
Talking Cars (MP3)
Consumer Reports
Show overview
Talking Cars (MP3) has been publishing since 2013, and across the 13 years since has built a catalogue of 529 episodes, alongside 6 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 240 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence, with the show now in its 396th season.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 22 min and 30 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language Leisure show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 4 days ago, with 31 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2022, with 55 episodes published. Published by Consumer Reports.
From the publisher
Join our experts at the Consumer Reports Test Track as they discuss cars, answer buying questions, and share insights on everything automotive.
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S13 Ep 5012026 Mazda CX-5 Premium Plus
On this episode, we share our first impressions of the 2026 Mazda CX-5. We cover the CX-5's redesign, including its new, large touchscreen infotainment system, mourn its lack of physical climate controls, and discuss how the top trim model we rented doesn't feel that special. We also answer a question about 360 cameras and how to keep the lenses clean in rainy places like Oregon. Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. SHOW NOTES: 0:00 - Intro 0:17 - 2026 Mazda CX-5 Overview 1:18 - What we love about the 2026 Mazda CX-5 7:05 - What we dislike on the 2026 Mazda CX-5 30:50 - Is it worth buying top trim vehicles? 36:05 - What we'd buy instead of a 2026 Mazda CX-5 39:10 - Audience Question: What's the best way to keep a vehicle's 360º camera clean? LINKS: Mazda CX-5 Model History: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mazda/cx-5/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Redesigned 2026 Mazda CX-5: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/2026-mazda-cx-5-review-a2402724881/EXTKEY=SOCIAL_YT Mazda CX-50 Hybrid: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mazda/cx-50-hybrid/2026/overview/EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Compact SUV Ratings: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/types/new/suvs/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT