The Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTec has the second-highest overall score of any currently tested car. Scoring 98, the Benz comes in just below the Tesla Model S. Not surprising, there are lots of good things to talk about with this car.
Episode 23 of "Talking Cars with Consumer Reports" kicks off with the Mercedes news, then the conversation moves on to a more controversial topic: the disconnect between some cars that we really personally like versus how they score in Consumer Reports ratings.
Case in point: the Cadillac CTS. We discuss that car and another high-performance sedan from General Motors that just arrived at our track, the Chevrolet SS. Turns out the SS packs a surprise or two along with its 415 hp.
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With wintertime firmly gripping the Connecticut test track, it makes sense that we talk next about two Subarus: a first visit from the redesigned 2015 WRX and our XV Crosstrek Hybrid test car. No surprise that one proves more entertaining than another.
Catching up on viewer questions consumes the rest of the show. Questions include the difference between oversteering and understeering luxury SUVs, whether you should pump your brakes with ABS, and why Tom "hates Jon so much." Finally we deal with the most pressing issue of today’s turbulent times: Which is more fun, the Ford Fiesta ST or the Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S?
Look for another episode in two weeks when we discuss the test results for the Jeep Cherokee and Mazda3.
As with the other shows, this episode is also available free through the iTunes store. Subscribe to the video or audio. The audio is also available via SoundCloud.
Also view:
Talking Cars Episode 22: 2014 Detroit auto show
Talking Cars Episode 21: Best and worst of 2013
Talking Cars Episode 20: Fancy cars
Talking Cars Episode 19: Tire talk
Talking Cars Episode 18: Sports cars
Talking Cars Episode 17 - Infiniti Q50 vs Lexus IS 250
Talking Cars Episode 16 - Car reliability
Talking Cars Episode 15 - Toyota Corolla
Talking Cars Episode 14 - GM is on a roll
Talking Cars Episode 13 - Chevrolet Silverado vs. Ram 1500
—Tom Mutchler
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