Car Stuff Podcast

Jill is back in studio this week, and recounted for Tom her recent travels and product evaluations. Tom went on to share what he has learned from a series of brief conversations with Amazon delivery drivers who have spent time with the Rivian EDV electric van; the feedback is interesting. Still in the first segment, the hosts discussed Jeep’s recently announced $25,000 electric vehicle. To be called Renegade, the subcompact electric crossover is due to arrive for the 2027 model year. Jill then shared her impressions of the all-new Chevrolet Equinox EV compact electric crossover. Jill’s take is mostly positive, though she has serious concerns regarding connectivity. Listen in to hear Jill discuss her issues. The Equinox EV starts at less than $30,000 once the federal tax credit is applied. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Joe Ligo, producer of The last Independent Automaker, a documentary about carmaker American Motors. Joe walked the hosts through the formation and early days of American Motors, as well as the maker’s decision to produce its lineup of Eagle AWD vehicles. Listen in for details regarding the documentary’s release day. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Under $60,000?” quiz, featuring a bonus question about the Jackson Five. The hosts then quickly shared a list of a dozen cars that will soon be discontinued. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Larry Nutson of The Auto Channel sits in for Jill this week. Larry and Tom opened the show discussing one of Tom’s random X/Twitter polls, which included the option of owning a Fisker ocean. Listen in for details. Among the many first-segment topics covered by the hosts, Larry talked about renting an electric vehicle, a process he found generally pleasant and uneventful. Larry and Tom also discussed a recent decision by the Governor of the State of Virginia to back out of its agreement with the State of California to enact and maintain the latter state’s zero-emissions vehicle rules and adoption targets. In the second segment, Larry shares an update on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program (NEVI), enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Responding to critics’ complaints that the EV charging-infrastructure program is moving too slowly, Larry broke down the process by which individual states must develop plans and obtain federal approval to access funding. In the last segment, Larry is subjected to Tom’s “Men of the Auto Industry” quiz. Do you know what the “P” in Walter P. Chrysler stands for? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In for Jill this week is long-time friend of the Show Damon Bell of Cars.com. Damon and Tom opened the show talking about Car.com's long-term Tesla Model Y, and its replacement in the Cars fleet, the all-new 3-row Kia EV9 electric crossover. While the Model Y was generally reliable, small glitches compromised its overall appeal to the Cars staff; listen in for more details. As for the Kia, Damon is so far impressed. Cars will publish regular updates of the EV9's performance and utility. (Visit the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page for a link.) In the second segment, the hosts welcome CDK Global Director of Content Marketing Dave Thomas. Dave shared insights into dealer attitudes toward electric vehicles and EV marketing, and their optimism--or lack thereof--regarding the near- and mid-term success of carmaker EV programs. In the last segment Damon is subject to Tom's "Is it a Lexus?" Quiz. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom are both in studio this week. The conversation started with a brief acknowledgment of the IRS-approved federal mileage reimbursement rate. Is it still the same as the cost of a first-class stamp? The hosts went on to discuss the hyper-affordable Chinese-built BYD Seagull, a $10,000 electric car that could be on a journey to the American market. Jill and Tom also went on to discuss the current new-vehicle redesign cadence, which has grown very long for some vehicles, including the Toyota 4Runner. Jill also shared her take on the Genesis GV80 premium midsize crossover. In the second segment the hosts welcome Ed Kim, President and Chief Analyst at AutoPacific. Ed shared the results of a study recently conducted by his firm regarding American consumer attitudes towards Chinese vehicles. The results are surprising. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Fake Option Package” quiz. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill is out this week driving electric Chevys. In her place are both Sons of Speed, Paul Herrold and Brendan Appel. The conversation opened with Tom noting Jill’s dismay regarding Chevy’s decision to drop Apple CarPlay connectivity from coming EV products. Brendan echoed Jill's sentiment, noting that the move would likely alienate a certain number of consumers. Paul shared his take on the recent NHRA Nationals event at Route 66 Raceway in Elwood, Illinois. He described the sound--and the palpable engine pounding--that defines an NHRA event. Paul recommends making use of the free earplugs. Paul and Brendan discussed a new review video available on TikTok. The guys recently posted a quick overview of the Genesis G70 small sedan. Brendan applauded the car’s excellent steering feel, among other virtues. Tom shared his impressions of the Volvo S90 Recharge plug-in hybrid sedan he recently reviewed. Tom’s impressions are mostly favorable, but the car is far from perfect. Still, it looks great. In the second segment the crew welcome Kirk Bell of Motor Authority to the show. Kirk shared his insights regarding the state of the super-car market, and what it is that defines a vehicle as a super car. Kirk also discussed his take on the electrification of high-performance vehicles. It the third segment Paul and Brendan are subjected to Tom’s “Still Stick?” quiz. The crew went on to discuss recent EV sales numbers, noting that though Tesla sales are in steep decline, the pioneering electric-car maker still dominates the North American market. That said, Ford’s recent EV sales improvement should be recognized. Note: Links to all of these reviews and articles can be found on the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page, and at Consumerguide.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened this week’s show by bidding farewell to the Chevrolet Malibu. The long-running midsize model, available only as a sedan in recent years, is being discontinued by General Motors to make production space for an all-new Chevrolet Bolt EV. The hosts also expressed their confusion regarding Tesla’s recent dismissal of the company’s charging-network staff. Tom commented on a rumor that Tesla may be positioning the charging division for a possible spinoff. Still in the first segment, Jill shares her impressions of the updated Subaru Forester, which features freshened styling, upgraded cabin appointments, and improved connectivity. The 2025 Forester goes on sale soon. In the second segment the hosts welcome Christian Appel of Nikola to the program. The Global Head of Product and Programs at Nikola, Christian talked about the company’s new hydrogen fueling stations, its current fuel-cell and electric trucks, and future plans for the zero-emissions vehicle manufacturer. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Is it a Pontiac?” quiz, and the hosts chatted briefly about the ongoing Nissan-product fire sale, which includes massive incentives on popular models. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill this week. The hosts opened the show talking about the Genesis G70 small sedan which Paul is currently evaluating. He is generally pleased with the vehicle, which is popularly considered an alternative to the BMW 3-Series. The hosts went on to discuss new—and needed—federal guidelines for Emergency Automatic Braking systems, which all vehicles will be required to be equipped with for the 2029 model year. There is currently a confusing array of systems offered, with varying degrees of functionality. Still in the first segment Tom had Paul guess which small crossovers were voted most popular in a recent series of Twitter/X polls. Listen in to hear how Paul did. In the second segment Paul and Tom welcome Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions back to the show. After talking about the recent uptick in hybrid sales, Sam explained the significance of a recent deal forged between Stellantis and Chinese EV start-up Leapmotors. Sam also explained why carmakers and trade wonks are so concerned about Chinese auto-related manufacturing in Mexico, and the potential impact of cars such as the $10,000 BYD Seagull on the U.S EV market. In the last segment Paul is subjected to Tom’s “Fake Trim Level” quiz, after which the hosts discussed the new Chevrolet Blazer EV PPV police vehicle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special crossover episode of the Car Stuff Podcast, Tom rides along with Robert Colangelo of the Green Sense Show to experience Tesla's much-discussed and controversially marketed Full Self Driving (FSD) hands-free driving system. Robert and Tom drive through occasionally heavy traffic on the ground streets near Chicago's Midway Airport. Listen in for Robert's and Tom's impressions of the system which Tesla owners can subscribe to for $99 a month. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom are in studio together this week. The hosts opened the show discussing a couple of polls Tom conducted on “X.” One poll asked folks to pick their favorite album for a long evening drive, while the other tested respondent’s willingness to pay for extra EV range. Still in the first segment, Jill shared her impressions of the very-affordable Nissan Versa small sedan. In the second segment Jill and Tom are joined by John Vincent, Senior Editor for Vehicle Testing with U.S. News and World Report. John discussed the organization’s Best EV and Hybrid list, and Best Family Car list. John also shared his driving impressions of the Fisker Ocean crossover EV. In the third segment Jill and Tom reacquaint themselves with the Lexus NX lineup, which is comprised of a confusing array of alphanumeric trim levels, which neither host could completely remember. Jill was then subjected to Tom’s “Regular or Premium Gas” quiz. The hosts wrapped up the show discussing the demise of the Mini Cooper Clubman small wagon. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill is back in studio this week. The hosts opened the show discussing hands-free driving systems, with Tom sharing impressions of both the Lincoln Blue Cruise 1.2 system found in the Nautilus he is evaluating this week, and the Tesla Full Self Driving (FSD) system as found in the Model Y small crossover. Tom also briefly reviewed the Tesla Model Y, which he was generally very impressed with. That said, Tom was surprised by how small the Model Y is—listen in for his complete summary. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Jamie Butters, Executive Editor of Automotive News, to the show. Jamie explained why the staff of Automotive News no longer considers Tesla a luxury brand. Jamie also shared his thoughts on the recent Tesla sales slowdown, and the UAW vote at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga factory. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “EV Sales” quiz. Jill also discussed an unusual meal she enjoyed at Newark Liberty International Airport. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill this week. The hosts covered a number of topics in the first segment, including the news that General Motors will be moving out of the Renaissance Center—which it has occupied since 1996—for a new building in Downtown Detroit. Brendan and Tom also discussed the origin of Alfa Romeo’s Verde Montreal color, which turns out to be an homage to an historic brand offering. Still in the first segment, Tom lamented the challenge of dealing with “inherited music,” a song which starts from the middle when the car is started. Brendan will restart a song if it is worthy, while Tom, as it turns out, always advances to the next song. Brendan went on to share his impressions of the new-for-2024 Toyota Tacoma, noting that even lower trim-level versions of Toyota’s midsize pickup perform well in off-road driving. Brendan discussed the finer points of the redesign, including the move to a coil-spring rear suspension, and small turbocharged engines. In the second segment Brendan and Tom talk to the folks at Goodyear about electric-vehicle tires. Joining the crew are David Zanig, Goodyear’s Senior Director of Tire Technology, and Brad Heim, Vice President for Product Development. Listen in to learn why EV tires are different from those found on conventional vehicles. In the last segment Brendan is subjected to Tom’s “Which Sold Better” quiz. Brendan wrapped up the show discussing dash-cam use, and the terrible driving he witnessed on a recent road trip. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom talked briefly about the eclipse that was taking place during the recording of this week’s episode. The conversation turned to the news that Tesla will not be producing the long-promised Model 2, a small electric vehicle with a base price of around $25,000. In other news, the hosts discussed the sudden decline in large pickup-truck sales, a thing which Jill believes is temporary, and not a harbinger of economic weakness. Jill shared her impressions of the 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, a vehicle which the hosts agree is best suited for performance-loving extroverts. Jill noted that the Stelvio is very fast, and that the Verde Montreal (green) color of her test car is not for the faint of heart. In the second segment Tom and Jill welcome Greg Clark, Vice President of Ineos Automotive of the Americas to the show. Greg talked about the Ineos Grenadier, an off-road SUV, which is now on sale in the States. The Grenadier was designed to be an homage to the original Land Rover Defender, and is built for severe rock-crawling activity. Greg talked about the process by which Ineos was able to bring a vehicle to market in less than three years. Greg also discussed the Ineos Quartermaster, a Grenadier-based pickup truck arriving in Ineos dealerships later this year. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Mitsubishi or Golf Club” quiz. Jill’s quiz winning streak may be in jeopardy. After the Quiz Tom talked about the 2024 GMC Sierra AT4X he is currently driving. Tom is generally impressed, and had a few things to say about the diesel engine his truck is equipped with. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened the show discussing the Fisker Ocean fire sale designed to raise quick capital for the fledgling EV carmaker. Fisker has cut the price on most Ocean models by as much as 40 percent, in a desperate bid to raise cash. Listen in for more details. Tom let Jill know that—despite not having driven stick in more than a year—he has not stalled his test 2024 Ford Mustang GT, unless you count a single backing-up incident. Tom also shares his thoughts on Ford’s latest pony car. Still in the first segment, the hosts recapped the news from the New York Auto Show. Highlights including news from Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, and Nissan. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Andew Collins of The Drive to the show. Andrew provides a primer on the automotive-recall process, and talked about the ongoing Takata airbag recall, including updates on that situation. In the third segment, Tom is—for the first time ever—subjected to Jill’s April Fools Day-themed fake automotive-feature Quiz. Did Tom pass? Listen in. Jill wrapped up the show with a brief review of the Kia EV9 3-row electric crossover. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened a topic-packed show by acknowledging carmaker Fisker’s grim fiscal situation. The once-promising EV start-up has broken off collaboration talks with Nissan, and seems doomed to enter bankruptcy. The hosts then chatted briefly about Cupra, a spin-off of Volkswagen’s Spanish brand Seat. Talk is that the Cupra brand will come to the U.S. before the end of the decade with a duo of small crossovers and a small sports car. The vehicles will likely be produced by VW in the U.S. Still in the first segment, Jill shared quick reviews of the redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe, and the updated Ford Ranger. In the second segment Jill and Tom are joined by pet expert and radio host Steve Dale (SteveDale.TV) to talk about traveling with cats and dogs. Steve shared plenty of information about taking your pet on a plane, or bringing it along for extended car rides. Steve also shared a few tips on how to get the most from airport lounge buffets. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Is it Real” fake-model quiz, after which Tom talked about his new review of the 2024 Subaru Outback Touring XT. Oh, and the quiz bonus question includes Uhura. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened the episode by acknowledging that EV-startup Fisker is in dire financial straits, having recent halted production. In related EV news, the hosts discussed the announcement that Honda and Nissan are seeking avenues of cooperation to develop electric-vehicle technology, including platforms and software, but not final retail products. Tom quickly shared his thoughts on a pair of vehicles he recent evaluated, including the 2024 Land Rover Defender, and Volkswagen Taos. Jill shared her thoughts on the redesigned Lincoln Nautilus premium midsize crossover, including the vehicle’s new door-to-door infotainment screen. Listen in for Jill’s complete review. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome David Schneider of Harman Internation to the show. David walked the hosts through the portfolio of premium-audio brands the company manages, and what is involved in allowing a carmaker to use specific audio brands, including Bang & Olufsen, Harman Kardon, JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel. David explained how Harman works with manufacturers to produce in-car audio experiences appropriate to each Harman brand. In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Fake Concept Car” quiz, which includes a “fishy” bonus question. The hosts wrapped up the show discussing the Ram 1500 Classic, a previous generation Ram pickup truck still offered for sale a lower cost than the current-generation model. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tom and guest host Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed covered a number of topics this week. First, the hosts addressed the surprise Rivian reveal of not one, but two, small crossovers last week, both of which are scheduled to be built at the maker’s existing Illinois facility. Both will be much more affordable than Rivian’s current offerings. Also, the Chevrolet Blazer EV is back in production, this after a stop-sale was ordered by the brand as a result of software issues. Listen for details regarding the Blazer’s return to production, and significant price cuts. Still in the first segment, Paul shared the scoop on a pair of excellent Sons of Speed-produced “The Lap” videos, one featuring a collectible Dodge Challenger, the other a rather rare—and high-performance—Mercedes-AMG product. In the second segment, the hosts welcome Randy Dale of Nissan to the program. Randy walked Tom and Paul through the updates to the 2024 Nissan Sentra, which Tom feels has become a far better vehicle—and a great value. In the last segment Paul is subjected to Tom’s “Who Made More” quiz, which Tom expected Paul to fail. Did he? The hosts wrapped up the show covering a number of subjects, including the impressive interiors of Hyundai and Genesis cars and crossovers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a topic-packed first segment, Jill and Tom opened the show discussing the potential alliance between Nissan and EV startup Fisker. The Hookup would allow Nissan to build and retail a version of the struggling EV startup’s coming Alaska midsize pickup. The hosts went on to discuss Ford’s successful alliance with Tesla. The Ford Mustang Mach-E crossover and F-150 Lightning pickup can now be charged at any of Tesla’s famously reliable Supercharger stations—an adapter, available from Ford, is required. To wrap up the first segment, Jill shared her impressions of the 2024 Honda Passport TrailSport. The off-road themed midsize crossover looks rugged, but is it refined enough for daily use? Listen in for Jill’s complete review. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Robert Colangelo to the show. Founder of CEA technologies, and host of The Green Sense Show, Robert shared his experience behind the wheel of the Aptera, a 2-seat electric car featuring a 3-wheel design and solar charging. While the Aptera seems a little far out on the cutting edge, Robert is optimistic about its potential in the market place. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “5-speed, 6-speed, or 7-speed” quiz. How did Jill do? And, did Jill get the Arby’s bonus question? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tom opened the show by surprising Jill with a bonus recording-day treat: Funyuns. After determining that there is, in fact, very little actual onion in Funyuns, Tom and Jill turned their attention to automotive matters. Tom read through a list of listener-submitted favorite model names, including picks from regular contributors, among them Damon Bell, Sam Fiorani, and Brendan Appel. Jill then shared her impressions of the updated-for-2025 Ram 1500 pickup truck. Jill was generally impressed by the new truck, but had some reservations regarding the new $90,000 Tungsten trim level. In the second segment Tim Esterdahl of Pickup Truck + SUV Talk joined the show to expand on the Ram 1500 conversation. Tim talked about Ram’s move away from the popular Hemi V8 engine to the new Hurricane 6-cylinder powerplant. Tim believes most shoppers will be well served by the new Ram engine lineup. Listen in for complete details. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Turbo or No Turbo” quiz, which featured an Indian-food bonus question. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom are both in-studio today. Tom opened the podcast by thanking the producers of the Chicago Auto Show for their special efforts to make the event accessible to Tom and his bum knee. Tom shared his thoughts on the show, including several vehicles on display, among them the Tesla Cyber Truck, the Cadillac Escalade IQ, and the GMC Hummer. Jill and Tom also discussed recently announced pricing for a pair of coming EVs, the Chevrolet Equinox EV, and the Fiat 500E. The hosts then turned their attention to the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 small crossover Tom recently reviewed. You can read Tom’s review by clicking here. No guest this week as Jill and Tom shared their thoughts on some of the best car model names of all time. Tom’s list includes such classics as Toronado and El Dorado, while Jill vented regarding her dislike of alphanumeric car names. In the final segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s crafty “3 or 4” quiz, which concludes with a bonus question about Korean corn dogs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Packed episode today. Jill and Tom began with a brief Chicago Auto Show recap, news regarding Ionna—the multi-carmaker charging network created in response to the failure of public-charging companies including Electrify America—and Electrify America’s new indoor charging facility in San Francisco. Jill also reviewed the 2024 Lexus GX 550, the replacement for one of Tom’s favorite vehicles, the long-running Lexus GX 460. In the second segment the hosts welcomed to the show Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions. Same addressed the recent Stellantis/Renault merger rumor, and looked at the near- and mid-term future of the storied Jeep brand. Big changes coming for the off-road marque, including two electric vehicles for the U.S. In the third segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s diabolical “Is it a Chrysler” quiz. Did Jill’s wining streak come to an end this week? Listen in to find out. Also, big thanks to Morkes Chocolate in Palatine, Illinois, for supplying today’s Fat Tuesday paczki. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

No guest this week as Jill and Tom run down the complete list of 2024 Consumer Guide Best Buy picks. The list includes 41 vehicles in 17 different categories. If you're thinking about buying a new car in the near future, this week's show is a must-listen-to episode. You can check out the entire 2024 Consumer Guide Best Buy list by clicking here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened the show talking about the all-new Lexus GX 550 luxury midsize SUV arriving in showrooms later this year. Also in the first segment the hosts welcome Jennifer Morand of the Chicago Auto Show. Jennifer gave an update on the Chicago Show, which opens February 10th. Tom wrapped up the segment sharing his Tesla predictions for 2024. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome John Vincent of U.S. News and World Report. John walked the hosts through the outlet’s “2024 Best Cars for the Money” list. It’s noteworthy that three brands dominated the 11-vehicle list. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Was it ever…” fake-model quiz. Did Jill win again? After the quiz Jill shared her thoughts on new-car-feature subscription fees. Per Jill, while many of the features in question are currently available at no cost to owners, use will eventually be subject to monthly charges. And, interestingly, in many cases auto makers have not yet set pricing for said features. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened the show by welcoming new listeners. The last few episodes of the Car Stuff Podcast have been very popular. Tom expressed his disappointment that Jill had selected such a boring donut for today’s episode. The hosts had stopped by Morkes Chocolate in Palatine, IL, together for donuts prior to the show. Tom discussed briefly his early but favorable impressions of the Chevrolet Trailblazer RS he is currently evaluating. Jill and Tom then reviewed Cadillac’s first EV, the Cadillac Lyriq each had extended time with. Tom noted having “one and a half” issues with the car, but both hosts were generally very impressed. Listen in for the full review, including driving-range findings. In the second segment the hosts welcomed Stanley Horaczek of Popular Science to the show. Stanley walked the hosts through the site’s new Top 5 Auto Trends for 2024 list. Jill is subjected to Tom’s conceptually flawed “NOVAS” quiz in the third segment. Did Jill score on the Billy Joel bonus question? The hosts wrapped up the show talking about the placement of some EV charging stations in poorly lit locations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill is in studio this week. Jill opened the show sharing some sad news. Her father died over the holiday break. You can read Jill’s tribute to her dad by clicking on the link in this week’s podcast update post on the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook Page. Tom, who is driving a Cummins-diesel-powered Ram pickup this week, noted that he had forgotten about how diesel engines require some glow-plug warm-up time before starting in cold weather. Note that as the show was recorded, it was -12 degrees outside the TalkZone studio in Palatine, Illinois. The conversation turned to the Detroit Auto Show, which is returning to January for 2025. This after a three-year hiatus from that timeslot, and missing 2020 due to COVID-19. Jill shared her impressions of the 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor, a new trim level designed for off-road use. Jill spent considerable time behind the wheel of the truck, driving it from Chicago to Indianapolis during the holidays. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Jim Hurless, Global Real Estate Leader for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure at CBRE. Jim shared some fascinating insights as to how EV charging station locations are determined, how much it costs to install an EV charger, and what CBRE is doing about charger reliability. Great conversation. Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Which Sold Better in 2023” quiz in the third segment. Jill also ruined Tom’s round of guessing as to what a company called ZeroMold might do. Tom’s guesses were better than the truth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Guest host Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed and Tom opened the show talking about a couple of new “The Lap” videos now posted on WeAreMotorDriven.com. The hosts then chatted briefly about the 2024 North American Car of the Year winners, which were revealed last week. Tom shared his concerns regarding misleading commercials being run by online used-car marketer DriveTime. Tom is specifically concerned about the company’s assertion that users are able to negotiate the price of the vehicle they purchasing, which is not the case. Also addressed was the news that Stellantis has opted to pull out of a number of 2024 auto shows, including CES and Chicago. Brendan and Tom went on to briefly share their impressions of the Genesis GV70 Electrified compact crossover. In the second segment the hosts welcome Genesis Manger of PR and Communications Jarred Pellat to the show. Jarred talked about the emergence of Genesis as a luxury brand, its success as an alternative premium-vehicle offering, and the brand’s accessibility to women. Jarred also addressed the brand’s EV plans moving forward. In the final segment Brendan is subjected to Tom’s horsepower quiz, which included a bonus question about Twinkies. Tom wrapped up the show with a quick review of the ride and handling balance found on his current test car, the 2024 BMW X5 M60i. Jill is spending time with her family this week, and returns next episode. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened the show by discussing the North American Car of the Year finalists, including the last-minute substitution of the Hyundai Kona for the Volvo EX30 in the Utility category. Listen in to find out why the switch. The hosts went on to list their favorite test vehicles of 2023, and their least favorite. There are a few surprises on the lists. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Colorado State University master’s degree student Harper Appel to the show. Harper regularly makes the 1000-mile journey from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Palatine Illinois. Harper shares a few tips on surviving a 15-hour drive, and shares her picks for the best places to stop for gas and snacks. Note: The conversation includes an extended chat regarding Casey’s exclusive Mountain Dew varieties, and the chain's self-branded snacks. Harper joins Jill for this week’s quiz. Topic: Rolls-Royce Color or Cheese. The hosts wrapped up the podcast by chatting with Harper regarding her work at the Animal Friends Alliance shelter in Fort Collins. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened this holiday episode of the podcast by discussing how the residents of Skokie, Illinois, mount huge light-up menorahs on the roofs of their cars in celebration of Hanukkah. Tom vowed to do the same next season. The hosts went on to discuss a massive Honda/Acura recall, and the echoes of the giant Takata airbag recall which still haunts the industry. Jill shared her thoughts about the massive—and massively expensive—Ford F-350 King Ranch pickup truck she recently evaluated. The review included a conversation regarding the benefits of opting for the single-rear wheel (SRW) option. In the second segment, Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions joins Jill and Tom to review the most noteworthy stories of the year. Sam recalled the UAW strike, slowing EV demand growth, growing vehicle inventories, and strong car sales. We also learned that Sam once owned a Merkur XR4Ti. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Station Wagon or Omaha Suburb” quiz, which was followed by a brief discussion of Jill’s favorite test-vehicles of 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tom opened the show with a correction, this regarding the history and current ownership of European car brand Vauxhall covered last week. The hosts went on to discuss a completely unscientific poll Tom conducted on Twitter regarding electric pickup trucks. Twitter users were asked to pick their favorite EV pickup from this list: Tesla Cybertruck, GMC Hummer, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Rivian R1T. Listen in for the surprising results. Jill shared her thoughts on the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS, which both hosts agree is fun to drive and represents great dollar value. What didn’t they like? Listen in. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcomed Cadillac Director of Marketing Tony Johnson. Tony shared Cadillac’s near- and midterm electrification plans, and shared rollout plans for the coming Lyric, Celestiq, Escalade IQ, Vistiq, and Optiq. Tony also explained the origins of Caddy’s new “IQ” model-naming scheme, and described the ordering process for the limited-production “one-of-one” ultra-luxury Celestiq sedan. In the final segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Women” quiz, which featured questions regarding the brands women most often choose when purchasing a new vehicle. Quiz questions based on a recent S&P Global report. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom are both in studio today for another topic-packed show. Tom opened the episode acknowledging the installation of the first EV charging station under the provisions of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Act, signed into law in 2021. The first unit went live at a Flying J gas station in Ohio earlier this week. Jill and Tom went on to discuss Jill’s evaluation of a Starbucks Coffee/Volvo joint effort. This past week Jill drove electric Volvo vehicles from Denver, Colorado to Seattle, Washington, charging the cars only at Starbucks locations along the way equipped with high-speed Volvo-sponsored chargers. Listen in for more on this unique cooperative exercise—and what Jill ordered to drink at each stop. In the second segment Jill and Tom are joined by Consumer Report’s Steven Elek. Steven gave the hosts the lowdown on the organization’s latest Auto Reliability Study. Steven shared insights into how and why electric vehicles are proving problematic for some owners, and walked Jill and Tom through top-ten list of most-reliable car brands. The list includes a few surprises. In the final segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Car Sales in Europe” quiz, capped by a Kikkoman soy-sauce bonus question. Because Jill has not yet listened to last week’s episode, Tom explained to her why he was looking to shoot a water buffalo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sons of Speed Publisher Paul Herrold sits in for Jill this week. Paul and Tom opened the show talking about the discontinued Fiat 500X and related Jeep Renegade small crossovers. Tom asked Paul if he thought Jeep’s recent sales decline came—at least in part—as a result of the brand’s small, too-conventional crossovers, such as the Renegade, Compass, and Cherokee. Paul talked about four new Sons of Speed videos available for viewing at WeAreMotorDrive.com. The videos feature lap time at Road America race track, and include the Toyota GR Corolla, Volkswagen GTI, BMW M2, and Toyota Supra. Following up on Jill’s EV charging issues from a week earlier, Tom shared a tale of similar frustration, including broken Evgo charging units—which were listed as operational on the provider’s app—and Electrify America’s over-hyped “Super Fast” charging. In the second segment Paul and Tom welcome Ram Communications Manager Trevor Dorchies to the show. Trevor updated the hosts on product in the Ram pipeline, including the redesigned 1500 pickup, the RAM REV electric pickup, and the extended-range plug-in-hybrid Ram Ramcharger. Also discussed is the new, ultra-luxury Ram 1500 Tungsten. In the last segment Paul is subjected to Tom’s “Best Mileage” quiz, which includes a surprising Burger King bonus question. The hosts wrapped up the show by discussing why Tom’s test vehicle, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro, makes Tom want to shoot a water buffalo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened the show discussing the best things they ate Thanksgiving Day. After a shoutout to a regular listener who would like the Car Stuff Podcast back on broadcast radio, the hosts turned their attention to Jill’s holiday-week experience attempting to travel to and from Chicago and Indianapolis in an electric vehicle. While the car performed well, Jill lamented the lack of charging opportunities along that route, and was frustrated by the long wait to charge at the single level-3 public charger along the way. In the second segment, the hosts welcome Ed Kim, president of AutoPacfic, to the program. Ed weighed in on the recently announced Hyundai/Amazon.com deal, by which customers will soon be able to order their Hyundai vehicles on the Amazon website. Ed also cleared up some misconceptions about the growing EV supplies, and Tesla’s recent price cuts. In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Cyber Monday Auto Gifts” quiz. Jill also shared her impressions of the recently redesigned Toyota Prius Limited AWD. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom crammed a lot into this episode of the Car Stuff Podcast. Tom noted that he’s eating better because his grad-school daughter is home this week. Jill and Tom also discussed Jill’s lack of interest in corn-based Thanksgiving dishes. Jill ran down this year’s North American Car of the Year finalists in the Car, Truck, and Utility categories. The hosts also answered a listener question about compact crossovers. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Colin Weatherwax of Cars for Kids (carsforkids.org) to the program. Colin walked the hosts through the auto-donation process, and talked about the benefits of donating a vehicle to charity. Colin noted that motorcycles and boats can also be donated. Note: There is still time to make a donation this year. Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Plymouth or Pennsylvania” quiz in the third segment, which features a Martha Stewart-related Thanksgiving bonus question. Jill and Tom wrapped up the show up by discussing the hybrid-only 2025 Toyota Camry, and Tom’s review of the 2023 Toyota Crown. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened the show examining Jill’s irrational dislike of filled donuts—even jelly filled. Tom stayed off topic for a moment, noting that Google was placing surprisingly racy ads on the Consumer Guide website, including one ad for something called, “Naughty Wedding Photos.” The hosts got serious and talked about a casual poll Tom conducted on Twitter/X to determine drivers’ favorite automotive tech features. The list is very interesting. The conversation moved on to Volvo’s new electric EM90 minivan, about which there is good news and bad. The Conversation turned to the new top-tier Mustang trim level: Dark Horse. Jill recently spent a week behind the wheel of the high-performance Ford, and shares her take. In the second segment, Jill and Tom are joined by CDK Global Senior Product Manager Brenda Lynch. Brenda shared the topline results of a CDK study looking into auto-dealership vulnerability to hacking and malware. Is your personal data safe at your local dealer? Listen to this conversation. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Under $48,000” quiz. Because Tom did a poor job managing the clock this episode, the hosts got in a brief chat about pay raises at U.S. Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai/Kia plants, all of which are certainly steps taken to prevent unionization of their factories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosts Jill and Tom opened the show discussing an error on last week’s quiz. As it turns out, poutine is available at McDonald’s locations in Canada. Tom subsequently promoted his regular appearances on the Steve and Johnnie Show heard Saturday evenings on WGN Radio in Chicago. Tom is especially excited that he has been asked to select the bumper music played during his visits. The Conversation turned to Vietnamese EV startup VinFast, which is moving away from a direct-to-customer marketing network to a traditional franchise-dealer arrangement. Tom also mentioned his Twitter/X battle with Tesla fans that took exception to his thoughts on the Cybertruck’s wheel design. Jill shared her preview review of the all-new Volvo EX30 EV, which offers impressive battery range, and is surprisingly affordable. In the second segment, Chad Kirchner of EV Pulse joined the show. Chad talked about the nature of EV enthusiasts, and how the group is not limited to just environmentalists. Chad also shared his take on the state of Tesla, and VinFast’s prospects for success. Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Fake Color!” quiz in the last segment, including a Rolling Stones album-title bonus question. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ill returns to the studio for a topic-packed episode. In the first segment Jill recounts for Tom the highpoints of her recent participation in the Rebelle Rally. Tom is impressed that Jill sustained no serious injuries. Jill also gave an update on the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) voting process. NACTOY finalists should be announced during the Los Angeles Auto Show. Jill also spent some time with the all-new Chevrolet Silverado EV. Jill came away generally impressed, and noted that the truck’s key selling point is battery range. Tom discussed briefly the Mazda Iconic SP concept car, seen at the Toyota Motor Show, which may be a harbinger of the next generation of the MX-5 Miata. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions to the show. Sam shared his thoughts on a number of topics including the UAW Strike, the UAW’s inability to unionize transplant automakers, the state of the EV market, and why Tesla is cutting prices so dramatically. Sam also talked about his new webcast—found on YouTube—called “Afternoons! with Kendra and Sam.” In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Honda or Hallmark” quiz, and Tom talked about another Tokyo Motor Show reveal, the Honda Prelude Concept. The McDonald’s Canadian menu also came up. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bredan Appel of the Sons of Speed sat in for co-host Jill this week. Jill returns next episode. In the first segment Brendan talked about the redesigned 2024 Hyundai Kona, a video review for which will be shared shortly. Brendan and Tom went on to talk about the growing glut of unsold EVs in the U.S., and the impact of massive Tesla price cuts on EV sales. Are there too many EV models on the market? Listen in. In the second segment the hosts welcome Shooting Cars host and producer Zack Pradel to the show. Zack’s popular YouTube channel features new-, used-, and classic-car reviews. Zack talked about the care and feeding of his family’s classic car, a 1931 Ford Model A. As an aside, Zack also noted his position on the rotary-dial-controlled infotainment system found in current-generation Mazda vehicles. In the final segment, Zack and Brendan are subjected to Tom’s “Octane, Yo!” quiz. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill is out this week; you can follow her progress at the 2023 Rebelle Rally by clicking on the link on our Facebook page. In studio for the entire show are Chicago late-night radio legends Steve King and Johnnie Putman. The show opened with Steve explaining the concept of “clear-channel” radio, and why WGN radio in Chicago is heard, at night, in almost 40 U.S. states and in Canada. After a quick chat about the classic films The Desk Set, and Fritz Lang’s epic Metropolis, Tom, Steve and Johnnie discussed the ongoing UAW strike, and comments made Monday by Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. We also learned from Steve what a “seat cover” is in CB-radio parlance. In the second segment Steve and Johnnie talked about their best and worst car ownership experiences. Tom also noted the love/hate relationship he had with a 1991 Saab 9000 CD. In the third segment Steve and Johnnie are subjected to Tom’s “1990!” quiz. Steve and Johnie wrapped up the show sharing some good news about Genesis Connected Services. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tom and guest-host Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed opened the show discussing the Lexus RC F, a V8-powered small coupe that Paul recently spent track time with. Paul noted that though the RC F has grown dated since its 2014 introduction, the car is very capable on the street and on the track. Listen to hear Paul’s complete review. Tom and Paul also discussed technological “fads” that were introduced by automakers to great fanfare, but since amounted to little in the market place. In the second segment Tom and Paul welcome Dave Sloan of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association. Dave shared his thoughts on a number of topics, including the UAW strike, EV startup carmakers working outside the franchise dealer system, and dealership acquisitions by large, national corporations. Dave joined Paul for this week’s “Whose Brand is it Anyway” quiz. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened a busy show by discussing ways that Tom might exploit Jill’s would-be celebrity to expand the popularity of the show. The hosts went on to review the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude, which both agreed feels like a pretty strong value. Jill and Tom opened the second segment by welcoming Robby Degraff of AutoPacific to the program. Robby shared the findings of AutoPacific’s Future Attribute Demand Study (FADS). Robby walked the hosts down the top-ten list of features car shoppers are expected to want on vehicles purchased in the near future, including a very-cool autonomous-driving safety feature. Robby also shared some insights into the Fisker Ocean, a small electric crossover from EV startup Fisker, which he spent some time driving recently. Delivery of the Fisker Ocean has begun in parts of the U.S., though initial volumes are low. Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Car Color or Pop Song” quiz, which wrapped up with a Star Trek bonus question. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this ten-minute bonus episode, Jill and Tom break down the basics of electric-vehicle charging. The hosts discuss level-1 (wall-outlet), level-2 (home), and level-3 (public, DC) charging. Here's what you need to know before you start shopping for an electric vehicle. Remember to subscribe and to review the show wherever you download your podcasts. Also, leave us a comment on the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened the showing quickly covering a number of topics including the demise of the Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 engine, the addition of a lower-priced base model to the Jeep Wagoneer lineup, and Tom’s love/hate relationship with the newly updated 2024 Volkswagen Atlas midsize crossover. Jill reviewed the all-new Kia EV9 all-electric 3-row crossover, about which she has much good to share. Also, Tom is being shocked (actual electric shock) by accidentally touching McDonald’s employees at the drive-thru. Strange? The hosts are joined in the second segment by Green Sense Radio host Robert Colangelo. Jill, Tom, and Robert discussed the strange sociopolitical forces at work keeping ethanol in America’s gasoline. The discussion covered the benefits of ethanol, and the many drawbacks, including compromised food security. Robert also briefly discussed a future Green Sense podcast dealing with early climate-change research which went unreported by petroleum producers. How will you do on this week’s quiz? Jill did very well, until the Kellog’s-related bonus question. Remember to follow the Car Stuff Podcast on Facebook to keep up to date on new episodes, and find links to the stories being covered. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom are joined this week by long-time cohost Damon Bell, who is currently serving as Senior Research Editor at Cars.com. Jill and Tom opened the show arguing about the two-screen dashboard found in the current Infiniti QX50 compact crossover. Jill finds the systems dated, while Tom saw the value in having a single screen dedicated to navigation functions. Damon joined the conversation to help summarize the reveals seen at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Jill, who was in attendance at the event, noted that the press activity was especially light, as was media attendance. The trio covered the reveals of the freshened Cadillac CT5, Ford F-150, Jeep Gladiator, and all-new GMC Acadia. In the second segment Damon reviewed the all-new Hyundai Kona small crossover, noting that the vehicle has gotten larger on the outside, and roomier on the inside. Jill, Damon, and Tom went on to wrap up their “Dead Pool” lists created in way back August of 2021. There is some question as to who did the best job picking vehicles which were soon to be discontinued. Jill and Damon were subjected to Tom’s “Lancia or Listeria” quiz, which—big surprise—was decided by a question about gophers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom opened the episode talking a little about the Detroit Auto Show which opens this week. The hosts will have complete coverage of the event next week. Tom complained a little about the Infiniti QX50 premium compact crossover. Though Tom generally likes the vehicle, he is annoyed that its much-promote high-tech VC-Turbo engine has not imbued the crossover with either standout power, or impressive fuel economy. Jill and Tom went on to review the 2023 Nissan Ariya compact electric crossover which both hosts basically love. Jill is annoyed that Nissan has done little to promoted the vehicle, which Tom suggests is part of the plan, and that Nissan may not yet be ready to deliver the Ariya in serious volume, and that stepped-up advertising is on hold for now. The duo welcome Ken Chester of the Tech Mobility Show in the second segment. Ken walked Tom and Jill through the adoption of ChatGPT by automotive dealers, and how the technology can be used, and misused, in that application. In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Fun Car Engine” quiz. Jill and Tom wrapped up the show discussing the all-new Alfa Romeo Tonale small crossover, which Jill is driving this week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and Tom are both in studio this week. Jill talked a little about why she’s been away from the show, including a quick summary of the vehicles she’s recently seen and her time preparing for this year’s Rebelle Rally. Jill talked about her test drive of the 2024 GMC Denali 2500 Ultimate, a super-premium trim-level addition to the maker’s pickup-truck lineup. Tom talked briefly about the Fisker Alaska, an electric midsize pickup due for the 2025 model year. In the second segment the crew is joined by Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions. Sam walked Jill and Tom through a number of topics, including the UAW/Detroit 3 labor-contract negotiations, Chinese cars being exported to the West, and the Radnor Hunt Concours auto show running from September 8-10 in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Chevrolet or Oldsmobile” quiz in segment three. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brendan Appel sits in for Jill this week, and discussed a pair of articles he wrote regarding the survival of the manual transmission. Brendan argues that carmakers have hastened the demise of stick shift by limiting availability and underestimating demand. Brendan notes the surprising popularity of stick shift on a number of new sporty offerings. In the second segment Brendan and Tom welcome Monica Gorgas, brand manager for the redesigned Lincoln Nautilus midsize crossover. Monica walked the hosts through the changes to the premium crossover, including Tom’s favorite: Digital Scenting. The new Nautilus goes on sale early next year. Brendan is subjected to Tom’s “Cars of 1980” quiz, including a bonus question regarding bad movies, such as Spanglish and Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tom and guest co-host Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed open the show discussing the recently revealed Mustang GTD, an extreme performance version of Ford’s popular pony car. Brendan lamented the fact that, despite rumors to the contrary, the GTD is not a mid-engine car. The hosts went on to discuss an article just posted to the Consumer Guide Daily Drive Blog in which Tom attempts to correct common mispronunciations of car and car-brand names. In the second segment Tom and Brendan welcome Steve Garrett to the podcast. Steve is president of the Corvette Club of Kansas City (CCKC) and host of the popular Corvette Today podcast. Steve walked the hosts through a number of Corvette news items, including the recently introduced Z06, and the coming E-Ray hybrid ‘Vette. Steve also shared his thoughts on the rumored Corvette crossover. In the last segment, Brendan is subjected to a brutal Mercedes-Benz model quiz. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week Tim Esterdahl of Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk subs for Tom who is still under the weather. Jill and Tim open the show by discussing the demise of the Titan, Nissan’s ill-fated and slow-selling large pickup truck. The conversation extended to the likelihood of Toyota bringing a small pickup truck to the U.S. to compete with Ford’s popular Maverick. Jill shared her thoughts on the radically redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe, which is due to arrive in showrooms next year. In the second segment Tim talked about his recent experiences modifying his own pickup. Tim has made a number of updates to his truck, most of which he installed himself. In the third segment Tim is subjected to Jill’s light-duty-truck quiz. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jill and guest cohost Nicole Wakelin, host of the Road Reflected podcast, opened the show talking about “sad snacks,” with Nicole arguing that most healthy and/or gluten-free treats aren’t worth the effort. Jill shared the news that industry colleague, and one-time Road America public-relations manager, Enrique Ramirez lost his battle with cancer. Enrique worked tirelessly to raise money for cancer research.The hosts went on to discuss the resurrection of the Toyota Land Cruiser, which returns soon to U.S. dealerships after a three-year hiatus. They took note of the new vehicle’s blocky design, and discussed the truck’s considerable cult following. In the second segment, Jill and Nicole are joined by iSeeCars.com Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. Karl shared research conducted by iSeeCars finding that used-electric-vehicle prices had plunged in the past year. Doe Karl think this is a good time to invest in a used EV? Listen in. Jill subjected Nicole to a “basic” car-history quiz in the last segment, including a bonus question about Italian ice. Note: Tom is taking some time off this week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sitting in again for Jill is Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed. Jill returns next week. Paul and Tom began the show correcting mistakes made last week. Both hosts were guilty of misstatements which have been begrudgingly corrected. Tom followed up on last week’s podcast, which included an interview with Don Drucker of Chicago’s famous Superdawg Drive-In. Having learned that the establishment’s tamales are meat free—and he being vegetarian—Tom sampled the tamales. Listen to his review. Paul talked about paint-protection film (PPF), and why someone might want to consider having their car treated. Paul recently had his car protected, and is a believer in the process, though it can be pricey. Tom talked briefly about the 2023 Lexus LS 500h, which he recently reviewed. Though the car is not especially space efficient, and a little difficult to get in and out of, Tom is generally a fan of the large luxury sedan. Paul and Tom welcome Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions to the show in the second segment. Sam talked about his new podcast (find the link on Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page). Sam walked the hosts through a number of topics, including the realities of a Corvette crossover, automakers developing their own charging network, and why the new Volvo EX30 electric crossover is so affordable. Paul was then subjected to Tom’s color quiz. Did Paul win? Listen in. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill. In the first segment, Paul shared the details of his recent trip to Italy which included a visit to the Maserati factory, and a test drive of the brand’s exotic MC20 sports car. Paul and Tom also discussed recent cuts to the price of Ford’s electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck. In the second segment Paul and Tom welcomed Don Drucker, Operations Manager of Chicago’s legendary Superdawg drive-in restaurant to the Car Stuff Podcast. Don shared the institution’s history, and talked about late-night car culture. Superdawg celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Paul is subjected to Tom’s “Which Costs More?” quiz in the final segment, and Tom talked a little about driving an affordable base-trim Jeep Grand Cherokee L. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.