Unnamed Automotive Podcast
375 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 55 ratingsBenjamin and Sami are two journalists who take a weekly look at the funnier side of the automotive industry and the cars they drive.
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Episodes
Bonus Episode - Bradley Brownell Talks Radwood, Rad4Sale, Autopia 2099, and Hybrid Porsche Boxster EV Project
March 11, 2021 13:00 - 52 minutes - 48 MBWe speak with guest Bradley Brownell who brings us the latest on the Radwood car show series, the new 80s/90s online automotive auction site Rad4Sale, and his plans for an all-new series of EV-focused car shows called Autopia 2099 that will debut later in 2021. We also get in deep with his dual-engine Porsche Boxster hybrid track car, which is just as wild as it sounds.
Episode 214: 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0, 2021 Cadillac CT4, Volvo Sells Electric Cars Online-Only
March 07, 2021 13:00 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBBenjamin's wait is finally over as the 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 arrives in his driveway just in time for a deep freeze and a snowy blizzard. That doesn't stop him from taking it up into the mountains and putting it through its paces so he can finally form his own opinion after all of the hype. Sami spends his week with the 2021 Cadillac CT4 to try and figure out where the entry-level machine fits in with the luxury mothership's plans. Finally, the pair disagree about the wisdom of Volvo choosin...
Episode 213: 2022 Acura MDX, 2021 Toyota Venza, Honda S2000 Book Review, First Car Questions Part II
February 28, 2021 13:00 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBDoes the 2022 Acura MDX go far enough to push past the excellent crop of mid-size SUVs out there, or does it settle for more of what returning Acura customers are looking for? Sami spends a week behind the wheel to find out. Benjamin ends up puzzled by the 2021 Toyota Venza, a vehicle that should feel like its RAV4 Hybrid platform-mate but comes across with a radically different character. The pair wrap things up with a review of a fascinating reference book about the Honda S2000, as well as ...
Episode 212: 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge, 2021 Kia Soul EV, 2021 Lexus NX 300, Listener Question About Fun First Cars
February 21, 2021 13:00 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBThe 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge is the Swedish brand's very first all-electric vehicle, and the most powerful version of the XC40 SUV to date. Benjamin dives in to the good and the bad about driving this high-end EV during winter's bitter cold, and compares it against the much cheaper 2021 Kia Soul EV's performance under the same conditions. Sami gives his impressions of the aging, but still interesting 2021 Lexus NX 300 crossover before the pair answer a listener question about the best cheap-a...
Bonus Episode - Lightning Round - Subaru Wilderness Brand, 2021 Chevrolet Bolt, 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2022 Audi e-tron GT, 2021 Kia K8, 2021 Honda HR-V Hybrid, 2021 Porsche 911 GT3, McLaren Hybrid Supercar
February 18, 2021 23:45 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBBenjamin and Sami hit you with a Lightning Round bonus episode talking about this week's massive new car drop, including the Subaru Wilderness Brand, 2021 Chevrolet Bolt, 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2022 Audi e-tron GT, 2021 Kia K8, 2021 Honda HR-V Hybrid, 2021 Porsche 911 GT3, and the McLaren Hybrid Supercar
Episode 211: 2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS, 2021 Kia Stinger GT, Mustang Listener Questions
February 14, 2021 13:00 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MBThe 2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS resurrects a name that at first feels laden with SUV heritage, but as Benjamin points out isn't all fun and two-door off-roading games. Sami's time behind the Blazer's wheel reveals mixed feelings about why GM didn't go all the way in making the family ride live up to its potential. Benjamin then discusses his week-long try-out of the 2021 Kia Stinger GT as a potential year-round daily driver, and mentions what he still loves about the twin-turbo hatch, and what l...
Episode 210: 2021 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD, 2022 Nissan Frontier, 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor, Subaru's Flat-12 F1 Engine
February 07, 2021 13:00 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBDid you know Subaru built a flat-12 engine for its forgotten Formula 1 racing program in the early 90s? More on that at the end of the episode, because first Benjamin has to shake out his ambivalence at the 2021 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD and its ho-hum drivetrain, and Sami needs to wax ecstatic about the (finally) redesigned 2022 Nissan Frontier mid-size pickup. In between. there's an argument about the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor and just how useful off-road driver assistance features really are.
Bonus Episode - Cadillac Blackwing Deep Dive!
February 02, 2021 00:15 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBA briefing with Cadillac's Executive Chief Engineer Brandon Vivian and the V Series design team gave Benjamin and Sami a ton of info about the upcoming Blackwing versions of the CT4-V and CT5-V sedans. This bonus episode dives deep into both cars and discusses whether GM has done enough to bring the V Series reputation back where it belongs alongside BMW M and Mercedes-AMG.
Episode 209: 2021 Kia Seltos SX Turbo, 2021 Hyundai Elantra, Tesla's Psychic Turn Signals
January 31, 2021 13:00 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBIs there space for the 2021 Kia Seltos SX Turbo's top-end take on what should really be an affordable, no-frills compact SUV, or does its own brand's ultra-competitive line-up make it hard to justify spending the extra cash? Benjamin's week behind the wheel reveals the surprising answer. Next, Sami's take on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra shows just how much life is still left in the small sedan segment. Finally, the pair are puzzled by Tesla's decision to leave steering wheels and turn signals b...
Episode 208: 2021 Kia Niro EV, 2021 Mazda 3 AWD
January 24, 2021 13:00 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBDoes the 2021 Kia Niro EV deliver the kind of range and cold weather competence needed to deal with the winter's darkest depths? Benjamin wheels through sub-zero conditions to report on the surprisingly solid electric performance from Kia's battery-powered crossover. After a brief tangent about warning messages, Sami then ponders the new path Mazda has taken with the non-turbo 3's all-wheel drive model, which trades poise for a premium cabin.
Episode 207: 2021 Subaru Crosstrek 2.5, 2021 Toyota Corolla SE Apex Edition, Jaguar Book Review, Benjamin Hates CES
January 17, 2021 13:00 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBIs a faster Crosstrek a better Crosstrek? Benjamin seems to think so after driving the 2021 version of the Subaru, which graduates to a 2.5-liter engine. Sami counters with the 2021 Toyota Corolla SE Apex Edition, a car he's lukewarm on before Benjamin points out all the cool upgrades he's totally downplaying. The two then discuss CES, how Benjamin hates it so much that it once sent him into a career-questioning tailspin in a Las Vegas hotel room, and how terrible it is that companies like C...
Episode 206: 2021 Porsche Taycan EV , 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
January 10, 2021 13:00 - 40 minutes - 37 MBThe 2021 Porsche Taycan EV costs over $100k, has less range than the Chevrolet Bolt, and features some truly unusual ergonomic decisions inside its cabin. Everything Sami liked, and didn't like, about Porsche's first all-electric car gets mushed together with talk about off-brand batteries and just how useful a 2.5-second random 'boost' really is for driving enthusiasts. The pair then follow up with a deep look at the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, the first three-row version of the popular SUV ...
Episode 205: 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e, 2021 Toyota Avalon AWD, Listener Questions
January 03, 2021 13:00 - 39 minutes - 36 MBIs a plug-in hybrid edition of BMW's popular X5 SUV even better to drive than the high-horsepower M version? That's the surprising conclusion Benjamin is forced to reckon with after an extended period behind the wheel of the 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e. Sami then attempts to solve the puzzle of the 2021 Toyota Avalon AWD, a full-size model that drops power but adds traction in a bid to appeal to...who, exactly? Finally, the pair answer their first batch of listener questions for the year.
Episode 204: 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Best Drives Of 2020
December 27, 2020 13:00 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBIs the 2021 Cadillac Escalade finaly worthy of flagship status? Is it different enough from the also-good GMC Yukon Denali to justify its six-figure window sticker? Both Benjamin and Sami spend a week with Cadillac's most advanced Escalade to date and come away with a lot to talk about. Wrapping things up, the pair mention the best vehicles they've been lucky enough to drive throughout 2020.
Episode 203: 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EcoDiesel, 2021 Lexus IS
December 20, 2020 13:00 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MBWe've waited forever, but the EcoDiesel version of the Jeep Wrangler is finally here. Is Benjamin's second-favorite FCA power plant a worthy addition to the Wrangler line-up, or does the cost of entry make the turbodiesel SUV an outlier for off-road fans? Sami follows up with a full line drive of the 2021 Lexus IS, a sport sedan that seemingly triggers Benjamin's incredulity at the Lexus portfolio of vehicles.
Episode 202: 2021 Nissan Rogue, 2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback, Fast and Furious Hero Cars vs. Villain Cars
December 13, 2020 13:00 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBThe Nissan Rogue might not impress on paper, but as a whole it's one of the better new compact SUVs out there, according to Benjamin, finally vaulting the popular model to the front of the pack. Sami supports Benjain's new-found Rogue appreciation before diving into his own adventures dealing with the Audi E-Tron Sportback's limited battery range and extremely high sticker price. The pair wrap things up by deciding who had the cooler cars - the heroes or the villains - in each installment of ...
Episode 201: 2021 Land Rover Defender, 2021 BMW 228i Gran Coupe, 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime
December 06, 2020 13:00 - 43 minutes - 40.3 MBDoes the 2021 Land Rover Defender capture the unobtanium spirit that made its predecessor such a legend in North America, or is it merely another good SUV from the British 4x4 brand? Sami spends time with the four-door Land Rover and is surprised by the impression it makes on him. Even more surprising? His newfound love for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime, whose plug-in hybrid drivetrain erases its previous sins. Benjamin has a more confusing experience with the 2021 BMW 228i Gran Coupe. It's the ...
Episode 200: 2021 Genesis G80, 2020 Nissan Titan PRO-4X
November 29, 2020 13:00 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBSami tries to figure out if it's enough for the 2020 Genesis G80 to be a comfortable and luxurious sedan, or if it needs to add athleticism to its portfolio to stand against the Germans that dominate the segment?. Benjamin is puzzled by the 2020 Nissan Titan PRO-4X, which needs to be better than the full-size pickup competition to catch eyes among truck buyers, but seems determined to merely match a narrow spectrum of what customers are looking for.
Episode 199: 2021 Hyundai Elantra, 2021 Hyundai Sonata N, 2021 Mazda 3 Turbo, 2021 Mazda CX-30
November 22, 2020 13:00 - 56 minutes - 52 MBSami splits between the 2021 Hyundai Elantra and the 2021 Hyundai Sonata N. Is the Elantra finally Civic-level in terms of its broad appeal? Can Benjamin be convinced that someone out there actually wants to pay that much more for a front-wheel drive, high performance family sedan? Next up are a pair of platform-mates from Mazda, the new 3 Turbo and the CX-30 SUV. Is Mazda's compact star a true luxury player now that it's left its MazdaSPEED days behind? Is there really any reason to choose t...
Episode 198: 2021 Genesis GV80 SUV, 2021 BMW M8 Gran Coupe, Jeep Grand Wagoneer LS Swap Update
November 15, 2020 13:00 - 52 minutes - 48 MBDid Genesis hit one out of the park on the first try with the 2021 Genesis GV80? Sami certainly thinks so, as his time with the all-new SUV has him convinced it's got the German competition by the throat. The pair compare their back -to-back experiences in the 2021 BMW M8 Gran Coupe before wrapping things up with Benjamin's almost-complete 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer LS engine swap.
Episode 197: 2021 Nissan Rogue, 2020 Honda Civic Si Coupe
November 08, 2020 13:00 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBThe Nissan Rogue has always done big business, but much of that was based on price and incentives. Sami's drive of the 2021 redesign reveals that Nissan's new investment in the Rogue elevates it to a new level among other compact SUVs and gives you reasons to buy it other than simply getting a great deal. Benjamin spends a week with the 2020 Honda Civic Si Coupe, a sporty compact that's among the last of its breed - and a car that is discontinued at the end of this year. How does the Si stack...
Episode 196: 2021 Mini JCW GP, 2021 BMW 440i, 2021 Alpina XB7, 2020 Honda Clarity, Listener Questions
November 01, 2020 13:00 - 50 minutes - 45.8 MBIs the 2021 Mini John Cooper Works GP a logical track star step for fans of the brand, or are its real-world shortcomings too much of a liability? Sami puts it on a road course alongside the 2021 BMW 440i and the enormous 2021 Alpina XB7 SUV to figure out which of BMW's latest performers is the most fun to drive fast. Benjamin heads in the other direction with the 2020 Honda Clarity plug-in hybrid, which is perhaps the biggest surprise of the year for him. The pair wrap things up with listene...
Episode 195: 2021 Cadillac CT5-V, 2020 Ford Escape Titanium, Fake Movie Cars That Fooled Us
October 25, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MBIs the 2021 Cadillac CT5-V a marked improvement over the CT4-V in terms of driving feel, even though the two cars are surpisingly close in price? Benjamin gets his turn behind the wheel of the latest V Series and discovers what works, and what doesn't, about the quickest performance sedan from Caddy outside of a Blackwing. Sami re-acquaints himself with a perennial favorite, the everything to everyone 2020 Ford Escape SUV. The pair wrap things up with a look at the fake movie cars that Hollyw...
Episode 194: 2021 Acura TLX, 2021 GMC Canyon AT4, Sci-Fi EVs
October 18, 2020 12:00 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBThe 2021 Acura TLX comes out of the gate strong with a redesigned platfrom a new turbo base engine that offers 100 lb-ft more torque than the model it replaces. Sami spends time with the sport sedan to see if it's enough to make people care about the four-door passenger car segment in a world where SUV's reign supreme. Benjamin plunges back into the world of pickups with the 2021 GMC Canyon AT4, a new sub-brand from the truck manufacturer that attempts to deliver off-road capability without e...
Episode 193: 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, 2020 Kia Soul EV
October 11, 2020 12:00 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBBenjamin makes a case for the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 bring the most innovative off-road truck in the mid-size segment, while Sami puzzles over the lack of a 2020 Kia Soul EV for American electric car fans. What pushes the ZR2 above the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro? How much better is the Soul EV over the Chevrolet Bolt? The pair answer these questions, and more, on this week's episode.
Episode 192: 2021 GMC Yukon Denali, 2020 Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss, 2020 Chevrolet Bolt
October 04, 2020 12:00 - 58 minutes - 54 MBThe 2021 GMC Yukon Denali makes major changes to a decades-old formula. Is it enough to bring the model back to the top of the full-size American SUV segment? Benjamin spends a hot 24 hours inside GM's biggest sport-utility vehicle to find out, before trading it in for a longer stretch in the (still-underachieving) Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss. How hard does the Bowtie's Rebel response take it to Ram's champion? Sami wraps up the show by reminding us all how good the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt ...
Episode 191: 2020 Aston Martin DB11 V8, 2020 Polestar 2, 2020 Cadillac XT6
September 27, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBIs the 2020 Aston Martin DB 11 ultra-luxury grand touring car any less enjoyable with an AMG-sourced V8 under the hood versus a British V12? Benjamin puts hundreds of miles on a bright yellow version of the coupe to find the answer. Sami goes in a different direction with the Polestar 2, the Volvo-owned EV brand's attempt to prove it can build a reasonable everyday electric car alongside the Polestar 1 high performance exotic. The duo also discuss the Cadillac XT6, a luxury crossover that can...
Episode 190: 2020 Cadillac CT4-V, Nissan Z Proto
September 20, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MBV, M, AMG, S, it all gets dissected on this week's episode thanks to the nightmare world of branding and Cadillac's ultra-confusing nomenclature, kicked off by Benjamin driving the 2020 Cadillac CT4-V sedan. The pair then discuss the Nissan Z Proto, which has Sami excited about the turbocharged sports car's potential to continue the Z legacy into the future with its clutch pedal intact.
Episode 189: 2020 Kia Seltos, 2020 Chevrolet Traillazer, Automatic Climate Control, What's The Deal With Crossovers
September 13, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBThe 2020 Kia Seltos and the 2020 Chevrolet Trailblazer are ostensibly the same, but different, which describes almost every small SUV and crossover currently available on the market. Overwhelmed with slightly different shades of choice, Benjamin and Sami try to make some sense of it all after spending time with each vehicle. The pair also get lost in the madness that is the AUTO button on modern climate control systems.
Episode 188: 2020 BMW X5 M Competition, Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept, 2021 Hyundai Kona, 2021 Hyundai Tucson, 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Listerner Questions
September 06, 2020 12:00 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBBenjamin's time behind the wheel of the 2020 BMW X5 M Competition has him comparing it against the ultimate muscle truck, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk - but is more refined a better formula for super SUVs? Sami gets up to speed on the long list of new cars introduced over the last week, including the Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the 2020 Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Tucson. The pair also discuss a listener's experience with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
Episode 187: 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo vs. 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63, 2020 Lexus GX 460, Kia Stinger, Bollinger, Audiobooks
August 30, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MBPersonality goes a long way, which is what Sami discovers when comparing two luxury performance SUVs - the 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo and the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 - that on paper seem a lot closer than they are in reality. Benjamin is completely befuddled by the 2020 Lexus GX 460, an off-road SUV that time forgot, wrapped in a luxury package that time also forget. Also on deck is talk about the Kia Stinger, the Bollinger van, and automotive audiobook recommendations.
Episode 186: 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk, 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport, Hawks vs. Eagles
August 23, 2020 12:00 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBThe 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk is the baddest high performance SUV on the planet - but is the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT a few months away from kicking sand in its face? Benjamin extolls his love for Jeep's most ridiculous truck, and then discusses just how close the Mach-E GT will likely be when it comes to handling and acceleration. Sami then explains why the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport is a much better small sport-utility vehicle value than it might at first seem, especially when...
Episode 185: 2020 Subaru BRZ tS, 2020 Cadillac CT5-V, Parts Bin Sports Cars
August 16, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MBThe 2020 Subaru BRZ tS is the last of a dying breed, and Benjamin is lucky to spend a week behind the wheel before the lightweight sports car gets redesigned to reflect the modern turbocharged reality. Sami isn't quite as enthused after his time with the Cadillac CT5-V, which muddies the waters for the luxury brand versus its European rivals. The two wrap things up by talking about a trio of sports cars - the BMW Z3, the Pontiac Solstice, and the Lexus RC F - that tried very hard to rise abou...
Episode 184: 2020 Lincoln Aviator SUV, 2020 Nissan Kicks vs. 2020 Hyundai Venue, ZZ Top Book Review
August 09, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBBenjamin discovers that the 2020 Lincoln Aviator turns its back on its Ford Explorer template to provide luxury customers with something more fitting of its $70k purchase price. Sami has to search his heart before using his brain when selecting between the 2020 Nissan Kicks or 2020 Hyundai Venue, which each offer something completely different to entry-level small SUV buyers. The pair then also debate the merits of Billy Gibbons and his car collection as presented in the ZZ Top guitarist's ne...
Episode 183: 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R, 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2.3L High Performance Package, LS Swapped Jeep Update
August 02, 2020 12:00 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBIs the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R one of the best cars the Silver Star has produced in the past decade? Benjamin certainly thinks so, and Sami is inclined to agree after a week behind the wheel of the twin-turbo sports car. The pair aren't nearly as impressed with the 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2.3L High Performance Package, however, which keeps trying to make 'EcoBoost' and 'performance' synonmous for pony car fans. The duo wrap things up with an update about Benjamin's 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer ...
Episode 182: 2020 Ford Explorer ST, 2020 Subaru Legacy XT, Nissan Z Book Review, Listener Questions
July 26, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBDoes Benjamin have the same negativity towards the 2020 Ford Explorer ST that Sami does after his Edge ST experience? Does Sami prefer the Legacy XT or the Outback XT, and is there a place for Subaru's mid-size sedan in a crossover-crowded market? The pair answer these questions - along with a couple sent in by listeners - before tying things up by reviewing a new Motorbooks publication about the history of the Nissan/Datsun Z.
Episode 181: 2020 BMW X7 M50i, 2020 Kia Forte 5 GT, 2021 Ford Bronco
July 19, 2020 12:00 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBIs the 2020 BMW X7 M50i SUV a better buy than the often-overlooked BMW 7 Series sedan? Benjamin weighs in after having sampled the full spectrum of Bavarian big-boned sport-utilities. Sami gets small with the 2020 Kia Forte 5 GT, which provides secret hatchback practicality in a package you can't find from corporate sibling Hyundai. The two then wrap things up with a fairly deep dive into the reveal of the 2021 Ford Bronco off-roader.
Episode 180: 2020 Ford Ranger, 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road vs. 2020 Subaru Forester, 2021 Ford F-150
July 12, 2020 12:00 - 42 minutes - 39 MBWhat happens when an automaker imports a truck from another market with only cursory attention paid towards tuning it for its new customers? Benjamin's experience with the 2020 Ford Ranger reveals weaknesses in the interior, the drivetrain, and the pricing structure of the brand's new mid-size truck. Sami then discusses the relative merits of going for the 2020 Toyota RAV4's TRD Off-Road trim or sticking with the established 2020 Subaru Forester when shopping for a small crossover. The pair a...
Episode 179: 2020 Volvo V60 T5 Cross Country, 2020 Cadillac XT4, Dodge Durango Hellcat, G-Wagen Buyer's Guide
July 05, 2020 12:00 - 40 minutes - 37 MBWagon or 'crossover?' That's the question posed by the 2020 Volvo V60 T5 Cross Country, and after a week behind the wheel Benjamin is pretty sure he's got the answer as to which one you want in your driveway. Sami then picks things up with a look at the 2020 Cadillac XT4 SUV, which he wishes tried just a little bit harder. Finally, the pair discuss the new Dodge Durango Hellcat as well as Benjamin's review of Veloce Publishing's latest buying guide for the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen.
Episode 178: 2020 Ford F-250 Tremor, Ram TRX, Vaporware Electric Trucks
June 28, 2020 12:00 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MBWant to go big off-road, but need something with diesel punch? The 2020 Ford F-250 Tremor delivers over a thousand lb-ft of torque from a 6.7-liter turbodiesel while stomping all over territory that once belonged to the Ram 2500 Power Wagon. Which land monster should you pick for your next excursion? Benjamin steps in with his opinion after a week behind the wheel of the Tremor, but Sami counters with news about the upcoming Ram TRX Raptor fighter. The pair wrap things up by discussing vaporw...
Episode 177: 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel EcoDiesel, 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
June 21, 2020 12:00 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MBIt's great to be back behind the wheel for this week's episode, which stars a 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel EcoDiesel full-size pickup, and a 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S. Who drove which? Did Benjamin haul tires? Will Sami ever get over the lack of 'wow' factor inherent in the 911's design? Join us for our first pair of car reviews in nearly 90 days.
Episode 176: Cars Of The Year That Kinda Sucked, Things To Do In Your Car That Aren't Driving
June 14, 2020 12:00 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBSometimes, a Car of the Year contender doesn't live up to its title when seen through the lens of hindsight. Benjamin and Sami identify four of the worst Car of the Year choices from the past 60 years, before speculating what modern award winners won't look so good after a decade has passed. Sami then gets excited about all the car stuff you can do in a car that isn't actually driving, which surprisingly, includes meteors and starscapes.
Episode 175: Dodge Stealth, Mitsubishi 3000GT, Best Movie Mopars and Chevys, 2021 Acura TLX, Listener Feedback
June 07, 2020 12:00 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBWas there a pair of vehicles in the 1990s that did a better job of predicting the future of the supercar than the Dodge Stealth and its Mitsubishi 3000GT sibling? Benjamin and Sami get deep on the ways these lightning quick grand tourers trounced the competition in terms of technology and innovation. Next up is a look at the best movie Mopars and on-screen Chevrolets of all time following by recent news about the 2021 Acura TLX luxury sedan.
Episode 174: Classic 4x4s That Deserve A Comeback, New Nissans For Everyone
May 31, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MBWhich classic 4x4s deserve to be brought back for a second chance? Benjamin and Chad have some ideas, but Sami thinks the past should be the past. The trio then discuss Nissan's new product announcement, which will completely revise its line-up over the next few years - including an updated Z car.
Episode 173: Fake Dyson Electric Car, 2021 Toyota Venza, 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid, Hertz Sells Cheap Z06s
May 23, 2020 12:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBDyson might be better known for building vacuum cleaners, but it turns out to have spent $610 million on an EV super SUV that...is way too good to be believable to anyone with a critical eye. Benjamin and Sami tear apart Dyson's decision to not build its fake SUV, before discussing the redesigned 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid and Toyota Venza Hybrid. The pair wrap things up by asking if you would ever buy a used supercar from a rental company - specifically, a Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
Episode 172: The Death Of Sport Pickup Trucks, Concepts We Wish Had Been Built, Listener Updates
May 17, 2020 12:00 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBWhy did sport trucks die out? Sami makes a passionate case that the off-road pickups we have today are a better match for truck fans, before both he and Benjamin try to build a sport truck from every major pickup manufacturer. The pair then discuss 'what might have been' concept cars and the sad production models we got instead, tying in automakers from Nissan to Cadillac to BMW, before a listener update focused on cars designed by musicians.
Episode 171: Cars Designed By Musicians, Pierce Brosnan Fights With Aston Martin, Super Expensive Porsche Coffee Maker
May 10, 2020 12:00 - 33 minutes - 77.1 MBIf you're good at one thing, you're obviously the best at everything else, too, and nowhere is this more true than in the world of musician-designed cars. Benjamin and Sami hit highlights like the Cizeta-Moroder V16T and the LincVolt before veering off to discuss Pierce Brosnan's fight with Aston Martin for some oversized movie swag, and of course Porsche's latest mega-bucks coffee machine.
Episode 170: Cars That Will Never Be Classics, Rolls-Royce Honey, Hyundai Designer Leaves, Listener Questions
May 03, 2020 12:00 - 44 minutes - 81.5 MBThe car that tries the hardest to be cool is often the car no one wants to own. Benjamin and Sami take a look at 11 modern automobiles that will never be classics no matter how much 'effort' their designers and engineers put in at the time. After dissecting these victims of circumstance, the pair also discuss Rolls-Royce joining the automotive apiary with its new line of honey, before trying to understand why Hyundai's chief designer just quit. Finally, it's time for listener questions about ...
Episode 169: 2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz, 10 Coolest Movie Trucks, Bigfoot
April 26, 2020 12:00 - 44 minutes - 81.3 MBIs it cooler to drive Bigfoot through a car dealership or escape tornados in a brand-new Dodge Ram? Could you really pull a house off of its foundations with a GMC dually? And what, exactly, were Tango & Cash actually driving in that weird climactic scene? Benjamin and Sami dive into the best movie trucks of all time, with Sami displaying a shocking lack of interest in the world of monster trucks no matter how many times Benjamin decides to bring up the history of Bigfoot, Bigfoot Shuttle, or...
Episode 168: Cars That Found A Way To Fail, 2021 Mazda 6, 2021 Cadillac Blackwing
April 19, 2020 12:00 - 33 minutes - 75.5 MBEven with the market primed and ready, there are still cars and trucks out there that completely whiffed on finding an audience. Benjamin and Sami take a look at 8 vehicles that found a way to fail despite the best possible chances of success. The pair also discuss Mazda's strange decision to court luxury customers with an upscale, rear-wheel drive version of the Mazda 6, as well as Cadillac's orphan Blackwing V8, which can't even find a home in a pair of cars with Blackwing written on the ba...