Talking Cars (mp3)

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. On this episode we welcome the 2023 Honda Pilot to our test fleet. We offer our first impressions of the redesigned, three-row SUV, and share our personal experiences with the Pilot during our first few days of ownership. We also answer an audience question about the evolution, or disappearance, of vehicle bumpers and learn about a retired CR test that features the aptly named, ‘bumper basher.’  SHOW NOTES: 0:00 - Intro 0:28 - 2023 Honda Pilot 1:52 - Ideal family vehicle? 5:19 - Driving impressions 10:25 - Interior space 11:31- Driving position 14:35 - Controls 16:01 - Audience Question: What happened to all the bumpers? 20:58 - CR bumper basher — LINKS: Honda Pilot: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/honda/pilot/ 2023 Honda Pilot Makes Big Strides With Redesign: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/2023-honda-pilot-review-a5711400779/ Stress-Free SUVs That You’ll Love Driving and Owning: https:

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. This week, we discuss the 2023 Lexus LX600. The three-row SUV boasts off-road prowess while offering consumers a first-class vehicle experience. We talk about the history of the LX and its corporate cousin, the Toyota Land Cruiser, and debate if the six-figure SUV is worth its weight both as a family hauler and a trail-ready ‘truck’. We also answer a question about EV-charging networks and welcome back an old friend to the show.  SHOW NOTES:  0:00 - Intro 0:17 - New Talking Cars publish day 1:07 - Welcome back Joe Veselak! 3:28 - 2023 Lexus LX600 5:43 - Who is the LX600 for? 7:00 - Driving impressions 12:00 - Interior, 2nd/3rd row access 15:15 - Fit and finish 17:00 - Would you buy the LX600? 19:00 -  Question: How will the transition from gas to electric vehicles happen in terms of charge station and gas station availability? LINKS: Lexus LX: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/lexus/lx/ Electric Cars

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests.     Mitsubishi's three-row compact SUV gets a plug-in hybrid version for 2023. We share our first impressions of the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (is it pronounced P-HEV, or FEV?), discuss its new powertrain, driving characteristics, and how its electric range compares to other popular plug-in hybrids like the Toyota RAV4 Prime, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. We also help someone from our audience choose a comfortable, dependable, and fuel efficient hybrid vehicle that's great for long road trips.       SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:13 - First Impressions : 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 18:21 - Question: What is a great hybrid vehicle for long trips that is comfortable, dependable, and fuel efficient?       ----------------------------------   2023 Mitsubishi Outlander https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mitsubishi/outlander/2023/overview/   First Drive: Th

What are the best cars you can buy right now? The Consumer Reports Top Picks list is a collection of cars, SUVs, and trucks with standout performance across the board. Each represents a key vehicle segment and shines for its combination of road test performance, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety, garnering a high-enough Overall Score to earn a coveted CR recommendation. We discuss the cars that made it to the top of the list, trends we're noticing in the automotive industry, and other interesting insights from our Autos Spotlight coverage.     SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:13 - Top Picks Introduction 02:57 - Hybrid Trends 05:09 - Price Comparisons Between Hybrids and Gas Engine Vehicles 08:41 - Toyota and Lexus Trends 11:04 - New Car Models 12:03 - The Venerable 13:19 - Electric Vehicles 15:34 - Question: Why does the CR overall reliability score change over time?     ----------------------------------   Cars https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/   Which Car

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests.   Reviving a nameplate that hasn't been used in the US since 1972, the Toyota Crown is the Japanese automaker's attempt to bridge the gap between sedans and SUVs. But the question remains: is that something drivers are looking for? We share our first impressions of the Crown's unique styling, hybrid powertrain, and whether it's a suitable replacement for the dearly departed Toyota Avalon. We also discuss a viewer's issues with trying to fix their car's software issues and glitches with a dealership mechanic.     SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:13 - First Impressions: 2023 Toyota Crown 18:19 - Question: It seems that mechanics have a hard time diagnosing issues with electronics, will that increase with electric vehicles?     ----------------------------------   2023 Toyota Crown Reinvents the Modern Sedan https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2023-toyota-

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests.   The Inflation Reduction Act has introduced a number of tax incentives for those who want to drive or lease an electric vehicle, but making sense of which vehicles qualify has proven difficult. In this bonus episode, our experts explain all the current rules for new, used, and leased EVs or hybrids, and how to take full advantage of the program.     SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 01:07 - What’s new with the EV Federal Tax Credit. 01:47 - 200,000 Vehicle Cap. 02:27 - Income Caps. 03:03 - County of origin restrictions. 04:03 - Foreign Entity of Concern Rule. 04:57 - EV purchase walkthrough. 06:44 - How auto manufacturers are making their cars qualify for the Tax Credit. 08:00 - Why is the EV Tax Credit so complicated? 09:46 - Taking advantage of the Tax Credit when leasing. 10:39 - EV Tax Credit for commercial vehicles. 13:07 - Used EV Tax Credit. 14:50 - The bottom l

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. The Toyota Prius has always been known for its polarizing styling and undeniable fuel economy. But the new 2023 Prius changes that equation, and now features much sleeker styling, but without a great leap forward in fuel efficiency. In this episode, we share our first impressions of the 2023 Toyota Prius' redesigned cabin, our early fuel economy experiences, and whether legacy fans of the Prius' quirky vibe will be turned off by this new version. SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:15 - First Impressions: 2023 Toyota Prius 25:26 - Question: Are vehicle trip computers accurate, and what is the most precise way to calculate MPG? ----------------------------------- 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

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests.   The Lexus RX has served as a benchmark for refined, stress-free, midsized luxury SUVs for more than two decades. We recently purchased our own to put through our tests at the Consumer Reports Auto Test track, and share our first impressions of its driving characteristics, controls, how it stacks up against competitors like the BMW X5 and Audi Q7, and whether it maintains its solid reputation. We also discuss whether you should bring your vehicle to the dealer for software updates.       ----------------------------------- 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 Cars team!   We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/   Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spoti

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. On this episode, we share our first impressions of the 2023 Kia Niro Electric. Find out how the Niro compares to its corporate EV siblings, the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, and how subtle changes affect the driver’s experience. We also answer a question about all-wheel-drive EVs in winter driving conditions. SHOW NOTES: 0:00 - Intro 0:15 - 2023 Kia Niro Electric 3:34 - Driving impressions 6:54 - Regenerative braking 8:47 - Visibility and the Aeroblade 10:43 - Interior controls 13:18 - Accommodations/floor height 15:22 - Which Kia EV/hybrid would we choose? 18:20 - Question: Which EV system has better traction in winter driving conditions? LINKS: Preview: 2023 Kia Niro Trio Make Evolutionary Advancements: https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/2023-kia-niro-review-a1734527338/ Kia Niro Electric: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/kia/niro-electric/ Automakers Are Adding Electric Vehicles to Their

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. This week, we discuss the new Toyota Highlander. Our experts share their first impressions of the three-row SUV and talk about how the Highlander sticks to what it does best, despite its 2023 refresh. We also answer audience questions about top tier gasoline and why the Genesis GV70 SUV comes with a launch control feature. SHOW NOTES: 0:00 - Intro 0:21 - 2023 Toyota Highlander 2:12 - Highlander trims 4:34 - Our first impressions 8:28 - Powertrain 10:19 - Interior/seats 12:18 - Infotainment system 13:27 - Cargo capacity 15:03 - Would you buy a Highlander? 16:48 - Question #1: What’s top tier gas and is it important? 20:50 - Question #2: What’s launch control and is it necessary? LINKS: 2023 Toyota Highlander: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/highlander/2023/overview/ Top Tier Gasoline Worth the Extra Price; Study Shows: https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/top-tier-gasoline-

You'd be forgiven for thinking that if a car is electric, it has to have a minimalist design, with weird door handles and every function controlled through a touchscreen. But the BMW i4 both looks and feels very much like a traditional sports car. But is that a good thing? We discuss the BMW i4 M50 we purchased for our test program, how it performs on our track, its questionable range, whether it carries on the "ultimate driving machine" lineage of its parent company, and how it compares to EV competitors from Tesla, Genesis, and Hyundai.       ----------------------------------- 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 Cars team!   We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/   Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out more about our tests. On this episode, we recap 2022 and share our personal picks for the best and worst cars we tested this year. We also discuss the biggest trends in the auto industry, including the evolution of electric vehicles, infotainment customization and smartphone apps that enhance the ownership experience. We share what we're most looking forward to in the year ahead. SHOW NOTES: 0:00 - Intro 1:18 - Favorite car tested in 2022 4:54 - Least favorite care tested in 2022 9:49 - Biggest surprise or disappointment 13:40 - Best looking test car of 2022 17:36 - Vehicle most likely to succeed 20:27 - Best/worst interior 22:16 - Best/worst infotainment 24:37 - Favorite trend of the year 27:28 - Cars we wish would come back 29:40 - Car the we wish would go away 33:23 - Most sought after test car among CR staff 34:05 - Which test car spent the most time at the dealer?   35:59 - Looking ahead to 2023 LINKS: Top Picks in Autos for 2022: https://www.consum

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. The Lucid Air is an ultra-luxury, all-electric sedan, built by the fledgling EV automaker to compete with other high-end EVs like the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan. We discuss its driving dynamics, interior quality, what technical improvements it adds to electric vehicles as a whole, and whether it might be worth its six-figure price tag. We also discuss the role low-rolling-resistance tires play in extending the range of an EV, and if it's a good idea to use regular tires on an electric car. SHOW NOTES: :15 - Lucid Air first impressions 14:40 - how much do low-rolling-resistance tires contribute to an EV's overall range? LINKS: Streamlined Lucid Air is an Electric Rocketship: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/lucid-air-review-a3737716714/ Electric Vehicles That Can Go More Than 250 Miles on a Charge: https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/electric-vehicles-that-can-go-more-than-2

The 2023 BMW X1 redesign brings more features, room, and power, but does it have enough to compete with the Audi Q3, Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and other competitors in the entry-level luxury SUV segment? We discuss its driving characteristics, updated technology, cabin, and how much utility an SUV this size can really provide. Our experts also share tips on how to avoid MSRP dealer markups when car shopping, and give our picks for a reliable and fuel efficient family vehicle.       ----------------------------------- 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 Cars team!   We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/   Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6       SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how this car performs in our tests. This week we discuss the all-new 2023 Nissan Ariya, the second electric vehicle to join the automaker's EV roster behind the Leaf. We discuss the extensive Ariya model lineup, how it stacks up against other electric car competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Volkswagen ID.4, and Subaru Solterra. We also debate how future-proof the new Nissan may be, and answer an audience question about backup camera design. SHOW NOTES: 0:00 - Intro 0:15 - Nissan EV History 4:41 - 2023 Nissan Ariya powertrains, range and charging 7:07 - Driving experience 13:31 - Interior 16:21 - Controls 20:39 - Nissan Ariya trim levels 25:22 - Question - Brian from Boston: Can backup camera design improve so that the camera lenses stay clean? LINKS: Preview: All-Electric 2023 Nissan Ariya Priced at $46,000: https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/2023-nissan-ariya-review-a7460569915/ 2023 Nissan Ariya: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how this car performs in our tests. On this episode, we share our first impressions of the 2023 Honda CR-V. We cover the details of the CR-V’s redesign, it’s role in Honda’s vehicle lineup and how its understated nature fits into a consumers life. We also answer a question about catalytic converter theft, and what you can do to protect your own vehicle. SHOW NOTES: 0:00 - Intro 0:15 - Welcome Michael Crossen 1:07 - 2023 Honda CR-V 2:23 - First Impressions 4:42 - CR-V Evolution 5:55 - Vehicle controls 6:44 - Fit and finish 9:02 - Cabin and seating 12:15 - CR-V vs. HR-V 14:19 - Question: Can owners or automakers do more to deter catalytic converter theft? LINKS: First Drive: Redesigned 2023 Honda CR-V Sticks With Winning Formula: https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/2023-honda-cr-v-review-a1196843568/ Redesigned 2023 Honda HR-V Grows in Size and Sophistication: https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/2023-honda-hr-v-review-a5649305775/ SUV Buying Guide: https

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. What's the difference between all-season and all-weather tires? How are they different from winter tires? And do I need to bother if my car has all-wheel drive? On this episode, we explain the differences between each of these types of tires, which conditions they work best in, and offer Consumer Reports buying advice on how to make sure you're prepared for driving in icy, snowy weather. We also discuss the rising average price of a new car, and what role advanced safety features play in making vehicles more expensive. SHOW NOTES: :44 - what's the difference between each type of tire? 7:33 - how we test winter tires 12:25 - the best time to buy winter tires 15:04 - audience question: driving fatalities are up, why aren't advanced safety features helping? LINKS: Best Winter Tires from CR's Tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/winter-snow-tire/best-winter-snow-tires-a1191260310/ Best All-Season Tires: h

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how this car performs in our tests.   This week we cover everything you need to know about buying a used car. Our experts discuss the finer points of financing, vehicle selection, inspection and overall reliability based on Consumer Reports’ latest data. We also answer an audience question about a rebuilt vehicle title and if it’s a safe bet when buying a second-hand vehicle.  SHOW NOTES: 0:00 - Intro  0:39 - Welcome Steve Elek! 2:02 - State of the used car market 6:13 - Financing options 7:47 - How to buy a used car now 18:11 - Research vehicle reliability 21:37 - Question: What’s a rebuilt vehicle title and is it a safe bet when buying a used car? LINKS: How To Buy a Used Car: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/buying-a-car/how-to-buy-a-used-car-a5221672417/ Best Used SUVs, Sedans, and Small Cars According to Consumer Reports: https://www.consumerreports.org/used-cars/best-used-cars-by-price-a1306944688/ Used Car Marketplace: https://www.consumerrepo

Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how this car performs in our tests. On this episode, we share our first impressions of the redesigned 2023 Lexus RX. We discuss how it drives, new safety features like active driver monitoring, and the updated powertrain. We also debate the perceived color of the RX we rented from Lexus and answer an audience question that begs, “What’s the deal with voice controls?” SHOW NOTES: 0:00 - Introduction 0:15 - 2023 Lexus RX 500h 4:14 - Debating the RX’s color  6:30 - Driving dynamics 10:36 - Vehicle controls  14:30 - Active Driving Assist Systems 23:54  - Question: “What’s the deal with voice controls?” LINKS: 2023 Lexus RX Gets New Safety Features and Four-Cylinder Engines: https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/2023-lexus-rx-review-a9838921352/ Hot, New Electric Cars That Are Coming Soon: https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/hot-new-electric-cars-are-coming-soon-a1000197429/

We recently published the results of a nationally representative survey of over 8,000 people, asking their opinions about EVs, and what concerns they have about purchasing one. Consumer Reports Senior Policy Analyst Chris Harto joins us to break down the findings, explain why the survey gives us a more representative data of the country as a whole, and reveal more surprising findings.       ----------------------------------- 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 Cars team!   We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/   Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6       SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:12 - Survey Introduction 01:33 - EV Survey Results 03:32 - Interest in EVs