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, CAPPING IT OFF WITH OUR BEST OF THE YEAR... PAT GOSS LENDS US A HELPING HAND DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE... AND THEN, BRIAN ROBINSON VENTURES OFF THE TRAIL ON THE HONDA VFR1200X...

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

"OH, COME ON..." "HOT, HOT, HOT..." THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE... "JUST A BOTTLE OF WATER."

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 TURBO CHARGED 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 3-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 GT S, 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.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO SEARCY, ARKANSAS, WHERE THESE TRUCKS ARE PULLING IN AND FUELING UP ON COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS.

KRUG ENERGY OPENED UP THIS CNG STATION ABOUT A YEAR AGO, TO SERVE THE GROWING NATURAL GAS NEEDS IN THE NATURAL STATE.

ALONG WITH REFUELING THEIR OWN CNG SEMI FLEET, THE PUMPS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, SOMETHING THE CITY OF SEARCY TAKES ADVANTAGE OF.

IT'S WHERE THEIR NEW CNG REFUSE TRUCKS FILL UP.

IN 2015, THE STATION PUMPED OUT 735,000 GALLONS OF CNG, ALL AT A STEADY PRICE.

Rush Krug: IT DOES NOT FLUCTUATE LIKE DIESEL AT ALL.

IT'S VERY NICE JUST TO BE ABLE TO KNOW WHAT THAT COST IS GOING TO BE PRETTY MUCH EVERY MONTH.

KRUG ENERGY HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH ARKANSAS CLEAN CITIES, AND RECEIVED $400,000 FROM THE STATE'S GASEOUS FUELS REBATE PROGRAM, HELPING TO ENSURE A CLEANER ARKANSAS FUTURE FOR YEARS TO COME.

TRENDS COME AND GO IN THE MOTORCYCLE WORLD JUST LIKE IN THE REST OF THE UNIVERSE.

AND RIGHT NOW, THE ADVENTURE BIKE CRAZE IS STILL IN FULL SWING.

AND AFTER YEARS OF SEEMINGLY SITTING ON THE SIDELINES, ONE BRAND IS NOW LAUNCHING AN ALL-OUT ASSAULT ON THE SEGMENT.

Brian Robinson: HONDA IS NOW, INDEED IN THE ADVENTURE BIKE GAME BIG TIME, WITH NOT JUST 1 OR 2 OFFERINGS, BUT 4 DIFFERENT ADVENTURE STYLE BIKES FOR THE CHOOSING.

THE BIGGEST OF WHICH IS THIS VFR1200X.

IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE 1000CC AFRICA TWIN THAT GOT THE BALL ROLLING, BUT FOR 2016, HONDA HAS AN ADVENTURE STYLE BIKE TO FIT JUST ABOUT ANY AMERICAN RIDER, REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOUR IDEA OF ADVENTURE IS.

THE CB500X AND NC700X HOLD UP THE DO IT ALL LOWER END; WHILE THE OFF-ROAD FOCUSED AFRICA TWIN AND THIS PAVEMENT POUNDING VFR1200X TAKE CARE OF THE HIGH END.

AND MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE VFR IS DESIGNED MORE FOR EATING MASS QUANTITIES OF TARMAC, THAN DISHING OUT ANY KIND OF DIRT.

NOT THAT IT COULDN'T HANDLE A FIRE ROAD OR TWO SHOULD YOUR JOURNEY TAKE YOU OFF THE BEATEN PATH.

NOW, IT'S NOT THAT HONDA HAD TO MAKE ANY GREAT STRIDES TO CREATE THE VFR1200X FOR US.

THIS BIKE WAS ALREADY AVAILABLE IN EUROPE AS THE CROSSTOURER.

AS FOR THE DETAILS, NESTLED INSIDE THE TWIN-SPAR ALUMINUM FRAME IS A 1,237CCS WORTH OF LIQUID COOLED V4 ENGINE.

TRANSMISSION IS EITHER THE TRADITIONAL 6-SPEED MANUAL, OR SURPRISINGLY ENOUGH, A 6-SPEED DUAL-CLUTCH AUTOMATIC.

POWER REACHES THE 17-INCH REAR WHEEL THROUGH A SEALED DRIVE SHAFT, AND A 19-INCH WHEEL UP FRONT COMPLETES THE PACKAGE.

IT'S HELD ON WITH A BEEFY LOOKING INVERTED KYB 43MM FORK; WHILE IN BACK, SUSPENSION DUTIES FOR THE SINGLE-SIDED SWINGARM ARE HELD UP BY A KYB SHOCK WITH REMOTE ADJUSTMENT FOR PRELOAD.

SEAT HEIGHT AT 33.5 INCHES IS AT THE LOWER END OF THE SEGMENT, AND COMFORT IS GOOD WITH A WIDE SHAPE, AND PLENTY OF PADDING.

SPENDING TIME IN THAT SEAT, REVEALS A VERY STABLE AND WILLING PLATFORM FOR RUNNING OUT THE FULL 5.7 GALLONS IN THE TANK BEFORE STOPPING.

POWER COMES ON IN WAVES IN JUST ABOUT ANY GEAR, WHETHER YOU'RE FULLY READY FOR IT OR NOT.

HIGH SPEED ADVENTURES ARE NOT A PROBLEM HERE WHATSOEVER.

OF COURSE, ANY BIKE THAT CLAIMS TO HAVE ADVENTUROUS INTENTIONS IS COMPARED TO THE BMW GS, AND THE VFR1200X FEELS A LITTLE HEAVIER AND THE SUSPENSION IS CLEARLY NOT AS ADVANCED AS THE BMW.

I'M NOT NECESSARILY AGAINST THE IDEA OF THE DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION, BUT THIS MANUAL, WITH PERFECTLY SPACED GEARS AND LIGHT CLUTCH, WORK SO WELL, I DON'T REALLY SEE A NEED FOR IT.

HONDA'S SELECTABLE TORQUE CONTROL TRACTION SYSTEM IS STANDARD; THERE ARE THREE LEVELS OF INTERVENTION, OR IT CAN BE EASILY SWITCHED OFF.

INSTRUMENTATION IS FULLY DIGITAL, AND THERE IS PLENTY OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE WITHOUT HAVING TO CYCLE THROUGH MENUS TO GET TO IT.

THE STANDARD WINDSCREEN OFFERS 3.0 INCHES OF ADJUSTMENT, EASILY DONE WITH A ONE HAND.

HAND GUARDS OFFER PROTECTION FROM STRAY TREE BRANCHES, OR MORE REALISTICALLY, JUST FROM THE WIND ON CHILLY MORNINGS.

THERE'S EVEN A SOCKET FOR PLUGGING IN A GPS SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO HARDWIRE IT, OR JUST FOR CHARGING YOUR PHONE.

BASE PRICING IS A VERY REASONABLE $15,599.

ADD JUST $400 MORE FOR THE DCT TRANSMISSION.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW MUCH TIME IS LEFT BEFORE AMERICA'S ADVENTURE BIKE OBSESSION GIVES WAY TO THE NEXT FAD.

AND ADMITTEDLY, MUCH LIKE THEIR 4-WHEEL SUV COUNTERPARTS, MANY ARE MORE ABOUT MARKETING HYPE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

REGARDLESS, WITH THE 2016 VFR1200X AND THE REST OF ITS ADVENTUROUS 2-WHEEL LINEUP, HONDA, IS WELL SITUATED FOR THE TIME BEING.

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

THE VINTAGE AVANTI INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS RETAINED WITH ALL ITS CLARITY AND SIMPLICITY.

AS ARE THE CHROME CONSOLE VENTILATION CONTROLS THAT RESEMBLE THROTTLE HANDLES ON A 747.

THE FLAWLESS FIBERGLASS BODY NOW SPROUTS RECTANGULAR HEADLIGHTS.

AND A SET OF NEW COMPOSITE BUMPERS THAT BLEND WITH THE CLASSIC AVANTI SHAPE.

THIS LONG AND SUCCESSFUL DESIGN STILL HAS A REMARKABLE FUTURE.

WITH A LITTLE LUCK THE AVANTI MIGHT JUST GO ON FOREVER.

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 ON 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 HOLDING ANYTHING ON 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 ON THE DOOR PANEL... 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 REACH BEHIND THEM TO 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, AND THE OTHER IS TO PULL.

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

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

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!

NOW LET'S GRAB A QUICKSPIN DRIVING IMPRESSION OF SOMETHING NEW AND IMPROVED.

WE'RE WELL ACQUAINTED WITH MAZDA'S THREE ROW CROSSOVER, THE CX-9.

A 2015 MODEL SPENT 14 HARD DRIVING MONTHS AND 28,000 MILES IN OUR LONG TERM FLEET.

AND NOW, A NEW GENERATION CX-9 HAS ARRIVED, SO THIS 2016 MODEL IS BOTH FAMILIAR AND PROGRESSIVE.

STARTING WITH THE EXTERIOR, WHERE IT NOW FALLS IN LINE WITH THE REST OF MAZDA'S OFFERINGS AND ADHERES TO THEIR SLEEK KODO SOUL OF MOTION DESIGN.

THAT INCLUDES THE SHARP LINES IN THE GRILLE WORK AND THROUGHOUT THE BODY.

BUT, OUR BIGGEST GRIPE WITH THE OLD CX-9 WAS ITS OUTDATED INTERIOR.

IT'S NOW QUITE LUXURIOUS, VERY MODERN, AGAIN FAVORING OTHER MAZDA'S, WITH FAR MORE HI-TECH FEATURES, LIKE A HEAD UP DISPLAY, AND A BIG 8.0 INCH INFOTAINMENT SCREEN.

SPACE INSIDE HAS GROWN OVERALL, WITH 2.2 INCHES MORE WHEELBASE.

YET, OVERALL LENGTH IS DOWN BY 1.2 INCHES.

THE SECOND ROW SEATS SLIDE, AND RECLINE, AND THERE'S EASIER ACCESS TO THE 3RD ROW.

BUT, LEGROOM THERE IS REDUCED TO CHILD SIZE.

STILL, THE NUMBER ONE BULLET POINT ON "WHAT'S REALLY NEW" IS THE POWERTRAIN... Brian Roberts: SO, THE BIGGEST NEWS OF THE ALL-NEW CX-9 IS THAT THERE'S NO 6-CYLINDER OFFERED ANYMORE.

WHAT IS AVAILABLE IS A 2.5 LITER TURBO CHARGED 4-CYLINDER.

NOW, IT DOESN'T MAKE A TON OF HORSEPOWER, BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY NEED TO.

WHAT IT DOES HAVE A LOT OF IS LOW-END TORQUE.

IT REALLY REMINDS ME OF A DIESEL ENGINE.

John: THIS NEW FOUR, THE FIRST TO USE TURBO CHARGING IN MAZDA'S SKYACTIV LINE, DELIVERS 250 HORSEPOWER ON PREMIUM FUEL.

BUT ITS 310 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE IS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PART.

ITS 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC, WITH PADDLE SHIFTERS, CHANNELS THAT GRUNT TO FRONT OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

SAFETY HI-TECH HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE LANE KEEPING ASSIST AND AUTOMATIC BRAKING.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 MAZDA CX-9 STARTS JUST UNDER $33,000.

AND WE'LL BE BACK WITH MORE QUICKSPIN'S, SOON.

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

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, TO SEE WHAT FOUR GENERATIONS OF GROWTH HAS DONE TO THE KIA SPORTAGE.

THEN, WE'LL BRAVE THE ELEMENTS IN THE LAMBORGHINI HURACAN SPYDER.

PAT GOSS HAS A LITTLE CODE READING.

ROGER MECCA CONTINUES HIS CLASSIC CAR TIME TRAVELS IN THE ORIGINAL PONTIAC GTO.

PLUS MOTORNEWS, AND A LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

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

"OH, COME ON..." "HOT, HOT, HOT..." THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE... "JUST A BOTTLE OF WATER."

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.

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

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