Talking Cars (MP3)

In this episode, we dive into the mailbag to answer your questions. We cover data privacy in your car, how tires and all-wheel drive systems perform in snow, tips for long-term car storage, and the methodology behind CR's predicted reliability ratings. We also discuss how different tire sizes affect vehicle performance and explain CR's 2,000-mile break-in period for all of our test cars. 
 
SHOW NOTES:
0:10 - Intro
1:48 - Question #1: Why do automakers paywall vehicle features?
6:00 - Question #2: What's the difference between mechanical AWD systems and electrical AWD systems?
9:52 - Question #3: Why does CR perform a 2,000-mile break-in period on test cars, and what's the best way to break in a vehicle?
14:14 - Question #4: What type of car, EV, ICE, or hybrid, fares best in long-term storage?
19:09 - Question #5: How does CR determine the predicted reliability of a vehicle?
22:53 - Question #6: Will the average driver notice the performance differences in wheel and tire sizes?
 
LINKS:
Your Car Is Sharing Data With Big Tech Companies, Study Finds: https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/personal-information/your-car-is-sharing-data-with-big-tech-companies-study-finds-a4474820962/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Your Car May Be Spying On You. Here's How to Get It to Stop: https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/personal-information/how-to-stop-your-car-from-collecting-sharing-driving-data-a1233378612/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
How It Works: FWD vs. RWD vs. AWD vs. 4WD: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/automotive-technology/2wd-vs-awd-vs-4wd-a5663578720/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Test Results: Tesla Model Y: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tesla/model-y/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
How To Protect Your Car From Rodents: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/how-to-protect-your-car-from-rodents-a5816950285/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
How Hot Weather Affects Your Car Battery and What to Do About It: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-batteries/how-hot-weather-affects-your-car-battery-what-to-do-about-it-a4527456418/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Test Results: Hyundai Palisade: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hyundai/palisade/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

On this week's episode, the Consumer Reports auto team shares its biggest pet peeves about modern cars—from giant touchscreens, distracting alerts, and complicated door handles to cramped back seats, fake interior materials, missing Apple CarPlay, and sky-high prices. What frustrates you most about new cars?
 
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
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00:00 - Intro
01:02 Unusable Armrests
01:23 Why New Nissans Smell Like Mice
02:04 Poor Build Quality
02:25 The Fake Third-Row Center Seat
02:53 Self-Driving Tech Can't Handle Bad Weather
03:44 Where Did the Backseat Legroom Go?
04:06 Stop Reinventing Door Handles
04:43 Nowhere to Put Your Stuff
05:00 Square Steering Wheels & Bad Controls
06:12 Too Many Screens, Beeps & Ambient Lights
08:16 Why New Cars Are So Expensive
09:04 Pickup Trucks Became Fashion Accessories
10:16 Screens Replacing Simple Controls
11:03 Auto Hold Should Be Standard
11:56 Every Car Needs Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
14:25 The Problem With Electronic Door Handles
16:12 Why Cars Don't Need More Phone Connections
17:13 Abrupt Throttles & the "Subie Surge"
18:29 Bring Back Physical Buttons
19:28 Ventilated Seats Are Essential
20:08 Driver-Monitoring Systems That Distract You
20:57 Lazy Interior Screen Design
21:53 New Cars That Aren't Better Than the Old Ones
22:14 Windshield Haze From Interior Off-Gassing
22:48 Pop-Out Door Handles Need To Go
23:06 Dashboard Reflections in the Windshield
24:08 Missing Manual Transmissions
24:53 Square Steering Wheels for No Reason
25:13 Fake Metal and Fake Luxury Materials
26:13 Bring Back Oldsmobile
 
 
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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
 
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
 
10 Most Reliable Cars
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/10-most-reliable-cars-a6569295379/?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
 
How to Find the Best SUV
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/buying-guide/?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
 
TalkingCars@consumer.org
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/talking-cars-podcast-archive-a1439738009/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

This week, we're talking all about the 2026 Lexus ES Hybrid. We share our first impressions of this perennial CR favorite, discuss how it stacks up against its all-new EV twin, the Lexus ES 500e, and debate whether the 2026 redesign offers enough improvements over older, popular (and reliable) models from Toyota/Lexus. We also answer questions about the risks of buying a redesigned car in its first production year and about how child seat technology, seat belts, and driving habits have changed over the last 60 years.
 
SHOW NOTES:
0:10 - Intro
0:25 - 2026 Lexus ES Hybrid, Overview
1:30 - Pricing
1:55 - First Impressions
7:13 - Hybrid system quirks
11:20 - Driving & Interior characteristics
16:00 - Infotainment system
19:05 - Beeps & safety systems
22:26 - Lexus ES 350 Hybrid vs. Toyota Avalon
34:02 - Question #1: Is it safe to buy a vehicle in the first year of production?
42:02 - Question #2 (video): How have cars become safer for child passengers when you compare data from the 1960's to today?
 
LINKS:
Review: The Redesigned Lexus ES Hybrid Is in Its Soft Era: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/lexus-es-hybrid-review-a1014364803/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
2026 Lexus ES Hybrid: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/lexus/es-hybrid/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
2026 Lexus ES EV: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/lexus/es/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Test Results: 2026 Toyota Crown: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/crown/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Test Results: 2026 Mazda CX-5: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mazda/cx-5/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Test Results: 2026 BMW X3: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/bmw/x3/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

On this episode we share our first impressions of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland, the new hybrid SUV with all-terrain tires, extra ground clearance, and a more outdoorsy look. Is it a smart upgrade for rough roads and city potholes—or mostly a styling package? Plus, we answer an audience question about which dealership add-ons are worth considering and which ones you should skip.
 
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 Overview: 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland
02:10 What Is an "Off-Road" SUV Trim?
05:08 How the RAV4 Woodland Drives
06:00 Hybrid Powertrain, Performance & Fuel Economy
09:46 All-Terrain Tires: Handling, Noise & Ride
14:15 Driver Comfort
15:49 Infotainment and Controls
18:20 Driver-Monitoring System
20:31 Woodland Styling
23:59 Is the Woodland Worth the Extra Cost?
29:02 Audience Question: Are Dealer Add-Ons Worth It?
 
 
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Test Results: 2026 Toyota RAV4
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/rav4/2026/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
 
How to Find the Best SUV
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/buying-guide/?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
 
7 Questions to Ask at the Dealership
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/buying-a-car/questions-to-ask-before-you-buy-a-car-a6387933582/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
How to Avoid Unnecessary Car-Buying Fees
https://www.consumerreports.org/money/fees-billing/how-to-avoid-car-buying-fees-a7209896255/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Just Say No to These Car Dealership Extras
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/buying-a-car/just-say-no-to-these-car-dealership-extras-a9471188276/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
TalkingCars@consumer.org
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/talking-cars-podcast-archive-a1439738009/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
 
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Consumer Reports experts: Mike Monticello, Mike Crossen, Jeff Bartlett

On this week's episode, we discuss the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness to find out whether its rugged styling, lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, and added features are worth paying $7,000 more than a base Crosstrek. We examine its off-road capability, on-road compromises, fuel economy, noise, safety features, and whether this soft-roader is actually the right choice. Plus, we answer an audience question about whether a lightly used Volvo EX90 at half its original price is a bargain—or a risky bet.
 
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
00:37 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Overview
01:43 What Makes the Wilderness Different?
03:17 Road Noise, Ride & Handling
05:16 Off-Road Capability
07:11 Fuel Economy, Towing & Trade-Offs
08:06 Wilderness Price and Features
09:27 Safety Features and What's Missing
11:03 Crosstrek Wilderness Styling
13:16 Why Soft-Roaders Are So Popular
14:24 Is the Crosstrek Good for Camping?
15:41 Is the Wilderness Worth the Extra Money?
18:49 Audience Question: Used Volvo EX90 Bargain?
 
 
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Test Results: 2026 Subaru Crosstrek
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/subaru/crosstrek/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/subaru/crosstrek-hybrid/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
 
How to Find the Best SUV
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/buying-guide/?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
 
TalkingCars@consumer.org
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/talking-cars-podcast-archive-a1439738009/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
 
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Consumer Reports experts: Jon Linkov, Avri Wyshogrod, Maddie McCarty