MotorWeek

One of the staples of MotorWeek is the Road Test, where the team of testers puts a new car through various conditions to see how it operates. The tests are usually done on the strip at the former 75-80 Dragway outside of Frederick, Maryland; MotorWeek has used the facility since its premiere and continues to do so despite the closure of the track and removal of its grandstands and equipment.

In the colder months, the show relocates the testing to Roebling Road Raceway in Savannah, Georgia. MotorWeek has also done tests at the Ford and General Motors proving grounds in the past as well as at several famous racetracks such as Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course near Lexington, Ohio, and Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia.

Each test starts with an overview of the car’s engine and features, as well as other options that are available. This portion is comprehensive, ranging from how much power the engine has to how the interior of the car is set up.

The car is then taken out onto the drag strip. Here, tests are done to measure its zero-to-sixty time, how long it takes to traverse the quarter-mile drag strip, how the car handles a slalom course, how it handles quick turns, and how much distance it takes for the car to come to a complete stop from the speed limit. A test is also done to determine fuel economy ratings against the ones provided by the Environmental Protection Agency; to perform this, the testers use a 100-mile loop that combines city and highway driving and averages their figures.

Older episodes also tested a car’s speed at 500 feet to simulate entering a highway as well as its turning diameter.

Once the road test is complete, the car’s hits and misses are revealed as are the reasons why the testers felt a certain way about various issues.

For many years, MotorWeek has conducted periodic competitive tests to determine what cars, in their opinion, are the top in a certain classification. In recent years these tests have been done in conjunction with cars.com.

For these instances, the team will choose a series of vehicles, usually six, that fit into the category (for example, compact sport utility vehicles). The vehicles, like every other tested by MotorWeek, are supplied by the manufacturers themselves and each must adhere to the set of criteria selected for the competition (for example, transmission type or maximum cost).

After the cars are put through a battery of tests, their performances are graded and the top four performing vehicles in the category are revealed in order from lowest to highest, with specific highlights such as price or fuel mileage noted.

• Goss' Garage: Pat Goss would teach viewers on how to keep automobiles in good repair.
• Quick Spin: Take a quick spin on new vehicles.
• Two Wheelin': A two wheel review on motorcycles.
• First Drive: A first look at new vehicles.
• Muscle Car Memories: A wide variety of vintage, classic, and memorable muscle cars.
• Car of the Week: Featuring a photo album of automobiles sent in by viewers.
• Long Term Test Update: News on cars loaned to MotorWeek for tests.
• MotorNews: An in-depth report on new vehicles.
• Over The Edge: An automotive industry on overdrive.
• FYI: Featuring an in-depth report on consumer trending.
• Retro Review: A look back at MotorWeek reviews from past seasons.
• Eye Spy: Featuring photographic closeups of automobiles.

• The Exotics Spot: Reviewing older vehicles.
• Motorshop: Rennamed to Goss' Garage. First seen on the unaired pilot. Hosted by Craig Singhaus.
• What's New on Wheels: A close look at new products on the automotive scene. Renamed to MotorNews
• Taking the High Road: Featuring automobiles from the past and present. Renamed to Over the Edge
• Stomp, Stay, and Steer: John Davis teaches viewers on how to stomp, stay, and steer.
• A Quick Look: Featuring a quick look at new vehicles.
• Behind The Wall: The MotorWeek staff takes behind the wall for their high speed driving skills.