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This week Nicole has been driving the Acura ADX and Honda Passport while Sam had the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro.
The US federal EV tax credits end on September 30, but you may still be able to take advantage of the credits even if you can't take delivery by that date. Ineos is cutting its prices by at least $7,900. Volvo has a new midsize crossover with over 100 miles of electric driving range according to the Chinese test cycle and GM is cutting production at its Detroit EV truck plant. Ram has begun shipping its new Ram 1500 Hemis and Chrysler has built a concept for an overlanding Pacifica. AMG sets a bunch of endurance records with its GT XX concept and Lucid is doing some updates to the Air and Gravity. Toyota is bringing its AI models to Hyundai's robots and Robbie visited Slate's future factory. We also have listener questions.
Links
EV Tax Credits after Sept 30
Ineos cuts prices
Volvo XC70
GM Cuts production at Factory Zero
Ram begins shipping Hemi Ram 1500
Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept
Concept AMG GT XX set records
Lucid 2026 updates
Toyota partners with Hyundai on robots
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This week, Robbie drives the new Kia Sportage Hybrid and Sam has the Acura ADX and Hyundai Ioniq 9.
Nicole is traveling but she and Sam got together to discuss the 2026 Subaru Solterra and Sam has a conversation with Subaru carline planning manager Garrick Goh. We also have the low down on the 2026 Jeep Cherokee which is launching as a hybrid only and Ford Maverick prices continue to creep upward. The new Nissan Leaf will be the first EV in America with 300 miles of range for under $30,000 and Chargepoint now has Omniport retrofit kits available for its chargers. The US and EU will recognize each others automotive standards and Infiniti is bringing back the Q50 sedan with a manual gearbox and twin-turbo V6.Tensor Auto has come out of stealth with plans to sell a robocar to consumers but it's going to be real expensive and we answer a question about charging adapters for a reader.
Links
2026 Subaru Solterra
2026 Jeep Cherokee
Mavericks are getting expensive and cheaper
Nissan Prices new Leaf from $30k!
Chargepoint Omniport conversion kits available
US and EU to recognize each others standards
Infiniti to revive Q50 with Twin turbo V6 and and 6MT
Tensor wants to sell AVs to consumers
Tensor Auto
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
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This week Nicole has 2 "SUVs", the Nissan Kicks and Ford Expedition King Ranch while Sam discusses the Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter and Subaru Forester Hybrid.
Ford announced plans to build low cost EVs in Louisville Kentucky, Cadillac announced a new custom build program and we have a first look at the Hyundai Ioniq 2. At Monterey Car Week, debuts included the Acura RSX, the Lexus Sport Concept, the Cadillac Elevated Velocity, Karma Gyesera and Infiniti QX65 and QX80 concepts.
Links
Ford to build $30K electric pickup in Louisville
More thoughts on the Ford electric truck
Curated by Cadillac
Hyundai Ioniq 2
Lexus Sport Concept
Acura RSX Prototype
Cadillac Elevated Velocity
Karma Gyesera
Infiniti QX65 Monograph
Infiniti QX80 concepts
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We're back from a mid-summer break. Sam has driven the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT and Lucid Air Grand Touring and Nicole had the 2026 Lincoln Navigator
Since we've been gone, we all drove the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Cupra gave up on entering the US market. Nicole has a Wagoneer S update. Sam wrote about Tesla's misbehavior in a recent trial. Jeep also had some news this week about going back and refreshes.The Las Vegas loop is apparently getting dumber and Ford has further delayed its next-gen full-size electric truck. Chevrolet has teased the new Bolt coming this fall and it will apparently use Chinese batteries for a couple of years as will BMW.
Links
Cadillac EVs to get Carplay -- down under only
Cupra US launch delayed
Automakers behaving badly
Nicole's latest Wagoneer S update
Jeep updates
2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT
2026 Hyundai Palisade
LVCC Loop is getting dumber
2026 Chevy Bolt to use CATL batteries
Edmunds on new Bolt
Ford delays next large electric Truck/Van to 2028
BMW Might also have to use Chinese batteries
Remanufactured Batteries
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We're taking a break this week, but we'll all be back next week
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Robbie's dealing with a family emergency so Nicole tells us about her latest misadventure with her Jeep Wagoneer S as well as the Toyota Crown Signia. Sam had the Toyota Grand Highlander Nightshade in invisible grey.
In the news, Lucid Air, Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX get Supercharger support, but the Lucid is as slow as a Chevy Bolt. The Acura TLX is out of production but the new Honda Prelude gets a Civic Type-R suspension and someone paid $204K for an old Integra Type-R. After 250K miles a Mach-E still has 92% of its original battery capacity. Tesla owners should stay away from water if they want their warranties. Boston probably won't get robotaxis soon and our pals at TFL bought a first-generation Dodge Viper and it hasn't killed them -- yet.
Links
Lucid Air Gets Supercharger support -- sort of
Honda Prelude gets Type-R suspension
Acura TLX is Done
Honda/Acura gets Supercharger Access
Mach-E with 250K miles still has 92% battery capacity
Tesla Warranties and Water
$204K for an Integra?
Toyota to build next Supra in-house
No Waymos in Boston
Speed Kills Range
TFL Buys a 1st-gen Dodge Viper
Ford Customer Service
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This week in the garage, Sam has bright colors with the Jeep Gladiator Willys and Volvo EX30 Performance Ultra. Nicole had the Mitusbishi Outlander.
Links
Someone bought a Lordstown Endurance on BaT
GM to Produce LFP Cells In Spring Hill
Subaru Uncharted
Uber, Nuro and Lucid
Subaru e-Outback
Electric Range Rover Delayed to 2026
VW ID3 Still at 91% after 100K miles
5 Features of Polestar 4
BMW Z1 at 40
Volvo Trimming US lineup due to Tariffs
XC60 moves to Charleston
3rd gen XC90 could be long-range PHEV
Faraday X Super One
Ford Bronco New Energy
Hyundai/Kia/Genesis EV automatic door lock
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This week Sam is driving the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Tributo Italiano and Nicole has the Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec.
Nicole also had her first major technical issue with her Jeep Wagoneer S. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Toyota is publicly demoing its new sports car and upcoming GT3 race car while Hyundai has the Ioniq 6 N. Mazda shows off the new third generation CX-5, now with a touchscreen. Dodge trademarks the name Charger Outlaw. Subaru teases its next EV called Uncharted. Nissan is delaying some EV production, while Cadillac is pushing forward. We also answer the question, what is a Monroney?
Links
Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
2026 Mazda CX-5
Dodge Charger Outlaw
Nissan delays US EV production another year
Toyota runs new supercar at Goodwood
Subaru Uncharted
The Great EV Pullback
Nissan delays Leaf production due to China rare earth limits
Cadillac likely to stick to long term EV plan
Monroney Sticker
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After some hiccups getting the recording started, Nicole told us about the latest Genesis GV70 and Robbie almost had a chance to save a wedding with the Ford F-150 Lightning. Sam enjoyed cruising in the Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack which both really loud and not loud enough.
Sam tried out BlueCruise 1.5 and its auto lane changing while driving to Ohio to buy a used EV. He and his wife came back to Michigan with a lightly used Kia EV6. Make sure to check out the No Pain, No Gain series on TFL. Hertz is starting to use AI scanners to detect damage on rental cars. The EV tax credits are being killed at the end of September. Volvo is going to build the Polestar 7 at its new Slovakia plant starting in 2028. The Chevy Trax is getting a big price bump for 2026 and a Tesla robotaxi tapped a parked car. We also responded to a bunch of listener emails.
Links
Ford Blue Cruise 1.5
No Pain, No Gain on TFL
Charger Daytona recalled for being too quiet
Hertz AI Scanners
EV Tax Credits end Sept 30
Polestar 7 to be produced in Slovakia in 2028
Chevy Trax Price Increase
Tesla contacts parked car
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This week Nicole has been tackling the notoriously smooth New England pavement in the Hyundai Ioniq 5N while Robbie had the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV and Sam trecked across Michigan in the Mini Countryman SE ALL4.
This week Sam visited two plants for the production of lithium iron phosphate batteries, Ford's BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, MI and the LG Energy Solution plant in Holland, MI. Ford revealed the new Explorer Tremor and AMG has a concept for its upcoming EV, the GT XX. Tesla sort of launched its robotaxis and Mazda launched the 6e sedan in Europe. Nicole and Sam drove the 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport, Nissan has launched its next-generation e-Power system in the Qashqi in Europe and it's coming to the Rogue in 2026. Cadillac is already making notable upgrades to the Optiq for model year 2026. Sam also has conversations with Ford's Lisa Drake and Honda's Jonathan Yu.
Links
Ford BlueOval Battery Park
Ford Explorer Tremor
CONCEPT AMG GT XX
LG Energy Solution Holland Plant
Tesla Robotaxi launch fail
Mazda 6e
Honda CR-V Trailsport
Nissan Qashqi e-Power
2026 Cadillac Optiq upgrades
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Robbie has family commitments today so Perry Stern is sitting in with Nicole and Sam. Perry's been driving the McLaren 750S in Volcano Yellow and Cadillac Escalade. Nicole had the new gas powered Chevy Equinox and Sam had the new 2025 Mini Cooper S 4-door.
In the news we discuss Audi's latest attempt to reinvent the steering wheel stalk and BMW's new flax fiber composites. Most of China's auto plants are barely producing any vehicles and Congress is trying to gut fuel economy, emissions standards and kill any incentive for EVs. Hyundai and Toyota think 60 miles of range is enough for a plug-in hybrid. Stellantis is testing Fiat 500e's with swappable battery modules. Changes to the national electrical code could kill DIY EV charger installs. Ram cranks up the powertrain warranty and Honda launches an electric delivery vehicle for Europe.
Links
Audi Q3 reinvents the stalk
BMW creates plant fiber composites
China auto plants average 49% utilzation
Congessional majority aiming to gut emissions, CAFE, IRA
Hyundai/Toyota pausing race for ultra long range PHEVs
Stellantis testing battery swap 500e with Ample
Electric code change could ban DIY charger installs
Ram launches 10year/100K mile warranty
Honda launches Fastport eQuad prototype
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In the news, Nissan finally completely redesigns the Nissan Leaf after 15 years. The Corvette reaches its pinnacle, but it's not called Zora. GM is spending $4 billion move vehicle assembly from Mexico to the US. BMW and AAA have dueling EV consumer surveys. The Mustang GTD costs nearly twice as much as a ZR1 and the Republican war on EVs continues.
Links
2026 Nissan Leaf
GM spends $4B to shift production from Mexico to US
Corvette ZR1X
NHTSA to Streamline AV Exemption Process
BMW EV survey
AAA EV survey
Mustang GTD Costs Nearly Double Corvette ZR1
Trump Revokes California Emissions Waiver, Stellantis Still on the hook for EVs
Budget bill could prevent states from regulating AVs
Check out Sam's 2-minute daily podcast
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Nicole is back and to tell us what sorts of pies she shared with her husband at the Julian Pie Company last week and talk about the Kia K4 that turned up in her driveway for the third time as well as the Toyota 4Runner. Robbie did some G-Turns in the Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ technology. Sam had the Nissan Murano Platinum and Honda Passport Trailsport.
Porsche has built a road legal version of the 963 race car for Roger Penske and Tim Kuniskis has restored the Hemi V8 to its rightful place in the Ram 1500. China is playing trade hardball with rare earth magnets. Edmunds finally sold their Fisker Ocean and lost a fortune on it. The data proves it, interesting car colors are better than boring monochromatic colors. Cadillac has announced a faster Optiq-V with a NACS charging port and Ford has created an FX package for Mustang Fox body fans. Finally, Nicole and Sam chat with Mike Tripp, group vice president of marketing for Toyota brand.
Links
Porsche Builds Road-legal 963
Ram Brings Back the Hemi
Rare Earth magnets could halt auto production
Edmunds Finally Unloads its Fisker Ocean
Best Colors to Reduce Depreciation
Cadillac Optiq-V
2026 Ford Mustang FX Package
Mike Tripp
AI Revolution
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Nicole is trekking to the Julian Pie Company with her husband so it's mostly just Robbie and Sam. Robbie gives a preview of the electric Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen and Sam reviews the 2025 Cadillac Escalade Platinum.
In the news, Stellantis picks Antonio Fillosa as its new CEO and cancels a smart cockpit deal with Amazon. The Dodge Durango is back for another year with Hellcat power and we get our first look at the new Jeep Cherokee. Tesla FSD still doesn't stop for school buses. SAE has published an update to the J3400 standard for NACS charging connectors to enable higher speeds and GM may be producing LFP cells with LG and Samsung in the US. Nicole and Sam pre-recorded a review of the 2026 Toyota bZ and Sam interviews chief engineer Daisuke Ido. Nicole has a conversation with Mike Pennington, Director - Global Training, Event Marketing & Consumer Relations at Meguiar's all about car care.
Links
No More Manual Versas
Amazon and Stellantis kill Smart Cockpit deal
Antonio Filosa Gets the Top Job at Stellantis
First 2026 Jeep Cherokee images
Tesla FSD still doesn't stop for school buses
1 year only Durango Hellcat returns for year 5
SAE J3400/2 brings faster charging for NACS
Nicole on the 2026 Toyota bZ
Sam's Thoughts on the Toyota bZ
GM may produce LFP cells with LG and Samsung
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Nicole and Sam returned from Texas without picking up any measels. Nicole spent quality time with the Toyota Grand Highlander while Sam drove the Kia K5 GT, and Robbie spent another week without driving anything.
While in Texas for Toyota's HQ Confidential event, we saw the new 2026 all hybrid Rav4 and Lexus RZ 550e F-Sport with fake shifting along with a bunch of other stuff. The week before, we drove the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and the Cadillac Vistiq for the first time. Nissan has a cute new Micra EV but Americans won't be getting it because not enough of us will drive small cars. Honda is slowing some of its EV plans while Republican US senators voted to rescind California's ability to set its own EV rules. Customers are adding rip cords to Teslas so they can get out of the car loses power and Chevrolet has launched the Trail Boss version of the Silverado EV.
We answer some listener questions and we have an interview with Cooper Ericksen, head of product planning with Toyota North America
Links
2026 Toyota Rav4
Lexus RZ 550e F Sport
Nissan Micra EV
Cadillac Vistiq
Nicole on the Hyundai Ioniq 9
Sam on the Hyundai Ioniq 9
Honda's slowing EV rollout
Tesla Ripcords
Congress Trying to Kill California Emissions Standards
Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss
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This week Sam has been driving the 2025 Cadillac Lyriq and supercharging it with the Lectron Vortex adapter. Nicole had the Subaru Forester Hybrid and Robbie rented a Toyota Camry Hybrid while covering the Formula SAE competition in Michigan.
Nicole also went on the first drive of the 2026 Ford Expedition and Sam had a first ride in the 2026 Hummer EV. Toyota announced 3 updated or new EVs for its lineup while Stellantis delayed the Ram 1500 Ramcharger. Aston Martin is finally launcing Carplay Ultra in the DBX and Infiniti is updating the QX60. We love Miatas, but we know some people don't fit so what should they buy? We also have listener emails.
https://youtu.be/drS2Gr6ozLk
Get the Lectron Vortex NACS-CCS charging adapter at a discount
Links
Toyota bZ Woodland
Toyota CH-R EV
2026 Toyota bZ
2026 Ford Expedition
2026 GMC Hummer
Trucks Faster than Vettes legal, small trucks not
Ramcharger Delayed Again
What to Buy If You Don't Fit in a Miata
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra
2026 Infiniti QX60
Nissan Restructuring
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We've got a bit of a shorter show today because it was Nicole's turn to catch a trip and she accidently stopped the recording. Robbie went to Austria to ride the Can-Am Origin and Pulse electric motorcycles. Nicole drove the updated 2025.5 Volvo XC90 and Sam had the Nissan Rogue Rock Creek with its non-recovery hooks.
The 2026 Corvette looses its wall of buttons and gains a fabulous new color. Jeep launched the new Compass in Europe, but who knows when or if we will get it in North America thanks to tariffs. Volvo has an extended range PHEV XC70 for China and Ford is raising prices due to tariffs. Hyundai has Plug&Charge now and an electric Ferrari is coming in October. The F1 drivers paraded in Lego cars in Miami last week and the new Mercedes CLA won't charge on 400-500V chargers.
See the F1 Lego Cars
Sam tests the Lectron Vortex NACS-CCS adapter with a 2025 Cadillac Lyriq at a Supercharger. Get your Vortex adapter for a discount at https://ev-lectron.com/Wheel_Bearings_VortexPlug
Links
Corvette Roswell Green Metallic
2026 Jeep Compass HEV/BEV - 375hp
Volvo XC70
Ford increases prices on Mexico-built models
Ford expects tariffs to cost $1.5B in 2025
Hyundai starts to deploy Plug&Charge
Electric Ferrari to be revealed in October
Miami F1 Lego Driver's Parade
Be careful when photographing your lidar
Charging the Mercedes-Benz CLA
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This week Robbie has the Chevrolet Silverado EV LT and Nicole shares her Portugese airport blackout adventure. Sam drives the Ford F250 XL and the Chevrolet Equinox LT.
Akio Toyoda loves cool cars and doesn't think electric sports cars fit the bill. More than 28,000 GM V8s failed before GM recalled them. Who are the most influential people in automotive history? Toyota is sort of hooking up with Waymo. The VW ID Buzz is getting recalled because the 3rd seats are too roomy and there are new chargers in Detroit. Many automakers have underutilized factories and Hyundai has priced the Ioniq 9, plus answers to listener questions.
Links
Akio doesn't believe in electric sports cars
28K GM V8s failed before recall
most influential people in automotive history
Toyota Hails a Waymo
ID Buzz recalled because rear seat too comfortable
US plant utilization
Hyundai prices Ioniq 9 in US
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This week Nicole had a Mustang GT convertible with the California Special package but New Hampshire spring weather only allowed her to put down the top once. Sam had the cheapest car currently available in America, the 2025 Nissan Versa SR.
Robbie went to the unveiling of the Slate truck and we have thoughts. Ford is countering with an even more expensive Super Duty pickup. Nicole and Sam drove the 2026 Lincoln Navigator and we have more thoughts.Cadillac is bringing an Optiq-V. Audi is launching a sub-brand for China called AUDI and we discuss this as well as new stuff from VW, Buick, Lexus, Toyota and Nissan from the Shanghai Motor Show. Finally, Walmart is getting into the EV charging business.
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Links
2026 Lincoln Navigator
Slate
Slate's Market Research Experiment
Audi E5 Sportback
VW Shanghai concepts
Cadillac Optiq-V
Buick Electra GS concept
Buick Super Architecture, Electra NEV sub-brand
New Lexus ES
Toyota bZ7
Ford Super Duty Platinum Plus
Nissan Frontier PHEV
Tesla to benefit from AV Framework
Walmart to build EV charging network
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This week, Nicole tells us about driving the Toyota Land Cruiser and BMW M235 while Sam has the BMW i4 M50.
Nicole has flown across the country 4 times in the last week to drive the Lucid Gravity in California, some Cupras in Florida, a Lincoln back in Calfornia and visit the New York Auto Show. We've got lots of news from New York including the 3 Subarus, the 2026 Solterra, Trailseeker and Outback. Kia had the EV4 sedan and K4 hatchback, Hyundai showed us the new 2026 Palisade and Genesis showed off the X Gran Equator concept and the GMR-001 race car it will take to Le Mans next year. In China, regulators are cracking down on automated driving claims by automakers and Mercedes has a new limited edition retro G-Wagen. Sam also has a conversation with Subaru car line product manager Bill Stokes about its EVs.
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Links
Lucid Gravity first drive - Sam's take
Nicole on the Lucid Gravity
Robbie on the Gravity
Genesis X Gran Equator
Genesis GMR-001
Kia k4 hatchback
Kia EV4
2026 Hyundai Palisade
Subaru Trailseeker
Subaru Outback
Sampling Cupra
Chinese regulators crack down on Smart Driving
Mercedes-Benz G-Class Edition STRONGER THAN THE 1980s
Lucid Gravity Videos
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Wow, not for me. Are there any car podcasts that talk about cars normal people can afford?
Fun show!