Auto Buyers Guide Podcast

Are Hybrids Finally Mainstream? Road Rules, Find The Plug & Hyundai's All-In On Hybrids

It seems like America is finally ready to see a hybrid revolution with more models offered than ever before, and more models going hybrid only. From an all-hybrid Mazda CX-90, to more hybrid Toyota and Hondas than you can shake a stick at, so GM's plans on resurrecting hybrid systems, hybrids seem to be reclaiming the headlines from EVs. Alex and Travis also talk about the road rules and rule breakers that bug them the most, jaywalking, and of course the recently refreshed Tucson hybrid and why you might want one. 

Subaru's New Hybrids, The LX 700h Is Insane, Honda & Nissan Break Up, Car Buying Tips

Subaru is suddenly all-in on hybrids with a new Forester hybrid and a Crosstrek hybrid on sale in 2025, but they aren't stopping there. All rumors point to the upcoming redesign of the Outback also sporting a hybrid whenever it lands this year. Fuel economy improvements are more modest than in some hybrids, but Subaru retained the off-road capability the brand has become known for. 
VW's ID. Buzz might just be the ultimate electric family hauler, as long as you're OK with teh range which isn't huge.
With Lexus the news is big, as in LX-sized big. For 2025 the LX 700h launches, which is the hybrid version of the LX 600 we've seen for a while. The main feature here is that Lexus has built in a failsafe mechanism to bypass the hybrid motor should anything go wrong. 
Nissan and Honda's relationship is on the rocks. That lasted about as long as Elon's average relationship.  
 

RFID Card Keys Are Dumb, Badge Engineering Isn't So Bad, Charging Etiquette Should Be Taught

Join Travis and Alex as they dissect the RFID key card. Is Travis right that it's a sensible and slim way to lock and unlock your car if you're a 21st century person that doesn't carry a key? Or is Alex right that they should all be burnt at the stake as an example to RFID cards everywhere that change is unacceptable? (Also: proximity keys are better). They also discuss charging etiquette and why badge engineering is a tricky subject.

Toyota's All-New 4Runner Vs Everything Else, EV Tax Credits Cut, Are Software Updates Good?

Toyota's popular SUV is finally all-new for 2025, but does that make it all-better? Or should shoppers look elsewhere? Also, what on earth happened with 4Runner pricing! OMG. Which new EVs still have the EV tax credit? Way fewer than before. Should owners be able to say no to software updates? Should they?

Are "Software Defined" cars a good thing? Best cars Under $40K. Best SUVs for families.

Travis and Alex attempt to get to the bottom of the mania around "software defined cars". Now, bear in mind that like *all* cars, SDCs are actually defined by their hardware which is why they can be updated. On the other hand, is this making companies lazy? Our experience with the new EX30 leads Alex to say yes. We also go over viewer questions and comments, the best cars under $40K, the best SUVs for young families and more.

Amazon Is Finally Selling Cars, Chevy Leads The Affordable Charge, Used EV Tax Credits Are Great

In this episode Alex and Travis dish about new car sales in 2024, which car companies are winning, which are losing, and why the consumer is a winner (sometimes) at the Chevy dealer because they are selling a ton of affordable new cars. If you're looking to make shopping easier, Hyundai is now selling cars on Amazon, assuming you're in the right part of the USA, and the process looks pretty solid. Lastly, Alex and Travis cover used EV tax credits, toxic masculine latte orders, and more!

Honda and Nissan Are Merging, EV Road Tripping A 200 Mile Range Volvo & What Needs To Die

Travis and Alex discuss the impending Honda-Nissan-Mitsubishi merger that should be completed next year, who's getting what in the marriage and what the conglomerate should kill off. We also talk about Travis road tripping our used C40 EV up to Washington state and more!

Reliable Cars Aren't Satisfying? Why does GM have so many EV trucks? Audi Gets A Q6,

According to the latest Consumer Reports data, Rivian is a paradox, they are the least reliable new car brand in America but also the one the most people would buy again. This makes us wonder: is new car reliability, well, unreliable? The answer is yes, and we may never know how reliable a new car is ever again...

Happy Thanksgiving, The future of EV Tax Credits, Can Someone Just Stick With Something?

Travis and Alex discuss the turkeys, tofurkeys and turduckens. Then they really dive into the sauce: What will Trump do to the EV tax credit? What might happen if it changes or gets eliminated, and how the IRA has boosted domestic production of new cars. Also, cars are too expensive. No surprise there.

Best & Worst Car Gifts, Honda Passport & Acura ADX, PHEV vs EV

Travis and Alex spend way, way too much time talking about the best and worst gifts for car people, or, really anyone that owns a car. They also dive into the latest Honda and Acura SUVs, hate on the term "extended range EV" because they are just plug in hybrids, and then they talk about why PHEVs are fantastic.