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Talking Cars 486: The All Questions Episode

Main theme: This week, the podcast panel opens the mailbag to answer your pressing questions about car buying, maintenance, safety, and the auto industry. We even bring in some special guests!. Audience Questions• Should I get a new car if my really old car still works fine?• Does the “don’t buy a new car in its first year” rule apply to reliable brands like Subaru and Toyota?• Can I downgrade my wheels and tires for a smoot...
Posted:Wed Nov 26 06:00:02 EST 2025

Is Age or Mileage More Important When Buying a Used Vehicle?

Car shoppers often face the dilemma of being drawn to an older model or even a high-mileage model that’s otherwise a perfect match for their budget, needs, or tastes. This is especially true in today’s market, where vehicle selection is haphazard and late-model, low-mileage cars are in short supply. So if you have to compromise, does age or mileage matter more?. "There’s no strict rule when it comes to this,” says Michael Crosse...
Posted:Sun Nov 23 06:00:29 EST 2025

Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5 Sedans Recalled to Fix Fire Risk

Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 330,000 2020-2023 Hyundai Sonata and 2021-2024 Kia K5 sedans to fix a faulty fuel tank that could leak and cause a fire. Only vehicles with a 1.6-liter turbocharged gas direct injection engine are included in the recall. MORE ON RECALLS Why So Many Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis Vehicles Are Getting Recalled for Fire Risks. .What a Car Recall Notice Means and What to Do. .We Answer Your Car Recall Questions...
Posted:Fri Nov 21 13:44:14 EST 2025

Preview: 2026 Jeep Recon Electric SUV Is Trail Ready, Packs 650 HP

With design and packaging conceits that trace to the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, the electric Jeep Recon is a unique new vehicle that is meant to balance doors-off, open-top adventuring with commute-ready civility. . Jeep DNA is evident throughout. With 650 hp on tap, it has SRT-level acceleration. The suspension articulation, drive modes, locking differentials, and high ground clearance mean it should be able to run with the Wra...
Posted:Thu Nov 20 14:35:23 EST 2025

Honda Accord Hybrids Recalled to Update Engine Software

Honda is recalling over 256,000 Accord Hybrid sedans from the 2023 through 2025 model years. A software error means that they could suddenly lose power while in motion, which could lead to a crash. MORE ON Car RECALLS What a Car Recall Notice Means and What to Do. .We Answer Your Car Recall Questions. .Honda Accord, Civic, and CR-V Recalled Due to Fuel Pump Problem. Dealerships will perform a software update to prevent the vehicle’s ...
Posted:Tue Nov 18 11:53:44 EST 2025

Honda Accord Hybrids Recalled Because Vehicles May Lose Power While Driving

Honda is recalling over 256,000 Accord Hybrid sedans from the 2023 through 2025 model years. A software error means that they could suddenly lose power while in motion, which could lead to a crash. MORE ON Car RECALLS What a Car Recall Notice Means and What to Do. .We Answer Your Car Recall Questions. .Honda Accord, Civic, and CR-V Recalled Due to Fuel Pump Problem. Dealerships will perform a software update to prevent the vehicle’s ...
Posted:Tue Nov 18 11:53:42 EST 2025

5 Best Bike Racks, Tested by Our Experts

Just as with bicycles, the landscape for bike racks has changed considerably in recent years. There are now many choices available in roof-, trunk-, and hitch-mounted racks, with models spanning from low-priced to premium. With myriad options, it can be challenging to pick one that’s right for your bike, vehicle, and budget. . That’s why we enlisted several cycling enthusiasts at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center to test and e...
Posted:Sun Nov 16 06:00:33 EST 2025

More Toyota and Lexus Vehicles Recalled for Debris in Engine

Toyota is expanding its recall of 2022-2024 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks, 2022-2024 Lexus LX SUVs, and 2024 Lexus GX SUVs because their engine could be contaminated with debris after an error in the manufacturing process. This contamination could cause engines to suddenly stall while driving, which could lead to a crash. MORE ON car RECALLS What to Do When There’s No Fix for Your Car’s Recall. .What a Car Recall Notice Means and What...
Posted:Fri Nov 14 16:32:57 EST 2025

Jeep Plug-In Hybrid SUVs Recalled Again for Fire Risk

Drivers of 2023-2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and 2024-2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid SUVs are facing yet another fire-related recall. The automaker says it’s aware of 36 fires and three injuries related to this new problem. MORE ON car RECALLS Jeep SUVs Recalled Again for Fire Risk. .Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee Plug-In Hybrids Recalled to Fix Defroster. .What to Do When There’s No Fix for Your Car’s Recall. .What a Car...
Posted:Fri Nov 14 13:03:11 EST 2025

Most Reliable Snow Blower Brands

After a storm, a snow blower can make short work of clearing walkways. That’s assuming, of course, that it starts up. But not all snow blowers—or, as some call them, snow throwers—are built to last.. In a recent survey, Consumer Reports members shared their experiences with more than 11,000 gas snow blowers and more than 5,000 electric and battery blowers. The results inform our predicted reliability and owner satisfaction scores,...
Posted:Thu Nov 13 18:41:46 EST 2025

Talking Cars 485: Driving the Lucid Gravity

Main theme: In this podcast episode, we give our driving impressions of the Lucid Gravity, the second model from the California-based EV startup. The Gravity, produced at Lucid’s factory in Casa Grande, Arizona, is a luxury SUV that’s available in both two- and three-row configurations. . Just as with Lucid’s first model, the Air sedan, the Gravity delivers on performance and range. How do 828 hp and an EPA-estimated 437 miles of...
Posted:Wed Nov 12 11:13:42 EST 2025

First Drive: Is the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Better as a Hybrid?

We were excited when the top-of-the-line 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy AWD we purchased from a local dealership arrived at our Auto Test Center. Big, family haulers are popular these days, as are hybrids. The Palisade Hybrid is the rare vehicle that fits in both categories. In This Article. CR's Take. What We Like. What We Don't Like. What We'll Keep an Eye On. Safety and Driver Assistance Systems More on SUVs CR's SUV Rating...
Posted:Mon Nov 10 16:02:02 EST 2025

Cheapest Car Brands to Insure

Budgeting for a car isn’t just about monthly payments. Other expenses, such as maintenance, repair, and insurance costs, can add up to a significant chunk of change. One way to save money is by choosing a car with a low insurance premium. Cheapest Car Brands to Insure. What Factors Affect Car Insurance Premiums? more on car insurance CR's Car Insurance Ratings & Buying Guide. .Best Car Insurance Companies. .Cheapest New Cars to Insure...
Posted:Mon Nov 10 13:28:32 EST 2025

Preview: 2027 Kia Telluride Grows, Gaining Space and Tech

The all-new 2027 Kia Telluride is poised to build upon its award-winning predecessor, featuring a slightly increased size, a high-tech cabin, and numerous trim variants. . Details are still emerging, but based on the initial description and images, along with our extensive seat time in the related Hyundai Palisade, we have reason to be cautiously enthusiastic.  2027 Kia Telluride. CR's Take. Outside. Inside. What Drives It. Safety and...
Posted:Mon Nov 10 12:00:03 EST 2025

Consumer Reports' Guide to Defensive Driving

Cars are better able to protect occupants in a crash than they were even a decade ago, and advanced safety technology means they’re better at avoiding crashes to begin with. Even so, a big part of crash avoidance comes down to the driver staying laser-focused on driving and always looking for and reacting to changes in conditions. More on Vehicle Safety What Makes Cars Safer Right Now. .CR's Car Safety Guide. .Ford’s BlueCruise Rema...
Posted:Sun Nov 09 06:00:11 EST 2025