Auto Buyers Guide Podcast

The ABG Pod is back and we're trying something a big different. This time we're incorporating viewer and listener feedback, so be sure to drop us your questions and thoughts!

When I said our Model 3 SR+ had a real world range of 192 miles +/- about 10 miles, y'all lost your minds, but it wasn't a scandal then and it isn't now. Instead it's just a textbook example of why the "EPA range" is not a "real world" number. Newsflash: the EPA testing designed in 1978 isn't a great real world example for ANY new car, truck or SUV in America today. Join me as I pick apart the scandal and talk about how fuel economy works. What it's good for and why you should ignore that range number if you're not willing to look deep enough to know what it is really telling you.

In this episode Tim and Alex talk about Dodge's new small crossover, their first new model in more than a decade. But is it new? Haven't we seen this before? Perhaps in an Alfa suit? Also in this episode we discuss BMW's novel motor tech, the most embarrassing cars from the 1990s and 1980s, and the odd success of the ancient Dodge sedans, Toyota SUVs and more! Podcast theme by Brian Roskelly. This episode's music provided by:  Something on My Mind by Broke in Summer  https://soundcloud.com/brokeinsummer Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3QtAmkX Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/k9vAwwT5-ZQ

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Auto Buyers Guide Podcast by Alex on Autos! This episode is EV-intensive. Alex and Tim Masso cover the all-new Subaru Solterra and Toyota's EV plans, as well as the intriguing Cox Automotive EV survey. Also, what long game is Tesla playing as established brands develop their electric identities, and what EVs could be considered classics or collectibles right now? Podcast theme music by: Brian Roskelly This episode's music provided by:  Copenhagen by Scandinavianz https://soundcloud.com/scandinavianz Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3NfgtgD Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/s_OIflPLnuc

Over the decades Volkswagen has consistently struggled to gain American market share. In this episode, Tim and Alex struggle to understand VW's sales problems in the USA and discuss VW's planned electrification of their lineup and what that means for the future. Podcast theme music by: Brian Roskelly This episode's music provided by:  Flashes by mezhdunami. https://soundcloud.com/mezhdunami Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3tVJtCn Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/HrXJBK_N2JA

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.

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 regulat

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

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".

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

Does Jeep have too many EVs while Volvo has too few? Also, Honda gets a new hybrid system.

In this episode Alex gets on his soapbox about affordable transportation and why a cheap new car is better than a used car, and why it's important for our economy that they exist. Travis talks about Toyota's all-hybrid RAV4 and how the new 324 horsepower GR Sport model compares against the competition. Rounding things out, the guys discuss what exactly is wrong with the Wagoneer S...

Travis and Alex wander across a bunch of topics today from the dual-charging port weirdness on the new Nissan Leaf, they question whether the Silverado EV TrailBoss might really be a trail intern, and why the Corolla Cross might or might not be the ultimate Corolla. 

Welcome to another episode of the Auto Buyer's Guide podcast. This week we're driving the Lucid Air, the most efficient car in North America. Travis also got some time in the first ever electric Trail Boss from Chevrolet. We're going to discuss 400 volt, an 800 volt charging, what the new emissions rollbacks might mean for you and for vehicles in the future.

In today's episode, Travis and Alex discuss lease-end issues when you've gone over your mileage limit, luxury car maintenance costs, the death of the Nissan Ariya and the base Cybertruck. Also, Dodge's Durango continues for another year, but it loses the V6 and picks back up the 6.4L and Hellcat engines... Except if you're in CARB states where the 5.7 will be the only option. Is there a way around that? Not really. Lastly cash for clunkers did seem to cause increased used car prices, but the higher efficiency of the models traded in likely balances that out. 

Once upon a time, China followed the world when it came to safety regulations and standards, but this is 2025, and China is forging its own path, especially when it comes to new tech like one-pedal driving and electronic door releases. Is this the right move or not? Travis and Alex also discuss minivans vs big SUVs and how tire sizes work. Travis drives a new Leaf, Alex continues his campaign against black plastic. 

Here's what to do (and not do) when buying a new car and what you can expect. -Discounts -Invoice isn't the real cost -Financing works in your favor -Extended warranties -Shop around -Going out of state can go wrong

In today's rambling episode, we talk about the resurrected HEMI in Ram's 1500 truck, and why it is and isn't a big deal. Tesla has a new Model Y Performance, Jeep's new Compass is starting as a hybrid-only soft-roader... And that's ok. Why? Because news flash: it's never been a Wrangler. Also: since there's a 4-door Wrangler, and a 4-door Grand Cherokee... Why does the Cherokee need to be similar to either of those? Oh, and we chat about how to get the EV tax credit if you have an EV on order but it won't arrive "on time."

In this episode Alex and Travis take a deep dive into legroom. How it's measured, why you can't always trust the numbers, and why we always talk about legroom in a specific way. We also ask: is the Blazer EV SS the modern Grand National? -gasp- Oh, and Durango gets another year to live, standard V8s and a bonkers top-end price tag.

Where is the safest place for your child's car seat? Well, that kind of "depends." In this solo episode Alex tackles viewer questions while Travis is out sick including why there's a baby behind Alex's seat instead of being on the other side. Also, why car prices are on sharp rise skyward, why we're always comparing strange things, and just why is it that top trims are missing seats...