This week we’re driving the 2021 GM Yukon Denali, Subaru Crosstrek Limited, and a pair of Kia K5 GT-Line sedans.
We talk about GM’s new logo, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and the Mercedes-Benz Hyperscreen for the EQS. There’s an interview with Ryan Matulich from Ford about the 7.3L “Godzilla” V8, and we wrap with a listener question about EV marketing.
As we kick off a new year with a weak largely devoid of news, our team opens up with the garage. Rebecca had the latest BMW 540i xDrive sedan while Sam waxes rhapsodic about the refreshed 2021 Chrysler Pacifica AWD and minivans in general as people haulers. Meanwhile Dan is wraps up an extended period with the Ford F-350 Tremor. With the lack of news we discuss some of our automotive highlights of the year gone by including the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Silverado and Corvette, Ford Mustang Mach-E, the new models from Genesis the GV80 and G80 and the new Hyundai Sonata as well as others. Lowlights include the infotainment systems in the new Subaru Legacy and Outback, and Mazda CX-9. Your intrepid hosts also makes some prognostications for the year ahead. Links 2021 Genesis GV80 first drive 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E 2020 Chevrolet Corvette… Read More »Highs and Lows and Minivans
For the final episode of 2020, our intrepid crew reconvenes to discuss what’s in the garage and what’s happening the industry. Rebecca had a pair of Lexus LS500s to sample. First the 2020 F-Sport version and then the mildly refreshed 2021 edition. Sam got to spend a day with the redesigned 2021 Kia Sorento with the newly available hybrid drivetrain. When the Kia went back it was replaced with Chevrolet’s new small crossover with the old name, the 2021 Trailblazer. Dan wrapped up his time with the Ford F-350 XLT Tremor. In the news, there has been a revival of the rumors of an Apple car and the team discusses why this may or may not ever actually happen and how it might happen if it becomes real. The year is wound up with a bunch of listener questions including electric restomods, modern vehicle ergonomics… Read More »Adios 2020
While driving the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E for the first time in late November, Sam ran the cameras to share his first impressions for an episode of Hands-On-Tech for the TWiT podcast network. You can also read a longer written story about the drive at Debugger on Medium Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia
As 2020 winds toward its conclusion, the crew gathers for a pre-solstice recording with lots of vehicles to talk about. Dan kicks things off with the Ford F-350 Tremor that he had use to go fetch a replacement for dead Christmas tree and then compares notes with Rebecca on the new Land Rover Defender 110. Sam also had a big Ford this week which he used to help his daughter move, the 2021 Transit T150 with the extended body and mid-height roof that was too tall to fit a parking garage. Rebecca had a pair of SUVs, the new build yet still vintage Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro and the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban with GM’s lovely 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder diesel engine. In the news, we discuss the new bidirectional robotaxi revealed this week by Amazon-owned Zoox. Boston Dynamics has its third new owner in the past… Read More »Robot Dogs and Taxis
Sometimes the vehicles we get to drive are sleek and sexy, sometimes mundane and functional. Then there is the Ford Transit cargo van. This machine is built to carry stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. This long body, mid-roof version can swallow 357 cubic feet, everything that fits in my daughter’s new apartment and more The Transit is a European style van, much more modern and useful than the old Econolines it has largely replaced. The floor is lower and step in is easy from the rear or sliding side door for easy loading and unloading. The example I had was equipped with simple plastic side panels inside but many commercial customers outfit them with racks of parts and tools for their jobs. The rear doors open up to a bit over 90 degrees or can be released and swing all the way around the… Read More »The Transit May Not Be The Ford Two-Seater You Want, But It May Be What You Need
This special episode of Wheel Bearings is dedicated to just one topic, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. Sam had and opportunity to drive the Mach-E and also record an interview with Ford’s Chief Product Platform and Operations Officer, Hau Thai-Tang about how the company’s product development system has changed and how lessons from Mach-E will impact other products. Links Hau Thai-Tang bio 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E first drive Dave Pericak interview Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia
Rebecca was off looking after her mom so it’s just the boys this time. Sam got to spend time with the 2021 Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar Engineered and the 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE. Dan comes back with a more complete take on the Cadillac CT5 550T. In the news, Uber is shedding more of its ancillary businesses as it off-loads the automated driving group to Aurora. Sam also got a first taste of the new 2021 Ford Bronco Sport and we answer some listener mail. Links Uber dumps self-driving team Ford Bronco Sport First Drive Ford Bronco Design and Tech Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia
The Wheel Bearings crew reconvenes to hash through what we’ve been driving. Rebecca had the VW Altas Cross Sport which was great apart from some major issues with the voice recognition. Sam got to enjoy some real quality time with the 2021 Toyota Supra before winter set in. Dan got to toss around the refreshed Subaru Cross Trek before stepping into the Cadillac CT5. In the news, Hyundai Motor Group has revealed its new electric-global modular platform that will underpin 23 new EVs across 4 brands by 2025 starting with the new Ioniq 5 in 2021. Hyundai is targetting 1 million EV sales by 2025. Continuing the EV theme, we discuss Cadillac offering to buyout dealers that don’t want to support EVs and the increased moves to ban sales of new internal combustion vehicles. We wrap with Dan’s eulogy for the VW Passat in America… Read More »Old Enough to Know Better, Too Young to Care
