Talking Cars (MP3)

We finished testing on the 2020 Hyundai Venue and discuss our test results, and which car category this compact people mover slots into. We talk about how the car purchasing experience has changed during these strange times, and share some of the options that we've encountered buying a car while social distancing. We also answer audience questions about the accuracy of the EPA estimated fuel economy numbers, why some electric vehicles have an additional 12 volt car battery, and whether or not tires are government regulated.

 

 

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Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!

 

From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!

 

We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/

 

Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6

 

 

SHOW NOTES

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00:56 - Car Buying Options During the Coronavirus Pandemic

16:16 - 2020 Hyundai Venue Test Results

23:03 - Question #1: Why are my fuel economy numbers different from the EPA’s estimated numbers?

27:19 - Question #2: Why some electric vehicles have an additional 12-volt car battery?

30:43 - Question #3: Are all tires regulated by the government?

35:20 - Question #4: Why is the inventory on the Kia Telluride low and the price higher than the MSRP?

 

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First Drive: Small, Affordable 2020 Hyundai Venue SUV

https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/2020-hyundai-venue-review/

 

Coronavirus Is Pushing Car Dealerships Into Online Sales and Home Delivery

https://www.consumerreports.org/buying-a-car/coronavirus-pushing-car-dealerships-into-online-sales-and-home-delivery/

 

How to Buy a Car From Home and Spend Less Time at the Dealership

https://www.consumerreports.org/buying-a-car/buy-a-car-without-leaving-home-or-going-to-a-dealership/

 

Some Automakers Are Offering Car Lease Extensions Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-financing/some-automakers-are-offering-car-lease-extensions-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/

 

Coronavirus Resource Hub

https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/

 

2019 New York Auto Show: 2020 Hyundai Venue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg_FiOaMc0Y

 

2020 Kia Telluride Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBNhy1Putrs

 

2019 New York Auto Show: 2020 Toyota Highlander

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfQ7Kq-pflc

 

2018 LA Auto Show: 2020 Hyundai Palisade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFbbBDcCYYg

 

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Check out http://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez 

 

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Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1IQ2w5q

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Direct download: 2004CRO_Talking_Cars_Episode_252.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 8:00pm EDT

The gang's all here! This week, our CR auto experts answer your questions from the comfort of their homes. We reach out to the entire Talking Cars team to see what they have been doing to keep busy during the quarantine, and answer your questions about maintaining your car during the coronavirus crisis, why Toyota isn't building electric vehicles, whether a white or yellow fog light is more effective, a fun replacement for a Toyota Celica GT-S, and more.

SHOW NOTES

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1:51 - how to properly exercise your car during the coronavirus crisis

5:34 - does the color of fog lights affect performance?

7:49 - best small hybrid for an adult buying their first car

9:50 - what’s a fuel-efficient vehicle with good lumbar support?

11:35 - is poor ride a symptom of a defective tire?

14:30 - what’s the next advanced safety innovation coming to cars?

16:00 - why isn’t Toyota building electric cars?

18:54 - can a child seat be safely installed in a two-seater?

21:57 - how does the world dispose of old cars?

25:50 - best car to replace a Toyota Celica GT-S

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Car Care and Maintenance During the Coronavirus Pandemic: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/car-care-and-maintenance-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19/

How to Protect Yourself Against Coronavirus When Pumping Gas: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-how-to-protect-yourself-against-coronavirus-when-pumping-gas/

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Subscribe to Talking Cars on Apple Podcasts!

Video version: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-cars-hq/id630839767?mt=2

Audio version: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-cars-mp3/id630831189?mt=2

Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6

Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!

From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!

Check out https://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez 

Direct download: 2004CRO_Talking_Cars_Episode_251.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

This week we discuss our test results of the 2020 Volkswagen Passat, and how it stacks up against its competitors in the midsized segment. We share tips on how to keep your car’s fuel fresh while it is (likely) being driven fewer miles during the coronavirus pandemic. We also discuss if a plug-in hybrid version of the Jeep Gladiator is on the horizon, how effective a load leg is on a child seat, and whether the tachometer is still necessary in modern vehicles.

 

 

-----------------------------------

Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!

 

From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!

 

We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/

 

Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6

 

 

SHOW NOTES

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00:41 - Keep Gasoline in your Tank From Going Stale-

07:31 - 2020 Volkswagen Passat Test Results

15:35 - Question #1: Is a plug-in hybrid version of the Jeep Gladiator on the horizon?

22:01 - Question #2: Are tachometers still necessary in modern vehicles?

26:51 - Question #3: Will hybrid vehicles drop in price due to low cost of gasoline?

29:41 - Question #4: Why aren’t load legs more common on rear-facing infant seat in the US?

 

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How to Keep the Gas Fresh and Protect Your Car During the Coronavirus Pandemic

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/how-to-keep-gas-fresh-and-protect-car-during-coronavirus/

 

Coronavirus Resource Hub

https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/

 

How to Protect Yourself Against Coronavirus When Pumping Gas

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-how-to-protect-yourself-against-coronavirus-when-pumping-gas/

 

2019 Detroit Auto Show: 2020 Volkswagen Passat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1him5f54QQ

 

2014 Volkswagen Passat Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AETDQOcdwE

 

2019 Volkswagen Arteon Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKYkg3Jw8HQ

 

2019 Detroit Auto Show: 2020 Jeep Gladiator

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RMnHRUBHOg

 

2018 Jeep Wrangler Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgzS0ubSgPM

 

4K Review: 2018 Toyota Camry Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpOUrt8sLGE

 

4K Review: 2018 Honda Accord Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRFEpKCeM9w

 

2020 Subaru Legacy Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oosO1qbA7uw

 

Load Legs Show Promise for Safer Child Seats

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDRW8IGQhEA

 

Load Legs Give Child Car Seats Improved Safety in a Crash

https://www.consumerreports.org/infant-car-seats/load-leg-gives-car-seats-an-additional-margin-of-safety-in-a-crash/

 

Best Infant Car Seats of 2020

https://www.consumerreports.org/infant-car-seats/best-infant-car-seats-of-the-year/

 

• 249: Coronavirus Car Seat Care and Cleaning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEKkUp_5Z7I

 

• 248: Pumping Gas in the Age of Coronavirus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mm9un45-js

 

• 247: Your Favorite Automotive Podcast Goes Remote

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muUJxFGr-Vk

 

• 246: Answering Audience Questions on EVs, Tires, Car Seats, and More

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW128R6wtjk

 

• 245: How the Coronavirus is Affecting Auto Shows

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRa8d7tLY5g

 

-----------------------------------

 

Check out http://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez 

 

Follow Us on Social:

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1IQ2w5q

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1Yf5Fh2

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1P37mM9

Instagram: http://bit.ly/1I49Bzo

Google+: http://bit.ly/1Md3gfQ

Direct download: 2004CRO_Talking_Cars_Episode_250.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 11:36pm EDT

We discuss the digital debut of the 2120 Genesis G80. Find out how we think the sedan will stack up against its more established luxury competitors. We also cover the best way to clean your child seat during the COVID-19 pandemic and answer questions.

Check out https://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez

Follow Us on Social:

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1IQ2w5q

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1Yf5Fh2

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1P37mM9

Instagram: http://bit.ly/1I49Bzo

SHOW NOTES:

1:05 - Emily makes an announcement

2:40 - Cleaning car seats during  the COVID-19 outbreak

11:47 - 2021 Genesis G80 Digital Debut

19:50 - Send us your questions at TalkingCars@iColoud.com

20:04 - Video Question #1: Did the dealer bamboozle me into buying ethanol fuel treatment?

22:30 - Question #2: I was recently driving on Interstate 66 near Washington, D.C., on a night with great visibility, and was using my high beams. Suddenly an 8-point deer jumps in front of my car! The airbags go off, the hood wraps around the windshield, and my 2004 Infiniti is totaled. Would modern pre-collision braking or pedestrian detection have prevented this accident? Are these systems designed to respond to large animals in the same way they would respond to a person?

25:33 - Question #3: How frequently does IIHS test for existing model year automobiles? Some cars haven't been updated in years, and I wonder if manufacturers improve crash safety for existing models.

Direct download: 2004CRO_Talking_Cars_Episode_249.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:33pm EDT

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