America on the Road

In the road test segment of the program hosts Jack Nerad and Chris Teague look at the Volkswagen Jetta and the Cadillac XT4. The Jetta brings a premium feel compact sedan segment that also includes the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and the Nissan Sentra. The XT4 is a small crossover SUV that competes against the Lincoln Corsair and the Lexus NX 300.

After Chris and Jack answer some questions from listeners, Jack does a detailed interview with Toby Russell, the co-CEO of Shift.com. Shift is an online used-car retailer than allows consumers to buy vehicles without ever visiting a dealership of talking to a car salesman. Though Shift is primarily a West Coast company consumers from all 50 states can by a car from Shift to forego the traditional process.

2020 Volkswagen Jetta SEL Premium slideshow

2020 Cadillac XT4 Sport slideshow

In this episode of America on the Road hosts Jack Nerad and Chris Teague answer the question: Is this a good time to buy a new car?  In the road test section of the program, they examine the all-new Kia Seltos subcompact crossover SUV and the Honda Civic Si performance compact car. The two vehicles offer very different versions of fun-to-drive, but both are great choices in their segments.

After Jack and Chris answer some listener questions, Jack conducts an in-depth interview with Haksoo Ha, one of the key designers of the recently introduced 2020 Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan. Ha has a fascinating account of how the newest version of Hyundai's mainstream sedan came together. To listen to this edition of America on the Road click on the player below.

2020 Hyundai Sonata slideshow

 

In this episode of the "America on the Road" podcast, Jack Nerad and Chris Teague road test the 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup truck and the Subaru Legacy midsize sedan. In the interview segment, Nerad goes in-depth with Ford Performance Chief Engineer Carl Widman on the 2020 Shelby GT 500.

Nerad had the opportunity to drive the ultimate Mustang sports model in various settings including both the road course and drag strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In the interview, Widman gives details on how Ford engineers were able to wring 760 horsepower from the Mustang's 5.2-liter V-8 and the special tricks they employed to make the GT 500 one of the best street-and-track cars in its price range.

The most powerful Super Duty yet features two new engine offerings including all-new 7.3-liter gasoline V-8 and upgraded third-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup is the latest word in super-sizing. Built to tow entire neighborhoods, the F350 is also equipped like a luxury car, and it has a surprisingly supple ride. Teague says from the inside it doesn't feel nearly as daunting to drive as it might look from the outside.

According to Nerad, the 2020 Subaru Legacy is a great choice if you live in a place where the weather can get unruly. Every Legacy is equipped with Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive, an absolute boon when the elements are not in your favor. Subaru has also solved its previous interior issues. The current Legacy has one of the nicest interiors in the segment.

2020 Subaru Legacy slideshow

Check out the best new-car lease deals for this month.

In this edition of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Chris Teague road test the new 2020 Jeep  Wrangler Unlimited EcoDiesel and the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. The EcoDiesel is the most recent powerplant to be installed in the popular Wrangler, and it offers great drivability and superior fuel economy. The Silverado is involved in a life-and-death battle with the Ford F-150 And Ram 1500 for pickup truck supremacy.

In the podcast's interview segment, Jack has an in-depth discussion with Dominic Najafi, a lead exterior designer at Jaguar, about the revised styling the Jaguar F-Type sports for the 2021 model year. Najafi also tells what it is like to be a top designer for a storied automotive brand.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado LTTrail Boss

In the show opener, Jack and Chris talk about how the coronavirus pandemic has radically changed the car business and altered the way auto journalists go about reviewing cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs. They also detail efforts some major manufacturers like Ford and General Motors are making to pivot their efforts to assembling medical equipment like ventilator and personal protective equipment like respirators and face masks.

The 2021 Jaguar F-Type will feature revised styling that concentrates on simplicity.

Hear what product manager Harlan Charles has to say about the mid-engine Corvette Stingray.

In this week's episode of the award-winning America on the Road radio show hosts Jack R. Nerad and Chris Teague discuss the relative merits of the 2020 Ford Explorer, Hyundai Palisade, and Kia Telluride, three all-new midsize sports utility vehicles. All three vehicles have their strong points. The Telluride was named 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, and the Palisade was named our Driving Today Buy Buy of the Year for 2020. The Explorer underwent its greatest change in a decade, shifting back to a rear-drive-oriented platform.

The all-new 2020 Hyundai Palisade is one of three midsize SUVs Jack and Chris discuss this week.

In the news segment, Nerad and Teague look at the current rivalry brewing between Tesla and Porsche as both brands take on the Nurburgring. And they talk about the future trend in auto shows exemplified by the new-look shows that will take place in Detroit and Monza, Italy, in 2020.

Completely redesigned new 2020 Escape best offers four new propulsion choices, including a hybrid version, the subject of this week's InDepth Interview.

This week's in-depth interview is with Ford lead hybrid technology leader Daniel Kok, who describes the newest system installed in the 2020 Ford Escape that has just been introduced.  Nerad had an opportunity for an early drive in the vehicle, and he shares his thoughts with Kok. The interview also gives a sneak peek at the plug-in version of the Ford Escape coming early next year.