Bunch of First Drives! Volkswagen Tiguan, Cadillac VISTIQ, & Ford Expedition. Plus, the HEMI is Back??
On Podcast #355, Jessica Ray steps in as host and she and the MotorWeek crew are talking utilities…specifically a few first drives. They include the Volkswagen Tiguan, which looks to make a great first impression with its all-new 2025 model. Then it’s Cadillac’s latest EV, the VISTIQ…a luxury ute that doesn’t give us the “ick”. And we’ll finish off with the 5th-gen Ford Expedition, which sees an impressive redesign along with an all-new off-road oriented trim. Plus, our lightning round addresses the return of the HEMI V8 at RAM and a viewer has a question about what affordable cars we like.
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Toyota RAV4 Reveal, Update on our Long Term Fleet, & more Toyota News
In Podcast #354, John Davis and the MotorWeek crew have plenty to talk about. Greg starts things off with an update on our Long Term fleet, aka vehicles we test for longer than our typical 2 week period. Then Alex breaks down all of the recent news coming from Toyota; from new models, to new names, to new colors. And Jessica is fresh back from Plano, Texas where Toyota unveiled the next generation of the best-selling vehicle in America…the RAV4. Plus a Lightning Round prompt encourages discussion on the possibility of the EV tax credit going away and a viewer has a question about why mainstream cars feel more luxurious than ever.
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New $20k Slate Truck, First Drive in the Vinfast VF8 & Updated Volkswagen Golf
In Podcast #353, John Davis and the MotorWeek crew have a very diverse group of vehicles to discuss starting off with Alex’s recent time driving one of our favorite hatchbacks…the refreshed Volkswagen Golf. Then Jessica talks about the recently unveiled Slate Truck, a small cheap EV pickup from a new automaker. And Greg finishes off with our first time behind the wheel of a car from the Vietnamese VinFast brand, the VF8. Plus a Lightning Round explores a list of safe cars for teens from the IIHS and Consumer Reports and a viewer has a question about EV charging curves as well as John’s demeanor in the early days of MotorWeek.
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Special Guest Joe Ligo Talks His Upcoming AMC Documentary, Plus New Navigator & 2025 Easter Jeep Safari
In Podcast #352, John Davis and the MotorWeek crew are joined by alumni Joe Ligo, who has recently made a six-part documentary series about the story behind American Motors Corporation called The Last Independent Automaker. Then Greg dives into some recent drive time with the revamped and elegant Lincoln Navigator while Jessica lives the Jeep life out in Moab, Utah at the latest iteration of the Easter Jeep Safari. Not only was there trail driving but she got time in 7 different Jeep concept models. Plus the Lightning Round address Volkswagen’s plans to finally offer traditional hybrid powertrains in a few upcoming models and a viewer has a question about the future of the NACS plug with rising Tesla tensions.
The Last Independent Automaker premieres on PBS stations nationwide on May 1st. Check your local listings for airdates and times. Or watch full episodes on the PBS app.
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What’s New from the 2025 New York Auto Show, and First Drives in the Ford Maverick & Bronco Sport
In Podcast #351, John Davis and the MotorWeek crew cover all of the news from the 125th edition of the New York International Auto Show! There was tons of news from Subaru including the unveiling of the all-new 7th-gen Outback, along with a big showing from the Korean’s with an all-new Palisade that includes a hybrid version, and more! We’ll finish off with Jessica’s recent time driving the new AWD version of the Ford Maverick hybrid and Bronco Sport equipped with a Sasquatch package. Plus, our Lightning Round discusses if buying a car now is a good idea considering upcoming tariffs and a viewer wonders if there are any vehicles that we have reviewed over the years that we wish we could change our opinions on.
We thought a podcast would be the perfect vehicle for taking viewers behind-the-scenes of MotorWeek. We produce 52 episodes of MotorWeek a year, but we don't always have time to tell you everything. The podcast is a unique opportunity for viewers to hear our personal impressions of the vehicles we road test, discover the stories behind the stories MotorWeek is covering and learn more about where the auto industry is headed as it focuses squarely on fuel economy.
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