
Surprises and Disappointments
28/12/2025 | 1h 40 mins.
This week, Nicole continues her stint with the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid and her family was wondering if it was ok when they heard the sound it makes. Sam had the opposite end of the scale with the Lexus TX 550h+, a 3-row plug-in hybrid crossover.The team discusses the EVs that InsideEVs is looking forward to in 2026 and what they are expecting and then devolves into the biggest surprises and disappointments of 2025 (at least in the automotive space). Buying a car used is generally a better financial decision than buying new, but there are segments you should stay away from. Consumer Reports suggests the best all-season tires for winter driving. It turns out that just because a car costs millions of dollars, not all of the parts are bespoke. VW launches a very cool new electric crossover in China. Car buyers looking for a cheap ride with a warranty no longer have a choice under $20,000. There are some fascinating options that used to be available on cars and TFL puts their 1927 Model T on the dyno. Finally, we discuss some more suggestions about what car Nicole should buy next and why Ford is making the Mach-E frunk optional.LinksThe cars InsideEVs is looking forward to in 20267 Cheap Used Cars That Aren't Worth The Trouble - JalopnikBest All-Season Tires for Winter Driving - Consumer ReportsThese Supercars Save Money Using Parts From Boring Everyday Cars - JalopnikVolkswagen Unveils a 450-Mile China-Only Electric SUV With 800V Fast Charging - AutoblogAmerica Loses Its Last Subcompact Sedan as Nissan Kills the Versa in 2026Options to Remember, or Maybe NotPutting Our 100-Year-Old Ford Model T On The Dyno!The Order of TimeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Lightning Strikes Out
23/12/2025 | 1h 46 mins.
This week we're joined by special guest Harvey Briggs. Harvey and Sam review the vehicles they drove last week while transporting 20 dogs nearly 2,000 miles as part of Operation Frodo. Nicole had the Ford Maverick Lobo and Robbie rode the Verge TS electric motorcycle.GM has struck a deal with Apple to get the Apple Music app on its vehicle's infotainment. Ford is scrapping major parts of its EV plans including cancelling the current Lightning and replacing it with a next-generation EREV. For 2026, the frunk is becoming an extra cost option on the Mach-E. Tim Kuniskis has confirmed that Ram's new midsize pickup will be called Dakota and volume trims will be around $40,000. Some Arizona highways could soon lose their speed limits and more people are recognizing how dumb modern door handles are. Waymo's robotaxis got frozen when San Francisco had a major power outage and we review some of the suggestions from readers about what car Nicole should buy next.LinksOperation Frodo' helping shelter dogs find new life in PNWApple Music now available natively in GM vehicles with standard streaming; Cadillac debuts studio-grade Spatial Audio in Dolby AtmosFord Now Charges Mustang Mach-E Buyers for a FrunkFord takes $20B Hit, Cancels LightningThe Dakota Mid-Size Truck Is Finally Coming Back But It's Going To Cost As Much As A Ram 1500 - The AutopianThis State Wants to Get Rid of Its Speed LimitsMore People Are Realizing This Type Of Car Door Is Too Dangerous - The AutopianFrozen Waymos backed up San Francisco traffic during a widespread power outage | The VergeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Going Autonomous
13/12/2025 | 2h
Nicole is finally back and while she was away she drove a Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel wagon and since she returned she's been driving the Acura Integra A-Spec. Robbie shares his thoughts on the new Mercedes-Benz CLA hybrid. Sam had the Honda Accord Touring Hybrid and the Land Rover Defender X.In the news, Kia has revealed the redesigned second generation Seltos, and Mazda has revealed some of the tech in the 2026 CX-5. Nissan has decided to partner with Wayve to bring hands-off/eyes-off driving to its future versions of ProPilot while Rivian is doing it all in-house. Meanwhile in Texas, Aurora has joined Kodiak in hauling fracking sand with driverless trucks. Ford's ADHD approach to electric vehicles brings it to partner with Renault of affordable EVs and splitting up its battery joint-venture with SK On. Subaru brings an affordable price point to its new Uncharted EV and Sam talks with James Philbin, Rivian's VP of ADAS and Autonomy.Make sure you send us an e-mail or drop comments in the discord to explain what car Nicole should get to replace the Wagoneer S and why!You can help out the many people that are food insecure this holiday season by donating to Feeding America and Robbie will write and record a song for you or at your local food bank. There are also dogs in need of assistance and Sam will be joining a crew of volunteers helping to transport them to forever homes in December and you can help by donating to Operation Frodo. Links are below.LinksOperation FrodoFeeding AmericaKia Unveils the all-new Seltos: a Bold SUV with a Strong Presence and Maximized User Experience2026 Mazda CX-5 TechNissan and Wayve Sign Definitive Agreements to Deliver Next-Generation Driver Assistance TechnologyDetmar Selects Aurora to Deploy Expanded Fleet of Autonomous Trucks for Major Energy ProducerFord and Renault Group form a strategic partnership for passenger and commercial vehicles, starting with two affordable electric cars in EuropeALL-NEW 2026 SUBARU UNCHARTED EV ARRIVES WITH MORE THAN 300 MILES OF RANGE, STARTING AT $34,995 MSRPRivian Goes All-in on Autonomy and AIFewer EVs need fewer batteries: Ford and SK On end their joint venture - Ars TechnicaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Updating the Wedge
08/12/2025 | 2h 2 mins.
Friend of the show Perry Stern is back to talk about the Honda Prologue and some Nissans. Sam drove the Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss.We discuss driving the third generation of Nissan's e-Power series hybrid in the Qashqai as a preview of the next Rogue as well as the interim Nissan Rogue plug-in hybrid. Nissan has also implemented the first Qi2 wireless charger in the 2026 Pathfinder and Murano. Toyota went high performance this week the debut of the GR GT sports car, the GR GT3 racer and Lexus LFA electric concept. Donald Trump wants to give Americans access to kei cars and 1970s station wagons, but it's doubtful most Americans actually want them. Jaguar Land Rover has ditched long-time design chief Gerry McGovern. Encor has created a magnificent Lotus Esprit S1 restomod and Jason Fenske is disappointed with his Lucid Air. Finally Sam has a conversation with Marc-Andre Forget, the CEO of DCBEL Energy. You can help out the many people that are food insecure this holiday season by donating to Feeding America and Robbie will write and record a song for you or at your local food bank. There are also dogs in need of assistance and Sam will be joining a crew of volunteers helping to transport them to forever homes in December and you can help by donating to Operation Frodo. Links are below.LinksOperation FrodoFeeding AmericaLet The Rage Flow Through You: Mercedes Wants To Charge Owners $200 For These Built-In Features - The AutopianNissan Qashqai | e-POWER or Mild Hybrid SUVThe New 2026 Nissan Rogue PHEV Is the Most CONTROVERSIAL Car of the Year!2026 Nissan Pathfinder Press KitTOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Premieres GR GT & GR GT3 | Toyota | Global NewsroomLexus World Premieres Lexus LFA Concept BEV Sports Car | Lexus | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global WebsiteTrump invites ‘cute’ Japanese kei trucks to come to America | The VergeRemember the Crazy Jaguar 00 Concept? The Man Behind It Just Got Fired.Reimagining the Lotus Esprit S1Jason Fenske Is Disapointed by his LucidAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Banning Subscriptions, Sort Of
30/11/2025 | 1h 46 mins.
This week Stephanie Brinley is again sitting in for Nicole and she drove the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. Robbie and his wife rented a Chrysler Pacifica and Sam has the Mercedes-AMG G63.In the news, someone has rendered a Dodge Magnum revival based on the new Charge Daytona, and a New York State Senator wants to sort of ban in-vehicle subscriptions, but not really and Stellantis is still annoying customers with in-dash ads. Dealers are at it again with stupid markups on the new Honda Prelude. Jason Torchinsky has thoughts on how much acceleration is enough. Used EVs are selling faster than gas cars. Kia has an off-road concept of the EV5 in China. EuroNCAP is updating its scoring standards for 5 stars including physical buttons. Despite the best efforts of the Trump administration to kill EVs and infrastructure, Georgia is disbursing $24M for EV charging while Waymo is no longer able charge its robotaxis overnight in Santa Monica.You can help out the many people that are food insecure this holiday season by donating to Feeding America and Robbie will write and record a song for you or at your local food bank. There are also dogs in need of assistance and Sam will be joining a crew of volunteers helping to transport them to forever homes in December and you can help by donating to Operation Frodo. Links are below.LinksThis Dodge Magnum Revival Shows How America Could Bring Back the Muscle Wagon - AutoblogNew York Wants To Make Annoying Car Subscriptions A Thing Of The Past - JalopnikAre You Willing to Pay $63,000 For a Honda Prelude? Some Dealers Think So - AutoblogThe New 2026 Fiat 500 Takes 16 Seconds To Accelerate To 60 MPH And That's Just Fine. Yeah I Said It - The AutopianChinese automakers double share in EUUsed Cars Are Lingering on Lots as Prices Climb, But EVs Are Moving FastKia’s EV5 Weekender Looks Too Good To Stay A Concept | CarscoopsPop-Up Ads Are Appearing On Stellantis Infotainment Screens Again - JalopnikNew NCAP crash tests target "annoying" ADAS, reward buttons | AutocarGDOT awards $24M for 26 new electric vehicle charging stations across Georgia – WABESanta Monica blocks overnight charging at Waymo lotsOperation FrodoFeeding AmericaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy



Wheel Bearings