Auto Buyers Guide Podcast

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?

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.