOWN.

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: OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, MAZDA HAS BEEN RE-THINKING THEIR SUV LINEUP, ENHANCING OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE AND EVEN ADDING BATTERY-ELECTRIC POWERTRAINS; ALL WITHOUT SACRIFICING STYLE OR THE ON-ROAD PERFORMANCE THE BRAND HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN FOR.

AND THAT LEADS US TO THIS CX-50.

ITS ALL-NEW FROM MAZDA!

* THE FIRST QUESTION ABOUT THIS 2023 MAZDA CX-50 IS WHERE DOES IT FIT IN?

BIGGER THAN THE NEW CX-30 FOR SURE, BUT DON'T THEY ALREADY HAVE A COMPACT CX-5?

WELL, YES, THEY DO, AND THE CX-50 IS ABOUT THE SAME SIZE, BUT IT'S BUILT HERE IN AMERICA AT A NEW JOINT PLANT WITH TOYOTA.

SO, IT IS A DIFFERENT ANIMAL.

FOR STARTERS, THE CX-50 IS SLIGHTLY LONGER, LOWER, AND WIDER, WITH SUBSTANTIALLY MORE WHEELBASE THAN THE CX-5.

SO, IT NOT ONLY LOOKS A LITTLE MORE WAGON-LIKE, BUT WITH MORE SPACE INSIDE.

NEXT, WHERE THE TIDY CX-5 PLAYS UP MAZDA'S FUN-TO-DRIVE PHILOSOPHY TO THE FULLEST, THE CX-50 WAS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR NORTH AMERICAN BUYERS.

IT HAS MORE GROUND CLEARANCE AND BROADER SHOULDERS, WITH ADDED LOWER BODY CLADDING FOR A MORE OFF-ROAD VIBE, AND EVEN INCLUDES ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AS STANDARD, PERHAPS TRYING TO OUT-SUBARU SUBARU.

THE CX-50 IS ALSO THE FIRST MAZDA TO OFFER A PANORAMIC ROOF.

THERE IS A BIT MORE WEIGHT HERE THAN THE CX-5, BUT IT STILL DRIVES SPORTY.

STEERING IS HEAVY AND THE RIDE IS ON THE FIRM SIDE, CONSISTENT WITH THE MAZDA PHILOSOPHY; BUT FOR A SMALL UTILITY, IT FEELS EXCEPTIONALLY SMOOTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND SOUNDS GOOD, TOO.

THAT PLEASING AUDIO COMING FROM MAZDA'S SKYACTIV-G 2.5 LITER I4 TURBO ENGINE WITH UP TO 256 HORSEPOWER AND 320 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THE NATURALLY ASPIRATED VERSION OF THIS 2.5 COMES STANDARD AND OUTPUTS 187 HORSEPOWER.

BOTH ENGINES SHARED WITH CX-5, AS IS ITS 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

BUT THE ADDITIONAL WHEELBASE AND GREATER COOLING ALLOW FOR TOWING 1,500 POUNDS MORE, A GOOD FOR A COMPACT 3,500 POUNDS, BUT ONLY WITH THE TURBO.

BEHIND-SEAT CARGO SPACE IS ABOUT THE SAME AS THE CX-5, AT 30.0 CUBIC-FEET, BUT THE LONGER WHEELBASE ALLOWS FOR A GREATER MAX OF 59.3 CUBIC-FEET.

AS FOR THE REST OF THE INSIDE, WELL...IT'S QUITE NICE WITH A VERY UPSCALE LOOKING DASH, AND COMFY UPGRADED SEATS WITH THE PREMIUM PACKAGES.

REGARDLESS OF TRIM, THE CX-50 IS WELL-EQUIPPED, AND MAZDA EVEN INCLUDES THOUGHTFUL FEATURES LIKE BLIND SPOT MONITORING ALERTS IN THE AVAILABLE HEAD-UP ACTIVE DRIVING DISPLAY.

LIKE OTHER MAZDA'S, THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN SITS ON TOP OF THE DASH.

IT SEEMS FAR AWAY FROM THE DRIVER, WHICH IS NOT THAT BIG OF DEAL AS IT'S NOT A TOUCHSCREEN, RATHER CONTROLLED BY A CONSOLE-MOUNTED WHEEL WHICH IS FAIRLY INTUITIVE.

NEXT UP FOR US WAS OPERATING OUR WAY TO MASON DIXON DRAGWAY FOR FURTHER RESEARCH.

THERE WAS GOOD GRIP AT LAUNCH, AND A SLIGHT CHIRP OF THE TIRES, BUT ULTIMATELY A SOMEWHAT LEISURELY JOG TO 60 OF 7.2 SECONDS.

POWER DELIVERY IS SMOOTH AND LINEAR, AND IT DOES PICK UP STEAM AS IT GETS DOWN THE TRACK.

BEST QUARTER-MILE TIME WAS 15.3 SECONDS AT 90 MILES PER HOUR.

NOT LONG AGO, WE WOULD HAVE PRAISED MAZDA FOR STICKING WITH A 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION, BUT MODERN 9 AND 10-SPEED UNITS HAVE GOTTEN QUITE COMPETENT OF LATE.

SO, THE 6 HERE JUST FEELS LAGGY AND A BIT BEHIND THE TIMES.

NO COMPLAINTS ON OUR HANDLING COURSE.

THE CX-50 FELT LIKE A MAZDA.

CONFIDENCE INSPIRING WITH LOTS OF GRIP AND ONLY THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF UNDERSTEER.

THERE WAS SOME BODY ROLL, BUT IT WAS VERY CONTROLLABLE WITH STEERING THAT WAS VERY DIRECT AND QUICK TO RESPOND.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE CROSSOVERS THAT ENDS UP FEELING MORE LIKE, A LIGHTWEIGHT HATCHBACK THAN A LUMBERING SUV; OR EVEN A NICE SPORT-TUNED WAGON.

THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD A FIRM FEEL, YET, THE BRAKES SEEMED SLOW TO RESPOND.

HOWEVER, IN REALITY STOPS WERE SHORT AND CONSISTENT, AVERAGING ONLY 105 FEET FROM 60, AND THERE WAS LITTLE OBVIOUS ABS PULSING.

ALL IN ALL, VERY SOLID.

BASE PRICING FOR A NATURALLY-ASPIRATED 2.5S IS $28,025, OR JUST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS MORE THAN THE CX-5; TO WHICH YOU CAN ADD A VARIETY OF SELECT, PREFERRED, AND PREMIUM PACKAGES.

TURBO'S START AT $37,625.

WE'RE NOT SURE WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE CX-5.

BUT, MUCH LIKE, THE CX-30 EASILY OUTSHINED THE CX-3, THIS 2023 MAZDA CX-50 IS CLEARLY SUPERIOR TO THE CX-5-- AND THAT'S SAYING SOMETHING.

THE CX-50 MAXIMIZES YOUR DRIVING PLEASURE, LIKE ALL MAZDA'S SHOULD, WITHOUT FORGETTING THE COMFORT AND UTILITY ASPECTS OF BEING A HIGHLY CAPABLE, UP-TO-DATE, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE.

* VISITING A PORSCHE EXPERIENCE CENTER, EITHER IN ATLANTA OR LOS ANGELES, IS A GAME CHANGER FOR ANYONE THAT WANTS TO TAKE THEIR DRIVING TO THE NEXT LEVEL, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SATISFYING ONES PORSCHE PASSION.

OUR STEPHANIE HART SPENT THE DAY AT "P-E-C-L-A" DRIVING A VARIETY OF PORSCHE'S HIGH PERFORMANCE HARDWARE ON A UNIQUE TRACK THAT GUARANTEES A TRULY IMMERSIVE DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

* Stephanie Hart: I'M EXCITED FOR TODAY, BUT I'M ALSO A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS BECAUSE I'VE NEVER DRIVEN ON A TRACK BEFORE, LET ALONE DRIVEN INCREDIBLE, POWERFUL PORSCHES' ON A TRACK BEFORE.

TODAY, I'M GOING TO BE DRIVING FOUR OF THEM.

I DO KNOW, I'M IN GOOD HANDS WITH THE INSTRUCTORS HERE; THEY'RE GOING TO BE GUIDING ME ON THE RADIO, THE WHOLE TIME AND I DO KNOW I NEED TO TRUST THESE CARS.

SO C'MON, LET'S DO IT.

FIRST UP, I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE PORSCHE 911 TURBO.

Frank Wiesmann: WE LIKE TO REFER TO THEM AS "DRIVER DEVELOPMENT TRACKS" BECAUSE ITS REALLY, AGAIN, LESS ABOUT SPEED AND MORE ABOUT EACH DRIVER FINDING IMPROVEMENT, AND GAINING CONFIDENCE-- BUILDING CONFIDENCE-- TO BECOME A BETTER DRIVER WHICH LEADS TO MORE FUN BEHIND THE WHEEL.

Instructor: THREE, TWO, ONE, LETS GO, GO, GO.

STARTING INITIALLY LEFT, RIGHT HERE.

NO WORRIES, WE MISSED THE CONES JUST A LITTLE BIT.

NOW, I WANT YOU TO CONTINUE THROUGH, STRAIGHT THROUGH THE RIGHT TURN HERE.

Stephanie: MY FIRST RUN DIDN'T GO EXACTLY AS I PLANNED...

SO LET'S TRY THAT AGAIN.

Instructor: OKAY, STEPHANIE, YOU ARE UP...ON MY GO.

THREE, TWO, ONE, LETS GO, GO, GO.

NICE...NICE AND TIGHT THROUGH THE SLALOM.

NOW, WE ARE GOING TO STAY TO THE LEFT, STAY TO THE LEFT.

BEAUTIFUL JOB.

Stephanie: NOW, ON TO THIS BEAST: THE 750 HORSEPOWER ALL-ELECTRIC PORSCHE TAYCAN TURBO S. I DID A COUPLE LAPS IN SPORT MODE AND A COUPLE LAPS IN SPORT PLUS MODE.

I'VE BEEN DYING TO DRIVE THIS CAR, BUT WHEN I REACHED THE KICKPLATE, MY ANXIETY KICKED IN, LITERALLY.

ONCE, YOU DRIVE OVER THIS, THE CAR'S REAR END IS KICKED OUT FROM UNDER YOU AND SENDS YOUR CAR INTO A SPIN.

PRETTY SCARY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'VE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE, LIKE ME.

THE GOAL?

CORRECT THE CAR'S SPIN AND POINT THE CAR BACK STRAIGHT.

IT'S PRETTY CLEAR SOME DRIVERS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING... AND OTHERS DID NOT...

REGARDLESS THIS IS SUCH A GREAT LEARNING TOOL.

Ricky Downton: IT'S A LOT OF FUN, BUT LEARNING WHERE THE CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS ARE OF NOT ONLY YOURSELF, BUT ALSO OUR PORSCHE VEHICLES-- AND THIS CAN TRANSFER TO OTHER DIFF MANUFACTURERS AS WELL.

LEARNING TO DRIVE A CAR NEAR ITS LIMIT WILL SHOW YOU WHAT IT CAN DO AND THEREFORE, YOU'RE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT IT AS MUCH WHEN YOU'RE OUT HERE DAILY DRIVING.

WHAT IF YOU COME INTO A CORNER TOO QUICKLY...YOU HAVE TO GET ON THAT THRESHOLD BRAKING AND AN EMERGENCY STOP... YOU HAVE NOW BUILT UP YOUR SKILL SET AND PREPARED FOR THAT BECAUSE YOU HAVE DONE IT HERE AT THE PORSCHE EXPERIENCE CENTER.

Stephanie: ALRIGHT...SO NOW, I'M BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE PORSCHE CAYMAN 718 GTS.

IT FEELS REALLY GOOD ON THE TRACK.

IN FACT, IT'S A SPORTS CAR THAT'S PERFECT FOR THIS SECTION WHICH RESEMBLES A WINDY, COUNTRY ROAD.

THE 718 HAS LESS POWER THAN THE LAST TWO PORSCHES I DROVE.

BUT, IT HUGGED ME LIKE A WETSUIT, AND HAS A FIRM RIDE WITH NIMBLE HANDLING.

I FELT MY CONFIDENCE REALLY SOAR BEHIND THE WHEEL.

NEXT UP, A SERIES OF OFF-ROAD CHALLENGES BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE PORSCHE CAYENNE SUV.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS NEXT ONE THAT LOOKS REALLY COOL.

Instructor: BEAUTIFULLY DONE!

Stephanie: MY INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDANCE OVER THE RADIO WAS ESPECIALLY CRUCIAL DURING THIS NEXT CHALLENGE.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, DRIVING UP THIS STEEP INCLINE WAS A LOT EASIER THAN COMING DOWN.

ALRIGHT, SUCCESSFUL OFF-ROAD RUN.

AFTER THAT, IT WAS TIME TO CALL IT A DAY.

I WON'T BE THE NEXT INDY 500 WINNER, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE GOAL.

YES, I DROVE SOME INCREDIBLE PORSCHES, BUT I ALSO FEEL I REALLY IMPROVED MY DRIVING SKILLS, CHALLENGED MYSELF AND HAD TONS FUN.

AND ISN'T THAT WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT?

John: LETS GRAB THE KEY FOB AND HIT THE ROAD FOR ANOTHER QUICKSPIN!

* AS MORE AND MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLES CHARGE UP FOR OUR AUTOMOTIVE FUTURE, BRANDS ARE RELEASING SOME "LAST HOORAHS" OF THEIR INTERNAL COMBUSTION GLORIES.

AND THAT IS LIKELY THE CASE WITH CADILLAC'S 2023 ESCALADE V. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE V-SERIES BADGE HAS MADE ITS WAY TO AN SUV, SO WE WENT TO PHOENIX FOR A FIRSTHAND DRIVE.

IF YOU KNOW THE V-SERIES, YOU KNOW...IT PACKS A PUNCH.

IN THE ESCALADE'S CASE, THAT'S A 6.2 LITER V8, SUPERCHARGED TO DISPLACE A TIRE-SMOKING 682 HORSEPOWER AND LINE-LAUNCHING 653 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

YES, THE ESCALADE IS BIG AND LUXURIOUS, BUT IT STILL HAULS FROM 0-TO-60 MPH IN JUST 4.4 SECONDS, WITH A QUARTER MILE IN THE 13s.

FULL-TIME ACTIVE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL, AND ADAPTIVE AIR SUSPENSION BOLSTER THESE PERFORMANCE GAINS.

Jessica Ray: SO, THIS SUPERCHARGED V8 SHOULD SEEM FAMILIAR BECAUSE IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN THE CT5-V BLACKWING THAT WE LOVED SO MUCH.

UM-- BUT THERE ARE SOME TWEAKS INCLUDING A LARGER SUPERCHARGER.

WE ALSO HAVE "V MODE" WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CUSTOMIZE THE DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE SETTINGS LIKE STEERING, SUSPENSION, EXHAUST NOISE.

YOU CAN EITHER GO VERY QUIET WITH THE STEALTH MODE OR YOU CAN GO LOUD AND THROATY IN SPORT.

[ENGINE REVVING] John: LOUD OR QUIET, THE ESCALADE V IS STILL VERY MUCH AN ESCALADE.

IT SHARES THE SAME INTERIOR WITH THE PLATINUM TRIM, COMING WITH 38 INCHES OF OLED SCREEN, A 36 SPEAKER AKG SOUND SYSTEM, AND DROVES OF PASSENGER, AND CARGO VOLUME.

THE INTERIOR IS WRAPPED IN YOUR CHOICE OF JET BLACK OR DARK AUBURN COLORS-- PROPERLY CLASSY, AS A CADDY SHOULD BE.

IT'S A LOT OF FUN AND POSSIBLY THE LAST TIME WE'LL SEE A BIG, FANCY BEAST LIKE THIS FROM CADILLAC.

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART IN TERMS OF HORSEPOWER OR PRICING, THE 2023 ESCALADE V STARTS AROUND $150,000.

THE SECOND-GENERATION OF BMW'S X4 IS ALREADY FRESHENING UP FOR 2022 WITH REVISED LOOKS, UPDATED POWERTRAINS AND SOME NEW TECH.

AVAILABLE IN THREE MODELS, WE CHOSE THE X4 M40I FOR OUR QUICK SPIN EXPERIENCE.

THE M40I IS THE MIDDLE-CHILD OF THE X4'S OFFERINGS AND COMES OFF AS PLENTY-MATURE.

IT'S DRIVEN BY A 3.0 LITER INLINE-6 ENGINE, TURBOCHARGED AND PAIRED TO A 48 VOLT MILD-HYBRID SYSTEM FOR 382 HORSEPOWER AND 369 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THIS IS CHANNELED TO ALL-FOUR CORNERS BY THE XDRIVE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM.

WITH HELP FROM THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE M40I SPRINTS TOWARDS A 4.4 SECOND 0-60 TIME-- MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR YOUR HIGHWAY MERGES AND LANE CHANGES.

AT A TIME WHERE BMW'S BOLDER FRONT ENDS ARE LEAVING MANY DISTRAUGHT, THE M40I'S DOUBLE-SLAT KIDNEY GRILLE KEEPS THINGS RELATIVELY TAME.

THE FRONT BUMPER AND LIGHTING ALSO SEE MODERN TOUCHES.

BMW LABELS THEN 5-DOOR X4 AS A "SPORT ACTIVITY COUPE;" AS SUCH, THE SAME SLOPING ROOFLINE AND HATCH ARE PRESENT.

THE COUPE-PROFILE DOES SACRIFICE SOME INTERIOR CARGO VOLUME; STILL 18.5 CUBIC-FEET EXPANDABLE TO 50.5.

IT'S PLENTY OF ROOM FOR MOST AVERAGE SPORT UTILITY HAULS AND THE REAR HEADROOM IS PLEASANTLY FORGIVING.

MOVING UP TO THE FRONT OF THE CABIN IS A FAMILIAR DRIVER-FOCUSED COCKPIT, COMPLETE WITH A 12.3 INCH INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EQUALLY-SIZED INFOTAINMENT SCREEN.

LEATHER SEATING SURFACES AND A PANORAMIC MOONROOF MAKE THIS INTERIOR FEEL PROPERLY PREMIUM.

AS IT SHOULD, CONSIDERING THE 2022 BMW X4 M40I'S STARTING PRICE OF AROUND $63,000.

AND WE'LL HAVE PLENTY MORE QUICKSPINS, SOON!

* Jessica: GAS IS EXPENSIVE THESE DAYS, BUT DID YOU KNOW SLOWING DOWN JUST 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR CAN IMPROVE YOUR FUEL ECONOMY AND SAVE YOU UP TO 14 PERCENT ON GAS COSTS?

EVERY VEHICLE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO OPTIMAL FUEL ECONOMY BUT USUALLY ALL VEHICLES, INTERNAL COMBUSTION OR NOT, SEE A RAPID DECREASE IN EFFICIENCY ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.

SPEEDING PAIRED WITH OTHER AGGRESSIVE DRIVING CAN LOWER YOUR GAS MILEAGE EVEN MORE, WITH LOSES UP TO 25 PERCENT ON THE HIGHWAY AND 40 PERCENT IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC.

SO, TAKING A LITTLE LEAD OUT OF YOUR FOOT CAN SAVE YOU A LITTLE MORE AT THE GAS PUMP THIS SUMMER AND ALSO KEEP THE ROADS A LITTLE SAFER.

* Greg Carloss: AFTER A COUPLE OF SUMMER ROAD TRIPS SPRINKLED ON TOP OF DAILY COMMUTES, IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER LONG-TERM UPDATE ON OUR 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME.

WE'VE TACKED ON AN ADDITIONAL 1700 MILES, BRINGING OUR GRAND TOTAL TO 14,600.

TRUTH BE TOLD, WE HAVEN'T BEEN PLUGGING IN AS MUCH AS WE SHOULD, RESULTING IN A DIP IN EFFICIENCY-- 50.2 MILES PER GALLON OVER THE LAST MONTH OR SO.

STILL, OUR OVERALL EFFICIENCY HAS BARELY TAKEN A HIT, SITTING PRETTY AT 57.2 MILES PER GALLON.

THE ADVANTAGE OF PLUG-IN HYBRIDS LIKE THIS PRIUS PRIME IS THAT, WHILE IT'S WORTH IT TO CHARGE, IT'S NOT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY LIKE IT IS IN A FULL EVs.

SO, EVEN WHEN THE ELECTRIC DRIVING RANGE IS FULLY DEPLETED, WE'RE STILL TREATED TO TOYOTA'S EXCELLENT HYBRID SYSTEM.

IN FACT, UNLESS WE'RE REALLY GOOSING IT OR ACTIVELY MONITORING ITS OPERATION, WE HARDLY EVEN KNOW WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.

AND THAT'S HOW IT SHOULD BE IN A HYBRID.

HAVING THE PRIUS PRIME IN OUR FLEET, WE'RE THRILLED TO BE SPENDING LESS TIME AND MONEY AT THE PUMP.

WHICH MEANS MORE TRIPS AND MORE FUN?

AND WHAT'S A SUMMER OF FUN WITHOUT TRIPS TO THE CARNIVAL?

OR IN OUR CASE, TRIPS IN THE 2022 KIA CARNIVAL-- THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR LONG-TERM FLEET.

BUT BEFORE WE GET INTO THAT, WE'LL HAVE AN UPDATE ON OUR MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

John: WHEN IT COMES TO PERFORMANCE, SUBARU'S REPUTATION MOSTLY LIES IN BUILDING RALLY-INSPIRED ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES LIKE THE WRX STI.

BUT, A JOINT VENTURE WITH TOYOTA THAT RESULTED IN 2013'S BRZ SHOWED THEY CAN DO AFFORDABLE REAR-DRIVE SPORTY, TOO.

SO, LET'S SEE WHAT A ROAD TEST OF A NEW 2ND GENERATION BRZ REVEALS NEXT.

* MANY PEOPLE WERE SKEPTICAL WE'D EVEN SEE A 2ND GENERATION OF THIS CAR, BUT THE 2022 SUBARU BRZ IS HERE AND WE COULDN'T BE HAPPIER.

AS NOT ONLY IS THERE A NEW VERSION, BUT THEY KEPT THE SPIRIT OF THE ORIGINAL FULLY INTACT, ONLY MAKING SUBTLE CHANGES AND NOTABLE IMPROVEMENTS.

STILL TIDY, NIMBLE, AND LIGHTWEIGHT FEELING, SO IT REMAINS A VERY FUN CAR TO DRIVE.

AND, WHO COULDN'T USE A LITTLE MORE FUN IN THEIR LIVES THESE DAYS?

THIS GLOOM-AND-DOOM FIGHTER SAVES THE DAY WITH MORE POWER, MORE REFINEMENT, AND MORE STYLE.

STARTING WITH THE ENGINE, IT GROWS FROM 2.0 TO 2.4 LITERS; GAINING 15 PERCENT MORE TORQUE.

SLIGHT BUMP IN HORSEPOWER AS WELL; NEW NUMBERS ARE 228 HORSEPOWER AND 184 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

AVAILABLE IN PREMIUM AND LIMITED TRIM, BOTH WITH A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AS STANDARD; A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC IS AVAILABLE IF YOU MUST.

SAFETY ENTHUSIASTS WILL BE HAPPY TO KNOW SUBARU'S EYESIGHT DRIVER ASSIST TECHNOLOGY IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE BRZ, BUT ONLY WITH THAT AUTOMATIC.

THANKFULLY, SUBARU KEPT IT REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE, RESISTING THE URGE TO ADD AWD, AND FOCUSED THEIR EFFORTS ON STIFFENING UP THE CHASSIS AND SUB-FRAME TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE MACPHERSON STRUT FRONT AND DOUBLE WISHBONE REAR SUSPENSION.

THEN, WENT A STEP FURTHER BY APPLYING MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES ON LIMITED TRIM BRZs.

OUR USUAL SLALOM COURSE AT MASON DIXON DRAGWAY WAS A PIECE OF CAKE.

QUICK STEERING WITH ADEQUATE FEEL, AND BASICALLY ZERO BODY ROLL.

NO UNDERSTEER EITHER, JUST DART-Y IN A GOOD WAY, WITH A PLAYFUL AMOUNT OF OVERSTEER THAT IS A BIT EASIER TO COAX WITH THE THROTTLE THAN BEFORE.

HOLDING THAT THROTTLE STEADY AT 4,000 RPM, WITH A GRACEFUL DUMP OF THE CLUTCH SEES A GOOD LAUNCH OFF THE LINE AND A QUICK TRIP TO 60 IN 6.0 SECONDS FLAT.

NOT SUPERCAR QUICK, BUT THAT'S ALMOST 2.0 SECONDS QUICKER THAN THE LAST BRZ WE TESTED, THOUGH THAT WAS AN AUTOMATIC.

STILL, SUBARU CLAIMS EVEN THE AUTO IS A SECOND QUICKER THAN BEFORE.

BOTH THE SHIFTER AND THE CLUTCH ARE THE BEST WE'VE TRIED IN A SUBARU EVER; GOOD FEEL IN THE PEDAL, SHORT THROWS AND POSITIVE ENGAGEMENTS THROUGH ALL GEARS.

IT'S ACTUALLY, THE GAS PEDAL THAT FEELS A LITTLE SOFT AND UNRESPONSIVE INITIALLY, BUT ONCE YOU'RE MOVING AND THE ENGINE IS SPINNING FASTER, IT'S A LOT MORE REACTIVE.

PLENTY OF INTAKE AND EXHAUST NOISES, BOTH OF WHICH SOUND SURPRISINGLY PLEASANT FOR A FLAT-4.

BEST QUARTER-MILE TIME WAS 14.3 SECONDS AT 99 MILES PER HOUR.

SPORTY CARS NEED CONFIDENCE INSPIRING BRAKES, AND THE BRZs FELT TERRIFIC, STOPPING US FROM 60 IN JUST 104 FEET; WITH A NICE FIRM PEDAL AND GREAT STABILITY OVERALL.

THE NEW BRZ HAS THE SAME BASIC SHAPE AS BEFORE, BUT WEARS A MORE AGGRESSIVE FACE, HAS A SMOOTHER TAKE ON THE DOUBLE BUBBLE ROOF CONCEPT, AND THERE'S A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION TO DETAIL WHEN IT COMES TO AERO; WITH COMPREHENSIVE UNDERBODY PANELS, AIR EXTRACTORS IN THE FRONT FENDERS, AND EXTENDED ROCKERS.

IN BACK, AN INTEGRATED DECK-LID SPOILER REPLACES THE TACKED-ON WING OF THE PREVIOUS GEN, AND LOOKS MUCH BETTER.

THE BRZ SITS ABOUT AS LOW AS ANYTHING ON THE ROAD, SO IT'S NOT THE EASIEST OF CARS TO GET IN AND OUT OF, IF YOU'VE LOST YOUR YOUTHFUL LIMBERNESS.

BUT PLENTY OF ROOM FOR ALL SHAPES AND SIZES ONCE YOU'RE IN THE COMFORTABLE AND SUPPORTIVE FRONT SEATS; MUCH LESS ROOM IN BACK, OF COURSE.

A 7.0 INCH DIGITAL DRIVER DISPLAY IS NEW, AS IS AN 8.0 INCH TOUCHSCREEN FOR SUBARU'S STARLINK INFOTAINMENT; ALL A LITTLE MORE ORIENTED TO THE DRIVER.

THE KEY TO THE BRZ'S CONTINUED SUCCESS IS OF COURSE, ATTAINABLE PRICING, NOW STARTING AT JUST $28,995; THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ADDS $1,600 MORE.

IT'S GREAT WHEN CARS LIVE UP TO OUR LOFTY EXPECTATIONS.

THE HARD DECISION IS NOT WHETHER WE'D WANT TO OWN A BRZ OR NOT; THAT'S A NO-BRAINER.

THE TOUGH CHOICE IS WHETHER OR NOT WE'D PREFER THE BRZ OVER ITS PLATFORM MATE TOYOTA'S GR86.

THE 2022 SUBARU BRZ IS A THROWBACK THRILL TO DRIVE, NO MATTER THE SPEED OR THE ROAD YOU'RE ON; DRIVE EITHER ONE, AND YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WERE OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE PICK FOR BEST SPORT COUPE OF THE YEAR.

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... FOR OUR ENERGIZED ROAD TEST OF VOLVO'S C40 RECHARGE CROSSOVER, FOLLOWED BY A LOOK AT THE FIRST PLUG-IN COMPACT LUXURY UTE FROM LEXUS.

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 .

FIRST, THERE WAS THE WHEEL.

THEN, THE TIRE.

"WE'LL CALL IT TIRE RACK."

FORTY YEARS LATER, WE'RE NOT SLOWING DOWN.

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.