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

JOIN US, FOR A FAMILY SEDAN SMACK DOWN, AS WE COMPARE 10 OF TODAY'S TOP MID-SIZE 4-DOORS AND PICK A WINNER.

PAT GOSS GIVES US A JUMP DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE.

ROGER MECCA IS MAKING HIS TIRE TRACKS IN A BRITISH CLASSIC.

AND WE'LL PLUG-IN TO THE FUNK WITH THE KIA SOUL EV.

SO, COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

THIS IS PETE.

PETE'S HELPING HIS AUNT MOVE, SO HE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.

BUT PETE'S THINKING, "IT WOULD'VE BEEN NICE TO KNOW ABOUT THE MYNAH BIRD."

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

DIEHARD.

THE DIEHARD ADVANCED GOLD BATTERY.

DESIGNED TO HELP START YOUR CAR AND POWER THE EQUIPMENT IN IT.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.

>> JOHN: TO TELL YOU JUST HOW COMPETITIVE THE MIDSIZE SEDAN SEGMENT IS, IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN 2 YEARS SINCE WE LAST DID A COMPARISON TEST.

YET, ALMOST EVERY CAR IN THIS SEGMENT HAS HAD MAJOR UPDATES SINCE THEN.

WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, IT'S TIME TO ROUND 'EM UP AND FIGURE 'EM OUT!

LOOK UP A LIST OF THE TOP-10 SELLING CARS AND TRUCKS OF 2013, AND YOU'LL MORE MID-SIZE SEDANS ON THAT LIST THAN FROM ANY OTHER SEGMENT.

WELL, WE'VE GATHERED 10 OF THE NEWEST AT OUR MARYLAND HQ, AND ALONG WITH EDITORIAL TEAMS FROM CARS.COM AND USA TODAY, WE'RE READY TO WEED THROUGH THIS PACK AND FIND OUT WHICH ONE OFFERS THE BEST FIT FOR THE TYPICAL AMERICAN FAMILY.

VYING FOR THE TOP HONOR ARE THE HIGHLY CONNECTED CHEVROLET MALIBU...

THE SUPER STYLISH CHRYSLER 200...

THE DYNAMIC FORD FUSION...

THE SOLID HONDA ACCORD...

THE ALL-NEW HYUNDAI SONATA...

THE SPORTY MAZDA6...

THE SPACIOUS NISSAN ALTIMA...

THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, AND ALSO ALL-NEW SUBARU LEGACY... AMERICA'S BEST SELLING CAR, THE TOYOTA CAMRY, WITH SIGNIFICANT UPGRADES FOR THE 2015 MODEL YEAR... AND FINALLY THE ONLY EUROPEAN ENTRY, THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT... ALL OF OUR 2015 CONTENDERS HAVE 4-CYLINDER POWER WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, AND COST NO MORE THAN $27,000.

JOINING US IN OUR QUEST IS THE KAPOOR FAMILY FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

THEY'RE LOOKING TO ADD A FAMILY SEDAN TO THEIR HOUSEHOLD.

WHILE RAIN FORCED US INTO GOSS' GARAGE FOR THEIR EVALUATIONS, IT DIDN'T DAMPEN THEIR ENTHUSIASM.

BUT, ONCE THE RAIN CLEARED, IT WAS TIME FOR US TO HIT THE ROAD.

AND WHILE EARLY ON IT WAS HARD TO PREDICT HOW THESE CARS WOULD STACK UP, WE WERE SURE THAT WHEN ALL WAS SAID AND DONE, WE'D HAVE A WINNER WHERE STYLE, FUNCTION, AND VALUE WOULD PROVE TO BE THE KEYS TO VICTORY.

NOW, FOR A FULL SCORING BREAKDOWN HEAD OVER TO THE CARS.COM WEBSITE.

BUT, BRIEFLY, 10TH SPOT, MOST SURPRISINGLY, WENT TO THE REWORKED TOYOTA CAMRY.

THE INTERIOR LOOK AND QUALITY OF OUR SE TRIMMED CAR REALLY DISAPPOINTED.

IN 9TH THROUGH 5TH PLACE ARE NISSAN ALTIMA, HONDA ACCORD, CHRYSLER 200, FORD FUSION, AND CHEVROLET MALIBU.

A LIST WITH THE TOP 4 SELLERS IN THE SEGMENT.

NOW, FOR OUR TOP 4, WE'LL START WITH A PERENNIAL FAVORITE HERE AT MOTORWEEK , THE MAZDA6.

SPORTING A 184-HORSEPOWER 2.5-LITER I4 AND A TRUE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC, IT YIELDS A COMBINED FUEL ECONOMY RATING OF 30.

BUT, WHAT SOLIDIFIED A TOP TIER RATING HAD EVERYTHING TO DO WITH HOW WELL IT DRIVES.

>> JOE WIESENFELDER: NOT SURPRISINGLY, THE MAZDA6 IS THE SPORTIEST CAR IN THIS CONTEST, ARGUABLY.

IT HAS EVERYTHING, IT HAS THE BRAKING, IT HAS THE STEERING, THE HANDLING; THE POWER.

IT MAY NOT BE THE BEST CHOICE FOR A FAMILY BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE BIT NOISY INSIDE AND THE RIDE IS FIRM, BUT IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A FUN CAR IN THIS CLASS, YOU COULD DO A LOT WORSE.

>> FRED MEIER: THE MAZDA6 WAS THE SPORTIEST IN THIS GROUP, BOTH IN ITS LOOKS, THE INTERIOR DESIGN; AND ITS HANDLING AND POWER.

ITS COMPACT SIZE THOUGH, MAY MAKE IT NOT THE BEST CHOICE FOR SOME FAMILIES.

>> JOHN: A MUCH BIGGER SURPRISE WAS OUR 3RD PLACE FINISHER, THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.

ITS 170-HORSEPOWER 1.8-LITER TURBO-I4, MATED TO A 6-SPEED AUTO, IS THE SECOND SMALLEST POWER PLANT HERE.

BUT, THAT'S WHERE THE PASSAT'S SMALLNESS ENDS.

>> BRIAN ROBINSON: THE PASSAT, THE NUMBERS MAY NOT BEAR IT OUT, BUT IT FEELS HUGE INSIDE, ALMOST LIKE A FULL-SIZE CAR; VERY COMFORTABLE, STILL HAS A GOOD RIDE AND HANDLING PACKAGE, ALL AROUND, ONE OF MY FAVORITES HERE.

>> AARON BRAGMAN: THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IS THE LIMOUSINE OF THIS GROUP; IT'S GOT THE MOST REAR SEAT SPACE OF ANY OF THESE CARS HERE, EVEN IF IT DOESN'T SAY SO ON PAPER.

YOU SIT IN IT AND YOU'RE AMAZED AT HOW MUCH LEG ROOM IT ACTUALLY HAS.

>> JOHN: THAT BRINGS US TO OUR RUNNER UP, THE ONLY ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE CAR HERE, A VERY IMPRESSIVE NEW SUBARU LEGACY.

WITH ITS RECENT RE-DESIGN, THE LEGACY PROVED IT HAS ALL IT NEEDS TO PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS IN THIS SEGMENT.

THE INTERIOR IS BOTH STYLISH AND COMFORTABLE, BUT THE POWERFUL FEELING 175-HORSEPOWER 2.5-LITER FLAT-4 AND MINIMALLY ANNOYING CVT REALLY HELPS SEAL THE DEAL.

>> AMIT KAPOOR: THE LEGACY I LOVE THE RIDE AND HANDLING OF IT, IT WAS PHENOMENAL.

AND THE FIELD OF VIEW, WHEN YOU LOOK OUT THE CAR FRONT AND THE POWER BEHIND THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, IT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

>> JENNIFER NEWMAN: IF YOU CAN GET PAST ITS TAME EXTERIOR, THE LEGACY HAVE A LOT OF FEATURES THAT SHOULD EXCITE DRIVERS.

STARTING WITH ITS STANDARD ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AND ENDING WITH THE AFFORDABLE EYE-SIGHT SAFETY SYSTEM.

>> JOHN: AND SO, OUR WINNER, WITH A RUNAWAY VICTORY, IS THE HYUNDAI SONATA.

FEELINGS WERE MIXED ON THE NEW SONATA'S TAMER STYLING.

BUT NO ONE COULD FIND FAULT WITH ITS WELL-EQUIPPED HIGH VALUE, EASE OF USE, 185-HORSEPOWER 2.4-LITER I4 6-SPEED AUTO POWERTRAIN, RIDE HANDLING MIX, AND ALL-AROUND LIVABILITY.

>> BRAGMAN: THE SONATA MIGHT BE THE FRESHEST OFFERING HERE, THEY'VE REALLY UPPED THEIR GAME INSIDE AND OUT.

IT DRIVES LIKE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CAR, IT'S REALLY SMOOTH, IT'S FUN TO DRIVE, IT'S QUICK, AND IT'S COMFORTABLE.

>> MEIER: THE NEW SONATA HAS A MORE CONSERVATIVE LOOK; LESS OF AN EDGE IN STYLE, BUT THE BRAND HAS NOT LOST ITS EDGE IN BEING THE VALUE LEADER IN TERMS OF FEATURES FOR THE DOLLAR.

>> JOHN: WITH SUCH STRONG COMPETITION IN THIS SEGMENT, WE REALLY CANNOT CALL ANY OF THESE 10 A LOSER.

BUT, IT WAS AMAZINGLY EASY FOR US TO PICK A WINNER IN THIS MID-SIZE SEDAN CHALLENGE.

SOME CARS MAY BE HIGHER STYLED, BE MORE FUN TO DRIVE, AND HAVE MORE WOW FACTORS.

BUT, DOING SOME OF THAT, WHILE ALSO DELIVERING THE UTMOST IN PRACTICALITY FOR YOUR DOLLAR, IS WHAT TRULY IMPRESSED OUR TESTERS THE MOST.

AND, WHEN IT COMES TO THE MID-SIZE AMERICAN FAMILY SEDAN, IT'S CLEAR THAT HYUNDAI KNOWS HOW TO DO THAT BETTER THAN ALL THE REST.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY WHERE A FAMILY-OWNED TRUCKING COMPANY IS MAKING THE ALTERNATIVE FUEL SWITCH!

IN 2012, M&M CARTAGE BOUGHT ONE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS TRUCK TO SEE IF IT COULD HANDLE OVER 400 INTERSTATE MILES OF HAULING EVERY DAY.

BASED ON THE RESULTS, THE COMPANY DECIDED TO EXPAND THEIR CNG FLEET WITH 30 MORE CUMMINS POWERED TRUCKS.

THE LONG TERM GOAL IS TO ADD ANOTHER 100 BY 2018.

M&M SAYS BENEFITS RANGE FROM A HEFTY FUEL COST SAVINGS TO A REDUCTION IN CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS.

>> DON HAYDEN: SINCE WE'VE HAD THESE TRUCKS, WE'VE RAN APPROXIMATELY 2.4 MILLION MILES.

IF IT'S 11 GRAMS PER MILE CLEANER THAN DIESEL.

DO THE MATH THOSE ARE SOME SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES.

>> JOHN: A $300,000 JEFFERSON COUNTY GRANT HELPED PURCHASE 5 NEW CNG TRUCK CABS, AND THE FLEET FUELS UP AT THIS NEW PUBLIC ACCESS CNG STATION RUN BY KENTUCKIANA CLEANFUELS.

A SMART, GREEN COLLABORATION THAT'S SHOWING THE WAY TO SUSTAINABLE FREIGHT HAULING.

BEAUTY IS INDEED IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER, AND THAT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE OF HOW A CAR IS STYLED.

FEW CARS EVER GET UNANIMOUS PRAISE FOR THEIR LOOKS.

BUT, ONE THAT DOES IS THE E-TYPE JAGUAR.

PENNED OVER A HALF CENTURY AGO, THE E-TYPE STILL LOOKS "SMASHING."

BUT, BEYOND STYLING, DOES THE E-TYPE DESERVE ITS LEGENDARY STATUS?

WELL, OUR ROGER MECCA WONDERED THAT TOO, SO HE SET OUT TO SEE IF E-TYPE LORE IS MORE THAN SKIN DEEP.

>> ROGER MECCA: WHEN THE JAGUAR E-TYPE DEBUTED AT THE GENEVA AUTO SHOW IN 1961, IT TOOK THE CAR WORLD BY STORM.

IT'S MIX OF JAW-DROPPING STYLE, COMBINED WITH RACECAR-LIKE PERFORMANCE, AND DAILY EASE OF USE, SET IT APART FROM EVERYTHING ELSE ON THE ROAD.

THE STYLING IS SO DRAMATIC IN FACT, THAT ENZO FERRARI HIMSELF DECLARED THIS TO BE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CAR EVER MADE.

AND 53 YEARS LATER, I STILL THINK ENZO'S RIGHT.

>> HENRY PITTS: I NEVER GET TIRED OF DRIVING THE CAR AND I THINK THAT'S THE AMAZING THING.

>> MECCA: HENRY PITTS IS THE PROUD OWNER OF THIS 1971 JAGUAR E-TYPE SERIES 2 CONVERTIBLE.

BUT IT'S ACTUALLY THE SECOND ONE HE'S OWNED.

IN THE LATE '60s, HE WAS TAKING HIS MGB ROADSTER IN FOR SERVICE WHEN HE SAW AN E-TYPE FOR SALE IN FRONT OF THE MECHANIC'S SHOP.

IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.

>> PITTS: I IMMEDIATELY SAID WHAT ARE YOU GONNA GIVE ME FOR THE MGB AND BOUGHT IT.

AGAIN, BECAUSE IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CAR THAT I HAD EVER SEEN.

AND THEN AS I DROVE IT AND OWNED IT, I JUST REALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH HOW THE CAR WAS PUT TO TOGETHER, AND HOW IT HANDLED AND HOW IT DROVE.

>> MECCA: WITHOUT QUESTION, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT, THE E-TYPE IS A BEAUTIFUL CAR, BUT PRAISE HAS BEEN PILED ON IT SINCE 1961 AND I THINK WE ALL WANT TO KNOW IF IT'S AS ENJOYABLE TO DRIVE AS IT IS TO LOOK AT.

SO, LET'S START WITH SOME BASIC NUMBERS.

WHEN IT CAME OUT IN 1961 IT WAS FASTER THAN ITS FERRARI OR ASTON MARTIN COUNTERPARTS AND IT WAS ABOUT HALF THE PRICE.

0-60 TOOK YOU ABOUT 7 SECONDS AND YOU GET UP TO A TOP SPEED OF ANYWHERE FROM 140 TO ABOUT 150 MILES AN HOUR.

SO, THOSE FIGURES ARE NOT EXACTLY SPINE-TINGLING BY TODAY'S STANDARDS.

IN FACT, THE HONDA ACCORD SPORT WOULD PROBABLY LEAVE IT IN ITS DUST.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S NOT QUICK.

THE 4-LITER STRAIGHT-6 STILL GIVES YOU ENOUGH PUNCH TO MAKE THINGS INTERESTING.

AND IT'S WHEN THE TURNS TIGHTEN UP THAT THE FUN REALLY BEGINS.

I'VE GOT A LOT OF STEERING FEEL COMING BACK FROM THE FRONT WHEELS.

THIS SKINNY LITTLE STEERING WHEEL STILL FEELS WEIRD IN MY HANDS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE CAR IS GOING AND IT RESPONDS VERY QUICKLY TO WHATEVER I WANT IT TO DO.

IT'S A GREAT CAR TO TAKE ON A WINDING, TWISTY ROAD.

LIKE I SAID, IT'S NOT PARTICULARLY FAST, BUT WHEN YOU TAKE IT ON A NICE DRIVE LIKE THIS, IT RESPONDS VERY WELL AND IT FEELS QUICK.

IT FEELS LIKE A SPORTS CAR, LIKE IT SHOULD.

TO COMPLEMENT THE HANDLING, THE CAR'S CLUTCH IS SMOOTH, THE SERIES 2 TRANSMISSION THAT JAGUAR STARTED USING IN 1969 IS EFFORTLESS AND THE SHIFTER IS IN THE PERFECT SPOT.

THE SEATS ARE BOTH SUPPORTIVE AND COMFORTABLE.

ALL MAKING FOR A DELIGHTFUL PLACE TO SPEND YOUR TIME.

AND BY NOW YOU PROBABLY WANT TO OWN ONE AND I DON'T BLAME YOU, SO DO I.

A NICE ONE IS GONNA COST YOU AT LEAST $50,000.

A REALLY BEAUTIFUL ONE THAT'S IN GREAT SHAPE LIKE THIS?

$80,000 OR MORE.

BUT WHERE THIS DIFFERS FROM A COMPARABLE FERRARI OR ASTON MARTIN OF THE TIME, ARE THE MAINTENANCE COSTS.

IN FACT, HENRY SAYS HE SPENDS ONLY A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS TO CHANGE TO OIL.

SO, AFTER SPENDING THE DAY WITH THIS LEGEND, WHAT'S MY VERDICT?

WELL, LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY: THIS SMILE HAS NOT LEFT MY FACE SINCE I GOT IN THE CAR AND IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE I'M EXCITED ABOUT BEING IN AN E-TYPE.

IT'S BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS COMING TOGETHER AND WHEN A CAR DOES THAT IT FEELS SPECIAL, IT FEELS LIKE IT'S WORTH ALL THE PRAISE IT'S GOTTEN SINCE IT DEBUTED IN GENEVA IN 1961.

AND I CAN DEFINITELY SAY THAT IT'S WORTHY OF THE PRAISE IT'S GOING TO GET FOR THE NEXT 53 YEARS.

>> JOHN: PAT GOSS HAS SOME HELPFUL TIPS, FREE OF CHARGE, OF COURSE!

SO, LET'S HEAD DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE.

>> PAT GOSS: WHEN IT COMES TO CARS, ONE THING IS INEVITABLE.

SOONER OR LATER YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A DEAD BATTERY.

AND THAT MEANS YOU NEED A WAY TO GET THE CAR STARTED.

WELL, WAY BACK WHEN WE USED TO USE BOOSTER CABLES.

BUT, THEY'RE NOT OBSOLETE AND VERY DANGEROUS.

WELL, BOOSTER CABLES WERE REPLACED BY BATTERY PACKS LIKE THIS.

THIS DOES A GREAT JOB BUT IT'S BIG, IT'S BULKY, IT'S HEAVY AND NOT PRACTICAL TO CARRY IN THE CAR.

SO, NOW THERE'S SOME NEW TECHNOLOGY.

AND OUR BATTERY EXPERT, GEORGE KURKOWSKI IS HERE TO TELL US ABOUT IT.

GEORGE WHAT HAVE YOU GOT?

>> KURKOWSKI: WELL, EVERYBODY IS NOW FAMILIAR WITH LITHIUM ION TECHNOLOGY IN CARS, AND CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICES.

LITHIUM ION HAS NOW ENTERED THE SPACE OF PORTABLE JUMP PACKS.

YOU CAN SEE AND COMPARE THIS TO OLD BLUE OVER THERE.

MUCH LIGHTER, SIMILAR CAPACITY IN TERMS OF AMPS, HAS BATTERY CABLES, HAS YOUR TRADITIONAL CONSUMER ELECTRIC DEVICES.

INPUTS FOR YOUR DIGITAL READOUT IN TERMS OF YOUR USB PORTS, DC CHARGER, A HOUSEHOLD CURRENT CHARGER TO KEEP THIS THING UP TO SPEED.

BUT AS A FIRST GENERATION PIECE YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IT FROM AN ERGONOMIC PERSPECTIVE ALSO.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THESE CABLES AND THE LENGTH OF THESE CABLES.

YOU AND I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT TO ATTACH THESE CABLES IN OUR ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS.

LOOK AT THE SLICKNESS OF THIS DEVICE.

SOMETIMES IT'S DIFFICULT TO PUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS INTO AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND KEEP IT LEVEL WITHOUT SLIDING OFF.

SO, THERE ARE A COUPLE CHALLENGES RIGHT THERE FROM GENERATION 1.

THAT MAY BE GOOD, BUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT NOW IS GENERATION 2, WHICH FIRST OFF THE BAT, LOOK AT THE LARGE OVERMOLD GRIPS.

IT CERTAINLY WILL NOT SLIDE AROUND.

IT'S COMFORTABLE IN THE HAND, HAS THE SAME LIGHT CHECK, SAME USB PORTS.

DC CURRENT, HOUSEHOLD CURRENT TO KEEP THIS THING UP TO SPEED.

BUT NOTICE HOW LONG THESE BOOSTER CABLES ARE.

IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHERE IT'S DIFFICULT TO ATTACH AS I SAID EARLIER, THESE COME IN HANDY IN TERMS OF FLEXIBILITY AND VERSATILITY.

I'M GOING TO STEP OVER HERE WHERE I'VE INCORRECTLY ATTACHED THE SAME BATTERY JUMP PACK STARTER AND WATCH WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I PUT THE CABLES IN AN INCORRECT POSITION.

IT CHIMES.

AND THERE'S A WARNING LIGHT THAT TELLS ME "WARNING, CLAMPS REVERSED."

IT TELLS ME EXACTLY WHAT TO DO.

>> PAT: SO, YOU CAN'T DO IT WRONG.

>> KURKOWSKI: YOU CAN'T DO IT WRONG.

AFTER I POSITION THE CABLES BACK ON TO THE BATTERY AND THE NEGATIVE GROUND, IT WILL ALSO TELL ME VOLTAGE AND GIVE ME A CURRENT STATE OF VOLTAGE FOR THAT BATTERY.

>> PAT: ALRIGHT NOW THAT WOULD BE A GOOD DIAGNOSTIC TOOL BECAUSE IF IT'S LIKE 7.2 OR BELOW THE BATTERY ISN'T GOING TO RESPOND.

>> KURKOWSKI: EXACTLY.

>> PAT: AND ALSO IF IT'S 13 OR THEREABOUTS THEN THE BATTERY IS NOT YOUR ISSUE.

>> KURKOWSKI: IT'S NOT THE BATTERY.

>> PAT: OKAY, SO GOOD DIAGNOSTIC TOOL.

IS IT AFFORDABLE?

>> KURKOWSKI: IT'S ABOUT THE PRICE RANGE OF $100 OR MORE.

>> PAT: ALRIGHT, ONE ROAD SERVICE TRIP IS GOING TO COST THAT MUCH IN MOST AREAS OF THE COUNTRY.

>> KURKOWSKI: DEFINITELY.

>> PAT: SO, I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO HAVE ONE IN MY CAR.

>> KURKOWSKI: YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> PAT: GEORGE, THANK YOU.

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

>> JOHN: WELL, OUR 2014 NISSAN VERSA NOTE HAS SERVED ITS TIME WITH THE MOTORWEEK CREW 12 MONTHS, TO BE EXACT SO NOW WE MUST SAY GOODBYE TO THE SUBCOMPACT 5-DOOR HATCHBACK THAT PROVED HIGHLY CAPABLE AND ENJOYABLE.

MONTH IN AND MONTH OUT, WE'VE RAVED ABOUT THE NOTE'S VERSATILITY; FOR BIG NEEDS IN BOTH CARGO AND PASSENGER ROOM.

AND THAT'S OUR FINAL VERDICT TOO.

FOR AROUND TOWN SPRINTS, LONG DISTANCE STINTS, AND EVEN THE OCCASIONAL WEEKEND HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, THE NOTE CAN ACCOMMODATE.

THE 109 HORSEPOWER, 1.6 LITER I4 DIDN'T FEEL AS WEAK AS IT SAYS ON PAPER, PROVIDING AN IMPRESSIVE PUNCH WHEN CALLED UPON.

AND THE CVT TRANSMISSION DID ITS JOB WITH FEW COMPLAINTS.

WHAT REALLY SHINED WAS FUEL ECONOMY.

AFTER 19,079 MILES OF VERY MIXED DRIVING AND A ROUGH WINTER SEASON, WE WERE DEAD ON WITH THE COMBINED GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATING OF 35 MILES PER GALLON.

SOME HIGHWAY TRIPS EVEN NEARED 40.

MOST LOV THE CAR'S TOSSABLE NATURE, THOUGH SOME NOTED THAT STEERING FEEL GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOOSER AS THE MILES TACKED ON.

THE OPTIONAL AROUND VIEW MONITOR IS A GREAT PIECE OF SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE TECHNOLOGY, AND MADE THE EASY-TO-MANEUVER NOTE, EVEN MORE SO.

VERSATILE, AFFORDABLE, FUN, EFFICIENT, AND TOTALLY RELIABLE.

THOSE WOULD BE OUR FINAL NOTES ON THE NISSAN VERSA NOTE.

WE'LL SEE IF THINGS ARE OKAY WITH OUR KIA K900 ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS A MOTORNEWS UPDATE, SO LET'S GET THE LATEST!

>> YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: AFTER SERVING THEIR COUNTRY, MILITARY PERSONNEL NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO "SERVE" IN A DIFFERENT CAPACITY.

GENERAL MOTORS HAS PARTNERED WITH THE U.S. ARMY, AND DEFENSE CONTRACTOR RAYTHEON, TO PROVIDE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN TRAINING FOR SOLDIERS TRANSITIONING BACK INTO CIVILIAN LIFE.

THE "SHIFTING GEARS" PROGRAM IS A 12 WEEK AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN TRAINING COURSE, WHERE UPON COMPLETION, GRADUATES ARE CERTIFIED AS GM TECHNICIANS.

CAREER COUNSELING IS OFFERED, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT GM AUTHORIZED DEALERS.

THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO OFFER ARMY MEN AND WOMEN A STEPPING STONE BETWEEN MILITARY SERVICE AND CIVILIAN LIFE.

MANY IN THE PROGRAM HAVE PRIOR EXPERIENCE WITH AND EXPOSURE TO COMPLEX MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT SUCH AS HELICOPTERS, TANKS, AND TRUCKS DURING THEIR TIME IN THE SERVICE.

THE SHIFTING GEARS COURSE IS BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH SIDES THE AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE INDUSTRY AND THE TRAINEES.

THE NEED FOR QUALIFIED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIANS IS INCREASING AS CARS AND TRUCKS BECOME MORE ADVANCED.

AND WITH INVALUABLE, HANDS-ON TRAINING AND ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL GRADE EQUIPMENT THESE ARMY VETS ARE RECEIVING THE BEST POSSIBLE TRAINING FOR A SUCCESSFUL, NEW CAREER.

THE FIRST ROUND OF GRADUATES, 23 IN ALL, RECENTLY COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING AT FORT HOOD, TEXAS.

THEY NOW HAVE THE SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED IN THEIR TRANSITION FROM ACTIVE SOLDIER TO AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN.

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

>> JOHN: DESPITE LOTS OF PR HYPE FROM TESLA, NISSAN, AND OTHERS, ALL ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE SLOWLY, MAKE THAT VERY SLOWLY, POPULATING AMERICAS AUTOMOTIVE LANDSCAPE.

BUT ONE WAY SOME COMPANIES HOPE TO SPEED THAT ALONG IS TO DROP EV POWERTRAIN'S INTO ALREADY POPULAR DESIGNS.

HAVING SAID THAT WE STILL DIDN'T SEE THIS NEW ONE COMING.

THE KIA SOUL EV.

2015 SEES KIA "CHARGE" INTO YET ANOTHER AUTOMOTIVE SEGMENT WITH THE STILL QUIRKILY SOUL EV.

A LOGICAL PROGRESSION, PERHAPS, AS THE BRAND IS NO STRANGER TO THE HYBRID ELECTRIC GAME.

GIVING LIFE TO THE SOUL'S CHARGE IS AN 81.4KW MOTOR, LOCATED UP FRONT, RIGHT WHERE THE I4 GAS BURNER WOULD TRADITIONALLY BE MOUNTED.

THIS EV CRANKS OUT 109 HORSEPOWER AND 210 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THAT'S SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THE NISSAN LEAF, BUT LESS THAN THE FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC.

ENERGY IS STORED IN A 27 KWH LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACK MOUNTED LOW IN THE CHASSIS, TAKING UP ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF REAR SEAT SPACE.

SO THERE ARE STILL LOTS OF ROOM INSIDE FOR BOTH PEOPLE AND PARCELS.

IN FACT, CARGO SPACE IS UNCHANGED FROM THE STANDARD SOUL AT 18.8 CUBIC-FEET.

OR, FOLD THE SEATBACKS FOR THE SAME 49.5 CUBIC-FEET.

THE EPA RANGE OF 93 MILES IS HIGHER THAN BOTH THE FOCUS AND THE LEAF; OR BASICALLY ANY EV THAT'S NOT A TESLA.

WITH A TOP SPEED OF 90 MILES PER HOUR, KIA ESTIMATES 0-60 IN A POKEY 11.2-SECONDS.

IT DOESN'T JUMP FROM A STANDSTILL LIKE MOST EV'S.

HOWEVER, IT DOES QUICKLY GAIN STEAM AS YOU GO.

WHILE ITS REMAINS "SOUL"FUL IN ITS APPEARANCE, AND KIND OF ALREADY LOOKED LIKE AN EV, THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT WON'T BE EASY TO PICK OUT ON THE ROAD.

THERE ARE NEW FRONT AND REAR FASCIAS JUST FOR THE EV, AS WELL AS UNIQUE 16-INCH ALLOYS.

PLUS, YOU CAN OPT FOR ONE OF THE EV ONLY PAINT SCHEMES LIKE THIS 2 TONE CARIBBEAN BLUE.

EXCLUSIVE LED TAIL LIGHTS GIVE AN ATTENTION GRABBING SPARK TO THE REAR, AND OF COURSE THERE'S EV BADGING ALL AROUND.

DUAL CHARGING PORTS ARE HIDDEN UP FRONT; 1 FOR LEVEL 1 & 2 AC CHARGING, AND 1 FOR 480V DC FAST CHARGING.

PLAN ON ABOUT 5 HOURS FOR A FULL CHARGE WITH A 240V HOUSEHOLD SETUP.

INSIDE, THERE'S NEW WHITE TRIM ON THE CONSOLE, IP, AND DOOR PANELS AND A UNIQUE, MORE EFFICIENT HVAC SYSTEM.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT INCLUDES NAVIGATION, BACK-UP CAMERA, HEATED STEERING WHEEL, AND NEW SUPERVISION GAUGE PANEL WITH LOW ENERGY ORGANIC LED'S.

BIO-BASED MATERIALS ARE USED THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR, AND THEY ARE MOSTLY SOFT AND INVITING.

INITIAL SALES WILL ONLY BE IN CALIFORNIA.

BUT JUST LIKE THE FLU, SALES WILL QUICKLY SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

WHILE THERE'S NO HIDING THE ADDITIONAL 450 POUNDS OF BATTERY WEIGHT, PLACING IT DOWN LOW LIMITS ANY COMPROMISE IN HANDLING.

WHILE TURN-IN RESPONSE IS SLOWER, THERE IS VERY LITTLE BODY ROLL EVEN WHEN PUSHED HARD THROUGH CORNERS.

THAT WEIGHT ALSO HELPS TO GIVE THE SOUL EV A MORE SOLID AND STABLE FEEL THAN ITS FOSSIL FUELED BRETHREN.

THE ELECTRIC MOTOR IS QUIETER THAN MOST, AND COMBINED WITH INCREASED SOUND DEADENING, IT MAKES FOR A VERY QUIET COMMUTE.

EVEN THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS A VERY NATURAL FEEL TO IT FOR AN EV, AND THERE'S AN AGGRESSIVE ENGINE BRAKING MODE AS WELL.

STEERING FEEL WAS LESS IMPRESSIVE, BUT THERE ARE 3 DIFFERENT MODES TO CHOOSE FROM, SO YOU CAN FIND THE ONE THAT WORKS THE BEST FOR YOU.

THE + TRIM LEVEL IS AVAILABLE IN THE EV AS WELL, WHICH GETS YOU LEATHER SEATING, HEATED AND COOLED FOR UP FRONT AND JUST HEATED IN THE REAR; AS WELL AS FOG LIGHTS AND A FEW OTHER NICETIES.

UVO EV SERVICES ARE FREE FOR 5-YEARS AND ALLOWS FOR MONITORING YOUR SOUL EV IN REAL TIME FROM YOUR SMART PHONE WHEN YOU'RE AWAY FROM IT, AND INCREASED INTEGRATION WITH YOUR PHONE WHEN YOU'RE IN IT.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE A MILES-PER-GALLON EQUIVALENT OF 120-CITY, 92-HIGHWAY, AND 105-COMBINED.

AND BEING A ZERO EMISSIONS VEHICLE, THERE'S AN ALMOST PERFECT ENERGY IMPACT SCORE WITH 0.2 BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL USE.

PRICING STARTS AT A VERY REASONABLE $34,500, + TRIM LEVEL GOES FOR 2 GRAND MORE.

ADD IN THE STILL AVAILABLE FEDERAL TAX CREDIT AND THE BASE PRICE FALLS TO $27,000.

KIA HAS CHOSEN WELL TO ENTER THE EV MARKET, AND WITH JUST ABOUT THE PERFECT VEHICLE TO DO IT WITH.

THE 2015 SOUL EV OFFERS MORE POWER AND MORE RANGE THAN MOST OTHER ALL-ELECTRICS.

ADD IN A FUNKY STYLE THAT MAKES DRIVING THIS EV REALLY COOL, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS SOUL IS PRIMED TO SEND A SHOCK THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW, 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 CHECK OUT THE FUTURE OF ULTIMATE DRIVING IN THE BMW I8.

THEN LOAD UP A REVIEW OF THE MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER.

PAS GOSS HELPS US BREATHE EASY.

ZACH MASKELL HUNTS DOWN SOME CLASSICS WITH THE HELP OF WAYNE CARINI.

PLUS MORE QUICK SPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS.

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...

THIS IS PETE.

PETE'S HELPING HIS AUNT MOVE, SO HE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.

BUT PETE'S THINKING, "IT WOULD'VE BEEN NICE TO KNOW ABOUT THE MYNAH BIRD."

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

DIEHARD.

THE DIEHARD ADVANCED GOLD BATTERY.

DESIGNED TO HELP START YOUR CAR AND POWER THE EQUIPMENT IN IT.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.