Notablog Automotive Podcast

Episode 6: Talkin' in a Tesla with Reese Counts Produced by Erik Maier James is driving solo this week and kicks off the show describing CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) that's happening this week in Las Vegas. He talks about the overwhelming size of it, the increased importance to the car world, and what it's been like to cover it the previous two years. He then talks about four cars he's looking forward to driving in 2025 including the Dodge Charger Daytona and Honda Prelude. In the second half of the show, James travels to Malibu for an Interview in a Car with Edmunds Vehicle Test Editor Reese Counts who brought the Edmunds long-term Tesla Model S Long-Range. They talk extensively about the Model 3 Highland and what it's like inside. They also talk about Reese's recent tests of the base Porsche 911 Carrera and GM's extremely heavy Chevy Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV, plus the Honda Civic Hybrid. 

Episode 5: Obligatory End-of-Year List Content featuring Joel Stocksdale Produced by Erik Maier In the last episode of 2024, James talks about his time in the new Nissan Kicks (exciting right!?!) before he and Byron run down their lists of the best, worst, most surprising, most disappointing and just-plain favorite cars of 2024. You want end-of-year list content? We'll give you end-of-year list content! They then welcome former colleague and current Carbuzz writer Joel Stocksdale to talk about the latest car industry news. This includes the passing of automotive industry legend Jean Jennings, former editor-in-chief of Automobile magazine and one cool lady. They each share stories about how Jean impacted their careers (and Byron's fashion decisions). Next they weigh in on the reported Honda-Nissan merger as well as the purchase of Motor Trend by Hearst. James makes a couple jokes about Hearst Castle that don't land. He's sorry (Doubt it! -BH). 

Episode 4: The New Jaaaaag featuring Jessica Ray Produced by Erik Maier We start off the show with an update from Byron and then dive into the news to discuss the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. An Oldsmobile Delta 88 is referenced. Then, we turn to a topic that's transcended the automotive world: the reimagined Jaguar. We touch on the Type 00 concepts, plus great Jags we've driven and what went wrong. Later, we're joined by MotorWeek's Jessica Ray, who shares her experiences with the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. We somehow end up comparing it to a Cybertruck. She also shares what it's like to put together a MotorWeek segment and discuss the long-running show's legacy. 

Episode 3: LAAS 2024 featuring Joel Stocksdale and James Bell Produced by Erik Maier   We talk about the new car introductions at the 2024 LA Auto Show, including the Hyundai Ioniq 9, Honda Passport TrailSport, VW Tiguan and Kia's EV9 GT, EV6 and Sportage. Byron, James and fellow journalist Joel Stocksdale also talk about what it's like to cover an auto show as a reporter and video host -- or rather, what it used to be like and how it's changed. To double the number of Canadian-born Jameses on the show, our Interview in a Car this week is with James Bell, Kia's head of corporate communications and public relations. He details what's new about the various new Kias at LAAS 2024 as well as what it's like to plan and put on an auto show press day. Finally, in an attempt to suck in as many new listeners as possible, we introduce our new audience-attracting feature, the High Priority SEO Evergreen Listicle of the Week: Top 10 Cars of Star Trek. Hard-hitting stuff for the masses to be sure. 

Episode 2: The Wagoning featuring Reese Counts James and Byron talk about reviews of the BMW M5 Touring, an incredibly powerful (and heavy!) wagon, and compare it to classic M5s James drove back in August (including the E39). Next, they talk about the updated Porsche Taycan and how it's definitely more functional as the Cross Turismo wagon. Then, James talks about the new/old wagon he just bought before interviewing Reese Counts from Edmunds about vehicle testing. Editor: Erik Maier

EPISODE 1: The Pilot In this all-new, first-ever Notablog Automotive Podcast, automotive journalists Byron Hurd and James Riswick explain how they ended up doing this podcast...as in, why they're no longer working at Autoblog, what exactly happened, and where their former colleagues ended up. Then they discuss VW's Scout Motors reveal, review the Chevy Equinox EV, tell you about the cars they actually own (all hail the Blackwing!), before bringing on former colleague John Beltz Snyder who recently drove the Subaru WRX tS. Editor: Erik Maier