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

JOIN US AS MERCEDES-BENZ ADDS PLUG-IN POWER TO THEIR WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCE AND PRESTIGE... PAT GOSS HAS CAR CARE ADVICE TO PROTECT YOUR THREADS... WE'LL SEE HOW EVs ARE GETTING A CHARGE AT HOME, AT WORK, AND AT PLAY... AND FORD TUNES UP THE TECH TO KEEP THE REVAMPED ESCAPE A STAR AMONG COMPACT UTEs...

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."

Announcer: TIRERACK.COM.

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 ARE DESIGNED TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE'S FLOORS, LASER MEASURED THEY OFFER PROTECTION IN THE FRONT, BACK, AND UP SIDES.

WEATHERTECH.

MADE IN AMERICA.

STATE FARM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

John: WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE EUROPEAN BRANDS TURNING THEIR ATTENTION AWAY FROM THEIR LONG TIME AFFECTION FOR DIESELS, AND BEGINNING TO EMBRACE ELECTRIFIED PLUG-INS FOR THEIR FUTURE POWERTRAIN NEEDS.

AND THAT INCLUDES MERCEDES-BENZ WITH BOTH PHEV VERSIONS OF THE C-CLASS AND S-CLASS SEDANS.

SO LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS TREND, AND SEE WHAT MORE AND MORE LUXURY BUYERS WILL BE PLUGGING INTO.

* MERCEDES-BENZ, ALWAYS LOOKING TO GO THE EXTRA MILE, NOW HAS A PAIR OF LUXURIOUS 4-DOORS IN THE PLUG-IN HYBRID PARADE THAT CAN DO THOSE EXTRA MILES PURELY ON ELECTRIC POWER.

THE UPDATED 2017 S550E FOR THE FLAGSHIP FAITHFUL, AND THE 2017 C350E FOR THOSE CLOSER TO THE MAINSTREAM.

THIS IS NOT EXACTLY VIRGIN TERRITORY FOR BENZ, HAVING APPLIED THEIR FIRST HYBRID TREATMENT TO THE E-CLASS BACK IN 2012, AND OF COURSE, PURE EV VERSIONS OF THE SMART, SLS AMG, AND NEWEST B-CLASS.

HOWEVER, THESE SEDANS DO SIGNAL A BROADER PHEV STRATEGY GOING FORWARD.

THE S550E IS THEIR FIRST PHEV, AND IT'S BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE 2014.

LIKE MOST PLUG-INS, IT OFFERS A VARIETY OF OPERATING MODES.

DEFAULT IS HYBRID MODE; IN WHICH IT OPERATES AS A TYPICAL HYBRID, DETERMINING FOR ITSELF WHEN IT'S MOST EFFICIENT TO USE BATTERY POWER AND WHEN TO ENGAGE THE ENGINE.

E-MODE RUNS ON THE BATTERY ALONE FOR A CLAIMED 12 MILES AT UP TO 75 MILES PER HOUR.

THINK OF THIS AS A CITY FRIENDLY MODE.

E-SAVE ALLOWS YOU TO RUN STRICTLY ON THE ENGINE, SAVING YOUR BATTERY RANGE FOR LATER USE; AND CHARGE MODE WILL DIVERT ENGINE POWER TO CHARGING THE BATTERY BACK UP TO FULL, GIVING YOU ANOTHER 12 MILES OF EV RANGE.

THANKFULLY, THE GAUGES MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR WHICH MODE YOU'RE IN.

ALL TO MAKE ONE OF THE MOST FABULOUSLY SMOOTH HYBRIDS WE'VE EVER DRIVEN.

POWERTRAIN IS A COMBINATION OF A 3.0 LITER TWIN-TURBO V6 ENGINE AND AN 85KW ELECTRIC MOTOR WITH AN 8.0KWH BATTERY PACK THAT CAN BE CHARGED IN 2.5 HOURS ON 240 VOLT CURRENT.

COMBINED OUTPUT IS 436 HORSEPOWER AND 479 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

EVERYTHING WORKS THROUGH A REAL 7-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; IN REAR-DRIVE ONLY FOR THE TIME BEING.

ACCELERATION IS MORE THAN ADEQUATE, WITH A 5.2 SECOND 0-60, BUT WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED SMOOTHNESS, YOU REALLY DO HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO TELL YOU WHERE POWER IS COMING FROM.

AND WHILE, IT WILL CERTAINLY GET UP AND GO IF YOU ASK IT TO, IT'S MUCH HAPPIER AT A MORE RELAXED PACE.

LEFT IN HYBRID MODE, IT WANTS TO BE AN EV AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

BENZ KEEPS IT CLASSY OUTSIDE, WITH JUST SUBTLE UPDATES TO THE HANDSOME S-CLASS FORM; FENDER EMBLEMS, BLUE ACCENTS ON THE LED HEADLAMPS, AND BLUE BRAKE CALIPERS, THOUGH ONLY IN THE FRONT.

THE CHARGING PORT IS ON THE REAR BUMPER.

OBVIOUSLY, DONE TO AVOID CUTTING A HOLE IN ANY BODY PANEL.

IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE CONVENIENT, THOUGH LIKELY MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

NO CONCESSIONS MADE INSIDE HOWEVER; IT'S STILL ONE OF THE GREATEST PLACES IN ALL AUTOMOTIVEDOM TO SPEND DRIVE TIME.

NEWEST ON THE SCENE IS THE C350E; USING THE BRAND'S FIRST 4-CYLINDER-BASED HYBRID POWERTRAIN.

STARTING WITH THEIR 2.0 LITER I4 TURBO, BENZ ADDS A 60KW ELECTRIC MOTOR WITH A 6.2KWH BATTERY.

CHARGE TIME IS ALSO, 2.5 HOURS WITH 240.

TOTAL OUTPUT IS 275 HORSEPOWER AND 443 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

EV RANGE IS A CLAIMED 20 MILES, THOUGH FOR US, 17 MILES WAS MORE TYPICAL.

WITH THAT MUCH TORQUE ON TAP, YOU'D EXPECT IT TO FEEL QUICK, AND IT DOES.

WE HIT 60 IN 6.2 SECONDS; ALMOST HALF A SECOND QUICKER THAN THE LAST C300 SEDAN WE TESTED.

LIKE THE S-CLASS, THERE'S A 7-SPEED AUTOMATIC, WHICH WORKS EFFICIENTLY; KEEPING POWER LAPSES BETWEEN SHIFTS VERY BRIEF.

IT FINISHED THE QUARTER MILE IN 14.6 SECONDS AT 97 MILES PER HOUR.

ALSO, IN SIMILAR FASHION TO THE S-CLASS, THERE'S NOTHING ANYWHERE APPROACHING COMPROMISE INSIDE, AS THE C-CLASS HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE LIKE THE S-CLASS; YOU'LL CERTAINLY WANT FOR LITTLE IN HERE.

THE S550E HAS A COMBINED GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY MPGE RATING OF 58.

WE AVERAGED 29.4 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.

FOR THE C-CLASS, THE COMBINED RATING IS 51 MPGEs, AND OUR AVERAGE CAME IN AT 27.5 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.

AS WITH ALL PHEVs, THE MORE TIME YOU'RE ABLE TO RUN ON BATTERY, THE BETTER YOU'LL DO.

AND BOTH VEHICLES OBVIOUSLY EARN VERY GOOD ENERGY IMPACT SCORES; THE C-CLASS' SLIGHTLY BETTER WITH JUST 7.9 BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL CONSUMPTION AND C02 EMISSIONS OF 3.6 TONS.

A C350E WILL COST YOU AT LEAST $46,415; THAT'S A HEALTHY 6-GRAND PREMIUM OVER A BASE C300.

THE NEWS IS A LITTLE BETTER OVER ON THE S-CLASS SIDE, WITH THE 550E COMING IN EXACTLY THE SAME AS A BASE V8 550 AT $97,525.

IT'S DEFINITELY AN INTERESTING TIME IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY AS WE MOVE FROM PUMPING FOSSIL FUELS TO PLUGGING IN.

AND YOU KNOW IT'S SERIOUS WHEN A BRAND LIKE MERCEDES-BENZ MAKES THE PHEV SHIFT.

BOTH OF THESE CARS ARE SUPERIOR EFFORTS, ADDING TO A GROWING CROWD OF OPTIONS THAT BURN LESS PETROLEUM.

WHATEVER THE FUTURE HOLDS, WE SAY, "BRING IT ON!"

AFTER ALL, THE GOOD LIFE IS ALL ABOUT HAVING CHOICES.

* JUICING UP AT HOME IS NOW A GIVEN FOR MOST ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNERS, BUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DESTINATION CHARGING, AT WORK, WHILE SHOPPING, AND EVEN ON VACATION, IS RAPIDLY EXPANDING AS WELL, MAKING IT EASIER THAN EVER TO MAKE EV'S A GO-ANYWHERE VEHICLE OF CHOICE.

THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC ACCESS EV CHARGERS IN THE U.S. HAS JUMPED FROM LESS THAN 500 IN 2009, WHEN FEDERAL RECOVERY ACT GRANTS BEGAN SPURRING EV INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, TO MORE THAN 42,000 CHARGE POINTS AT 16,000 LOCATIONS IN 2017.

THE VAST MAJORITY ARE LEVEL 2, 240 VOLT CHARGERS.

THESE USE A STANDARDIZED CONNECTOR, COMPATIBLE WITH ALL MASS-MARKET PLUG-IN VEHICLES, AND TYPICALLY CHARGE AT 4 - 7 KILOWATTS, ADDING ABOUT 26 MILES OF RANGE PER HOUR.

MANY PUBLIC CHARGERS ARE FREE TO USE, WITH A MUNICIPALITY OR BUSINESS COVERING THE COST IN ORDER TO ATTRACT VISITORS AND ENCOURAGE EV USE.

FOR THOSE THAT REQUIRE A FEE, USERS MAY PAY BY THE SESSION, BY THE KILOWATT-HOUR, OR SOMETIMES AN ALL YOU CAN USE SUBSCRIPTION.

CAR COMPANIES ARE ALSO, SUPPORTING CHARGING CONVENIENCE: BMW AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HAVE TEAMED UP IN HONOR OF THEIR RESPECTIVE 100TH ANNIVERSARIES TO INSTALL UP TO 100 EV CHARGING STATIONS, DONATED BY BMW, IN OR NEAR OUR NATIONAL PARKS.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY IS SERVING AS A TECHNICAL ADVISER AND WILL MAKE THESE CHARGERS EASY FOR TRAVELERS TO FIND IN THEIR ONLINE NATIONAL STATION LOCATOR TOOL AND SMARTPHONE APP.

THE FIRST OF THESE CHARGERS HAS BEEN INSTALLED, FITTINGLY ENOUGH, AT THE THOMAS EDISON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK IN NEW JERSEY.

Tom Ross: WE'RE STANDING HERE AT THE GARAGE WHERE, UH, HE HAD VERY EARLY ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION, CIRCA 1904.

HE OWNED A NUMBER OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND OF COURSE, HIS INTEREST IN THE ELECTRIC STORAGE BATTERY, IS WELL NOTED, AND HE SPENT OVER 10 YEARS AND 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS WORKING ON THOSE BATTERIES TO IMPROVE THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE.

John: THE ABILITY TO CHARGE AT WORK CAN POTENTIALLY DOUBLE THE PRACTICAL COMMUTING RANGE FOR AN ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE.

MANY PUBLIC PARKING GARAGES HAVE EV CHARGING EQUIPMENT, WHILE, MORE AND MORE PRIVATE COMPANIES HAVE ADDED MULTIPLE CHARGERS IN THEIR LOTS, TO ENCOURAGE EV USE AMONG THEIR EMPLOYEES.

VACATION OR INTER-CITY TRAVEL MEANS GOING BEYOND THE PREDICTABLE ROUTES OF EVERYDAY COMMUTING, AND PRESENTS A WHOLE NEW SET OF CHALLENGES FOR PLUGGING IN.

IN THIS CASE, LEVEL 3, DIRECT CURRENT FAST CHARGING, IS THE MOST DESIRABLE OPTION.

TOO EXPENSIVE FOR MOST HOME INSTALLATIONS, A TYPICAL LEVEL 3 CHARGER DELIVERS 40 TO 60 KILOWATTS OF POWER AND CAN PROVIDE AN 80% CHARGE IN JUST 20 MINUTES.

NOT ALL PLUG-IN VEHICLES CAN ACCEPT FAST CHARGING, AND THERE IS ALSO, AN ISSUE OF INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN CHADEMO AND SAE COMBO CONNECTOR, THE TWO TYPES OF FAST-CHARGE INTERFACES USED BY EV MAKERS.

FOR NOW, THEY COEXIST AS A KIND OF DUAL STANDARD THAT WILL LIKELY CONTINUE FOR SOME TIME.

A THIRD TYPE OF CHARGE PLUG IS USED BY TESLA FOR THEIR PROPRIETARY 120 KILOWATT SUPERCHARGER NETWORK.

THERE ARE NOW ABOUT 2600 SUPERCHARGERS NATIONWIDE, BUT TESLA PLANS TO DOUBLE THAT NUMBER BY THE END OF 2017.

CONVENTIONAL FAST-CHARGE OUTLETS ARE ON A SIMILAR PACE FOR EXPANSION, WITH NUMEROUS PROGRAMS IN THE WORKS.

FOR INSTANCE, NISSAN AND EVGO HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ON "DRIVE THE ARC," AN ADVANCED RECHARGING CORRIDOR DEMONSTRATION THAT IS INSTALLING 50 FAST CHARGERS ON POPULAR ROUTES BETWEEN LAKE TAHOE AND MONTEREY, AND THEY HAVE ANNOUNCED A SIMILAR PROGRAM ON THE EAST COAST, LINKING WASHINGTON D.C. TO BOSTON.

IT'S ALSO WORTH NOTING, EVERY EV COMES WITH A LEVEL 1, 120 VOLT CHARGER, AND MANY BUSINESSES, AND HOTELS WILL HAPPILY ALLOW YOU TO PLUG IN FOR FREE.

SO, VIRTUALLY EVERYWHERE YOU WANT TO GO, CHARGING POWER IS LIKELY NEARBY.

WHILE, THE U.S. FAST-CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE IS STILL IN ITS ADOLESCENCE, IT IS GROWING FAST TO MEET DEMAND.

AND GIVING THOSE THAT WANT TO HIT THE OPEN ROAD GAS-FREE, GOOD REASON TO GET CHARGED UP FOR DRIVING ELECTRIC.

Pat Goss: THIS TIME WE HAVE SOME NEAR ODDS AND ENDS.

FIRST WE HAVE BOLT LOCK.

NOW, BOLT LOCK MAKES A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS AND WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT BOLT LOCK IN GENERAL IS THAT THEY CAN BE KEYED TO MATCH YOUR CAR.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE FIRST TIME YOU USE THIS LOCK MECHANISM RIGHT HERE FOR THE RECEIVER ON YOUR TRAILER HITCH... WHAT YOU DO IS YOU TAKE YOUR CAR'S KEY, AND OF COURSE, YOU HAVE TO ORDER THESE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR MAKE, AND MODEL, BUT YOU TAKE THE CAR KEY, AND YOU PUT IT IN THERE, YOU TURN IT, AND THAT KEYS IT TO YOUR KEY.

SO, FROM THERE ON ALL YOU HAVE TO DO WELL USE YOUR CAR KEY TO UNLOCK THE TRAILER OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE.

SO, IT SIMPLIFIES LIFE DRAMATICALLY.

SO SOMETHING YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK FOR, AND THEY HAVE AN ASSORTMENT OF DIFFERENT ITEMS.

ALRIGHT, NOW OVER HERE WE HAVE THREAD WIZARD.

NOW, THREAD WIZARD THAT'S BRAND NEW, VERY UNIQUE.

SEE INSIDE THIS WE HAVE A WHEEL THAT HAS REALLY STIFF WIRE BRISTLES ON IT.

AND WHAT YOU DO WITH THIS, YOU TAKE THAT OLD RUSTY BOLTED, YOU TOOK OUT OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR SOMETHING, BUT THAT YOU HAVE TO REUSE, AND YOU SCREW IT IN TO THE THREAD WIZARD, AND WE CAN SEE HERE WE SCREWED THIS ONE DOWN EARLIER, WE CAN SEE THAT THE THREADS ARE SPOTLESSLY CLEAN AS FAR AS WE SCREWED IT IN.

NOW, THEY COME IN DIFFERENT SIZES, FOR METRIC, AND STANDARD, SO SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY NEAT TO HAVE IN THE TOOL BOX.

FINALLY, YOU KNOW EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT BOLTS AND SO ON, NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW WHEN THEY GO TO THE STORE TO BUY A REPLACEMENT BOLT WHAT SIZE THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.

YOU SEE, THE HEAD OF THE BOLT IS NOT THE SIZE OF THE BOLT.

IN OTHER WORDS, IF IT USES A 10 MM WRENCH IT'S NOT A 10 MM BOLT.

SO, WHAT EVERY TOOL BOX SHOULD HAVE IS A BOLT GAUGE.

NOW, THE BOLT GAUGE WILL TELL YOU SIMPLY GO NO GO YOU PUT THE BOLT INTO ONE OF THE HOLES.

IF IT FITS THROUGH THIS ONE, BUT NOT THROUGH THIS ONE THEN IT'S THE FIRST ONE.

SO, GO NO GO TELLS YOU THE SIZE OF THE BOLT, AND THEN WHEN YOU GO TO ORDER A BOLT YOU KNOW WHAT TO ASK FOR.

SO REALLY HANDY TO HAVE.

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

* Lauren Morrison: FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO LOVE EVERYTHING CORVETTE... YOU'LL ADORE WHAT'S COMING NEXT FROM CHEVROLET.

NO, WE DON'T HAVE MORE SPY SHOTS OF THE UPCOMING MID-ENGINE C8, BUT RATHER ONE LAST, HOTTER VERSION OF THE CURRENT C7, THIS 2018 CORVETTE ZR1.

YES, IT'S HEAVILY CAMOUFLAGED, BUT WE CAN TELL IT FEATURES A MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE HOOD.

UNDER WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE A SUPERCHARGED V-8 WITH HELLCAT BEATING 700 PLUS HORSEPOWER.

IF TRUE, THE HUGE REAR WING WILL BE NEEDED TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD.

BOTH COUPE AND CONVERTIBLE ARE ALSO EXPECTED AS WHAT COULD BE THE LAST FRONT ENGINE CORVETTES GO OUT WITH A ROAR.

John: YOU KNOW JOY RIDING HAS GOTTEN A BAD RAP, BUT NOT THE WAY WE DO IT.

SO LET'S GO FOR A QUICKSPIN!

THE ALL-NEW 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX COMPACT CROSSOVER CONTINUES THEIR TRADITION OF STANDING OUT FROM THE COMPETITION.

A BIT BEEFIER THAN RIVALS, IT WON OUR 2011 SMALL SUV SHOOTOUT, AND PLACED 2ND IN 2015.

ALL WHILE RETAINING ITS SPOT AS CHEVROLET'S TOP NON-PICKUP SELLER.

UPDATED DESIGN ELEMENTS SHARED WITH OTHER CHEVY'S REDUCE WIND RESISTANCE BY 10%.

THIS EQUINOX IS ALSO, 400 POUNDS LEANER, NOW 4.7 INCHES SHORTER OUTSIDE, BUT ADDING 3-AND-A-HALF MORE CUBIC FEET OF SPACE INSIDE.

IT MAKES A GOOD IMPRESSION UP FRONT WITH THE LATEST FAMILY GRILLE, SLIM PROJECTOR-BEAM HEADLIGHTS, AND LED DAYTIME RUNNERS.

AT THE REAR, TAILLIGHTS ARE NOW HORIZONTAL.

THERE'S ALSO, A LARGER HATCH TOP SPOILER TO IMPROVE AERODYNAMICS.

NO MORE V6, CHEVROLET IS OFFERING ALL TURBOCHARGED I4s ON THE NEW EQUINOX.

THERE ARE THREE TO CHOOSE FROM, AND ONE OF THEM IS A FIRST TIME DIESEL.

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE IS STANDARD, BUT SWITCHABLE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS AVAILABLE.

WE TESTED THE EQUINOX ALONG SOME WINDING MOUNTAIN ROADS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

Zach Maskell: THE FOLKS AT CHEVY TOLD US THEY WERE WORKING TOWARDS A SPORTIER VEHICLE AND IT'S EVIDENT THAT, THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE HERE.

WE HAVE A STIFFER CHASSIS, STIFFER SUSPENSION, THE BRAKES ALONG WITH THE STEERING, EVERYTHING JUST FEELS A LOT TIGHTER, BUT IT DIDN'T SACRIFICE ANY OF THE NICE DRIVABILITY THAT WE WANT OUT OF A CROSSOVER.

John: INFOTAINMENT IS DISPLAYED ON A 7-OR-8-INCH SCREEN.

THE LIST OF AVAILABLE ACTIVE SAFETY FEATURES HAS GROWN, AND NOW INCLUDES SAFETY ALERT SEAT, LANE KEEP ASSIST, AND LOW-SPEED FORWARD AUTOMATIC BRAKING.

NEW KNEELING REAR SEATS FOLD TO CREATE A FLAT FLOOR.

THE 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX IS ON SALE NOW, WITH PRICES STARTING UNDER $24,000.

WHEN MAZDA INTRODUCED THE MX-5 MIATA IN 1989, THEY BROUGHT '60s STYLE EURO OPEN AIR MOTORING INTO THE MODERN AGE.

NOW, AFTER A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF THE 4TH GENERATION ROADSTER FOR 2016, WE HAVE THE 2017 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA RF, WHERE R-F STANDS FOR RETRACTABLE FASTBACK.

WITH THE PUSH OF A BUTTON, THE SOLID TOP GOES UP OR DOWN IN 13 SECONDS.

WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE ON MIATA'S, BUT THIS NEW HARDTOP TOP DELIVERS MORE COUPE-LIKE STYLING ALONG WITH BETTER SOUND PROOFING.

MAZDA ALSO SAYS THERE'S NO IMPACT ON TRUNK SPACE.

AND THE TOP'S IMPACT OF WEIGHT IS ONLY ABOUT 100 POUNDS.

Zach: FOR ANYBODY THAT WAS WORRIED THE EXTRA WEIGHT MIGHT MAKE THIS CAR NOT FEEL LIKE IT SHOULD, DON'T WORRY, IT STILL FEELS LIKE THE GOOD OLD TRUSTY CAR YOU WANT TO TAKE OUT ON THE WEEKEND.

John: THIS SPIRITED LITTLE SPORTS CAR IS STILL PROPELLED BY A 155 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER SKYACTIV-G I4.

THANKFULLY, A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANS IS STILL STANDARD, WHILE AN AUTOMATIC IS AVAILABLE.

IN CLUB AND GRAND TOURING TRIMS, THE MX-5 MIATA RF IS ON SALE NOW STARTING UNDER $32,000.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPIN'S CRUISING YOUR WAY SOON!

WHILE, NOT AMONG THE ORIGINAL CROP OF COMPACT CROSSOVERS, THE FORD ESCAPE ARRIVED FOR 2001 HOT ON THE HEELS OF THE TOYOTA RAV4 AND HONDA CR-V, AND QUICKLY MADE A BIG IMPACT ON THE SEGMENT.

NOW, MIDWAY THROUGH ITS 3RD GENERATION, IT CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR PLAYER, AND A HOST OF UPDATES FOR 2017, MAY ENSURE THAT CONTINUES TO BE THE CASE.

* NOTHING'S HOTTER THAN SMALL CROSSOVERS RIGHT NOW.

SO FORD PROBABLY COULD HAVE KEPT BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR THEIR COMPACT ESCAPE AND BEEN JUST FINE, AS THEY SOLD OVER 300,000 OF THEM IN THE U.S. LAST YEAR.

BUT THAT'S NOT HOW THINGS WORK AT FORD THESE DAYS, OR THE AUTO INDUSTRY IN GENERAL; SO FOR 2017, A FRESHENED ESCAPE DRIVES INTO THE SCENE.

FORD CERTAINLY GIVES YOU PLENTY OF POWERTRAIN OPTIONS.

BASE S ESCAPE'S COME WITH A NORMALLY ASPIRATED 168 HORSEPOWER 2.5 LITER I4; IN FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE ONLY.

SE AND TITANIUM TRIMS COMES WITH FORD'S 1.5 LITER ECOBOOST WITH 179 HORSEPOWER AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS AVAILABLE.

[ENGINE STARTS UP] ALSO OPTIONAL, IS THIS 2.0 LITER ECOBOOST WHICH RATES 245 HORSEPOWER AND A STOUT 275 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

ALL ENGINES WORK WITH A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; MAX TOWING IS GOOD FOR THE COMPACT CLASS, AT 3,500 POUNDS.

THE 2.0 LITER FEELS PLENTY PEPPY ON THE STREET WITH GEARING CLEARLY DESIGNED FOR ACCELERATION.

WE ACTUALLY GOT COMPLAINTS OF THIS BEING TOO MUCH ENGINE FOR THIS VEHICLE; HIGHLY UNUSUAL FROM OUR POWER-HUNGRY CREW.

[WHEEL SCREECHING] BUT THAT WAS MOSTLY DUE TO THE OVERACHIEVING STABILITY SYSTEM.

IT BECOMES VERY PROBLEMATIC WHEN ATTEMPTING A STRONG LAUNCH, FINDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN TOO MUCH CONTROL, AND TOO MUCH WHEELSPIN WITH IT TURNED OFF.

IT FEELS FASTER THAN THE 7.6 SECONDS IT TOOK US TO HIT 60; ESPECIALLY, AS ONCE THE TRANSMISSION HITS 2ND AND GETS GOOD TRACTION IT REALLY TAKES OFF.

SHIFTS ARE VERY SMOOTH; BUT EVEN IN SPORT MODE, A TOUCH SLOW FOR OUR TASTES.

WE FINISHED OUT THE QUARTER MILE IN 16.0 SECONDS FLAT AT 85 MILES PER HOUR.

THROUGH OUR HANDLING COURSE, IT WAS LIGHT AND AGILE; COMFORTABLE AND SOLID FOR A COMPACT UTE.

A 107 FOOT AVERAGE FOR BRAKING FROM 60 IS QUITE GOOD; BUT THERE'S A VERY ARTIFICIAL FEEL TO THE PEDAL, AND SOME AGGRESSIVE PULLING TO THE SIDE ON INITIAL BRAKING, KEEPS THE RESULTS FROM BEING PERFECT.

SPEAKING OF STOPPING, THE ESCAPE ADDS A NEW STANDARD STOP/START SYSTEM WITH ALL ECOBOOST ENGINES, AND WE FOUND IT TO WORK QUITE SMOOTHLY.

CHANGES TO THE INTERIOR OF THE NEWEST ESCAPE CONSIST MOSTLY OF A RECONFIGURED CENTER CONSOLE, THAT SWAPS THE BIG PARKING BRAKE HANDLE FOR AN ELECTRONIC SWITCH, MOVING THE SHIFTER BACK FOR EASIER ACCESS TO LOWER STACK CONTROLS, AND FOR PLUGGING THINGS INTO THE USB PORT AND POWER OUTLET.

WRAPPING THE REVISIONS UP INSIDE, IS A NEW STEERING WHEEL WITH REVISED SWITCHGEAR.

SEATING IS A "TALE OF TWO SPACES" WITH ABUNDANT ROOM AND COZINESS FOR THOSE IN FRONT, BUT MARGINAL LEGROOM AND COMFORT FOR REAR SEAT PASSENGERS.

FORWARD COLLISION WARNING, AS WELL AS LANE-KEEPING ARE AVAILABLE, BUT NOT AUTONOMOUS BRAKING.

THE NEW ESCAPE LOOKS PHYSICALLY BIGGER, DUE TO A TALLER GRILL AND REDESIGNED HOOD THAT ALSO GIVES IT A FRIENDLIER, LESS AGGRESSIVE TONE.

NOT MUCH ELSE CHANGES OUTSIDE.

A HANDS FREE POWER LIFT GATE IS OPTIONAL, AND BEHIND IT YOU'LL FIND A DECENT 34.0 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO SPACE, MAXING OUT AT 68.0 WITH THE REAR SEATBACKS FOLDED.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR OUR FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE 2.0 LITER ARE 22-CITY, 29-HIGHWAY, AND 25-COMBINED.

OUR AVERAGE WAS ALMOST RIGHT ON AT 24.5 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.

ESCAPE PRICING FALLS RIGHT IN LINE WITH THE REST OF THE SEGMENT, STARTING AT $24,645, AND REACHING INTO THE LOW 30s.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE COSTS $1,750 MORE.

WITH AN ALL-NEW, AND TERRIFIC HONDA CR-V, AND BETTER SELLING THAN EVER NISSAN ROGUE ON THE PROWL, WE APPLAUD FORD FOR SEEING THAT MEANINGFUL MID-CYCLE CHANGES WERE CRITICAL FOR THE 2017 FORD ESCAPE'S SUCCESS.

IT IS NOW, ABOUT AS TECHNO-SAVVY AS THE COMPACT UTILITY SEGMENT GETS, AND CERTAINLY A FINE CHOICE IN THE EVER-MORE CROWDED CROSSOVER WORLD.

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 TAKE THE WHEEL OF THE ALL-NEW BMW 5 SERIES, AND BY-PASS THE PUMP IN THE CHEVROLET BOLT EV.

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... 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.

*