Talking Cars (MP3)

The redesigned 2026 Audi A6 is here — and we purchased a Premium Plus S-Line trim for our test program. In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about the new A6, including turbo V6 engine performance, transmission pros and cons, driving characteristics, and infotainment and control frustrations. We also answer an audience question about whether it's time to replace the battery in a 2014 Toyota Prius — or replace the whole car.
 
 
SHOW NOTES
-----------------------------------
00:00 - Introduction
00:26 - Overview: 2026 Audi A6
01:00 - What We Loved
11:40 - What We Did Not Like
22:28 - Question: When should you replace the hybrid battery on a Toyota Prius?
 
 
---------------------------------- 
Full Test Results: 2026 Audi A6
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/audi/a6/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Which Brands Make the Best Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
How Car Brands Stack Up on Repair Costs
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership-a1854979198/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

This week, we cover the all-new 2026 Nissan Leaf SV+. No longer "just a commuter car," the Leaf offers increased range, updated SUV styling, a new NACS charge port, and a suite of standard advanced safety equipment, including Nissan's Pro Pilot Assist. We share our first impressions of the Leaf and discuss whether Nissan's improvements to its original EV make it a competitive option. We also talk about how to shop for the best car insurance and answer a question about how the weather can affect your car's advanced driver-assistance systems.
 
Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.
 
SHOW NOTES:
 
0:00 - Intro
 
0:30 - 2026 Nissan Leaf SV+ Overview
 
1:08 - What we like about the 2026 Nissan Leaf
 
12:00 - What we dislike about the 2026 Nissan Leaf
 
25:36 - How to find the best car insurance
 
37:51 - Audience Question: Does inclement weather affect a vehicle's radar and safety systems?
 
LINKS:
 
Nissan Leaf Model History: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/nissan/leaf/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Test Results: 2026 Nissan Leaf: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/nissan/leaf/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
CR Guide to Advanced Car-Safety Features: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/clearing-confusion-about-advanced-car-safety-feature-names-a1035752654/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Best Car Insurance Companies: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/car-insurance/best-car-insurance-companies-a8534720090/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Car Insurance Ratings: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/car-insurance/c34685/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Car Insurance Buying Guide: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/car-insurance/buying-guide/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Car Safety Guide: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/safety-guide/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

We share our first impressions of the all-new Toyota bZ. Formerly known as the bZ4X, it shares much of its DNA with the Subaru Solterra. Our experts share the best and worst parts of the bZ and discuss how the name, powertrain, and new NACS charging port increase its appeal. We also debate how much center console is too much, and whether dual wireless phone chargers are actually an asset. Plus, we answer an audience question about the Hyundai Ioniq 9's reliability.
 
Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.
 
SHOW NOTES:
 
0:00 - Intro
 
0:17 - 2026 Toyota bZ Overview
 
0:55 - What we like about the Toyota bZ
 
8:13 - What we dislike about the Toyota bZ
 
18:35 - What EV would we buy?
 
23:19 - Audience Question: How does Consumer Reports score and weight vehicle reliability year-to-year?
 
LINKS:
 
Model Overview; Toyota bZ : https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/bz/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Test Results: Toyota bZ4X: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/bz4x/2025/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Tesla Superchargers vs. Non-Tesla TVs: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ev-chargers/how-well-do-tesla-superchargers-work-for-non-tesla-evs-a4713673565/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
2026 Nissan Leaf: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/nissan/leaf/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Model Overview; Hyundai Ionia 5: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hyundai/ioniq-5/?EXTKEY=SOCIAL_YT
 
Test Results: Hyundai Ionia 9: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hyundai/ioniq-9/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=SOCIAL_YT
 
Test Results: Cadillac Vistiq: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cadillac/vistiq/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Shopping for a new car? Consumer Reports' Top Picks highlight the best cars, SUVs, and trucks you can buy right now—standouts for performance, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety. In this episode, we break down this year's winners across key segments, from sedans and small SUVs to three-row SUVs, featuring brands like Toyota, Honda, Ford, Tesla, BMW, Lexus, and Subaru.
 
 
SHOW NOTES
-----------------------------------
00:00 - Introduction
00:15 - 2026 Top Picks
23:57 - Safety Verdict
29:27 - Question: What's the best way to buy a car located too far away to inspect in person?
 
 
---------------------------------- 
Best Cars of 2026 — CR Top Picks
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/best-cars-of-the-year-10-top-picks-of-2025-a1930591024/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Safety Verdict
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/safety-guide/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
The Safest Cars You Can Buy Right Now
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/the-safest-cars-you-can-buy-right-now-a6584555585/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Which Brands Make the Best Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
How Car Brands Stack Up On Lifetime Repair Cost
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership-a1854979198/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
10 Best SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/10-best-suvs-you-can-buy-right-now-a8518508556/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Consumerreports.org/Talkingcars
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/talking-cars-podcast-archive-a1439738009/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
The Weekly Cars Newsletter: Shop Smarter. Drive Smarter.
https://www.consumerreports.org/email-newsletters/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Lock in savings with a better way to buy a car.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-prices-build-buy-service/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Subaru is back with a hybrid Crosstrek—will this one finally get it right? For our test program, we purchased a 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Sport Hybrid, and in this episode we share our first impressions. We cover ride comfort, handling, controls, safety technology, and take a close look at Subaru's new hybrid powertrain. We also answer audience questions about repairing older vehicles versus upgrading—and whether buying a first-year redesigned model is a good idea, even when it comes from a reliable manufacturer like Subaru.
 
Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.
 
 
SHOW NOTES
-----------------------------------
00:00 - Introduction
00:16 - Overview: 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
02:14 - What we liked
10:16 - What we did not like
25:15 - Question #1: Is it worth repairing an older vehicle versus upgrading to a newer one?
29:32 - Question #2: Should you still avoid buying a first-year redesign if the powertrain carries over from the previous generation?
 
 
---------------------------------- 
Full Test Results: 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/subaru/crosstrek-hybrid/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Popular Small SUVs to Avoid and What to Buy Instead
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/popular-small-suvs-to-avoid-and-what-to-buy-instead-a1273704153/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Which Brands Make the Best Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
10 Most Reliable Cars
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/10-most-reliable-cars-a6569295379/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
How Car Brands Stack Up On Lifetime Repair Cost
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership-a1854979198/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
10 Best SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/10-best-suvs-you-can-buy-right-now-a8518508556/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Car Reliability and Owner Satisfaction Guide
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/guide-to-car-reliability-owner-satisfaction-a9213219653/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Consumerreports.org/Talkingcars
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/talking-cars-podcast-archive-a1439738009/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT