Auto Buyers Guide Podcast

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?

Can PHEVs Survive Without The Tax Credit? Do Families Buy "Family Cars" Anymore?

Alex and Travis dive into the rapidly shifting automotive landscape, starting with the growing affordability crisis as average new vehicle prices surpass $50,000 and manufacturers like Toyota signal multiple price increases per year. We cover the all-electric 2027 Highlander, and how it stacks up against competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9. The discussion explores development timelines, EV charging speeds, third-row practicality, and whether Toyota can price the Highlander aggressively enough to disrupt the three-row electric SUV market.
The episode also features an in-depth comparison between the Hyundai Palisade and Toyota Grand Highlander, breaking down real-world interior measurements, child seat usability, and design trade-offs that sparked online controversy. Beyond SUVs, the hosts debate whether plug-in hybrids still make financial sense without federal tax credits, examine EV road-trip practicality for families, respond to listener questions about Volkswagen’s hybrid future, and touch on reliability concerns with the Chevy Blazer EV—along with a humorous fast-food detour to close things out.

ABG Pod Live Show - Alex Does Q&A!

It’s a packed Friday live show covering one of the biggest shake-ups in the modern car market: dozens of vehicles disappearing for the 2026 model year. We kick things off with a rapid-fire rundown of discontinued sedans, coupes, EVs, and SUVs—and what those cancellations say about where the industry is heading.
From there, we dive deep into EV demand, plug-in hybrid realities, tariffs, pricing pressure, and federal incentives, plus honest answers to audience questions on everything from Kia and Toyota strategy to Volvo wagons, Stellantis indecision, and the real cost of owning modern EVs.
We also cover:
Why affordable $25,000 EVs are still a long way off
Whether plug-in hybrids actually get plugged in
Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions and CarPlay rumors
Used EV buying advice (Lightning vs Rivian, Audi vs Mercedes)
The future of minivans, wagons, and midsize trucks
As always, this one blends industry analysis with real-world ownership experience and zero PR spin.
 
00:00 – Welcome & live show setup00:02 – Massive list of vehicles canceled for 202604:45 – Audience Q&A begins04:55 – Why there’s no 2026 Kia EV6 yet05:36 – Kia & Hyundai’s electric future in the U.S.06:21 – EV demand slowdown, tax credits, and pricing math07:06 – Toyota warns of multiple price hikes due to tariffs07:27 – Volvo wagons: why they stopped working in the U.S.08:17 – Refresh vs redesign: when automakers stretch platforms09:51 – Are plug-in hybrids dying in America?11:09 – Europe vs U.S. plug-in hybrid reality check13:20 – GM, Mary Barra, and plug-in hybrid data15:09 – Aston Vantage vs Porsche 911 ownership advice16:29 – When (or if) $25,000 EVs will exist18:09 – Used Mercedes EQ vs Audi e-tron reliability18:58 – Why minivan seats don’t fold flat19:43 – 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander refresh & warranty thoughts20:54 – Blazer EV ownership update (pros, cons, issues)23:46 – Solar, batteries, and Chinese subsidy changes26:01 – Why EVs cost more in the U.S. than Europe28:26 – Automakers writing off billions in EV investments29:14 – Grand Highlander vs Honda Pilot buying advice31:39 – 2026 Jeep Cherokee vs Dodge Durango33:47 – Volvo EX60 vs Rivian R2 expectations36:10 – Polestar 3 vs Volvo EX lineup overlap37:37 – Stellantis product delays and strategy confusion40:31 – Rivian R1T vs Ford Lightning for camping42:04 – Tesla CarPlay rumors & software strategy43:06 – Honda Accord Hybrid MPG limits explained46:00 – Tesla, robotaxis, and the future of carmaking48:02 – Frunks, crash safety, and real-world risks50:34 – Will the Accord ever get AWD?51:52 – RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid: worth the premium?53:36 – Wrap-up and sign-off

GM's PHEV Insanity, Acura's In A Pickle, Volvo's 400 Mile EV, Tesla Cancels Autopilot

In this episode of the Auto Buyer’s Guide podcast the hosts catch up after travel and dig into major industry moves: Mercedes’ luxury and AMG sales surge despite an overall decline, Acura’s supplier crisis that pauses RDX production for up to two years, and why that threatens Acura’s sales trajectory.They discuss Honda’s new Prelude — its driving feel, hybrid drivetrain limitations, and missed opportunities like a plug‑in version or an Acura-branded variant — and ask whether low-volume sporty coupes can justify their premium pricing.The conversation covers General Motors’ public comments on plug‑in hybrids and the broader debate over whether owners actually plug them in, comparing U.S. data to European trends and noting how OEM strategy and messaging shape the market.Other highlights include Tesla moving advanced driver assists to subscription, the Polestar 4’s awkward market positioning, the Chevy Bolt’s limited return, and Volvo’s all-new EX60 with ultra-fast charging (claimed 10–80% in about 18 minutes) and up to a projected 400‑mile range on later trims.The hosts wrap up by weighing how these moves affect affordable cars and charging infrastructure in the U.S., and ask listeners for feedback and questions for future episodes.

2025 Sales Report: Ram’s Return, Toyota’s Hybrid Surge, and the Skyrocketing of Premium Buyers

In this episode of the Auto Buyer’s Guide, Alex and Travis take a deep, data-driven dive into 2025 U.S. auto sales for the manufacturers that have reported so far.
They hit brand-by-brand analysis, covering highlights and concerns: Ram’s bold moves (TRX/SRT and a diesel Power Wagon), GM’s large truck volume and growing EV portfolio, and Toyota’s strong hybrid adoption across its lineup.
The discussion contrasts manufacturers that are leaning into hybrids and plug-in options with those focusing on expensive premium trims, and explains how the new-car buyer is trending wealthier and favoring pricier models and SUVs.
Other topics include Ford’s strong truck and Maverick performance, Stellantis’s mixed results, Hyundai–Kia’s rapid rise with turbos and tech, and challenges for Honda, Acura, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, Volkswagen and Audi.
The hosts also cover luxury growth at BMW, Mercedes and Genesis, Tesla’s global sales decline and a safety debate over electronic door releases, and the long-term environmental and market implications of hybrid versus full-EV strategies.
Throughout the episode they evaluate lineup strengths and weaknesses, sales drivers, and what manufacturers should change to meet shifting buyer preferences, finishing with a New Year sign-off and a look ahead to the 2026 model-year impacts.

EVs, Trucks, Muscle Cars & 2025 Bad Takes - With Guest Host From CarBuzz

Welcome back to Auto Buyer’s Guide! In this jam-packed episode, Travis returns from travel and we’re joined by Jared from CarBuzz to break down the biggest car stories, hottest debates, and most questionable opinions in the auto world.
 
Rumors around the next-generation Chevy Silverado
The rising cost of new cars
The controversial electric Dodge Charger
Extended-range EVs and hybrids
Changing regulations in the U.S. and Europe
Kia’s expanding (and possibly confusing) lineup
And a series of deliberately absurd debate games
At a deeper level, however, the show revolves around one central tension:Most loud opinions about cars come from people who don’t buy new cars—while the industry is built almost entirely around people who do.
That tension explains nearly every disagreement discussed in the episode.
2. Silverado Rumors: Bigger V8s, Familiar Philosophy
The first substantive topic is the Chevy Silverado, specifically a new patent filing that hints at the next generation of GM’s full-size truck. The hosts note that it’s unusual for this information to surface via the patent office rather than the usual leak channels, which lends credibility to the rumors.
Key points on the next Silverado:
Expected to remain evolutionary, not revolutionary
Likely to share much of its structure with the outgoing model
Rumored new V8 engine family with larger displacements (5.7L and possibly 6.6L)
Continued reliance on pushrod architecture, which GM engineers favor for cylinder deactivation
There’s a recognition that while enthusiasts may crave radical redesigns, GM’s success with the Silverado comes from refinement, not reinvention. The 5.3-liter V8, while not universally beloved, is efficient, durable, and deeply embedded in GM’s manufacturing ecosystem.
A recurring theme emerges here:Car companies don’t abandon proven hardware unless they’re forced to.
3. “What Have You Had It With?”: Bad Comparisons and Internet Brain Rot
One of the most animated segments is the “What Have You Had It With?” discussion, where frustration spills over about how cars are compared online.
The core complaint is simple:People constantly compare cars that are not meant to compete.
Examples include:
Comparing a Dodge Charger EV to a Tesla Model 3
Dismissing large sedans or SUVs because a smaller car is “better in every way”
Ignoring fundamental differences in size, purpose, and use case
The hosts argue that this kind of commentary is intellectually lazy. A Model 3 may be quicker, cheaper, and more efficient—but it does not:
Seat adults comfortably in the back
Offer the same interior volume
Deliver the same highway presence or ride character
This leads directly into the electric Dodge Charger, which becomes a lightning rod (pun intended) for this kind of flawed comparison.
4. The Electric Dodge Charger: Dumb, Brilliant, and Very Dodge
The electric Dodge Charger is described as simultaneously ridiculous and perfectly on-brand.
What the Charger EV is:
Enormous (over 207 inches long)
Extremely heavy (approaching three tons)
Fitted with absurdly wide, expensive performance tires
Shockingly capable on a skidpad and figure-eight test
Able to drift, do donuts, and behave like a traditional muscle car
What it is not:
A Tesla Model 3 competitor
A minimalist efficiency exercise
An enthusiast “purist” vehicle
The hosts emphasize that Dodge didn’t try to make a sensible EV. Instead, they asked:“What would Dodge do if it were electric?”
The answer was:
Make it huge
Make it loud (via synthesized sound)
Make it fast
Make it impractical
Make it unmistakably Dodge
In that sense, the Charger EV is compared favorably to the original Hellcat—a car that was never logical, but deeply aligned with its brand identity.
5. The Bigger Problem: Who Actually Buys New Cars?
This discussion leads naturally into one of the most important points of the episode:Car companies do not design cars for the used market.
New car buyers tend to be:
Over 50 years old
Homeowners
Higher income
Less interested in manuals, convertibles, or “raw” driving experiences
More interested in comfort, tech, AWD, and convenience
This explains:
Why interiors are dominated by giant screens
Why manuals continue to disappear
Why enthusiast complaints rarely influence product planning
The hosts openly acknowledge their own aging preferences, noting that desires change over time—even when that realization is uncomfortable.
6. The Maverick Lesson: Small Trucks, Big Demand
The Ford Maverick is used as an example of what happens when a manufacturer cautiously tests the market and is surprised by demand.
Key takeaways:
Ford and Hyundai (with the Santa Cruz) dipped their toes into the compact truck segment
Ford’s hybrid Maverick, initially seen as niche, exploded in popularity
Demand caught even Ford off guard
Other manufacturers quickly realized they had misread the market
The irony is that the Maverick succeeds precisely because it is not a “sports truck”. It’s practical, efficient, and affordable—qualities that resonate with real buyers, not just online commenters.
7. Extended-Range EVs: Solving the Wrong Problem (Or the Right One?)
Extended-range EVs (EREVs) and plug-in hybrids generate mixed reactions.
On paper:
They offer electric driving with gasoline backup
They reduce range anxiety
They can make sense for towing or long-distance use
In practice:
Many owners don’t plug them in
Fuel economy suffers if treated like regular hybrids
Marketing terms blur the line between EVs and PHEVs
A key concern is charging access. The hosts note that many newer EV buyers live in:
Apartments
Condos
HOA-restricted housing
Without home charging, the EV ownership experience deteriorates quickly. The fear is that EREVs will become gas cars in practice, undermining their intended purpose.
8. The $50,000 Reality: New Car Prices and What People Actually Finance
One of the most sobering discussions centers on cost.
Facts discussed:
The average new car price in the U.S. exceeds $50,000
The average new car loan is closer to $42,000
The average used car loan sits around $27,000
This leads to a hypothetical exercise:
What would each host buy new for $42,000?
What would they buy used for $27,000?
Answers range from:
Plug-in hybrid compact SUVs (practical, family-friendly)
To absurd, entertaining choices like a six-door Cadillac Fleetwood limo
The point isn’t the specific vehicles—it’s the acknowledgment that price ceilings shape real decisions far more than internet arguments do.
9. Charger Sixpack vs. Charger EV: A Brand Identity Crisis
The conversation returns to the Dodge Charger, this time focusing on the Sixpack version with a turbocharged inline-six engine.
While objectively impressive:
550 horsepower
Modern engineering
BMW-like refinement
It presents a branding problem.
Dodge built its reputation on:
V8 noise
Excess
Aggression
Anti-European bravado
Now, Dodge is selling:
An EV muscle car
An inline-six that echoes BMW engineering
The hosts question whether Dodge’s traditional audience—already alienated by a three-year gap in Charger availability—will return at all.
Brand loyalty, once broken, is hard to rebuild.
10. Arizona’s Speed Limit Proposal: Freedom vs. Reality
A lighter but revealing topic is Arizona’s proposed daytime speed limit removal on certain highways.
Key observations:
Studies suggest average speeds don’t increase much when limits are removed
Most drivers settle around 77–78 mph regardless
Nighttime limits would remain for safety
The hosts joke that this works in Germany largely because of driver discipline, not just road design—a quality they are skeptical exists universally in the U.S.
11. Kia’s Lineup: Too Much of a Good Thing?
Kia’s expanding lineup sparks debate:
K4 hatchback
Seltos hybrid
Niro
Overlapping segments
Questions arise:
Is Kia spreading itself too thin?
Why does Kia lack a true performance “N” equivalent?
Why does brand positioning feel inconsistent?
Despite this, hatchbacks are defended as viable in the U.S., citing:
Civic Hatchback success
Corolla Hatchback sales
Subaru Impreza ditching the sedan entirely
12. Europe’s M1e Category: Incentivizing Smaller EVs
One of the most forward-looking discussions involves Europe’s new M1e vehicle category.
Highlights:
EVs under certain size limits earn extra regulatory credits
Designed to encourage smaller, lighter vehicles
A response to concerns that cars are becoming too large
The hosts speculate that:
This could nudge manufacturers toward downsizing designs
Pricing pressure might ease in this segment
It may create genuinely affordable EVs over time
This contrasts sharply with the U.S., where size and weight are often rewarded rather than penalized.
13. Canada vs. the U.S.: Who Gets the Good EVs?
Canada emerges as a surprise winner:
Access to smaller, cheaper Kia EVs
Broader EV lineup overall
Vehicles the U.S. won’t get due to tariffs, regulations, and market priorities
The frustration is clear:The U.S. often misses out on sensible EVs in favor of larger, more expensive ones.
14. Trucks, Platforms, and the Cost of Commitment
The discussion turns technical again with EV truck platforms.
Key insight:
GM’s dedicated EV truck platforms (Silverado EV, Sierra EV) are less flexible
Ford and Ram can adapt gas platforms into hybrids or EREVs more easily
Retrofitting engines into EV-only architectures is extremely difficult
This has financial implications:
Flexibility matters when regulations and demand shift
Dedicated EV platforms are riskier bets
15. Extended-Range Trucks: Who Are They Really For?
Extended-range trucks are framed not as mass-market solutions, but as:
Premium products
Compliance tools
Niche vehicles for wealthy buyers and commercial users
They may:
Help manufacturers hedge against regulatory shifts
Provide benefits like extended regenerative braking while towing
Enable powerful onboard generators for job sites and utilities
But they are unlikely to solve affordability concerns anytime soon.
16. Development Cycles: Why Policy Whiplash Matters
A crucial reminder closes the serious discussion:
Car development cycles last 5–7 years
Political administrations last 4 years
Manufacturers cannot pivot instantly
Rolling back regulations doesn’t magically resurrect old engines or cheap cars. Tooling, compliance, and global markets prevent that fantasy.
17. Games and Absurdity: Ending on Purpose
The episode ends with “Defend the Indefensible” and “Would You Rather” games, forcing participants to argue:
CVTs as the best transmission ever
Piano black as the ultimate interior trim
The Fiat Multipla as sexy
And finally, that the Mazda Miata is not a sports car
The absurdity is intentional. It reinforces the show’s larger point:Arguments are easy. Nuance is hard.

Caddy's Vistiq is Confusing, A Fiat Designed For Unlicensed French Drivers, & Subaru vs Toyota vs Lexus

In this Almost-Christmas episode of the Auto Buyer’s Guide Podcast, we take a deep dive into the Cadillac Vistiq and the realities of GM’s Ultium EV platform, including charging speeds, battery design, and long-term ownership implications.
We also debate whether buyers should skip the Mazda CX-70 entirely and just buy the CX-90, answer a listener question on Subaru vs Toyota vs Lexus AWD systems, and compare the Vistiq against rivals like the Volvo EX90, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Rivian R1S, Lucid Gravity, and Tesla Model X.
Along the way, we discuss:
Why Cadillac dropped Apple CarPlay — and why it still matters
Dolby Atmos in cars and whether artists should control the mix
Mercedes ditching glue for screws to improve repairability
The strange case of the Fiat Topolino, a quadricycle that isn’t really a car
Mazda’s confusing CX-70 strategy and real-world reliability concerns
This episode blends real-world driving impressions, industry insight, and buyer-focused advice to help you decide what actually makes sense in today’s EV and SUV market.
Episode Highlights
Cadillac Vistiq charging & Ultium limitations
Apple CarPlay vs built-in infotainment systems
Mazda CX-70 vs CX-90: what Mazda got wrong
AWD differences: Subaru, Toyota, Lexus explained
Luxury EV SUV comparison breakdown
Auto industry news you actually need to know

Why Do RWD Vehicles Tow More? New RAV4 Towing, Nisan's e-Power Is Almost Here, No Kei Car Dreams

In this viewer/listener request episode, Alex and Travis explore a bit of confusion with the new RAV4's rowing numbers, whether a Corvette Stingray should get traded for a Lexus, and which new car features are over-engineered and unnecessary. They also deep dive into the controversial changes the president has made to the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards and why it isn't likely to change affordability much. Then the guys take a walk down memory lane with how MPG numbers are calculated, and a deep-dive into Nissan's new e-Power system. e-Power is Nissan's first major foray into hybrids... with a twist. The e-Power system is a series hybrid only, which is different from most "serial/series hybrids" sold in the USA so far from Honda and Mitsubishi's systems to GM's Voltec that was initially described as an "EV with a backup plan".

EVs in a Phoenix summer, Dodge brings back the V6, Jeep has too many EVs

In this wildly scatterbrained episode, we break down the biggest reveals from the LA Auto Show, including updates on Honda’s Prelude, the Jeep Recon, the redesigned Telluride, and Stellantis’ ever-confusing EV strategy. We also dive deep into Tesla’s shockingly high German inspection failure rates, and answer a listener's question about how much EV range you really need—especially if you live somewhere brutally hot like Phoenix.
Topics Covered:
LA Auto Show: What’s new, what’s exciting, what’s… confusing
Jeep’s EV lineup and the puzzling brand strategy
Honda Prelude: performance expectations & pricing concerns Kia Telluride engine updates
Tesla’s poor showing in German TÜV inspections
Real-world EV range needs in extreme climates
BrightDrop, GM decisions, and future EV vans
Nissan’s odd Rogue/Outlander plug-in hybrid mashup