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

JOIN US FOR A COMPACT SEDAN SHOWDOWN AND SEE WHICH FOUR-DOORS DELIVER THE BEST OF THE SMALL WORLD.

THEN STRAP IN FOR A TRIP TO GOSS' GARAGE.

ZACH MASKELL JOINS UP WITH VOLVO OVER THE EDGE.

AND WE'LL REV UP OUR ADRENALINE WITH THE EYE-CATCHING CHEVROLET SONIC RS.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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

BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

JESSICA, I HAVE SOMETHING I WANT TO ASK YOU...

YES?

WHEN I'M SWITCHING TO WINTER TIRES DO I HAVE TO CHANGE ALL FOUR OR CAN I JUST PUT TWO ON THE FRONT AXLE?

I DON'T KNOW.

Announcer: THERE'S A BETTER PLACE TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR TIRES.

GET SOME WINGS?

Announcer: TIRERACK.COM CAN HELP YOU GET THE ANSWERS YOU NEED AND HELP YOU FIND WHICH TIRES ARE BEST FOR YOU.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS.

NO MATTER WHAT CUSTOMERS DRIVE, THEY CAN PURCHASE ONLINE FROM A COMPREHENSIVE SELECTION OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

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DIEHARD.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM WHETHER IT'S YOUR FIRST CAR, OR ONE FOR YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER THAT'S HEADED OFF TO COLLEGE, CHANCES ARE GOOD THAT CAR WILL BE A COMPACT SEDAN.

AND WHILE COROLLA AND CIVIC HAVE RULED COMPACTS FOR A LONG TIME, LIKE MANY OTHER SEGMENTS, IT'S NOT JUST THAT SIMPLE ANYMORE, AS THERE'S LOTS OF QUALITY CHALLENGERS OUT THERE FOR THOSE ENTRY-LEVEL DOLLARS.

SOUNDS LIKE A COMPACT SEDAN CHALLENGE IS IN ORDER.

SO WE GATHERED TOGETHER SEVEN OF THE LATEST TO SEE HOW THEY STACK UP.

ONCE AGAIN, MOTORWEEK HAS TEAMED UP WITH CARS.COM AND USATODAY IN SEARCH OF WHICH COMPACT FOUR-DOORS DELIVER THE MOST BANG FOR THOSE ENTRY-LEVEL BUCKS.

THIS TIME, WE'RE TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS RIGHT HERE IN OUR HOME STATE OF MARYLAND.

AND, AS USUAL, OUR EDITORIAL STAFFS ARE JOINED BY A LOCAL PROSPECTIVE BUYER TO GET HER TAKE ON EACH CANDIDATE.

THE PRICE CAP WAS SET AT $20,000, AND ALL VEHICLES NEEDED TO DELIVER GREAT FUEL ECONOMY WITH A COMBINED GOVERNMENT RATING OF 28 MPG OR BETTER.

VYING FOR TOP COMPACT SEDAN HONORS ARE THIS 2014 FORD FOCUS, WHICH HAS BEEN AROUND IN ITS CURRENT FORM SINCE 2012.

THE 2013 HONDA CIVIC, FRESH OFF A SPEEDY REFRESH AFTER BEING ALL-NEW THE YEAR BEFORE.

THE 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, WHICH WAS LAST UPDATED IN 2011.

WHILE THE 2014 KIA FORTE IS ALL-NEW FOR THIS YEAR.

THE 7TH-GENERATION NISSAN SENTRA WAS ALL NEW FOR 2013.

WHILE OUR 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA IS ONLY ONE YEAR REMOVED FROM ITS LAST REDESIGN.

AND, LASTLY, THE ALL-NEW FOR 2014 TOYOTA COROLLA.

ALL OF THESE CARS HAVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, AND ALL ARE FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE, EXCEPT FOR THE SUBARU IMPREZA, WHICH COMES STANDARD WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

FULL SCORING RUNDOWNS CAN BE FOUND ON THE CARS.COM WEBSITE, BUT FOR NOW, WE'LL RUN DOWN OUR TOP FOUR FINISHERS.

COMING IN 4TH PLACE IS THE STYLISH NISSAN SENTRA.

A BIT OF A SURPRISE AS MOST EVALUATORS HAD LITTLE GOOD TO SAY ABOUT ITS NOISY 1.8-LITER 4-CYLINDER AND CVT TRANSMISSION.

BUT A COMBINED FUEL ECONOMY RATING OF 34, A VERY SPACIOUS CABIN, AND A LARGE TRUNK WERE ALL COUNTED IN ITS FAVOR.

IT WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE MEMBER OF OUR MODESTLY PRICED GROUP, COMING IN RIGHT AT $20,000.

Jim Healey, USA Today: SENTRA...

VERY NICE PACKAGE, VERY PREMIUM.

A LOT OF STUFF FOR THE MONEY.

VERY NICELY EXECUTED DASHBOARD, WHICH IS WHAT YOU SPEND YOUR TIME LOOKING AT.

Brian Robinson: LIKE A LOT OF RECENT NISSANS, THE SENTRA IS VERY COMFORTABLE.

IT GETS GREAT FUEL ECONOMY, AND IS VERY ROOMY.

BUT IT ALSO HAS A VERY GOOD PRICE.

John: IT'S IN THIRD PLACE THAT YOU'LL FIND THE PERENNIAL FAVORITE, HONDA CIVIC.

FOLLOWING A HONDA TRAIT, IT DIDN'T SCORE BEST IN ANY ONE CATEGORY, YET IT MANAGED ALL THINGS VERY WELL.

THE 140-HORSEPOWER I4 AND 5-SPEED AUTO PROVIDED GOOD POWER WITH 32-COMBINED MILES-PER-GALLON, WHILE THE INTERIOR DELIVERED VERY GOOD COMFORT.

PRICE IS MID-PACK AT $19,755.

Jennifer Geiger, Cars.com: I THINK THE HONDA CIVIC IS ONE OF THE MORE WELL-ROUNDED VEHICLES IN OUR BUNCH.

IT DOES A LOT OF THINGS REALLY WELL.

IT'S EFFICIENT.

IT'S AFFORDABLE.

IT'S COMFORTABLE.

Carol Gluckman: THE HONDA CIVIC IS A REALLY NICE CAR.

I CURRENTLY HAVE AN ACURA, SO IT'S OF COURSE MADE BY HONDA.

IT FELT VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER.

VERY STURDY CAR.

HANDLED VERY WELL.

John: OUR RUNNER UP COMES FROM HYUNDAI, AS THE LOVELY ELANTRA IMPRESSED OUR TESTERS WITH ITS HIGH STYLE AND HIGH FEATURE CONTENT.

POWERED BY A 148-HORSEPOWER I4 THAT RATES 32-COMBINED, THE ELANTRA HAD A GREAT MIX OF SPORT, COMFORT, AND ECONOMY, ALL WRAPPED IN VERY CLASSY LOOKING BODYWORK.

AT $19,870, THE ELANTRA HAD THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE TAG OF OUR GROUP.

Aaron Bragman, Cars.com: THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE REALLY NICE CARS IN THIS TEST.

THE INTERIOR QUALITY, AND MATERIALS, AND COLORS, AND THE BUILD QUALITY ITSELF.

IT ALL REALLY COMES TOGETHER TO GIVE YOU A PACKAGE THAT FEELS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IT ACTUALLY IS.

Carol: EASY HANDLING, VERY SPORTY LOOKING, SPORTY FEEL, VERY COMFORTABLE INSIDE.

I LIKE THE INSIDE, I LIKE THE OUTSIDE, AND THE WAY IT HANDLES IS GREAT.

John: BUT THE TOP SPOT GOES TO SISTER KOREAN BRAND KIA AND THEIR ALL-NEW FORTE.

THOUGH MECHANICALLY SIMILAR TO THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA, INCLUDING ITS 148-HORSEPOWER I4, THE KIA FORTE PACKS SPORTIER RIDE AND HANDLING.

MOST REVIEWERS ALSO PREFERRED ITS BUSINESS LIKE INTERIOR.

WHILE AT 29 MPG, ITS COMBINED RATING WAS LOWEST OF THE GROUP, FUEL ECONOMY WAS MID-PACK ON THE TEST LOOP.

THE KIA ALSO HAD THE SECOND LOWEST PRICE OF THE GROUP AT $19,100.

Bill Jackson, Cars.com: THE KIA FORTE HAS THE BEST MIX OF FEATURES IN THE GROUP.

IT'S ALSO GOT A GOOD RIDE AND A NICE QUIET INTERIOR SPACE WHEN YOU'RE AT SPEED.

Jennifer: THE FORTE, I THINK, IS MY FAVORITE IN TERMS OF RIDE AND HANDLING BLEND.

IT'S REALLY COMFORTABLE, YET STILL FUN TO DRIVE.

John: IN TRUTH, YOU WON'T GO WRONG WITH ANY OF THESE SEVEN COMPACTS, AS ALL PACK COMFORT, SAFETY, AND TECHNOLOGY FEATURES UNHEARD OF IN THIS SEGMENT JUST A DECADE AGO.

SO IT'S A GREAT TIME TO BE IN THE SMALL CAR MARKET.

BUT FOR THIS GROUP, OUR GROUP CROWNS THE KIA FORTE AS THE BEST OVERALL CHOICE IN COMPACT SEDANS TODAY.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, A CITY SINGING THE PRAISES OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS.

FROM STREET SWEEPERS TO REFUSE TRUCKS TO HEAVY-DUTY PICKUPS, THE CITY'S ALT-FUEL FLEET NOW NUMBERS ABOUT 40.

INTRODUCED IN 2011, CNGs ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS HAVE BEEN BOLSTERED BY A BIG REDUCTION IN MAINTENANCE, ALONG WITH FUEL COST SAVINGS OF $50,000 A YEAR.

THE GRANITE STATE CLEAN CITIES COALITION AND THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPT.

OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES HELPED IDENTIFY OVER $1.1 MILLION FEDERAL DOLLARS TO HELP FUND THE CNG VEHICLES.

THEIR REFUELING DEPOT - THE STATE'S FIRST PUBLIC ACCESS CNG STATION - WAS BUILT THROUGH A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH ALTERNATIVE VEHICLE SERVICE GROUP.

Donnalee Lozeau, Mayor: IT'S REALLY BEEN VERY EXCITING FOR US TO BE FIRST ONE IN NEW ENGLAND TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND TO DO IT TO THE DEGREE THAT WE HAVE.

HEADING IN THIS DIRECTION HAS REALLY BEEN GREAT FOR OUR CITY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO EXPANDING IT EVEN MORE.

John: NASHUA'S TRANSIT BUSES RUN ON B20 BIODIESEL, BUT THEY PLAN A CNG SWITCH SOON.

THIS IS ONE NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY THAT IS LEADING BY THE CNG EXAMPLE.

SINCE DAY ONE, THE VOLVO BRAND HAS STRESSED SAFETY AS THEIR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

EARLY ON THEY USED LAMINATED GLASS, AND DEVELOPED REAR-FACING CHILD SEATS.

WHILE OTHER COMPANIES HAVE ALSO EMBRACED INNOVATIVE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, VOLVO ISN'T READY TO CONCEDE THEIR "SAFETY FIRST" IMAGE.

SO, OUR OVER THE EDGE REPORTER ZACH MASKELL HEADED TO SWEDEN TO SEE WHAT VOLVO HAS IN MIND FOR OUR DRIVING FUTURE.

Zach: DID YOU KNOW THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF VOLVO IN EVERY CAR?

IN 1959, THEY INTRODUCED THE 3-POINT SEATBELT WE STILL USE EVERY DAY.

IT REDUCES THE RISK OF DEATH BY ALMOST 50%, AND GOOD GUY VOLVO ALLOWED AN OPEN PATENT FOR ALL AUTOMAKERS TO USE.

NOW THEY HAVE A VERY AMBITIOUS GOAL... VOLVO WANTS NO SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS IN THEIR VEHICLES BY 2020.

Thomas Broberg: YES, THAT MAY SEEM AS A BOLD STATEMENT, BUT IT'S REALLY A MATTER OF APTITUDE, BECAUSE IT REALLY MEANS THAT WE DO NOT ACCEPT, WE DO NOT ACCEPT THE FACT THAT YOU RISK YOUR LIFE AND LIMB JUST BY TRANSPORTING YOURSELF.

Zach: THEY'LL DO THAT BY AVOIDING THE ACCIDENT, OR MAKING IT LESS SEVERE.

ADVANCED SAFETY TECHNOLOGY IS POPPING UP IN EVERY CAR.

IT GIVES THE DRIVER MORE TIME TO REACT OR REACTS FOR THEM.

IN MANY CARTOONS, THE MOOSE IS NORMALLY THE FUNNY CHARACTER.

BUT IF YOU ENCOUNTER ONE IN REAL LIFE IT'S NOT SO FUNNY.

SO TO KEEP THIS GUY FROM WINDING UP IN YOUR LAP, VOLVO IS USING RADAR TECHNOLOGY ALONG WITH CAMERAS TO KEEP YOU SAFE.

THOUSANDS OF MOOSE ALONE ARE HIT BY VEHICLES EVERY YEAR IN SWEDEN.

SEEING HOW ANIMAL DETECTION WORKS MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS IN A FIGHTER JET.

INSTEAD OF SHOOTING MISSILES, THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY BRAKES, DAY AND NIGHT, IF AN IMPACT IS IMMINENT.

A DRIVER BECOMES DISTRACTED AND STARTS TO VEER OFF COURSE, WITH ROAD EDGE AND BARRIER DETECTION, THE STEERING FORCES YOU BACK ON TRACK.

NOT THE EASIEST THING TO TRUST, BUT WORKED AS EXPECTED.

WELL, MY FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY WAS DEFINITELY WHEN I GOT TO DRIVE THE CAR THAT HAS ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, AUTOMATIC BRAKING, AND STEER ASSIST.

I'M LITERALLY DOING NOTHING RIGHT NOW FOLLOWING THIS CAR THAT'S IN FRONT OF ME.

LOVE IT OR HATE IT, DRIVER-LESS CARS ARE COMING.

OF COURSE, HERE AT MOTORWEEK , WE WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND YOU DO ANY OF THESE TYPES OF THINGS BUT SINCE WE ARE ON A CLOSED COURSE RIGHT NOW, I'LL JUST CHECK OUT THIS MANUAL.

AND GOING AROUND AN S-BEND, I CAN EVEN TAKE OUT AND PUT IN MY CONTACTS IF I REALLY WANTED TO.

WE MOVED FROM STORA HOLMS TRAINING FACILITY TO AN UNDERGROUND BUNKER THAT USED TO STORE MILITARY PLANES.

A DARK PLACE WAS NEEDED TO DEMONSTRATE PEDESTRIAN DETECTION.

HEAD TOWARD THE MANNEQUIN, DON'T TOUCH THE BRAKES.

IT AUTOMATICALLY DOES IT FOR YOU.

THERE'S PLENTY MORE TO COME FURTHER DOWN THE LINE.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST PAINS WHEN DRIVING IS TRYING TO FIND A PARKING SPOT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN A CITY.

WELL, THANKS TO SOME VOLVO TECHNOLOGY YOU SOON MAY BE LEAVING A TIP JAR IN YOUR OWN CAR.

ALL THAT YOU NEED IS A SMART PHONE AND YOUR FINGER.

THE CAR GOES IN SEARCH OF AN OPEN SPOT ALL WHILE AVOIDING ANY PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER CARS.

WHEN YOU'RE READY TO ROLL, GIVE YOUR CAR THE SIGNAL AND IT WILL PICK YOU UP.

SHE LOOKS SO SAD SITTING THERE ALL ALONE.

BUT NO WORRIES, SHE'S PROBABLY TALKING WITH HER CAR BUDDIES.

Per Landfors: CAR2CAR COMMUNICATION CAN BE MADE IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS.

EITHER YOU CAN USE AUTOMOTIVE WI-FI; THE CARS COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER.

OR YOU CAN USE THE 3G NETWORK OR THE MOBILE NETWORK AND THE CARS COMMUNICATE TO A DATABASE.

Zach: CAR2CAR SHOWS THE BEST SPEED TO TRAVEL TO AVOID RED LIGHTS.

IF A VEHICLE IS BROKEN DOWN OR THERE'S HARD BRAKING AHEAD, AN ALERT IS GIVEN.

AMONG OTHER WARNINGS, IT SHOWS UPDATES ON APPROACHING WEATHER, OR EMERGENCY VEHICLES COMING IN HOT.

READY OR NOT, CARS ARE GETTING BIGGER BRAINS THAN EVER BEFORE.

John: TIME NOW TO BUCKLE UP.

LET'S CRUISE ON DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Pat Goss: IN MY REPAIR SHOP, I SEE SOME REALLY DUMB MISTAKES THAT -- WELL, THEY'RE PRETTY COMMON.

FIRST, WE HAVE CARTRIDGE TYPE OIL FILTERS THESE DAYS, AND ON MOST CARS THAT USE THEM, THEY HAVE A PLASTIC HOUSING THAT SCREWS INTO THE ENGINE.

WELL, THERE'S A SPECIAL TOOL THAT HAS TO GRAB THESE FINGERS ON THE OUTSIDE.

YOU TRY TO DO IT ANY OTHER WAY, LIKE THIS GUY DID WITH A GREAT BIG PAIR OF CHANNEL LOCK PLIERS, YOU BREAK THE PLASTIC AND YOU HAVE TO BUY A NEW ONE.

THIS LEAKED WHEN THE ENGINE GOT HOT.

$65 DOWN THE DRAIN.

ALRIGHT, REGULAR DRAIN PLUGS.

IF TIGHT IS GOOD, THEN A WHOLE LOT TIGHTER IS BETTER?

WRONG.

IT IS NOT.

FIRST, YOU MAY STRIP THE THREADS IN THE OIL PAN, VERY COMMON.

OR YOU MAY STRIP THE THREADS OFF OF THE PLUG ITSELF, ALSO VERY COMMON.

AND ALMOST ALWAYS YOU'LL DESTROY THE SEAL THAT IS PART OF MANY OF THESE MODERN DRAIN PLUGS.

DON'T TIGHTEN IT TOO TIGHT.

IT HAS TO BE THE PROPER AMOUNT OF TIGHT.

LUG NUTS.

WHAT COULD THERE POSSIBLY BE WITH LUG NUTS?

WELL, HERE WE HAVE A TWO-PIECE LUG NUT THAT HAS THIS CHROME PLATED COVER ON IT TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD.

BUT WHAT THAT DOES IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, WHAT'LL HAPPEN IS THAT MOISTURE WILL GET UP INSIDE IT AND IT WILL FREEZE.

AND WHEN IT DOES, IT CAUSES THAT CAP TO EXPAND.

BUT IN EVERY PART OF THE COUNTRY YOU'RE GOING TO FIND A TECHNICIAN THAT'S GOING TO USE ONE OF THESE MISERABLE AIR IMPACT GUNS ON THEM, AND THAT DISTORTS THEM.

SO WHAT DO YOU WIND UP WITH?

YOU WIND UP WITH A LUG NUT THAT HAS EXPANDED TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CANNOT GET ANY WRENCH OVER THE NUT.

SO YOU'RE OUT BESIDE THE ROAD, YOUR LUG WRENCH IN THE CAR WON'T FIT.

YOU HAVE TO BE TOWED, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE LUG NUTS CHISELED OFF.

HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN MANY CASES.

HOW DO YOU PREVENT IT?

WELL, ONE WAY IS TO REPLACE THE LUG NUTS BEFORE THEY SWELL UP LIKE THAT WITH ONE PIECE NUTS.

SOUNDS EXTREME, BUT IT'S A LOT CHEAPER THAN TOWING AND CHISELING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

ALRIGHT, HERE WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED OR CHEATED ON.

THIS IS A SEATBELT PRE-TENSIONER.

THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY, THIS THING HAS A CHARGE IN IT THAT EXPANDS AND IT PULLS THIS CABLE TIGHT.

THAT CABLE THEN PULLS DOWN ON THE SEATBELT BUCKLE, THE SEATBELT HOLDS YOU IN THE PROPER POSITION SO THE AIRBAG PROTECTS YOU INSTEAD OF HURTING YOU.

SO THESE HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY TIME THE AIRBAG HAS BEEN DEPLOYED.

MAKE SURE THAT IT HAPPENS.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THE OLD ONE IN RETURN.

BELIEVE ME, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE DISHONEST AND THEY KNOW HOW TO MAKE THIS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

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

John: THERE'S LOTS NEW ON OUR LOT, SO LET'S GRAB SOME SEAT TIME AND SEE WHAT WE THINK.

AUDI'S "RS" MODELS HAVE PROVEN TO OFFER OTHER WORLDLY PERFORMANCE, SOMETHING WE'VE QUALIFIED IN THE REAL WORLD WITH THE RS 5.

WELL, NOW THERE'S A NEWCOMER TO THE LINEUP: THE SLEEK AND SEXY 2014 AUDI RS 7.

ALREADY AN IMPOSING FIGURE, AUDI'S 7 ADDS "RS" AGGRESSION WITH NEW LEDS AND SURROUNDING ACCENTS, A BLACK HONEYCOMB GRILLE, EXTENDED ROCKER PANELS, AND UNIQUE 20 OR 21-INCH WHEELS.

THE INTERIOR CONTINUES THE BRAND'S WINNING FORMULA OF MAXIMUM COMFORT, PREMIUM LOOKS, AND COMMON SENSE FUNCTIONALITY.

BUT, COME ON, THIS CAR IS ALL ABOUT PERFORMANCE.

AND AUDI'S NEWEST 4-LITER TWIN-TURBO V8 FINDS ITS WAY INTO THE RS 7; PUMPING OUT 560 HORSEPOWER THROUGH AN 8-SPEED TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION.

QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS STANDARD, AS IS ADAPTIVE AIR SUSPENSION.

0 TO 60 IS QUOTED AT 3.7 SECONDS; AND WE CAN VOUCH FOR THAT, AND THE WHIPLASH THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT.

MORE CIVILIZED DRIVING THOUGH RESULTS IN A SURPRISINGLY PLUSH RIDE.

CYLINDER DEACTIVATION LIMITS OUTPUT TO ONLY FOUR CYLINDERS AT TIMES TO MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY.

BUT THAT "RS" POWER YOU PAID FOR CAN BE DIALED BACK IN WITH A NUDGE OF YOUR RIGHT FOOT.

SPEAKING OF PAYING, THE 2014 AUDI RS 7 DOES DEMAND 6-FIGURES OF IT, STARTING AROUND $105,000.

IT'S AVAILABLE NOW, AND WE'LL HAVE PLENTY MORE TO REPORT SOON.

BUICK HAS BECOME A PREMIUM BRAND WITH SOMETHING FOR NEARLY EVERYONE, WITH BOTH VERY LARGE AND VERY SMALL CROSSOVERS, AND THREE SIZES OF SEDANS.

FOR THE BUICK LOYALIST WITH PERFORMANCE IN MIND, THE RECENT INTRODUCTION OF THE REGAL GS WAS A WELCOMED GIFT.

AND FOR 2014, THAT GIFT KEEPS ON GIVING.

NOW, YOU WON'T NOTICE MUCH NEW ON THIS GS UNTIL YOU UNWRAP THE HOOD.

POWER NOW COMES FROM THE ATS' 2.0 LITER TURBOCHARGED I4, AND INTERESTINGLY, IT IS THE STANDARD ENGINE ON BOTH THE BASE REGAL AND THE GS.

POWER IS RATED AT 259 HORSEPOWER, DOWN FROM THE PREVIOUS GS'S 270.

BUT WITH CAREFUL TUNING, MORE TORQUE IS NOW AVAILABLE AT LOWER RPM, AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE HAS BEEN ADDED.

Patrick Lucas: THE REGAL GS IS THE SPORT TUNED VERSION OF THE REGULAR REGAL.

AND YEAH, IT HAS THE SAME POWERTRAIN, BUT THEY'VE DONE SO MUCH TO THE SUSPENSION, AND THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM, AND THE STEERING, THAT IT TOTALLY TRANSFORMS THE CAR.

John: THERE ARE MINOR TWEAKS TO THE GS'S FASCIAS, AND BODY ACCENTS FRESHEN THINGS, AS DO AVAILABLE LED DAYTIME RUNNERS.

LIKEWISE, THE INTERIOR SEES LITTLE MODS, THOUGH THE GAUGES AND CENTER STACK HAVE BEEN CLEANED UP, AS HAS BUICK'S INTELLILINK INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2014 BUICK REGAL GS STARTS AROUND $38,000 IN FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE, $40,000 FOR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

THIS COMPACT 2014 ROGUE IS THE LATEST IN THE CURRENT STRING OF REDESIGNS FOR NISSAN, AND THE FIRST OF THEIR NEW GENERATION OF GLOBAL CROSSOVERS AS WELL.

WHILE THE LOOK MAY SEEM FAMILIAR, MUCH HAS CHANGED.

ROGUE NOW RIDES ON THE COMMON MODULE FAMILY CHASSIS; AN ENDEAVOR BY NISSAN AND RENAULT TO ESTABLISH A TRUE WORLD VEHICLE ARCHITECTURE.

AND THAT BRINGS WITH IT SLICKER AERODYNAMICS OVER AN INCREASE IN WHEELBASE, HEIGHT, AND INTERIOR SPACE.

ALSO NEW FOR ROGUE IS A 50/50 SPLIT 3RD ROW OPTION.

IT IS A VERY TIGHT SQUEEZE, BUT A NICE BIT OF ADDED FAMILY FLEXIBILITY.

THE 2.5 LITER, 170 HORSEPOWER I4 IS CARRYOVER, AND ACCORDINGLY, IS ALSO FAMILIAR IN FEEL.

BUT A NEW VERSION OF NISSAN'S XTRONIC CVT BOOSTS RESPONSE, AND HIGHWAY MPG UP TO 33.

STARTING AROUND $23,000 FOR FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS, THE 2014 NISSAN ROGUE IS ON SALE NOW.

AND WE'LL GRAB SEAT TIME ON A FEW MORE QUICK SPINS SOON!

IT'S BEEN GREAT TO SEE THE CHEVROLET SONIC DOING WELL.

PROVING THAT AN AMERICAN BRAND CAN INDEED BUILD A SMALL 5-DOOR HATCHBACK HERE IN THE U.S.

MOREOVER, ONE THAT STANDS UP TO THE BEST THAT ASIA AND EUROPE HAVE TO OFFER.

AND TO KEEP THE GOOD VIBES FLOWING, THERE'S A NEW SONIC RS THAT LOOKS TO REV UP THAT EXCITEMENT METER EVEN HIGHER.

THE 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC RS LOOKS TO ADD A DASH OF SPICE TO WHAT WAS ALREADY THE MOST FLAVORFUL AND MOST YOUTHFUL CHEVROLET SUBCOMPACT EVER.

SO, WHAT GOES INTO MAKING A SONIC AN RS?

WELL, ACTUALLY, THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL POWER, BUT THERE IS TIGHTER GEARING FOR THE STANDARD MANUAL TRANSMISSION, A LOWER FINAL DRIVE RATIO IF YOU ORDER THE AUTOMATIC, AND A LOWER AND STIFFER SUSPENSION.

SO IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A TAD QUICKER OFF THE LINE AND MORE NIMBLE IN THE CURVES.

EXTERIOR TWEAKS, INCLUDING AN RS-SPECIFIC GRILLE, NEW FRONT AND REAR FASCIAS, AND 17-INCH ALLOY WHEELS COMPLEMENT THE ALREADY VERY RACY DESIGN.

THE SONIC'S EXPOSED HEADLIGHTS STILL LOOK MORE LIKE A MISTAKE THAN "MOTORCYCLE-LIKE", BUT ON THE WHOLE, THE CAR APPEARS MODERN AND AGGRESSIVE.

AND THE INTERIOR LOOKS EVEN SPORTIER; THANKS TO A WHOLE NEW THEME THAT INCLUDES LOTS OF BLACK LEATHER WITH RED STITCHING, ALUMINUM SPORT PEDALS, AND A NEW FLAT BOTTOM STEERING WHEEL.

WHILE THERE IS A NOTICEABLY FIRMER RIDE IN THE RS, WE DIDN'T FIND IT A WHOLE LOT MORE SPORTIER TO DRIVE, WHICH IS NOT A KNOCK, BUT RATHER A COMPLEMENT TO THE ENJOYABLE NATURE OF THE STANDARD SONIC.

BUT THE RS CERTAINLY LOOKS COOLER AND YOU DO GET REAR DISC BRAKES, WHICH ARE NOT EVEN AVAILABLE ON REGULAR SONICS.

AND WHILE THE DIFFERENCE IN DRIVING DYNAMICS ISN'T HUGE, IT DOES INVOKE A SPIRITED SENSE OF DRIVING THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO DRIVE HARDER.

IT'S VERY ENTERTAINING, AS YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE REALLY HAMMERING THE THING AROUND EVEN IF YOUR SPEEDS STILL STAY CLOSE TO THOSE POSTED.

IN SUM, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE GOING FAST TO REALLY ENJOY THE RS.

INDEED, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR BLISTERING STRAIGHT LINE PERFORMANCE, IT'S NOT HERE.

DESPITE THE TIGHTER RATIOS, WE WERE UNABLE TO BEAT THE 8.1-SECONDS TO 60 TIME OF THE LTZ SONIC WE TESTED A WHILE BACK.

NOR THE QUARTER MILE OF 16.4 SECONDS AT 89 MILES-PER-HOUR.

ADMITTEDLY, OUR TRACK WAS COLD AND SLIPPERY.

STILL, EACH RUN DID MAKE US SMILE.

DESPITE OUR CAR'S 6-SPEED MANUAL'S LONGISH THROWS, WE FOUND IT DID A GREAT JOB MANAGING THE POWER THAT COMES FROM THE 1.4-LITER TURBO I4 ENGINE, WITH ALL OF ITS 138-HORSEPOWER AND 148 LB-FT OF TORQUE.

IF YOU MUST, A 6-SPEED AUTO IS AVAILABLE.

AS EXPECTED, THE SONIC FELT GREAT THROUGH OUR SLALOM COURSE, WITH A VERY PREDICTABLE NATURE THAT ALLOWED YOU TO FIND BOTH UNDER AND OVERSTEER IF YOU'RE SO INCLINED.

IT SHOWS JUST HOW MUCH FUN A DECENT LITTLE CAR CAN BE EVERY DAY.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS TAKE A SLIGHT HIT WITH THE NEW GEARING, COMING IN AT 27-CITY, 34-HIGHWAY, AND 30-COMBINED.

BUT OUR TEST LOOP BLEW THOSE NUMBERS AWAY, NETTING 36.5 MPG ON REGULAR.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE REMAINS VERY GOOD AT 11.0-BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMED PER YEAR WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 4.9 TONS.

PRICING FOR THE HATCHBACK-ONLY RS STARTS AT $20,995.

NOW THAT'S ABOUT $1,600 BUCKS OVER AN LTZ WITH THE TURBO ENGINE.

WE'RE NOT QUITE SURE THE SNAZZY NEW LOOKS ARE WORTH THAT, BUT THEN WE'RE NOT THE TARGET AUDIENCE.

THE 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC RS IS SPORTY LOOKING INSIDE AND OUT, GETS ACCEPTABLE FUEL ECONOMY, AND IS OH SO MUCH FUN TO DRIVE.

AND IT FEELS EVEN MORE SO.

ALL THAT AND A PRICE THAT EVEN MOST MILLENNIALS CAN AFFORD.

WHAT MORE CAN YOU WANT FOR YOUR DAILY COMMUTE?

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW.

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

AND BE SURE TO JOIN US NEXT TIME AS WE SEEK OUT MAXIMUM MILEAGE FROM THE HONDA ACCORD HYBRID, AND THE MERCEDES-BENZ E250 BLUETEC UNTIL THEN, I'M JOHN DAVIS.

WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK .

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