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

We're at the helm of the latest Nissan Armada... Then, Audra Fordin shares tips on keeping in-car valuables safe and sound... We'll hit the road again for another round of QuickSpins... Then, beeline home in the charming Volkswagen ID.

Buzz...

So, come drive with us, next!

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whether it's... JOHN: In 2004, Nissan deployed the Armada as a Titan-based full-size extension of the Pathfinder family.

Well, it quickly dropped Pathfinder from its name, and by the time the 2nd generation rolled around, switched allegiances to the global Patrol SUV platform.

Now, the 3rd generation Armada has arrived, so let's see how it's armed for battle in the crowded sea of big, big family SUVs.

♪ ♪ While, the arrival of the last- gen Armada saw major changes, this 2025 Nissan Armada continues on the course that was charted back in 2017.

So, it's still "Patrolling" the ocean of large utilities, looking for families who need an SUV with a real frame and a strong off-road pedigree.

Yes, it still looks massive with a healthy step up into the cabin.

Most dimensions are similar to last gen except for width, now over 3.0 inches wider.

The Patrol has a great reputation for off-roading.

If that's your primary mission, Nissan offers an Armada PRO-4X.

But, our Platinum Reserve tester is geared more towards on-pavement pampering, and ride is plenty smooth even with 22 inch wheels.

Inside, Platinum Reserve comes with huge comfy quilted leather seats ready to coddle with heating, cooling, and massaging, while you're listening to tunes through 12-speaker premium audio.

Dual large display screens in a single housing is the way everyone is going these days, and the Armada's approach is nicely integrated.

Both the 14 inch gauge display and 14 inch infotainment touchscreen are clear and very customizable.

And a nice complement of manual controls in the center stack makes for a very user-friendly experience.

Whether, your 2nd-row passengers are enjoying these plush captain's chairs or the standard three-place bench, they'll have plenty of space to stretch out.

Access to the 3rd-row is one-touch simple and the space is adequate for two adults, for seven or eight passenger total capacity.

Cargo volume ranges from 20.4 to a generous 97.1 cubic-feet.

Like, the Infiniti QX80 we tested a few weeks ago, the Armada exchanges its long-running V8 for a 3.5 liter twin-turbo V6 with more power; 425 horsepower is slightly less than in the QX, but the 516 pound-feet torque output is the same.

All Armada's work with a 9-speed automatic with standard rear-wheel-drive or optional 4-wheel-drive.

At our Mason Dixon test track, a big hit of torque pulled our 4X4 off the line much quicker than we were expecting.

We saw 60 in 6.0 seconds flat.

The 9-speed trans comes with paddle shifters, but we found it best to just leave it in auto, as shifts in Sport mode were plenty timely and quick.

The biggest thing we noticed going down the track was the engine noise, there was plenty of it, both inside and out.

But the smooth power delivery got us to the end of the quarter-mile in 14.4 seconds at 99 miles per hour.

It feels like an enormous vehicle on the street.

And, it mostly behaved that way in our handling course too.

Platinum Reserve's Adaptive Electronic Air Suspension does firm up nicely to keep body roll at bay, but that just seemed to exaggerate the understeer.

Complicating things is the aggressive stability control system.

It seemed to be pulling power while also using selective braking, though not always in conjunction.

But we guess if you're going to make a vehicle this big this fast, you're going to need a lot of systems in place to reign it in for the sake of safety, and the Armada is there.

A very soft brake pedal kept things feeling smooth in the cabin during panic braking runs, but the business end was working really hard, a scant 100 feet needed to quickly stop from 60.

Very impressive.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings with 4-wheel-drive are 16 city, 19 highway, and 17 combined.

We averaged 17.6 miles per gallon of Premium.

Pricing begins reasonably enough at $59,350.

But, it escalates quickly through five available grades to arrive at Platinum Reserve's $79,000.

So, our take is that the 2025 Nissan Armada has gotten a little more rugged throughout the lineup, while also becoming a lot more luxurious in the top Platinum Reserve.

It's a solid, body-on-frame Ute, and a great choice whether you're looking for a family-sized off-roader or just an Infiniti-ish bargain.

♪ ♪ Maybe you're stopping overnight on a long road trip or just running daily errands; either way, you need to know how to keep your car's valuables secure.

So, here's Audra Fordin with the key to locking it all down on MotorWeek's "Your Drive."

♪ ♪ AUDRA FORDIN: We talk a lot about how to keep your car safe to drive, but what about secure when you're not behind the wheel?

Whether, you're on a road trip or simply running errands, it is crucial to keep your possessions secure from potential theft.

The obvious answer is to remove these valuables whenever you can, but sometimes that just isn't possible.

So, here are some practical tips to help you master the art of car security!

When it comes to keeping valuables safe in your car, the trunk is your best friend.

It is designed to be a secure storage space, away from prying eyes and quick grabs.

Luggage, shopping bags, sports gear, or anything you value, stow it away and lock it up tight!

This simple step significantly reduces the risk of theft.

Got a hatchback?

Well, if equipped, don't forget to roll out the cargo cover!

Now, here's something nifty; a valet switch.

This nifty feature, often located discreetly in your glove box or under the driver's side dashboard, lets you disable the trunk release mechanism.

Flip the switch before leaving your keys unattended and your valuables in the trunk remain safely locked away.

Valet switches aren't common knowledge, but if you have one, it's like a secret weapon for warding off would-be thieves!

A trunk locked is great, but sometimes there are other hidden compartments made specifically for storing valuables.

These can be found under seats, inside the center console, or cleverly integrated into the interior design.

Some of these compartments, like the center console and glove box, may also lock, be it with a key or electronically.

These are great for small items and paperwork, like your insurance.

But what if none of those options are viable?

In short: use creative concealment.

A jacket draped over the back seat, a bag that blends in with the floor, a lock box you can secure to your SUV or pickup, or a book casually placed on the dashboard to hide papers.

All these make great camouflage for your valuables.

Just remember "out of sight, out of mind."

Even if it isn't inventive, putting valuables in spots out of sight will keep them out of most thieves' minds.

Parking strategically can also prevent opportunistic thieves from pouncing.

Opt for well-lit areas, preferably with surveillance cameras or in busy locations with plenty of foot traffic.

Garages and gated areas are also great.

These environments can deter thieves and give you peace of mind.

By implementing these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of theft and ensure your valuables remain safe wherever your adventures take you.

Stay smart, stay safe, and enjoy the journey!

If you have any questions or comments reach out to us right here at MotorWeek .

♪ ♪ JESSICA RAY: Most of us grew up learning that a car needed an oil change once every 3,000 miles or every six months.

But did you know...that is no longer the case?

Modern vehicles typically have an oil change interval somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 miles.

Why?

Synthetic oil.

Synthetic oil has been designed to degrade slower than conventional oil, meaning you can go longer between oil changes.

Like, this 2025 4Runner.

(sound of hood closing) It's recommended to change the oil at least once a year or every 10,000 miles.

So, we suggest consulting your owner's manual to see what's recommended for your vehicle.

JOHN: Time is short, but not the list of new vehicles to drive, so let's hop in for another QuickSpin!

♪ ♪ JESSICA: While, not as adventurous as its big brother, the Edge-based Ford Bronco Sport is far from barn sour.

A 2025 refresh ups the ante with a new Sasquatch package we took to some of California's dustiest trails.

Sasquatch is available on the Badlands trim, still packing the 250 horsepower 2.0 liter turbo-4, and the Outer Banks, using the smaller 180 horsepower 1.5 liter turbo-3.

Ubiquitous is an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive.

Sasquatch equipment varies between the OBX and Badlands, but expect off-road suspension and 29 inch all-terrain tires; and the Badlands' standard twin-clutch rear drive unit trickles down to the OBX Sasquatch.

Extra plating offers more protection, fender tiedowns secure your roof-mounted cargo, and recovery points front and rear are there in case your Bronco needs a helpful lasso-ing.

A 'squatched cabin comes with auxiliary switches, pre-wired for your accessories.

The rest of the interior sees a digital shift, a standard 13.2 inch SYNC4 touchscreen taking up some of the physical controls seen on prior years.

You'd think this hardware would make the Sport a chore on manmade paths, but not quite.

So, on road driving with the Bronco Sport, equipped with the Sasquatch package.

Obviously, we have those beefy 29 inch all-terrain tires that are...are meant for more off the beaten path, but they're pretty comfortable here on road.

But when you're on a nice highway, I was pretty shocked how comfortable it still was.

So, it's just really nice that this has a good compromise of tons of off-road ability while still being very capable and competent on the highway.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport starts near $32,000, an Outer Banks at $38,000, and a Badlands near $42,000.

Sasquatch the latter two and you're in the mid-40's.

GREG CARLOSS: Two things your neighbor might use as a status symbol are an inground pool and a luxury SUV.

In either case, everyone wants to hop in.

Cadillac is making a big splash with the 2025 Escalade IQ, which we took for a QuickSpin in San Francisco.

The IQ looks huge, but at the same time smooths out some of the Escalades' squared-off bodywork for better aero, back to the sloping rear roof.

Behind the metal is a super plush cabin that would look at home in almost any luxury brand.

The 55 inch front display is the main centerpiece, with the large fixed glass roof a close second.

A massive 200 kilowatt hour battery powers the e-all-wheel-drive system for an estimated 465 miles.

When the occasion calls for speed over efficiency, the V-Max button surges output to 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque; though the normal 680 horsepower, 615 pound-feet is still plenty.

Adaptive air ride suspension and magnetic ride control keeps things compliant, reminiscent of other Ultium-based GMs we've driven.

DAVE SCRIVENER: The Escalade IQ shares many components with the Hummer EV and the Silverado EV, but its equipment and features really make it distinctly a Cadillac, meaning here it prioritizes luxury, comfort, design, technology, and safety.

For instance, four-wheel steering is used here more for maneuverability when changing lanes smoothly or parking.

The turning circle is actually just 1.5 feet longer than a Chevy Bolt.

GREG: The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ starts around $130,000.

That's a lot of dough, but as we know, the finer things in life don't come cheap.

And the Escalade IQ is finer than many.

And we'll have more QuickSpins...soon!

♪ ♪ GREG: We've been driving this mid-size 2024 Honda Accord for nine months, and after rolling the virtual odometer to 19,767 miles, it's sadly pulling out of our long-term lot for the last time.

What did we learn?

Well, the hybrid powertrain really delivers.

We averaged 45.8 miles per gallon from the 2.0 liter I4-based Two-Motor Hybrid System, and its 204 horsepower was always more than adequate to get us around town and up to speed quickly on the highway.

The very spacious interior is also well laid out and highly functional, all materials held up just fine, and we enjoyed cranking tunes through Touring trim's 12-speaker Bose system.

It's also a great-looking sedan, was a quiet and competent long-distance cruiser with seamless transitions between battery and engine power, and fun on the back roads too.

We can't exactly say this Accord made us fall back in love with sedans because we never actually fell out of love with them, and it's been a good reminder that cars can still work for families.

Rear seat passengers had no complaints about space and we didn't have much to gripe about either from the driver's seat except for the fact that we never totally got used to the regenerative braking feel.

But to be fair, we have yet to test the perfect sedan.

This Accord Hybrid is pretty close, though.

Considering, we're heading full speed into summer vacation season; this 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid is starting to get a workout.

We're four months into our extended test and have already passed the 9,000 mile mark.

Fuel economy continues to improve, currently at 29.5 miles per gallon.

It's been a largely positive experience with our drivers loving the smooth driving experience along with all the comfort, space and features that Kia was able to pack in here.

On the flip side, many of our staff continue to be frustrated by the multifunction touch control panel for climate and alike.

When not keeping families happy on long drives, the Carnival makes a great vehicle for getting weekend chores done, with lots of room for hauling, even with the 2nd-row seats still in place.

Performing both shuttle bus and cargo van duties is the kind of flexibility that makes us love minivans so much.

Stay tuned for updates on our Nissan Rogue Rock Creek and Volkswagen Jetta GLI on the next MotorWeek Long-Term Road Test Update!

♪ ♪ JOHN: Normally, Must Reads are full of photographs, but sometimes we enjoy sitting down with a book that tells a story through mostly words alone.

Well, "The Car" by Bryan Appleyard does tell a story, about our favorite subject: cars!

Part history of the automobile, part mourning of the death of internal combustion engines, and part philosophy on how we got where we are in our relationship with cars.

What it lacks in glossy photos, it makes up for with information, including how we might not even have the automobile as we know it if not for this lady.

Who is she?

Well, you'll just have to buy this Must Read to find out.

The duty of upholding Volkswagen's heritage has most recently been delegated to small legacy car names like, Golf and Jetta.

But hold on!

A much larger, totally modern take on VW's classic microbus has just buzzed over the horizon, the all-electric ID.

Buzz.

It's been at the top of our minds since we first saw the concept back in 2017.

Well, it's finally here, so let's get our groove into drive!

♪ ♪ This 2025 Volkswagen ID.

Buzz has indeed created the most buzz around Volkswagen since the Beetle's return to the U.S. in the late 1990s.

We couldn't drive it anywhere without drawing a crowd.

No wonder, just about everyone has a VW Microbus story to tell, and seeing this reimagined version rolling down the street brings back all those memories.

VW really pulled it off as far as we're concerned, as it looks great without appearing over the top.

All the cues are here: Big VW logo front and center, lots of greenhouse including A-pillar windows and mini sliders for the 2nd-row passengers, D-pillar air vents, and two-tone wheels.

And while its appearance may be pure retro, its drivetrain is far from it, as the ID.

Buzz is all-electric, and unlike the new Beetle, the Buzz does retain the original Microbus' rear-drive architecture.

Powering those rear wheels is a 210 kilowatt motor drawing juice from a 91 kilowatt hour battery for a range of 234 miles; 200 kilowatt max charging will get you to 80 percent in about 26 minutes.

Buyers can add another small 80 kilowatt motor up front for 4motion all-wheel-drive and an increase of total output from 282 to 335 horsepower with a combined 512 pound-feet of torque.

It uses the same battery, but range estimates drop just slightly to 231 miles.

But while those numbers are modest, we also found them to be quite conservative, as we observed as many as 287 miles available in our all-wheel-drive tester's gauge display and were on pace for 273 miles in our driving loop.

One throwback theme that may be a turnoff to some is that it's quite a step up into the Buzz's front seats, but there's certainly a commanding view of the road once you climb in.

Second row seating can be either a three-place bench or a pair of captain's chairs, so there's generous room for seven or six passengers.

The captain's chairs in our Pro S Plus offer good support and very easy access to the 3rd-row.

With the sliding side doors and a wide opening rear hatch, there's plenty of access for loading big sport utility amounts of cargo.

Lots of flexibility too with the option to simply fold the seats or remove them altogether, and the ability to create a full-length flat floor with a rear cargo shelf that covers some handy removable storage bins.

There's 18.6 cubic-feet of space behind the third row, 75.5 behind the second, and a max of 145.5.

That's more than a Chevrolet Tahoe.

For smaller items, there are lots of cubbies throughout the cabin, along with a standard Buzz Box that can be moved to multiple locations.

With a design that prioritizes retro form and modern function over aero efficiency, the 4motion equipped ID.

Buzz earns a Fair efficiency rating, using 42 kilowatt hour of electricity per 100 miles, and we weren't sure what to expect at our Mason Dixon test track.

What we found was great torque off the line and drama free launches to 60 in just 5.3 seconds.

It was very stable at speed and power delivery stayed steady most of the way down the track until we reached about 90 miles per hour, when it began to taper off just before we finished the quarter-mile in 14.0 seconds flat at 97 miles per hour.

With 1,200 pounds of battery weight nestled in its 127.5 inch wheelbase, the Buzz felt planted to the pavement through our handling course.

There was quite a bit of body roll to deal with, but surprisingly little understeer.

Three interior themes are available, this Dune is the brightest, featuring coastal inspired wood optic dash décor, "gray and clay" leatherette surfaces, and a high-mounted central 12.9 inch touchscreen.

Pricing starts with a rear-wheel-drive Pro S at $61,545; this Pro S Plus begins at $65,045, add another $4,500 for 4motion, which brings a few extra features along with all-wheel-drive.

Retro design with old-school VW charm, modern EV drivetrain, big SUV capacity merged with minivan flexibility; it all comes together in this 2025 Volkswagen ID.

Buzz.

It's easily one of the coolest rides of the year and one that will likely keep Volkswagen dealers buzzing for years to come, and that's something no other people and things mover can say.

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 for a timely roundup, our ten favorite cars under $30,000, followed by the decidedly premium Audi Q6 e-tron.

Until then, I'm John Davis.

We'll see you right here on MotorWeek !

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Learn more at AutoValue.Com and BumperToBumper.Com.

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We test tires, then share our results.

We stock over one million tires.

We offer multiple installation options.

We do this because we believe tires matter.

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