Talking Cars (MP3)

By Consumer Reports

Business Automotive Non-Profit

What's Talking Cars (MP3) about?

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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LAST EPISODE

Why is EV Reliability So Bad?

11.29.2023

More info on the 2023 CR Reliability Survey here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/guide-to-car-reliability-owner-satisfaction-a9213219653/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Every year, Consumer Reports surveys thousands of its members, asking about issues and trouble spots with their cars. ...

Talking Cars (MP3) episodes:

11.29.2023 Why is EV Reliability So Bad? More info on the 2023 CR Reliability Survey here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/guide-to-car-reliability-owner-satisfaction-a9213219653/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Every year, Consumer Reports surveys thousands of its members, asking about issues and trouble spots with their cars. ...
11.15.2023 2023 Toyota Prius Prime Plug-in Hybrid One of Toyota's popular plug-in hybrids (PHEV) the Prius Prime gets a major redesign for 2023. This week we share our first impressions of the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime, its new sleek styling, improved fuel economy, driving characteristics, and extended ...
11.01.2023 2024 Buick Envista Buick expands its lineup with the all-new Envista, a small, stylish model that transforms elements together from a car and an SUV. We share our first impressions of the 2024 Buick Envista, its driving characteristics, exterior styling, and some of ...
10.18.2023 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse On this episode, we drive the Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Our experts discuss the Mustang’s legacy, V8 powertrain, and race-inspired technology. We explore the future of muscle cars and wonder if the 7th generation Pony Car is the last of ...
10.04.2023 Plug-In Hybrids Are Not What You Think They Are We purchased over a dozen of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) for our auto test program at consumer reports, to study deeper and reveal many nuances of the most misunderstood vehicle. This week we share our initial impressions of some ...
09.27.2023 Why Doesn't a 'Headlight Out' Warning Exist; When Will Gas Stations Go Extinct?; EV Tire Wear For all the warnings on today's modern vehicles, why don't cars have an alert that a headlight or taillight is out? In the new 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander with a Max powertrain, is there risk of the hybrid battery depleting ...
09.20.2023 How Child Seats Are Crash Tested CR is known for its extensive testing of child seats. But did you know we also perform a crash test on each seat we review? We visit our secret crash lab to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we ...
09.13.2023 2024 Hyundai Kona See our car ratings and reviews at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT We drove the new 2024 Kona 2.0 and 1.6T at our test track, and share our first impressions on the driving dynamics of the standard and turbo versions, redesigned infotainment system, and ...
09.06.2023 2024 Grand Highlander See our car ratings and reviews at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 2024 Grand Highlander is all-new for Toyota, as the name suggests it's bigger than the Highlander and slots beneath the larger Sequoia. The Grand Highlander shares powertrains with its namesake while borrowing ...
08.16.2023 2023 Dodge Hornet More info on the 2023 Dodge Hornet here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/2023-dodge-hornet-review-a4944342068/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT With the new 2023 Hornet, Dodge has released its first small SUV since the unimpressive Caliber almost a decade ...
08.02.2023 2024 Subaru Impreza More info on the 2024 Subaru Impreza here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/small-cars/2024-subaru-impreza-review-a8590029622/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT The redesigned sixth-generation 2024 Impreza remains true to the established Subaru formula. Subaru has simplified the trim range to ...
07.26.2023 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV See our car ratings and reviews at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Alfa Romeo advances its electrification with the 2024 Tonale, the small SUV slots beneath the Stelvio and is aimed to compete against the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. We discuss its plug-in ...
07.19.2023 Does Toyota's New 0W-8 Engine Oil Improve Fuel Economy? Is The Jeep Wrangler a Convertible? See our car ratings and reviews at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT This week we discuss several topics requested by our audience, including: How does an EV's extra battery weight affect braking? Is it necessary to turn a vehicle's front wheels toward the curb ...
07.12.2023 2023 Maserati Grecale See our car ratings and reviews at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Maserati’s first entry into the vibrant luxury small SUV segment is the all-new 2023 Grecale, which is meant to compete with many desirable models including the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. The ...
07.07.2023 Braking Without Brake Lights See our car ratings and reviews at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Brake lights are a major safety feature on vehicles that provide a fair warning to drivers traveling behind them. On this bonus episode we discuss recent findings in Consumer Reports' tests that ...
07.05.2023 2024 Chevrolet Trax See our car ratings and reviews at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT The newly redesigned Chevrolet Trax is almost a foot larger than the outgoing model and offers a tempting low price tag. We purchased the 2024 Chevrolet Trax 1LT for our test program, ...
06.28.2023 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV; What Does mpge Even Mean? Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT The 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 SUV is the EV complement to the GLE, competing with the Tesla Model X, BMW iX, and Cadillac Lyriq, and the SUV version ...
06.21.2023 2024 Mazda CX-90 More info on the 2024 Mazda CX-90 Turbo Preferred Plus here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/2024-mazda-cx-90-review-a1943302819/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Mazda is aiming upscale with the 2024 CX-90, creating an all-new three-row SUV that separates itself ...
06.14.2023 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 More info on the 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 AWD Advanced here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/sedans/2023-honda-accord-review-a4740920658/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT The Genesis Electrified GV70 is the latest EV from Hyundai's luxury brand. Built on the same ...
06.07.2023 2023 Honda Accord More info on the 2023 Honda Accord 1.5T EX here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/sedans/2023-honda-accord-review-a4740920658/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT We purchased a 2023 Honda Accord 1.5T EX for CR's auto test program, and share our first ...
05.31.2023 The Cost of EV Battery Replacement; Are Expensive Tires Safer Long Term? One of the primary questions drivers have about EVs is how long do their batteries last, and how much would a replacement cost in the future. We share our expert information on if electric car batteries are expensive to replace, ...
05.24.2023 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE More of CR's coverage on Hybrids and EVs: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE electric sedan joins the growing EV market. Equipped with a 90-kWh battery, the EQE promises 305 miles of range with the rear-wheel drive, and 260 miles with ...
05.17.2023 2023 Nissan Z Performance Manual More of CR's coverage on the Nissan Z here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/sports-cars/2023-nissan-z-review-a2145463162/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT The 2023 Nissan Z enters the sports car marketplace as one of the few remaining models available today as a manual, competing for attention with the Toyota Supra, Subaru BRZ, ...
05.10.2023 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Find out more about the Honda Accord at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/sedans/2023-honda-accord-review-a4740920658/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT On this episode, we discuss the 2023 Honda Accord Sport Hybrid that we purchased for our test program. Our experts talk about Honda’s new approach to vehicle trim levels and how ...
05.03.2023 2022 Rivian R1S Find out more about the Rivian R1S at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/rivian-r1s-review-a1186513155/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT CR recently took delivery of the 2022 Rivian R1S we purchased for testing at our track. We share our first impressions of this all-electric 3-row SUV, and how it compares to ...
04.26.2023 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid See our car ratings and reviews at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid looks to build on the legacy of fuel economy, utility, and value of its predecessors. We bought a CR-V Hybrid Sport AWD for our test program, and ...
04.19.2023 2024 Subaru Crosstrek The Subaru Crosstrek gets a facelift for its 2024 model year. Although this subcompact SUV might look familiar at first glance, it gets an improved chassis, redesigned interior, revamped engine, and transmission refinements. We share our first impressions on these ...
04.12.2023 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Hyundai is positioning itself as one of the leaders in electric vehicle manufacturing, adding another EV to its lineup with the Ioniq 6. Sharing a platform with the Genesis GV60, Kia EV6, and Hyundai Ioniq 5, we share our first ...
04.07.2023 2023 New York Auto Show Highlights We discuss our favorite vehicles and trends from the floor of the 2023 NY Auto Show, including previews of the Toyota Grand Highlander, Kia EV9, Ford Mustang, Ram 1500 REV, and Chevrolet Equinox and Blazer EVs. We also share our ...
03.29.2023 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Land Rover has redesigned the Range Rover Sport for 2023. The new Sport SUV offers a number of powertrains, as well as a plug-in hybrid version. We share our first impressions of the inline-six, 355-horsepower on the SE P360 trim ...
03.22.2023 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. Built on the same platform as its sedan sibling, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV could be considered the default flagship vehicle for Mercedes, offering ...
03.17.2023 Charging non-Tesla EVs at a Supercharger Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. Tesla now allows non-Tesla EVs to use its Supercharger network in a handful of locations in New York and California using its new ...
03.15.2023 2023 Lexus RZ Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. This week, we share our first impressions of the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e. The RZ is the first battery-electric vehicle from Lexus, sharing ...
03.08.2023 2023 Honda Pilot Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. On this episode we welcome the 2023 Honda Pilot to our test fleet. We offer our first impressions of the redesigned, three-row SUV, ...
03.03.2023 2023 Lexus LX600 Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. This week, we discuss the 2023 Lexus LX600. The three-row SUV boasts off-road prowess while offering consumers a first-class vehicle experience. We talk ...
02.24.2023 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. Mitsubishi's three-row compact SUV gets a plug-in hybrid version for 2023. We share our first impressions of the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (is ...
02.16.2023 Consumer Reports 2023 Top Picks What are the best cars you can buy right now? The Consumer Reports Top Picks list is a collection of cars, SUVs, and trucks with standout performance across the board. Each represents a key vehicle segment and shines for its ...
02.10.2023 2023 Toyota Crown Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. Reviving a nameplate that hasn't been used in the US since 1972, the Toyota Crown is the Japanese automaker's attempt to bridge the ...
02.08.2023 Making Sense of EV Tax Credits Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. The Inflation Reduction Act has introduced a number of tax incentives for those who want to drive or lease an electric vehicle, but ...
02.03.2023 2023 Toyota Prius Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. The Toyota Prius has always been known for its polarizing styling and undeniable fuel economy. But the new 2023 Prius changes that equation, ...
01.27.2023 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. The Lexus RX has served as a benchmark for refined, stress-free, midsized luxury SUVs for more than two decades. We recently purchased our ...
01.20.2023 2023 Kia Niro EV Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. On this episode, we share our first impressions of the 2023 Kia Niro Electric. Find out how the Niro compares to its corporate ...
01.13.2023 2023 Toyota Highlander Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. This week, we discuss the new Toyota Highlander. Our experts share their first impressions of the three-row SUV and talk about how the ...
01.06.2023 2023 BMW i4 You'd be forgiven for thinking that if a car is electric, it has to have a minimalist design, with weird door handles and every function controlled through a touchscreen. But the BMW i4 both looks and feels very much like ...
12.30.2022 2022 Year in Review Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out more about our tests. On this episode, we recap 2022 and share our personal picks for the best and worst cars we tested this year. We also discuss the biggest trends in ...
12.23.2022 2022 Lucid Air Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. The Lucid Air is an ultra-luxury, all-electric sedan, built by the fledgling EV automaker to compete with other high-end EVs like the Tesla ...
12.16.2022 2023 BMW X1 The 2023 BMW X1 redesign brings more features, room, and power, but does it have enough to compete with the Audi Q3, Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and other competitors in the entry-level luxury SUV segment? We discuss its driving characteristics, ...
12.09.2022 2023 Nissan Ariya Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how this car performs in our tests. This week we discuss the all-new 2023 Nissan Ariya, the second electric vehicle to join the automaker's EV roster behind the Leaf. We discuss the ...
12.02.2022 2023 Honda CR-V; How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how this car performs in our tests. On this episode, we share our first impressions of the 2023 Honda CR-V. We cover the details of the CR-V’s redesign, it’s role in Honda’s ...
11.25.2022 How to Choose the Right Tires for Winter Become a member at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests. What's the difference between all-season and all-weather tires? How are they different from winter tires? And do I need to bother if my ...

Older episodes

Talking Cars (MP3)

What's Talking Cars (MP3) about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Talking Cars (MP3) episodes:

Why is EV Reliability So Bad?

2023 Toyota Prius Prime Plug-in Hybrid

2024 Buick Envista

2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Plug-In Hybrids Are Not What You Think They Are

Why Doesn't a 'Headlight Out' Warning Exist; When Will Gas Stations Go Extinct?; EV Tire Wear

How Child Seats Are Crash Tested

2024 Hyundai Kona

2024 Grand Highlander

2023 Dodge Hornet

2024 Subaru Impreza

2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV

Does Toyota's New 0W-8 Engine Oil Improve Fuel Economy? Is The Jeep Wrangler a Convertible?

2023 Maserati Grecale

Braking Without Brake Lights

2024 Chevrolet Trax

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV; What Does mpge Even Mean?

2024 Mazda CX-90

2023 Genesis Electrified GV70

2023 Honda Accord

The Cost of EV Battery Replacement; Are Expensive Tires Safer Long Term?

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE

2023 Nissan Z Performance Manual

2023 Honda Accord Hybrid

2022 Rivian R1S

2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

2024 Subaru Crosstrek

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6

2023 New York Auto Show Highlights

2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

Charging non-Tesla EVs at a Supercharger

2023 Lexus RZ

2023 Honda Pilot

2023 Lexus LX600

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Consumer Reports 2023 Top Picks

2023 Toyota Crown

Making Sense of EV Tax Credits

2023 Toyota Prius

2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

2023 Kia Niro EV

2023 Toyota Highlander

2023 BMW i4

2022 Year in Review

2022 Lucid Air

2023 BMW X1

2023 Nissan Ariya

2023 Honda CR-V; How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

How to Choose the Right Tires for Winter