Unnamed Automotive Podcast

The Unnamed Automotive Podcast tackles a new EV this week alongside a fancy—and pricey—new hybrid pickup truck. The show starts off with Sami's first drive of the 2024 Subaru Solterra, an EV that was made in collaboration with Toyota, but lacks any competitive edge in a saturated market. Sami tries to find a redeeming factor in this Subaru, but doesn't get very far, just like the vehicle's listed range. Then Benjamin climbs into the cab of a 2024 Toyota Tacoma Limited Hybrid, and put it through its paces doing truck stuff. Loaded with tons of power from its i-Force Max drivetrain, the new Hybrid Taco is among the punchiest mid-size trucks on the market, but this model may be plagued by some first year issues and bugs. Thanks for listening!

This week, the Unnamed Automotive Podcast dives into the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla, a hot hatchback inspired by rally racing machines. Equipped with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, Benjamin gives us his full review of this all-wheel-drive hatch, and has plenty to say about how it feels to push it through the rough and tumble rural environment he calls home. He also details its fancy AWD system, and how it stacks up to other systems on the market. Then the guys take a quick tangent to discuss suing NASCAR for anti competitive behaviour. Where is the formerly accessible sport heading? Be sure to get in touch and let us know what you think! Thanks for listening!

This week's Unnamed Automotive Podcasts asks, how attractive is an average EV if its too expensive? It seems the market is rife with EV options, but are they worth exploring if they're too expensive? Consider the 2024 Fiat 500e that Sami is reviewing for this weeks episode. Cute and well equipped, it seems much more expensive than other EVs in the same class, or even models from a year ago. Then Benjamin has some choice words about the 2024 Acura ZDX A-Spec. Lacking important equipment as the 500-hp Type S model tested a few weeks ago, the A-Spec feels featureless and expensive. Benjamin makes a point about how an Acura enthusiast or buyer may feel out of place in this offering, despite it being one of the brands most expensive options. Thanks for listening!

The discussion this week opens with the 2025 Mini Cooper S, a formerly subcompact car that's grown up a bit, but still has a way to broadcast its cute charm. Benjamin has plenty to say about its design, but there are a few important issues he brings up about its user experience. Does that all get in the way of how it drives? Then Sami chimes in with a review of TWO Honda Civics. First up is the manual-only 2025 Civic Si, which gets a few mild updates this year to ensure no one forgets about this sport-compact staple. Sami has a lot to say about whether the Si is still worth talking about these days, and if it's gone too far from the usual gameplan of being a cheap fun car. Then he discusses the 2025 Civic Hatchback Hybrid, which has plenty of torque along with incredibly low fuel consumption, making it a jack of all trades. But it does carry a steep price tag in some regions, which turns him off entirely.

Benjamin and Sami discuss the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS. Benjamin explains his thoughts on the confusing introduction of tS branding, and whether the new BRZ is still a champion of affordable driving joy. Then the duo discuss why the BRZ hasn't yet been fitted with a factory turbo, and how such a decision would shake up the automotive landscape. Is Toyota behind all of this? Thanks for listening!

Benjamin and Sami start this weeks podcast talking about some random, forgettable, but weird and cool cars before shifting gears to talk about the 2024 Acura ZDX, which is the Japanese brand's first EV. However, it's not an all new design, and may lack some Acura DNA. That's because it's made by GM, and packs a lot of General Motors best elements, including a huge battery, lots of power and awesome hands-free driving technology. Is that enough considering the ZDX's high pricetag and all-too-similar competitors? Then Benjamin reviews the 2024 BMW i7 M70, a high-powered executive sedan with tons of power and torque. Loaded with all the gizmos and gadgets, Benjamin has so much to say about this expensive ride, but there seem to have been a few technical hiccups during his test drive of the EV. Thanks for listening, catch you next week!

There's plenty of truck talk this week on the Unnamed Automotive Podcast, along with an important story about racing. But first the show starts with Benjamin's review of the 2024 GMC 2500 HD AT4X, which boasts plenty of hauling, towing and off-roading capabilities that all seem to be at odds with one another. Our host tested the truck out, towing his car to the track, but found that the off-road oriented design definitely impacted its usability as a truck. That's just one aspect of this weeks review, but wait till you hear about it's engine - and how Benjamin found an easy work-around when it came to trailer parking. Then we get an update about Benjamin's experience at Watkins Glen International Racetrack, and how he handled the fast and exciting track in his Datsun, and his Dad's Mustang! Thanks for listening!

Whats this in the Unnamed Automotive Podcast garage? An eight-cylinder CAR? We know you don't believe us, but it's true! Benjamin gets his hands on the 2024 Ford Mustang GT, equipped with its punchy V8 engine that's capable of some impressive acceleration figures. But the Mustang has transformed from a humble pony car into something much more modern and multifaceted. You'll want to hear the whole discussion from our hosts about what the Mustang is today and what it's capable of compared to what it used to be. Then Sami brings up some recent news in the automotive world, including the ping-ponging Ford EV strategy, Volkswagens ID.Buzz US pricing and the Mercedes-Mayback SL that was recently revealed at Monterey Car Week. Thanks for listening!

This week the 2024 Honda Prologue, a vehicle the show has barely mentioned, gets the full review from Sami, as he dissects what this "Honda by GM" is capable of, and whether it's relevant or not in this market. Plus he details what parts are GM and what parts are actually Honda. Then Benjamin shares his thoughts on the recently refreshed 2024 Cadillac XT4, a luxury compact crossover with an eye catching price tag. But Benjamin notes that his tester had a few issues that may have soured his entire experience. The guys wrap up with Toyota and how many cars they sell compared to how many are actually good. They also mention the brands dipping reliability scores, and whether Toyota is cashing in on the reputation they built over the years. It's an enlightening conversation that gets into the heads of our hosts, so don't miss it! Thanks for listening.

The Unnamed Automotive Podcast is back from its summer break! The convo starts with the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, a vehicle with a historic nameplate that's been revived for the North American market. With a hybrid powertrain and quirky nostalgic styling, the Land Cruiser may be a great riding SUV, but it may be lacking some of the features and capabilities offered by other off-road SUVs, especially when its price is considered. Is the Land Cruiser really worth the price premium over its other off-road rivals? Then Benjamin chimes in with his experience in the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, something that he says channels a little bit of the old Ford Flex. It may look boxy, but its far from conservative, featuring a fuel efficient drivetrain and unique interior flourishes. It stands out, even in a fairly niche crowd. Thanks for listening!

What's it like to be whisked off to exotic Morocco and given the keys to Nissan's entire global fleet of off-roaders? Guest Chad Kirchner shares his story of scorpions, Titans, Terras, and Patrols bashing through the dunes, and also discusses the differences between the Nissan Navarra and the Frontier pickup that is sold in North America. Benjamin, Sami, and Chad also discuss the 2018 Ford F-150 Diesel and compare it to the Ram EcoDiesel to try and figure out just how frugal the Blue Oval's efficiency-focused truck really is. *Rebroadcast from 2018

Which would you rather have when fighting the supernatural: the total anonymity of a rental-counter Taurus, or the off-road cool of a convertible Blazer? We get to the bottom of the mystery on this Star Car Faceoff bonus episode. *Rebroadcast from 2019

Does putting nipples on a Batmobile disqualify it from being taken seriously? Is the Lotus Esprit submarine really that cool? Does Sami have unusually strong positive memories associated with Batman Forever? The answer to these questions, and more, in this introductory episode to our new bonus series that pits one (or more) star cars against the other in a battle to the death. *Rebroadcast from 2019

What was the coolest Star Car van of all time? Sami makes a passionate case for the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine, while Benjamin holds out that the TMNT Party Wagon covers all the bases. But there's a potential dark horse lurking in the background: can the A-Team van slide in an steal victory? *Rebroadcast from 2019

Benjamin shares his recent repair and modification experiences with his 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, all while detailing what car construction was like for vehicles of that make and era. Who knew that windows could be such a problem with a difficult solution? Then the conversation turns to Benjamin's track car, his Datsun Z, which has been turning laps for the last few years, though with some varying periods of downtime. He details its recent upgrades and how he'll return to the track in a few weeks with a new approach to apexes. Thanks for listening!

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ (that's the first time we'll use all caps for the name, we promise!) is the car du jour, as Benjamin shares all his thoughts about this vehicle that went into production in 2022, but struggled to meet the quality demands of the market and its high-end branding. Now with seemingly all the bugs sorted out(?), Benjamin is here to tell you how it is, and if it's a standout in the crowded field of luxury EVs. Then the guys discuss a variety of automotive news, starting with a 5 billion dollar investment from VW into an EV maker, that might overshadow the German company's own ambitions, and the fatter, slower and newer BMW M5. Thanks for listening!

This week, the Unnamed Automotive Podcast gets their hands on a unicorn, or so they think. The 2024 Ford Maverick is the topic du jour, but unlike past discussions of the small pickup truck, this one is equipped with the fuel-friendly hybrid powertrain. While this setup was hard to find in the past, this year the Blue Oval has changed its mind about what engines are standard and which isn't, so would you pay more for less power and more MPGs? And how good is this small truck once you step back from its compact crossover roots? Then the guys discuss the endless comedy of Fisker's bankrupcty, before talking about a cool road trip Benjamin took to a gaming hub in the US. Which brings up the wonderful world of driving video games that we know our hosts can get carried away in.

The Unnamed Automotive Podcast dives into one of our hosts favorite subjects: sport sedans, as Sami gets excited to discuss Benjamins review of the 2024 Genesis G70. Now available with a turbo 2.5L four-cylinder engine, the Genesis seems to be getting better in some important ways, but Benjamin seems a bit conflicted about where this kind of sport sedan sits in the grand scheme of things. Is it as much fun as a similarly priced hot hatch? Is it as luxurious or high tech as other premium vehicles? Is it worth it? Hear the whole conversation to find out! Then the guys answer some listener questions about certified pre-owned luxury cars, why someone would go for one, and which one will fit the bill, before discussing the Belltown Hellcat Thanks for listening! We can't wait to do it all again next week!

The Unnamed Automotive Podcast arrives this week with some engaged discussions about a pair of mainstream, yet exciting vehicles. But before any reviews, Benjamin shares his notes from his recent track day, where he tagged in his beefy Cadillac CTS-V for his nimble Datsun Z. After that, Benjamin describes the 2024 Hyundai Sonata, a strong player in the contracted world of mid-sized sedans. With a new design, and reworked packaging, can the new Sonata blow away the popularity of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry? Then Sami talks about the 2024 Lexus RX 450h+, a PHEV version of the ever popular Lexus RX. On a long road trip, Sami had the time to experience how practical, efficient and luxurious the new plug-in RX is, but has a few issues with its approach to technology. Is it worth the nearly $20k upgrade from the entry level RX? Thanks for listening!

The Unnamed Automotive Podcast is wrapping up the shortest May ever with a great discussion of a special SUV and a merely average sport compact car. First up Sami drives and reviews the 2024 Land Rover Range Rover LWB SV, a $230,000 SUV with all the cute details and abilities that one would expect out of a product with that pricetag. His criticisms are few, but important, so be sure to listen to the whole discussion. Then Benjamin jumps in to describe his experience in the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary, a sport compact car that seems to be from a bygone era, and perhaps left on the vine to rot. Where the GTI gets more power and features, the GLI seems content to compete with just the Honda Civic Si, and mostly on a shoestring budget. What's going on at VW as these kinds of cars stall out in dealerships? Thanks for listening, and be sure to get in touch with us through our website or social media.