Talking Cars (MP3)

Consumer Reports experts discuss the financial viability of EV startups like Rivian and Lucid, share EV charging best practices, give advice for hauling large audio equipment, the future of the minivan, vehicle-to-vehicle communication. We also discuss what it takes to become a Consumer Reports vehicle tester, and compare the real-world costs of driving EVs vs. hybrids and gas-powered vehicles. Have a question for a future episode? Send us your questions or a 30-second video to TalkingCars@iCloud.com SHOW NOTES: 0:00 - Intro 0:37 - Question #1: What's the best vehicle for hauling DJ equipment (no minivans please)? 5:17 - Question #2: Are we likely to see automakers produce more minivans like the Kia Carnival? 8:13- Question #3: Why does Rivian seem more financially successful than Lucid? What should you study to become a CR Tester? 13:34 - Question #4: What are the best practices for charging an EV? 15:31 - Question #5: Is it possible to calculate the cost-per-mile of an EV vs. a gas-powered vehicle? 18:13 - Question #6: What happened to vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) technology that was being developed by the federal government? LINKS: Will an Electric Car Save You Money?: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/will-an-electric-car-save-you-money-a9436870083/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Test Results: Toyota Grand Highlander: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/grand-highlander/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Test Results: Kia Carnival: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/kia/carnival/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 10 SUVs and Minivans With the Most Usable Cargo Space: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/top-10-suvs-and-minivans-with-the-most-cargo-space-a6572456101/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Owner Satisfaction: Best & Worst Car Brands: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/most-and-least-liked-car-brands-a1291429338/top-10-suvs-and-minivans-with-the-most-cargo-space-a6572456101/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT CR Survey: Hybrids Are Still The Most Reliable Cars: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/electric-vehicles-are-less-reliable-than-conventional-cars-a1047214174/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

We share our first impressions of the all-new Toyota bZ. Formerly known as the bZ4X, it shares much of its DNA with the Subaru Solterra. Our experts share the best and worst parts of the bZ and discuss how the name, powertrain, and new NACS charging port increase its appeal. We also debate how much center console is too much, and whether dual wireless phone chargers are actually an asset. Plus, we answer an audience question about the Hyundai Ioniq 9's reliability. Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. SHOW NOTES: 0:00 - Intro 0:17 - 2026 Toyota bZ Overview 0:55 - What we like about the Toyota bZ 8:13 - What we dislike about the Toyota bZ 18:35 - What EV would we buy? 23:19 - Audience Question: How does Consumer Reports score and weight vehicle reliability year-to-year? LINKS: Model Overview; Toyota bZ : https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/bz/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Test Results: Toyota bZ4X: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/bz4x/2025/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Tesla Superchargers vs. Non-Tesla TVs: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ev-chargers/how-well-do-tesla-superchargers-work-for-non-tesla-evs-a4713673565/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 2026 Nissan Leaf: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/nissan/leaf/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Model Overview; Hyundai Ionia 5: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hyundai/ioniq-5/?EXTKEY=SOCIAL_YT Test Results: Hyundai Ionia 9: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hyundai/ioniq-9/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=SOCIAL_YT Test Results: Cadillac Vistiq: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cadillac/vistiq/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Subaru is back with a hybrid Crosstrek—will this one finally get it right? For our test program, we purchased a 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Sport Hybrid, and in this episode we share our first impressions. We cover ride comfort, handling, controls, safety technology, and take a close look at Subaru's new hybrid powertrain. We also answer audience questions about repairing older vehicles versus upgrading—and whether buying a first-year redesigned model is a good idea, even when it comes from a reliable manufacturer like Subaru. Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:16 - Overview: 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 02:14 - What we liked 10:16 - What we did not like 25:15 - Question #1: Is it worth repairing an older vehicle versus upgrading to a newer one? 29:32 - Question #2: Should you still avoid buying a first-year redesign if the powertrain carries over from the previous generation? ---------------------------------- Full Test Results: 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/subaru/crosstrek-hybrid/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Popular Small SUVs to Avoid and What to Buy Instead https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/popular-small-suvs-to-avoid-and-what-to-buy-instead-a1273704153/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars? https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Which Brands Make the Best Cars? https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 10 Most Reliable Cars https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/10-most-reliable-cars-a6569295379/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT How Car Brands Stack Up On Lifetime Repair Cost https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership-a1854979198/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 10 Best SUVs You Can Buy Right Now https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/10-best-suvs-you-can-buy-right-now-a8518508556/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Car Reliability and Owner Satisfaction Guide https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/guide-to-car-reliability-owner-satisfaction-a9213219653/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Consumerreports.org/Talkingcars https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/talking-cars-podcast-archive-a1439738009/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

We gathered a number of staffers who work behind the scenes at CR's Auto Test Center to share which are their picks for the best and worst cars that Consumer Reports tested in 2025! This team is a key part of CR's evaluation process, driving our test cars in their everyday lives to see which ones are the best to live with - and which ones they wouldn't recommend to friends and family.

Consumer Reports' latest reliability findings are in, we share which brands deliver the most reliable cars, trucks, and SUVs in 2026—based on comprehensive survey data from hundreds of thousands of CR members. We break down how major automakers, including Toyota, Tesla, Subaru, Rivian, BMW, Mazda, and Honda, compare; how EVs and plug-in hybrids stack up against traditional gas models; which used cars offer the most dependable performance; and whether luxury brands truly provide an advantage over their mainstream counterparts. We also address why some automakers place the gas cap on the passenger side of their vehicles and offer advice on simple maintenance tasks you can perform yourself to help reduce car-related expenses. SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - New Car Reliability 02:51 - Used Car Reliability 05:57 - Big News 06:40 - Cars Least Expensive to Maintain 08:22 - EVs/ Plug-in Hybrids Reliability 10:04 - Hybrid Vehicle Reliability 11:34 - Owner Satisfaction 13:18 - Importance of Car Reliability 15:27 - How CR Gathers Reliability Data 19:55 - Question #1: Why do some car manufacturers put the gas cap on the passenger side and others on the driver side? 23:09 - Question #2: Which simple maintenance tasks can car owners perform on their own to help reduce car-related expenses? ---------------------------------- Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars? https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Which Brands Make the Best Cars? https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Reliability of 5 to 10 year-old cars https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/which-brands-make-the-best-used-cars-a2811658468/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Most and Least Loved Car Brands https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/most-and-least-liked-car-brands-a1291429338/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 10 Most Reliable Cars https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/10-most-reliable-cars-a6569295379/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT How Car Brands Stack Up On Lifetime Repair Cost https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership-a1854979198/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 10 Best SUVs You Can Buy Right Now https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/10-best-suvs-you-can-buy-right-now-a8518508556/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Car Reliability and Owner Satisfaction Guide https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/guide-to-car-reliability-owner-satisfaction-a9213219653/ Consumerreports.org/Talkingcars https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/talking-cars-podcast-archive-a1439738009/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT