Auto Buyers Guide Podcast

Today in our first on-the-road podcast we drive around in a Jeep Cherokee hybrid and talk about Jeep's newest hybrid, Subaru's EV lineup expanding to include a 3-row and the reality that Cadillac now has more EVs than gas models in their lineup. Also, is Lexus the new Acura?

Alex and Travis dive into the rapidly shifting automotive landscape, starting with the growing affordability crisis as average new vehicle prices surpass $50,000 and manufacturers like Toyota signal multiple price increases per year. We cover the all-electric 2027 Highlander, and how it stacks up against competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9. The discussion explores development timelines, EV charging speeds, third-row practicality, and whether Toyota can price the Highlander aggressively enough to disrupt the three-row electric SUV market.

The episode also features an in-depth comparison between the Hyundai Palisade and Toyota Grand Highlander, breaking down real-world interior measurements, child seat usability, and design trade-offs that sparked online controversy. Beyond SUVs, the hosts debate whether plug-in hybrids still make financial sense without federal tax credits, examine EV road-trip practicality for families, respond to listener questions about Volkswagen’s hybrid future, and touch on reliability concerns with the Chevy Blazer EV—along with a humorous fast-food detour to close things out.

It’s a packed Friday live show covering one of the biggest shake-ups in the modern car market: dozens of vehicles disappearing for the 2026 model year. We kick things off with a rapid-fire rundown of discontinued sedans, coupes, EVs, and SUVs—and what those cancellations say about where the industry is heading.

From there, we dive deep into EV demand, plug-in hybrid realities, tariffs, pricing pressure, and federal incentives, plus honest answers to audience questions on everything from Kia and Toyota strategy to Volvo wagons, Stellantis indecision, and the real cost of owning modern EVs.

We also cover:

Why affordable $25,000 EVs are still a long way off

Whether plug-in hybrids actually get plugged in

Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions and CarPlay rumors

Used EV buying advice (Lightning vs Rivian, Audi vs Mercedes)

The future of minivans, wagons, and midsize trucks

As always, this one blends industry analysis with real-world ownership experience and zero PR spin.

 

00:00 – Welcome & live show setup
00:02 – Massive list of vehicles canceled for 2026
04:45 – Audience Q&A begins
04:55 – Why there’s no 2026 Kia EV6 yet
05:36 – Kia & Hyundai’s electric future in the U.S.
06:21 – EV demand slowdown, tax credits, and pricing math
07:06 – Toyota warns of multiple price hikes due to tariffs
07:27 – Volvo wagons: why they stopped working in the U.S.
08:17 – Refresh vs redesign: when automakers stretch platforms
09:51 – Are plug-in hybrids dying in America?
11:09 – Europe vs U.S. plug-in hybrid reality check
13:20 – GM, Mary Barra, and plug-in hybrid data
15:09 – Aston Vantage vs Porsche 911 ownership advice
16:29 – When (or if) $25,000 EVs will exist
18:09 – Used Mercedes EQ vs Audi e-tron reliability
18:58 – Why minivan seats don’t fold flat
19:43 – 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander refresh & warranty thoughts
20:54 – Blazer EV ownership update (pros, cons, issues)
23:46 – Solar, batteries, and Chinese subsidy changes
26:01 – Why EVs cost more in the U.S. than Europe
28:26 – Automakers writing off billions in EV investments
29:14 – Grand Highlander vs Honda Pilot buying advice
31:39 – 2026 Jeep Cherokee vs Dodge Durango
33:47 – Volvo EX60 vs Rivian R2 expectations
36:10 – Polestar 3 vs Volvo EX lineup overlap
37:37 – Stellantis product delays and strategy confusion
40:31 – Rivian R1T vs Ford Lightning for camping
42:04 – Tesla CarPlay rumors & software strategy
43:06 – Honda Accord Hybrid MPG limits explained
46:00 – Tesla, robotaxis, and the future of carmaking
48:02 – Frunks, crash safety, and real-world risks
50:34 – Will the Accord ever get AWD?
51:52 – RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid: worth the premium?
53:36 – Wrap-up and sign-off

In this episode of the Auto Buyer’s Guide podcast the hosts catch up after travel and dig into major industry moves: Mercedes’ luxury and AMG sales surge despite an overall decline, Acura’s supplier crisis that pauses RDX production for up to two years, and why that threatens Acura’s sales trajectory.

They discuss Honda’s new Prelude — its driving feel, hybrid drivetrain limitations, and missed opportunities like a plug‑in version or an Acura-branded variant — and ask whether low-volume sporty coupes can justify their premium pricing.

The conversation covers General Motors’ public comments on plug‑in hybrids and the broader debate over whether owners actually plug them in, comparing U.S. data to European trends and noting how OEM strategy and messaging shape the market.

Other highlights include Tesla moving advanced driver assists to subscription, the Polestar 4’s awkward market positioning, the Chevy Bolt’s limited return, and Volvo’s all-new EX60 with ultra-fast charging (claimed 10–80% in about 18 minutes) and up to a projected 400‑mile range on later trims.

The hosts wrap up by weighing how these moves affect affordable cars and charging infrastructure in the U.S., and ask listeners for feedback and questions for future episodes.

In this episode of the Auto Buyer’s Guide, Alex and Travis take a deep, data-driven dive into 2025 U.S. auto sales for the manufacturers that have reported so far.

They hit brand-by-brand analysis, covering highlights and concerns: Ram’s bold moves (TRX/SRT and a diesel Power Wagon), GM’s large truck volume and growing EV portfolio, and Toyota’s strong hybrid adoption across its lineup.

The discussion contrasts manufacturers that are leaning into hybrids and plug-in options with those focusing on expensive premium trims, and explains how the new-car buyer is trending wealthier and favoring pricier models and SUVs.

Other topics include Ford’s strong truck and Maverick performance, Stellantis’s mixed results, Hyundai–Kia’s rapid rise with turbos and tech, and challenges for Honda, Acura, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, Volkswagen and Audi.

The hosts also cover luxury growth at BMW, Mercedes and Genesis, Tesla’s global sales decline and a safety debate over electronic door releases, and the long-term environmental and market implications of hybrid versus full-EV strategies.

Throughout the episode they evaluate lineup strengths and weaknesses, sales drivers, and what manufacturers should change to meet shifting buyer preferences, finishing with a New Year sign-off and a look ahead to the 2026 model-year impacts.