We share our first impressions of Jeep’s all-new and first-ever hybrid Cherokee, including cabin and cargo space, design, and safety. We discuss its refinement, fuel economy, and how it compares to competitors in a crowded field. We also answer a viewer's question about whether Carvana and other sites are a good option for selling a vehicle.

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

00:32 Overview: 2026 Jeep Cherokee Laredo

01:45 Jeep Brand Appeal

03:02 Space, Size & Family Practicality

04:50 Design, Comfort & Interior Quality

08:00 Safety Features & Standard Equipment

09:11 Hybrid Performance & Driving Experience

11:44 Key Drawbacks

14:03 Door Safety & Usability Concerns

17:11 Should You Buy It?

19:09 Ride, Handling & Trim Strategy

21:46 Infotainment & Tech Usability

25:13 Small Wins & Practical Features

27:15 Question: Is using Carvana or similar online services a good option for selling a vehicle?

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Test Results: 2026 Jeep Cherokee Laredo

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/jeep/cherokee/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

Which Brands Make the Best Cars?

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?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

Where to Shop for Used Cars

https://www.consumerreports.org/used-cars/where-to-shop-for-your-next-used-car-a1016305271/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Selling Your Car to Online Retailers

https://www.consumerreports.org/money/selling-a-car/how-to-sell-your-car-to-an-online-retailer-a2790904993/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

This week, we cover the all-new 2026 Honda Prelude. We reminisce about past Preludes, discuss the 2026 model's hybrid-only powertrain and redesigned styling, and try to figure out who the Prelude is for: it's not sporty enough to be called a sports car, but it falls short on luxury touches to be considered a grand touring coupe. We also answer a question about Consumer Reports' EV Highway Range Test and explore why a buyer might need 300+ miles of driving range.

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 & Why We Bought the Honda Prelude

00:57 What the New Prelude Is (and Isn’t)

03:35 Design, Features & First Impressions

06:00 Driving Experience & Everyday Usability

08:21 How It Compares to Other Cars (Civic, Prius, Z)

10:50 The Identity Problem & Who It’s For

12:58 Styling, Practicality & Value Debate

16:03 Final Thoughts on the Prelude

19:38 Audience Question: EV Range vs Real Driving Needs

22:12 Why EV Range Testing Still Matters

LINKS:

2026 Honda Prelude: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/honda/prelude/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

First Drive: Who is the Honda Prelude For?: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2026-honda-prelude-review-a7655687395/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

2025 Honda Civic Adds Hybrid, Hatchback, Google, and More Power: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/small-cars/2025-honda-civic-hybrid-review-a1056711696/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Consumer Reports’ Real-World Electric Car Range Comparison: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/real-world-ev-range-tests-models-that-beat-epa-estimates-a1103288135/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

This week, it's all about the 2026 Subaru Outback. We bought two trims of the Outback: Premium and Touring XT. We discuss its radical redesign from a wagon to an SUV, talk about why we bought two trims and the differences between them, and how Subaru's omission of a hybrid powertrain may be a mistake. Plus, we answer a question about EV replacement tires.

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 - Introduction

00:15 - Overview: 2026 Subaru Crosstrek

01:10 - 180hp Non-Turbo vs 260hp Turbo engine

08:19 - Premium vs Touring XT Seats

11:25 - Fit and Finish Differences

13:50 - Wheels and Tires

14:59 - Cabin Noise

17:56 - Controls

19:58 - No Hybrid Option?

20:37 - New, Bold Styling

22:49 - Wrap up

25:49 - Question: Is it necessary to use EV-specific tires when replacing the tires on an electric vehicle?

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Test Results: 2026 Subaru Outback

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/subaru/outback/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

How Car Brands Stack Up on Repair Costs

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership-a1854979198/?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

Which Brands Make the Best Cars?

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?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

On this episode, we share our first impressions of the 2026 Mazda CX-5. We cover the CX-5’s redesign, including its new, large touchscreen infotainment system, mourn its lack of physical climate controls, and discuss how the top trim model we rented doesn’t feel that special. We also answer a question about 360 cameras and how to keep the lenses clean in rainy places like Oregon.

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

0:17 -  2026 Mazda CX-5 Overview

1:18 - What we love about the 2026 Mazda CX-5

7:05 - What we dislike on the 2026 Mazda CX-5

30:50 - Is it worth buying top trim vehicles?

36:05 - What we’d buy instead of a 2026 Mazda CX-5

39:10 - Audience Question: What’s the best way to keep a vehicle’s 360º camera clean?

LINKS:

Mazda CX-5 Model History: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mazda/cx-5/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Redesigned 2026 Mazda CX-5: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/2026-mazda-cx-5-review-a2402724881/EXTKEY=SOCIAL_YT

Mazda CX-50 Hybrid: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mazda/cx-50-hybrid/2026/overview/EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Compact SUV Ratings: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/types/new/suvs/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

We're live from the floor of the 2026 New York Auto Show, and sharing our first impressions of the vehicles announced at the show, including the Genesis G90 Wingback and Hyundai Boulder concept cars, the Subaru Getaway 3-row EV SUV, Kia Seltos Hybrid, Volkswagen Atlas, Kia EV3 all-electric compact SUV, and the rise of the softroader!

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 - Introduction

00:56 - NYAS Show Floor

02:43 - Softroaders

08:17 - Subaru Trailseeker

08:29 - Subaru Uncharted

09:59 - Jeep Recon

10:58 - Subaru Getaway

11:53 - Hyundai Boulder

13:46 - Genesis G90 Wingback

14:07 - Our Favorites

16:23 - Best of Show

18:07 - Most Absurd

20:19 - Minivans

21:26 - Fuel Economy

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Preview: 2026 Jeep Recon Electric SUV

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2026-jeep-recon-electric-suv-review-a1341965777/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Preview: 2026 Subaru Uncharted Electric SUV

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2026-subaru-uncharted-review-a1017237029/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Preview: 2026 Subaru Trailseeker

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2026-subaru-trailseeker-review-a5418969450/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Preview: Next-Gen 2027 Kia Seltos

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/2027-kia-seltos-review-a1747520334/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Preview: All-New 2027 Subaru Getaway

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2027-subaru-getaway-review-a5360151843/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT