JOHN: Hi, I'm John Davis and this is MotorWeek !

We'll test the next-gen of an iconic family friend, the all-new Honda Accord... Then, we'll pull into the garage for a deep dive on detailing... We're looking back on three decades of a clean fuel champion... Rounding things off with an upscale British Ute, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport!

So, come drive with us, next!

Closed Captioning provided by Maryland Public Television.

♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: MotorWeek ... Television's original automotive magazine.

Brought to you by... ANNOUNCER: 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.

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MotorWeek is proudly sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper To Bumper, featuring major brand auto and truck parts, and service from coast to coast.

Learn more at AutoValue.com and BumperToBumper.com.

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First, there was the wheel.

Then, the tire.

"We'll call it TireRack."

Forty years later, we're not slowing down.

JOHN: The Honda Accord is not only America's best-selling car over the last 50 years, but it has been built here in America for over four decades.

And an all-new 11th generation of Honda's midsize sedan is arriving now, so let's see what the Accord faithful have to look forward to.

♪ ♪ For many Americans, their vehicle buying decision doesn't come down to choosing what car to buy, but which Honda Accord to get this time to replace their current one that's probably being passed on to a family member.

And, for 2023, those loyalists have an all-new Accord lineup to choose from.

Powertrain choices are linked to trim level.

LX and EX feature the same base 1.5 liter turbo-4 as last year, with 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque.

For Sport, EX-L, and Touring, there's the upgraded 2-motor hybrid system from the CR-V with a more powerful 2.0 liter I4 as its base.

Both attached electric motors have increased output as well; and while the combined horsepower rating only increases from 202 to 204, the added 15 pound-feet of torque was noticeable, with power arriving with much more immediacy than before.

More than the power boost, the Hybrid's incorporated Linear Shift Control provides a more neutral automatic transmission feel than comparable CVTs, with simulated shifting on both acceleration and deceleration; plus, heavy regen braking for EV-like 1-pedal style driving.

For customizing all of this, a new Individual drive mode has been added to Normal, Sport, and Econ.

Unfortunately, the 2.0 liter turbo-4 engine is no longer in the lineup, at least for the time being.

So, that means our top Touring's hybrid is your most powerful option; and while it's noticeably peppier than the previous hybrid in everyday driving, at our Mason Dixon proving grounds, acceleration was way shy of last gen's turbo-equipped Touring.

Still, 7.1 seconds to 60 is plenty quick for a family sedan.

Power delivery was both linear and smooth, with engine noise kept well in check throughout the 15.7 second quarter-mile which was completed at 88 miles per hour.

Far more important to most is the Hybrid's fuel economy, and at best, the Government Ratings are 51-City, 44-Highway, and 48-Combined, but slightly less here in the Touring at 46-City, 41-Highway, and 44-Combined.

Our highway biased loop averaged 41.3 miles per gallon of Regular.

This new-gen Accord rides on a structurally enhanced version of their global architecture platform.

That, along with a wider rear track, revised bushings, and altered suspension geometry, are all in place to improve ride and handling.

And it does have a very smooth and settled ride, living up to the Touring name.

It was no slouch through our cone course either, very responsive and turning in eagerly; showing only minor understeer and moderate body roll.

Steering feel was quite good, and the overall experience was incredibly sporty for a family sedan without sport attached to its name.

Inside this midsizer are new front seats that are significantly more comfortable than last gen, and there's still full-size sedan-like legroom in back.

There's also, a new smart looking dash layout that seamlessly integrates center vents, and is comprised of very nice materials in both look and feel.

Perhaps the biggest departure is the new 12.3 inch dashtop touchscreen, the largest ever for a Honda.

It looks great and is very easy to use; plus, has an actual volume knob that looks like it was an afterthought, but we much appreciate it.

There's also, the first infotainment system with Google in a Honda, but that comes only in Touring trim.

Sport and EX-L get the same screen without Google, while LX and EX get a smaller 7.0 inch display.

Exterior styling is rarely a big part of the family car decision process, but this latest Accord is certainly modernized; same wheelbase as before, but with a longer hood and contemporary coupe-like roof profile added.

Reasonable pricing remains baked into the cake when it comes to the Accord, starting at $28,390; top Touring trim at $38,985.

For an all-new generation of Accord, the changes may seem relatively minor, but they come together to make a huge advancement.

It still looks and feels like an Accord, only a greatly improved one, with sharper style, better tech, enhanced ride and handling, and boosted fuel economy.

The whole world's not rushing out to buy full-EVs just yet; so, in the meantime, the 2023 Honda Accord delivers what most people really need in a family sedan, and does it better and more efficiently than ever.

♪ ♪ The number of electric and hybrid vehicles on US roads has grown exponentially in just the past few years, and electrification is universally recognized as the auto industry's power choice for the future.

But advancing the use of clean fuels and technologies is hardly a new crusade.

The US Department of Energy's clean cities program has been leading the charge for efficient transportation alternatives for the past three decades, and their successes have been victories for us all.

♪ ♪ Clean Cities is a groundbreaking network of community-based coalitions, each tasked with encouraging the use of alternative fuels in their region.

Starting with just six cities in 1993, Clean Cities has now grown to 75 coalitions with 20,000 active public and private stakeholder partners.

Clean Cities works with fleet managers, vehicle and fuel suppliers, local governments, and community organizations to develop solutions based on understanding local needs, opportunities, and markets.

MARK BENTLEY: Since 1993, Clean Cities organizations, like our Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, have created significant and positive change in the transportation sector by building public and private partnerships to reduce our dependence on foreign petroleum.

JOHN: From big corporations like Frito-Lay, Coca Cola, and UPS leading by example on a national level, to local contractors, taxis, and refuse haulers, each new clean fleet deployment has driven demand for alt fuel, as well as electric and hybrid vehicles, and helped to expand the national clean fueling and charging infrastructure to where it is today.

It's a winning formula.

And the results are impressive: 1.5 million new alternative fuel vehicles on the road, 5-billion gallons of imported petroleum eliminated through alt fuels, cleaner technologies, and smarter driving, and 67 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions prevented from entering the earth's atmosphere.

JOY GARDNER: I like to refer to the Clean Cities as a clean transportation matchmakers.

We're able to tap into this amazing national network of-our fellow coalitions, their stakeholders, the DOE, national labs; and we're able to make these connections that have led to the millions of alternative fuel vehicle and infrastructure deployments across the country.

JOHN: In 1997, only 6.0 percent of US transit buses used alternative fuels.

Since then, that number has jumped to over 50 percent.

But despite its tremendous growth, Clean Cities is still very much a grassroots operation at heart, celebrating one ribbon-cutting at a time, and relying on each other for much needed support.

MARK SMITH: So, we've had some great things to be proud of over the past 30 years; but, now we have the next 30 years ahead of us, and we know that we're in the transition to zero-emission vehicles, be that battery-electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles-- and...we need to make sure that our Clean Cities coalitions have the tools and the expertise to help their stakeholders make that transition into the zero-emission vehicle, uh, era.

But, in the meantime, we have to make sure that those traditional alternative fuels that we've used to get where we're at today-such as biofuels, propane, natural gas-that they will play a role as we help to make the transition.

JOHN: The idea of government empowering local citizens to be agents of change for the common good is an innovative approach that has exceeded all expectations.

And if the past 30 years is any indication, clean cities coalitions will continue to show the way forward, for decades to come.

Keeping your car looking its best takes lots of attention to the details, so we asked Dan Maffett to show us some of his favorite car cleaning tips on MotorWeek's "Your Drive."

♪ ♪ DAN MAFFETT: If you're doing a detail job on your vehicle at home, there's a few things you can do to take it to the next level.

For example, look at these wheels.

They look phenomenal; but, if you flip them around, you'll notice they're actually quite filthy.

Taking the wheel off and hitting it with a little bit of degreaser will show you... just a little bit of elbow grease and you can make them a lot cleaner.

Likewise, if you make a trip to your local hardware store, you can find utensils like these.

Couple common items like these cotton swabs, a standard bristle brush, and even some panels tools like these.

You can use these to get into nooks and crannies, cracks and crevices that you wouldn't be able to get to normally.

Even taking a paint stick and a no-lint rag, you can get in between the body gaps to get really hard to reach spots when you're cleaning.

Also, another tip is when you're washing your car always start top to bottom.

The last thing you want to do is get all the way through your wash, realize you've got to spray something off on top, and then all that dirt runs across your fresh, clean paint.

Tires are another issue, too, because a lot of people like to use petroleum-based shines.

While, they look good while it's sitting in your driveway, soon as that tire starts spinning, it's going to sling petroleum all down the side.

You're not going to see it at first, but road grime is going to stick to it, and you'll wonder where all this dark dirt came from.

Something like a tire conditioner or spray is gonna be a lot better long-term.

A little tool like this, a micro buffer, is gonna make it really easy to buff your headlights, your taillights, even some nooks and crannies around your door jams.

You can even use this same tool with different attachments on the end to agitate dirt in the carpets, the seats and even your headliner.

Using that to vibrate loose the dirt and clean it up with a shop-vac while you're doing it will make cleaning the carpet a cinch.

Also, one of the most overlooked things is your air vents.

You're in your car all the time breathing the air through those vents, so taking a panel gapping tool like this and a nice rag, and getting through those vents nice and tight with an alcohol or even a spray shine will get all that dirt out of there.

If you have any questions or comments, hit us up here at MotorWeek .

JOHN: Let's merge into the fast lane for another QuickSpin!

♪ ♪ JESSICA RAY: We've waited patiently for Hyundai's next all-electric entree, the 2023 IONIQ 6.

And after getting our first taste in Scottsdale, Arizona, we'd say it was worth the wait.

The IONIQ 6 follows last year's IONIQ 5 electric utility, sharing Hyundai's E-GMP platform and offering similar drive configurations.

Max range goes to the single-motor rear-wheel-drive model paired with the larger 77.4 kilowatt hour battery, estimated up to 361 miles with 225 horsepower on tap.

Dual-motor all-wheel-drive punches up to 320 horsepower, with range dependent on trim-- between 270 and 316 miles.

The 800 volt system can finish 10 to 80 percent recharges in 18 minutes at 350 kilowatts.

A lot of this sounds familiar, and it feels equally familiar on the road.

STEVEN TRUANT: So, back when we had the Ioniq 5 in for testing, I had a lot of seat time in that car and now that I'm driving the Ioniq 6, they feel very similar.

The Ioniq 6 however, just feels more car-like.

The low center of gravity makes for great handling, the ride quality is smooth, great acceleration.

Overall, a fantastic driving experience.

JESSICA: Despite similarities, the IONIQ 6's streamliner inspiration is a unique flavor flaunted well.

Be it on the road or at the charging dock, the cabin is like a personal sanctuary with ambient lighting, spacious seating, and dual 12.3 inch displays highlighting the sophisticated, yet straightforward tech.

The 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 will start around $43,000, with all-wheel-drive models starting around $50,000.

Most trims will be available this spring-- as will our upcoming Road Test, so stay tuned!

GREG CARLOSS: Mazda is fondly remembered for its sports car greats, DNA of which is often found in their robust SUV lineup.

The latest example is this 2024 CX-90-- a new flagship utility replacing the CX-9.

The CX-90 was built from the ground up offering 8, 7, or 6-seat configurations.

It's dimensionally larger than the CX-9 in every way, including a nearly 8.0 inch longer wheelbase translating into 75 cubic-feet of seats-folded storage.

Onboard tech, like the available dual 12 inch screens, is impressive for its class- as are the powertrains.

Base models get a turbocharged 3.3 liter inline-6-cylinder engine putting out 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the Turbo S gets the high output version with 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet.

Both feature a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

Sandwiched in between the Turbo and Turbo S is a plug-in hybrid with a 2.5 liter inline-4 and an electric motor fed by a 17.8 kilowatt-hour battery, good for 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.

Rear-biased all-wheel-drive is standard across the lineup.

In my opinion, inside here there are very few vestiges of what Mazda used to be.

But, what I like is the fact that they've kept the same drive feel to me.

The feel of the steering is very similar to what I'm used to in Mazda's.

The suspension also has a familiar feel and that's really what Mazda does.

I'm glad that it's carried over here into the CX-90 because this is, yeah, it's a three-row SUV it's meant for families, but they're still prioritizing the drive dynamics.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo starts around $40,000; the PHEV just under $50,000; and the Turbo S starting just above that.

After our Northern-Cali First Drive, we'd say the CX-90 is more than just a replacement and truly worthy of flagship status.

And we'll have more QuickSpins, soon!

JOHN: For a mark that prides itself in tradition, the Land Rover brand has seen quite a transformation recently with all-new highly modernized versions of their iconic Defender and the Range Rover.

Well, now it's time for a total revamp of the Range Rover's smaller sibling, the Range Rover Sport.

And it looks like it learned a lot from its big brother.

♪ ♪ How much is too much?

It's an age-old question, and when it comes to Range Rover, it seems to be getting to that point as the brand is continuously upping its game when it comes to both refinement and style, yet at the same time ratchets up the already legendary off-road abilities of their vehicles.

Last year it was the Range Rover itself, for 2023 there's an all-new Range Rover Sport.

Our test vehicle is one of few limited First Editions, and boy does it start this 3rd generation of the Sport off with a bang, packing a 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 with 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque.

Technically, the P530, if you're down with Land Rover engine nomenclature, there are also two different mild-hybrid inline-6s available along with a PHEV.

Sure, Land Rovers are all about conquering territory off pavement, but we were actually more interested in getting this British bulldog to the track, as it definitely puts the sport in Sport, leaping off the line with an immense feeling of power, and tearing down the track like few other SUVs on the road.

We hit 60 in just 4.8 seconds.

This Range Rover Sport's overwhelming sensation of thrust doesn't really subside at any point in time through the quarter-mile, and the exaggerated roar from the exhaust enhances the experience even more.

Gear changes in the 8-speed automatic are aggressively quick, yet surprisingly smooth as you hear them more than feel them.

All told, it's a swift and smooth 13.2 second quarter-mile ending at 109 miles per hour.

The biggest change to come to all Land Rover vehicles in recent years is that their on-pavement performance is getting closer to rivaling their legendary off-pavement abilities.

And here, a new Dynamic Air Suspension with adaptive dampers transforms this 5,500 pounds tank into an agile missile.

It felt stiff, composed, and incredibly dialed in through our cone course; with rapid response and minimal body roll.

All-wheel steering, torque vectoring all-wheel-drive, and even selective braking means there are a lot of things going on in the background to make this happen, but that's mostly where they stay, in the background.

Much like when it comes to off-road, where you can dial in the proper Terrain Response setting for your conditions, and let the Sport figure everything else out.

As with the Range Rover, the Sport seems to express the very definition of sleek muscular sophistication, with tightly wrapped body panels and a very dynamic stance.

All the modern styling elements are here, short overhangs, smooth grille, the slimmest headlights ever on a Land Rover, strong shoulders, flush door handles, and yes, those are 23 inch wheels crammed in there.

Now inside, there's a whole new level of refinement.

The cabin is feature packed and exquisitely outfitted, with a bit of a minimalist vibe having very few actual controls and an almost Scandinavian look.

Seats are supremely comfortable, working with Cabin Air Purification Pro to not only pamper you, but shelter you from the outside world as much as possible.

All materials are fantastic, even if you replace the typical leather with sustainable Ultrafabrics, which we found to be a quite nice alternative.

Front seats are not only 22-way adjustable, but have been reshaped to provide more legroom for rear seat passengers.

Screen time happens on a pair of crystal-clear widescreens; a well-hooded 13 inch interactive driver display behind the steering wheel, and a 14 inch touchscreen mounted low in front of the dash for Pivi Pro infotainment.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings with the V8 are 16-City, 21-Highway, and 18-Combined, consistent with our test average of 18.7 miles per gallon of Premium.

Prices start at $84,475, but going all in for a First Edition will set you back $122,975.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is truly a modern SUV no matter how you choose to define that; mega performance whether it comes to trail or track, wrapping owners in extreme luxury and style, with plenty of tech along for the ride.

If you've got the bucks, the Sport delivers a boatload of bang!

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 test a new BMW 7 Series with something different.

Then, we're up to date with the real world-tested Nissan Altima sedan.

Until 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... To order a DVD of this program, call... MotorWeek has been brought to you by... ANNOUNCER: 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!

MotorWeek is proudly sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper To Bumper, featuring major brand auto and truck parts, and service from coast to coast.

Learn more at AutoValue.com and BumperToBumper.com.

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.

♪ ♪ This program was produced by Maryland Public Television, which is solely responsible for its content.

(car engine revving) ♪ ♪ You're watching PBS.