America on the Road

What is it like to drive a 702-horsepower supertruck that is designed to lay waste to every other truck on the road? America on the Road host Jack Nerad got that opportunity this week, and he shares his varied experiences in this podcast. Spoiler alert: there are things about the truck that you'd probably never guess.

In the interview portion of the program, Nerad sits down for a lengthy talk with Robin Moreo, Nissan program manager and an expert on the just-introduced Nissan Rogue compact SUV. In conjunction with his early drive of the handsome Rogue, Nerad got the chance to discuss Nissan's thinking behind the markedly changed version of its most popular product.

In the news segment of the program, Nerad and co-host Geno Effler of J.D. Power discuss the recent introduction of the GMC Hummer Edition 1. Unveiled in a showy TV campaign this week, the $100,000+ Hummer vaults the GMC brand in a different direction with a new spin on what a Hummer can be. In addition, there is startling news from supercar maker De Tomaso that you would not have seen coming.

In an exclusive interview with Acura Brand Officer Jon Ikeda, America on the Road host Jack Nerad discovers the direction Acura intends to head with its next generation of vehicles. Leading the charge is the brand-new 2021 Acura TLX sport sedan that presents a fascinating alternative to the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and the Audi A4. Ikeda spells out the next few product moves that Acura will make as it improves its fortunes in the hotly competitive premium segments of the market.

In the car review portion of the program, Nerad takes an in-depth look at the newest small crossover from Buick, the Encore GX. Larger and with more equipment and options than the diminutive Encore SUV, the Encore GX is likely to find favor among both young singles and empty nesters. Quiet and comfort are its hallmarks. Also in the car review segment, guest co-host Charlie Baker describes his cross-country drive in the GMC Terrain. With his family aboard, Baker traversed the country from coast to coast.

The top news story looks at a report from TrueCar that car buyers are growing more comfortable with shopping for a car even in the age of COVID-19. And in other news, General Motors is seeking to reinstate a lawsuit against FCA (Chrysler) charging its fellow Big 3 automaker with racketeering.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX includes helpful features like wireless AppleCarPlay and Android Auto.

Read about the 2021 Acura TLX

What vehicle would you pick for a 2,500-mile trek across much of the Southeast United States? Host Jack Nerad chose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid for its winning combination of style, quiet, carrying capacity, and fuel economy. Nerad and his wife Sandi just made a trip from Dallas-Ft. Worth to the Smoky Mountains and back, stopping in Memphis, Nashville, and Birmingham along the way. He describes the vehicle and the trip in this episode.

In the interview portion of America on the Road Nerad sits down with Jim Danahy, the Executive Chief Engineer of the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban full-size SUVs. As the leaders in the segment, a lot is riding on those two vehicles for Chevy and General Motors.

In the road test segment co-host Chris Teague discusses his recent drive week with the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The subcompact sport-ute is one of Subaru's biggest sellers, and Teague reveals whether the new version matches the hype.

In this edition of the award-winning America on the Road program host Jack Nerad talks with Nissan Vice President Scott Shirley about the brand's ambitious plans to reinvent itself. Starting with a new version of its classic logo, Nissan will thoroughly change the way it is perceived, starting with impressive new vehicles like the 2021 Sentra compact sedan, 2021 Rogue compact sport utility, and the Nissan Ariya battery-electric SUV. Nissan has also improved its consumer perception as measured by J.D. Power, and we'll learn how it was able to accomplish that.

In the car review segment co-host Chris Teague will take a close look at the 2021 Toyota Supra sports car. Introduced just last year, the car gets numerous upgrades including substantially more horsepower for 2021. Jack Nerad will offer his commentary on the Volkswagen Atlas three-row sport utility after a lengthy cross-country test. VW was a bit late to the SUV party but its recent offerings, including the Atlas, are right on the money in the hotly contested SUV category.

In the news segment, Chris and Jack will discuss California Governor Gavin Newsom's startling executive order to outlaw the sales of gasoline-powered cars, trucks, and vans in California starting in 2035. Newsom's plan is designed to combat global climate change, which some blame for the fires that have ravaged the western states this summer.

2021 Toyota Supra

Hear what chief engineer says about new Cadillac XT6 crossover SUV

In this episode of award-winning America on the Road we take a close look at the all-new Buick Encore GX, a different take on the small SUV. In the in-depth interview with Buick product expert Seth Valentine we learn about the luxury and convenience features Buick has built into the hot-selling entry. The GX has features that many larger luxury brand small utilities would envy.

In the vehicle review segment hosts Jack Nerad and Chris Teague examine the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD Polestar. As different as they might seem on the surface, the two vehicles actually share many similarities, including their hybrid powertrains. The Aviator very cleverly disguises its Ford Explorer origins, while the XC60 borrows liberally from its XC90 big brother.

In the news portion of the podcast, Jack and Chris discuss the economic impact of the 2021 Ford Explorer on America and dissect Kia's recent announcement that it expects to become a major electric vehicle manufacturer by the middle of this decade.

Buick Encore GX

In this episode of the award-winning America on the Road podcast we look behind the scenes at how auto dealers are targeting potential customers with marketing messages tied to the consumers' individual situations. Is it helpful or creepy? Host Jack Nerad interviews Ian Grace of dealer service provider automotiveMastermind to get the answers.

In the vehicle review portion of the program, co-host Jack Nerad and Chris Teague take an incisive look at the Mazda CX-30 small crossover and the Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 pickup truck. The road test of the Ram 1500 is a special one because it involved Jack and his wife Sandi using the truck on a 400-mile round trip to move their youngest daughter into her dormitory for her freshman year of college. It is a personal use case on steroids. Meanwhile, Chris road-tested the CX-30 in family drives around his New England home.

In the news segment of the program, Chris and Jack discuss Ford's effort to bring an all-electric version of the F-150 pickup truck to market. Ford has very ambitious plans for its 2021 F-150 and for subsequent models, and the economic impact of that truck is quite stunning.

Ram 1500 Laramie

Hear Ram 1500 Chief Engineer Tell Philosophy Behind Truck

In this special episode of America on the Road we bring you two special interviews. In the first, host Jack Nerad talks with Kristin Kolodge, J.D. Power expert on autonomous vehicles, about the future of such vehicles in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The health crisis and resulting economic upheaval have caused problems for auto manufacturers, and that might delay the development of autonomous technology. At the same time, contactless autonomous vehicles might have advantages in a new era of health consciousness.

In the second interview Lauren Fix, the Car Coach of TV fame, discusses ways to make certain your car is prepared for the upcoming season. She and Nerad also discuss the prospects for the auto industry going forward toward 2021.

In the news segment, we look at a new study on infotainment systems that reveals many consumers still have problems with them. At the same time other cars, like the Dodge Challenger, do a good job with the technology, according to consumers.

Look at the All-New 2021 Kia K5

In the interview segment of the award-winning America on the Road host Jack Nerad will talk with Carl Lally, senior manager of the RAM 1500 TRX. With its 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 engine the TRX brings 702 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque to the off-road party, giving new meaning to the term doing it in the dirt. The truck's 4.5-second zero to 60 mph time is just a hint of its all-around capabilities, and it is stuffed with creature comforts, as Lally will reveal.

In the road test segment, co-host Chris Teague will discuss the relative merits of the 2020 Lexus RX 350, a vehicle that has long ruled the roost at the top of the luxury SUV class. Is it losing some of its luster?

Also in the road test segment, Nerad will discuss his week-long test drive of the all-new Nissan Sentra compact sedan. Nissan has taken the car in an interesting new direction, and Nerad will give his take on whether it is a worthy competitor to the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

With Labor Day sales on the horizon, we will also discuss if now is a great time to buy a new car. Your current car might well be worth more than you think these days.

2021 RAM 1500 TRX

Listen to our interview with RAM 1500 Chief Engineer Rob Wichman

If you are looking to save money on insurance for your teen driver, our interview with Mercury Insurance's Justin Yoshizawa can help. In his discussion with AOTR host Jack Nerad, Yoshizawa identifies a number of new and used vehicles that are the least expensive to insure for teen and young adult drivers. And he gives tips on how you can make your teens better, safer drivers.

In the road test segment of the program, co-host Chris Teague will join Jack in discussing the pros and cons of the new 2021 Kia Seltos small SUV and the Mazda CX-5 compact SUV. The Seltos is a new entry into what is becoming a very hot segment, while the CX-5 is a veteran entrant in one of the most popular segments in the American market.

In the news segment, Jack and Chris will discuss some of the vehicles that will be discontinued after the 2020 model year. Included are such proud names as the Buick Regal and the Lincoln Continental.

2021 Kia Seltos

In this episode of award-winning America on the Road we feature an in-depth interview with Paul Hennessy, CEO of Vroom, the used-car retailer that has changed the model of how consumers buy cars. Hennessy talks about shaking up the stodgy used-car-retailing scene and gives behind-the-scenes information on how Vroom works. If you're seeking a used car, visiting Vroom might be a profitable experience.

In the road test segment host Jack Nerad describes his recent experience at the wheel of the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The Suburban is full of changes for the new model year -- a completely new body style, new chassis and independent rear suspension are among the new features.

Co-host Chris Teague reviews the 2020 Dodge Durango, a vehicle that is hardly all-new but has some new features. In SRT form as Teague tested it, the Durango is a three-row hot rod, simultaneously able to tote seven passengers and rocket to 60 miles per hour in under six seconds.

2021 Chevrolet Suburban