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

JOIN US AS WE PICK THE TOPS IN CARS, TRUCKS, AND UTILITIES WITH OUR 2016 DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS... PAT GOSS LENDS US A HELPING HAND DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE... AND ZACH MASKELL GOES OVER THE EDGE WITH COLLECTIBLE CAR INSURER HAGERTY, AND THEIR UNIQUE MIX OF BUSINESS AND PASSION...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

ANNOUNCER: THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... PHYLLIS IS HEADED TO A SCIENCE CONFERENCE, SO SHE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES RIGHT NOW.

IF SHE WERE, ALL SHE'D NEED TO KNOW IS TIRERACK.COM.

BUT PHYLLIS IS THINKING...

"UHHH...I'M NOT REALLY SURE, BUT IT'S PROBABLY IMPORTANT."

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT 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.

John: IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR FOLKS, WHEN WE LOOK BACK AT ALL THE CARS, TRUCKS, AND UTILITIES THAT WE'VE DRIVEN OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS.

WE'VE SIFTED THROUGH THEM ALL, COMPARED THEIR MERITS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY DECLARED OUR WINNERS IN OUR ANNUAL DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS.

SO, LET'S START WITH THE CARS THAT EARNED THE TROPHIES, AND OUR RESPECT FOR 2016!

WITH CROSSOVERS CONTINUING TO EAT AWAY AT CAR SALES, THERE WAS LITTLE NEW IN THE SMALL CAR RANKS THIS YEAR, WITH ONE BIG EXCEPTION, THE DRAMATICALLY REBORN HONDA CIVIC, OUR VERY WORTHY PICK FOR BEST SMALL CAR.

NOT ONLY DID IT GET BACK TO DELIVERING TRADITIONAL CIVIC MINDED VALUES WITH SPORTY FLAIR, WASHING AWAY MEMORIES OF THE CRITICALLY DERIDED PREVIOUS GENERATION.

BUT NOW ADDING A 5-DOOR HATCH, AND EVEN A LITTLE TURBOCHARGED PERFORMANCE.

THE CHEVROLET MALIBU EARNED OUR BEST FAMILY SEDAN AWARD, BUT COULD HAVE ALSO WALKED AWAY WITH A TROPHY FOR MOST IMPROVED.

IT CLEARLY SHOWS THAT GM HAS STEPPED THINGS UP BIG TIME IN COMFORT, ERGONOMICS, AND DRIVING DYNAMICS.

ON TOP OF THAT, A HYBRID RETURNS TO THE LINEUP, A FULL HYBRID THIS TIME; ROUNDING OUT A MUCH MORE MODERN AND YOUTHFUL APPROACH TO CHEVROLET'S LONG IGNORED MIDSIZE SEDAN.

THERE WERE OTHER VEHICLES THAT COULD HAVE EARNED THIS YEAR'S BEST CONVERTIBLE AWARD, BUT WE COULDN'T IMAGINE GIVING IT TO ANYONE BUT MAZDA FOR THE MX-5.

IT'S NOT REALLY BACK TO BASICS, AS FEW PEOPLE TRULY WANT THAT ANYMORE, BUT IT IS BACK TO THE ESSENCE OF WHAT SPORTY 2-SEAT DROP-TOPS SHOULD BE ALL ABOUT.

IT'S ONE HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL, HIGHLY FUN, FULLY-MODERN SPORTS CAR; OFFERING EXTREME BANG FOR THE BUCK IN A JUST ENOUGH OF EVERYTHING PACKAGE.

WITH EVER INCREASING AMOUNTS OF EXTRAVAGANCE SEEPING INTO EVERY CAR THESE DAYS, IT'S GETTING HARDER, AND HARDER TO FIND PURE EXAMPLES OF LUXURY.

BUT ONE RIDE IN THE JAGUAR XF WILL REMIND YOU.

AS IT DID WITH US, EARNING OUR BEST LUXURY SEDAN AWARD.

JAGUAR HAS MADE INCREDIBLE STRIDES SINCE TATA TOOK OVER, PUMPING SERIOUS CASH INTO R&D.

THE LUXURIOUS RESULTS COMBINED WITH A RENEWED PRIORITIZATION OF GERMAN-LEVEL DRIVING DYNAMICS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

WE KNOW WE ARE PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES, NAMING THE NISSAN MAXIMA AS BEST SPORT SEDAN: CONSIDERING IT'S HAMPERED BY A CVT AND FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE.

BUT THE MAXIMA'S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THOSE DEFICITS WITH GENUINE SPORT SEDAN PROWESS, IS HOW IT EARNED OUR NOD.

MORE CAPABILITY THAN MOST WILL EVER NEED, MORE COMFORT AND LUXURY THAN MOST WOULD EXPECT, ALL WRAPPED IN SHEET-METAL YOU CAN'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF; AT A PRICE THAT THE MAJORITY CAN AFFORD.

A MODERN, YES, 4-DOOR SPORTS CAR FOR A MODERN WORLD.

IT SHOULDN'T BE A SURPRISE THAT THE CHEVROLET CAMARO EARNED OUR BEST SPORT COUPE AWARD.

AS THE NOW ATS-BASED PONY CAR SAW NOTEWORTHY IMPROVEMENTS IN EVERYTHING THAT MATTERS; MORE POWER, LESS WEIGHT, BETTER FUEL ECONOMY, AND OF COURSE THE ALL-IMPORTANT STYLE FACTOR.

COMBINE THAT WITH AN INTERIOR WE NOW LIKE SPENDING TIME IN, AND IT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO KEEP THE CAMARO/MUSTANG WAR RAGING ON.

AS FOR THEIR CROSS TOWN RIVAL, OUR SOFT SPOT FOR AMERICAN MUSCLE CONTINUES WITH BEST PERFORMANCE CAR AWARD GOING TO THE FORD SHELBY GT350R MUSTANG.

FORGET ABOUT BANG FOR THE BUCK, THIS STREET-LEGAL TRACK WEAPON DELIVERS MORE OF A NUCLEAR EXPLOSION FOR PENNIES, AND COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE A MORE FITTING TRIBUTE TO THE SHELBY NAME.

YOU COULD SPEND THREE TIMES THIS MUCH FOR A PERFORMANCE CAR, BUT WHY WOULD YOU?

BUY ONE NOW, AND THANK US LATER.

OUR BEST ECO-FRIENDLY, THE CHEVROLET VOLT, MAY HAVE STUMBLED A LITTLE OUT OF THE GATE WHEN IT ARRIVED FOR 2011, BUT THIS 2ND GENERATION VOLT GETS JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING RIGHT.

IT'S STILL ALL ABOUT EXPANDING THE EV PROFILE WITH A GAS ENGINE SAFETY NET TO ELIMINATE RANGE ANXIETY.

BUT THIS TIME AROUND IT ALSO BRINGS A LOT MORE STYLE AND A LITTLE MORE EMOTION TO THE PACKAGE, AS WELL AS A BIT MORE PRACTICALITY AND INCREASED EV RANGE.

OUR BEST DREAM MACHINES ARE FOR WHEN YOUR HEART SAYS YES, BUT YOUR PAYCHECK SAYS NO.

HERE ARE THREE WE'D PUT OUR MAKE BELIEVE DOLLARS DOWN ON RIGHT NOW.

STARTING WITH ITALIAN PERFORMANCE AT ITS BEST, THE LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR LP 750-4 SUPERVELOCE.

MORE POWER, LESS MASS, AND IT'S A LAMBORGHINI; ENOUGH SAID.

NEXT UP IS THE MERCEDES-AMG GTS, THE 2ND PURPOSE-BUILT MODEL FROM THE IN-HOUSE MOTOR-MADMEN AT AMG.

THIS TIDIER 2-DOOR ARRIVED WITH THE 911 IN ITS SIGHTS RATHER THAN EXOTIC SUPERCARS, AND HITS THE MARK DEAD ON.

AND SINCE SUVs ARE WHERE IT'S AT THESE DAYS, WE CAN'T OVERLOOK THE LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR, THE FIRST VEHICLE TO EMERGE FROM JAGUAR/LAND ROVER'S SPECIAL VEHICLE OPERATIONS DIVISION.

WE WEREN'T SURE CRAMMING THIS MUCH LUXURIOUS MUSCLE INTO ONE SUV WAS POSSIBLE, BUT IT TURNS OUT, IT IS.

AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT'S NEXT!

BUT YOU WON'T HAVE TO WAIT TOO LONG TO SEE WHAT'S NEXT IN OUR 2016 DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS, OUR PICKS FOR BEST TRUCKS AND UTILITIES ARE COMING UP.

LOTS OF COMPANIES OFFER INSURANCE FOR COLLECTOR AND CLASSIC CARS.

BUT ONLY ONE SEEMS TO UNDERSTAND THAT, TO THEIR OWNERS, THEY ARE MUCH MORE THAN JUST STEEL, GLASS, AND RUBBER.

OUR OVER THE EDGE GUY, ZACH MASKELL, SPENT A DAY LEARNING ABOUT THIS FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS AND ITS PASSION FOR THE PURE JOY OF MOTORING.

Zach Maskell: HAGERTY INSURANCE HAS MORE COLLECTOR CARS ENTHUSISTS UNDER THEIR WING THAN ANY AGENCY IN THE WORLD.

AND NO OTHER INSURANCE COMPANY HAS AS MUCH PASSION FOR THE OBJECTS THEY PROTECT.

SO, WHAT COULD BE COOLER THAN HEADING OFF TO TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN TO CRUISE WITH MCKEEL HAGERTY, AND SOME OF HIS OWN CLASSIC WHEELS.

GROWING UP IT WAS MAINLY '90s IMPORTS THAT GOT ME REALLY EXCITED ABOUT CARS.

BUT AFTER HANGING OUT WITH MCKEEL FOR A DAY, AND RIVING SOME OF THESE FABULOUSLY INSPIRATIONAL CARS, THEY SHOULD PROBABLY GET YOU REVVED UP AS WELL.

BACK IN THE EARLY '80s, MCKEEL'S PARENTS SOLD A GENERAL INSURANCE AGENCY, AND SAILED INTO THE WOODEN BOAT BUSINESS.

WELL, MOVING INTO THE '90s, THOSE BOAT OWNERS ALSO HAD CARS.

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY, AND HAGERTY INSURES CARS, BOATS, AND MOTORCYCLES.

Mckeel Hagerty: WE CAN'T JUDGE SOMEBODY ELSE'S CARS.

FOR WHATEVER REASON THAT THEY BOUGHT IT, OR OWN IT, RESTORED IT OR BUILT IT FROM SCRATCH, OUT OF A BUNCH OF PARTS, THEY BUILT IT THEIR WAY AND THEY BOUGHT IT FOR THEIR REASONS.

AND OUR JOB ISN'T TO JUDGE IT.

OUR ONLY JOB IS TO FIGURE OUT, DO THEY TRULY LIKE THE THING?

Zach: THIS HAD US THINKING, IT'S GOT TO BE EXPENSIVE TO INSURE A COLLECTIBLE CAR, RIGHT?

Mckeel: EVEN THOUGH THE CARS ARE MORE, AND MORE, AND MORE VALUABLE, THE PREMIUMS ARE A FRACTION OF THE PRICE TYPICALLY OF A NORMAL CAR.

BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET USED QUITE AS MUCH AND PEOPLE TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE OF THEM.

Zach: WHAT CAR MIGHT QUALIFY FOR SUCH COVERAGE?

LUCKILY FOR US, HAGERTY'S GARAGE HAS SOME BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLES.

Mckeel: SO, THE COLLECTION WE HAVE IS REALLY A COLLECTION OF STORIES, AS MUCH AS IT IS A COLLECTION OF CARS.

AND SO MANY OF THEM TELL DIFFERENT STORIES OF EITHER MY LIFE OR SOME SORT OF POINT IN THE BUSINESS.

FROM YOU KNOW, KIND OF COOL CARS FOR GOING ON RALLIES, TO CARS UM, THAT WERE RESTORED BY EMPLOYEES.

YOU KNOW THE CORVETTE IS OUR SINGLE MOST INSURED VEHICLE IN THE US.

SO IF THERE WASN'T A CORVETTE IN HERE IT WOULD BE KIND OF A STRANGE STORY, IN A LOT OF WAYS.

Zach: WHEN ASKED IF THERE'S A CAR TOO VALUABLE TO DRIVE, MCKEEL REPLIED WITH A FIRM, HECK NO!

Mckeel: THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN TO LEAVE A CAR SITTING AROUND.

IT DETERIORATES FAR WORSE THAN IF IT'S JUST USED CAREFULLY ON A REGULAR BASIS.

Zach: OKAY, JUST ABOUT ANY CAR, HE THINKS MAYBE THE FORD QUADRICYCLE IS AN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE.

Mckeel: YOU KNOW MY LIFE IN CARS REALLY STARTED WITH THIS ONE RIGHT HERE.

IT'S A '67 PORSCHE 911 S. AND I BOUGHT IT WHEN I WAS 13 YEARS OLD.

Zach: WITH YOUR OWN MONEY?

Mckeel: YEAH, LAWN MOWING MONEY, LAWN MOWING MONEY.

I WAS A VERY PROLIFIC LAWN MOWER.

Zach: HE WANTED TO BE JAMES BOND, BUT NO ASTON MARTINS WERE AVAILABLE.

SO, 500 BUCKS FOR WHAT WAS GOING TO BE AN ICE RACING, AIR COOLED PORSCHE 911 WOULD HAVE TO SUFFICE.

MCKEEL LEARNED TO FIX IT UP HIMSELF, AND NOW SPREADS THAT KNOWLEDGE TO ENTHUSIASTS OF ALL AGES.

Mckeel: WHAT WE DO TO SUPPORT THE HOBBY AS IT RELATES TO KIDS IS A COUPLE DIMENSIONS.

ONE WE STARTED IS CALLED "THE HAGERTY EDUCATION PROGRAM."

Zach: WOULDN'T IT BE EXCITING TO MAKE YOUR CAREER WORKING WITH COLLECTORS' VEHICLES OR BOATS?

WELL GUESS WHAT?

YOU COULD GET A JOB DOING IT.

SCHOOLS TEACH RESTORATION TECHNIQUES THANKS TO THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS MADE POSSIBLE BY HAGERTY.

BUT WAIT!

YOU CAN'T DRIVE A MANUAL!

WELL, THAT'S OKAY.

IF YOU'RE 15-25 YEARS OLD, JUST SEE IF THERE'S A HAGERTY DRIVING EXPERIENCE SCHOOL NEAR YOU.

THEY'LL TEACH YOU ALL ABOUT THE THIRD PEDAL.

AND IN SOME OF THE COOLEST CARS AROUND.

SO NOT ONLY IS MCKEEL AIMING TO GET KIDS EXCITED ABOUT THE HOBBY, OR A JOB WITH CLASSIC CARS, BUT HE'S ESSENTIALLY GROWING HIS CUSTOMER BASE IN THE PROCESS.

TALK ABOUT A WIN-WIN.

* John: BUT HERE IT IS, SOME 22 MODEL YEARS LATER... AND THE AVANTI'S BASIC GRACEFUL SHAPE, AND STYLE, AND BEAUTY IS NOT ONLY PRESERVED, BUT VASTLY ENHANCED.

THE VINTAGE AVANTI INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS RETAINED, WITH ALL ITS CLARITY AND SIMPLICITY... PAT GOSS IS ALWAYS WILLING TO LEND A HELPING HAND, SO LET'S MOTOR ON OVER TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Pat Goss: THIS TIME WE HAVE SOME HANDY HELPERS FOR YOU DO-IT-YOURSELF-ERS, FIRST IS A MAGNETIC FINGER.

THIS COMES FROM SNAP-ON TOOLS, HAS A MAGNET IN THE END, AND YOU CAN HOLD THOSE REALLY DIFFICULT BOLTS LIKE UP UNDER THE DASH.

ALRIGHT, HERE WE HAVE FERTAN, THIS IS A RUST CONVERTER.

IT CONVERTS RUST INTO A SURFACE THAT CAN BE SANDED AND PREPPED FOR PAINT.

DOES A GOOD JOB TOO.

NOW, YOU MAY THINK THAT THERE'S NO REASON TO EVER NEED A PROTRACTOR AROUND AN AUTOMOBILE, BUT YOU WOULD BE WRONG.

THERE'RE VARIOUS THINGS LIKE SOME OF THE SETTINGS UNDER THE HOOD AND SO ON THAT MAY REQUIRE THE USE OF A PROTRACTOR.

THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC ONE.

THIS IS AVAILABLE FROM VARIOUS PARTS VENDORS AND SO ON.

DOES A VERY GOOD JOB AND SAVES QUITE A BIT OF TIME.

IT'S ALSO MAGNETIC, WHICH HELPS.

ALRIGHT NOW, IF YOU LOOK INSIDE A MODERN AUTOMOBILE, ONE THING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IS MISSING IS ANY TYPE OF BOLT, NUT, OR SCREW, OR ANYTHING HOLDING THE INTERIOR TOGETHER?

IT'S ALL CONCEALED, AND IT'S ALL DONE WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF PLASTIC CLIPS.

BUT, HOW DO YOU GET THEM APART?

WELL, YOU HAVE TO PRY THEM APART, AND IF YOU TRY TO PRY THEM APART WITH A SCREWDRIVER, INVARIABLY WHERE THE SCREWDRIVER GOES ACROSS THE ADJACENT PIECE, YOU'RE GOING TO DENT IT, OR YOU'RE GOING TO SCRATCH IT.

SO HERE WE HAVE SOME PLASTIC WEDGES AND TOOLS.

THEY'RE DIFFERENT THICKNESSES AND DIFFERENT SLOPES TO THEM AND SO ON.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY WEDGE THEM IN BETWEEN THE PARTS, AND PRY ON THEM GENTLY, TO REMOVE THESE VARIOUS PARTS INSIDE THE CAR.

EVEN THINGS LIKE... NOW, ONE THING TO REMEMBER: IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT USES CLIPS LIKE THIS, BUY NEW ONES BEFORE YOU TAKE IT APART.

BECAUSE INVARIABLY YOU'LL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM.

ALRIGHT, HEADLIGHTS.

WOW, THEY HAVE BECOME A REAL ISSUE, TRYING TO GET THEM OUT.

THEY HAVE CLIPS, AND SO ON, AND MANY TIMES YOU CAN'T REACH BEHIND THEM AND PUT A NEW BULB IN THEM.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE HEADLIGHT COMPLETELY OUT OF THE CAR.

WELL HERE WE HAVE A COUPLE OF TOOLS FROM SNAP-ON, ONE IS TO PUSH, THE OTHER IS TO PULL.

WHAT YOU DO WITH THESE IS YOU USE THIS PLASTIC PIECE TO GO IN BETWEEN THE HEADLAMP AND THE BODY PARTS, AND YOU CAN FEEL FOR THE RELEASE TAB IN THERE.

THEN YOU PUT THE METAL PART IN, AND PUSH, OR PULL ON IT TO RELEASE THE HEADLAMP.

AND AH, SAVES DAMAGING THE METAL AROUND THE, THE PAINT THAT IS AROUND THE HEADLAMP.

AND MAKES YOUR LIFE A LOT EASIER.

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

John: NOW, BACK TO OUR 2016 DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS.

THIS TIME IT'S THE TRUCKS AND UTILITIES THAT WE FEEL MORE THAN MADE THE GRADE.

AS SALES OF CROSSOVERS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES CONTINUE TO EXPLODE, AND WITH CATEGORIES GETTING MORE, AND MORE CROWDED; PICKING THIS YEAR'S STANDOUTS WAS MORE DIFFICULT THAN EVER.

BUT FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A SMALL ONE, THE HYUNDAI TUCSON IS OUR CLEAR CHOICE.

MOST OF THE NEW ENTRIES THIS YEAR WERE SUBCOMPACTS UTEs.

BUT THE COMPLETELY RETHOUGHT AND THOROUGHLY MODERN COMPACT HYUNDAI TUCSON, WITH ITS VARIOUS POWERTRAIN OPTIONS AND BIG CROSSOVER STYLE; MAKES A STRONG CASE FOR BEING THE BEST ALL-AROUND PACKAGE.

COMBINING FUEL EFFICIENCY, COMFORT, A FULL LOAD OF FEATURES, AND ENOUGH SPACE FOR 2-ROW FAMILY OUTINGS; INTO AN EASY TO DRIVE, EASY TO PARK, AND EASY TO AFFORD PACKAGE.

SOUNDS LIKE THE TYPICAL VALUE ADDED HYUNDAI FORMULA OF MORE FOR LESS.

WITH LARGER FAMILIES AND MORE STUFF IN MIND; OUR BEST LARGE UTILITY AWARD GOES TO THE 3-ROW HONDA PILOT.

WITH EVERY REWORK, THIS NEIGHBORHOOD STAPLE CONTINUES TO SET THE BENCHMARK FOR ITS SEGMENT.

BUT HONDA TRULY HIT THIS ONE OUT OF THE PARK.

GONE IS THE BOXY MILITARISTIC STYLING AS THIS DESIGN IS MUCH MORE MODERN OUTSIDE, AS WELL AS MORE LUXURIOUS INSIDE.

INDEED, POWERTRAIN EFFICIENCY, TECH, SAFETY FEATURES, AVAILABLE AMENITIES, AND EVEN RIDE-AND-HANDLING ARE ALL AT THE TOP OF THE SEGMENT.

AND SPEAKING OF HOME RUNS, YOU COULD TELL VOLVO HIT A GAME WINNER WITH THE XC90, AT THE CRACK OF THE BAT.

NO DOUBT ABOUT THIS ONE, AS IT EASILY WON OUR BEST LUXURY UTILITY AWARD.

NOT ONLY DOES IT BOAST THE OVER THE TOP TECHNOLOGY, COMFORT, AND ADVANCED SAFETY SYSTEMS YOU EXPECT IN A LUXURY VESSEL; IT COMES WITH ALL OF THE ROOM AND CAPABILITIES OF A FULL-SIZE FAMILY CROSSOVER.

AND DOES ALL OF THAT WITH A PRICING ADDRESS THAT'S MUCH CLOSER TO MAIN STREET THAN WALL STREET.

YES FOLKS, VOLVO IS BACK, AND THIS FAMILIAR SHAPED FAMILY TRUCKSTER IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF THAT.

THERE WERE AN AWFUL LOT OF CHOICES IN THE PICKUP TRUCK FIELD THIS YEAR, AS TRUCK SALES ALSO CONTINUE TO LEAD THE WAY, BUT NONE THAT STOOD OUT MORE THAN THE NISSAN TITAN XD.

WHILE NOT A FULL HEAVY DUTY HAULER, IT CERTAINLY IS A LIGHT DUTY PLUS, WITH OPTIONAL DIESEL POWER AND TOWING CAPACITY OF 12,300 POUNDS.

NISSAN ACCOMPLISHED JUST WHAT THEY SET OUT TO DO, ADD A LOT MORE CAPABILITY TO THEIR FULL-SIZE TRUCK, WHILE FULLY RETAINING THE PERSONAL USE FEEL OF THE CURRENT TITAN.

THROWING IN AN ULTRA-TOUGH NEW LOOK FOR GOOD MEASURE, AND ADDING ALL OF THE FEATURES TODAY'S TRUCK BUYERS DEMAND; MAKING A NICHE ALL THEIR OWN ALONG THE WAY.

PROVING THAT, IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM HEAD ON, THE SMART ONES DON'T QUIT, THEY JUST FIND A NEW WAY TO ATTACK.

NOW, YOU MIGHT THINK THAT WOULD WRAP UP THIS VIRTUAL AWARD CEREMONY, BUT WE'VE SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST.

IT'S OUR BEST OF THE YEAR, SO STAY TUNED!

YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS A MOTORNEWS UPDATE, SO TIME NOW FOR THE LATEST!

Yolanda Vazquez: WITH SO MUCH FOCUS ON CONNECTIVITY IN OUR CARS THESE DAYS, AUTO MAKERS ARE FLOCKING TO THE ANNUAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW IN LAS VEGAS, TO SHOW OFF THEIR LATEST HIGHWAY TECH.

STANDING OUT AMONG THE LATEST FLATSCREENS, CAMERAS, AND SMART APPLIANCES AT THIS YEAR'S CES WERE ENOUGH CAR RELATED DISPLAYS TO RIVAL A MAJOR AUTO SHOW.

VOLKSWAGEN KICKED THINGS OFF WITH THE WORLD DEBUT OF THEIR BUDD-E CONCEPT, A MODERN ALL-ELECTRIC MICROVAN LOADED WITH GESTURE CONTROL, VOICE RECOGNITION AND TOUCHSCREENS THAT ALSO INTERFACE WITH YOUR SMART PHONE FROM WHEREVER YOU ROAM.

THE E-GOLF TOUCH FEATURES A NEW TOUCHSCREEN INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM AS WELL AS WIRELESS DEVICE CHARGING, ELECTRONIC VOICE AMPLIFICATION FOR FRONT-TO-BACK ROW CONVERSATIONS, AND CLOUD STORAGE OF VEHICLE PERSONALIZATION SETTINGS.

CHEVROLET CHOSE CES OVER THEIR HOMETOWN DETROIT AUTO SHOW TO DEBUT THE PRODUCTION 2017 BOLT EV.

FITTING, SINCE IT IS CHOCK-FULL OF DRIVER-FOCUSED CONNECTIVITY AND CONVENIENCE FEATURES.

FORD ANNOUNCED EXPANDED APPs AND OFFERINGS FOR THEIR SYNC SYSTEM, AND A TRIPLING OF THEIR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE TEST FLEET TO MAKE IT THE INDUSTRY'S LARGEST.

SOFTWARE MAKER NVIDIA DEMONSTRATED DRIVE PX, A PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM THAT CAN ACTUALLY LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TYPES OF VEHICLES.

CORNING WAS ON HAND TO SHOWCASE THE LATEST GLASS DESIGNED FOR WINDSHIELDS AND IN-CAR DISPLAYS.

ONE INTERESTED VISITOR, FCAs DESIGN CHIEF RALPH GILLES.

FOR TEEN DRIVER SAFETY, THERE WAS A DEMO OF SMART WHEEL AN INTELLIGENT STEERING WHEEL COVER THAT SENSES DISTRACTED DRIVING BEHAVIORS AND GIVES REALTIME FEEDBACK TO HELP TEENS ADOPT SAFER DRIVING PRACTICES.

AND WE'VE JUST SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF WHAT'S NEW IN AUTO ELECTRONICS, BUT REST ASSURED THERE'S MORE TO COME AS CONSUMER TECHNOLOGIES CONTINUE TO EVOLVE.

AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

John: WE'VE TACKED ON 10,623 MILES TO THIS 2015 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT IN 8 MONTHS, AND THINGS ARE STILL CRUISING ALONG AT A GOOD PACE.

THE 168 HORSEPOWER 2.4 LITER I4 IS PERFECT FOR CRUISING, AS THERE REALLY ISN'T MUCH GET UP AND GO BEYOND THAT.

STILL, IT'S GREAT AROUND TOWN AND PERFECT FOR A DAILY COMMUTE.

OUR LOG BOOK STILL FILLS UP WITH COMMENTS ABOUT THE BASIC AND CHEAP FEEL OF THINGS INSIDE, ESPECIALLY AS CLOSELY PRICED RIVALS HAVE STEPPED UP MATERIAL QUALITY.

BUT EVERYTHING IS EASY TO USE, AND IS HOLDING UP WELL.

FUEL ECONOMY IS ANOTHER BRIGHT SPOT, NOW 26.6 MILES PER REGULAR GALLON COMBINED.

THAT'S GREAT FOR ANY UTILITY.

NOT HAVING TO FILL UP OFTEN MEANS WE CAN STAY SHELTERED FROM THE COLD.

IT'S THE ACURA TLX AND KIA SORENTO ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD REST UPDATE!

WHILE NOT QUITE THE PHENOMENON THAT IT ONCE WAS, THE ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND RUNNING OF THE INDY 500 IS STILL THE "GREATEST SPECTACLE IN RACING."

AND LIKE ANY RACETRACK, THE BRICKYARD HAS SEEN GREAT TRIUMPHS AS WELL AS GREAT TRAGEDY.

AND IT'S THE LATTER YOU'LL READ ABOUT IN, LONGTIME FRIEND OF MOTORWEEK , ART GARNER'S BLACK NOON: THE YEAR THEY STOPPED THE INDY 500.

MANY OF US REMEMBER WHERE WE WERE ON THAT SAD DAY WHEN TWO LIVES WERE TRAGICALLY LOST ON THE SECOND LAP OF 1964'S CONTEST.

WITH MUCH RESEARCH AND COOPERATION FROM FAMILIES AND CREW MEMBERS, ART DOES A MASTERFUL JOB OF SETTING THE SCENE OF THAT YEAR'S RACE AND THE LEAD UP TO IT.

THIS WAS A TIME WHERE DEATHS IN RACING WERE AN ALL TOO COMMON OCCURRENCE, AND THAT 1964 CATASTROPHE LED TO MANY CHANGES THAT HAVE HELPED MAKE TODAY'S SPORT MUCH SAFER.

SO, WHETHER YOU'RE A FAN OF THE INDY 500, OR JUST LIKE WELL WRITTEN AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY, THIS BOOK IS A CHECKERED FLAG MUST READ.

WELL AS USUAL, WE'VE SAVED THE BEST AWARD FOR LAST, IT'S OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST OF THE YEAR.

SO LET'S FIND OUT WHOSE TROPHY CASE IT LANDS IN FOR 2016.

TRUTH BE TOLD, SIX MONTHS AGO EVEN WE DIDN'T SEE THIS ONE COMING.

NOT ONLY HAVE WE NEVER GIVEN THE AWARD TO A UTILITY VEHICLE BEFORE, BUT THE VOLVO XC90 CROSSOVER, REALLY?

WE HEAR YOU, FOLKS.

YOU MAY NOT HAVE SEEN TOO MANY OF THEM AROUND YET OR HAD A CHANCE TO CLOSELY CHECK ONE OUT; BUT WHEN YOU DO, WE'RE PRETTY SURE YOU'LL AGREE WITH US.

NO OTHER VEHICLE THIS YEAR DID AS MUCH TO REVITALIZE A BRAND AS THIS ONE!

AS VOLVO HAS COMBINED THEIR FAMILIAR 2-BOX SHAPE WITH OVER THE TOP LUXURY AND TECHNOLOGY TO TURN THE XC90 INTO UPSCALE SUBURBIA'S MUST HAVE ACCESSORY OF THE YEAR.

YOU WANT HIGH TECH, HOW ABOUT ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST INTUITIVE TOUCHSCREEN INTERFACES ANYWHERE.

WHILE UNDER THE HOOD, THERE'S FULLY MODERN 4-CYLINDER POWER THAT IS BOTH TURBO AND SUPERCHARGED, DELIVERING CLOSE TO V8 PERFORMANCE.

NOT ENOUGH?

THERE'S A SOON TO ARRIVE PLUG-IN HYBRID TOO, THAT ADDS UP TO 17 MILES OF EV DRIVING.

OF COURSE SAFETY IS FIRST RATE, WITH EVERY FEATURE YOU COULD ASK FOR, INCLUDING NEW RUN-OFF ROAD PROTECTION WITH BORDERLINE AUTONOMOUS DRIVING AVAILABLE.

FOR NOW, ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE IS STANDARD.

WHILE THERE MAY BE BETTER HANDLING LUXURY SUVs, THE XC90 IS NO SLOUCH IN CORNERS.

YET, FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO TYPICAL LUXURY UTE BUYERS ARE COMFORT AND SPACE.

HERE THE XC90 EXCELS WITH A REAR SUSPENSION USING TRANSVERSE LEAF SPRINGS.

THAT ALLOWS FOR MAXIMIZING INTERIOR SPACE, WITH CARGO TOPPING OUT AT 85.7 CUBIC-FEET.

AND RIDE?

WELL, A FULL AIR SUSPENSION IS ALSO AVAILABLE, PLUS TOWING RATES A ROBUST 5,000 POUNDS.

AS FOR THE PEOPLE SPACE, ITS SWEDISH-STYLE LUXURY TOUCHES SET THE TONE, BUT THE LEVEL OF CODDLING IS WHAT REALLY DRIVES IT HOME OR ANYWHERE ELSE YOU POINT THE NOSE.

FAMILIAR TOUCHES LIKE INTEGRATED CHILD BOOSTER SEATS ARE JUST ICING ON THE CAKE.

STILL, WHAT REALLY PUSHED THIS VEHICLE TO THE TOP FOR US THIS YEAR, IS THE FACT THAT MOST OF THE LUXURY, FEATURES, AND PERFORMANCE WE'VE LAUDED ARE PART OF A BASE XC90 THAT STARTS RIGHT AROUND $50,000.

YOU CAN PAY A LOT MORE IN THE LUXURY CROSSOVER FIELD AND WALK AWAY WITH A LOT LESS.

AND THAT'S WHY THE VOLVO XC90 DRIVES AWAY AS THE MOTORWEEK 2016 DRIVERS' CHOICE BEST OF THE YEAR.

WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.

NOW, FOR MORE MOTORWEEK WHY NOT CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST AS WELL AS COMPLETE EPISODES AT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME, AS WE LAY SOME FRESH RUBBER DOWN ON ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY WITH THE DODGE VIPER ACR.

THEN SEE IF THE JAGUAR XF KEEPS THE CAT'S MOMENTUM ROLLING.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, 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... PHYLLIS IS HEADED TO A SCIENCE CONFERENCE, SO SHE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES RIGHT NOW.

IF SHE WERE, ALL SHE'D NEED TO KNOW IS TIRERACK.COM.

BUT PHYLLIS IS THINKING...

"UHHH...I'M NOT REALLY SURE, BUT IT'S PROBABLY IMPORTANT."

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

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

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