Talking Cars (MP3)

We drive the all-new 2020 Ford Escape at the Consumer Reports test track, and share our first impressions of the redesigned small SUV. Plus, we discuss the latest developments in in California's emissions regulations , and what it all means for consumers. We also answer audience questions about car subscription programs, solutions for fixing a rough ride in your car or truck, and use our testing e...

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator is the newest addition to our test fleet. We share our first impressions of the 3-row SUV and how it stacks up to its competitors. Plus, what car that would fulfill your every need? Our experts choose one car currently on the market and explain how it will fit their current lifestyle. We also answer questions about how CR manages vehicle driving modes during testing, if ca...

This week is dedicated to your questions! We discuss if worn brake pads affect adaptive cruise control and AEB systems, how to improve your headlights, why some turn signals are red while others are yellow, plus tips on winter wheel packages. ————————————————— Subscribe to Talking Cars on Apple Podcasts! Video version:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-cars-hq/id630839767?mt=2 Audio ver...

This week we share our first impressions of the Audi A6 including its all-new drivetrain and the waning relevance of sedans in the luxury market. Plus, our experts talk about the impact of Ford announcing plans for an all-electric F-150 pickup and a newly released NTSB report on a Tesla crash in California. We also answer your questions about bumper-to-bumper warranties and maintenance tips to kee...

This week we discuss the  2020 Subaru Legacy, and share our first impressions on the all-wheel drive sedan. We also discuss the controversy surrounding changing emissions and fuel economy standards. And we answer audience questions about the risk of buying a car without a maintenance history, a replacement for a beloved Ford Flex, if driving habits should change when switching from all-wheel drive...

This week our experts share their first impressions of the 2020 Subaru Outback, discussing the latest iteration of Subaru's EyeSight advanced safety system, the available turbo four-cylinder engine, and the large touch screen. We also answer audience questions, including what to do when a dealer marks up the price of a popular, hard to find vehicle like the Kia Telluride; is there a significant re...

On this episode, we talk about the 2020 Ford Explorer we've purchased for our test program, and discuss how this midsized three-row SUV stacks up against the some of the better competitors. Also, our experts discuss how emerging technology is playing a role in preventing a child from being left in a hot car, and give tips on what any driver can do to help prevent a tragedy. We wrap up with questio...

This week we dip into the mailbag to answer audience questions, including ways to improve the car buying experience at the dealer, whether all-season or winter tires are better for wet (but not snowy) driving conditions, and if pressing your accelerator will override automatic emergency braking (AEB) in a crash situation, and many more!     ----------------------------------- Have a question for o...

This week we give our first impressions on the all-new 2019 Volkswagen Arteon, and discuss the evolution of this hatchback sedan. Then, our experts each select a car on the market today that they think will become a classic show car in the future. Also, we dip into the mailbag to answer audience questions, including why you should not try to test automatic emergency braking at home, if low-profile...

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 the...

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...

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...

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 tra...

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...

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 reac...

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?   -------------------------...

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 q...

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 fixin g 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 sen...

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 lo...

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...

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 A...

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 safet...

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 o...

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,...

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 differ...