We just bought a 2020 Cadillac XT6 for testing at the track, and we give our first impressions on the midsized SUV, including how it stacks up against other 3-row competitors (including its big brother, the Escalade.) Volkswagen has ended production on some of the last station wagons in the US market, the Golf Alltrack and SportWagen; we analyze why many wagons are being discontinued, and what they are being replaced with. We also answer audience questions about the ideal driving conditions for ...
Jul 26, 2019•27 min•Season 7Ep. 213
This week we share our test results on the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and how it stacks up compared to the standard RAV4. We also look at CR's exclusive survey on our member’s tire purchasing experiences, and discuss some of the most effective tire buying techniques. We end the episode with audience questions, including whether or not a car with dark paint gets hotter than a lighter one when left in the sun, the pros and cons of the various transmission systems available on the market, and if SUVs...
Jul 19, 2019•23 min•Season 7Ep. 212
This week our team shares their first impressions on the 2019 Audi E-Tron, the German automaker's first electric vehicle, and discusses how it compares to other luxury EVs. We also talk about the passing of Lee Iacocca, a legendary automotive executive, and share some of the highlights (and lowlights) from his time in the automotive industry. We end the episode with audience questions, touching on topics like the availability of car parts when a vehicle is discontinued, whether or not headlights...
Jul 12, 2019•32 min•Season 7Ep. 211
This week, we give our first impressions of the 2020 Palisade, Hyundai's all-new upscale three-row SUV. Summer is road trip season, and we choose the best car in the CR Auto Test fleet for one of our panelists to take on a trip to Montreal. We also answer audience questions about the 2019 Kia Niro's loss in recommendation from CR, and whether or not a teenager should learn to drive on a manual transmission car rather than an automatic. ----------------------------------- Have a question for our ...
Jul 08, 2019•28 min•Season 7Ep. 210
We talk electric this week, sharing the test results of the Jaguar's all-new I-Pace EV and compare it with the Tesla Model X and other electric vehicles. We then discuss our first impressions of the 2019 Kia Soul and the Soul EV. Plus, we wrap up the episode with audience questions. ----------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly! From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, o...
Jun 28, 2019•25 min•Season 7Ep. 209
This week our expert panelists answer as many questions as time allows. We discuss the best time of year to buy a car, whether or not to ever turn off an automatic emergency braking system, and does an $8,000 cut in price make the new Chevrolet Blazer a viable choice. Plus, many more. -------------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly! From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, vid...
Jun 21, 2019•25 min•Season 7Ep. 208
It's a head-to-head this week! We just finished testing the 2019 BMW 330i and Volvo S60 and we compare the results of these two luxury sport sedans. We wrap up the episode with some interesting questions about how we test seating position, if we recommend the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, are all-weather tires worth your while, and why are Volkswagen TDis still on the road? -------------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us dir...
Jun 13, 2019•22 min•Season 7Ep. 207
We just bought a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid, and share our first impressions of how it drives. We also answer quite a few audience questions this week, ranging from why we don't have Japanese Kei cars in the US market, how to find out if the car you are purchasing has unresolved manufacturer recalls, and can you put a child in the front seat. ----------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly! From your iOS ...
Jun 07, 2019•29 min•Season 7Ep. 206
We share our first impressions on our very own Kia Niro Electric and discuss the growing EV market. Also, Honda has finally announced that it will begin fixing the 2017 and 2018 Honda CR-Vs with the troubled 1.5-liter turbo engines. We end with audience questions, including whether there should be regulations for headlight/brake light sensors, what to know about your advanced safety system sensors in poor driving conditions, and weighing the options when purchasing a car with no spare tire. ----...
May 31, 2019•25 min•Season 7Ep. 205
We tried out an updated setting on Tesla’s Navigate on Autopilot that allows the car to automatically make lane changes without any additional input from the driver. We also discuss the state of other partially automated driving systems on the market and share our concerns on what this trend means for the future. Plus, we answer questions about octane ratings, in-car controls, and vehicle data loggers. -------------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on thi...
May 23, 2019•25 min•Season 7Ep. 204
We give our first impressions of the much anticipated return of the Toyota Supra, and discuss how to compares with the Supras of the past. Testing is complete on the 2019 BMW Z4, and we talk about how it performed in the tests here at our track. We also answer audience questions about the Hyundai sunroof class action lawsuit, heavy duty pickup trucks, and why new cars are ditching the traditional emergency brake for an electronic e-brake. ————————————————— Subscribe to Talking Cars on Apple Podc...
May 17, 2019•28 min•Season 7Ep. 203
This week it’s another all questions episode! We talk about everything from the best all-wheel drive cars for winter commutes, why 4x4 trucks tow less weight than you may think, new car buying advice and we try to locate a ‘unicorn’ vehicle for $35K. ————————————————— Subscribe to Talking Cars on Apple Podcasts! Video version: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-cars-hq/id630839767?mt=2 Audio version: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-cars-mp3/id630831189?mt=2 Have a question f...
May 09, 2019•34 min•Season 7Ep. 202
We rented Jeep's all-new 2020 Gladiator and share our first impressions, discussing its place in the market, and if it has what it takes to succeed as a truck. Also, our experts weigh in on the Mercedes-Benz announcement discontinuing the Smart car brand of small vehicles in the US. Finally, we answer audience questions, including the high price for windshield replacement in cars with modern safety features, and why electric vehicle chargers aren't universal (or even cross-compatible.) ---------...
May 03, 2019•28 min•Season 7Ep. 201
We celebrate our milestone 200th episode of the podcast with a live audience in New York City, discussing the evolution of Talking Cars over the years, how our team of experts got started at Consumer Reports, and what we see in the future for the automobile industry. We wrap this special episode with questions from our audience members. ------------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly! From your iOS device, iMessa...
Apr 26, 2019•58 min•Season 7Ep. 200
This week we're on the floor of the 2019 New York International Auto Show, giving our take on the big reveals and announcements from the automakers, including the Toyota Highlander, Subaru Outback, Ford Escape, Hyundai Venue and Sonata, Lincoln Corsair, Mercedes GLS, Cadillac CT5, and more! --------------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly! From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a pho...
Apr 19, 2019•23 min•Season 7Ep. 199
New to our test fleet this week is the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid we purchased for testing at our track. With the same hybrid system as the Prius, and built on the same platform as the well-performing Corolla Hatchback, is Toyota's new offering the best of both worlds? We also discuss IIHS' latest study on speeding's role in fatal auto accidents, and answer audience questions, including the difference between summer and all-season tires, and whether modern HID and LED headlights cause too much g...
Apr 12, 2019•24 min
We just purchased the all-new 2019 Mazda3 for our testing program, and we share our first impressions on the sedan - can it retain the fun driving dynamics of the last generation? We also discuss the recently unveiled 2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback and Ford Escape's chances of becoming bigger players in their respective segments. We also answer questions from our audience, including whether premium fuel will make a Ford F-150 run more efficiently, how to choose the right size tires, and how you kno...
Apr 04, 2019•31 min•Season 7Ep. 197
The Kia Telluride makes its debut at our test track and we give our first impressions of the three-row SUV. We also talk about mandatory safety gear coming to European cars in 2022 and the possible implications of speed limiters in cars. Plus, we answer your questions! ————————————————— Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly! From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking C...
Mar 29, 2019•27 min•Season 7Ep. 196
Lots of electric car news to get charged up about this week, as Tesla unveiled its Model 3-based crossover Model Y, and Henrik Fisker's new automotive venture announced a $40,000 all-electric SUV. We recently bought an electric vehicle of our own for our test program, the 2019 Hyundai Kona EV, and give our first impressions on how it compares to the top rated gas version. We also answer audience questions this week about Jeep reliability vs. owner satisfaction, replacement high-performance tires...
Mar 22, 2019•30 min•Season 7Ep. 195
Tesla has been in the news a lot recently, with announcements about price drops and increases, new Autopilot functionality, stores closing (or not,) and the availability of the long-promised $35,000 Model 3. What should a consumer make of all this? Our experts give advice on what to do if you're questioning whether a Tesla makes sense for you. We recently purchased the new 2019 BMW 3 Series, and we give our first impressions of what it's like behind the wheel. We end this episode with audience q...
Mar 16, 2019•32 min•Season 7Ep. 194
This week, we discuss the Road Test results of our 2019 Cadillac XT4, and the nuances of competing in the entry-level luxury SUV segment. Volvo announced that it will be limiting the maximum speed on its vehicles, and we talk about the decision’s impact on safety. As always, we wrap the episode with audience questions, this week about proper steering wheel position, used car maintenance practices, and the evolution (or lack thereof) of car door hinges. -------------------------- Have a question ...
Mar 08, 2019•24 min•Season 7Ep. 193
We just took delivery of our very own 2019 Ford Ranger, and give our first impressions of what it’s like to drive this resurrected small pickup truck. We answer audience questions about the AWD system in the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, if an electric is the right choice for a snowy, mountainous climate, and what to do about a car’s safety sensors that get obstructed by snow, salt, and ice. Finally, ever wonder what happens to CR’s cars once the final test is complete? We go behind the scenes and tell yo...
Mar 06, 2019•26 min•Season 7Ep. 192
This week we release our list of the top cars for 2019, and we discuss what it takes to be a Consumer Reports Top Pick vehicle. Reliability is very important when shopping for a vehicle, and we discuss how we determine which cars will keep running for the long haul, as well as give an update on the the reliability score for the Tesla Model 3. Finally, we discuss which brands make the best (or worst) vehicles. SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- :38 - how we determine our Top Picks 7:1...
Feb 21, 2019•20 min•Season 7Ep. 191
Chevrolet has revived the Blazer nameplate, and we discuss if it can compete in the saturated 2-row SUV market. Love is in the air this week, and we share stories about the cars that broke our hearts. We also share some highlights from the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, including details on the 2020 Subaru Legacy sedan. We wrap the episode with audience questions about the importance of washing your car's undercarriage, myths about automatic emergency braking, and how we test cargo space. -------------...
Feb 14, 2019•28 min•Season 7Ep. 190
This week, it’s another all questions episode! We talk about everything from tires, crash tests, the all-wheel drive myth and the most baby-worthy car for a dad-to-be. And don't forget that you can send us your questions at TalkingCars@icloud.com! ————————————————— Subscribe to Talking Cars on Apple Podcasts! Video version: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-cars-hq/id630839767?mt=2 Audio version: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-cars-mp3/id630831189?mt=2 Have a question for ...
Feb 08, 2019•23 min•Season 7Ep. 189
This week we discuss Ford's new rewards program, and whether or not such programs really benefit car owners. At the track, we've rented the new Honda Passport, and give our thoughts on how it stacks up among the multitudes of SUVs. As always, we wrap with audience questions, including one about how manufacturer’s all-wheel drive systems differ. ------------------------------------------ Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly! From your iOS d...
Jan 31, 2019•27 min•Season 7Ep. 188
This week we discuss the recent trend of automakers resurrecting discontinued car models, and the nostalgia (or lack thereof) that such a move might ignite in a car buyer. We've completed testing on the 2019 BMW X5 SUV, and talk about how it performed in our tests. Finally, we wrap with viewer questions, including one about the first car for a teenage driver under $5,000, and how cold temperatures affect electric vehicle batteries. --------------------------------- Have a question for our expert...
Jan 25, 2019•27 min•Season 7Ep. 187
We're on location in Detroit for the 2019 North American International Auto Show! We discuss vehicles announced at the show, including the all-new Toyota Supra, Kia Telluride, Volkswagen Passat, and more. We also geek out over the enthusiast cars announced, including the Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 and Subaru STI S209. SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- :40 - importance of Detroit Auto Show in automotive industry 3:00 - Kia Telluride 4:59 - Toyota Supra 6:29 - Lexus RC 8:30 - Volkswag...
Jan 17, 2019•25 min•Season 7Ep. 186
We just purchased Jaguar's answer to Tesla's all-electric fleet - the 2019 I-PACE. We discuss our first impressions on how it drives, differences in interior quality to Tesla's offerings, and where we think the electric car market is heading with more established automakers entering the segment. We also discuss the automotive technology on display at CES in Las Vegas and wrap by answering viewer questions. ---------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on thi...
Jan 11, 2019•24 min•Season 7Ep. 185
Porsche has finally redesigned its Cayenne SUV, and we discuss our overall impressions, and how it performed in our tests. Wet weather can have a significant impact on how tires perform, and the problem only gets worse as a tire ages. CR recently conducted a test on how tires with low tread depth handled in our wet braking and hydroplaning courses, and why a tire from Michelin impressed us. We also answer audience questions about the 2019 Toyota RAV4, how long it takes us to fully test a vehicle...
Jan 04, 2019•27 min•Season 7Ep. 184
