This week, we share our first impressions of the 2022 Audi A3. We discuss how the A3 stacks up against competing compact sport sedans and debate whether or not a vehicle can be considered both entry-level and luxury. We also answer a question on the best tire pressure for snowy driving conditions.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 - 2022 Audi A3 First Impressions

12:00 - Question: What’s the best tire pressure for driving in snowy conditions?

LINKS:

Audi A3: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/audi/a3/

Audi Redesigns Entry-Level A3 and S3 Compact Sedans: https://www.consumerreports.org/sedans/2022-audi-a3-review-a9629186229/

Tire Ratings: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/tires.htm?searchToken=winter%20tires

On this episode, we share our test results of the Hyundai Santa Cruz. We discuss where the Santa Cruz fits among competing small pickup trucks, how well it performs ‘truck’ duties and why its construction benefits its livability. We also answer a question on vehicle reliability, and how CR calculates this score from year to year.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 - Hyundai Santa Cruz

11:08 - Question: How does CR weigh and consider reliability ratings on vehicles from year to year?

LINKS:

Hyundai Santa Cruz: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hyundai/santa-cruz/2022/overview/

What’s New in Small Pickup Trucks: https://www.consumerreports.org/pickup-trucks/whats-new-in-small-pickup-trucks/

Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/

Consumer Reports has tested vehicles from Tesla, GM, Subaru, Ford, and others that include autonomous driving features, with many now including driver monitoring systems to ensure those behind the wheel are paying attention to the road. CR will now award additional points to those systems that perform well in our tests. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has also announced plans to evaluate these systems.

SHOW NOTES:

Driver Monitoring Systems by Ford and GM Are Only Ones to Earn Points in CR’s Tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/driver-monitoring-systems-ford-gm-earn-points-in-cr-tests-a6530426322/

Consumer Reports has tested vehicles from Tesla, GM, Subaru, Ford, and others that include autonomous driving features, with many now including driver monitoring systems to ensure those behind the wheel are paying attention to the road. CR will now award additional points to those systems that perform well in our tests. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has also announced plans to evaluate these systems.

SHOW NOTES:

Driver Monitoring Systems by Ford and GM Are Only Ones to Earn Points in CR’s Tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/driver-monitoring-systems-ford-gm-earn-points-in-cr-tests-a6530426322/

This week we discuss BlueCruise technology, Ford’s new hands-free active driver assist feature available on the Mustang Mach-E. We share our experiences with the system— both on our test track and public roads— we’ll talk about how it differs from other systems like GM’s Super Cruise and Tesla’s Autopilot. We also debate how useful these systems are and how driver monitoring plays a crucial role in ensuring safety behind the wheel. Plus, we answer a question about child seats for a growing family.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 - Ford BlueCruise First Impressions

17:54 - Question: What’s the best car to buy to accommodate a growing family?

LINKS:

How Much Automation Does Your Car Really Have? https://www.consumerreports.org/automotive-technology/how-much-automation-does-your-car-really-have-level-2-a3543419955/

Which Lane Keeping Assist System Is Right for You? https://www.consumerreports.org/driver-assistance-systems/which-lane-keeping-assist-system-is-right-for-you-a4813532588/

Cadillac’s Super Cruise Outperforms Other Driving Assistance Systems: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/cadillac-super-cruise-outperforms-other-active-driving-assistance-systems-a1113486809/

General Motors Introduces ‘Ultra-Cruise,’ an Expanded Hands-Free Driver Assistance System: https://www.consumerreports.org/driver-assistance-systems/gm-ultra-cruise-hands-free-driver-assistance-system-a4904409015/

How to Fit Car Seats Three Across: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-seats/how-to-fit-child-car-seats-three-across/

On this episode, we share our test results of the all-electric Volkswagen ID.4. Find out how this all-new EV stacks up against competing models from Tesla and why we think the ID.4’s redesigned controls have more flash than function. We also answer an audience question on regenerative braking and how it works on the ID.4.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 - Volkswagen ID.4 Test results

12:46 - Question: How does regenerative braking work on the VW ID.4?

LINKS:

Volkswagen ID4: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/volkswagen/id4/2021/overview/

First Drive: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Can Play in the Big League: https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/2022-hyundai-ioniq-5-review-a4449361814/

Automakers Are Adding Electric Vehicles to Their Lineups. Here’s What’s Coming: https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/why-electric-cars-may-soon-flood-the-us-market-a9006292675/