Talking Cars (MP3)

In this episode, we share our first impressions of the all-new 2026 Dodge Charger. The Charger features new styling and a hatchback design, a twin-turbo inline-six-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and an updated interior that feels small, despite the vehicle's overall size. We also discuss what Dodge got right, where the Charger falls short, and whether we'd recommend it over other enthusiast-focused vehicles. Plus, we answer a question about the differences between racing fuel and premium gas, and how octane ratings and ethanol-free fuel can affect performance in regular vehicles.
 
SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
0:19 - 2026 Dodge Charger R/T Blacktop Overview
1:18 - What we like about the 2026 Dodge Charger
04:51 - Ride, Performance, Comfort & Daily Driving
17:46 - The Downsides: Interior, Controls & Practicality
36:05 - Would We Buy the New Dodge Charger?
41:12 - Audience Question: Is Racing Fuel Worth It?
 
LINKS:
Review: 2026 Dodge Charger R/T: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/sports-cars/dodge-charger-review-a9212537968/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Test Results: 2026 Ford Mustang: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ford/mustang/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Why You might Not Need Premium Fuel: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/why-you-might-not-actually-need-premium-gas-a6382185831/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

As gas prices fluctuate and drivers look for ways to cut costs, on this week's episode we answer the questions drivers are asking most: Is premium fuel worth the extra cost? Does ethanol save money? Do Eco modes actually improve fuel economy? And should high fuel prices push you toward a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or EV? From choosing the right fuel and finding the best prices at the pump to understanding the long-term costs of different vehicle types, we separate fact from fiction and share practical strategies to help drivers spend less on fuel without sacrificing performance or 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
-----------------------------------
00:00 Intro
00:15 Gas prices
00:51 Ethanol fuel blends
08:30 Premium vs. regular gas
17:04 Real ways to save at the pump
18:47 Hybrids, EVs, and PHEVs
29:08 Oil shortages, diesel, and alternative fuel
34:17 Eco mode and fuel-saving driving tips
37:06 The future of fuel efficiency and electrification
 
 
---------------------------------- 
Best deals on fuel-efficient cars & SUVs
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/buying-a-car/best-deals-on-fuel-efficient-cars-a4329802409/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Expert fuel-saving tips
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/expert-fuel-saving-tips-how-to-get-more-miles-per-dollar-a1096060259/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
10 tips to get the most out of a tank of gas
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-tank-of-gas-a2642110189/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Most fuel-efficient SUVs
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/the-most-fuel-efficient-suvs-best-mpg-a5599990140/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Cars with the best gas Mileage
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-best-mpg-a1198903400/
 
Will a hybrid, PHEV, or EV save me money?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/buying-guide/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Top Tier gas is worth the extra price
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/top-tier-gasoline-worth-the-extra-price-a7682471234/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Find the best hybrids and EVs
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Most reliable used electric vehicles
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/most-reliable-used-electric-vehicles-a8864540677/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
10 best deals on electric vehicles
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/best-deals-on-electric-vehicles-a1198228201/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Popular EVs to avoid and what to get instead
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/electric-vehicles-to-avoid-and-the-evs-to-get-instead-a6654236864/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Should you use synthetic oil in your car?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/should-you-use-synthetic-oil-in-your-car-a9220487946/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
CR's real-world electric car range comparison
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/real-world-ev-range-tests-models-that-beat-epa-estimates-a1103288135/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Tested: Does eco mode really save gas?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/does-eco-mode-really-save-gas-a6653523930/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

On this episode of Talking Cars, we discuss our recent evaluation of popular rugged SUV trims, sometimes called "soft roader" SUVs—including the Subaru Forester Wilderness, Honda Passport TrailSport, Toyota RAV4 Woodland, Ford Explorer Tremor, and more—to see whether they add real capability or mostly rugged styling. Plus, we answer a viewer's question about whether roof crossbars hurt fuel economy on SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 Prime.
 
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 Intro

00:16 Soft Roaders Explained
00:47 What Makes an SUV a "Soft Roader"
01:44 Why CR Doesn't Do Formal Off-Road Ratings
03:56 Building and Driving the Off-Road Evaluation Course
04:56 Vehicles Evaluated
06:13 On-Road Compromises
10:26 Off-Road Impressions
12:44 The Big Role Tires Play
16:28 Should You Buy an Off-Road Trim?
20:06 Can You Add All-Terrain Tires Yourself?
21:14 Should CR Fully Test These Off-Road Trims?
21:58 Audience Question: Do Roof Crossbars Hurt Fuel Economy?
 
 
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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
 
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
 
Best SUV and Truck Tires of 2026
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tires/best-suv-and-truck-tires-a3436694441/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Choose the Right Tires for Your Vehicle
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tires/buying-guide/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
10 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Gas Tank
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-tank-of-gas-a2642110189/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

On this episode we share our impressions of the 2026 Mazda Miata and take a joyride through Miata history. We explain why the 2026 model remains one of the purest sports cars you can buy, and weigh its sublime manual transmission, lightweight feel, reliability, and real-world compromises. Plus, we answer an audience question about Tesla Full Self-Driving—and whether human-driven Miatas are really at risk of disappearing.
 
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 Intro
00:15 2026 Mazda Miata: Why We're Revisiting It
02:54 History of the Miata
05:29 Why "Miata Is Always the Answer"
08:57 What Makes the Miata So Fun to Drive
17:01 Miata Reliability, Ownership, and Common Issues
19:56 Miata Stays Lightweight
24:49 The Downsides
31:30 Our Favorite Miata Generations
34:38 Audience Question: Self-Driving Cars vs. Human Drivers
 
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Test Results: Mazda Miata
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mazda/mx-5-miata/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
 
Mazda MX-5 Miata Generations
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mazda/mx-5-miata/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Find the Best Sports Cars & Convertible
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/sports-cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

The 2027 Kia Telluride gets a major redesign, but is it enough to keep this three-row SUV among the best in its class? On this week's episode, we discuss the Telluride's powertrain, styling, comfort, and biggest competitor. We also answer audience questions about navigation systems, satellite radio, and why manufacturers are charging for certain telematics software.
 
SHOW NOTES:
0:00 Intro
0:36 What's New on the 2027 Kia Telluride
02:29 What we love about the 2027 Kia Telluride
10:57 What we dislike about the Telluride
20:17 Ride Quality, Handling & Driving Dynamics
29:12 Safety Tech & Features Overview
33:20 Competitors, Buying Advice & Final Thoughts
36:06 Audience Question: Navigation, SiriusXM & App Subscriptions
 
LINKS:
Overview: 2027 Kia Telluride: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/kia/telluride/2027/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Test Results: 2026 Hyundai Palisade: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hyundai/palisade/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
2026 Toyota Highlander: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/highlander/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/grand-highlander/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Best & Worst Infotainment Systems: https://www.consumerreports.org/infotainment-systems/screen-stars-in-car-infotainment-systems/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT