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Car Stuff Podcast

220 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 43 ratings

Whether you drive a car, need a car, or just occasionally bum a ride with friends, you’ve come to the right place. Join the editors of Consumer Guide Automotive as they break down everything that’s going on in the auto world. New-car reviews, shopping tips, driving green, electric cars, classic cars, and plenty of great guests. This is the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast.

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Episodes

Updated Ford Ranger, Redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe, and Traveling with Cats and Dogs

March 25, 2024 22:00 - 55 minutes - 38.5 MB

Jill and Tom opened a topic-packed show by acknowledging carmaker Fisker’s grim fiscal situation. The once-promising EV start-up has broken off collaboration talks with Nissan, and seems doomed to enter bankruptcy. The hosts then chatted briefly about Cupra, a spin-off of Volkswagen’s Spanish brand Seat. Talk is that the Cupra brand will come to the U.S. before the end of the decade with a duo of small crossovers and a small sports car. The vehicles will likely be produced by VW in the U.S. ...

Fisker Halts Production, 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, Premium Car Audio Systems

March 18, 2024 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MB

Jill and Tom opened the episode by acknowledging that EV-startup Fisker is in dire financial straits, having recent halted production. In related EV news, the hosts discussed the announcement that Honda and Nissan are seeking avenues of cooperation to develop electric-vehicle technology, including platforms and software, but not final retail products.  Tom quickly shared his thoughts on a pair of vehicles he recent evaluated, including the 2024 Land Rover Defender, and Volkswagen Taos.  J...

Rivian’s Big Surprise, Sons of Speed Hit the Track, Surprisingly High-Value Nissan Sentra

March 11, 2024 22:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MB

Tom and guest host Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed covered a number of topics this week. First, the hosts addressed the surprise Rivian reveal of not one, but two, small crossovers last week, both of which are scheduled to be built at the maker’s existing Illinois facility. Both will be much more affordable than Rivian’s current offerings.  Also, the Chevrolet Blazer EV is back in production, this after a stop-sale was ordered by the brand as a result of software issues. Listen for detail...

Charging Fords at Tesla Stations, Honda Passport TrailSport Review, Driving the Aptera 3-Wheel Solar EV

March 04, 2024 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MB

In a topic-packed first segment, Jill and Tom opened the show discussing the potential alliance between Nissan and EV startup Fisker. The Hookup would allow Nissan to build and retail a version of the struggling EV startup’s coming Alaska midsize pickup.  The hosts went on to discuss Ford’s successful alliance with Tesla. The Ford Mustang Mach-E crossover and F-150 Lightning pickup can now be charged at any of Tesla’s famously reliable Supercharger stations—an adapter, available from Ford, ...

Listeners' Favorite Model Names, 2025 Ram 1500 Deep Dive

February 26, 2024 22:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MB

Tom opened the show by surprising Jill with a bonus recording-day treat: Funyuns. After determining that there is, in fact, very little actual onion in Funyuns, Tom and Jill turned their attention to automotive matters.  Tom read through a list of listener-submitted favorite model names, including picks from regular contributors, among them Damon Bell, Sam Fiorani, and Brendan Appel.  Jill then shared her impressions of the updated-for-2025 Ram 1500 pickup truck. Jill was generally impress...

Thoughts on the Cybertruck, Bargain EVs, Hyundai Ioniq 5 Review, Fun Model Names

February 20, 2024 00:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MB

Jill and Tom are both in-studio today. Tom opened the podcast by thanking the producers of the Chicago Auto Show for their special efforts to make the event accessible to Tom and his bum knee. Tom shared his thoughts on the show, including several vehicles on display, among them the Tesla Cyber Truck, the Cadillac Escalade IQ, and the GMC Hummer.  Jill and Tom also discussed recently announced pricing for a pair of coming EVs, the Chevrolet Equinox EV, and the Fiat 500E. The hosts then turn...

Ionna Saves Public Charging, Best of the Chicago Auto Show, The Future of Jeep

February 12, 2024 23:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MB

Packed episode today. Jill and Tom began with a brief Chicago Auto Show recap, news regarding Ionna—the multi-carmaker charging network created in response to the failure of public-charging companies including Electrify America—and Electrify America’s new indoor charging facility in San Francisco.  Jill also reviewed the 2024 Lexus GX 550, the replacement for one of Tom’s favorite vehicles, the long-running Lexus GX 460.  In the second segment the hosts welcomed to the show Sam Fiorani of ...

2024 Consumer Guide Best Buys

February 05, 2024 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.3 MB

No guest this week as Jill and Tom run down the complete list of 2024 Consumer Guide Best Buy picks. The list includes 41 vehicles in 17 different categories. If you're thinking about buying a new car in the near future, this week's show is a must-listen-to episode. You can check out the entire 2024 Consumer Guide Best Buy list by clicking here. 

Chicago Auto Show Preview, Tesla Predictions, Best Cars for the Money

January 29, 2024 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MB

Jill and Tom opened the show talking about the all-new Lexus GX 550 luxury midsize SUV arriving in showrooms later this year. Also in the first segment the hosts welcome Jennifer Morand of the Chicago Auto Show. Jennifer gave an update on the Chicago Show, which opens February 10th. Tom wrapped up the segment sharing his Tesla predictions for 2024.  In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome John Vincent of U.S. News and World Report. John walked the hosts through the outlet’s “2024 Best Ca...

Cadillac Lyriq Review, Top Auto Innovations, Chevrolet Trailblazer

January 22, 2024 23:00 - 57 minutes - 39.6 MB

Jill and Tom opened the show by welcoming new listeners. The last few episodes of the Car Stuff Podcast have been very popular. Tom expressed his disappointment that Jill had selected such a boring donut for today’s episode. The hosts had stopped by Morkes Chocolate in Palatine, IL, together for donuts prior to the show. Tom discussed briefly his early but favorable impressions of the Chevrolet Trailblazer RS he is currently evaluating.  Jill and Tom then reviewed Cadillac’s first EV, the C...

F-150 Tremor, Detroit Auto Show Moves Again, How EV Charging Station Locations are Chosen

January 15, 2024 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MB

Jill is in studio this week. Jill opened the show sharing some sad news. Her father died over the holiday break. You can read Jill’s tribute to her dad by clicking on the link in this week’s podcast update post on the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook Page.  Tom, who is driving a Cummins-diesel-powered Ram pickup this week, noted that he had forgotten about how diesel engines require some glow-plug warm-up time before starting in cold weather. Note that as the show was recorded, it was -12 degrees...

Stellantis Pulls Out of Auto Shows, Misleading DriveTime Ads, Genesis Brand Deep Dive

January 08, 2024 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MB

Guest host Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed and Tom opened the show talking about a couple of new “The Lap” videos now posted on WeAreMotorDriven.com. The hosts then chatted briefly about the 2024 North American Car of the Year winners, which were revealed last week. Tom shared his concerns regarding misleading commercials being run by online used-car marketer DriveTime. Tom is specifically concerned about the company’s assertion that users are able to negotiate the price of the vehicle th...

Car of the Year Finalists, Best Cars of 2023, Surviving Very Long Drives

January 01, 2024 19:00 - 47 minutes - 33 MB

Jill and Tom opened the show by discussing the North American Car of the Year finalists, including the last-minute substitution of the Hyundai Kona for the Volvo EX30 in the Utility category. Listen in to find out why the switch. The hosts went on to list their favorite test vehicles of 2023, and their least favorite. There are a few surprises on the lists.  In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Colorado State University master’s degree student Harper Appel to the show. Harper regularl...

Big Recalls, Ford F-350 King Ranch, Recapping the Biggest Stories of 2023

December 24, 2023 05:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MB

Jill and Tom opened this holiday episode of the podcast by discussing how the residents of Skokie, Illinois, mount huge light-up menorahs on the roofs of their cars in celebration of Hanukkah. Tom vowed to do the same next season. The hosts went on to discuss a massive Honda/Acura recall, and the echoes of the giant Takata airbag recall which still haunts the industry.  Jill shared her thoughts about the massive—and massively expensive—Ford F-350 King Ranch pickup truck she recently evalua...

Favorite Electric Pickups, 2024 Subaru Impreza RS, Cadillac’s EV Future

December 18, 2023 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MB

Tom opened the show with a correction, this regarding the history and current ownership of European car brand Vauxhall covered last week. The hosts went on to discuss a completely unscientific poll Tom conducted on Twitter regarding electric pickup trucks. Twitter users were asked to pick their favorite EV pickup from this list: Tesla Cybertruck, GMC Hummer, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Rivian R1T. Listen in for the surprising results. Jill shared her thoughts on the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS, whi...

Volvo and Starbucks Charging Network, Most Reliable Vehicles of 2023

December 12, 2023 03:00 - 53 minutes - 37.1 MB

Jill and Tom are both in studio today for another topic-packed show. Tom opened the episode acknowledging the installation of the first EV charging station under the provisions of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Act, signed into law in 2021. The first unit went live at a Flying J gas station in Ohio earlier this week.  Jill and Tom went on to discuss Jill’s evaluation of a Starbucks Coffee/Volvo joint effort. This past week Jill drove electric Volvo vehicles from Denver,...

EVgo Failure, Jeep Drops Model, Ram's Plug-in 1500 Ramcharger

December 05, 2023 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MB

Sons of Speed Publisher Paul Herrold sits in for Jill this week. Paul and Tom opened the show talking about the discontinued Fiat 500X and related Jeep Renegade small crossovers. Tom asked Paul if he thought Jeep’s recent sales decline came—at least in part—as a result of the brand’s small, too-conventional crossovers, such as the Renegade, Compass, and Cherokee.  Paul talked about four new Sons of Speed videos available for viewing at WeAreMotorDrive.com. The videos feature lap time at Roa...

Public Charging Disaster, Hyundai and Amazon Deal

November 27, 2023 23:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MB

Jill and Tom opened the show discussing the best things they ate Thanksgiving Day. After a shoutout to a regular listener who would like the Car Stuff Podcast back on broadcast radio, the hosts turned their attention to Jill’s holiday-week experience attempting to travel to and from Chicago and Indianapolis in an electric vehicle. While the car performed well, Jill lamented the lack of charging opportunities along that route, and was frustrated by the long wait to charge at the single level...

North American Car of the Year Finalists, Los Angeles Auto Show Recap, Donating Your Car to Charity

November 20, 2023 22:00 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MB

Jill and Tom crammed a lot into this episode of the Car Stuff Podcast. Tom noted that he’s eating better because his grad-school daughter is home this week. Jill and Tom also discussed Jill’s lack of interest in corn-based Thanksgiving dishes. Jill ran down this year’s North American Car of the Year finalists in the Car, Truck, and Utility categories. The hosts also answered a listener question about compact crossovers.  In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Colin Weatherwax of Cars fo...

Favorite Automotive Tech Features, Mustang Dark Horse, Dealership Hacking Risks

November 14, 2023 00:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MB

Jill and Tom opened the show examining Jill’s irrational dislike of filled donuts—even jelly filled. Tom stayed off topic for a moment, noting that Google was placing surprisingly racy ads on the Consumer Guide website, including one ad for something called, “Naughty Wedding Photos.”  The hosts got serious and talked about a casual poll Tom conducted on Twitter/X to determine drivers’ favorite automotive tech features. The list is very interesting. The conversation moved on to Volvo’s new e...

VinFast Regroups, Volvo EX30 is a Bargain, and EV Enthusiasts are a Complex Lot

November 06, 2023 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MB

Hosts Jill and Tom opened the show discussing an error on last week’s quiz. As it turns out, poutine is available at McDonald’s locations in Canada. Tom subsequently promoted his regular appearances on the Steve and Johnnie Show heard Saturday evenings on WGN Radio in Chicago. Tom is especially excited that he has been asked to select the bumper music played during his visits. The Conversation turned to Vietnamese EV startup VinFast, which is moving away from a direct-to-customer marketing n...

Silverado EV, UAW Strike, Electric Vehicle Demand

October 30, 2023 20:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MB

ill returns to the studio for a topic-packed episode. In the first segment Jill recounts for Tom the highpoints of her recent participation in the Rebelle Rally. Tom is impressed that Jill sustained no serious injuries. Jill also gave an update on the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) voting process. NACTOY finalists should be announced during the Los Angeles Auto Show. Jill also spent some time with the all-new Chevrolet Silverado EV. Jill came away generally impressed, and noted that...

Understanding the EV Supply Glut, The Care and Feeding of a Ford Model A

October 23, 2023 22:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MB

Bredan Appel of the Sons of Speed sat in for co-host Jill this week. Jill returns next episode. In the first segment Brendan talked about the redesigned 2024 Hyundai Kona, a video review for which will be shared shortly. Brendan and Tom went on to talk about the growing glut of unsold EVs in the U.S., and the impact of massive Tesla price cuts on EV sales. Are there too many EV models on the market? Listen in.  In the second segment the hosts welcome Shooting Cars host and producer Zack Pra...

UAW Strike Update, Best and Worst Cars We've Owned, Genesis Connected Services

October 16, 2023 21:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MB

Jill is out this week; you can follow her progress at the 2023 Rebelle Rally by clicking on the link on our Facebook page. In studio for the entire show are Chicago late-night radio legends Steve King and Johnnie Putman. The show opened with Steve explaining the concept of “clear-channel” radio, and why WGN radio in Chicago is heard, at night, in almost 40 U.S. states and in Canada.  After a quick chat about the classic films The Desk Set, and Fritz Lang’s epic Metropolis, Tom, Steve and Jo...

Lexus RC F on the Track, EV Startups and the Dealer Franchise System

October 09, 2023 22:00 - 53 minutes - 36.8 MB

Tom and guest-host Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed opened the show discussing the Lexus RC F, a V8-powered small coupe that Paul recently spent track time with. Paul noted that though the RC F has grown dated since its 2014 introduction, the car is very capable on the street and on the track. Listen to hear Paul’s complete review. Tom and Paul also discussed technological “fads” that were introduced by automakers to great fanfare, but since amounted to little in the market place.  In the ...

Bargain Jeep Grand Cherokee, Future Car Features, Fake Car Colors

October 02, 2023 23:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MB

 Jill and Tom opened a busy show by discussing ways that Tom might exploit Jill’s would-be celebrity to expand the popularity of the show. The hosts went on to review the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude, which both agreed feels like a pretty strong value.  Jill and Tom opened the second segment by welcoming Robby Degraff of AutoPacific to the program. Robby shared the findings of AutoPacific’s Future Attribute Demand Study (FADS). Robby walked the hosts down the top-ten list of features ...

EV Charging Levels Basics (Bonus Episode)

September 28, 2023 23:00 - 9 minutes - 6.9 MB

In this ten-minute bonus episode, Jill and Tom break down the basics of electric-vehicle charging. The hosts discuss level-1 (wall-outlet), level-2 (home), and level-3 (public, DC) charging. Here's what you need to know before you start shopping for an electric vehicle. Remember to subscribe and to review the show wherever you download your podcasts. Also, leave us a comment on the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page. 

Jeep News, Kia EV9 Review, and the Folly of Ethanol

September 25, 2023 22:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MB

Jill and Tom opened the showing quickly covering a number of topics including the demise of the Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 engine, the addition of a lower-priced base model to the Jeep Wagoneer lineup, and Tom’s love/hate relationship with the newly updated 2024 Volkswagen Atlas midsize crossover. Jill reviewed the all-new Kia EV9 all-electric 3-row crossover, about which she has much good to share.  Also, Tom is being shocked (actual electric shock) by accidentally touching McDonald’s employee...

Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai Kona, Discontinued Models

September 18, 2023 22:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MB

Jill and Tom are joined this week by long-time cohost Damon Bell, who is currently serving as Senior Research Editor at Cars.com. Jill and Tom opened the show arguing about the two-screen dashboard found in the current Infiniti QX50 compact crossover. Jill finds the systems dated, while Tom saw the value in having a single screen dedicated to navigation functions. Damon joined the conversation to help summarize the reveals seen at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Jill, who was in attendance at...

Loving the Nissan Ariya, Dealerships Embrace ChatGPT, Driving the Alfa Romeo Tonale

September 11, 2023 22:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MB

Jill and Tom opened the episode talking a little about the Detroit Auto Show which opens this week. The hosts will have complete coverage of the event next week. Tom complained a little about the Infiniti QX50 premium compact crossover. Though Tom generally likes the vehicle, he is annoyed that its much-promote high-tech VC-Turbo engine has not imbued the crossover with either standout power, or impressive fuel economy.  Jill and Tom went on to review the 2023 Nissan Ariya compact electric ...

GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate, UAW Plays Hardball, Chinese Cars Go West

September 04, 2023 16:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MB

Jill and Tom are both in studio this week. Jill talked a little about why she’s been away from the show, including a quick summary of the vehicles she’s recently seen and her time preparing for this year’s Rebelle Rally.  Jill talked about her test drive of the 2024 GMC Denali 2500 Ultimate, a super-premium trim-level addition to the maker’s pickup-truck lineup. Tom talked briefly about the Fisker Alaska, an electric midsize pickup due for the 2025 model year.  In the second segment the cr...

Comeback of the Manual Transmission, All-New Lincoln Nautilus

August 28, 2023 22:00 - 52 minutes - 36.4 MB

Brendan Appel sits in for Jill this week, and discussed a pair of articles he wrote regarding the survival of the manual transmission. Brendan argues that carmakers have hastened the demise of stick shift by limiting availability and underestimating demand. Brendan notes the surprising popularity of stick shift on a number of new sporty offerings.  In the second segment Brendan and Tom welcome Monica Gorgas, brand manager for the redesigned Lincoln Nautilus midsize crossover. Monica walked ...

Mustang GTD, Corvette Legacy and the Future of Chevy's Sports Car

August 21, 2023 22:00 - 53 minutes - 37.2 MB

Tom and guest co-host Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed open the show discussing the recently revealed Mustang GTD, an extreme performance version of Ford’s popular pony car. Brendan lamented the fact that, despite rumors to the contrary, the GTD is not a mid-engine car. The hosts went on to discuss an article just posted to the Consumer Guide Daily Drive Blog in which Tom attempts to correct common mispronunciations of car and car-brand names.  In the second segment Tom and Brendan welco...

Goodbye Nissan Titan, Hello Hyundai Santa Fe, Accessorizing a Pickup Truck

August 15, 2023 05:00 - 54 minutes - 21.9 MB

This week Tim Esterdahl of Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk subs for Tom who is still under the weather. Jill and Tim open the show by discussing the demise of the Titan, Nissan’s ill-fated and slow-selling large pickup truck. The conversation extended to the likelihood of Toyota bringing a small pickup truck to the U.S. to compete with Ford’s popular Maverick. Jill shared her thoughts on the radically redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe, which is due to arrive in showrooms next year.  In the second segm...

New Toyota Land Cruiser, Used EV Prices Plummet

August 07, 2023 23:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MB

Jill and guest cohost Nicole Wakelin, host of the Road Reflected podcast, opened the show talking about “sad snacks,” with Nicole arguing that most healthy and/or gluten-free treats aren’t worth the effort. Jill shared the news that industry colleague, and one-time Road America public-relations manager, Enrique Ramirez lost his battle with cancer. Enrique worked tirelessly to raise money for cancer research. The hosts went on to discuss the resurrection of the Toyota Land Cruiser, which ret...

Lexus LS 500h, Corvette Crossover, and the Volvo EX30

July 31, 2023 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MB

Sitting in again for Jill is Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed. Jill returns next week. Paul and Tom began the show correcting mistakes made last week. Both hosts were guilty of misstatements which have been begrudgingly corrected. Tom followed up on last week’s podcast, which included an interview with Don Drucker of Chicago’s famous Superdawg Drive-In. Having learned that the establishment’s tamales are meat free—and he being vegetarian—Tom sampled the tamales. Listen to his review.  Paul...

Driving the Maserati MC20, Car Culture and Chicago's Legendary Superdawg Drive-In

July 24, 2023 22:00 - 51 minutes - 35.8 MB

This week Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill. In the first segment, Paul shared the details of his recent trip to Italy which included a visit to the Maserati factory, and a test drive of the brand’s exotic MC20 sports car. Paul and Tom also discussed recent cuts to the price of Ford’s electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck.  In the second segment Paul and Tom welcomed Don Drucker, Operations Manager of Chicago’s legendary Superdawg drive-in restaurant to the Car Stuff Podcas...

Crash-Test Dummies, Would-Be Carjackers, and the Most American New Cars

July 17, 2023 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MB

Jill and Tom opened this week’s show quickly covering a number of topics, including Jill’s take on Toyota hybrid refinement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) potentially inadequate use of crash-test dummies, and Tom’s recent encounter with would-be carjackers. Jill also shared her take on the freshened-for-2024 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport midsize crossovers.  In the second segment, Jill and Tom are joined by Cars.com Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Newman. Je...

Surprising Lexus EV, Honda’s Excellent Hybrid, Everything about the Redesigned Toyota Tacoma

July 10, 2023 21:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MB

Jill and Tom opened the program by discussing the show’s recognition by Feedspot as one of the must-listen-to podcasts of 2023. Tom went on to discuss how impressed he was with the 2023 Lexus RX450e, the brand’s first all-electric vehicle. Jill shared similar enthusiasm for the 2023 Honda Accord, especially in hybrid trim. The duo also spent a little time discussing industry supplier BorgWarner’s spin off of its internal-combustion unit, Phinia, which went public last week. The move, per Tom...

2024 Jeep Wrangler, The Future of Internal Combustion Engines

July 03, 2023 15:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MB

Jill and Tom opened the show discussing an extremely sexist Mercury ad from 1967 which Tom has featured on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog. Jill shared her impressions of the updated-for-2024 Jeep Wrangler, which benefits from revised styling and new tech features. Jill is a big fan of the plug-in-hybrid 4Xe Wrangler variants. Tom went on to discuss the 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint audio system found in the all-new Mazda CX-90.  In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Sam Fiorani of ...

Driving the 2024 Mazda CX-90, Owners Ignoring Recalls, Catalytic Converter Thefts

June 26, 2023 23:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MB

The show opened with Tom to complaining to Jill about a woman at the donut shop individually selecting each of the 18 donuts in her order, consulting the clerk on each, and occasionally rejecting choices after they had been boxed. Pressed for time, Tom left the shop and got cannoli from a nearby European deli instead.  The team would go on to discuss the all-new Mazda CX-90 midsize crossover, and its repositioning as a more-premium offering in the segment. The hosts agreed that the new ’90 ...

Ram Gets a Small Pickup, Designing Dealerships for the Future

June 19, 2023 22:00 - 53 minutes - 37.1 MB

Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed joined Tom this week, filling in for the traveling Jill Ciminillo. Paul and Tom covered a number of topics in the first segment, including the demise of the ultra-smooth Lexus V6, and Paul’s experience with the Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric sedan. Paul came away very impressed with the Ioniq, and took note of the vehicle’s smooth power delivery. Paul and Tom also discussed the coming Ram Rampage small truck, which is initially destined for sale only in Brazil and...

Lexus Utility Onslaught, General Motors Ditches CarPlay, Ford and GM Hook Up with Tesla

June 12, 2023 22:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MB

Jill and Tom opened a topic-packed episode by discussing a listener’s request for more donut content. Jill later obliged with a quick take on an iced strawberry ring from a local donut shop Tom refused to name. (Long story.) Jill went on to recap the news from a Lexus event at which the all-new GX midsize SUV and TX 3-row midsize crossover were introduced. Tom shared a quick note regarding the updated 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, observing that the vehicle’s engine stop/start system is vastly impr...

2023 Honda Accord Review, Marketing the Ram REV Electric Pickup

June 05, 2023 23:00 - 49 minutes - 33.9 MB

Jill and Tom opened the show discussing home remedies their parents and grand parents believed in. The hosts agreed that saltines and 7-Up were understood to cure almost anything. Tom noted that his dad was a firm believer in the curative power of Jägermeister. (Jill is under the weather, hence the remedy chat.)  The discussion finally turned automotive, and Jill shared her thoughts on the heavily updated Honda Accord, with which she is very impressed. The new Accord features a trimmed down...

2023 Rebelle Rally Preview (Bonus Episode)

June 02, 2023 00:00 - 9 minutes - 6.68 MB

The crew looks ahead to the women-only 2023 Rebelle Rally. Jill answers Tom's questions regarding the event, including logistics, challenges, and not showering for eight days. Jill will be participating in the event for the second time. Kudos to Hyundai for again providing Team Brute Squad (#TeamBruteSquad) with a specially upfitted Santa Cruz for the event. 

Surprising Redesigned Chevrolet Trax, Automotive Subscription Services

May 30, 2023 23:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MB

Jill and Tom opened the show discussing the recent Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) Spring Rally, and a couple of the vehicles Jill drove at the event held annually at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Jill was most impressed by the redesigned 2024 Chevrolet Trax, which after a one-year hiatus has returned redesigned to anchor the Chevrolet lineup. Jill also spent time with the Lucid Air premium electric sedan.  Jill and Tom also briefly discussed Ford’s plan for brand EV ...

Silverado EV Range, 2024 Jeep Wrangler Sneak Peek

May 22, 2023 22:00 - 52 minutes - 36.4 MB

After Tom finished complaining about his experience at Burger King earlier in the day, the hosts discussed the recently announced driving range of the coming Chevrolet Silverado EV. Jill noted that the full range—an impressive 450 miles—comes at a price. Jill and Tom went on to discuss the redesigned 2024 Toyota Tacoma, which Jill recent spent time examining, though not driving. Drive opportunities come later in the year.  Jill and Tom are joined in the second segment by Jeep Senior Brand M...

Bronco Raptor, Ranger Raptor, and the State of Automotive Electrification

May 15, 2023 23:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MB

Tom and guest host Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed (Jill is traveling this week) opened the show discussing the off-road ready Ford Bronco Raptor. The hosts agreed that Raptor is pricey, and a little too wide to drive in urban environments, but found much to like about the truck. Tom and Brendan also discussed the coming 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor, the first American-market Raptor version of the midsize pickup.  In the second segment the hosts are joined by Larry Nutson, Chicago Bureau Chie...

2024 Volvo EV Updates, Tesla Prices, Toyota Crown Deep Dive

May 08, 2023 21:00 - 52 minutes - 36.4 MB

Jill and Tom opened the show talking about Jill’s recent time in Sweden driving the updated 2024 Volvo C40 and XC40 small electric sedan and crossover. Changes include significant improvements in range. Later In the first segment the hosts also discussed Tesla’s recent price cuts, and why the EV maker might be willing to settle for lower sticker prices in exchange for greater sales volume. In the second segment Toyota Manager of Vehicle Marketing and Communications Amy Chao joined the show t...

Rebranding Jaguar Land Rover, Digging into Polestar

May 01, 2023 22:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MB

Tom and guest host Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed (Jill is traveling this week) opened the show discussing the surprising rebranding happening at Jaguar Land Rover. Tom and Paul agree that the planned updates, which include spinning Discovery off as a separate brand, foretell the demise of Jaguar in the U.S. Paul shared news regarding a personal car purchase. Paul recently took delivery of a BMW M2, a vehicle he plans to enjoy on the race track.  The hosts are joined in the second segment...