Talking Cars (MP3)

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

We purchased a 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander SE for our test program and share our first impressions of the updated compact SUV, including its new 48-volt mild-hybrid turbo engine, improved interior controls, and why the tiny third row and rough ride may give shoppers pause. We also discuss whether a hybrid system may harm the gas engine if short trips prevent it from fully warming up?
 
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
00:16 - Overview: 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander SE
02:10 - What we liked
07:39 - What we disliked
18:16 - Would you buy it?
25:07 - Question: Could the hybrid system harm the gas engine if short trips prevent it from fully warming up?
 
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Test Results: 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mitsubishi/outlander/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
 
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
 
Which Brands Make the Best Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Hybrids Are Still the Most Reliable Cars
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/electric-vehicles-are-less-reliable-than-conventional-cars-a1047214174/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT