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

JOIN US AS WE CHECK OUT A GROUP OF SMALL SEDANS WITH BIG APPEAL... PAT GOSS SHARES WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE BEHIND THE WHEEL... WE'LL TACKLE TERRAIN THAT'S FAR FROM THE BEATEN PATH... AND HONDA MAKES A BIG GAMBLE ON A CLEANER FUTURE WITH THE CLARITY FUEL CELL...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... Man: "IT'S GOT 430 FOOT UNITS OF BEAST!"

Announcer: TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE... Man: "OOPS."

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Announcer: 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.

WEATHERTECH DIGITAL FIT FLOOR LINERS OFFER LASER MEASURED CUSTOMED FIT VEHICLE FLOOR PROTECTION, IN THE FRONT, BACK, AND UP SIDES.

WEATHERTECH.

MADE IN AMERICA.

STATE FARM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

John: DESPITE WHAT YOU MAY HAVE HEARD FROM US AND OTHERS, PEOPLE ARE STILL BUYING SEDANS.

IN FACT, COMPACT SEDANS HAVE GOTTEN SO GOOD RECENTLY, THAT WE THINK THEY'RE A BIG PART OF THE REASON WHY FEWER PEOPLE ARE BUYING MID-SIZE 4-DOORS.

SO, WE ASSEMBLED EIGHT OF THE BEST SELLERS IN THE COMPACT SEGMENT TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER, AND WHICH ONE DELIVERS THE MOST FOR THE MONEY.

* COMPACT SEDANS DO INDEED HAVE PLENTY TO OFFER THESE DAYS.

SO, HERE WE ARE ONCE AGAIN WITH OUR FRIENDS AT CARS.COM, SHUFFLING THROUGH THE SEGMENT TO FIND OUT WHICH OF THESE SMALLER 4-DOORS HAS THE BEST HAND WHEN IT COMES TO THE PRACTICALITY GAME.

OUR CARAVAN OF COMPACTS IS CAMPED OUT NEAR AUSTIN, TEXAS; WHERE WE COULD BOTH RELEASE OUR INNER HIPSTERS, AS WELL AS PUT THESE CARS THROUGH SOME HILL COUNTRY HONKY TONK.

LET'S INTRODUCE OUR STABLE OF 4-DOOR STEEDS...

THE CHEVROLET CRUZE, OUR LONE AMERICAN CONTENDER...

THE ALWAYS POPULAR HONDA CIVIC...

THE STYLISH HYUNDAI ELANTRA...

THE FUN BUT FRUGAL KIA FORTE...

THE VERY SPORTY MAZDA3...

THE CAPABLE SUBARU IMPREZA... AND OF COURSE, WE HAVE THE BEST-SELLING CAR OF ALL TIME, THE TOYOTA COROLLA... AND FINALLY FROM GERMANY, BY WAY OF MEXICO, THE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA...

IT TAKES A 4-CYLINDER TO PLAY IN THIS GAME, AND SOME SHOWED UP WITH TURBO'S AND SOME WITHOUT; STRICTLY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AS WELL, SOME WITH ACTUAL GEARS, SOME WITH VIRTUAL ONES.

AND WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE AWD SUBARU IMPREZA, ALL ARE FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE.

$23,000 WAS OUR PRICE CAP, WITH EACH BRAND OUTFITTING THE CAR HOWEVER THEY SAW FIT.

THE PRESENCE OR LACK OF CRASH-AVOIDANCE TECHNOLOGIES WAS ALSO FACTORED IN.

WE WERE ALSO JOINED BY SOME LOCAL TEXANS, WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A FRUGAL 4-DOOR TO ADD TO THEIR CARPORT.

AS TIME HERE IS SHORT, WE'LL JUST RUNDOWN OUR FINAL 4.

FOR FULL SCORING HEAD OVER TO CARS.COM.

IN THAT 4TH SPOT IS THE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA.

YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET A TDI RIGHT NOW, BUT THE 150 HORSEPOWER 1.4 LITER GAS TURBO IS AS THRIFTY AS IT IS LIVELY, AND THE JETTA IS ONE OF THE FEW COMPACTS THAT DELIVERS A BIG CAR FEEL, THOUGH PRICING WAS NEAR OUR CUTOFF, AT $22,815.

Brian Robinson: THE JETTA MAY NOT BE THE MOST EXCITING TO LOOK AT VEHICLE HERE, BUT IF YOU SPEND SOME TIME WITH IT AND YOU REALIZE IT'S QUITE COMFORTABLE, VERY ROOMY, AND ACTUALLY PRETTY FUN TO DRIVE.

Mike Hanley: THE JETTA'S SUSPENSION TUNING STANDS OUT BECAUSE IT MANAGES TO HANDLE BUMPS WELL AND DELIVER A SMOOTH RIDE.

John: COMING IN 3RD IS THE SUBARU IMPREZA.

SURE, THERE'S ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, BUT AS WE FOUND OUT, THE IMPREZA HAS A LOT MORE TO OFFER; GOOD COMFORT, EXCELLENT SPACE, AND A MID-PACK PRICE OF $22,519.

Brian: OBVIOUSLY, THE BIGGEST ADVANTAGE WITH THE IMPREZA IS THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, BUT IT'S ALSO, A VERY ROOMY CAR, REASONABLY COMFORTABLE, AND FUN TO DRIVE AS WELL.

J.D.

MOORE: WE WERE REALLY IMPRESSED THAT YOU KNOW SUBARU COULD ACTUALLY MAKE AN ECONOMY CAR THAT'S IN THE SAME CLASS AS THESE, YET NOT MAKE IT FEEL LIKE AN ECONOMY CAR AT ALL... Mary Moore: YOU KNOW, IT WAS LIKE THE SAME PRICE, BUT IT JUST FELT LIKE A MORE EXPENSIVE CAR ALL AROUND... John: RUNNER UP IS THE KIA FORTE.

EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T A STANDOUT IN DRIVING DYNAMICS, IT SCORED GREAT OVERALL; BECAUSE IT DELIVERS LOTS FOR THE MONEY, INCLUDING SPORTY STYLE, A 147 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER, EASY TO USE TECH., AND EVEN A LANE KEEP ASSIST SYSTEM.

ALL FOR THE 2ND LOWEST PRICE, AT $21,540.

Kelsey Mays: THE KIA FORTE IS LIKE A BETTER VERSION OF THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA...

...DECENT LOOKING CAR OVERALL, ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD PACKAGING IN TERMS OF JUST ROOMINESS INSIDE, SOME PRETTY ADVANCED ACTIVE SAFETY FEATURES ON OUR CAR; AGAIN, NOT TERRIBLY MEMORABLE TO DRIVE, BUT A LOT OF OTHER GOOD QUALITIES.

Brian: I WAS NOT QUITE AS IMPRESSED WITH THE FORTE AS I WAS EXPECTING TO BE; IT'S ROOMY ENOUGH, COMFORTABLE, BUT THIS FORTE S' SPORT SUSPENSION HAS A NOTICEABLY FIRMER RIDE, YET IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HANDLE THAT MUCH BETTER THAN ALL THE OTHER CARS HERE.

John: IT SHOULDN'T COME AS REAL SURPRISE THAT THE HONDA CIVIC WAS OUR RUNAWAY WINNER.

IT WAS A 2017 MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD WINNER TOO, AND CONTINUES TO BE A LEADER IN THE SEGMENT FOR MOSTLY DOING WHAT IT HAS ALWAYS DONE; GIVING PEOPLE TROUBLE-FREE TRANSPORTATION PACKED FULL OF WELL THOUGHT OUT FEATURES.

THANKFULLY, YOU DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR, AS EVEN THOUGH THE CIVIC COMES IN WITH THE HIGHEST PRICE TAG HERE, AT $22,975, YOU GET THE MOST HORSEPOWER AND BEST COMBINED FUEL ECONOMY OF OUR TOP-4.

Brian: THE CIVIC OFFERS ALL OF THE COMFORT, RELIABILITY AND FEATURES THAT IT ALWAYS HAS, ONLY NOW IT'S DOING IT WITH A LOT MORE STYLE.

Fred Meier: AMONG THESE COMPACT CARS, THE CIVIC IS ONE THAT DOES PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING WELL; IT'S FUN TO DRIVE HANDLES WELL, IT'S QUIET, THE RIDE IS NICE, THE INTERIOR IS COMFORTABLE, AND QUIET, AND THERE'S IMPRESSIVE ATTENTION TO DETAIL... John: WHETHER, IT'S A FIRST CAR FOR A COLLEGE STUDENT OR STARTING FAMILY, OR JUST YOUR DAILY COMMUTER, ALL EIGHT OF THESE LITTLE 4-DOORS CAN GET THE JOB DONE EFFICIENTLY AND COMFORTABLY.

IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT HERE IN THIS CONTEST THE HONDA CIVIC, AS IT HAS DONE FOR MANY YEARS, DID IT BEST.

* THOUGH OUR TWO WHEELIN' CORRESPONDENT BRIAN ROBINSON LIKES TO SPEND AS MUCH TIME ON TWO WHEELS AS POSSIBLE, HE'S ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A NEW ADVENTURE NO MATTER HOW MANY WHEELS ARE INVOLVED.

SO LET'S FIND OUT WHAT OUR ROVING REPORTER IS UP TO THIS WEEK.

* Brian: WHETHER YOU CALL THEM SIDEXSIDES, UTVS, OR ROVS; THEY'RE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING SEGMENTS IN THE POWERSPORTS INDUSTRY.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT A FEW AND FIND OUT WHY.

THE NUMBER OF THESE PURPOSE-BUILT, 4X4s THAT HAVE ENTERED THE MARKET OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IS TRULY ASTOUNDING.

AND HERE AT MOTORWEEK , WITH A FEW MINOR EXCEPTIONS, WE'VE BEEN MOSTLY MISSING OUT ON THE FUN.

TO MAKE UP FOR THAT, WE RECENTLY HAD A CHANCE TO TRYOUT FOUR OF THESE TRAIL-READY 4-WHEEL RIGS OUT IN THE CALIFORNIA DESERT.

KAWASAKI HAS BEEN IN THE RECREATIONAL OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE GAME FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW, PROGRESSING FROM THE WORKHORSE MULE, TO THE TERRAIN-TACKLING TERYX.

THIS TERYX4, OFFERS SEATING FOR FOUR, A GOOD-SIZE BED FOR HAULING CARGO, AND A 783CC V-TWIN ENGINE.

WITHOUT A DOUBT, POLARIS MAKES SOME OF THE HIGHEST PERFORMING ROVS AVAILABLE TODAY, THIS RZR 4900 IS BY NO MEANS THE TOP OF ITS LINE, BUT IT HAS OFF-ROADING PROWESS UNHEARD OF A DECADE OR TWO AGO FOR ANYTHING AT THIS PRICE POINT.

IT COMES WITH AN 875CC ENGINE, BIG 27-INCH TIRES, AND OVER 12-INCHES OF SUSPENSION TRAVEL.

EVEN HONDA HAS JOINED THE MINI 4X4 PARADE WITH THIS PIONEER 700-4 AMONG OTHERS.

IT WAS THE SMALLEST OF THE RIGS WE SAMPLED, BUT IT STILL FEATURES A 675CC ENGINE, AND ITS COMPACT CHASSIS GETS IN AND OUT OF THINGS LIKE A RABBIT NAVIGATING THROUGH A BRIAR PATCH.

ON THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM IS THIS YAMAHA VIKING VI, WITH 6-SEATS FOR HAULING AROUND YOUR FRIENDS, PROVIDED YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THAT MANY PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU?

BEING SOMEWHAT UNIQUE AMONG THE FIELD, WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TRAIL TIME BEHIND ITS WHEEL.

NAVIGATING ITS CAR-LIKE 115.6 INCH WHEELBASE THROUGH NARROW TRAILS IS NOT AS DIFFICULT AS YOU WOULD THINK.

AND ITS 686CC-ENGINE HAS ALL THE POWER NECESSARY.

THIS RANCH EDITION MODEL, FEATURES UNIQUE PAINT, UPGRADED SADDLE-BROWN INTERIOR, AND A FRONT BRUSH GUARD.

EVEN WITH ROOM FOR SIX, THERE'S STILL A FAIRLY SIZABLE BED FOR CARGO AS WELL AS A STANDARD RUBBER MAT FOR PROTECTING IT.

ALL FOUR OF THESE RIGS PROVED TO BE A HEAP OF FUN OUT ON THE TRAIL.

* THOUGH, THEY MAY OPERATE MUCH LIKE THE CAR YOU DRIVE EVERY DAY, WITH SIMILAR LOOKING CONTROLS, THEY RESPOND QUITE DIFFERENTLY TO INPUTS.

SO IF YOU DO WISH TO JOIN THE ROV REVOLUTION, IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO GET SOME TRAINING FIRST.

THE RECREATIONAL OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE ASSOCIATION CAN HELP WITH THAT, WITH BOTH ONLINE AND ON-TRAIL INSTRUCTION.

WITH SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF ROV OFFERINGS AVAILABLE, PRICES VARY SIGNIFICANTLY, WITH THE SUBJECTS WE HAVE HERE RANGING FROM JUST UNDER $12,000 TO JUST UNDER 19.

SO WITHOUT A DOUBT, OWNING ONE OF THESE RIGS IS A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT.

BUT WITH THE AMOUNT OF FUN YOU CAN HAVE BEHIND THE WHEEL OF ONE, THE CAPABILITIES THEY HAVE, AND THE AMAZING PLACES YOU CAN TAKE THEM; IT'S ONE INVESTMENT THAT WILL START PAYING DIVIDENDS, IMMEDIATELY.

John: IF YOU LOVE A CARE FREE DRIVE, THEN YOU'VE GOT TO ALSO, TO BE A STICKLER FOR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE.

SO WE'LL LET PAT CLEAR THE AIR ON THIS ONE, DOWN IN GOSS' GARAGE.

Pat Goss: EVERY TIME WE DRIVE OUR CARS WE SIT BEHIND SOMETHING LIKE WE SEE HERE, AN INSTRUMENT PANEL.

WELL, BEHIND THAT INSTRUMENT PANEL IS A LOT OF STUFF.

THE MOST NOTABLE THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, THE HVAC.

NOW, INSIDE THIS HVAC SYSTEM THERE ARE A LOT OF PARTS.

THERE ARE DOORS THAT DETERMINE WHERE THE AIR GOES.

AND THERE'S A BLOWER MOTOR AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS, BUT WHAT WE'RE CONCERNED WITH TODAY ARE TWO LITTLE RADIATORS SUCH AS WE SEE HERE.

NOW, ONE OF THEM IS A HEATER CORE.

HOT COOLANT FLOWS THROUGH IT AND THEN WE BLOW AIR THROUGH THAT AND WE GET HOT AIR INSIDE THE CAR.

THE OTHER IS THE EVAPORATOR.

THE EVAPORATOR IS PART OF THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, AND WE PUT REFRIGERANT THROUGH IT AND IT GETS COLD.

NOW, WE CAN SEE WITH THE LIGHT THAT WE HAVE THESE REALLY FINE PASSAGES IN THE HEATER CORE AND THE EVAPORATOR.

NOW, OVER TIME DIRT FROM THE AIR, FUMES FROM EXHAUST FROM OTHER CARS, AND OILS FROM THE ROAD, AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

AS THE AIR PASSES THROUGH IT CARRIES THESE VERY FINE PARTICLES AND OVER TIME THESE TINY LITTLE OPENINGS IN HERE GET CLOGGED UP.

WHEN THAT HAPPENS, WELL YOU HAVE A BLOCKAGE OF THE AIR MOVING THROUGH IT, AND ANOTHER THING THAT LEADS TO BLOCKAGE OF THESE PARTS IS MOLD AND MILDEW, AND THAT COMES FROM THE MOISTURE THAT DRIPS OUT OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS WORKING.

SO IF YOU HAVE AN AIR CONDITIONING THAT SMELLS LIKE LAST MONTH'S DIRTY SWEAT SOCKS, WELL OKAY, YOU PROBABLY NEED THIS NEXT SERVICE.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO CLEAN THIS.

WE START OUT USING AN ELECTRIC DRILL.

USE A-QUARTER INCH BIT WITH A LIMITER, IT'S NOTHING MORE THAN A PIECE OF TAPE ON IT.

WE DRILL AT THE SPOT THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS TELL US TO DRILL, AND WE DON'T DRILL IN ANY MORE THAN A QUARTER OF AN INCH BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO DAMAGE ANYTHING INSIDE.

THEN WHAT WE DO, IS WE INSTALL ONE OF THESE BRASS ADAPTORS.

ONCE WE HAVE THE BRASS ADAPTOR SCREWED INTO THE PLASTIC, WE THEN CONNECT ONE OF THESE HOSES LIKE THIS.

NOW, THIS HOSE GETS CONNECTED TO A CAN OF FRIGI-CLEAN.

NOW, THIS PRODUCT IS DESIGNED SO THAT WHEN WE PUT THIS IN HERE AND WE DISPENSE IT INTO THE SYSTEM WHAT HAPPENS IS THIS TURNS INTO A FOAM AND IT EXPANDS, FILLS THE WHOLE INSIDE OF THIS HOUSING AND THE DUCT WORK, AND EVERYTHING WITH THIS FOAM, AND IT'S A VERY STRONG CLEANER.

NOW, WHAT THE DOES IS IT CLEANS ALL OF THE GUNCK OUT OF THE EVAPORATOR, AND DOES AWAY WITH THE STINK, AND ALL OF THAT STUFF AND MAKES THE SYSTEM WORK A LOT BETTER.

NOW, ONCE WE'RE DONE WITH IT, WE TAKE THE HOSE OFF, GIVE IT TO THE CUSTOMER, PUT A CAP ON THE SYSTEM AND WE'RE GOOD TO GO.

MANY TIMES IT HAS TO BE DONE ONCE A YEAR, AND IN BETWEEN, WELL WE USE FRIGI-FRESH TO KEEP THE SYSTEM SMELLING BETTER.

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

John: WE'VE PUT ANOTHER 2800 MILES ON OUR 2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA MINIVAN.

THAT'S OVER 8,000 TOTAL IN JUST THREE MONTHS, WITH CONSISTENTLY HIGH MARKS FOR COMFORT, ROOMINESS, AND VERSATILITY.

THREE CREW MEMBERS, THEIR LUGGAGE, CAMERA AND LIGHTING EQUIPMENT PACKED INTO THE PACIFICA FOR A THOUSAND MILE ROAD TRIP, NO PROBLEM.

THIS TIME AROUND MILEAGE FROM THE 287 HORSEPOWER 3.6 LITER V6 WAS 20.7 MILES PER GALLON, ALTHOUGH OUR OVERALL AVERAGE IS A SOLID 22.1.

WITH 3400 MILES ON ITS CLOCK, THIS IS OUR FIRST REPORT ON THIS 2017 MAZDA CX-9, OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE LARGE UTILITY OF THE YEAR.

OUR ALL-WHEEL DRIVER HAS A 227 HORSEPOWER TURBO-4, WHICH MAY NOT SEEM LIKE MUCH FOR A 4300 POUND VEHICLE, BUT NONE OF OUR TEAM FEELS IT'S LACKING UNDER THE HOOD.

PLUS, WE'RE GETTING AN EXCELLENT 25.4 MILES PER GALLON.

THE CX-9 ALSO SCORES POINTS FOR HANDLING...

IT'S VERY NIMBLE FOR A 3-ROW 7-PASSENGER CROSSOVER.

BUT, IT'S IN LONG DISTANCE COMFORT WHERE IT REALLY EXCELS.

AND THIS WEEK WE START A YEAR IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF THIS 2017 BMW X1.

THE ENTRY LEVEL SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLE COMES PLENTY SPIRITED WITH A 228 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER TWINPOWER TURBO-4.

NO DOUBT THAT WILL BE PUT TO GOOD USE DURING THE UPCOMING SUMMER GETAWAY SEASON.

AND WE'LL CHECK IN WITH THE HONDA CR-V AND VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT ON OUR NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

IN AMERICA'S MANUFACTURING LANDSCAPE, IT'S HARD TO THINK OF A PRODUCT THAT IS MORE AMERICAN THAN THE AIRSTREAM CAMPING TRAILER.

WHETHER YOU'RE AN RVER OR NOT, YOU'LL ENJOY READING PATRICK FOSTER'S BOOK "AIRSTREAM: AMERICA'S WORLD TRAVELER" ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THIS ICONIC BRAND.

FOSTER IS CLEARLY AN AIRSTREAM FAN, AND WHILE THAT MAY COME THROUGH A LITTLE TOO MUCH OVER THESE PAGES; WHEN READING THEM, YOU'LL CERTAINLY GET THE FULL HISTORY OF HOW AIRSTREAM CAME TO BE, HOW IT SURVIVED MULTIPLE ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS, AND HOW IT CONTINUES TO THRIVE TODAY AS THE OLDEST MANUFACTURER OF TRAVEL TRAILERS IN THE U.S. LET'S FACE IT, WHO HASN'T SEEN ONE OF THESE SILVER TRAILERS BEING TOWED DOWN THE ROAD BY A VEHICLE FULL OF SMILING PEOPLE HEADING OFF FOR UNTOLD ADVENTURES, AND THOUGHT MAYBE ONE DAY THAT COULD BE YOU.

WELL EVEN IF YOU NEVER MAKE THAT HAPPEN, THERE'S PLENTY TO ENJOY IN THIS PICTURE-PACKED MUST READ.

THEY SAY YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH MONEY.

WE SAY, WE CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY CARS TO DRIVE.

SO LET'S GO FOR A QUICKSPIN.

THE LONG EXPECTED, 3-ROW 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS UTILITY IS THE BIGGEST VOLKSWAGEN EVER BUILT IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE IDEA STARTED WITH THE CROSSBLUE CONCEPT FIRST DISPLAYED IN 2013...

BUT THIS IS LARGER, NEAR FULL-SIZE, DESIGNED FOR GROWING AMERICAN FAMILIES.

AT 16-AND-A-HALF FEET LONG, ITS 13-INCHES LONGER THAN THE NEW LONG WHEELBASE TIGUAN.

THE ATLAS DRAWS ITS STRENGTH FROM TWO POWERTRAINS, A 235 HORSEPOWER TURBO-4, OR A 276 HORSEPOWER VR6, EACH WITH AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE IS STANDARD... 4MOTION ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS AN OPTION WITH THE 6-CYLINDER.

WHEN THOSE WHEELS WERE ROLLING, THERE WERE 8.0 INCHES BETWEEN US AND THE ROAD NEAR SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS... Garick Zikan: VOLKSWAGEN SPENT TWO YEARS CRAFTING THE ATLAS.

UNDERNEATH IS THE MQB ARCHITECTURE.

THEY THINK MOST OF THEIR CUSTOMERS WILL CHOOSE THE 6-CYLINDER ENGINE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DRIVING.

CLEARLY THIS IS DESIGNED FOR A FAMILY...

BUT IT'S STILL PRETTY RESPONSIVE, ESPECIALLY IN SPORT MODE.

John: ATLAS PEERS DOWN THE ROAD WITH LED FRONT LIGHTING.

FROM THERE, MUSCULAR CHARACTER LINES WORK THEIR WAY TO THE REAR, WHERE A POWER TAILGATE IS AVAILABLE.

THE FUNCTIONAL DESIGN THEME CONTINUES INSIDE WITH GENEROUS ROOM FOR SEVEN, AND A LONG, BROAD, AND FLAT LOAD FLOOR FOR GEAR.

THE LIST OF DRIVER ASSISTANCE FEATURES GROWS WITH TRIM LINES, INCLUDING AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING.

THE 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS GOES ON SALE IN MAY, STARING JUST UNDER $31,000.

AND, WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPIN'S, SOON!

WITH BATTERY POWERED EVs NOW WELL ON THEIR WAY TO BEING MAINSTREAM, YOU MIGHT WONDER IF HYDROGEN FUEL CELL POWERED ELECTRICS ARE STILL BEING PURSUED.

WELL, YES THEY ARE WITH TOYOTA, HYUNDAI, AND NOW HONDA FIELDING NEW SHOWROOM MODELS.

IN HONDA'S CASE, IT'S THE 2017 HONDA CLARITY FUEL CELL SEDAN, AND IT'S SURE TO MAKE OUR LOOK DOWN THE ROAD AHEAD A LOT CLEARER.

* BACK IN 2008, WE DROVE HONDA'S VISION FOR THE HYDROGEN FUEL-CELL POWERED AUTOMOTIVE FUTURE, THE FCX CLARITY.

AND WHILE, EVERYONE KNEW IT WAS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS, IT IMPRESSED US WITH ITS EASY MANNERS AND EFFORTLESS APPEAL.

THE 2017 HONDA CLARITY FUEL CELL IS CLEARLY AN EVOLUTION OF THE FCX; WITH THE BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT BEING THE SHRINKING OF THE FUEL CELL STACK ITSELF, NOW SMALL ENOUGH TO BE PLACED IN THE ENGINE BAY, ALONG WITH THE ELECTRIC DRIVE MOTOR.

THAT LEAVES JUST TWO HYDROGEN TANKS TO FIND SPACE FOR.

A SMALL ONE IS LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SEATS, WHILE A LARGER ONE SITS JUST BEHIND THEM.

OUTPUT IS 174 HORSEPOWER AND 221 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

BUT BEST BE FRUGAL WITH IT, AS UNLESS YOU LIVE NEAR ONE OF THE FEW HYDROGEN REFUELING STATIONS IN CALIFORNIA, YOU DON'T WANT TO EXHAUST THE STILL IMPRESSIVE 366 MILE RANGE TOO QUICKLY.

FOR THE RECORD, THAT'S MORE RANGE THAN ANY BATTERY POWERED EV YOU CAN BUY TODAY.

INDEED, HONDA CLAIMS IT'S THE LONGEST DRIVING RANGE OF ANY ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE.

PLUS, FUELING DOESN'T TAKE HOURS, BUT APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES.

THE CLARITY COMES WITH GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY MPGE RATINGS OF 69-CITY, 67-HIGHWAY, AND 68-COMBINED.

DURING OUR EARLY DRIVE TIME AROUND SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA; THE CLARITY FUEL CELL DROVE MOSTLY LIKE A PURE-EV, BUT WITH POWER DELIVERY THAT FEELS MORE LINEAR, MORE LIKE A TRADITIONAL COMBUSTION POWERTRAIN.

LIKEWISE, THE REGEN BRAKING IS NOT AS AGGRESSIVE AS A BATTERY ELECTRIC, EVEN WHEN DIALED UP IN SPORT MODE.

YES, THERE IS A SPORT MODE.

AND YOU CAN DEFINITELY DETECT CLARITY'S 4,134 POUNDS THROUGH CORNERS, BUT IT NEVER FEELS SLOPPY.

RATHER, HONDA SMOOTH AND MOSTLY QUIET, SAVE FOR A FEW AWKWARD WHIRRING AND AIR-FLOW NOISES YOU HAVEN'T HEARD BEFORE.

HONDA CLAIMS TO HAVE QUIETED DOWN THE DRIVE MOTOR SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE FCX CLARITY.

THE CABIN IS QUITE NICE LOOKING; NOT TOO FUTURISTIC OR EVEN THAT MUCH DIFFERENT FROM SAY, A CIVIC.

BUT THINGS DO FEEL A LITTLE TIGHTER INSIDE, MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THE WIDE AND PROTRUDING CENTER CONSOLE.

NOT SO IN THE REAR SEATS WHERE, WITH NO BIG BATTERY TO HIDE, THERE'S PLENTY OF BOTH LEG, AND HEAD ROOM, AND TRUE 3-ACROSS SEATING.

EVEN WITH A HYDROGEN TANK EATING UP SOME TRUNK SPACE, THERE'S STILL A GOOD 11.8 CUBIC-FEET OF IT.

SAFETY SYSTEMS ARE ALSO TYPICAL HONDA; INCLUDING LANE KEEPING ASSIST, AND COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING.

THERE'S EVEN A HEAD-UP DISPLAY AND HONDA'S LANEWATCH SIDE VIEW CAMERA.

ALSO, HELPING THE DRIVER KEEP TRACK IS AN INNOVATIVE DIGITAL GRAPHIC METER; WHILE APPLE CAR PLAY AND ANDROID AUTO ARE A PART OF THE NEW 8.0 INCH HD TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY AUDIO SYSTEM.

THE EXTERIOR MAY NOT APPEAR AS FAR INTO THE FUTURE AS IT ONCE DID, BUT IT'S CLEARLY NOT YOUR EVERYDAY SEDAN EITHER.

ALONG WITH THE USUAL LED HEADLIGHTS AND DAYTIME RUNNERS, THE CLARITY HAS A HOST OF AIR CHEATING ELEMENTS SUCH AS REAR AIR CURTAINS, KEEPING WIND OFF THE WHEELS, AND THE WORLD'S FIRST "AIR CURTAIN DUCTS" ON THE REAR DOORS.

BODY PANELS ARE MOSTLY ALUMINUM.

WHEELS ARE 18-INCH ALLOYS, WEARING MICHELIN ENERGY SAVER TIRES.

AS FOR SIZE, ITS 108.3 INCH WHEELBASE IS EXACTLY 2.0 INCHES LONGER THAN A CIVIC SEDAN.

AND JUST IN CASE YOU DON'T LIVE NEAR A HYDROGEN PUMP, HONDA HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A PLUG-IN HYBRID, AS WELL AS THEIR FIRST PURE-EV WILL SOON JOIN THE CLARITY LINEUP.

IF YOU COULD BUY THE CLARITY FUEL CELL, PRICING WOULD BE $59,365; BUT FOR NOW, HONDA IS STILL GOING WITH A LEASING ONLY PLAN AT $369 A MONTH.

ACT NOW, AND HONDA WILL EVEN THROW IN UP TO $15,000 OF FREE FUEL DURING YOUR 3-YEAR LEASE.

WE KNOW THE CURRENT MARKET FOR THE 2017 HONDA CLARITY FUEL CELL IS TINY, AND ONLY IN CALIFORNIA.

BUT IN A LARGER SENSE, WE'RE NOT CONVINCED THAT THIS WAVE OF THE FUTURE WILL EVER CRASH UPON OUR SHORES, AS WE ARE MUCH FURTHER ALONG A PURE-EV PATH.

BUT HONDA IS NOT CONCERNED WITH SUCH TRIVIALITIES, THEY'VE GOT INNOVATING TO DO, AND IF WE EVER DO GET THAT "HYDROGEN HIGHWAY," HONDA, AND THE CLARITY FUEL CELL, WILL BE AT THE HEAD OF THE LANE.

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 SEE HOW MERCEDES BENZ IS BLENDING ELEGANCE WITH EFFICIENCY, WHILE FORD UPS THE HIGH TECH IN THE REVAMPED ESCAPE.

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 PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY... Man: "IT'S GOT 430 FOOT UNITS OF BEAST.

Announcer: TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE.

Man: OOPS!

Announcer: TIRERACK.COM.

WEATHERTECH DIGITAL FIT FLOOR LINERS AND CARGO LINERS OFFER LASER MEASURED DIGITAL FIT PROTECTION FOR YOUR VEHICLE'S FLOORS.

WEATHERTECH.

MADE IN AMERICA.

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.

STATE FARM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

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

*