Beginning our show is George Kennedy III – is a co-founder of Cartender.com, and the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. He contributes to U.S. News & World Report, CarGurus, Forbes Wheels, and here on The Drive. George is driving the new 2024 Jeep 4xE, a plug-in hybrid with 375 horsepower and 470 LB feet of torque. The electric boost allows for low-speed cruising on the trail using the electric power. The four by E Wrangler plug in hybrid is expensive but has great fuel efficiency, towing capacity, and power outlets. It allows owners to test out electric driving and become familiar with the charging process. This can make it easier for them to transition to an electric vehicle in the future. George also was impressed with the 2024 Honda Ridgeline comes with a V6 3.5 liter 280 horsepower powertrain, which is the same as the one used in almost all vehicles in the Honda lineup. This engine has enough power to handle towing and is well-paired with the chassis. It is great to have a V6 engine in a vehicle this size, as a turbo 4 might struggle without the perfect transmission tuning. The starting price of the Honda Ridgeline is around $38,000, which is slightly higher than the average for small trucks, but this vehicle stands apart from the rest.

Brian Moody, Executive Editor of Auto Trader.com and KBB.com, explains that a software-defined vehicle is a car that can add new features or functionality through software updates without additional hardware upgrades. IBM is one of the companies leading the way in this field. Building a software-defined vehicle requires creating an infrastructure that includes cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data interactions with the car. Without the software or the operating system in place, the car won’t work. In other news, General Motors is one of the companies in the running to build the lunar terrain vehicle as the US plans to return to the moon by 2030. The new Hummer electric vehicle may have solar panels, and GM’s altium platform may play a part in this. The recent New York auto show showcased some interesting new car concepts, including the new Nissan Kicks and the new Genesis concept car. Brian compared Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90 and concluded that Mazda CX-90 is impressive overall in terms of ride handling, interior materials, exterior look, color choices, and technology. Both cars start under $40,000, and the Mazda CX-90 has a straight six engine and all-wheel drive as standard, which is quite impressive.

In a recent interview with automotive journalist Steven Cole Smith, it was revealed that the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is set to make a return. Although it has not been officially confirmed by Chevrolet, it is expected to arrive this summer with around 850 horsepower. This is set to make it the fastest Corvette until the rumored Zora arrives, which is rumored to have a whopping 1000 horsepower. The Zora has not been officially confirmed by Chevrolet, but there is a lot of speculation surrounding its release. Steven  discusses the upcoming Long Beach Grand Prix race and notes that there won’t be any Corvette racing, as the GT Daytona cars with non-professional drivers are on the lineup. The aim is to keep the field small because the track is tight, with a length of barely a mile and a half. Stephen also mentions that a total of 27 cars will be racing, including prototypes and various sports cars. The Martinsville race, a NASCAR event held on a small track in Virginia, has a history of nearly 50 years. Another popular NASCAR event is the Talladega race. Recently, Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports were recognized for their victory at this race four decades ago, which helped establish their reputation. At the time, Hendrick had no sponsorship and only one race left to prove himself. Against all odds, his team emerged victorious, earning him a $50,000 sponsorship. This marked the beginning of Hendrick Motorsports, which has since grown into a thriving car company and dealership.

Lauren Fix -Editor-In-Chief of CarCoachReports.com, closes the show with Alan as she discusses how electric vehicle charging stations are vulnerable to cyber-attacks that could compromise sensitive information. Charging stations connected to the internet may not have proper firewalls in place to protect against attacks. Public charging stations that require payment could also be vulnerable to skimming devices. It’s important for electric vehicle owners to be cautious and take appropriate measures to protect their information. Lauren has also recently test-driven the new Toyota 4Runner, which has been around for 40 years and has a loyal following. There are seven different trim levels, including the TRD Pro, Trail Hunter, and Platinum Edition. The vehicle comes with two hybrid engine options – a turbocharged 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine and the I-Force Max engine, which is paired with a 48 horsepower electric motor. The Trail Hunter is designed for deep water and has a full skin plate underneath, rubber floor mats, and gold accents in the interior. One unique feature of the Trail Hunter is the 20 inch LED light bar across he front from Rigid and Rigid fog lights. It can tow up to 6,000 pounds and rides on 33 inch Toyo all-terrain tires. Lauren is impressed with the hybrid option for the 4Runner and also mentioned that the new Land Cruiser is also hybrid. She thinks it’s a brilliant move and hopes that more vehicles will follow suit.

[00:00:00] – Contributor George Kennedy III
[00:07:33] – 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe
[00:13:00] – 2024 Honda Ridgeline
[00:20:51] – Contributor Brian Moody
[00:30:22] – Concept Cars
[00:37:21] – Mazda X-90
[00:44:11] – Contributor Stephen Cole Smith
[00:51:24] – GT Daytona
[00:57:10] – Martinsville Race
[01:05:00] – Contributor Lauren Fix
[01:15:50] – 2024 Toyota 4Runner
[01:21:30] – I Spy!

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Colleen Mahi

Contributor: George Kennedy III

Contributor: Brian Moody

Contributor: Stephen Cole Smith

Contributor: Lauren Fix

Vehicles Discussed:

2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, 2024 Honda Ridgeline, Ford Explorer, Mazda CX90, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 2024 Toyota 4Runner

• Austin Hatcher Foundation
• AutoTempest.com
• Brembo
• Dodge
• Foundation of Human Understanding
• Shell
• Subaru

The post Ain’t No Mountain High Enough for the 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe | #570 appeared first on THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor.

Lauren Fix shared her experience with Alan Taylor at the New York International Auto Show and made it clear that people should not be forced to buy electric cars. She believes that electric vehicles are not practical for everyone as they take a long time to charge, and fast chargers are limited, causing inconvenience. Lauren recommends leasing hybrids as they are becoming more efficient and warns about the costly problems that arise with cars over three years old. She suggests that the government’s goal of having 100% electric vehicles on the road by 2032 is not realistic, and people should not be misled by it.

Karl Brauer is an automotive industry analyst, Forbes Autos contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror, board member, and executive analyst for ISeeCars.com.  is up next, as he drove the 2024 Lexus IS 500 has a V8 engine, which is rare for its category. It’s an emotional, emoting exhaust system V8 compact luxury sedan and a direct competitor to the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C Class. The car has 472 horsepower and 395 lbs-ft torque, going from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. A study by ISEECARS.com identified one-year-old cars with the biggest and smallest savings from new. The study found that cars lose approximately 40% of their value in the first three years. However, buying a one-year-old car with 13,000 miles on it can save you up to 48% off the new car price. The study shows that the Mercedes-Benz EQ S lost 47.8% of its value after one year, making it the car with the biggest savings.

At the New York Auto Show, George Kennedy III, co-founder of Cartender.com, and the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. He contributes to U.S. News & World Report, CarGurus, Forbes Wheels, and here on The Drive and Alan admired the 2025 Mustang GTD, a supercar with a powerful 800 horsepower engine and advanced features usually found in high-end cars. George also highlighted the Corvette E Ray, a hybrid Corvette with electric power in the front wheels, and enjoyed the modified vehicles showcased downstairs. Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia had significant exhibitions at the show, with Genesis showcasing their Berlinetta concept and the magma line. George is currently test driving the Hyundai Ioniq 6 Electric Sedan, which has won multiple awards and boasts a sleek design, spacious back seat area, an impressive range of up to 361 miles, and fast-charging capabilities.

At the New York Auto Show, Brian Moody, Executive Editor of Auto Trader and KBB, was impressed by the Genesis brand showcased by Hyundai Motor Group. He believes Genesis has the best overall lineup in the auto industry, with sharp-looking cars that are receiving positive feedback. The show featured a mix of impressive concept cars and other innovative vehicles, including gas, hybrid, and electric cars. Autotrader has Raptor trucks for sale, but they can be costly. A used car study by Kelley Blue Book found that listing prices are down by 3% compared to last year, with 2.27 million unsold used cars across the country, and used cars priced above $35,000 are selling the fastest.

[00:00:00] – Contributor Lauren Fix
[00:07:20] – Hybrid vs. Plug-In
[00:13:00] – Infotainment System and Beyond
[00:20:51] – Contributor Karl Brauer
[00:30:58] – ISeeCars.com Study
[00:37:22] – Car Art with Ted7
[00:44:11] – Contributor George Kennedy
[00:51:13] – New York Auto Show
[00:57:12] – Hyundai Ioniq 6
[01:05:02] – Contributor Brian Moody
[01:14:43] – Raptors for Sale
[01:21:32] – Listing Prices Down

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Colleen Mahi

Contributor: Lauren Fix

Contributor: Karl Brauer

Contributor: George Kennedy

Contributor: Brian Moody

Vehicles Discussed:

2024 Lexus IS 500, 2025 Toyota Prius, 2025 Ford Explorer, 2025 Kia Carnival, Mercedes-Benz EQ S, Nissan leaf, Jaguar F, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Volkswagen ID 4, Nissan Murano, 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, Corvette E-Ray, Ford Ranger Raptor

• Austin Hatcher Foundation
• AutoTempest.com
• Brembo
• Dodge
• Foundation of Human Understanding
• Shell
• Subaru

The post The Magnificent 2024 Lexus IS 500 is Sleek and Powerful | #569 appeared first on THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor.

Brian Moody, Executive Editor of Auto Trader.com and KBB.com shared some good news on the show. According to Cox Automotive, new vehicle affordability is at its best in 31 months. The typical payment has decreased by 0.7% for February, and the new average monthly payment for a new car is $744, down from $749 in January. Brian test drove the BMW XM, a fast and aggressive plug-in hybrid SUV that provides an immersive driving experience. The Mustang Dark Horse costs $58,000, but its performance and style are unmatched.

Steven Cole Smith from Car Coach Reports discussed the 12 hours of Sebring IMSA race where Acura and Cadillac teams won. Goodyear tires wore out quickly at the Bristol race as the track was converted from dirt to concrete. Responsibility is unclear. Circuit of the Americas race is expected to be exciting. Steven test-drove a Mercedes AMG EQE SUV with 677 horsepower and 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, but it required frequent charging.

Lauren Fix, Editor-in-Chief for Car Coach Reports, discusses vegan leather, which is a popular trend but not always eco-friendly. Real leather is longer-lasting and biodegradable. A proposed bill in New York requires truth in advertising for car interiors. Car insurance rates are increasing due to black boxes in cars that record driving habits, determining rates based on credit score and driving behavior. It’s important to be aware of this and how it may impact insurance rates.

Special Guest, Ray Evernham, NASCAR Hall of Fame Member, veteran in the automotive racing industry, has a new book out called “Trophies and Scars”. In it, he shares his journey from a young boy knocking around the Jersey Shore to working with some of the biggest names in Motorsports history. Over 50 years, Ray has been involved in many different things and considers himself the “Forrest Gump of Motorsports”. He hopes to entertain and educate readers by sharing how he handled both his failures and victories, acknowledging that scars sometimes come with the trophies.

BJ Killeen – Voice of Reason and Automotive Journalist is here to drop some quick automotive news.  “EV automakers lose $6,000 on every vehicle sold. Boston Consulting Group found that EV drivers want a 20-minute charge time, 350-mile range, and under $50,000. Hertz rental cars lost $350 million due to EV investment. Tesla stock is at $138, down from $335. Car insurance costs are up 21% this year, with the average person paying $2,500 per year. The average price of a new car is $47,000. Sticker shock is killing buyers.”

[00:00:00] – Contributor Brian Moody
[00:06:10] – BMW XM
[00:13:00] – Mustang Dark Horse
[00:20:51] – Contributor Steven Cole Smith
[00:30:57] – Dirt to Concrete
[00:37:22] – Mercedes AMG EQE SUV
[00:44:12] – Contributor Lauren Fix
[00:51:02] – Vegan Leather
[00:57:13] – Black Boxes
[01:05:03] – Special Guest  Ray Evernham
[01:16:02] – Contributor Alan Taylor
[01:21:33] – Contributor BJ Killeen

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Colleen Mahi

Contributor: Brian Moody

Contributor: Steven Cole Smith

Contributor: Lauren Fix

Contributor/Host: Alan Taylor

Contributor: BJ Killeen

Special Guest: Ray Evernham

Vehicles Discussed:

2024 Mercedes AMG EQE SUV, 2024 BMW XM, Mustang Dark Horse

• Austin Hatcher Foundation
• AutoTempest.com
• Brembo
• Dodge
• Foundation of Human Understanding
• Shell
• Subaru

The post The 2024 BMW XM, The Pinnacle of Engineering Excellence | #568 appeared first on THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor.