Jill and Tom open the show accepting the challenge of a listener. Tom was tasked to purchase more exciting donuts than the usual collection of double chocolates and powdered cinnamons. Listen in for this week’s expanded options list. 

Tom shares some interesting Jeep news. The updated 2026 Grand Cherokee will be optionally powered by Stellantis’ new Hurricane 4-cylinder engine. Though based on the existing 6-cylinder Hurricane engine, the new powerplant employs a “turbulent-jet injection” system featuring both port and direct fuel injection. Listen in to learn what that means. 

Still in the first segment, Tom talks a little about car sale in Russia, and Jill reviews the 2025 BMW X3. 

In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome Telemetry Vice President of Market Research Sam Abuelsamid to the show. Sam shares insights from the company’s newly published Global Assisted and Automated Driving Forecast report. How ready is the industry for hands-free driving? Listen in. 

In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Dateline 1990” quiz. Finally, Jill shares the newly-released North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) finalists list. Winners will be selected in January. 

Tom opens the show by recapping briefly his time in the Lucid Air Touring electric luxury sedan. Tom is impressed by the Lucid, but does have one (big) complaint. The hosts go on to discuss rumors that Tesla will be ADDING the Apple CarPlay feature to some or all of its models in the near future. 

A huge new Honda recall will affect the owners of certain late-model Civics. Listen in for details. 

Jill and Tom chat briefly about Ford making Blue Advantage certified preowned vehicles available on Amazon. 

Still in the first segment, Jill shares her impressions of the 2027 Kia Telluride midsize crossover, a clay model of which she recently checked out. 

In the second segment, the hosts welcome Tiago Castro, Vice President of Infiniti of the Americas, to the podcast. Tiago walks Tom and Jill through the luxury carmaker's plans for the near- and midterm, focusing on new-product opportunities. 

In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Was it a Nissan?” quiz, and Jill reviews the all-new Polestar 4 crossover coupe. 

The show opens with a brief, and completely off-topic, conversation about whether or not Tom smells spicy. Listen in for the verdict. 

Tom shared brief impressions of the 2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD, noting that the premium midsize crossover was over-named by a few syllables. That said, Tom is very impressed with the vehicles. 

The hosts went on the talk about Ram’s decision to kill—before introduction—the Ram REV electric pickup truck. The story gets a little complicated. Listen in for details. 

Among other news, Tom shared information regarding Chinese carmakers turning to Magna International, and its Steyr manufacturing facility in Austria, for regional production. Chinese EV builders are looking to dodge European tariffs by assembling cars on the continent. 

Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid, noting that the maker’s compact car lineup is now mostly hybrid powered. 

In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome Don Sikora of Collectible Automobile to the show. Don shared highlights of the October 2025 issue of the classic-car magazine, which is on newsstands now. A feature story about the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, written by podcast regular Sam Fiorani, was discussed at length. See our Facebook page for information regarding subscribing to the magazine. 

In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Partridge or President” quiz, in which she must determine if a given person was a cast member of “The Partridge Family,” or a former Ford CEO. 

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 outside the TalkZone studio in Palatine, Illinois. 

The conversation turned to the Detroit Auto Show, which is returning to January for 2025. This after a three-year hiatus from that timeslot, and missing 2020 due to COVID-19. 

Jill shared her impressions of the 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor, a new trim level designed for off-road use. Jill spent considerable time behind the wheel of the truck, driving it from Chicago to Indianapolis during the holidays. 

In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Jim Hurless, Global Real Estate Leader for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure at CBRE. Jim shared some fascinating insights as to how EV charging station locations are determined, how much it costs to install an EV charger, and what CBRE is doing about charger reliability. Great conversation. 

Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Which Sold Better in 2023” quiz in the third segment. Jill also ruined Tom’s round of guessing as to what a company called ZeroMold might do. Tom’s guesses were better than the truth. 

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 they purchasing, which is not the case. Also addressed was the news that Stellantis has opted to pull out of a number of 2024 auto shows, including CES and Chicago.  Brendan and Tom went on to briefly share their impressions of the Genesis GV70 Electrified compact crossover. 

In the second segment the hosts welcome Genesis Manger of PR and Communications Jarred Pellat to the show. Jarred talked about the emergence of Genesis as a luxury brand, its success as an alternative premium-vehicle offering, and the brand’s accessibility to women. Jarred also addressed the brand’s EV plans moving forward. 

In the final segment Brendan is subjected to Tom’s horsepower quiz, which included a bonus question about Twinkies. Tom wrapped up the show with a quick review of the ride and handling balance found on his current test car, the 2024 BMW X5 M60i. Jill is spending time with her family this week, and returns next episode. 

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 regularly makes the 1000-mile journey from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Palatine Illinois. Harper shares a few tips on surviving a 15-hour drive, and shares her picks for the best places to stop for gas and snacks. Note: The conversation includes an extended chat regarding Casey’s exclusive Mountain Dew varieties, and the chain's self-branded snacks. 

Harper joins Jill for this week’s quiz. Topic: Rolls-Royce Color or Cheese. The hosts wrapped up the podcast by chatting with Harper regarding her work at the Animal Friends Alliance shelter in Fort Collins. 

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 evaluated. The review included a conversation regarding the benefits of opting for the single-rear wheel (SRW) option. 

In the second segment, Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions joins Jill and Tom to review the most noteworthy stories of the year. Sam recalled the UAW strike, slowing EV demand growth, growing vehicle inventories, and strong car sales. We also learned that Sam once owned a Merkur XR4Ti. 

In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Station Wagon or Omaha Suburb” quiz, which was followed by a brief discussion of Jill’s favorite test-vehicles of 2023. 

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, which both hosts agree is fun to drive and represents great dollar value. What didn’t they like? Listen in. 

In the second segment Jill and Tom welcomed Cadillac Director of Marketing Tony Johnson. Tony shared Cadillac’s near- and midterm electrification plans, and shared rollout plans for the coming Lyric, Celestiq, Escalade IQ, Vistiq, and Optiq. Tony also explained the origins of Caddy’s new “IQ” model-naming scheme, and described the ordering process for the limited-production “one-of-one” ultra-luxury Celestiq sedan. 

In the final segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Women” quiz, which featured questions regarding the brands women most often choose when purchasing a new vehicle. Quiz questions based on a recent S&P Global report. 

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, Colorado to Seattle, Washington, charging the cars only at Starbucks locations along the way equipped with high-speed Volvo-sponsored chargers. Listen in for more on this unique cooperative exercise—and what Jill ordered to drink at each stop. 

In the second segment Jill and Tom are joined by Consumer Report’s Steven Elek. Steven gave the hosts the lowdown on the organization’s latest Auto Reliability Study. Steven shared insights into how and why electric vehicles are proving problematic for some owners, and walked Jill and Tom through top-ten list of most-reliable car brands. The list includes a few surprises. 

In the final segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Car Sales in Europe” quiz, capped by a Kikkoman soy-sauce bonus question. Because Jill has not yet listened to last week’s episode, Tom explained to her why he was looking to shoot a water buffalo. 

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 Road America race track, and include the Toyota GR Corolla, Volkswagen GTI, BMW M2, and Toyota Supra. 

Following up on Jill’s EV charging issues from a week earlier, Tom shared a tale of similar frustration, including broken Evgo charging units—which were listed as operational on the provider’s app—and Electrify America’s over-hyped “Super Fast” charging. 

In the second segment Paul and Tom welcome Ram Communications Manager Trevor Dorchies to the show. Trevor updated the hosts on product in the Ram pipeline, including the redesigned 1500 pickup, the RAM REV electric pickup, and the extended-range plug-in-hybrid Ram Ramcharger. Also discussed is the new, ultra-luxury Ram 1500 Tungsten. 

In the last segment Paul is subjected to Tom’s “Best Mileage” quiz, which includes a surprising Burger King bonus question. The hosts wrapped up the show by discussing why Tom’s test vehicle, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro, makes Tom want to shoot a water buffalo. 

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-3 public charger along the way. 

In the second segment, the hosts welcome Ed Kim, president of AutoPacfic, to the program. Ed weighed in on the recently announced Hyundai/Amazon.com deal, by which customers will soon be able to order their Hyundai vehicles on the Amazon website. Ed also cleared up some misconceptions about the growing EV supplies, and Tesla’s recent price cuts. 

In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Cyber Monday Auto Gifts” quiz. Jill also shared her impressions of the recently redesigned Toyota Prius Limited AWD. 

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 for Kids (carsforkids.org) to the program. Colin walked the hosts through the auto-donation process, and talked about the benefits of donating a vehicle to charity. Colin noted that motorcycles and boats can also be donated. Note: There is still time to make a donation this year. 

Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Plymouth or Pennsylvania” quiz in the third segment, which features a Martha Stewart-related Thanksgiving bonus question. Jill and Tom wrapped up the show up by discussing the hybrid-only 2025 Toyota Camry, and Tom’s review of the 2023 Toyota Crown. 

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 electric EM90 minivan, about which there is good news and bad. The Conversation turned to the new top-tier Mustang trim level: Dark Horse. Jill recently spent a week behind the wheel of the high-performance Ford, and shares her take. 

In the second segment, Jill and Tom are joined by CDK Global Senior Product Manager Brenda Lynch. Brenda shared the topline results of a CDK study looking into auto-dealership vulnerability to hacking and malware. Is your personal data safe at your local dealer? Listen to this conversation. 

In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Under $48,000” quiz. Because Tom did a poor job managing the clock this episode, the hosts got in a brief chat about pay raises at U.S. Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai/Kia plants, all of which are certainly steps taken to prevent unionization of their factories. 

Jill and Tom open the show by sharing information about a Chicago event, Electrify Chicago, coming to the area September 12-13. Next, Tom shares some news about Chinese new-car door handles, and how some of them will soon be illegal. 

The hosts also discussed the relationship between the Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander. With the “Grand” gaining popularity, the Japanese maker is tweaking the standard Highlander’s trim-level lineup—making it more expensive for 2026. Listen in for more details. 

Likewise, Tesla is raising prices on its slow selling Cybertruck pickup truck, specifically the top-trim Cyberbeast. The EV maker is raising the Cyberbeast base price by $15,000, but making a number of options and features standard. Jill and Tom discuss Telsa’s motives for adjusting Cybertruck prices. 

Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the compact Volkswagen Tiguan crossover. Listen in to get Jill’s take on the top-trim SEL R-Line. 

In the second segment, the hosts welcome Toyota production engineers Samantha Barber and Becky Brophy to the show. Both guests are veterans of the Rebelle Rally, and share how Toyota learns from motorsports, and how returning to the event each year contributes to product development. 

In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Spelling!” quiz. Listen in to see if Jill can spell BISCAYNE, as well as four other tricky model names. 

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 network to a traditional franchise-dealer arrangement. Tom also mentioned his Twitter/X battle with Tesla fans that took exception to his thoughts on the Cybertruck’s wheel design. 

Jill shared her preview review of the all-new Volvo EX30 EV, which offers impressive battery range, and is surprisingly affordable. 

In the second segment, Chad Kirchner of EV Pulse joined the show. Chad talked about the nature of EV enthusiasts, and how the group is not limited to just environmentalists. Chad also shared his take on the state of Tesla, and VinFast’s prospects for success. 

Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Fake Color!” quiz in the last segment, including a Rolling Stones album-title bonus question. 

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 the truck’s key selling point is battery range. Tom discussed briefly the Mazda Iconic SP concept car, seen at the Toyota Motor Show, which may be a harbinger of the next generation of the MX-5 Miata. 

In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions to the show. Sam shared his thoughts on a number of topics including the UAW Strike, the UAW’s inability to unionize transplant automakers, the state of the EV market, and why Tesla is cutting prices so dramatically. Sam also talked about his new webcast—found on YouTube—called “Afternoons! with Kendra and Sam.”

In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Honda or Hallmark” quiz, and Tom talked about another Tokyo Motor Show reveal, the Honda Prelude Concept. The McDonald’s Canadian menu also came up. 

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 Pradel to the show. Zack’s popular YouTube channel features new-, used-, and classic-car reviews. Zack talked about the care and feeding of his family’s classic car, a 1931 Ford Model A. As an aside, Zack also noted his position on the rotary-dial-controlled infotainment system found in current-generation Mazda vehicles. 

In the final segment, Zack and Brendan are subjected to Tom’s “Octane, Yo!” quiz. 

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 Johnnie discussed the ongoing UAW strike, and comments made Monday by Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. We also learned from Steve what a “seat cover” is in CB-radio parlance. 

In the second segment Steve and Johnnie talked about their best and worst car ownership experiences. Tom also noted the love/hate relationship he had with a 1991 Saab 9000 CD. 

In the third segment Steve and Johnnie are subjected to Tom’s “1990!” quiz. Steve and Johnie wrapped up the show sharing some good news about Genesis Connected Services. 

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 second segment Tom and Paul welcome Dave Sloan of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association. Dave shared his thoughts on a number of topics, including the UAW strike, EV startup carmakers working outside the franchise dealer system, and dealership acquisitions by large, national corporations. 

Dave joined Paul for this week’s “Whose Brand is it Anyway” quiz. 

 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 car shoppers are expected to want on vehicles purchased in the near future, including a very-cool autonomous-driving safety feature. 

Robby also shared some insights into the Fisker Ocean, a small electric crossover from EV startup Fisker, which he spent some time driving recently. Delivery of the Fisker Ocean has begun in parts of the U.S., though initial volumes are low. 

Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Car Color or Pop Song” quiz, which wrapped up with a Star Trek bonus question. 

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. 

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 employees at the drive-thru. Strange? 

The hosts are joined in the second segment by Green Sense Radio host Robert Colangelo. Jill, Tom, and Robert discussed the strange sociopolitical forces at work keeping ethanol in America’s gasoline. The discussion covered the benefits of ethanol, and the many drawbacks, including compromised food security. Robert also briefly discussed a future Green Sense podcast dealing with early climate-change research which went unreported by petroleum producers. 

How will you do on this week’s quiz? Jill did very well, until the Kellog’s-related bonus question. Remember to follow the Car Stuff Podcast on Facebook to keep up to date on new episodes, and find links to the stories being covered. 

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 the event, noted that the press activity was especially light, as was media attendance. The trio covered the reveals of the freshened Cadillac CT5, Ford F-150, Jeep Gladiator, and all-new GMC Acadia. 

In the second segment Damon reviewed the all-new Hyundai Kona small crossover, noting that the vehicle has gotten larger on the outside, and roomier on the inside. Jill, Damon, and Tom went on to wrap up their “Dead Pool” lists created in way back August of 2021. There is some question as to who did the best job picking vehicles which were soon to be discontinued. 

Jill and Damon were subjected to Tom’s “Lancia or Listeria” quiz, which—big surprise—was decided by a question about gophers. 

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 crossover which both hosts basically love. Jill is annoyed that Nissan has done little to promoted the vehicle, which Tom suggests is part of the plan, and that Nissan may not yet be ready to deliver the Ariya in serious volume, and that stepped-up advertising is on hold for now. 

The duo welcome Ken Chester of the Tech Mobility Show in the second segment. Ken walked Tom and Jill through the adoption of ChatGPT by automotive dealers, and how the technology can be used, and misused, in that application. 

In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Fun Car Engine” quiz. Jill and Tom wrapped up the show discussing the all-new Alfa Romeo Tonale small crossover, which Jill is driving this week. 

Jill and Tom open the show talking about “launch colors,” basically the color which new vehicles are initially presented in for media reveals, advertising, and promotion. Tom still remembers the copper color the redesigned Mitsubishi Eclipse was unveiled in for 2000. 

Tom shared his early impressions of the electric Volvo EX30 subcompact crossover. So far, Tom is delighted by the Volvo, and surprised by its price. 

The hosts turn the discussion to the coming 2026 Jeep Compass; a vehicle Tom and Jill both feel the maker badly needs in its lineup. The Discussion continues to include clarification on the topic of Japanese “kei” cars, including proper pronunciation, and a brief chat regarding the heritage-trimmed Stroppe Edition of the Ford Bronco. 

In the second segment the hosts are joined by AutoForecast Solutions Vice President Sam Fiorani. Sam shared insights related to the current tariff situation, and what the elimination of “carbon credits” means to EV makers including Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid. Sam also shares news regarding the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles. 

In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Red!” quiz, in which she is challenged to identify fake car colors. 

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 crew is joined by Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions. Sam walked Jill and Tom through a number of topics, including the UAW/Detroit 3 labor-contract negotiations, Chinese cars being exported to the West, and the  Radnor Hunt Concours  auto show running from September 8-10 in Malvern, Pennsylvania. 

Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Chevrolet or Oldsmobile” quiz in segment three. 

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 the hosts through the changes to the premium crossover, including Tom’s favorite: Digital Scenting. The new Nautilus goes on sale early next year. 

Brendan is subjected to Tom’s “Cars of 1980” quiz, including a bonus question regarding bad movies, such as Spanglish and Star Trek: The Motion Picture. 

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 welcome Steve Garrett to the podcast. Steve is president of the Corvette Club of Kansas City (CCKC) and host of the popular Corvette Today podcast. Steve walked the hosts through a number of Corvette news items, including the recently introduced Z06, and the coming E-Ray hybrid ‘Vette. Steve also shared his thoughts on the rumored Corvette crossover. 

In the last segment, Brendan is subjected to a brutal Mercedes-Benz model quiz. 

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 segment Tim talked about his recent experiences modifying his own pickup. Tim has made a number of updates to his truck, most of which he installed himself. 

In the third segment Tim is subjected to Jill’s light-duty-truck quiz. 

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 returns soon to U.S. dealerships after a three-year hiatus. They took note of the new vehicle’s blocky design, and discussed the truck’s considerable cult following. 

In the second segment, Jill and Nicole are joined by iSeeCars.com Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. Karl shared research conducted by iSeeCars finding that used-electric-vehicle prices had plunged in the past year. Doe Karl think this is a good time to invest in a used EV? Listen in. 

Jill subjected Nicole to a “basic” car-history quiz in the last segment, including a bonus question about Italian ice. Note: Tom is taking some time off this week. 

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 talked about paint-protection film (PPF), and why someone might want to consider having their car treated. Paul recently had his car protected, and is a believer in the process, though it can be pricey. Tom talked briefly about the 2023 Lexus LS 500h, which he recently reviewed. Though the car is not especially space efficient, and a little difficult to get in and out of, Tom is generally a fan of the large luxury sedan. 

Paul and Tom welcome Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions to the show in the second segment. Sam talked about his new podcast (find the link on Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page). Sam walked the hosts through a number of topics, including the realities of a Corvette crossover, automakers developing their own charging network, and why the new Volvo EX30 electric crossover is so affordable. Paul was then subjected to Tom’s color quiz. Did Paul win? Listen in. 

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 Podcast. Don shared the institution’s history, and talked about late-night car culture. Superdawg celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. 

Paul is subjected to Tom’s “Which Costs More?” quiz in the final segment, and Tom talked a little about driving an affordable base-trim Jeep Grand Cherokee L. 

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. Jennifer shared the fundamentals of Cars.com’s 2023 American Made Index. Surprises include the dearth of American-brand products near the top of the list. Jennifer noted that the country of origin of drivetrain components, such as a vehicle’s engine and transmission, can have a profound impact on a vehicle’s placement on the list. Tesla’s performance on the list was a surprise. 

Jennifer elected to join Jill for this week’s quiz, which focused on new-car sales during the first half of 2023. 

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, demonstrates BorgWarner’s commitment to electrification. 

In the second segment Jill and Tom welcomed Sheldon Brown of Toyota to the program. Calling in from the Tacoma factory in Baja, Mexico, Sheldon shared loads of information about the redesigned midsize pickup, including intended buyer audience expectations, introduction timing, and details of the new Trailhunter off-road-ready trim level. 

Jill was subjected to Tom’s “Corporate Fun Facts” quiz in the third segment. After the quiz Tom talked about the likable, but somewhat pricey Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Limited, which boasts cool retro design themes. 

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 AutoForecast Solutions. The crew discussed Sam’s recent podcast addressing the future of internal-combustion engines. Sam went on to share his take on the likelihood of various alternative-fuel sources taking hold as gas engines are phased out. Sam has a surprising take on hydrogen, and synthetic gas. 

In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s destination-charge quiz, which includes a bonus question about Indian snack food. Tom also called the Honda Ridgline one of the most underrated vehicles currently on the market. 

The hosts open the show briefly discussing Tom’s experiences car shopping with his 25-year-old daughter. After test driving five cars, and much careful consideration, a car has been purchased. Listen in for details. 

In the news, Jill and Tom talk about Audi tariff-related price increases, Chrysler’s crazy Grizzly Peak minivan concept vehicle, and the Dodge Durango going V8 only for 2026. 

Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the updated 2026 Subaru Solterra, which now enjoys more power and greater range. 

In the second segment, the hosts are joined by Justin Lunny, CEO of Everrati. Everrati restores classic cars, fitting them with modern electric powertrains. Listen in to learn what cars the company is currently restoring, and what it costs to bring a vintage Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, or Porsche 911 back to life with an all-electric drivetrain. 

In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “LX” trim-level quiz. The hosts closed out the show discussing the 2026 Solterra’s off-road ability and AWD drivetrain. 

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 is generally impressive, though Tom had a couple of complaints. 

Tom squeezed in a quick summary of his “Classic Car Ads: 1925 Ford Model T” blog post, which he believes includes the lowest-ever advertised price in the U.S. for a regular-production new car. 

Jill and Tom are joined by Patrick Olsen of Carfax in the second segment. Patrick shared news regarding a couple of pieces recently published by the Carfax editorial team, topics including the number of cars on the road in need of serious recall work, and the continued high rate of catalytic-converter theft. Links to these articles are available on the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page, and at Blog.ConsumerGuide.com. 

In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s quiz on the Indian car market. Did Jill pass? Listen and find out. 

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 Argentina. Both the hosts expect that the small Ford-Maverick-sized pickup will eventually make its way to the U.S. 

In the second segment, Paul and Tom welcome David Piluski of RTM Engineering Consultants to the show. Dave talked about the evolution of automotive dealership design, and how carmakers are increasingly demanding common, contemporary-looking stores, though some dealers resist spending the money needed to comply with modernization programs. 

Dave also talked about how non-franchise makers like Tesla are setting up shops with larger service facilities, this to compensate for the smaller number of stores overall. Dave also addressed the complication of building new dealerships which will facilitate the sale and service of both gasoline-powered and electric vehicles. 

Dave joined Paul for the quiz, with questions about new cars in the late Seventies and Early Eighties. 

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 improved over previous versions of the system. Jill also announced that she has been added to the Women’s World Car of the Year jury. 

AutoPacifc analyst Robby Degraff joined the show in the second segment. Robby explained the reasons behind General Motors’ decision to drop Apple CarPlay from future products, specifically EVs, including the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer. Robby also discussed the significance of Ford and General Motors teaming up with Tesla to provided EV owners with a more reliable and expansive fast-charging network. 

Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Women!” quiz, being tasked to identify the auto brands most popular with female new-car shoppers. Tom recently posted a review of the BMW X1 subcompact crossover, which he discussed briefly before wrapping up the show. 

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 lineup, but more hybrid models. Jill and Tom also discussed the new Dodge Hornet compact crossover, which Jill seems to like a little more than Tom, though both agree the newest Dodge is fun to drive.  

 In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Brant Combs, Ram head of marketing, to the podcast. Brant discussed the Ram Revolution electric pickup-truck concept, which was first seen at CES in January, and the production RAM REV electric pickup. Brant talked about the RAM REV’s role in the expanding EV market place, and hinted at exciting powertrain news to come. 

Jill was subjected to Tom’s “1995 or 2000” quiz, after which Jill finally shared her impressions of the all-new, three-row, Toyota Grand Highlander midsize crossover. 

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. 

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 owners to access the Tesla charging network. Jill and Tom will discuss further the ramifications of this deal at a later date. 

In the second segment the crew welcome Jan Hansen, Vice President of Growth at FINN Automotive to the show. FINN provides vehicle “subscription” services that work something like a lease, but offer a single monthly fee for all related vehicle-operation costs, including taxes and insurance. Jan explained how a subscription might serve vehicle shoppers better than ownership or leasing. Subscriptions can be for terms as short as six months. 

Segment three opened with Jill being subjected to a difficult Saturn (the car brand) quiz. Afterwards Jill and Tom discussed the all-new, 3-row, Toyota Grand Highlander. Tom also talked about his latest review, a test drive of the Toyota bZ4X electric compact crossover. 

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 Manager Brandon Girmus. Brandon gave the crew a look ahead at the significantly updated 2024 Wrangler. The new Wrangler features a number of updates, including an all-new grille, updated cabin, and more off-road hardware. 

In segment three, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Corvette, Wrangler, or Fake” color quiz. Listen in to hear if Jill wins. Also, see what Jill knows about the P.F. Chang’s dessert menu. Jill and Tom wrap up the show discussing the redesigned 2023 Lexus RX, and the passing of its ultra-refined V6 engine. 

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 Chief of The Auto Channel. Larry shared his thoughts on where the auto industry is on the path to electrification, and laid out a rough timeline for EV adoption. 

In the third segment Brendan was subjected to Tom’s “Maserati or Cocoa Bean” quiz. Tom also talked about the Volvo S60 Recharge, and how the S60 is a better vehicle when electrified. A review of the Volvo S60 will post at Consumer Guide later this week. 

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 to talk about the all-new Toyota Crown. Is the Crown a sedan or crossover? Amy answers that question. 

In the third segment Jill is subjected to an especially strange quiz, including an Indian-Food bonus question. Our hosts wrapped up the show by discussing recent posts on their respective sites, including a review of the all-new GMC Canyon, and a test drive of the Lexus LX 600. 

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 by Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions. Sam updated the team on what’s brewing with the UAW contract negotiations coming later this summer. Sam also shared some history and background information on Polestar, the new luxury EV brand owned by Volvo parent company Geely. Sam explained how Polestar will be operating outside the traditional dealership model. 
In the third segment Paul is subjected to Tom’s “French Car or Asthma Drug” quiz. After the quiz Tom lamented about how small turbocharged engines lack the smoothness and progressive power delivery of old-school V6 engines. Tom used the updated Buick Enclave, which features a big V6, as an example of excellent powertrain refinement. 

Jill and Tom open the show discussing the poor first-half financial returns of EV startups Lucid and Rivian, and the surprising impact recent emissions deregulation will have on their bottom lines. The hosts also touch on the slow sales start of Lucid’s new Gravity EV crossover. 

Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the subcompact Acura ADX crossover. Jill likes the vehicle, but questions if it's refined and powerful enough to be an Acura. Listen in for her complete review. 

In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Green Sense Show host Robert Colangelo to the program. Robert talked about his show—surprise news—and how shrinking cities may impact the auto industry and transportation in general. 

In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Korean or Japanese?” quiz. To close the show, Tom shared some highlights from an iSeeCars list of fastest-depreciating vehicles. 

Jill and Tom opened the show calling back to last week’s episode during which guest James Bell of Kia instructed Jill to make use of the “GT” button in her test Kia EV6 GT. Jill did as instructed; listen in for her impressions. The hosts discussed the coming 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, and it’s move to Chinese manufacture. 

The conversation moved to the official list of vehicles that qualify this year for the federal EV tax credits. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Jane Ulitskaya of Cars.com to the show. Jane walked the hosts through the findings of Car’s first Affordability Study and Best Value New Cars list. 

In the third segment Jill and Tom shared their impressions of the all-new Toyota Crown. Note: Amy Chao of Toyota joins the team next week for a deep dive into the brand’s newest model. (Jill also complained about Tom’s choice of test-car music. In this case Peruvian Psychedelic Cumbia.)

Jane joined Jill for Tom’s “Wagon or No Wagon” quiz, and Jill and Tom shared some of the newest content posted on Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk, and Consumer Guide Automotive. 

Jill and Tom opened the show wildly off topic, discussing Japanese Kit Kats and the bag of Sacher-torte-flavor ‘Kats Tom brought to the studio. Listen to the podcast for Jill’s review. The duo went on to discuss the BMW 840i Gran Coupe Jill recently spent time evaluating. Jill and Tom also discussed the all-new Envista small crossover, which will be replacing the Encore in Buick’s lineup. 

James Bell of Kia joined the show to discuss the brand’s success in working through supply-chain issues, and the brand’s coming EV9 all-electric 3-row crossover. James also broke a bit of EV9 product news. Jill is challenged by Tom’s “I Can’t Buy $55K” Sammy Hagar-tribute quiz. Jill teased some product news that she planned to share later the day this episode was recorded. Tom talked briefly about his new review of the 2023 Nissan Rogue Midnight Edition.  

Jill and Tom opened the show talking about the Toyota bZ4X small electric crossover, and some of the negative reviews it has received. The hosts agreed that the EV is better overall than its media coverage suggests, but had some specific complaints of their own. Jill and Tom discussed the new-product reveals seen at this year’s New York Auto Show, and agreed that the coming Kia EV9 three-row crossover is a potential game changer. 

In the second segment Jill and Tom welcomed Karl Brauer of IseeCars.com to the show. Karl shared the auto-commerce site’s research regarding the vehicles currently selling for the most money over manufacturer sticker price. 

In segment three Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Alabama, South Carolina, or Ohio” quiz, after which the hosts discussed Tom’s poor clock-management skills and his review of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V. Also, because the donut shop was closed, Jill ate cannoli.