Talking Cars (Video)

The Slingshot, a three-wheeled street vehicle made by ATV, snowmobile, and side-by-side manufacturer Polaris, blurs the lines between a motorcycle and car. With its single rear drive wheel and an open-air cabin lacking both a roof and doors, the Slingshot positions itself to be an action-packed alternative to weekend cruisers like the Mazda Miata, traditional motorcycles, or any number of classic...

Toyota kicks off its all-electric vehicle lineup with the bZ4X, joining the rapidly growing EV market with a popular SUV size slotting between the RAV4 and the larger Venza. We share our first impressions of the 2023 Toyota bZ4X and discuss its modest electric range, the recent recall involving wheels detaching while in motion, Toyota already running out of EV tax credits, and why CR will not be b...

Acura has resurrected the Integra nameplate, as the classic five-door hatchback returns with an upscale vibe. We share our first impressions on the 2023 Acura Integra, discuss how it performed around our test track, if the interior lives up to the Acura's quality standards, and what sets it apart from the very similar Honda Civic Si. We also debate whether the Integra should be treated as a first...

The 4th of July Independence Day holiday is here in the US, and to celebrate we wanted to find out from our audience: what does it mean for a car to be "American?" With a global car market and vehicle parts being made all over the world, it can be difficult to define. We also polled our audience to select what they think is the most American car ever manufactured. We share the responses, and our e...

This week, we give our first impressions of the all-electric Genesis G80 (officially called the Electrified G80). We discuss the styling, electric range, driving dynamics, and luxurious interior of the EV sedan, and how it compares to the gas powered version. Also, with so many electric vehicles on the market, we debate which used EV we would recommend to a first time buyer.       ----------------...

Nissan draws from its 50-plus-year history in resurrecting the Z, a sports car that the automaker calls "all-new" (but is it though??) We debate the provenance of this iteration of the Z, as well as share our first impressions of its performance, interior, and what you might lose by opting for the automatic transmission. We also debate which is the ultimate driving machine: the BMW M550i xDrive, o...

Subaru jumps into the electric vehicle market with the brand's first widely offered EV, the 2023 Solterra. Sharing its platform with the almost identical Toyota bZ4X, we share our first impressions of this all-electric SUV, including its unique interior design cues, driving characteristics, and power delivery. We also discuss the current state of the semiconductor chip shortage on the car market:...

The Ford Maverick hybrid promises superior fuel economy and pickup utility at a price that's thousands of dollars less than the more common standard-sized truck. But will the availability of the hybrid powertrain as front-wheel drive only be a deal-breaker for buyers? Can this small pickup handle truck duties, and how does it compare to the standard engine version? Also, we explain the science beh...

This week, we drive the all-new fully-electric Rivian R1T pickup truck. We share  our first impressions, d iscuss some of our favorite features and debate whether the R1T bridges the gap between being environmentally conscious and having truck-like utility.       ----------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!   Fro...

This week, we give our first impressions of the all-new GV60, the first fully-electric vehicle from Genesis. We discuss styling, driving dynamics, and interior storage-- and compare the GV60 to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 which are built on the same platform. We also answer an audience question about the legality of driving with fog lights in everyday situations.        -----------------------...

Mazda is channeling the Subaru Outback with its rugged-looking CX-50, and a focus towards outdoor enthusiasts. We share our first impressions of this small SUV, and what sets it apart from the CX-5. Also, how does Consumer Reports get to drive cars that aren't yet for sale? We explain our unique relationship with car manufacturers, and how we are able to maintain our unbiased testing standards whi...

What is considered an "affordable" car in today's marketplace? Is the 2023 Kia Sportage a bargain at its base price of $25,990? We discuss how much you'll get for your money, the car's driving characteristics, controls, standard safety features, and whether the hybrid version might best the gas engine version. We recently found this to be the case with Hyundai Tucson and Hyundai Santa Fe hybrids....

This week we talk about Chevrolet's announcement of an electrified, all-wheel-drive Corvette. We cover Corvette history, the evolution of car enthusiast culture and the future of powerful supercars that are entering the EV space. We also answer an audience question that asks how automated and electrified vehicles will affect the traditional driving experience as we know it. SHOW NOTES: 0:25 - Ford...

This week we share our first impressions of the 2022 Kia Sorento hybrid, and discuss its driving characteristics, infotainment controls, powertrain performance, and whether the hybrid version is better than the gas-powered model. Also we talk about tire safety, and whether tread depth is a good indicator of when you need a replacement set.       ----------------------------------- Have a question...

EVs, rugged trucks, and "futuristic nostalgia" were the big trends at the New York International Auto Show. We share our impressions on a number of vehicles, including the Subaru Solterra, Nissan Z, Ford Bronco Raptor, Nissan Ariya, Volkswagen ID. Buzz, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and Vietnamese startup Vinfast. We also discuss the focus on outdoor recreation, vehicles with throwback styling stuffed w...

Do electric cars have a break-in period? Is it smarter to buy or lease an EV? And is it better to be stranded overnight in a gas vehicle, or an electric car? We answer these and other EV-related questions on this episode, including how hot summer temperatures affect an EV's driving range, what happens in an EV right before the battery dies, and what resources are available for those that want to l...

The market for new cars in 2022 is unlike anything that has come before; with lingering chip shortages, supply chain issues, and skyrocketing demand, dealers are selling vehicles for thousands (or more!) over sticker price, and many buyers don't know what to do. Since Consumer Reports purchases every car we test, we have felt the pain as well. In this episode, we recall our recent experiences buyi...

The redesign of the new BMW 2 Series coupe goes more than skin (or steel) deep, as we discuss our first impressions of its ride, handling, powertrain, and what separates the coupe version of the 2 Series from the sedan option. We also consider whether the driver monitoring in Ford's BlueCruise and GM's Super Cruise active driving assistance systems can lead to tunnel vision behind the wheel, and p...

BMW has launched their first all-electric SUV, the 2022 iX. We share our first impressions on this new EV's technological advancements, styling, controls, and what makes it stand out from competitors like Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, and Hyundai Ioniq 5. We also discuss whether or not an EV is actually greener than a gas powered vehicle when taking into account how the electricity is genera...

The 2022 Tundra marks the first thorough redesign of Toyota's full-sized pickup in 15 years. We rented the 1794 Edition, and share our first impressions of its handling around our test track. We also discuss the slick powertrain, upgraded cabin, multilink rear suspension with coil springs, and how it stacks up against competitors like the RAM 1500, Ford F-150, and Chevrolet Silverado. Also, with t...

Gas prices are surging in the United States, and could reach all-time highs in the near future. We share the best ways to improve fuel economy in your vehicle, backed by data from tests performed at our Auto Test Track.

The EV6 is Kia's first pure all-electric vehicle, based on Kia's new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) that also serves as the foundation for the Hyundai Ioniq 5. We share our first impressions on how the EV6 drives, and the interesting design choices made in its interior, and how it compares to the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and others. Limited supply and historic demand have led...

Is there any chance of hydrogen-powered vehicles becoming mainstream in the US? Toyota still thinks there's a market for fuel cell vehicles, and with our first impression of the 2022 Mirai, we discuss how the convergence  of hydrogen infrastructure and availability will make or break the Mirai, as well as the fuel cell Hyundai Nexo. We also discuss what role LIDAR mapping plays in Ford's BlueCruis...

We give our first impressions of the 2022 Subaru WRX, and how this rally-inspired sedan's powertrain, styling, and handling compare to previous models. Also, we discuss the differences in driving a front-wheel versus rear-wheel drive vehicle, and why so many EVs opt for the less-common rear-wheel drive approach.   SHOW NOTES: 00:00 - Introduction 00:15 - 2022 Subaru WRX First Impressions 17:02 - Q...

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer has joined our test fleet, and we share our first impressions. This large, three-row SUV has a lot to offer by way of its size, towing ability and creature comforts. We discuss its viability as a do-it-all family vehicle and debate whether the Jeep brand has enough cache to sway buyers from other popular SUVs. We also answer an audience question about the cost of EV registra...