Hi, I'm John Davis and this is MotorWeek !

We'll plug into the all-electric version of Kia's popular Niro Ute... Then, roll into the shop for a "Your Drive" tire wear lowdown... We'll go "Over the Edge" to the world's largest indoor go-kart track... Then, burn some rubber in Toyota's GR Corolla...

So, come drive with us, next!

Closed Captioning provided by Maryland Public Television.

♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: MotorWeek ... Television's original automotive magazine.

Brought to you by... ANNOUNCER: 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!

MotorWeek is proudly sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper To Bumper, featuring major brand auto and truck parts, and service from coast to coast.

Learn more at AutoValue.com and BumperToBumper.com.

TireRack.Com is proud to support MotorWeek .

First, there was the wheel.

Then, the tire.

"We'll call it TireRack."

Forty years later, we're not slowing down.

JOHN: Like many recent Kia's, the compact Niro is available with several levels of electrification, from hybrid, to plug-in hybrid, and even full battery electric.

And while we don't play favorites around here, the full-EV Niro has certainly piqued our interest.

So, let's check out the 2nd gen of Kia's unique little EV utility.

♪ ♪ While, Kia's fantastic EV6 has garnered all the recent headlines and won just about all the awards too, including our own most recent Drivers' Choice Best of the Year, it's just one of the many full battery electric vehicles the brand has available.

In fact, this 2023 Kia Niro EV is already in its 2nd generation and offers a lot of the same things as the EV6 in a more everyday practical utility-minded package.

Kia keeps it simple here, no further decisions to make once you decide to go the Niro EV route; just one 150 kilowatt 201 horsepower front-wheel-drive setup, with a 64.8 kilowatt hour battery delivering 253 miles of range, which it uses quite efficiently, at 29 kilowatt hours per 100 miles.

It also charges faster than the last gen, but still well short of dedicated EV platforms like the EV6, at just 85 kilowatt, getting you to 80 percent in about 45 minutes.

Much like the Niro Hybrid we tested a few months ago, with no all-wheel-drive and just 6.3 inches of ground clearance, the Niro embraces the urban utility part of sport utility with room for 22.8 cubic-feet of cargo, and a healthy rear seats folded max of 63.7.

The Niro clearly looks far less outlandish than the EV6, but there's certainly something to be said for that; though it also appears much more distinctive than last gen with either a painted silver or chrome coated front skid plate and flow through D-pillars that Kia calls Aero Blades .

EV specifics include a unique front fascia with integrated charge port door, steel gray trim, and 17 inch alloy wheels.

Things are relatively normal inside too, with mostly the same well laid out interior as the hybrid.

The quality of switchgear and materials are more than acceptable, with many sustainably sourced, including the use of eucalyptus leaves and recycled wallpaper.

Whether, you choose Wind or Wave trim, you'll get dual 10.25 inch screens; one for driver info and one for infotainment; they're not the largest on the market, but the size appears just right to us, and Kia's touchscreen interface remains one of the best.

Front seats are very comfortable, and there's true full-size adult leg and headroom in the back seats.

Kia has clearly aimed the Niro EV at people interested in making the switch to battery power, but don't necessarily want a completely unfamiliar driving experience.

The moderately low power output here helps, but they've also adjusted programming, so that it doesn't deliver all that power right from the get-go, as there is definitely a familiar progressive nature to the throttle pedal and the acceleration it delivers.

Something we experienced at our Mason Dixon test track, where it was slow and steady off the line and to 60 in 7.1 seconds.

While that's not particularly fast by EV standards, it is more than 2.0 seconds quicker than the Hybrid we tested earlier this year; though it's also, a tenth slower than last gen's Niro EV.

Power didn't seem to be building all that much down the quarter, but we finished in a respectable 15.8 seconds at 92 miles per hour.

Things felt much sportier in our cone course, where the EV's lower center of gravity improved on the Niro's already notable handling chops.

Turn-ins were sharp, with very little input needed, minimal body roll, and a quite neutral feel throughout.

There is a Sport mode to go along with Normal and Eco, though it mostly just seemed to add weight to the steering, which we greatly appreciated.

Multiple levels of regen braking are available, including full one-pedal driving.

And just like the EV6, you can tap into the Niro's battery to power all sorts of things.

Base Wind pricing blows in at just $40,875; doing the Wave, another 5-grand, at $45,875.

So, whether you're looking for a full Battery Electric Vehicle, minimal battery power, or something in between, Kia has you covered with the Niro.

But it's the 2023 Niro EV that allows you to join the next generation, without looking like you've gone all in.

Yet, another reason why Kia is slowly but surely becoming an electric vehicle leader.

♪ ♪ By and large, spending the day riding around in go-karts and playing arcade games is a summer vacation thing; but, our resident man-child, Greg Carloss, can't wait for warmer weather.

So, this week he goes "Over the Edge" for supercharged fun at the world's largest indoor track for go-karts.

♪ ♪ GREG CARLOSS: Whether, it's movie theaters, bowling alleys or golf driving ranges, the current strategy in entertainment is go big or go home.

Luckily, for speed seekers like me, that strategy also applies... to Go-Karts.

I've crossed continents to drive some of oldest, fastest and most famous racetracks.

So, it was an easy decision to head just up the turnpike to Edison, New Jersey and add another superlative to my list.

DANIEL SIERRA: Supercharged entertainment, we are the world's largest indoor go-karting facility... Not only that we do have two stories worth of arcade games.

We also have the two-story drop tower ride.

And then, we also have our great 19 lanes of ax throwing.

GREG: Playing games and throwing axes is cool, but I came to this brand new, 131,000 square foot fun factory for one thing... DANIEL: Go-karting, you know, obviously, it's extremely fun.

Our carts actually reach up to 45 miles per hour on the track.

That is our pro race.

We also have a different speed, which is our semi-pro, mostly for the less experienced and our younger, our younger crowd.

GREG: As for the Go-Karts themselves, John...take it away.

JOHN: What makes these karts go is a pair of electric motors with a combined output of 18 horsepower and added sound enhancement, which mimics the roar of a V8 engine.

The F1-style steering yoke connects to an unassisted mechanical rack, bookended by sticky Dunlop SL1 racing slicks.

Greg?

GREG: Thanks, JD.

ENDRE CSIZMAZIA: What I like about it, first of all, everything, the setup here is very friendly.

There's stuff, everything, pretty well-organized and it's safe.

It's a long track and certain situation, you ride behind people, you gotta change your line.

If you ride by yourself then you can set a perfect line and trying not to drift-- just to smooth.

GREG: Here, there are actually two tracks in one, both more than a quarter-mile in length, but with speeds over 40 mph, you can get around pretty quick.

Actually, what is the track record around here?

DANIEL: It's a 47.283.

GREG: Challenge accepted!

To break the track record, Daniel said, "I'd have to master the "Boost" button."

DANIEL: So, the boost button actually gives you a boost for about 2 to 3 seconds.

It gives you a large boost; trust me, I've tried it.

My personal opinion: I think you should use it around the turns just so you get that boost going uphill.

GREG: Let's go out and try, and break a track record.

(go-kart engine revs) And up the corkscrew, light on the throttle, keeping speed.

Just as I'm cresting, I'm losing speed, so I need a little boost.

I'm not even touching the brake just little lifts of the throttle like right there.

Let's push the limits here, go right on the edge of what we can do, trying to gain every possible tenth maybe even hundredth of a second.

Oh no, I made contact!

That cost me a little bit of time.

Boost button here we come.

Let's wait til the right second.

And boost it!

(go-kart engine revs) Yeah, that's it!

(go-kart engine revs) Woo!

There it is.

Alright...data doesn't lie.

Let's see how fast I was.

Unfortunately, my best lap was over a second shy of the record.

Still, it's a top-ten time for the week.

And at the world's largest indoor go-kart track, I'll take it.

JOHN: We talk so much your vehicle's tires because they are just so important.

They are, after all, what connects you to the road.

So, Audra Fordin is here to show us how to tread safely in this week's "Your Drive."

♪ ♪ AUDRA FORDIN: Tires are so important because they are your car's first line of defense to the road.

You don't have to be a mechanic, you only have to be observant and take a look at the treadwear patterns to see what's going on with your front end, your steering, and your suspension.

If you have any kinds of shake in the wheel, or when you pick the car up and you can move it from side to side or top to bottom, this is an indication that you have a problem with your tie rod ends.

Or, if you're having any kind of play going from top to bottom, that would be a ball joint or control arm bushings, and you can see all of that wear right here in the tread wear.

You have your shocks and your struts, and they're designed to absorb the impact of the road.

If they're not doing their job, well then you can clearly see it as day, on the tread.

So, let's take a look here.

This tire has what looks like waves running through it-- we call it cupping-- and it happens when the tire is bouncing all around, well then you can see it in the pattern on the tread.

Right here next to it, take a look at this one.

If you see tires that look all chopped up and burnt out, talk to your teenager!

And right now, we're going to look over to this wear pattern in the center.

This would happen if your tire pressure is overinflated, like a balloon.

It's going to wear out in the center of the tire, which is why it's so important to have the correct tire pressure in your tires.

Next to it, you can see here, on the outside there's wear on the shoulder, and that happens from an underinflated tire.

Again, checking your tire pressure can make sure that the tire is inflated correctly.

Or, the worst: If there's any nicks, damages, or if you're driving on an underinflated tire and wear out the sidewall that's potential blowout material.

In that case, it's very dangerous.

Make sure to check the tire pressure, and reach out to us, if you have any questions or comments, right here at MotorWeek .

JOHN: We've got the green light, so let's shift in to another QuickSpin!

♪ ♪ JESSICA RAY: Ford is no stranger to using nostalgia to sell cars-- and we can't blame them.

So, with the Bronco back in the wild, a throwback Heritage Edition only made sense.

And that treatment also made its way to its baby brother-- this 2023 Bronco Sport Heritage Limited.

The most obvious change is visual- all Heritage Sports, Limited or not, kick it old school with white paint adorning the wheels, roof, and grille, contrasted by red "BRONCO" lettering upfront.

The "Yellowstone" paint job is Heritage Limited-exclusive.

Metal bash plates, off-road suspension, and all-terrain tires also give this retro rider a little more of a modern edge.

The Heritage Limited sits at the top of the Bronco Sport lineup.

Cabin seating is wrapped in leather-trimmed vinyl, heated and power adjusting.

Above the physical HVAC controls is an 8.0 inch infotainment screen, and behind the heated steering wheel is a 6.5 inch LCD information screen placed between analog gauges.

Other amenities include a 10-speaker B&O sound system, a wireless charging pad, and a power moonroof.

The Heritage Limited is powered by a 2.0 liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder mated to an 8-speed automatic, good for 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque.

And since, the Limited is based off the Badlands grade, expect a 4x4 system with expanded GOAT modes, including mud and ruts, sand, and rock crawl.

After fees, a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Limited will start near $47,000.

For those interested in the looks more than the Badlands equipment, a regular Heritage can be had in the mid-30's.

And we'll have more QuickSpins...soon!

♪ ♪ GREG CARLOSS: The Mitsubishi Outlander is a recurring name in our Long-Term fleet, having tested a previous-generation plug-in hybrid in 2019, and a next-gen non-PHEV just last year.

With the new-gen PHEV now available, we couldn't wait to give it a go.

This is our 2023 Outlander PHEV, decked out in the SEL Premium trim.

Under the hood is a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine, assisted by front and rear electric traction motors for standard all-wheel-drive.

The combined output is 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, with an EV-only range of about 38 miles; 14 more than the last gen PHEV.

The Outlander PHEV is the most powerful Outlander available, which means it would definitely be our choice.

Although to be honest, it's not just about the extra power.

Being able to hit a button and quietly cruise on battery power alone is another nice perk of this powertrain.

As is the ability to hit the same button and add significant charge back to the battery just by driving on gas-power.

The SEL Premium Package adds semi-aniline leather upholstery with heated front and rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a Bose sound system.

Most importantly, all SELs come with DC Fast Charging.

An unusual feature for a PHEV, it can get the 20 kilowatt hour battery to 80 percent in under 40 minutes.

We're already putting our 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to the test, but we'll check in on our Kia Carnival on the next MotorWeek Long-Term Road Test update.

JOHN: Toyota's Gazoo Racing was key in making the Supra sport coupe's return possible, but they weren't done.

They've now applied their skills to a totally mainstream nameplate, the compact Corolla.

So, let's see how far they could go with Toyota's entry-level commuter.

♪ ♪ Generally, when we talk performance cars here at MotorWeek , a 3-cylinder engine is not among the topics discussed, but that's what this 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is packing; and much like the Corolla itself, you'd better not underestimate it.

The GR in GR Corolla naturally stands for Gazoo Racing, which played a major part in transforming the humble Corolla chassis into this track-worthy weapon, as well as creating the powerplant that brings it all together.

(car engine starts up) Originally developed for the GR Yaris, which did not make it to the U.S., this tiny turbo packs a big punch rated at 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque.

The inline-3 gets a unique triple exhaust that feeds the turbo to force an amazing 25.2 psi of boost.

And it gets even better, with a standard rev-matching iMT 6-speed manual transmission similar to the GR Supra's, and GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive.

Developed with rally racing in mind, it's the first sport-oriented AWD system from Toyota in over 20 years and has the ability to adjust the amount of rear bias from 40 to 70 percent.

The Circuit Edition features a carbon-fiber roof, vented hood, and unique rear spoiler; in addition to all GR Corolla's upgraded body that has extended rockers and significantly flared fenders.

It looks almost cartoonish in a good way, like those drawings of far-out 5-door hot hatches that seemingly couldn't exist in the real world.

All-in-all, it's a rally-ready package that begs to be pushed hard, with managed power delivery for just about any surface.

(tires screech) We stuck to the pavement, or tarmac as they call it on the circuit, specifically the varied and twisty turns of the Jefferson Circuit at Summit Point Motorsports Park.

We found that sending as much power to the rear as possible to be the best setting, giving us both more feel and more control, and creating a perfect balance for easy in, hard out approaches to corners both tight and sweeping.

The chassis itself has gotten some significant reinforcements, from extra adhesive to more thorough welding, and even added bracing.

The result is not overly stiff, which gives it a playful feel, but just when you think you may be approaching its limits, there seems to be a little more there that takes it from being just a fun toy to a serious performance machine.

Brakes were up to the task as well; good initial bite, a nice amount of pedal travel, and confidence-inspiring stability.

Working the manual was a joy in of itself, short throws and solid feel, with clutch action heavier than your average sport compact.

(car engine revs) That certainly aids when it comes to launches at the dragstrip too, though the rather elevated take-up point of the pedal was little high for us.

Still, with 50/50 torque split and Sport dialed up, there was a great amount of grip off the line for sprints to 60 in just 5.0 seconds flat, after a smooth quick release of the clutch.

This 3 has a pleasantly throaty exhaust note, as well as fairly linear power delivery throughout the 13.3 second quarter-mile which we competed at 104 miles per hour.

Inside, you'll find that the Corolla's budget feel mostly remains, but with the addition of some great sport seats with suede inserts and color stitching.

All GR Corollas get an 8.0 inch touchscreen multimedia display and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 21-City, 28-Highway, and 24-Combined; we averaged a great 27.3 miles per gallon of Premium.

That's an average Energy Impact Score of 12.4 barrels of yearly oil use, with 6.1 tons of CO2 emissions.

After hearing all of that, the good news doesn't end there, as pricing starts at just $36,995; $43, 995 for the Circuit Edition.

We'd say you'd better jump now, if you're inclined, as we're not sure how long Toyota will keep pricing that reasonable.

Add another log to the fire, as the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla brings some serious heat to the hot hatch segment and takes the Corolla to a place it has never been before.

It's hard to think of a car we've driven this past year that we've enjoyed more.

This is a huge win for Toyota, and anyone else looking for an affordable, track-worthy compact fun machine.

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 run about in a premium hybrid sedan from Lexus, the ES300h.

Then, we'll review the first major update of Kia's popular Telluride!

We'll filter some knowledge about different types of engine oil and see how used-up cars go on to a second life.

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... To order a DVD of this program, call... MotorWeek has been brought to you by... ANNOUNCER: 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!

MotorWeek is proudly sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper To Bumper, featuring major brand auto and truck parts, and service from coast to coast.

Learn more at AutoValue.com and BumperToBumper.com.

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.

♪ ♪ This program was produced by Maryland Public Television, which is solely responsible for its content.

(car engine revving) ♪ ♪ You're watching PBS.