Auto Buyers Guide Podcast

Rumble Bees Are Buzzing, Toyota's V6 Has More Issues, EX60, & Finally New Chryslers Are Coming

The auto world is heating up as Ram throws down the gauntlet with not one but three versions of the all-new Rumble Bee sport truck — and the hosts dig deep into what makes it tick: wider tracks, spool rear differentials, SRT-sourced all-wheel drive, and engine choices ranging from the 5.7 Hemi all the way to the Hellcat. But the conversation doesn't stop there. From Volvo's screaming-fast EX60 EV charging speeds and Toyota's alarming twin-turbo V6 recall, to GM quietly dominating the budget car market with Korean-built compacts, this episode covers the full spectrum of what's moving in the industry right now.
 
Stellantis steals the spotlight in a major investor-day reveal: 60 new vehicles globally, with 11 headed to North America — including a revived Chrysler Airflow, a Dodge GLH to replace the Hornet, a new Durango with SRT versions, a Wrangler Scrambler pickup, and the Ram Rampage compact truck. The team also takes a hard look at the new Jeep Cherokee Hybrid, which secretly runs a Toyota-Denso transaxle under its hood, and debates the future of mild hybrids, inline-six performance, and whether Chrysler's rumored French-platform products can actually win over American buyers. It's a packed, opinion-heavy episode for anyone who loves trucks, EVs, and the business of cars.
 
#RamRumbleBee #SportTruck #Stellantis #JeepCherokee #CherokeeHybrid #VolvoEX60 #ElectricVehicle #EVCharging #ToyotaRecall #TwinTurboV6 #DodgeGLH #ChryslerAirflow #WranglerScrambler #RamRampage #GMTrax #AutoNews #CarPodcast #TruckNews #AutoBuyersGuide #NewCars2025 #HybridCars #eTorque #SRT #Hellcat #carreview
 
00:00:00 - Intro: The Return of the Sport Truck
00:01:28 - Ram Rumble Bee Deep Dive: Specs, Suspension & Engines 0
0:06:40 - Rumble Bee vs Durango SRT & Future Wish List
00:12:21 - Stellantis & JLR US Manufacturing + Volvo Factory Talk
00:17:18 - Volvo EX60 EV: Charging Speeds, Range & Options
00:36:43 - GM's Affordable Car Dominance: Trax, Trailblazer & Envista
00:44:27 - Toyota 3.4L Twin-Turbo V6 Recall: 270,000 Trucks at Risk
00:47:58 - Jeep Cherokee Hybrid: Toyota Transaxle & Real-World Impressions
00:52:21 - Stellantis Investor Day: 60 New Vehicles & North America's 11
01:11:31 - Ram eTorque, Hybrid Futures & Chrysler's French Platform Dilemma

Honda's Product Delays, The RAV4 Is The only PHEV That Makes Sense & Alex Is Still Car Shopping

The Auto Buyer's Guide podcast is back with a packed episode covering everything from major manufacturer shakeups to savvy used car shopping. This week, the hosts dig into Honda's shocking decision to delay four of its most critical vehicles — the Odyssey, Accord, HR-V, and MDX — past 2030, and what that says about the brand's strategic direction and engineering bandwidth. They also put the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid GR Sport under the microscope, break down why the two-door vehicle is nearly extinct, and tackle the real-world challenges of fitting child safety seats in modern cars. The conversation then opens up to the big-picture debate everyone in the auto world is talking about: should Chinese EV brands be allowed to compete in the U.S. market, and what does history tell us about what happens when foreign automakers enter the scene? Rounding out the episode, the hosts get practical and walk listeners through what the used car market actually looks like under $10,000 — including some surprising finds and a few cars to avoid. Whether you're shopping for your next vehicle or just love a sharp take on the auto industry, this episode has something for you. 00:00:00 - Introduction & Episode Overview 00:00:32 - Volvo XC60 First Drive: Why We Weren't Invited (& What's Next for the Host's Family Car) 00:03:24 - Honda Delays Odyssey, Accord, HR-V & MDX Until After 2030 00:10:33 - Honda's China Sales Slump & What It Means for the Brand 00:16:17 - Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid GR Sport Review & PHEV Market Analysis 00:32:44 - Toyota vs. Honda: Who's Winning the EV Strategy Race? 00:35:27 - The Death of the Two-Door Vehicle: Who Killed the Coupe? 00:36:06 - Child Safety Seats, Rear-Facing Laws & the Cars That Can't Handle Them 00:53:52 - Should Chinese EV Brands Enter the U.S. Market? 01:09:18 - Used Cars Under $10,000: Best Buys & What to Avoid 01:16:19 - Outro & How to Contact the Show

Why Chinese Cars Are So Cheap, Rivian R2 v BMW iX3 v Volvo EX60, GMC Sierra EV

In this episode of the Auto Buyer's Guide, the team goes deep on today's most talked-about vehicles and market trends. First up, they put three compact EVs head-to-head — the Rivian R2, BMW iX3, and the new Volvo XC60 long-range — breaking down real-world range, charging strategy, software ecosystems, and which one actually wins for everyday drivers. They also take a close look at the Silverado EV before diving into the Infiniti QX65, Infiniti's would-be Lexus RX fighter, and debating whether its troubled VC turbo engine and missing hybrid option are too little, too late. Then, the conversation shifts to the booming Chinese auto market — from Geely's Guinness-certified hybrid engine to BYD's ultra-efficient systems — exploring why Chinese cars deliver jaw-dropping specs at a fraction of Western prices, and what that means for the global industry.

Pickup Trucks, EV Lease Headaches & the Montana Loophole

In this episode: 🚛 Pickup Trucks: How Did We Get Here? — Why trucks went from work vehicles to $80,000 lifestyle statements, how the F-150 grew by nearly 3 feet since 1964, and why CAFE regulations accidentally made trucks bigger.
🔋 EV Lease Buyout Strategy — AJ from San Diego is staring down a $5,000 gap between his lease payoff and market value. We break down his real options, what dealers can (and can't) do, and why the leasing company may send the car to auction anyway.
🚘 Should Mark Ditch His 2016 Tesla Model S? — With 82K miles, $5K already spent on repairs, and the free Supercharging perk on the line, is it time to move on? We crunch the numbers and recommend some underrated alternatives — including Cadillac's surprisingly strong EV lineup.
📋 The Montana LLC Loophole — Explained — How wealthy buyers have been using Montana shell companies to dodge state sales tax and registration fees, why California alone estimates $2 billion in lost revenue since 2022, and why states like Utah, Tennessee, and Texas are now cracking down.
⚡ Why Did Horsepower Plummet in the '70s and '80s? — The real story behind the muscle car era's sudden power collapse: SAE net vs. gross ratings, catalytic converters, early emissions regulations, and why a 426 Hemi went from 425hp to basically dead in a few short years.

What Dealers Really Cost You, The Used EV Flood Is Coming, High Power Hybrids & Minivan Death Traps

This week on Auto Buyer's Guide, we're digging into why nobody's making high horsepower hybrids anymore (blame Toyota's pragmatism and the ghost of the Lexus LS 600h), answering viewer questions on 12-volt battery woes and whether you actually need to flush your brakes, and debating why ventilated leather seats are really just a solution to a problem leather created in the first place. We've also got a look at the incoming tidal wave of 800,000-plus used EVs about to flood the market from lease returns, the dismal IIHS rear-seat safety scores that somehow managed to make every minivan in America look bad, GM's surprise resurrection of the Camaro and a Buick sedan on a platform that was already too small the first time around, Geely's absurd 1,100-kilowatt charging demo that puts everything stateside to shame, the $4,000-5,000 dealer markup you're paying whether you realize it or not, and a Chinese plug-in hybrid three-row with 858 horsepower that costs less than a loaded Camry — which really makes you wonder what exactly we're doing over here.

Best Budget Manuals, EV Subscription Costs & Reliability Myths Explained

This week, we’re recording from the back seat of Volvo’s smallest EV while diving into your latest car-buying questions. We break down the reality of buying a budget manual car in today’s market, unpack the growing frustration around subscription-based features in EVs like the Silverado, and take a hard look at whether reliability ratings (especially from sources like Consumer Reports) actually tell the full story. Along the way, we discuss the future of manuals, hybrids vs. turbos, and what’s really going on behind the scenes with automakers navigating EV strategy.

What's Wrong With Honda?

In today's episode, Alex, Travis and Mack Hogan from InsideEVs attempt to diagnose what exactly is wrong with Honda lately. From canceled EVs to joint ventures without a future, sagging Acura sales, and some products going stale, Honda is betting a great deal on their new large car platform, which is still a decent time away. 
 

Underwater Car Loans Are An Increasing Problem, Digital Air Vents Suck & Is The ZDX A Good Idea

After we recorded this video, Acura announced that their new EV that was supposed to start production in just a few months, has been cancelled, so if you want an EV with an Acura logo on it... The ZDX is your only way to go. In this video Alex and Travis also talk digital air vents, all digital controls, GM's upcoming SuperCruise update, and we compare the EV "wagons" from Chevy and Subaru.

Hybrid Comebacks and EV Crossroads: The Future of SUVs and Trucks

Return of the Jeep Cherokee as a hybrid, including its new drivetrain, design changes, and positioning in the SUV market.
Comparisons between SUVs and crossovers, discussing features, pricing, and off-road capabilities across brands like Jeep, Toyota, and Subaru.
Listener Q&A on car buying and upgrades, including tire choices, luxury SUVs, and family vehicle recommendations. 
Electric vehicle trends and policy impacts, such as tax credits, EV adoption, and plug-in hybrid incentives. 
Industry commentary on specific models, including the Tesla Cybertruck, upcoming hybrids, and future vehicle powertrains. 

Jeep's Cherokee Is Reborn As A Hybrid, Subaru's EV Offensive, Caddy's EV Overload

Today in our first on-the-road podcast we drive around in a Jeep Cherokee hybrid and talk about Jeep's newest hybrid, Subaru's EV lineup expanding to include a 3-row and the reality that Cadillac now has more EVs than gas models in their lineup. Also, is Lexus the new Acura?