One of the primary questions drivers have about EVs is how long do their batteries last, and how much would a replacement cost in the future. We share our expert information on if electric car batteries are expensive to replace, as well as: where more expensive tires wear slower than cheaper alternatives; why a car in Europe might have a better warranty or more features than its US counterpart; warranty coverage for 48V mild hybrid batteries; whether standard, gas-powered vehicles lose range in cold weather like all-electric cars; and how to change the radio station preset on the 2023 Honda CR-V.

 

 

 

SHOW NOTES

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00:00 - Introduction

00:45 - Question #1: Are EV batteries expensive to replace?

05:11 - Question #2: Why does it seem that European countries have better car warranties and features than the US?

09:14 - Question #3: How can you tell whether a tire will retain good performance over the its life?

12:40 - Question #4: What are the warranty coverages like for 48V mild hybrid batteries?

17:06 - Question #5: Is the drop in range on an EV in cold weather about the same as gas-powered vehicles?

22:10 - Question #6: Is it possible to delete a radio station preset from the favorites list on a 2023 Honda CR-V?

 

 

 

LINKS

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What Happens to the Old Batteries in Electric Cars?

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/what-happens-to-the-old-batteries-in-electric-cars-a1091429417/

 

Will an Electric Car Save You Money?

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/will-an-electric-car-save-you-money-a9436870083/

 

How Temperatures Affects Electric Vehicle Range

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/how-temperature-affects-electric-vehicle-range-a4873569949/

 

Best Tire Values Based on Consumer Reports’ Tests

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tires/best-tire-values-most-performance-for-the-money-a8831427537/

 

Best Tire Brands of 2023

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tires/best-tire-brands-a2990346660/

 

How Well Can an Electric Pickup Truck Tow?

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/how-well-can-an-electric-pickup-truck-tow-a1149286680/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

 

 

 

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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

 

 

 

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More of CR's coverage on Hybrids and EVs:  https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE electric sedan joins the growing EV market. Equipped with a 90-kWh battery, the EQE promises 305 miles of range with the rear-wheel drive, and 260 miles with the all-wheel drive. Our experts share their first impressions and discuss the EQE’s livability and usability. Plus, we answer on how to understand EV range ratings, like MPGe. 

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 - Intro

0:14 - 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE

3:44 - Infotainment screen, controls

8:00 - Navigation features

9:24 - Pricing and options

11:53 - Driving position

12:42 - Styling, fit and finish

13:58 - Driving impressions

18:12 EV alternatives

21:42 - Question: What’s MPGe and how do you convert it to kWh/100miles?

LINKS:

Mercedes-Benz EQE: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mercedes-benz/eqe/2023/overview/

Hybrids & EVs: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/

Futuristic EQS Proves Mercedes-Benz's Commitment to EVs: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2022-mercedes-benz-eqs-review-a2271854355/

Electric Cars and Plug-In Hybrids That Qualify for Federal Tax Credits: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/electric-cars-plug-in-hybrids-that-qualify-for-tax-credits-a7820795671/

More of CR's coverage on the Nissan Z here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/sports-cars/2023-nissan-z-review-a2145463162/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

The 2023 Nissan Z enters the sports car marketplace as one of the few remaining models available today as a manual, competing for attention with the Toyota Supra, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota GR86. We bought a Performance model with a manual transmission for our test program, and share our first impressions of this resurrected nameplate, comparing its styling, gearbox, and driving dynamics with its contemporaries, as well as legacy Z models. And is higher octane gas combined with fuel stabilizer better for a car that will not be driven for a few months? Our experts answer this, as well as whether newer cars need an engine block heater in cold climates.

Toyota GR86 First Drive: https://www.consumerreports.org/sports-cars/2022-toyota-gr86-review-a7782593291/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Top Tier Gas Worth the Extra Price: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/top-tier-gasoline-worth-the-extra-price-a7682471234/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

:00 - Nissan Z introduction

1:50 - New features

4:20 - Styling

5:25 - Driving impressions

8:15 - Turbo sound/whine

9:39 - Manual transmission

12:39 - Handling impressions

15:20 - Interior impressions

22:39 - Should you use an engine block heater on a newer car?

25:31 - Should you use higher octane gas combined with fuel stabilizer for a car not driven often?

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

Find out more about the Honda Accord at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/sedans/2023-honda-accord-review-a4740920658/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

On this episode, we discuss the 2023 Honda Accord Sport Hybrid that we purchased for our test program. Our experts talk about Honda’s new approach to vehicle trim levels and how the Accord Hybrid has evolved since its introduction. We also cover safety improvements, usability and how the Accord can stay competitive in a market flooded with SUVs. Plus, we answer questions about window tinting and crash ratings for the Jeep Gladiator.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 - Intro

0:19 - Vehicle specs

1:32 - Available safety features

4:00 - Accord trim lines 

7:57 - Interior space

12:42 - Powertrain

15:00 - Seat comfort

18:57 - Driving impressions

21:33 - Question #1: What’s better; ceramic window tint or non-ceramic window tint?

25:37 - Question #2: Why isn’t the Jeep Gladiator subject to all of the crash test categories? 

LINKS:

2023 Honda Accord Hybrid: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/honda/accord-hybrid/2023/overview/

2023 Honda Accord: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/honda/accord/2023/overview/

The New 2023 Honda Accord Is Easy to Like and Easy to Live With: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/sedans/2023-honda-accord-review-a4740920658/

Why Hybrid Vehicles Are a Smart Choice Right Now: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/why-hybrid-vehicles-are-a-smart-choice-right-now-a2736240282/

Find out more about the Rivian R1S at: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/rivian-r1s-review-a1186513155/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

CR recently took delivery of the 2022 Rivian R1S we purchased for testing at our track. We share our first impressions of this all-electric 3-row SUV, and how it compares to the other major three-row EVs on the market, the Tesla Model X, and well as its pickup truck sibling, the Rivian R1T. We also help a viewer search for a truck that is more fuel efficient than a Toyota Highlander, but also can tow 5,000 lbs - does such a vehicle actually exist??

SHOW NOTES

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

00:00 - Introduction

00:16 - Highlights: 2022 Rivian R1S

02:15 - Who Are The Competitors

04:44 - Unique Features

08:14 - The Power

12:47 - Regenerative Braking

17:42 - Driving Dynamics

19:49 - The Ride

20:30 - The Controls

24:17 - Question - Does a reliable and fuel efficient midsize SUV that can tow 5k pounds exist?

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First Drive: Rivian R1S Proves to Be a Roomy, Quick All-Electric Three-Row SUV

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/rivian-r1s-review-a1186513155/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

 

2022 Rivian R1S

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/rivian/r1s/2022/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

 

2022 Rivian R1T Electric Pickup Truck Wows Us as It Lives Up to the Hype

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2022-rivian-r1t-electric-pickup-truck-review-a3029848158/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

 

2023 Rivian R1T

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/rivian/r1t/2023/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

 

How Well Can an Electric Pickup Truck Tow?

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/how-well-can-an-electric-pickup-truck-tow-a1149286680/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

 

2023 Tesla Model X

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tesla/model-x/2023/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

 

Longer 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Boasts Big Power

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/2024-toyota-grand-highlander-review-a7963942236/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

 

2023 Toyota Highlander

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/highlander/2023/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

 

Guide to Car Safety

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-guide-to-car-safety/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

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

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

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

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