America on the Road

By Jack Nerad - HostNews Leisure News Commentary Automotive

America on the Road episodes

November 02, 2024 Special Road Test: 1,000 Miles in 2025 Honda Odyssey Elite
Driving from Dallas to Oxford, Mississippi, and back over the course of a three-day weekend sounds like a daunting proposition for a lot of people. After all, Dallas is 530 miles from Oxford, so the journey entails a lot of driving. But there is reason behind our madness. Our future son-in-law went to Ole Miss, and he and my daughter asked us to join them to make the trip to see the Rebels play Oklahoma. How could you turn that down? The good news is we found the perfect vehicle for the trip — the 2025 Honda Odyssey Elite minivan. Intelligently upgraded for the new model year, the Odyssey proved to be the ideal vehicle for our, well, odyssey.
Of course, it. It wasn’t enough to drive directly from Ft. Worth to Oxford, Mississippi — 500 miles as the crow flies. No, with the Odyssey’s newly revised infotainment system to guide us, we decided to take a side trip to visit Hot Springs National Park, one of the few national parks in the middle of a city. Then we pointed the Odyssey’s attractive nose to Grenada, Mississippi, because getting rooms in Oxford on football weekends involves mortgaging your home or selling an offspring.
The Odyssey’s long-standing reputation as a reliable, spacious transporter proved invaluable. With five travelers aboard, we appreciated the roomy interior that can accommodate as many as eight and the adaptable seating. Honda’s Magic Slide seats and the fold-flat third row offered versatility, making cargo management easy, even with tons of luggage and snacks aboard. The Odyssey's V-6 engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth and efficient performance, providing plenty of power for passing on the rural two-lanes we often found ourselves on. Notable tech features like a rear-seat entertainment system, cabin camera, and PA system kept everyone comfortable and connected. In short, the Odyssey slayed as a cross-country family cruiser, and Host Jack Nerad will tell you more in this episode.
This week, our special guest is also our guest host. A few days ago, Matt DeLorenzo and host Jack Nerad traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the annual North American Car of the Year test session. After driving about a dozen car of the year contenders each, they sat down to talk about what they had learned and what vehicles impressed them. In this episode, Matt Delorenzo will also review one of the North American Truck of the Year semi-finalists, the 2025 Ford Ranger with its new 2.7-liter turbocharged engine.
In the news, the Biden Administration’s proposed ban on cars and trucks that include Chinese technology is facing big-time blowback from several sources, including the Mexican government. One auto brand says the ban will eliminate it completely from the U.S. market, including the vehicles it builds in Carolina. We’ll have more on that.
Speaking of the Chinese, Volkswagen is having big troubles in Europe and worldwide with many of its issues caused by new Chinese competition. We’ll tell you how that might sort out and what it could mean here in America. Meanwhile Toyota is ramping up its EV efforts with a new deal with Suzuki Motors, one of several efforts it is making on the EV front. Toyota has also unveiled its 2025 GR Corolla, and we’ll have details on that coming up.
So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do we'll like you forever.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com
44 min
October 26, 2024 2025 Toyota Camry XSE: 600+ Miles of Range in a Sedan You’ll Love
The 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid is all that flash, but after testing it this week, we think consumers will really respond to its combination of versatility, fun-to-drive, and incredible fuel economy. The Environmental Protection Agency says it has a range of more than 600 miles on a tankful of gas. At the same time, Host Jack Nerad found it delivered excellent performance with more brio than you might expect.
With a fresh design and a shift to hybrid-only powertrains, it now offers two hybrid configurations: front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. We tested the 225-horsepower front-drive version and found that its acceleration more than met expectations. There’s just something about electric motors’ instant torque. Nerad will have a full report.
More than 2,000 miles away, Co-Host Chris Teague was putting the battery-electric Volvo C40 Recharge through his test regimen. There is something perfect about the combination of fall colors, the Atlantic Coast, and the Volvo C40 recharge, and Teague will give us his conclusions.
In the news this week, with somewhat curious timing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has finally opened an official investigation into Tesla and its Full Self-Driving software after years of studying the issue. Hmmm. What has changed?
At the same time, Dodge assures us that the Hemi-V8 isn’t dead yet. Despite its recent troubles, it has just proven this by introducing an all-new Durango SRT special edition. We’ll have the details.
Sorry, potential car buyers — the prime interest rate is down, but car affordability remains a big challenge, according to a just-released report from Cox Automotive/Moody’s Analytics. We’ll have more on that coming up.
Kia has just introduced a new accessory made from ocean waste. We’ll tell you more about that very appealing new product and share our thoughts.
This week, our special guest is our very own Co-Host, Chris Teague. He’ll tell us about his recent experience with his new Honda Prologue battery-electric SUV and the home charging system he recently had installed. If you are considering purchasing an EV, listen up for that segment.
So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do we'll like you forever.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com
44 min
October 19, 2024 2025 Ram 1500 Goes Straight (Six)
After years featuring the Hemi V8, the 2025 Ram 1500 now offers the new turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane straight-six engines, and Co-Host Chris Teague gives the heavily massaged full-sized pickup a thorough test. At the wheel of the off-road-oriented Rebel trim, Teague found rural Maine an exciting venue to check out power delivery, handling and creature comforts. Inside, the Ram 1500 offers a cutting-edge experience with its advanced Uconnect 5 infotainment system. It features a 14.5-inch touchscreen, passenger screen, digital instrument cluster, and available head-up display, alongside conveniences like dual wireless device charging. How did his family like it? We’ll have a full report in this episode.
Across the country on the nation’s Left Coast, Host Jack Nerad tested a vehicle whose profile is a litmus test. Either you like the looks of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 battery-electric sedan or you don’t. Nerad comes down on the side of those who like what is definitely standout styling. The rear-drive Ioniq 6 Long Range model he testeds delivers up to an EPA-estimated 361 miles of range, equalling or outperforming key competitors like the Tesla Model 3. Beyond that, the minimalist, tech-forward cabin includes dual 12.3-inch displays, fast-charging capabilities, and advanced driver-assistance features. But what’s it like to live with day to day? Nerad will have the answer.
This week AOTR welcomes two special guests. Danny Shapiro is VP of Automotive at NVIDIA, and Nerad’s recent interview with him was so filled with information that it was impossible to fit it all in one segment so we’re bringing you the balance of his comments in this show. As a bonus, Nerad also spoke with Adrian Aguirre, chief engineer of the all-new 2025 Ford Expedition, and we’ll bring you that as well.
Topping the news this week, Tesla has just pulled the wraps off two new vehicles and to say they are groundbreaking is under-stating the case. We’ll have all the details.
Electric vehicle sales in the United States hit a new record despite many challenges, and we’ll tell you how the carmakers pulled off that magic trick coming up. Hint: your taxpayer dollars had a lot to do with it.
The current Paris Auto Show previews what could become an epic battle in the United States as European automakers square off against the Chinese, who are flooding European countries with low-priced electric cars. We'll report on that battle soon.
In a related development, one major global vehicle manufacturer’s admitted troubles have prompted merger rumors. In this episode, we’ll tell you which companies are involved and how this could affect the vehicles you can buy here in the United States.
So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do we'll like you forever.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com
44 min
October 12, 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata, Subaru WRX TR Keynote Joy of Driving Week
This week America on the Road proves yet again that there is more to driving than just getting from Point A to Point B in a thoroughly rational but also thoroughly uninvolving crossover SUV. We experienced this firsthand as we road-tested two exceedingly enjoyable sports cars — the legendary Mazda MX-5 Miata and the almost equally legendary Subaru WRX.
The 2024 WRX TR trim that Co-Host Chris Teague tested offers improved performance and handling from its rally-inspired chassis and suspension. It features a Brembo braking system with six-piston front and two-piston rear calipers, larger pads and rotors, and a larger brake master cylinder. Suspension enhancements include stiffer springs, revised damping rates, and a retuned steering rack for better control and response. The TR comes with 19-inch satin gray alloy wheels and Bridgestone Potenza S007 summer tires. Inside, it has Recaro seats with black and gray Ultrasuede, red stitching, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. With its six-speed manual transmission, the 2024 WRX TR is base-priced at $41,655. How does it compare to Teague’s GR Corolla? He’ll tell us in his report.
Across the country, Host Jack Nerad got the chance to test the 2024 MX-5 Miata Grand Touring trim, which received significant updates enhancing performance and comfort. Powered by a 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine delivering 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, the MX-5 Miata retains its classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The Sport and Club trims come exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, while the Grand Touring we tested offers either a manual or a six-speed automatic.
In addition to Kinematic Posture Control, the Miata now offers a revamped electric power steering system with a new steering rack and software enhancements for smoother steering and better precision. Exterior updates include new LED headlights and taillights and additional color options. Inside, the 2024 Miata features a revised center console, an 8.8-inch infotainment display with added touch functionality, and Mazda’s first Alexa integration. But does all this new stuff blunt the winning Miata experience? Nerad will have the answer in this show.
In the news this week, Honda has given an in-depth briefing about its upcoming all-new lineup of electric vehicles, and the concepts are startling. We’ll give you the details.
General Motors has just ditched a major brand name as it does an about-face in its electric vehicle strategy. We’ll tell you what brand they are turning their back on and give you our comments.
If you are thinking about buying a new car soon, you should be aware that a substantial percentage of buyers are now taking on massive monthly payments when they make a purchase. Will you be one of them? And in the True Crime Files Automotive Edition, there is a new development in the trial of a major figure in the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal. Is there prison in his future?
This week, our special guest is Chevrolet bicyclist safety expert Mike Fry. The new Chevy Traverse has a system that is particularly useful in preventing vehicle-bicycle accidents, and we’ll talk with him about that and about bicycle safety. We think you’ll enjoy the discussion.
So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com
44 min
October 05, 2024 All-New 2025 Ford Expedition: Is It the Ultimate Family Hauler?
Ford Motor Company doesn’t see the all-new 2025 Ford Expedition as just another big SUV. It has a larger purpose in mind. Expedition Brand Manager Luis Perez told AOTR Host Jack Nerad that Ford wants to influence American families to spend more quality time together. So, they have created a massive vehicle that is full of innovation and capability.
Nerad was part of a small cadre of journalists who got early access to the 2025 Expedition and its executives, engineers, and product planners. In this episode, we will share his in-depth interview with Perez, giving you uncommon insight into the creation of the new Expedition and the intriguing features that set it apart from other large SUVs.
Our road test segment this week gives you a double dose of Toyota. Co-host Chris Teague was at the wheel of the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD. Toyota has gone all-hybrid with the Camry in this all-new iteration of one of America’s most popular vehicles, and Teague will provide his verdict on the result.
At the same time Teague was driving the all-new Camry at one end of the country, Jack Nerad was driving the all-new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser at the other. The legendary Toyota Land Cruiser returns after a hiatus in a more compact version that is the original 1958 model that introduced the model to the U.S. Of course, the ’58 Land Cruiser didn’t sport a hybrid powertrain, a variety of electronic driver assistance technology and a sophisticated infotainment system, but, as they say, the more things stay the same, the more they change. What has stayed the same is the Land Cruiser’s stout all-terrain prowess.
Pricing for the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser starts with the 1958 trim at a base manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $55,950, and that’s the model Nerad tested. It features retro-styled round headlights and TOYOTA spelled out on its throwback grille. Cloth seats and the eight-inch touchscreen indicate its modest aspirations and desire to keep the price accessible if you can call $56K accessible. Teague and Nerad will share more thoughts on the model.
Car buyers could be hitting a double-whammy this weekend as a couple of factors combine to make buying a new car even harder. The hurricane and the recently settled longshoremen’s strike have combined to throw a wrench into car buying. We’ll give you strategies that can help you get the best deal you can.
Also in the news, hydrogen fuel cell technology is getting a second look, and we’ll tell you which major global automaker might put more money into the technology as a solution to battery-electric vehicle’s continued issues. We’ll have our thoughts coming up.
We’ll also tell you which major manufacturer is telling owners of one of its showcase vehicles to avoid parking them in their garages until further notice. That's an interesting story.
So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com
44 min
September 28, 2024 Mustang Convertible + Autumn in Maine: The Perfect Automotive Cocktail
While the other domestic manufacturers are dropping their sporty cars as if they were redhot hunks of iron just pulled from a fireplace, Ford is doubling down on its iconic Mustang, and we’re happy about that. This past week, Co-Host Chris Teague got the chance to put the Mustang EcoBoost convertible through its paces as summer turned to fall in New England. Tough duty, right?
He wanted to learn if the turbo four-cylinder in the Mustang was strong enough to propel the Mustang at speeds to which he had become accustomed. He also wanted to see firsthand how practical the two-door door bodystyle is for his family, which includes two school-age kids. Teague will have a full report in this episode.
Halfway across the country, Host Jack Nerad had similarly unhazardous duty as he piloted the 2025 Genesis GV80 SUV during a long family weekend in Dallas. The road trip included a college rivalry football game, heaping servings of slow-smoked brisket, and, most importantly, his middle daughter's engagement to a great Texas guy.
It turned out that the opulent GV80 was the perfect horse for this course. With 375 horsepower on tap, the gorgeous SUV had more than enough potency to fend off Lone Star state drivers who don’t seem to have mastered the art of the freeway merge. The thronelike interior seats took comfort to a new level, and the automatic climate control overcame the 95-degree temperatures that vexed those who set foot outside the vehicle.
Our guest this week has a fascinating story to tell. Danny Shapiro is the Vice President of Automotive for NVIDIA, the company making the AI dreams of carmakers like Volvo come true. From infotainment to safety to self-driving, Shapiro knows it all from the inside of vehicles like the 2025 Volvo EX90 electric SUV, and he'll share it with us in this exclusive interview.
In the news this week, if you are about to go car shopping, you might be in for a giant shock. While there’s a great deal of talk about inflation this time of year, a new report on the auto industry makes it all come to life. We’ll give you the grim news coming up.
Are you worried that your car is spying on you? We asked this question about a month ago, but now a new proposed federal regulation suggests the problem is more immediate—and more scary—than you might think. We’ll discuss that and get behind the story to reveal what another motive behind the new rule might be.
We’ll also discuss which vehicle brands get the most loyalty from their owners, according to a new J.D. Power study that clearly shows how car owners feel about the brands they have purchased.
So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com
44 min
September 21, 2024 2025 Ford Mustang GTD: 815-horsepower, 202 MPH Top Speed; Are We Nearing the End of Days?
This week's lead news story is the just-announced 2025 Ford Mustang GTD that Ford Motor Company says is the pinnacle of Mustang engineering. As we discuss in this week’s episode, it’s hard to argue that. The Mustang GTD delivers a mind-blowing 815 horsepower, 664 pound-feet of torque, and a riveting top speed of 202 mph. The fastest street-legal Mustang ever boasts advanced features that include active aerodynamics, carbon-ceramic brakes, and a sophisticated suspension system.
One goal of the new Mustang standard-bearer is achieving a sub-seven-minute lap at Nürburgring. Powered by a supercharged 5.2-liter V8, the GTD appears to have the goods to do just that. With the dry-sump oil system, its engine offers enhanced lubrication during high-speed cornering and revs up to 7,650 rpm. If that’s not enough, the Mustang GTD also incorporates a specialized drag reduction system that enables it to adjust its aerodynamics to optimize speed and grip based on driving conditions — a pretty nice trick. Co-Host Chris Teague and Host Jack Nerad will react to the newest Ford sup0ercar in this episode.
In our road tests this week, Chris Teague will evaluate another vehicle from an American brand, the 2025 Dodge Hornet. The Hornet is designed to help Dodge turn the page from its musclecar — and some would say muscle-bound — past. Its goal is to maintain the brand’s performance image but putting it in a new context. Chris and Jack will discuss if it lives up to that billing.
The Ford Ranger Lariat 4x4 with the FX4 package is the subject of our other road test this week. The newest Ranger marks Ford’s renewed interest in the midsize truck segment here in North America, and it comes amidst a flurry of new midsize pickups from both domestic and import automakers. Jack and Chris will describe how they believe it stacks up.
This week, our special guest is Brad Arnold, a top-ranking Hyundai designer in North America. At a recent event in central California, he and Host Jack Nerad sat down for a lengthy discussion of the heavily revised 2025 Hyundai Tucson and 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. We’re sure you’ll enjoy our discussion.
In the news this week, we’ll be talking about something that seems too good to be true. Would you lease a brand-new EV if the monthly payment was $20? That’s happening right now, and we’ll tell you more about it coming up.
In other news, Volvo is ditching its vehicle subscription plan after several years of lackluster interest from the public. We’ll have more on that, and we’ll talk about a Toyota Prius hypermiler who just set a Guiness World record for fuel economy in a drive from coast to coast.
So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us. And please don't forget to look for our content on YouTube and Rumble. If you subscribe, it will help us bring you even more.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com
44 min
September 14, 2024 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: A Driving Simulator That You Actually Drive
The 2025 Ioniq 5 N isn’t simply Hyundai’s first electrified N performance brand model, it is also one of the most fascinating cars we at America on the Road have ever driven — and we’ve driven one heckuva lot of cars. The Ioniq 5 N offers a bevy of electronic features almost too numerous to count, plus adjustable torque distribution, upgraded suspension, and 641 horsepower from its twin electric motors. Its 84 kWh battery gives it a range of 221 miles, but, as host Jack Nerad found out in his weeklong vehicle test, that isn’t even close to the point.
The Ioniq 5 N is not so much a car as an incredibly quick, rolling arcade game that offers a wide variety of ways to play. Features like N Pedal and N Drift Optimizer do more than simply enhance handling and dynamic driving. Along with modes like N Grin Boost and N Race, they give the driver new opportunities that are as much like gaming as they are like driving. Throw in aggressive styling, N-exclusive design cues, and sustainable materials, and you have a vehicle that is worthy of discussion. We’ll have that discussion for you right here.
Our other road test vehicle is equally exciting but in a completely different way. You might say the 2025 Toyota GR Supra is an analog sports car while the Ioniq 5 N is digital. The GR Supra is offered in two grades: 3.0 and 3.0 Premium, both with a manual or an automatic transmission. Under the long, sleek hood is an inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine that delivers up to 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. Co-host Chris Teague had the opportunity to take the GR Supra through its paces on the backroads of Maine, and he’ll offer us a full report.
This week, our special guest is Thomas Broberg, a longtime Volvo Safety expert who has appeared on AOTR many times before. He and Jack Nerad sat down for a chat during the recent 2025 Volvo EX90 SUV drive event, discussing the special opportunities and challenges battery-electric vehicles present on the safety front. We’re sure you’ll enjoy the exclusive interview.
In the news this week, the 2025 model year is about to start, and we’re about to say goodbye to several well-liked sports and performance vehicles. We’ll have the details. Meanwhile a famous American brand is about to return to the market, and we’ll have the details on that, too.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration seems to be asking the question: Are some vehicles just too big? It’s proposing a new rule designed to reduce pedestrian deaths, and we’ll tell you what it will mean to you.
Are vehicle owners becoming overwhelmed with technology features that don’t solve a problem or don’t work? The results of the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index suggest that could be the case. And we’ll tell you more and offer our comments.
Plenty of show this week. Thank you for joining us.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com
44 min
September 07, 2024 Mission Incredible: Flying Around Maine in Nissan Z NISMO
Co-Host Chris Teague was confronted with a very difficult task in our lead road test this week. His job was to pilot the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO around the twists and turns of Maine’s backroads. Sure, it was a tough assignment, but, as has so often been said, someone had to do it. The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO enhances the iconic sports car with track-ready performance, featuring a 420-horsepower twin-turbo engine, upgraded suspension, and revised aerodynamics. How did Teague enjoy the experience? Did he apply for hazardous-duty pay? He’ll have more in his full 6-foot-tall report.
When Ford introduced the Bronco Sport small SUV, its executives weren’t certain that its buyers were ready for heavy-duty off-road ability. But several years into the program, they are more than ready to believe it. Why? Because their customers asked them for it. As a result, the 2025 Bronco Sport can be equipped with its own Sasquatch package, which mimics the full-on off-road gear available on the full-size Bronco.
While that’s good news, the even better news is that Host Jack Nerad got a chance to drive a 2025 Bronco Sport with the Sasquatch package on some very challenging terrain in Eastern Tennessee. That’s the site of Ford’s latest Bronco Off-Roadeo adventure playground. As part of a small group of auto journalists, he got behind the wheel of the 2025 Bronco Sport Sasquatch to see if it could stand up to the rigors of some tough, rock-strewn, water-soaked trails. He’ll share his findings in this episode.
This week our special guest is Andre Ravinowich, Hyundai’s Senior Manager of Product Planning. Jack Nerad spoke with him at length about the exciting changes to the 2025 Hyundai Tucson, one of the brand’s most important vehicles, at a recent event in Los Olivos, California. We think you’ll enjoy hearing what he has to say.
In the news this week, J.D. Power has lowered its electric vehicle sales forecast for this year and next. We’ll have the details on what’s going on and why EVs aren’t selling as well as many so-called experts expected.
In a related story, a major global automaker has just abandoned its pledge to be all-electric in 2030. We’ll tell you the brand, what they just announced and offer our comments.
On a happier note, an important Japanese brand is vowing to increase its North American presence with an onslaught of new vehicles. We’ll have the details on that coming up.
And there was sadness in the Nerad household as we said goodbye to a vehicle that served our family well for 25 years. We’ll have a few words about Clifford coming up in this episode of America on the Road.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com
44 min
August 31, 2024 Driving 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Sasquatch: Smokin’ Off-Road in the Smokies
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport has received a significant upgrade with the introduction of the Sasquatch off-road package. Host Jack Nerad drove it just days ago and then discussed the vehicle’s nuances with Bronco Sport Brand Manager Mike Weller at a special event outside Knoxville, Tennessee. We’ll share that interview with you on America on the Road this week.
As off-road fans know, the serious all-terrain Sasquatch package was previously exclusive to the larger Bronco, but Ford is now making it available for the Bronco Sport Badlands and Outer Banks models. It significantly enhances the vehicle’s off-road capabilities with features like a twin-clutch rear-drive unit, locking rear differential, and large 29-inch Goodyear Territory All-Terrain tires, giving the likable crossover much greater off-pavement capabilities.
The Bronco Sport’s Sasquatch package exterior features modular steel bumpers, additional underbody protection, and revised wheel designs. Interior enhancements include an available grab handle and auxiliary switches. As Weller detailed in the exclusive interview, these updates make the Bronco Sport a more versatile small SUV that caters to outdoor enthusiasts seeking both capability and modern technology. And he’ll share much more.
In the news this week, Tesla Motors is returning to an old marketing scheme by offering cash for referrals. It could save you a substantial amount if you plan to buy an EV soon, and we’ll have the details.
There’s crankiness in Detroit, as a union leader suggests that the CEO of a global automaker should resign in a dispute over the reopening of a factory. We’ll tell the who’s and why’s on that one and what the future of the automaker might hold.
The agonizingly slow rollout of the electric vehicle charging network is getting a lot of people hot under the collar. Now the federal government is poised to spend more than $500 million in that effort, and we’ll tell you if it could mean you’ll finally get some DC fast chargers at a convenient location near you.
On a happier note, Hagerty is getting ready to display some full-size versions of classic Hot Wheels vehicles on the National Mall in Washington, DC. We’ll tell you when that will happen and share some Hot Wheels stories, too.
In our road tests this week, Co-Host Chris Teague got a very early chance to drive Infiniti’s all-new full-size 2025 QX80. Does it have the goods to play in the big leagues of full-size luxury SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator and Grand Wagoneer? Teague will share his opinion.
Across the country, Jack Nerad spent the past week testing the enhanced Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S, a very appealing revamp of the battery-electric-powered U.S.-built compact crossover SUV. Delivering more miles on a charge, the Pro S version of the vehicle might be the best combination of range, performance, charging ability and value VW has ever offered. Nerad will have all the details coming up.
In all, we have a ton of show this week. Thanks for joining us.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com
43 min