Car Stuff Podcast

Jill is back in the co-host seat this week for a topic-packed episode. Tom opens the show asking if $61,000 seems like a lot for a Hyundai—any Hyundai. The hosts discuss the Korean maker’s luxury/value equation, and note that Tom’s test car, a 2026 Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid is, without question, a luxury vehicle. Listen in for more of the conversation. Tom goes on to share his frustration with Stellantis for killing all of Jeep’s “4Xe” plug-in hybrids, along with the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Listen in for some crankiness. Still in the first segment, Jill details her CES Chinese-car adventure. Jill was able to take short drives in a number of luxury electric Zeekr models (a division of Volvo’s parent company Geely) and came away very impressed. Her quick takes on these vehicles are worth a listen. Are these premium EVs coming to the U.S? here’s the scoop. In the second segment, Jill and Tom are joined by friend of show and sustainability expert Robert Colangelo. Robert addresses the fallacy that EVs are a threat to the U.S. electric grid, and details the real power-consumption challenges that lay ahead for the country. It’s a great conversation you don’t want to miss. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Is it a Dodge?” quiz. 

For the first show of 2026, Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill who is traveling. Paul and Tom address a number of topics to open the show, including annoying helper AI bots on dealership websites, the death of the Karma Revero (once known as the Fisker Karma), and the return of the Hemi engine to the Ram 1500 lineup. Still in the first segment, Tom reviews the 2026 Nissan Kicks. Tom is impressed by just how much equipment can be had on this small, practical crossover. In the second segment, Paul and Tom are joined by Tim Healey of The Truth About Cars. The guys dare to predict what’s coming for the car industry in 2026, especially for electric cars and Cadillac; they also address vehicle affordability and sales. In the last segment Tim joins Paul for Tom’s “Best Sellers of 1976” quiz. Listen in to hear who won. Paul wraps up the show with a surprisingly long list of vehicles that didn’t return for 2026. 

Jill and Tom open the last show of 2025 by discussing how Christmas gift expectation change with age. Tom, for example, noted how happy he was to receive a Brita water filter. The hosts went on to process the biggest auto-related stories of 2025, including tariffs, tax credits, Ford recalls, and the return of the Hemi V8 engine. In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome Sam Fiorani, AutoForecast Solutions Vice President of Global Forecasting, to the show. Sam shares his automotive “bucket list,” noting a number of fun and rewarding things car folks should consider trying in the near future. Tom contributes his own suggestions, many of which cannot be described as safe. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Two Tons?” quiz. Jill also shares a quick review of the Dodge Charger Sixpack, A new gasoline-powered variant of the redesigned charger, which for 2025 had only been offered as an electric vehicle. 

Jill and Tom open the show addressing two high-profile electric vehicle cancellations announced this past week. First the hosts discuss the end of production for the Ford F-150 Lighting, which came as something of a surprise to both Jill and Tom. Also covered is news that Volkswagen will not be importing a 2026 edition of the spunky ID. Buzz electric minivan. Will the ID. Buzz be back for 2027? Jill and Tom speculate. Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the Ford Maverick Lobo. Lobo is a new sporty Maverick variant, and it sounds like fun. Listen in for Jill’s take on the potentially entertaining-to-drive small pickup truck. In the second segment, the Hosts welcome Rob Howard, CEO of Kindred Motorworks to the podcast. Kindred restores classic cars, some of which become battery powered in the process. Rob talks about the restoration process, and the level of engineering that is invested in each new model the company adds to its lineup. Listen in for details. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Is it a Mercury?” quiz. 

Jill and Tom open this week’s show acknowledging that Vietnamese EV startup VinFast is likely to cease U.S. operations in the very near future. The hosts also note that another EV startup, Bollinger Motors, has called it quits. Tom discusses his time in the Jeep Wrangler, this example powered by the available 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, instead of the popular 3.6-liter V6. Tom prefers the smaller engine. Listen in to hear why. The hosts also discuss an apparent social-media wave of dislike for the Wagoneer S, Jeep's first U.S.-market all-electric model. Tom’s review of the Wagoneer S posts shortly. Still in the first segment, Jill discusses the redesigned Kia Seltos small crossover, due out soon as a 2027 model. In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome Chicago Auto Show Communications Director Jim OBrill to the show. Jim talks about the changing nature of the major auto shows, and what’s on tap for this year’s Chicago show. In the last segment, Jill and Jim are subjected to Tom’s “$25,000?” quiz--which includes a question about Wendy's in Japan. Jim also discusses his show, Drive Chicago, which airs every Saturday morning in Chicago, and can be heard later as a podcast.