Purchasing a used car is an excellent way to save money, with over 36 million pre-owned vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2023 alone, more than doubling new car purchases. Our experts at CR have meticulously analyzed exclusive test and survey data to pinpoint the best pre-owned cars across different price ranges, helping consumers make informed decisions for a better shopping experience. In this week's episode, we explore the standout features of CR's new Used Car Buying Guide, offer tips for navigating the used car market, and address audience questions about CR's approach to vehicle software updates and mid-generation refreshes—detailing how significant an update must be to warrant review or reassessment.
SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
2:20 - CR Used Car Hub
3:00 - How to start shopping for a used car
8:34 - What makes a CR Recommended used vehicle?
11:00 - Best used car brands
13:35 - Used car Top Picks
16:27 - What are vehicle model years and generations?
18:35 - What is a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle?
22:51 - Audience questions
23:10 - Question #1, Irv from Normal, IL: How does CR react to rapidly changing technology like over-the-air vehicle software updates?
26:47 - Question #2, Jonathan from Phoenix, AZ: How does CR account for vehicle changes that happen later in a vehicle model year?
This week, we discuss the 2024 Honda Prologue. It's Honda's first mainstream electric vehicle, made possible through a collaboration between Honda and General Motors. The Prologue shares much of its architecture with the Chevrolet Blazer EV. We cover the differences between the two electric SUVs and debate whether the Prologue is better than the Blazer. Plus, we answer questions about how to buy a car and what's going on with our Fisker Ocean test car.
SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
0:17 - Welcome Maddie McCarty
1:56 - 2024 Honda Prologue Overview
3:01 - Platform and styling
3:51 - EV Range and charge times
8:40 - Access, driving position, seat comfort
11:29 - Controls and interfaces
16:15 - Driving
18:37 - Noise
20:30 - Safety features
26:00 - Would you buy a Honda Prologue or a Chevy Blazer EV?
30:08 - Submit a question to Talking Cars
30:51 - Audience Question #1: Will CR continue to test the Fisker Ocean?
32:41- Audience Question #2: Buying advice: What used, late-model SUV is comparable to the Audi Q5?
In this supersized episode, we share our very unusual experience purchasing, receiving, and driving our 2023 Fisker Ocean Ultra; there are so many twists and turns to this story, we can't summarize them here, you'll just have to listen to the entire wild experience! We also answer audience questions about how to store an EV for long periods of time, and the best car for road trips: the Ford Maverick, Subaru Forester, or Toyota Camry.
More info on the 2023 Fisker Ocean here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/fisker-ocean-electric-suv-review-a2735159415/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Are less expensive cars cool again? The prevalence of cars real people can afford is one of the trends we noticed at the 2024 New York Auto Show. We looked closely at the new Nissan Kicks, Subaru Forester, Honda Prologue, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen ID. Buzz, and many more. Our experts also share their favorite car/trend/feature from the show floor.
Hyundai brings significant improvements to the Kona EV over the previous-generation model. We share our first impressions of the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric, the power plant, driving dynamics, controls, and what it has to offer for buyers looking to purchase a sensible electric vehicle. Also, we discuss why it is important for EV owners to pay close attention to the 12-volt battery in their electric cars. Our experts had fun making up their own frankencar, choosing the motor, transmission, chassis, interior, and body from any car they wished and making their own creation.
More info on the 2024 Hyundai Kona here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/2024-hyundai-kona-review-a8558776955/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
00:16 - First Impressions: 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
01:57 - Cabin and Controls
03:07 - Compared to Gas Powered Vehicle
04:00 - Driving and Power
04:55 - Some Compromises
05:38 - Powertrain
06:19 - Regenerative Braking
08:42 - Cabin Noise
10:26 - Charging Systems
14:18 - Question #1: Do EVs have 12-volt batteries like regular cars, and do they need to be serviced?
18:18 - Question #2: If you could design a car where you source the powertrain, infotainment, interior, chassis, etc from any automaker, what would you make?
The Best Cars of 2024
Season 12 · Episode 439
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 • Duration 30:50
More info on the 10 Top Picks of 2024 here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/best-cars-of-the-year-10-top-picks-of-2024-a4675085257/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Consumer Reports annual Top Picks list is out. In this episode we clarify what the Top Picks is and how vehicles get awarded this highly regarded designation. Our experts discuss the 10 cars that made it to the top of the list, trends we're noticing in the automotive industry, and explain what a Brand Report Card is. We also debate which would be the ultimate food delivery vehicle, the Toyota Prius or the Corolla Hybrid.
05:13 - Question #1: When looking at CR's reliability rating, why are hybrids are among the most reliable vehicles, but plug-in hybrids are among the least?
11:10 - 10 Top Picks of 2024
11:34 - EVs
12:48 - Plug-in Hybrids
16:07 - Hybrids
18:48 - Gas Powered Vehicles
22:54 - Brand Report Card
25:46 - Question #2: Which car is the ultimate food delivery vehicle: the Toyota Corolla Hybrid or the Prius AWD?
2024 Kia EV9
Season 12 · Episode 438
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 • Duration 21:36
Kia takes the three-row SUV EV Mainstream with its all-new EV9. We share our first impressions of the 2024 Kia EV9, how it handled around our test track, the third-row seats, controls, and if this newest kia is the best midsized SUV EV or not. And, our experts give advice on what to look for when buying tires to maximize vehicle MPG. We also explain IIHS' updated moderate overlap crash test, and why some vehicles get a poor rating.
More info on the 2024 Kia EV9 here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2024-kia-ev9-review-a4079455654/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
12:11 - Question #1: Do hybrid vehicles need specific tires to maintain its fuel efficiency?
14:59 - Question #2: Why some vehicles are getting a poor rating on the IIHS updated moderate overlap crash test
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First Drive: 2024 Kia EV9 Takes the Three-Row EV Mainstream
2024 Lexus TX
Season 12 · Episode 437
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 • Duration 31:56
Lexus has expanded its SUV line with the all-new TX, a three-row model that shares its dimensions and many mechanical bits with the new Toyota Grand Highlander. On this episode we share our initial impressions of the 2024 Lexus TX and discuss its driving characteristics, luxurious interior, controls, and three different powertrains offered by Lexus, including a V6 plug-in hybrid. We give advice on what to do when a car lease comes to an end: buy the car out; trade it in for a new model; or walk away. Also, we answer if PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) are cheaper or more expensive to operate and maintain than the all-electric and internal combustion engine vehicles.
More info on the 2024 Lexus TX here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/2024-lexus-tx-review-a1128675523/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
The 2024 Blazer EV is the first Chevrolet vehicle on General Motors' new Ultium electric platform, which is shared by the Honda Prologue EV and Cadillac Lyriq. We offer our first impressions of the new Blazer, including its driving dynamics, build quality, and why GM ordered dealers to stop selling it. We also discuss the future of internal combustion engines and whether or not EVs will dominate the car market in the next decade. Also, we debate whether the 2025 Toyota Camry hybrid is worth the wait, or is the recently updated 2024 Honda Accord hybrid.
More info on the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2024-chevrolet-blazer-ev-review-a1328332871/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
00:15 - First Impressions: 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV
01:26 - Issues we encountered
02:58 - Lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
06:16 - Charging
06:40 - Interior Quality
07:08 - Driving Dynamics
10:14 - The Brakes
11:49 - Design oddities
12:35 - Controls
13:26 - Stop Sale Order
14:39 - More issues
16:43 - Things we liked
17:20 - Visibility
AI Really, REALLY Wants to Be in Your Next Car
Season 12 · Episode 435
Thursday, January 11, 2024 • Duration 23:37
We're at CES in Las Vegas, where much of the hype has been around introducing artificial intelligence into your car's infotainment system. But is AI in your vehicle actually going to be useful, or is it just hype? The EV market is maturing, and we got to see where automakers are going to take the unique abilities that electric vehicles are afforded with fewer moving parts and more space-efficient layouts, including a rebrand of the minivan form factor. We also discuss why hydrogen might be a viable alternative to battery-electric vehicles in the future, and try to figure out why anyone would want a large LED screen built into their bumper.
To find out how products scored in CR's rigorous lab tests—and to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day—become a member. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. Join now at https://CR.org/joinviaYT
Preview: Redesigned 2025 Toyota Camry Goes Hybrid-Only, With AWD Available on All Trims
To find out how products scored in CR's rigorous lab tests—and to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day—become a member. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. Join now at https://CR.org/joinviaYT
Check out https://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez
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First Drive: Redesigned 2024 Hyundai Kona Has Grown Larger and Gained New Features
To find out how products scored in CR's rigorous lab tests—and to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day—become a member. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. Join now at https://CR.org/joinviaYT
To find out how products scored in CR's rigorous lab tests—and to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day—become a member. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. Join now at https://CR.org/joinviaYT
To find out how products scored in CR's rigorous lab tests—and to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day—become a member. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. Join now at https://CR.org/joinviaYT
20:13 - Lexus TX vs. Toyota Grand Highlander
22:49 - Electronic Door Release
24:19 - Question #1: What to do at the end of a vehicle lease: buy the car out; trade it in; or walk away?
28:16 - Question #2: Are PHEVs more expensive to operate and maintain than all-electric and internal combustion vehicles?
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First Drive: All-New 2024 Lexus TX Delivers Modern Luxury for the Whole Family
To find out how products scored in CR's rigorous lab tests—and to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day—become a member. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. Join now at https://CR.org/joinviaYT
18:00 - Seat Comfort
19:44 - Question #1: What will be the prevalent fuel source for vehicles in the next decade?
25:26 - Question #2: Is the 2025 Toyota Camry worth the wait?
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First Drive: 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Is a Bumpy Ride
To find out how products scored in CR's rigorous lab tests—and to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day—become a member. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. Join now at https://CR.org/joinviaYT
To find out how products scored in CR's rigorous lab tests—and to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day—become a member. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. Join now at https://CR.org/joinviaYT
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