We recently purchased an all-new 2021 Toyota Venza for our test program, and we share our first impressions on the driving dynamics, hybrid powertrain, and standard advanced safety features of this midsized SUV. For some car brands, maintenance expenses can skyrocket once warranty and free-maintenance periods are over; we discuss why this can affect some brands more than others, particularly German automaker BMW. We also answer questions about matrix LED headlights and why they aren't yet available in the US, whether a convertible should be stored with its top up or down, and we share what we are thankful for, both personally and in the automotive world, in the crazy year that is 2020.

 

 

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

 

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

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

 

00:00 - Introduction

00:31 - 2021 Toyota Venza First Drive

10:34 - Question #1: Why do BMWs skyrocket in ownership cost over a long period of time?

13:48 - Question #2: Why Matrix LED headlights are not allowed in the US?

17:01 - Question #3: What is the best practice for storing a convertible in a garage?

18:16 - Question #4: Which 3-row SUV is best suited for hauling 3 grandchildren?

21:58 - Things we are most grateful for this Thanksgiving.

 

---------------------------------- 

 

Coronavirus Resource Hub

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

 

Car Care During Coronavirus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53CdG_7nDcU

 

First Drive: 2021 Toyota Venza Strikes an SUV Sweet Spot

https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/2021-toyota-venza-hybrid-review/

 

Toyota Venza review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAV6MdAv8LQ

 

The Cost of Car Ownership Over Time

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership/

 

2020 Kia Telluride Quick Drive

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

 

4K Review: 2016 Mazda CX-9 Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UigcJd7PVY

 

2019 Subaru Ascent Quick Drive

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

 

4K Review: 2017 Toyota Highlander Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic5Obebxcv8

 

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

 

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

Every year, Consumer Reports releases the results of its auto reliability survey, collecting data from hundreds of thousands of our members. We share the process of collecting this data, as well as some highlights from this year's results. The 2020 Land Rover Defender is a recent addition to our test program, and we share our first impressions on this resurrected and rugged luxury off-roader SUV. We also answer questions about NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) shields on cars, possible solutions to end a burdensome car lease, and at what point a child can safely ride in a vehicle without a booster seat. 

 

 

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

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

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

 

00:00 - Introduction

00:37 - Consumer Reports Auto Reliability Survey Results

09:25 - 2020 Land Rover Defender First Impressions

19:13 - Question #1: Do NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) shield help with preventing rust and corrosion on a vehicle?

21:27 - Question #2: Which vehicle would be a competent replacement for a 2003 Toyota Highlander?

25:25 - Question #3: Is there a possible solution to ending a burdensome car lease?

27:09 - Question #4: At what point a child can safely ride in a vehicle without a booster seat?

 

---------------------------------- 

 

CR Auto Reliability

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-car-reliability-guide/

 

Coronavirus Resource Hub

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

 

Car Care During Coronavirus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53CdG_7nDcU

 

Booster Sets: Why Your Big Kid May Still Need a Booster

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5h6kzWEyTU

 

2020 Subaru Outback Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovW5kMBdLB0

 

2017 Honda Ridgeline Quick Drive

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

 

4K Review: 2017 Toyota Highlander Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic5Obebxcv8

 

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

 

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

We discuss a number of topics this week, including an issue with Toyota RAV4 hybrids not able to fully fill their gas tanks, why some recall fixes can leave you without your car for months, if the positioning of occupant dummies in crash tests is not applicable to real-world conditions, why automaker Mitsubishi isn't as popular in the US market as it once was, the methodology behind CR's driving impressions and our Overall Score, why your next new car might be a tight fit in your garage, whether a Kia Stinger or Volkswagen Arteon is a better choice for a Canadian driver, and why luxury sports cars aren't required to be crash tested.

 

 

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

 

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

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

 

00:00 - Introduction

01:28 - Question #1: Why some Toyota RAV4 hybrids have an issue with not being able to fully fill their gas tanks?

06:34 - Question #2: Why some car recalls take a long time to get fixed?

11:33 - Question #3: Why is the positioning of occupant dummies in crash test are not applicable to real-world conditions?

16:13 - Question #4: Why Mitsubishi vehicles aren’t as popular in the US as they are in other parts of the world?

18:31 - Question #5: What methodology is behind CR’s driving impressions and overall score?

20:24 - Question #6: Why does it seem like the cars are getting bigger, but garages are not?

23:01 - Question #7: Which Sportback is a better choice for a Canadian driver, a Kia Stinger or the Volkswagen Arteon?

26:17 - Question #8: Why some luxury sports cars are not required to be crash tested?

 

---------------------------------- 

 

Coronavirus Resource Hub

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

 

New Toyota Highlander SUVs Recalled for Stall Risk

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/new-toyota-highlander-suvs-recalled-for-stall-risk/

 

Some Cars Will Never Be Crash-Tested, Leaving Consumers in the Dark

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/some-cars-will-never-be-crash-tested-crash-test-ratings/

 

The Crash Test Bias: How Male-Focused Testing Puts Female Drivers at Risk

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/crash-test-bias-how-male-focused-testing-puts-female-drivers-at-risk/

 

Federal Car Crash Testing Needs Major Overhaul, Safety Advocates Say

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/federal-car-crash-testing-needs-major-overhaul-safety-advocates-say/

 

2019 Volkswagen Arteon Quick Drive

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

 

4K Review: 2018 Kia Stinger Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z23ztuujxfA

 

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

 

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

The 2021 Chevy Suburban is one of the latest additions to our testing fleet, and we give our first impressions on what it’s like to drive this big SUV, both on the open road, as well as in urban environments. The subscription model is common with many services these days, yet is still fairly uncommon in the automotive world. However, recent announcements by Tesla and GM may change this, and could introduce the concept of charging a monthly fee for access to important safety features. We talk about how these programs will work, and why they might not be in the best interest of consumers. We also discuss the long-term reliability of turbos and direct-injection vehicles, the best way to store your winter or summer tires, and if a dealership might allow you to learn to drive a manual transmission with one of their vehicles (spoiler alert: probably not.)

 

 

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

 

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

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

 

00:00 - Introduction

00:29 - Monthly Subscription Fees for Vehicle Safety Features

05:53 - 2021 Chevrolet Suburban First Impressions

13:36 - Question #1: Are turbocharged engines less reliable than non-turbos?

16:35 - Question #2: Which Toyota vehicle would have the best resale value?

19:41 - Question #3: What is the best practice for storing a set of tires?

22:24 - Question #4: Would a car dealer allow an inexperienced operator test drive a manual transmission vehicle?

 

---------------------------------- 

 

Coronavirus Resource Hub

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

 

Why You Might Need to Subscribe to Get Certain Features on Your Next Car

https://www.consumerreports.org/automotive-industry/why-you-might-need-to-subscribe-to-get-certain-features-on-your-next-car/

 

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban Grow in Size and Features

https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/2021-chevrolet-tahoe-suburban-preview/

 

Prep Your Car for Winter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3rczMZsN0g

 

Getting your tires ready for winter: Advice from Consumer Reports

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hixD6srMlP0

 

2016 Toyota Tacoma Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHnpNycnJ1s

 

2017 Honda CR-V Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwN2Tl1A5Z4

 

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

 

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