This week Sam drove the 2026 BMW iX xDrive45. Sam and Robbie both went to New York for a tech focused GM event and Sam spoke with new chief product officer Sterling Anderson. There's a refreshed Jeep Grand Cherokee with a new more powerful engine for 2026 and we drive the new 2026 Toyota Rav4 in hybrid and PHEV form. Toyota is launching a new baby Land Cruiser FJ and Rivian has laid off 4% of its staff. Infiniti is launching one new model every year for the next four years and the Nissan Sakura gets an extendable solar panel.

Links

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Scout may delay EV for EREV

Prague lamp post charging

2026 Toyota Rav4 first drive

GM Forward

Toyota Land Cruiser FJ

Rivian lays off 4%, RJ takes over marketing

Infiniti to launch 4 vehicles in 4 years, sedan in 2028

Nissan Sakura solar extender

EV Theft rates

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We've got another delayed episode because of embargo timing on some news so the new episode will be up on Tuesday morning

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Nicole has been driving a bunch of stuff including the Ford F-150 Lightning and Expedition Tremor and went off-roading in the Honda Passport. Sam enjoyed some time with the BMW 228 xDrive Gran Coupe.

Toyota is realigning its sporty branding for future models. Stellantis is investing $13 billion in shifting production to US factories and refreshing the Alfa Romeo Tonale for 2026. The Kia Tasman hasn't exactly been a hit in Australia. Lamborghini is cutting its EV plan and sticking with plug-in hybrids for now. Volvo may ditch key cards for fobs and Porsche is keeping buttons and fobs. A Faraday Future FF91 failed to hit reserve at auction and Cadillac is killing the current CT4 and CT5 after 2026 but promising a new CT5. Sam bought another Kia EV6 and we discuss how far people can actually drive without a pit stop.

Links

TRD for Trucks, GR for Cars/CUVs

Stellantis to invest $13B in US production

Kia Tasman Struggling in Australia

Lamborghini to focus on PHEV not EV

Volvo May Go Back to Key Fobs

Porsche Keeping Keys and Buttons

Faraday FF91 fails to sell at auction

Features People don't want

Cadillac CT4/CT5 dead after 2026

2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale

Diesel license plate

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Summary

In this episode, Robbie and Sam discuss various automotive topics, including a review of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SE, the luxurious Genesis G80, and the unfortunate discontinuation of the Kia Soul. They also touch on Rivian's upcoming R2 SUV, Audi's future design concepts, and Stellantis's innovative approach to infotainment systems. There are significant updates to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, including its rebranding and pricing strategy aimed at competing in the mainstream SUV market. They also delve into the Chevrolet Bolt's return, highlighting its improved features and competitive pricing. The conversation shifts to the growing EV market, with insights on sales trends and the importance of charging infrastructure. Additionally, the hosts address the decline of fuel cell technology in favor of electric vehicles, and they respond to listener questions regarding automotive safety and reliability.

Links

Kia Drops Soul

Rivian R2 Launching in 1H 2026

2026 Audi A4 Gets new Look

2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

Stellantis CUV Without Infotainment

2027 Chevrolet Bolt

Audi Considering Premium Off-roader

Ford and GM drop EV Incentive plan

GM Cancels Fuel Cell Program

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

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New episode coming Tuesday

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This week Nicole has been driving the BMW M5 Touring and the Hyundai Kona Limited. Sam drove the Lexus LX700h and 2026 Ram 2500 Black Express Cummins while Robbie drove the Mercedes-AMG E53 sedan.

Sam drove the Lexus to Indiana to check out the new Entegra Coach Embark EREV motorhome. With federal EV incentives done, Ford and GM found a way to keep the party going a while longer while Hyundai has slashed the price of the 2026 Ioniq 5 by an average $9,155. Meanwhile Dodge is apparently cancelling the Banshee 3-motor version of the Charger Daytona and Nissan has put its US built EVs on hold but will instead build a new Xterra in Mississippi in 2028. Rivian is redesigning the interior door latches for the R2. The Verge has a new podcast with the first episode looking at hover boards. The inventor of the hoverboard has a new idea for a 2-wheeled self-balancing car that steals ideas from the GM EN-V concepts.

Sam has interviews with Micah Tindor from Cox Automotive about the KBB Instant Cash Offer program and used car valuations and Josh Sirefman and Carolina Pluszczynski from Michigan Central.

Links

Ford and GM keep EV incentives going

Dodge Cancelling Charger Daytona Banshee

Hyundai cuts Ioniq 5 pricing by more than $9K

Tesla Claims It Doesn't Have To Warn of Defects

Rivian to redesign interior backup door latches

Verge Version History Podcast

Shane 2-wheel car

GM EN-V concepts at CES 2011

New Nissan Xterra in 2028, EVs delayed

SAE Automotive Engineering Podcast

Telemetry Transportation Daily

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This week Nicole and Robbie are both travelling so we've got four interviews that Sam did in the last couple of weeks starting Magna International's head of e-Drive systems Mike Dowsett. Then there is Caroline Fallara and Mike Messina from high performance brake manufacturer Brembo. Sam also talks about China with industry expert Michael Dunne and finally Benjamin Maillard discusses Free2Move's new Car on Demand micro-lease program.

Links

Brembo

Dunne Insights

Magna International

Free2Move

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In this episode, hosts Sam Abuelsamid and Nicole Wakelin discuss their recent experiences with the 2025 Toyota Prius Nightshade Edition and the 2026 Genesis GV70. They delve into the performance, design, and driving experience of these vehicles, highlighting the Prius's hybrid technology and the Genesis's luxury features. The conversation also touches on insights from the Center for Automotive Research conference, Toyota's research on plug-in hybrid user behavior, and the automotive industry's shift back to physical controls in vehicles. Additionally, they review the latest IHS safety testing results for electric vehicles, emphasizing the importance of safety ratings in the automotive market. In this episode, the hosts discuss the evolution of vehicle safety standards, highlighting how modern cars outperform older models despite mixed crash test results. They delve into Nissan's struggles with the Aria and organizational changes, while Hyundai outlines its ambitious 2030 vision. The conversation shifts to Honda's innovative use of software in racing, reflecting on the impact of Dieselgate on the diesel market. Volkswagen's price increases and Ford's new headquarters are also covered, concluding with Stellantis' advancements in battery technology.

Links

Toyota Research Shows How Behavioral Nudges can reduce emissions

Mercedes-Benz to bring back physical buttons

IIHS tests seven EVs

Nissan to close US, Brazil design studios

Nissan Ariya leaves for 2026

Hyundai 2030 roadmap

Honda Software Defined Race Cars

10 years after dieselgate

New vehicle registrations in Europe

VW to raise MY26 prices by 7%

Ford to move World HQ

$2000 Fiat 500e windshield

Stellantis IBIS battery

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In this episode, the hosts discuss their experiences with the 2025 Volvo EX30, XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid, and the 2026 Nissan Leaf. They explore the unique features, driving experiences, and challenges associated with each vehicle, including charging issues and pricing concerns. The conversation also delves into the broader context of the electric vehicle market, including consumer preferences and the impact of tariffs on pricing. In this episode, the hosts discuss various automotive topics, including the features and technology of the Nissan Leaf, the implications of Hyundai's new concept car, and the future of electric trucks from Stellantis. They also explore Ford's shift away from traditional cars, the potential for small affordable cars in Europe, and BMW's innovative designs. Additionally, they address safety concerns regarding motorized door handles, GM's automated delivery solutions, and hidden price increases in the automotive industry.

Sam also has a conversation with Trisha Jung about marketing the new Nissan Leaf.

Links

Sam's Review of the 2026 Nissan Leaf

Nicole on the new Leaf

Hyundai Concept 3

Ram 1500 REV Killed

New European Ford Focus CUV in 2027

EU considering its own Kei-class

BMW Z4 neue klasse

China may ban motorized door handles

Cruise, Brightdrop and Middle-mile Deliveries

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This week Nicole drove the Ford F-150 Tremor and Sam had the Lexus LC500 Convertible and the Cadillac Lyriq-V.

In the news, Honda has revealed more details on the upcoming 2026 Prelude coupe and a Minnesota driver gets a ticket for an excessively loud exhaust -- on his EV. At the IAA Mobility show in Munich, VW Group and BMW have revealed a bunch of new vehicles. Audi has the Concept C, an electric sports car coming in 2027 while VW has the ID Polo and ID Cross while Cupra has the Raval hot hatch. BMW is officially unveiled the new iX3 which is coming to America next year with 400 miles of range and starting at $60,000. Porsche is adding a hybrid to the 911 Turbo S and will offer wireless charging on the new Cayenne EV.

Links

Honda Prelude Debuts

Minnesota man gets ticket for loud exhaust on Charger EV

Audi Concept C

Audi Aiming for Chinese-style EV development time

BMW aiming for hydrogen X5 in 2028

BMW iX3

BMW and Qualcomm to offer Snapdragon Ride Pilot to other OEMs

Porsche 911 Turbo S goes hybrid

Cayenne EV to offer wireless charging

VW changes EV naming strategy

VW ID.Cross

Cupra Raval electric hot hatch

wireless charging

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