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Eyes Off

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Eyes Off
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This week Sam drove the 2026 BMW iX xDrive45. Sam and Robbie both went to New York for a tech focused GM event and Sam spoke with new chief product officer Sterling Anderson. There’s a refreshed Jeep Grand Cherokee with a new more powerful engine for 2026 and we drive the new 2026 Toyota Rav4 in hybrid and PHEV form. Toyota is launching a new baby Land Cruiser FJ and Rivian has laid off 4% of its staff. Infiniti is launching one new model every year for the next four years and the Nissan Sakura gets an extendable solar panel. Links 2026 Jeep Grand CherokeeScout may delay EV for EREVPrague lamp post charging2026 Toyota Rav4 first driveGM ForwardToyota Land Cruiser FJRivian lays off 4%, RJ takes over marketingInfiniti to launch 4 vehicles in 4 years, sedan in 2028Nissan Sakura solar extenderEV Theft rates Wheel Bearings… Read More »Eyes Off

Take the Bill Challenge

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Take the Bill Challenge
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Nicole has been driving a bunch of stuff including the Ford F-150 Lightning and Expedition Tremor and went off-roading in the Honda Passport. Sam enjoyed some time with the BMW 228 xDrive Gran Coupe. Toyota is realigning its sporty branding for future models. Stellantis is investing $13 billion in shifting production to US factories and refreshing the Alfa Romeo Tonale for 2026. The Kia Tasman hasn’t exactly been a hit in Australia. Lamborghini is cutting its EV plan and sticking with plug-in hybrids for now. Volvo may ditch key cards for fobs and Porsche is keeping buttons and fobs. A Faraday Future FF91 failed to hit reserve at auction and Cadillac is killing the current CT4 and CT5 after 2026 but promising a new CT5. Sam bought another Kia EV6 and we discuss how far people can actually drive without a pit stop. Links TRD… Read More »Take the Bill Challenge

10 Years After Dieselgate

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
10 Years After Dieselgate
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In this episode, hosts Sam Abuelsamid and Nicole Wakelin discuss their recent experiences with the 2025 Toyota Prius Nightshade Edition and the 2026 Genesis GV70. They delve into the performance, design, and driving experience of these vehicles, highlighting the Prius’s hybrid technology and the Genesis’s luxury features. The conversation also touches on insights from the Center for Automotive Research conference, Toyota’s research on plug-in hybrid user behavior, and the automotive industry’s shift back to physical controls in vehicles. Additionally, they review the latest IHS safety testing results for electric vehicles, emphasizing the importance of safety ratings in the automotive market. In this episode, the hosts discuss the evolution of vehicle safety standards, highlighting how modern cars outperform older models despite mixed crash test results. They delve into Nissan’s struggles with the Aria and organizational changes, while Hyundai outlines its ambitious 2030 vision. The conversation shifts… Read More »10 Years After Dieselgate

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

Slate Duallie

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Slate Duallie
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This week Nicole drove the Ford F-150 Tremor and Sam had the Lexus LC500 Convertible and the Cadillac Lyriq-V. In the news, Honda has revealed more details on the upcoming 2026 Prelude coupe and a Minnesota driver gets a ticket for an excessively loud exhaust — on his EV. At the IAA Mobility show in Munich, VW Group and BMW have revealed a bunch of new vehicles. Audi has the Concept C, an electric sports car coming in 2027 while VW has the ID Polo and ID Cross while Cupra has the Raval hot hatch. BMW is officially unveiled the new iX3 which is coming to America next year with 400 miles of range and starting at $60,000. Porsche is adding a hybrid to the 911 Turbo S and will offer wireless charging on the new Cayenne EV. Links Honda Prelude DebutsMinnesota man gets ticket… Read More »Slate Duallie

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

Companies Behaving Well and Badly

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Companies Behaving Well and Badly
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We’re back from a mid-summer break. Sam has driven the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT and Lucid Air Grand Touring and Nicole had the 2026 Lincoln Navigator Since we’ve been gone, we all drove the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Cupra gave up on entering the US market. Nicole has a Wagoneer S update. Sam wrote about Tesla’s misbehavior in a recent trial. Jeep also had some news this week about going back and refreshes.The Las Vegas loop is apparently getting dumber and Ford has further delayed its next-gen full-size electric truck. Chevrolet has teased the new Bolt coming this fall and it will apparently use Chinese batteries for a couple of years as will BMW. Links Cadillac EVs to get Carplay — down under onlyCupra US launch delayedAutomakers behaving badlyNicole’s latest Wagoneer S updateJeep updates2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT2026 Hyundai PalisadeLVCC Loop is getting dumber2026 Chevy Bolt… Read More »Companies Behaving Well and Badly

Airport Garage Towing

Wheel Bearings
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

Too Much Name

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Too Much Name
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This week Sam is driving the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Tributo Italiano and Nicole has the Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec. Nicole also had her first major technical issue with her Jeep Wagoneer S. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Toyota is publicly demoing its new sports car and upcoming GT3 race car while Hyundai has the Ioniq 6 N. Mazda shows off the new third generation CX-5, now with a touchscreen. Dodge trademarks the name Charger Outlaw. Subaru teases its next EV called Uncharted. Nissan is delaying some EV production, while Cadillac is pushing forward. We also answer the question, what is a Monroney? Links Hyundai Ioniq 6 N2026 Mazda CX-5Dodge Charger OutlawNissan delays US EV production another yearToyota runs new supercar at GoodwoodSubaru UnchartedThe Great EV PullbackNissan delays Leaf production due to China rare earth limitsCadillac likely to stick to long term EV plan Monroney… Read More »Too Much Name