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The Plural of Leaf is Leafs

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
The Plural of Leaf is Leafs
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In this episode, the hosts discuss their experiences with the 2025 Volvo EX30, XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid, and the 2026 Nissan Leaf. They explore the unique features, driving experiences, and challenges associated with each vehicle, including charging issues and pricing concerns. The conversation also delves into the broader context of the electric vehicle market, including consumer preferences and the impact of tariffs on pricing. In this episode, the hosts discuss various automotive topics, including the features and technology of the Nissan Leaf, the implications of Hyundai’s new concept car, and the future of electric trucks from Stellantis. They also explore Ford’s shift away from traditional cars, the potential for small affordable cars in Europe, and BMW’s innovative designs. Additionally, they address safety concerns regarding motorized door handles, GM’s automated delivery solutions, and hidden price increases in the automotive industry. Sam also has a conversation with… Read More »The Plural of Leaf is Leafs

The Benefit of Listening

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
The Benefit of Listening
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This week, Robbie drives the new Kia Sportage Hybrid and Sam has the Acura ADX and Hyundai Ioniq 9. Nicole is traveling but she and Sam got together to discuss the 2026 Subaru Solterra and Sam has a conversation with Subaru carline planning manager Garrick Goh. We also have the low down on the 2026 Jeep Cherokee which is launching as a hybrid only and Ford Maverick prices continue to creep upward. The new Nissan Leaf will be the first EV in America with 300 miles of range for under $30,000 and Chargepoint now has Omniport retrofit kits available for its chargers. The US and EU will recognize each others automotive standards and Infiniti is bringing back the Q50 sedan with a manual gearbox and twin-turbo V6.Tensor Auto has come out of stealth with plans to sell a robocar to consumers but it’s going to… Read More »The Benefit of Listening

Airport Garage Towing

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Wheel Bearings
Airport Garage Towing
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Robbie’s dealing with a family emergency so Nicole tells us about her latest misadventure with her Jeep Wagoneer S as well as the Toyota Crown Signia. Sam had the Toyota Grand Highlander Nightshade in invisible grey. In the news, Lucid Air, Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX get Supercharger support, but the Lucid is as slow as a Chevy Bolt. The Acura TLX is out of production but the new Honda Prelude gets a Civic Type-R suspension and someone paid $204K for an old Integra Type-R. After 250K miles a Mach-E still has 92% of its original battery capacity. Tesla owners should stay away from water if they want their warranties. Boston probably won’t get robotaxis soon and our pals at TFL bought a first-generation Dodge Viper and it hasn’t killed them — yet. Links Lucid Air Gets Supercharger support — sort ofHonda Prelude gets Type-R… Read More »Airport Garage Towing

Colors In The Driveway

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Wheel Bearings
Colors In The Driveway
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This week in the garage, Sam has bright colors with the Jeep Gladiator Willys and Volvo EX30 Performance Ultra. Nicole had the Mitusbishi Outlander. Links Someone bought a Lordstown Endurance on BaTGM to Produce LFP Cells In Spring HillSubaru UnchartedUber, Nuro and LucidSubaru e-OutbackElectric Range Rover Delayed to 2026VW ID3 Still at 91% after 100K miles5 Features of Polestar 4BMW Z1 at 40Volvo Trimming US lineup due to TariffsXC60 moves to Charleston3rd gen XC90 could be long-range PHEVFaraday X Super OneFord Bronco New Energy Hyundai/Kia/Genesis EV automatic door lock 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

Hot Charging

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Wheel Bearings
Hot Charging
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This week Nicole has been tackling the notoriously smooth New England pavement in the Hyundai Ioniq 5N while Robbie had the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV and Sam trecked across Michigan in the Mini Countryman SE ALL4. This week Sam visited two plants for the production of lithium iron phosphate batteries, Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, MI and the LG Energy Solution plant in Holland, MI. Ford revealed the new Explorer Tremor and AMG has a concept for its upcoming EV, the GT XX. Tesla sort of launched its robotaxis and Mazda launched the 6e sedan in Europe. Nicole and Sam drove the 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport, Nissan has launched its next-generation e-Power system in the Qashqi in Europe and it’s coming to the Rogue in 2026. Cadillac is already making notable upgrades to the Optiq for model year 2026. Sam also has conversations with… Read More »Hot Charging

Too Much Seat Comfort

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Too Much Seat Comfort
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This week Robbie has the Chevrolet Silverado EV LT and Nicole shares her Portugese airport blackout adventure. Sam drives the Ford F250 XL and the Chevrolet Equinox LT. Akio Toyoda loves cool cars and doesn’t think electric sports cars fit the bill. More than 28,000 GM V8s failed before GM recalled them. Who are the most influential people in automotive history? Toyota is sort of hooking up with Waymo. The VW ID Buzz is getting recalled because the 3rd seats are too roomy and there are new chargers in Detroit. Many automakers have underutilized factories and Hyundai has priced the Ioniq 9, plus answers to listener questions. Links Akio doesn’t believe in electric sports cars28K GM V8s failed before recallmost influential people in automotive historyToyota Hails a WaymoID Buzz recalled because rear seat too comfortableUS plant utilizationHyundai prices Ioniq 9 in US Wheel Bearings has… Read More »Too Much Seat Comfort

New York, New York

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Wheel Bearings
New York, New York
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This week, Nicole tells us about driving the Toyota Land Cruiser and BMW M235 while Sam has the BMW i4 M50. Nicole has flown across the country 4 times in the last week to drive the Lucid Gravity in California, some Cupras in Florida, a Lincoln back in Calfornia and visit the New York Auto Show. We’ve got lots of news from New York including the 3 Subarus, the 2026 Solterra, Trailseeker and Outback. Kia had the EV4 sedan and K4 hatchback, Hyundai showed us the new 2026 Palisade and Genesis showed off the X Gran Equator concept and the GMR-001 race car it will take to Le Mans next year. In China, regulators are cracking down on automated driving claims by automakers and Mercedes has a new limited edition retro G-Wagen. Sam also has a conversation with Subaru car line product manager Bill Stokes… Read More »New York, New York

Cars Are Better Than Crossovers

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Wheel Bearings
Cars Are Better Than Crossovers
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While Nicole spends the weekend at Disney World, Perry Stern has stepped in to join Robbie and Sam with the Audi RS6 Avant. Robbie spent some more time with the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 to do some charging tests with its new NACS/J3400 charging port and Sam went hands-free in the 2025 Ford Explorer and Lexus LS500h with Teammate. Nissan’s CEO is stepping aside which may reopen the opportunity for a Honda merger. Ford has shipped 140,000 free NACS adapters to owners and is now offering its Lectron-built adapter to everyone. Toyota and Lexus are upgraded their EVs. Waymos are getting parking tickets in San Francisco. Acura’s new ADX is good, but cars are better. BMW is getting ready to launch the new i3 and iX3 and a CDC study shows America is the only developed country where more pedestrians are dying on the roads.… Read More »Cars Are Better Than Crossovers

Good And Bad Cold Weather Advice

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Good And Bad Cold Weather Advice
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Nicole is back after driving both the Hyundai Palisade and Kia K4 GT-Line turbo. Sam did some truck stuff with Hyundai’s trucklet, the 2025 Santa Cruz and Robbie has some tire feedback. Ford has confirmed its plans to offer extened range EV powertrains in large trucks and SUVs. Someone has developed a wide-body kit for the already wide new Dodge Charger Daytona, and VW has teased a new $21,000 EV that will be revealed next month. Nissan apparently doesn’t want to just be a subsidiary of Honda and is looking for other partners. Subaru has unveiled the new Forester hybrid coming this spring with 35 mpg. There’s a Faraday Future FF91 on bring a trailer. Tesla sales are crashing all over the place and apparently, most of them still don’t have the hardware needed for unsupervised self-driving. Finally we answer a listener question about starting… Read More »Good And Bad Cold Weather Advice

Charging The Charger

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Wheel Bearings
Charging The Charger
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This weeks show is a bit different. Robbie is dealing with some family stuff, Nicole is at DisneyWorld wedding and Sam is headed to Omaha for Operation Frodo so no regular review section until next week. Instead, Sam and Robbie recorded a discussion on the death of Cruise and the future of automated driving. Sam also had a conversation with Chad Kirchner about our first drive experiences of the new Dodge Charger Daytona. Sam also interviewed Dodge CEO Matt McAlear and Charger chief engineer Audrey Moore. Links Sam’s initial review of the Dodge Charger Daytona The Kirchner Report RIP Cruise Operation Frodo 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