See our car ratings and reviews at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Mini's largest SUV, the Countryman, has been thoroughly redesigned. For 2025, it's bigger in almost every dimension. This week, we share our first impressions of the Countryman, including its performance, driving characteristics, fashionable interior with unique design cues, and whether it still upholds its British nostalgia feel. We also answer audience questions, including whether white cars are safer on the road, plus we explain what a "pre-delivery service charge" is.

SHOW NOTES

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

00:00 - Introduction

00:15 - Overview: 2025 Mini Countryman

01:51 - Center Screen

04:03 - Driving Dynamics

06:00 - Dual-Clutch Transmission

07:37 - Engine Stop/Start Systm

08:27 - Go Kart Setting

11:19 - Interior Cameras

13:52 - Software

16:14 - Seats

16:51 - More Transmission

17:25 - The Cabin

18:30 - Our Overall Thoughts

19:48 - Question #1: Are white cars safer than other colors?

23:01 - Question #2: What is a “pre-delivery service charge” that dealers are charging?

----------------------------------  

First Drive: 2025 Mini Countryman Is Roomy, but There’s Room for Improvement

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/2025-mini-countryman-review-a5534014106/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

2025 Mini Countryman

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mini/cooper-countryman/2025/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Preview: Mini Continues Its All-Electric March With the Aceman Small Crossover

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/mini-aceman-review-a5304694715/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Guide to Cars With Advanced Safety Systems

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/cars-with-advanced-safety-systems-a7292621135/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

This week on Talking Cars, we're talking trucks! We share our first impressions of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, a perennially popular and traditionally reliable midsized truck. We cover Tacoma's 2024 redesign and discuss how it compares to other pickups in the competitive segment. Plus, we answer questions about sourcing parts for older vehicles and the reliability of newer turbo 4-cylinder engines proliferating in the car market. 

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 - Intro

0:24 - Audience Question, Gavin from Utah: Will we ever talk about trucks on Talking Cars again?

2:31 -  2024 Toyota Tacoma SR5 overview

6:43 - Updates for the 2024 model year

10:41 - 2024 Tacoma hybrid powertrain

13:56 - SR5 Ride comfort

17:00 - Handling

18:24 - Front Seat comfort

19:38 -  Rear seat comfort

22:02 - Infotainment/controls

23:29 - Which midsized pickup would our experts buy?

27:23 - Poll: Which midsized pickup would YOU buy?

28:55 - Video Question, Ken from Eglin AFB: How long can you source parts for vehicles that are no longer in production?

33:49 - Audience Question. Ron from Cranston, RI: Will smaller displacement turbo 4-cylinders last in larger vehicles for 10+ years?

LINKS:

2024 Toyota Tacoma: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/tacoma/2024/overview/

First Drive: 2024 Toyota Tacoma Proves Modern and Feature-Rich: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/pickup-trucks/2024-toyota-tacoma-review-a3909870875/

Find the Best Pickup Trucks: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/pickup-trucks/

Consumer Reports just purchased a 2024 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Reserve II for testing, and we already have strong opinions about the vehicle. The Nautilus is based on the Ford Edge, but a lot is unique to this car, including a panoramic screen that runs the length of the dashboard. We share our first impressions of its touchscreen controls, optional 24-way adjustable seats, "different approach" to air vents, ride, handling, and overall driving impressions. We also answer questions about why SUVs have replaced station wagons despite offering similar utility and the best vehicle choice for a camping enthusiast who is EV-curious with a budget under $30,000.

Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

CR’s Hybrid/EV/PHEV Buying Guide: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Lincoln Nautilus First Look: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/2024-lincoln-nautilus-review-a1171321486/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/rav4-hybrid/2024/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Toyota RAV4 Prime: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/rav4-prime/2024/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Subaru Crosstrek: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/subaru/crosstrek/2021/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

SHOW NOTES

00:16 - 2024 Lincoln Nautilus First Impressions

02:13 - Why we might not want to take it on a road trip

07:33 - thoughts on panoramic screen

10:40 - steering wheel controls

19:25 - BlueCruise evaluation

26:25 - driving impressions

34:10 - our issues with the air vents

40:06 - why did all the station wagons disappear?

46:05 - EV under $30k that would be good for camping?

Subscribe to Talking Cars on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@consumerreports/podcasts

Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly! Send us a text at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!