Auto Buyers Guide Podcast

This week on Auto Buyer's Guide, we're digging into why nobody's making high horsepower hybrids anymore (blame Toyota's pragmatism and the ghost of the Lexus LS 600h), answering viewer questions on 12-volt battery woes and whether you actually need to flush your brakes, and debating why ventilated leather seats are really just a solution to a problem leather created in the first place. We've also got a look at the incoming tidal wave of 800,000-plus used EVs about to flood the market from lease returns, the dismal IIHS rear-seat safety scores that somehow managed to make every minivan in America look bad, GM's surprise resurrection of the Camaro and a Buick sedan on a platform that was already too small the first time around, Geely's absurd 1,100-kilowatt charging demo that puts everything stateside to shame, the $4,000-5,000 dealer markup you're paying whether you realize it or not, and a Chinese plug-in hybrid three-row with 858 horsepower that costs less than a loaded Camry — which really makes you wonder what exactly we're doing over here.

This week, we’re recording from the back seat of Volvo’s smallest EV while diving into your latest car-buying questions. We break down the reality of buying a budget manual car in today’s market, unpack the growing frustration around subscription-based features in EVs like the Silverado, and take a hard look at whether reliability ratings (especially from sources like Consumer Reports) actually tell the full story. Along the way, we discuss the future of manuals, hybrids vs. turbos, and what’s really going on behind the scenes with automakers navigating EV strategy.

In today's episode, Alex, Travis and Mack Hogan from InsideEVs attempt to diagnose what exactly is wrong with Honda lately. From canceled EVs to joint ventures without a future, sagging Acura sales, and some products going stale, Honda is betting a great deal on their new large car platform, which is still a decent time away.

After we recorded this video, Acura announced that their new EV that was supposed to start production in just a few months, has been cancelled, so if you want an EV with an Acura logo on it... The ZDX is your only way to go. In this video Alex and Travis also talk digital air vents, all digital controls, GM's upcoming SuperCruise update, and we compare the EV "wagons" from Chevy and Subaru.

Return of the Jeep Cherokee as a hybrid, including its new drivetrain, design changes, and positioning in the SUV market.

Comparisons between SUVs and crossovers, discussing features, pricing, and off-road capabilities across brands like Jeep, Toyota, and Subaru.

Listener Q&A on car buying and upgrades, including tire choices, luxury SUVs, and family vehicle recommendations. 

Electric vehicle trends and policy impacts, such as tax credits, EV adoption, and plug-in hybrid incentives. 

Industry commentary on specific models, including the Tesla Cybertruck, upcoming hybrids, and future vehicle powertrains.