Podcast
Car Stuff Podcast
Hosted by Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo · EN
Whether you drive a car, need a car, or just occasionally bum a ride with friends, you’ve come to the right place. Join the editors of Consumer Guide Automotive as they break down everything that’s going on in the auto world. New-car reviews, shopping tips, driving green, electric cars, classic cars, and plenty of great guests. This is the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast.
30episodes
Episodes
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2026 Consumer Guide Best Buys
2d ago01:04:55Summary readyThis week's episode is dedicated to the 2026 Consumer Guide Best Buy picks. In total, 32 vehicles in 13 individual categories are covered. You can check out the complete 2026 Best Buy list here. For a look further back, click here for the 2025 Best Buy list. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryBuick's New Sedan, 1000-Pound Caterham, Elon is Distracted
1w ago00:56:09Summary readyThe hosts open the show discussing Jill's recent interview with the head of Infiniti USA regarding--among other things--the possible comeback of the humble sedan. This conversation dovetails nicely with Tom's news regarding the likely comeback of a Buick midsize sedan--and a possible Camaro, as well. Jill shared impressions of a would-be annual Land Rover event dubbed Defender Trophy Competition. The event would mirror the legendary Camel Trophy competitions of the Seventies and Eighties. Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the Range Rover SE premium large crossover. Listen in for her take on this off-road-ready luxury hauler. In the second segment, the hosts chat with Caterham's Simon Sproule about the carmaker's tiny sports cars. Listen in for details regarding the history of Caterham, as well as U.S. availability of these storied automobiles. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "Which Sold Better?" quiz, including a special Talking Heads bonus question. After the quiz, Tom talks about Elon Musk, and how apparently distracted he is from from developing his core automotive products. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryAn Interview with Infiniti's Eric Ledieu (Bonus Episode)
2w ago00:16:34Summary readyIn this special bonus episode of the Car Stuff Podcast, Jill sits down with Vice President of INFINITI Americas Eric Ledieu for a conversation about the all-new QX65 fastback luxury crossover, Future Infiniti products, and a possible resurgence in buyer interest in sedans. How will Nissan and Infiniti differ moving forward? Listen in for details. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryHonda Delays Updates, Pricey Lucid, After-Market Paint Protection
2w ago00:56:31Summary readySam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions sits in for Tom this week. Jill and Sam open this episode of the podcast touching on Sam's recent involvement with the 2026 Greenbrier Concours d'Elegance, a classic car show held in West Virginia each spring. The conversation turns to car news, with the hosts touching on Chinese car makers setting up shop in Canada, Tesla producing its last Model S sedan, and Honda deferring much needed updates of key models--including the Odyssey minivan. Listen in for details. Still in the first segment, Jill discusses her participation in the first Trinitē Road Rally, and her time behind the wheel of the $250,000 Lucid Air Sapphire electric sedan. In the second segment, Jill and Sam are joined by XPEL Product Manager James Melfi. XPEL produces, among other things, car-finish Paint Protection Film (PPF). James shares information related to the value, cost, installation, and longevity of XPEL's PPF products. In the last segment Jill shares sad news regarding the show's long-time producer Randy. In his honor Jill subjects Sam to a Pontiac Fiero quiz. Sam wraps up the show sharing some news about the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryStellantis "Core" Brands, Forester Wilderness, Used EV Prices
3w ago00:54:05Summary readyPaul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill this week, as she participates in the Trinitē Road Rally. Follow the link here for details. The hosts open the show with a number of topics, including blue-dyed diesel fuel, and Tom's one-mile test drive of the Mitsubishi Outlander SEL. Paul and Tom go on to discuss Stellantis's "Four Core Brand" strategy, which prioritizes a few of the carmaker's high-volume brands, in terms of product development and positioning. Tune in to hear what this means for lower-volume marques. Still in the first segment, Tom reviews the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness. In the second segment, Paul and Tom are joined by iSeeCars.com Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. Karl walks the hosts through some used-EV price data, noting especially interesting price swings for pre-owned Tesla models. In the last segment Paul is subjected to Tom's "Best Seller" quiz. Also, Paul shares his review of the Ferrari Roma. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryNissan Restructures, Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, Canadian Tesla Adventure
Apr 2000:56:32Summary readyCar guy Dave Piluski of RTM Engineering Consultants sits in for Jill this week. Tom opened the show by complaining about contemporary country music, especially someone named Luke Combs. This because Tom did not have time to Bluetooth connect with his new test car prior to recording. Dave and Tom discuss two major news items: Ford's constricted F-150 pickup supply, and Nissan's newly revealed turnaround plan. Because of the Iran Conflict, Ford is struggling to source aluminum for the F-150's body panels, and Nissan is working to rebuild sales in the U.S. and globally. Listen in for details. Tom also reviews the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy. Turns out there's little here not to like. In the second segment Dave and Tom are joined by friend of the show Robert Colangelo. Robert shared the details--some horrifying--of his recent Model Y voyage from Northwest Indiana to Canada to catch a Guess Who concert. You don't want to miss this. In the last segment Dave is subjected to Tom's "Which Came First: Eighties Edition: quiz. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryChinese Cars in Austria, New Jeep Cherokee, Consumer Reports Top Picks
Apr 1300:56:37Summary readyThe hosts open the show by discussing Tom's new refrigerator, and his inability to keep Subaru's suite of new electric vehicles straight. Jill agrees to help him remember the names of the Subaru EVs. Jill and Tom go on to cover a number of news items, including the discontinuation of the Volkswagen ID.4 electric crossover, Chinese vehicles being built in Austria, and Kia's plan to build a midsize EV in American by the 2030 model year. In related news, a listener from New Zealand checks in to let the hosts know that he owns a Chinese-built Leapmotor EV (discussed last episode) and is very happy with it. Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the all-new Jeep Cherokee. In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome Alex Knizek, Director of Auto Test Development at Consumer Reports, to the Car Stuff Podcast. Alex describes the process by which Consumer Reports evaluates new vehicles, and walks the hosts through the outfit's 2026 Top Picks list. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "Dead Brand" quiz. Listen in to hear how she scored. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryChinese Cars in Canada, RAV4 Review, Looking at Kia's Newest Rides
Apr 600:54:16Summary readyTom opens the show with news regarding Stellantis' joint venture with China's Leapmotor. Stellantis currently distributes Chinese Leapmotor-built electric vehicles in Europe, and may be looking to build Leapmotor models in its idle Brampton, Ontario factory. Listen in for more details. Jill gives a quick rundown of the new-product reveals seen at this week's New York Auto Show. A number of noteworthy introductions are covered, including models and concepts from Chrysler, Hyundai, Kia, and Subaru. Still in the first segment Jill reviews the redesigned Toyota RAV4, which is now offered exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. With gas prices rising, will the RAV4 Hybrid be in especially high demand? In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome James Bell, Kia Head of Corporate Communications, to the show. James discusses the new Kia products seen at the New York Auto Show, as well as the redesigned Telluride midsize crossover. James also shares some insights regarding Kia's sales success in the U.S. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Muscle Car Engine" quiz. Jill also discusses in-depth the Hyundai Boulder off-road concept vehicle seen at the New York Show. Tom has some doubts about the show car's viability as a production model. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummarySony-Honda JV Dead, Mercedes Crossover Impresses, New Mazda CX-5 Tech
Mar 3000:55:18Summary readyThe hosts open the show noting that the power-seat recall affecting the Hyundai Palisade has expanded to include the mechanically similar Kia Telluride. Listen in for details. As predicted in a previous episode, Tom shares news of the dissolution of the Afeela electric-vehicle brand. Afeela was a Honda/Sony joint venture nearing production of a premium midsize sedan built in the U.S. Tom also discussed the potential impact of E15 fuel, which has been federally approved for national distribution. E15 gasoline has 5 percent more ethanol content than E10, the latter of which is common in most states. The blended fuel may help lower gasoline pump prices, but has its downsides. Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the Mercedes-Benz GLE450 midsize crossover. Listen in for her review. In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome Matthew Valbuena to the show. Mathew is Mazda Project Manager of In-Vehicle Technology, and shares with the hosts a number of connectivity features found on the all-new 2026 CX-5 small crossover. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "CVT or Automatic" quiz, featuring a bonus question about radishes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryNew Lexus ES, Toyota Crown Signia Review, War and the Auto Industry
Mar 2300:56:30Summary readyJill opens this week's show with a correction. Listen in for her begrudging mea culpa. The hosts go on to discuss briefly Tom's time in the Toyota Corolla Hybrid SE AWD. Toms's review of the car is live now on ConsumerGuide.com. Tom shares a few details of the coming redesigned Lexus ES midsize sedan. New for 2026 is an EV variant of the popular model, while other examples of the ES will be hybrid only. Listen in for details. Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the Toyota Crown Signia. Both hosts are fans of the wagon-like midsize car, but agree that it may be slightly over promoted as a luxury vehicle. In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome Jamie Butters of the Butters Bureau LLC to the show. Jamie shares his take on how the Iran conflict will impact U.S. auto sales. Jamie also talks about Toyota's counterintuitive move deeper into EV sales at a time the rest of the industry is recoiling. Listen in for details. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "It's a Fact!" quiz, after which Tom shares some interesting Porsche sales statistics. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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