2022 Drivers' Choice Awards

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

WE'RE ROUNDING UP OUR TOP VEHICLE PICKS WITH MOTORWEEK'S 2022 DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS, INCLUDING OUR BEST OF THE YEAR... ROGER MECCA TAS A LOOK BACK AT THE LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH... AND WE'LL HAVE A LONG-TERM UPDATE AND MORE FIRST DRIVE QUICKSPINS...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAZINE BROUGHT TO YOU BY... FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS LUCAS OIL PRODUCTS HAS HELPED PEOPLE TACKLE MECHANICAL PBLEMS 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.

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LUCAS OIL, KEEP THAT ENGINE ALIVE.

TIRERACK.COM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

FIRST, THERE WAS THE WHEEL.

THEN, THE TIRE.

"WE'LL CALL IT TIRE RACK."

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES, AND SPECIFICATIONS.

ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVENEED.

John: WHEN THE NEW YEAR COMES INTO VIEW, MOTORWEEK FANS KNOW IT WILL SOON BE TIME FOR OUR ANNUAL DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS FOR THE YEAR'S BEST.

AND FOR 2022 THEY ARRIVED AT THE RIGHT TIME.

DESPITE AN UNENDING NDEMIC, CHIP SHORTAGES AND UPENDING INFLATION, WE'VE HAD LOADS OF TERRIFIC NEW CARS, UTILITIES, AND TRUCKS TO REVIEW.

SO, LET'S GET ROLLING WITH THE CARS WE LIKED DRIVING THE BEST.

* CONSIDERING THERE ARFEWER GENUINE CARS TO HESE DAYS, AND THE MAJORITY OF FAMILIES THAT DO CHOOSE TO STICK WITH AN ACTUAL SEDAN ARE OPTING FOR SMALLER ONES; IT MAKES SENSE THAT OUR BEST FAMILY SEDAN AWARD GOES TO THE REDESIGN OF A SEDAN BENCHMARK, THE HONDA CIVIC.

THE 11TH GENERATION OF THE CIVIC ARRIVES MORE FRUGAL, MORE PRACTICAL, MORE STYLISH, AND YES, EVEN MORE FUN TH WE TRY TO BE SENSIBLE WITH OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD PICKS, KEEPING VALUE IN MIND; BUT WHEN IT COMES TO LUXURY, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE.

AND THE ARRIVAL OF AN ALL-NEW MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS IS AN EXPERIENCE WORTH LEBRATING.

NEW TECH LIKE AUGMENTED REALITY NAVIGATION, UP TO 77 INCHES OF SCREEN SPACE, SOME OF THE NICEST MATERIALS YOU'LL FIND IN AN AUTOMOBILE, AND E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL THAT DELIVERS A COMPOSED DRIVING EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANY OTHER BIG SEDAN ON THE ROAD.

WHEN IT COMES TO ACKNOWLEDGING A BROADER PERFORMANCE EFFORT, OUR BEST SPORT SEDAN AWARD GOES TO CADILLAC FOR THEIR V-SERIES BLACKWING.

YES, THE BLACKWING FINALLY ARRIVED, BOTH AS A CT4-V PACKG A 472 HORSEPOWER TWIN-TURBO V6; AND THE CT5-V WITH A 668 HORSEPOWER SUPERCHARGED V8.

TOGETHER, THEY GET UPDATED WITH TRACK-WORTHY SUSPENSION SETUPS, AVAILABLE MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE BRAKES; PROOF THAT GM CAN EASILY DO WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCE WHENEVER THEY PUT THEIR MINDS TO IT.

FOR TWO-YEARS RUNNING, OUR BEST SPORT COUPE AWARD HAS GONE TO THE TOYOTA SUPRA.

YES, THEY NEEDED AN ASSIST FROM BMW, BUT IT WAS TOYOTA'S OWN GAZOO RACING SQUAD THAT REALLY MADE THE SUPRA A WINNER.

WELL, THIS YEAR THEY'VE TURNED THEIR TUNING SKILLS TO THE 86, AND CREATED ANOTHER DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD WINNER, NOW KNOWN AS THE GR86.

COURSE, TOYOTA PARTNERED WITH SUBARU ON THIS ONE ONCE AGAIN, SO THE BRZ GETS OUR AWARD, TOO.

BOTH THESE 2ND.

GEN LIGHTWEIGHT THROWBACK SPORT COUPES ADD MORE POWER, MORE PROWESS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY MORE PERSONALITY.

WITH ALL OF THE PERFORMANCE CARS THAT WE DROVE LAST YEAR, NONE DELIVERED A PURE DRIVING EXPERIENCE BTER THAN LAST YEAR'S WINNER THE PORSCHE 718.

CAYMAN COUPE, BOXSTER ROADSTER, BOTH EQUALLY FUN; AND IT DOESN'T EVEN MATTER WHETHER YOU STICK WITH THE BASE 300 HORSEPOWER 4-CYLINDER TURBO BOXSTER, OR STEP UP TO THE TRACK-SLAYING CAYMAN GT4 WITH ITS GT-DERIVED NATURALLY-ASPIRATED 414 HORSEPOWER FLAT-6; THE 718 FAMILY HAS IT ALL, INCLUDING BANG FOR THE BUCK.

FULLY ELECTRICEHICLES ARE NO LONGER THE FUTURE, THEY'RE HERE NOW, AND BECOMING A REALISTIC OPTION FOR MORE AND MORE PEOPLE.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE AWARDS FOR THREE EVs THAT WE THINK WERE THE BIGGEST GAME CHANGERS YET.

THE LUCID AIR LUXURY SEDAN IS BURSTING ONTO THE SCENE WITH A PERFORMANCE VERSION THAT DELIVERS 1,111 HORSEPOWER AND HITS 6IN JUST 2.4 SECONDS, WHILE DELIVERING CLOSE TO 500 MILES OF RANGE.

IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TO DISPEL YOUR RANGE ANXIETY, A RANGE VERSION PUSHES IT TO 520 MILES, THOUGH OPERATES WITH "ONLY" 933 HORSEPOWER.

ANOTHER NEW CALIFORNIA-BASED ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPANY, RIVIAN, IS DELIVERING A REAL DEAL MIDSIZE PICKUP TRUCK BUILT NOT TO GARNER HEADLINES, BUT TO OFFER WHAT PICKUP PEOPLE ACTUALLYEED.

THE R1T TOWS 11,000 POUNDS OF TRAILER, EASILY CONQUERS OFF-ROAD TRAILS, AND EVEN FEELS LIKE A SPORT SEDAN ON TWISTY ROADS; ALL WHILE PROVIDING UP TO 314 MILES OF RANGE.

ONE FULLY-ELECTRIC SUV THAT'S MAKING A CASE TO BE THE ONLY SUV YOU NEED, IS THE VOLKSWAGEN ID.4.

AS THE FIRST VEHICLE TO COME FROM VOLKSWAGEN'S ID SUB-BRAND, THE ID.4 COMES IN YOUR CHOICE OF REAR OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, DELIVERS UP TO 260 MILES OFGE, AND DRIVES JUST LIKE THE GASOLINE-POWERED SUV YOU'RE USED TO.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT'S PRICED LIKE ONE, TOO.

TIME TO HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON ON OUR 2022 MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS, BUT WE'LL BE BACK SOON WITH A LOOK AT THE TRUCKS AND UTILITIES THAT WE FEEL GOT JOB DONE THIS YEAR!

* IT'S BEEN 50 YEARS SINCE THE WORLD FIRST GLIMPSED THE NOW ICONIC LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH AT THE GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW.

SO, IN LIGHT OF THE BULLY ANNOUNCEMENT OF A MODERNIZED COUNTACH MAKING ITS WAY TO THE STREETS, OUR OWN ROGER MECCA SET OUT TO REDISCOVER WHAT MADE THE ORIGINAL SO REMARKABLE.

* Roger Mecca: IN 1971, LAMBORGHINI WAS STILL CONSIDERED AN UPSTART IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.

THOUGH, THE MIURA HAD MADE AN UNDENIABLE IMPRESSI ON CAR FANS AROUND THE GLOBE, BY THE EARLY '70s, IT WAS SHOWING ITS AGE AND THE BRAND WAS STILL LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF FERRARI.

OWNER FERRUCCIO LAMBORGHINI WAS EAGER TO TAKE OVER THE SPOTLIGHT, AND CALLED ON MIURA DESIGNER MARCELLO GHANDINI OF BERTONE TO LEAD THE REVOLUTION.

FERRUCCIO'S INSTRUCTIONS WERE CLEAR: THE MIURA'S REPLACEMENT HAD TO BE A SINGLE-PURPOSE, FIERCELY POWERFUL SPORTS CAR, WITH UNPARALLELED RFORMANCE EXCEEDING ANYTHING ELSE ON THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY ANYTHING MADE BY FERRARI.

BUT MOST OF ALL, IT HAD TO BE STRIKING, WITH A DESIGN THAT WAS UNLIKE ANYTHING THE WORLD HAD EVER SEEN.

THE PROTOTYPE WAS THE LP500, FEATURING A WEDGE-SHAPED DESIGN THAT WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THE BEAUTIFUL CURVES FOUND ON THE MIURA.

WHEN IT DEBUTED AT THE 1971 GENEVA AUTO SHOW, JAWS HIT THE FLOOR, AND THE SUPERCAR WORLD AS WE KNEW IT WOULD BE CHANGED FOREVER.

DAVID WALTOS IS THE OWNER OF THIS 1986 LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH 5000 QV, WHICH HE PURCHASED IN 1991.

AND LIKE SO MANY CAR FANS OVER THE YEARS, HIS NEED TO GRAD FROM COUNTACH ADMIRER TO COUNTACH OWNER, WAS AN UNDENIABLE DESIRE.

David Waltos: I'D HAD A LOTUS BEFORE AND, AND REALLY LIKED THE CAR, BUT WHEN I SAW THIS, IT WAS JUST SO DIFFERENT.

IT WAS JUST SO WILD.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN IT JUST REPRESENTS THE '80s, WITH ALL THE EXCESS.

I MEAN THE DESIGN, THE ENGINE, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS.

I JUST HAD TO HAVE IT.

Roger: THAT WAS THE EXACT SENTIMENT EVERYONE SHARED FOLLOWING THE DEBUT IN GENEVA.

SO, AFTER ANOTHER THREE YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT, THE COUNTACH FINALLY HIT THE STREETS IN 1974 AS THE LP400.

IT FEATURED A 3.9 LITER V12 WITH 370 HORSEPOWER, AND COULD REACH 60 IN OUND FIVE AND A HALF SECONDS, TAKING DRIVERS ALL THE WAY TO A TOP SPEED OF 170.

AND WHEN YOU COMBINE THOSENUMBERS WITH THE LAMBO'S INCREDKS, IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT THE NAME "COUNTACH" IS ACTUALLY A NORTHERN ITALIAN WORD USED TO EXPRESS AMAZEMENT, AND ADMIRATION.

NOW OVER THE YEARS, THE COUNTACH HAS BUILT UP A LONG LIST OF COMPLAINTS THAT THE CLUTCH IS TOO HEAVY, THE STEERING'S TOO HEAVY, IT'S TOOTO SHIFT, IT'S TOO NOISY AND YOU CAN'T SEE OUT OF IT.

AND, IN FACT, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE TRUE.

BUT THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S ALSO TRUE: IT IS SO MUCH FUN TO DRIVE.

ONCE, YOU GET UP TO SPEED, THE STEE LIGHTENS UP BEAUTIFULLY, AND THE GRIP FROM THE NEARLY 14 INCH WIDE REAR TIRES GIVES YOU THE CONFIDENCE TO DRIVE FASTER AND HARDER.

SOMETHING THIS CAR IS HAPPY TO DO.

STEERING FEEDBACK IS EXCELLENT AND WHEN COMBINE LOW, FIGHTER COCKPIT SEATING POSITION, YOU BEGIN TO SEE FERRUCCIO'S VISION FOR WHAT HE WANTED THE COUNTACH TO BE: AN UNCOMPROMISED RACE CAR FOR THE ROAD.

WHICH REMINDS ME, INVESTING IN SOME RACING SHOES WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA, SINCE THE PEDALS ARE SO CLOSE TOGETHER.

I ACTUALLY HAD TO TAKE MY LEFT SHOE OFF, SO I COULD DEPRESS THE CLUTCH WITHOUT ALSO CATCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL.

BUT, THAT'S JUST ONE MORE THING TO MAKE YOUR TIME IN THIS DRIVER'S SEAT, SO MEMORABLE.

MAKE NO MISTAKE, THIS CAR IS STILL VERY FAST, EVEN BY TODAY'S STANDARDS, AND VERY LOUD.

IT IS A FULL SENSORY EXPERIENCE, LIKE IF YOU WERE SKYDIVING OR RUNNING WITH THE BULLS IN PAMPLONA.

AT NO POINT DO YOU FORGETAT YOU'RE DOI NG AND START TO RELAXING.

BY THE TIME THIS EXAMPLE WAS LAUNCHED IN 1985, THE 5000S QV, THE COUNTACH HAD BECOME MUCH MORE POWERFUL, WITH A 5.2 LITER V12 THAT PRODUCED NEARLY 450 HORSEPOWER, SHOONG THE CAR TO 60 IN LESS THAN 5.0 SECONDS, HITTING A TOP SPEED OF 185.

DESIGNERS ADDED EVEN MORE FLAIR THE YEARS, SOMEHOW MANAGING TO HEIGHTEN THE CAR'S APPEAL, AND KEEP THE COUNTACH RELEVANT AND DESIRABLE IN A WORLD FILLED WITH TESTAROSSAS, PANTERAS, AND 959s.

EVENTUALLY, THE COUNTACH GAVE WAY TO THE DIABLO, AND I'VE ALSO DRIVEN THAT CAR AND HAVE TO SAY, UNEQUIVOCALLY, IT IS MUCH EASIER TO DRIVE ON A DAILY BASIS.

BUT AS TO WHICH CAR IS MORE MEMORABLE?

WELL, THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS PRETTY SIMPLE.

John: PICKUP TRUCKS AND UTILITIES IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES CONTINUE TO DOMINATE THE AUTOMOTIVE LANDSCAPE, AND FOR GOOD REASON.

THEY'RE JUST SO USEFUL.

SO, LET'S SEE WHICH TRUCKS AND UTILITIES HAULED AWAY OUR AWARDS FOR 2022.

* VOLKSWAGEN HAS A GREAT FORMULA FOR MAKING SMALL UTILITY VEHICLES NOT FEEL ALL THAT SMALL, AND IT'S A FAIRLY SIMPLE ONE; JUST MAKE THEM BIGGER THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN THE SEGMENT.

BUT, IT'S MORE THAN JUST A SPACIOUS INTERIOR THAT MAKES THE VOLKSWAGEN TAOS OUR BEST SMALL UTILITY WINNER.

ITS CLASSY LOOKING, PACKED FULL OF T AND HAS A DRIVING EXPERIENCE WELL ABOVE WHAT ST PEOPLE EXPECT FROM A SUBCOMPACT UTILITY VEHICLE.

IT'S MORE THAN JUST ED GOOD LOOKS THAT EARNED THE NISSAN PATHFINDER OUR BEST MIDSIZE UTILITY AWARD.

NISSAN'S PROVEN 284 HORSEPOWER 3.5 LITER V6 IS NOW MATED TO A NEW 9-SPEED AUTOMATITRANSMISSION; THAT COMBO IS ABLE TO TOW 6,000 POUNDS OF TRAIR.

PLUS, THERE'S A WELL-EXECUTED, HIGHLY FLEXIBLE, DURABLE, TECH HEAVY INTERIOR THAT TODAY'S SUV-BUYING FAMILIES DESIRE.

FOR YEARS NOW, GROWING JEEP FAMILIES THAT NEEDED 3-ROW CAPABILITIES HAD TO LOOK ELSEWHERE.

FINALLY, JEEP HAS GIVEN THEM AN OPTION WITH OUR BEST LARGE UTILITY, THE GRAND CHEROKEE L. THIS BEGINS A WHOLE NEW WL GENERATION OF THE BELOVED GC.

NOT TO WORRY, ALL OF THE LEGENDARY OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY OF BEFORE, WITH YOUR CHOICE OF V6 OR V8 POWER; AND,ERE'S A TRADITION AL 5-PASSENGER VERSION AS WELL.

OVER TO THE LUXURY SIDE OF THINGS, AND WE SEE AN EMERGING TREND: NEW BRANDS DISPLACING OLD ONES.

HYUNDAI'S GENESIS LUXURY BRAND LAUNCHING TWO ALL-NEW SUVs DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC WAS NOT THE GREATEST OF SITUATIONS, BUT THEIR MIDSIZE GV80 SHINED THE BRIGHTEST OUT OF ALL THE LUXURY SUVs WE DROVE LAST YEAR, WHICH IS TRULY SAYING A LOT.

ONE YEAR AFTER ADDING A NEW AWARD FOR BEST MIDSIZE TRUCK, WE'VE SEEN THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW COMPACT TRUCK SEGMENT.

THUS, OUR FIRST EVER BEST COMPACT TRUCK AWARD GOES TO THE FORD MAVERICK.

ITS BIG TRUCK LOOKS SET IT APART FROM THE OTHER NEW ENTRY INTO THE SEGMENT, BUT THE STANDARD HYBRID POWERTRAIN IS THE REAL GAME CHANGER HERE.

PLUS, THERE ARE LOTS OF COOL FEATURES, AND IT'S PRICED BELOW 20-GRAND TO START; NOT ONLY MAKING A PICKUP TRUCK ACCESSIBLE FOR A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT POSITIONING IT AS THE NEW ENTRY-LEVEL VEHICLE FOR THE ENTIRE FORD BRAND.

CONTINUING NISSAN'S RETURN TO RUGGED THEME, IS THE NISSAN FRONTIER, OUR BEST MIDSIZE TRUCK WINNER.

THE FRONTIER GOT A LONG OVERDUE MAJOR OVERHAUL THIS YEAR; GOING FROM THE MOST OUTDATED IN THE SEGMENT TO THE MOST MODERN.

YET, THIS IS TRUTHFULLY ONE MIDSIZE PICKUP BUILT FOR REAL TRUCK PEOPLE; FULL FRAME, WITH YOUR CHOICE OF TWO DIFFERENT WHEELBASES, ESTABLISHED 4X4 SYSTEM, AND THE MOST HORSEPOWER IN THE CLASS FROM ITS 310 HORSEPOWER V6.

UNLESS, YOU'VE BEEN TAKING COVID LOCKDOWNS TO THE EXTREME, YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT THERE'S AN ALL-ELECTRIC FORD F-150 COMING, KNOWN AS THE LIGHTNING; AND THAT'S JUST PART OF THE REASON WHY THE ENTIRE F-SERIES NOW REIGNS AS OUR BEST FULLSIZE TRUCK.

YOU NEED TO GO WAY OFF THE BEATEN PATH?

OF COURSE, THERE'S THE F-150 RAPTOR WHICH INSPIRED OTHER BRANDS TO UP THEIR OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE GAME.

NEED OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY WITHOUT SACRIFICING PAYLOAD CAPACITY OR TOWING ABILITY?

THERE'S THE TREMOR PACKAGE WHICH YOU CAN NOW EVEN GET ON THE SUPER DUTY THAT CONTINUES TO SIT AT THE TOP OF ITS CLASS IN TOWING AT 37,000 POUNDS, AND PAYLOAD OF 7,850 POUNDS.

CLEARLY, FORD INS THE LEADER WHEN IT COMES TO FULLSIZE PICKUPS.

AND THAT WRAPS UP OUR 2022 DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS WITH ONE EXCEPTION; THE BIGGEST AWARD OF ALL: OUR MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE BEST OF THE YEAR!

AND IT'S COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW.

John: TIME TO HIT THE ROAD FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF QUICKSPINS!

* SO OFTEN IT FEELS LIKE THERE'S A TIPPING SCALE BETWEEN PRACTICALITY AND PERFORMANCE.

MANY FIND THEIR OWN WAY TO BALANCE THOSE SCALES, INCLUDING AUDI WITH THE 2022 S5 SPORTBACK.

PUTTING PRACTICALITY FIRST, THE S5 IS TRADITIONALLY CONFIGURED AS A TWO-DOOR COUPE OR A DROP-TOP CABRIOLET, BUT THE SPORTBACK MONIKER ADDS TWO EXTRA DOORS IN A "COUPE-ISH" PROFILE WITH A LARGE REAR HATCH FOR EASIER ACCESS.

THE RESULT IS AN IMPRESSIVE 35.1 INCHES OF REAR LEGROOM AND 21.8 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO STORAGE, EXPANDABLE TO 35 CUBIC-FEET WITH THE 40/20/40 FOLDING SEATS DOWN.

THE HEATED "S SPORER FRONT SEATS ARE AS COMFORTABLE AS THEY ARE ADJUSTABLE.

THAT IS, VERY, WITH EIGHWAY ADJUSTABILITY AND POWER LUMBAR.

SECOND ROW OCCUPANTS ARE ALSO PAMPERED THANKS TO A THREE-ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM, AND EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THE SOUNDS FROM E AVAILABLE B&O AUDIO SYSTEM.

THAT'S MANAGED THROUGH THE 10 INCH INFOTAINMENT SCREEN, COMPLIMENTED BY THE 12.3 INCH VIRTUAL COCKPIT DISPLAY.

SPEAKING OF SOUND, THE S5 SPORTBACK PLAYS A SYMPHONY OF ITS OWN-- AND THIS IS WHERE WE GET INTO THE PERFORMANCE.

THE SATISFYING EXHAUST RESONANCE IS PRODUCED BY A TURBOCHARGED 3.0 LITER 6-CYLINDER ENGINE, ECHOING THE TUNE OF 349 HORSEPOWER AND 369 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THANKS TO THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE,IT'S CAPABLE OF A 4.5 SECOND 0-TO-60 TIME AND A TOP SPEED OF 155 MILES PER HOUR.

SPORT SUSPENSION AND AVAILABLE ADAPTIVE DAMPERS HELP KEEP THE SPORTBACK ON YOUR CHOSEN LINE THROUGH THE CORNERS.

THE S5 SPORTBACK IS WRAPPED UP IN AN UNMISTAKABLE AUDI DESIGN; OUR TESTER CAME WITH THE BLACK OPTIC PACKAGE, WHICH RODE ON 20 INCH WHEELS AND THREW IN VARIOUS BLACK TRIMMINGS.

THE 2022 AUDI S5 SPORTBACK MANAGED TO BALANCE THE PERFORMANCE/PRACTICALITY SCALE IN OUR BOOKS, SHEDDING LIGHT ON ITS JUST OVER $55,000 STARTING MSRP.

Greg Carloss: TOYOTA IS A LONG-STANDING NAME IN ELECTRIFIED POWERTRAINS, SO IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE EY'RE DIVING HEAD-FIRST INTO THE FULL EV POOL WITH THE BZ4X.

THAT'S "BZ" STANDING FOR TOYOTA'S "BEYOND ZERO" ELECTRIFICATIOINITIATIVE, THE NUMBER "4" WHICH INDICATES ITS SIZE, AND "X" SIGNIFYING IT'S A CROSSOVER.

THE BASE BZ4X USES A FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE SETUP AND A 71.4 KILOWATT HOUR BATTERY FOR 201 HORSEPOWER AND A MAX RANGE OF 252 MILES.

ALWHEEL DRIVE IS A TWO-GRAND OPTION, ADDING A MOTOR IN BACK AND A LARGER 72.8 KILOWATT HOUR BATTERY.

THAT MEANS, 214 HORSEPOWER AT THE COST OF A REDUCED RANGE-- 242 MILES.

STEPPING UP FROM XLE TTHE LIMITED TRIM FURTHER DECREASES RANGE TO 228 AND 222 MILFOR THE FRONT, AND ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE MODELS RESPECTIVELY.

ALL MODELS COME WITH A PLETHORA OF TECH, LIKE A 12.3 INCH INFOTAINMENT SCREEN AND A DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL.

THE LIMITED ADDS A HEATED STEERING WHEEL AND HEATED AND VENTILATED FRONT SEATS.

OF COURSE, YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT AN EV WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE ACCELERATION.

HERE, IT'S PRETTY STOUT.

THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE VERSION WILL GET YOU TO 60 IN UNDER 7.0 SECONDS.

FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE IS A LITTLE OVER 7.0 SECONDS AROUND THAT AREA.

AND IT FEELS QUICK.

IT'S ABOUT THAT INSTANT TORQUE AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT, IT FEEL LIKE YOU'RE GEING MORE PERFORMANCE THAN YOU ACTUALLY ARE-- IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS.

AND SOMETHING YOU CAN'T DISCERN FROM NUMBERS IS THE RIDE EXPERIENCE: COMFORTABLE AND QUIET, WITH LITTLE-TO-NO NOISE EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

THE 2023 TOYOTA BZ4X IS MAKING SOME NOISE IN THE EV-SCENE THIS SUMMER, LAUNCHING NOW WITH A STARTING PRICE OF $43,000 AFTER DESTINATION AND BEFORE TAX INCENTIVES.

AND STAY TUNED TO MOTORWEEK FOR MORE QUICKSPINS, SOON!

* Greg: OUR 2022 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT LIMITED EDITION LONG-TERM MAY REPRESENT THE LAST PASSAT'S TO ROLL OFF VW'S CHATTANOOGA ASSEMBLY LINE; BUT IN MANY WAYS IT FEELS MUCH LIKE THE FIRST.

AFTER ALL, THE U.S.

SPECIFIC PASSAT HASN'T REALLY CHANGED ALL THAT MUCH SINCE IT DEBUTED 10 YEARS AGO, AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

VW GOT THIS MID-SIZE DESIGN RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO.

SEDANS LIKE THIS PASSAT USED TO BE THE BREAD AND BUTTER FOR AUTOMAKERS BECAUSE AT THEIR PEAK THEY OFFERED THE BEST MIX OF INTERIOR SPACE, RIDE QUALITY, AND FUEL ECONOMY.

WELL, THIS FINAL PASSAT IS BETTER AT ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAN IT WAS DURING THE MID-SIZE SEDAN HEYDAYS.

AND CONSIDERING THAT ALONE, IT'S A REAL SHAME WE'VE REACHED THE END OF ITS RUN.

WE'RE JUST TWO-MONTHS AND 1,500 MILES INTO OUR TEST, BUT FUEL ECONOMY IS OFF TO A 32.2 MILES PER GALLON START, WELL-ABOVE ITS 28 MPG COMBINED RATING.

GREAT FOR SUCH A BIG VEHICLE, THOUGH THE 2.0 LITER I4 TURBO MAKING IT HAPPEN, PUTS OUT A MODEST 174 HORSEPOWER.

AND THIS PASSAT TRULY DOES HAVE A LOT OF ROOM INSIDE, WITH REAR SEAT PASSENGERS BENEFITTING FROM FULL-SIZE CAR-LIKE LEGROOM.

WE'LL HOP INTO OUR TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

John: WE ALWAYS SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST, SO LET'S WRAP UP WITTHE ONE VEHICLE THAT RIDES OFF WITH OUR HIGHEST HONOR: THE 2022 MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS BEST OF THE YEAR!

* THIS WILL LIKELY COME AS A SURPRISE TO MANY, BUT THE FORD MAVERICK IS OUR 2022 MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE BEST OF THE YEAR!

THAT'S BECAUSE THE MAVERICK IS MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER TRUCK FROM FORD, IT'S TRULY A GAME CHANGER FOR BOTH THE PICKUP TRUCK SEGMENT AND FOR ENTRY-LEVEL TRANSPORTATION.

AND IT STARTS WITH THE STANDARD HYBRID POWERTRAIN.

THE 191 HORSEPOWER 2.5 LITER BASED SYSTEM NOT ONLY MAKES IT THE MOST FUEL-EFFICIENT TRUCK YOU CAN BUY, BUT WITH A CITY RATING OF 42 MILES PER GALLON, PUTS THE MAVERICK IN THE SAME CONVERSATION AS MANY OF THE SMALLEST CARS.

AND, IT STILL DOES TRUCK-LIKE THINGS VERY WELL, WITH A HIGHLY-FUNCTIONAL 4.5 FOOT BED, COMFORTABLE ROOM FOR FIVE INSIDE, AND EVEN TOWS UP TO 2,000 POUNDS.

PLUS, THE HYBRID'S REGEN BRAKING MAKES HILLY TOWING MUCH MORE PLEASANT, EVEN THOUGH IT ALSO USES A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION.

NEED MORE CAPABILITY?

THERE'S AN AVAILABLE 250 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER ECOBOOST EINE WITH 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT ALLOWS FOR UP TO 4,000 POUNDS OF TOWING.

FOR OFF-PAVEMENT PAVEMENT USE, AN AVAILABLE FX4 PACKAGE ADDS MONOTUBE DAMPERS, HILL DESCENT CONTROL, SKID PLATES, AND ALL-TERRAIN TIRES ON 17 INCH WHEELS.

THE FLEXBED FEATURES MULTIPLE ANCHOR POINTS FOR TIE-DOWNS, NUMEROUS POCKETS FOR DIVIDERS, AVAILABLE 12 AND 110 VOLT POWER OUTLETS, STORAGE CUBBY, AND EVEN BOTTLE OPENERS.

INSIDE THIS CREW CAB, ARE UNIQUE LOOKING DURABLE MATERIALS, PLENTY OF TECH INCLUDING A STANDARD 8.0 INCH TOUCHSCREEN, PLUS STORAGE SPACE UNDER THE REAR SEAT.

AND, DID WE MENTION IS STARTS AROUND $20,000?

THAT MAKES PICKUP TRUCKS MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN EVER.

DELIVERING A TRUE PICKUP FOR THE MASSES THAT'S EASY ON GAS, EASY TO DRIVE, EASY TO PARK, EASY ON THE EYES, AND EASY TO LOVE IS WHY THE FORD MAVERICK IS OUR MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE BEST OF THE YEAR!

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.

WE'LL ROW THE GEARS IN VOLKSWAGEN'S LONG-LASTING COMPACT, THE JETTA GLI, AND WE'LL GET FRISKY ON THE TRACK IN THE INCREDIBLE LAMBORGHINI HURACAN STO.

WE'RE GOING BACK OVER THE EDGE TO THE HOUSE OF DUBS AND COMING BACK AROUND FOR MORE QUICKSPINS!

TIL' 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... MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY... 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.

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.

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.

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