Episode #12 of Talking Cars with Consumer Reports answers a provocative question from a long-time subscriber: Have American cars really gotten better, or is Consumer Reports transitioning out of a Japanese car phase?
Director of Auto Testing Jake Fisher and Senior Engineers Gabe Shenhar and Tom Mutchler address that question, posed in the wake of high-scoring American vehicles like the Chevrolet Impala, Ram 1500, and Tesla Model S.
We then discuss new road test results of the Acura MDX, which avoids the inglorious fate of the company’s so-so RLX flagship sedan, and the decidedly disappointing Mitsubishi Outlander.
We take a first look at the redesigned Kia Soul and the funky Fiat 500L. Not surprisingly, the Fiat creates mixed feelings among us. Finally, we wrap up with questions about what cars we’re going to add to our test program.
Find out how much Jake expects to pay at "off, off, off-airport rental" prices for the Outlander and if the Lancer Evolution is enough to warrant struggling Mitsubishi’s survival in the American marketplace. And look for an (almost) all-truck episode near the end of September discussing the test results from one of the most hotly contested face-offs in recent memory: Chevrolet Silverado vs. the Ram 1500.
As with the other shows, this episode is also available for free through the iTunes store. Subscribe to the video or audio. The audio is also available via SoundCloud.
Also view:
Talking Cars Episode 11 - Ford C-Max, Mazda3, and other fuel-efficient cars
Talking Cars Episode 10 - Track time with Fiat 500 Abarth and Ford Focus ST
Talking Cars Episode 9 - High-scoring Impala, Ram, and Santa Fe
Talking Cars Episode 8 - Our auto experts get fast, furious, and technical
Talking Cars Episode 7 - Tesla battery swap, diesels, and some disappointing test results
Talking Cars Episode 6 - Rapid-fire reader questions
Talking Cars Episode 5 - Life with the Tesla Model S
Talking Cars Episode 4 - Roadsters and the latest test cars, plus answer reader questions
Talking Cars Episode 3 - Tesla, small SUVs, and a sideways track tour
Talking Cars Episode 2 - Highlights from the New York Auto Show
Talking Cars Episode 1 - Car buying advice
—Tom Mutchler
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