Wheel Bearings

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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This week Nicole has been driving the Acura ADX and Honda Passport while Sam had the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro.

The US federal EV tax credits end on September 30, but you may still be able to take advantage of the credits even if you can't take delivery by that date. Ineos is cutting its prices by at least $7,900. Volvo has a new midsize crossover with over 100 miles of electric driving range according to the Chinese test cycle and GM is cutting production at its Detroit EV truck plant. Ram has begun shipping its new Ram 1500 Hemis and Chrysler has built a concept for an overlanding Pacifica. AMG sets a bunch of endurance records with its GT XX concept and Lucid is doing some updates to the Air and Gravity. Toyota is bringing its AI models to Hyundai's robots and Robbie visited Slate's future factory. We also have listener questions.

Links

EV Tax Credits after Sept 30

Ineos cuts prices

Volvo XC70

GM Cuts production at Factory Zero

Ram begins shipping Hemi Ram 1500

Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept

Concept AMG GT XX set records

Lucid 2026 updates

Toyota partners with Hyundai on robots

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This week, Robbie drives the new Kia Sportage Hybrid and Sam has the Acura ADX and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

Nicole is traveling but she and Sam got together to discuss the 2026 Subaru Solterra and Sam has a conversation with Subaru carline planning manager Garrick Goh. We also have the low down on the 2026 Jeep Cherokee which is launching as a hybrid only and Ford Maverick prices continue to creep upward. The new Nissan Leaf will be the first EV in America with 300 miles of range for under $30,000 and Chargepoint now has Omniport retrofit kits available for its chargers. The US and EU will recognize each others automotive standards and Infiniti is bringing back the Q50 sedan with a manual gearbox and twin-turbo V6.Tensor Auto has come out of stealth with plans to sell a robocar to consumers but it's going to be real expensive and we answer a question about charging adapters for a reader.

Links

2026 Subaru Solterra

2026 Jeep Cherokee

Mavericks are getting expensive and cheaper

Nissan Prices new Leaf from $30k!

Chargepoint Omniport conversion kits available

US and EU to recognize each others standards

Infiniti to revive Q50 with Twin turbo V6 and and 6MT

Tensor wants to sell AVs to consumers

Tensor Auto

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

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This week Nicole has 2 "SUVs", the Nissan Kicks and Ford Expedition King Ranch while Sam discusses the Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter and Subaru Forester Hybrid.

Ford announced plans to build low cost EVs in Louisville Kentucky, Cadillac announced a new custom build program and we have a first look at the Hyundai Ioniq 2. At Monterey Car Week, debuts included the Acura RSX, the Lexus Sport Concept, the Cadillac Elevated Velocity, Karma Gyesera and Infiniti QX65 and QX80 concepts.

Links

Ford to build $30K electric pickup in Louisville

More thoughts on the Ford electric truck

Curated by Cadillac

Hyundai Ioniq 2

Lexus Sport Concept

Acura RSX Prototype

Cadillac Elevated Velocity

Karma Gyesera

Infiniti QX65 Monograph

Infiniti QX80 concepts

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We're back from a mid-summer break. Sam has driven the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT and Lucid Air Grand Touring and Nicole had the 2026 Lincoln Navigator

Since we've been gone, we all drove the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Cupra gave up on entering the US market. Nicole has a Wagoneer S update. Sam wrote about Tesla's misbehavior in a recent trial. Jeep also had some news this week about going back and refreshes.The Las Vegas loop is apparently getting dumber and Ford has further delayed its next-gen full-size electric truck. Chevrolet has teased the new Bolt coming this fall and it will apparently use Chinese batteries for a couple of years as will BMW.

Links

Cadillac EVs to get Carplay -- down under only

Cupra US launch delayed

Automakers behaving badly

Nicole's latest Wagoneer S update

Jeep updates

2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT

2026 Hyundai Palisade

LVCC Loop is getting dumber

2026 Chevy Bolt to use CATL batteries

Edmunds on new Bolt

Ford delays next large electric Truck/Van to 2028

BMW Might also have to use Chinese batteries

Remanufactured Batteries

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We're taking a break this week, but we'll all be back next week

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Robbie's dealing with a family emergency so Nicole tells us about her latest misadventure with her Jeep Wagoneer S as well as the Toyota Crown Signia. Sam had the Toyota Grand Highlander Nightshade in invisible grey.

In the news, Lucid Air, Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX get Supercharger support, but the Lucid is as slow as a Chevy Bolt. The Acura TLX is out of production but the new Honda Prelude gets a Civic Type-R suspension and someone paid $204K for an old Integra Type-R. After 250K miles a Mach-E still has 92% of its original battery capacity. Tesla owners should stay away from water if they want their warranties. Boston probably won't get robotaxis soon and our pals at TFL bought a first-generation Dodge Viper and it hasn't killed them -- yet.

Links

Lucid Air Gets Supercharger support -- sort of

Honda Prelude gets Type-R suspension

Acura TLX is Done

Honda/Acura gets Supercharger Access

Mach-E with 250K miles still has 92% battery capacity

Tesla Warranties and Water

$204K for an Integra?

Toyota to build next Supra in-house

No Waymos in Boston

Speed Kills Range

TFL Buys a 1st-gen Dodge Viper

Ford Customer Service

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This week in the garage, Sam has bright colors with the Jeep Gladiator Willys and Volvo EX30 Performance Ultra. Nicole had the Mitusbishi Outlander.

Links

Someone bought a Lordstown Endurance on BaT

GM to Produce LFP Cells In Spring Hill

Subaru Uncharted

Uber, Nuro and Lucid

Subaru e-Outback

Electric Range Rover Delayed to 2026

VW ID3 Still at 91% after 100K miles

5 Features of Polestar 4

BMW Z1 at 40

Volvo Trimming US lineup due to Tariffs

XC60 moves to Charleston

3rd gen XC90 could be long-range PHEV

Faraday X Super One

Ford Bronco New Energy

Hyundai/Kia/Genesis EV automatic door lock

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This week Sam is driving the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Tributo Italiano and Nicole has the Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec.

Nicole also had her first major technical issue with her Jeep Wagoneer S. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Toyota is publicly demoing its new sports car and upcoming GT3 race car while Hyundai has the Ioniq 6 N. Mazda shows off the new third generation CX-5, now with a touchscreen. Dodge trademarks the name Charger Outlaw. Subaru teases its next EV called Uncharted. Nissan is delaying some EV production, while Cadillac is pushing forward. We also answer the question, what is a Monroney?

Links

Hyundai Ioniq 6 N

2026 Mazda CX-5

Dodge Charger Outlaw

Nissan delays US EV production another year

Toyota runs new supercar at Goodwood

Subaru Uncharted

The Great EV Pullback

Nissan delays Leaf production due to China rare earth limits

Cadillac likely to stick to long term EV plan

Monroney Sticker

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