To say that the transition to electric vehicles isn’t going as predicted is putting it mildly. This week, two global manufacturers revealed that they are pausing their previously planned introductions of battery-electric sedans in the United States. That’s the reason you won’t see the Volkswagen ID.7, a staple in the European market, here in the U.S. this year. Volkswagen had previously announced that the sleek sedan would be arriving in American showrooms by the end of 2024, but then it did an ...
May 25, 2024•Season 1Ep. 216
The Genesis GV80 luxury crossover is the vehicle that really put the Genesis brand on the map in the United States. Prior to its introduction, the Korean-based luxury brand only had sedans in its lineup, and in the American market, that wasn’t a competitive offering, like trying to sell hot cocoa in a sauna. Now, the heavily revised 2025 Genesis GV80 further refines an offering that was already making waves. To tell us all about it, we have as our special guest this week Trevor Lai, who is Genes...
May 18, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 215
In Europe, the Fiat 500e is leading the electric city-car market for the second year in a row, ranking at the top of that category in Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Austria. But can it achieve similar success in North America? One person who thinks so is Fiat North American Head Aamir Ahmed, and in his exclusive interview with AOTR Host Jack Nerad he’ll tell us why. One of the reasons he cites is price. With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $32,500 (excluding the $1,595 destination...
May 11, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 214
Just as Clark Kent can turn into Superman by ditching his glasses and changing his outfit, so it is wth the 2024 Volvo S60 Recharge. At first glance, like the mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, the S60 Recharge looks unassuming. It’s an attractive small sedan, but its exterior doesn’t hint at the fire that burns inside. Its surprisingly potent plug-in hybrid powertrain, offering 455 horsepower no less, turns it into one of the fastest and most powerful Volvos ever. That's...
May 04, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 213
Ram has just introduced its latest off-road performance truck, the 2025 Ram 1500 RHO, and we will give you all the details in our exclusive interview with Ram North America sales head Brant Combs. Few people know more about Ram’s 540-horsepower RHO off-roader than Combs, who took time out of a busy vehicle introduction week to sit down for an interview with Host Jack Nerad. Following in the tire tracks of the Ram 1500 TRX, the new RHO features the brand-new and highly potent 3.0-liter Hurricane ...
Apr 27, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 212
Many think that we in America should change the way we get around every day, increasing our use of public transportation, electric cars and commuting by bicycle much as they do in Europe. But is that a practical solution for the average American? To find out, Host Jack Nerad traveled to two major European capitals — London and Copenhagen — to find out how Europeans get to work, to the grocery store and to all the other places they need to go on a day-to-day basis. Over the course of a week in Eu...
Apr 20, 2024•Season 1Ep. 211
The 2025 Ram 1500 light-duty pickup truck isn’t all new, but its changes are more significant than the typical mid-cycle refresh. The biggest change is the substitution of the new twin-turbo Hurricane inline-6 for the legendary HEMI V-8. But there is a lot more to it than that, as chief engineer Doug Killian tells us in an exclusive interview. At the truck’s introductory drive event Host Jack Nerad sat down for a lengthy and insightful discussion with Killian on the heavily revised truck. From t...
Apr 13, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 210
You could say the Ford F-150 Lightning Switchgear is the unexpected Lightning. Sporting 37-inch tires and outrageous bodywork, the Ford Performance on- and off-road demonstrator vehicle doesn’t simply get stares for how it looks but also for what it can do. That’s because the stuff it can do is pretty epic. In this week’s show we get behind the scenes of this amazing one-off truck in an interview with one of its key development engineers, Sri Pakkam. He’l give us the details on why Ford decided ...
Apr 06, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 209
The Hyundai Santa Fe midsize crossover has been successful for multiple generations in the United States, but it is expected to leap to an even higher level with the imminent introduction of the all-new 2024 version. Host Jack Nerad drove the vehicle on and off the road at a recent introductory event outside Nashville, and he got the opportunity for a detailed sit-down interview with Hyundai product planner Mike Evanoff. In many ways, the new Santa Fe is a breakthrough that we expect will find a...
Mar 30, 2024•45 min•Ep. 208
Some are wondering why it took so long to arrive, but we are simply glad the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is here. We’re especially glad after flogging it both on and off the road in the wild range on the outskirts of Salt Lake City. The all-new Ranger Raptor is the most powerful and high-performance, off-road capable Ranger ever. That almost goes without saying. Ford Performance designed and engineered it to take the midsize truck’s off-road capability to the next level. And interestingly, it has be...
Mar 23, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 207
In this episode of America on the Road, we try to answer a question posed by our two road test cars, the 2024 Volvo S90 Recharge and the Hyundai Ioniq 6. The Volvo is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and the Hyundai is a battery-powered pure EV. Of course, they aren’t in the same segment, but looking at them can help answer the question that is on a lot of car buyers’ minds right now — should I purchase a plug-in hybrid or a battery-electric? We examine both that question and the pluses and minuses of ea...
Mar 16, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 206
At America on the Road, we often complain about the fact that carmakers are offering fewer and fewer vehicles that are affordable for average Americans. But the new 2024 Buick Envista is an exception that both proves and might change that rule. Co-host Chris Teague road-tested the small SUV in the rigors of a Maine winter and found it to be an appealing vehicle with appealing prices. Yes, you can buy one today for less than $30,000, and that is something. That is difficult to find these days. At...
Mar 09, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 205
Sure, the Ford Maverick isn’t the most manly truck on the block. In fact, some people have the effrontery to call it a “toy truck.” But Co-Host Chris Teague came to a completely different conclusion when he road-tested the 2024 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid in the grueling throes of a Maine winter. We’ll have his report on proving his manhood in this episode. At the same time, Host Jack Nerad and his family were about 60 degrees warmer as they tested the 2024 Lexus TX 500h F Sport AWD in yet another ...
Mar 02, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 204
Driving the heavily revised 2025 Ram 1500 brought on a strange sensation. Instead of giving a sense of raw muscle, it offered the sophistication of an uptown limousine. In fact, we’d bet that most limousines don’t ride as well or offer as much stretch-out room as the Ram 1500 Crew Cabs. For 2025, Ram is offering a new line-topping Tungsten model, and it has goosed up the already strong credentials of the former Ram top dog, the Limited. Host Jack Nerad just returned from a trip to Austin, Texas,...
Feb 24, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 203
The 2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country isn’t a startling new development. It doesn’t feature a groundbreaking engine or stunning piece of safety equipment. But in a month when snow, ice, and other inclement weather can occur almost anywhere, it is a very nice old friend to have around. In this episode of America on the Road, Host, Jack Nerad roadtests the V90 Cross Country in most of the weather conditions that February in Southern California can throw at a vehicle — including a blinding snowstorm. Ho...
Feb 17, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 202
For the 2024 model year, Mercedes-AMG is upgrading the performance-oriented GLS 63 three-row SUV by adding to its generous list of standard equipment. If you think a performance-oriented three-row SUV is sort of a silly idea, well, you probably haven’t driven a GLS 63. But co-host Chris Teague has, and he reports on all the details of his weeklong stint in the flagship of the AMG SUV family. The 2024 GLS 63 gets new appearance items inside and out — a new rear light signature and a Nappa leather...
Feb 10, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 201
Acura says the TLX Type S is the quickest, best-handling all-wheel-drive sedan in its history. But can it provide its unique brand of performance in the midst of a brutal Maine winter? That’s what Co-Host Chris Teague set out to find this past week as he road-tested the car. Certainly the 2024 version of the Type S has the specs to get the job done. It features improved throttle response in the Sport+ drive mode from its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. Incorporating tech derived from the twin-turbo N...
Feb 03, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 200
America on the Road’s Co-Host Chris Teague finally went and did it — he bought himself a brand-new 2024 Toyota GR Corolla. Not only that, but he took delivery of his hot, new ride right in the midst of a miserable Maine winter. Now the question is, does the 300-horsepower, all-wheel-drive car live up to his high expectations for it? And how is it standing up to the difficult weather conditions January in Maine is throwing at it? We’ll have the answers to those questions and more in this episode....
Jan 27, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 199
It's not every car company that also builds light tanks and a variety of aircraft, but Praga, the Prague-based company founded in 1907, is one such automaker. Having survived the perils of two world wars, Communist occupation, and the topsy-turvy market of the late 20th Century, Praga is poised to enter a new era with the initial production of the company’s Praga Bohema road-legal hypercar in a dedicated facility in the Czech Republic. The stunning Bohema will be hand-built in very low numbers o...
Jan 20, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 198
This week, our special guest on America on the Road is Marques McCammon, President of Karma Automotive. Karma is a California-based builder of high-performance electric vehicles whose very interesting plans include the imminent launch of the 1,100-horsepower Kaveya super coupe. Host Jack Nerad conducted an exclusive interview with the company’s energetic chief exec, and they discussed the details of the Kaveya plus McCammon’s plans to differentiate the American supercar brand from others in the ...
Jan 13, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 197
Our two test vehicles this week couldn’t be more different. The 2024 Honda Passport TrailSport is the brand’s latest effort to cash in on the current off-road craze that continues to sweep the nation. With all-terrain tires, a trick torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system and some appearance mods, the Passport TrailSport isn’t just fun to say; it is also fun to drive. But will it do the job off-road? That is a question we raise in this episode of America on the Road. Co-Host Chris Teague had the...
Jan 06, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 196
Editor's Note: This is the repeat of one of our most popular episodes in 2023. It originally aired on Saturday, November 25, 2023. Jack and Chris will be back with an all-new episode on January 6, 2024. Happy New Year to you! In this era of crossover vehicles and electric-powered appliance cars, fewer and fewer models on the road get an enthusiast’s blood boiling. But one vehicle that does just that is the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Morizo edition. First off, it serves up 300 horsepower from its hig...
Dec 30, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 195
McLaren has just introduced the McLaren GTS, a replacement for the GT, and we have the details. The grand tourer marries supercar performance with everyday practicality. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine boasts 626 horsepower, 14 more than its predecessor, and it's lighter at 3,351 pounds. The result is what McLaren claims is a class-leading power-to-weight ratio of 412 horsepower per ton. Clocking 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and 0-124 mph in 8.9 seconds, it outpaces the well-regarded GT. It...
Dec 23, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 194
Our road tests this week look at two sides of the compact utility coin. Co-Host Chris Teague took the wheel of the battery-electric Toyota BZ4X in frigid Maine. Across the country in much better weather, Host Jack Nerad put the Jeep Compass through its paces. We’ll report the results of this quasi-faceoff. In the news this week, Tesla says it has a “moral obligation” to keep installing and improving its Autopilot driver-assistance technology. This despite the fact the tech has been identified as...
Dec 16, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 193
There is plenty for Jack Nerad and Chris Teague to talk about in this episode of America on the Road. First, there’s the news: Now, electric vehicle owners have something else to be anxious about. We’ll tell you what it is and why. Swedish EV maker Polestar has a new way for customers to obtain its vehicles — and maybe bail out if they don’t like them. We’ll tell you about that. And according to someone who should know, General Motors’ Cruise self-driving vehicle unit has hit an all-time low. We...
Dec 09, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 192
Whenever there is a newly updated Porsche to talk about, we celebrate, and that is certainly the case this week. The legendary German brand has ripped the wrapping paper off the heavily revamped 2024 Porsche Panamera sedan, and we’ll have the important details. The third generation of the sporty luxury sedan emphasizes width both in its exterior shape and its even broader digital offering. (You see what we did there?) In the 2024 Panamera, Porsche is attempting to bridge the gap between comfort ...
Dec 02, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 191
In this era of crossover vehicles and electric-powered appliance cars, fewer and fewer models on the road get an enthusiast’s blood boiling. But one vehicle that does just that is the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Morizo edition. First off, it serves up 300 horsepower from its highly sophisticated turbocharged three-cylinder engine. In a vehicle the size and weight of a Corolla, that is a heady way to begin. But that’s just the start of what the Morizo edition provides. As Host Jack Nerad discovered du...
Nov 25, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 190
In this special edition direct from the North American Car of the Year announcement at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Host Jack Nerad and frequent Guest Host Matty DeLorenzo take incisive looks at the vehicles that made it to the next round -- and those that didn't. Nerad is vice president of the North American Car of the Year jury. DeLorenzo has served on the jury for decades. Each year, the 50-member jury of renowned industry experts evaluates all the new-to-the-market vehicles to determine which ...
Nov 18, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 189
The smallest Volvo SUV ever might be the biggest in terms of impact in the United States and around the globe. With a suggested starting price of $34,950, Volvo EX30 could cause many American consumers to have second thoughts about buying a conventionally powered small SUV. With its strong safety ethos, the Swedish brand has made certain that the EX30 continues to carry that torch in addition to its zero-emissions environmental advantages — all at a price that many can afford. Host Jack Nerad ha...
Nov 11, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 188
In this special direct from North American Car of the Year testing in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Host Jack Nerad and frequent Guest Host Matt DeLorenzo discuss the many candidates for three of the most prestigious honors in autodom. Nerad is currently vice president of the North American Car of the Year jury. DeLorenzo has served on the jury for decades. Each year, the 50-member jury composed of renowned industry experts evaluates all the new-to-the-market vehicles to determine which deserve the title...
Nov 04, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 186
