The Kia Soul is a small car that looks a bit like a box. It's popular because it's roomy inside and easy to drive, making it a good choice for many people.
Subaru is a car brand from Japan that is famous for making cars that can drive well in all types of weather. They have a loyal following, especially among people who like outdoor activities.
EV infrastructure is all the things needed to support electric cars, like charging stations and power supplies, so people can easily charge their cars when needed.
Fast chargers are special charging stations for electric cars that fill up the battery much quicker than regular ones, making it easier to travel long distances without waiting too long to charge.
Range anxiety is when people worry that their electric car will run out of battery before they can find a place to charge it. This can make some people hesitant to buy electric cars.
Charging infrastructure is the system of places where you can charge electric cars. Better charging options make it easier for people to use electric cars without worrying about running out of battery.
Public charging is when you charge your electric car at a station that anyone can use, like at a mall or a highway rest stop. It's usually more expensive than charging at home.
A kilowatt is a way to measure how much power is being used or delivered. For electric cars, it tells you how quickly the car's battery can be charged.
Plug-in hybrids are cars that can use both electricity and gas. You can charge them up and drive a little on just electricity, but they also have a gas engine for longer trips.
800 volt charging architecture means that the car can charge its battery much faster than cars that use lower voltage, making it quicker to get back on the road.
Fast charging is a way to charge electric cars much faster than normal. It uses special stations that provide more power, so you can get a lot of battery life in just a few minutes.
The Volvo EX30 is a smaller electric SUV from Volvo. It's designed to be a more compact choice for people who want an electric car but don't need a larger vehicle like the EX90.
Counterfeit auto parts are fake parts that pretend to be real ones. They are usually cheaper but can cause problems because they might not work properly or be safe.
A Toyota dealership is a place where you can buy and get service for Toyota cars. They sell original parts made by Toyota, which are usually the best for your car.
Turbocharged means the engine has a special device that helps it produce more power. It pushes extra air into the engine, allowing it to burn more fuel and go faster without needing a bigger engine.
This is a type of transmission that changes gears automatically for you. Having eight speeds means it can shift gears more smoothly and help save fuel.
A performance vehicle is a type of car made to go faster and handle better than regular cars. They often have special features to improve speed and control.
Heated and ventilated seats are special car seats that can get warm when it's cold outside or cool when it's hot, making them more comfortable to sit in.
Perforated leather upholstery is a type of leather that has tiny holes in it. This helps the seats stay cooler in hot weather and can make them more comfortable.
The Nissan Murano is a medium-sized SUV that is comfortable to drive and has a nice design. It's great for families because it has a lot of space inside.
The Dodge Ram is a big pickup truck that's great for carrying heavy loads and doing tough jobs. It's popular because it's strong and has a lot of useful features.
The Dodge Charger is a big car that looks sporty and can go really fast. It's popular because it has a strong engine and a cool design, making it fun to drive.
The Nissan Leaf is an electric car that doesn't use gas. It can drive about 115 miles before needing to be charged again, making it a good option for people who want to save money on fuel.
The Lucid Air is a fancy electric car that can go really far on a single charge. It has a lot of space inside and cool technology, making it a luxury choice for electric car buyers.
The Honda Prologue is a new electric SUV that Honda is making. It's designed to be roomy and good for the environment, perfect for people who want to drive electric.
The Toyota GR Corolla is a sportier version of the regular Corolla, made for people who love to drive fast. It has a powerful engine and can handle the road really well.
LIVE
This is America on the Road named Best Radio Show by the International Automotive Media
Conference and now it's 33rd year on the air.
Thanks for being with us as we bring you the latest automotive information from around
the world.
I'm Jack Neerad with me as co-host Chris Teague.
Chris, are your daughters getting excited about Halloween yet?
They are.
My younger daughter's birthday is the week before Halloween so she's already counting
down the days.
That's exciting.
I remember doing Halloween with the kids and they had a Halloween parade at their grade
school all the time and that was a big, big deal back in the day, 20 or 30 years ago for
me.
Plenty of news to talk about in the auto industry this week.
In an interesting bit of irony, we have a report on how EV charging infrastructure is
now catching up with demand even as EV sales are expected to slow in the fourth quarter
this year.
If they build it, will they come?
That's a question.
We'll tell you more about that and chat about that a little bit.
Volvo is still gung-ho about its electric vehicle plans and we'll tell you what they
have in store for 2026.
Pretty cool stuff.
I know you're a Volvo fan as I am, Chris.
Kia is losing its soul, quite literally as the Korean brand dumps its much beloved compact
hatchback.
It's also putting the hamsters out to pasture so we'll have more on that coming up if you
remember those hamster commercials I think a lot of us do.
And while we're in play on words mode, Subaru is turning its back on its legacy.
In this case, it's its legacy sedan.
We'll have info on that and finally, fake parts are having very serious consequences
and we don't mean at the nation's gentlemen's clubs.
We mean in auto shops and we'll have more on that.
Chris, how do you feel about fake parts?
Danger dangers, how I feel about fake parts.
In so many ways, in so many instances, I'm right with you.
America on the Road is brought to you by drivingtoday.com, emlancy.com.
The publisher of my latest book, Only One Thing Stays, the same and Mercury Insurance.
If you're looking to save some money, you should switch to Mercury for your auto and
home insurance.
Californians save an average of $670 with Mercury.
So imagine how much you could save.
Get a quote today at drivingtoday.com slash auto insurance.
That's drivingtoday.com slash auto hyphen insurance.
As your longtime listeners of the show know, Chris lives at one end of the country.
I live at the other each week.
We get together to talk about cars, the car industry.
How you can save some money on your car.
And Chris, what is your test vehicle this week?
I spent the week driving a 2025 Genesis GV70 and I can't wait to tell you all about it.
I look forward to talking with you about that, one of my favorite vehicles recently.
My test vehicle this week is the 2025 Lexus TX350 in all-wheel drive form.
So I drove that in Texas recently.
We'll tell you about that in our road test segment.
So stay with us.
We'll be right back right here on America on the Road.
Welcome back everybody to America on the Road with Chris T.
Jack Neerad back with you and plenty of auto news this week to talk about.
I think this is kind of an ironic story, Chris, and I'm eager for your take on it.
As more electric vehicle chargers coming online, EV sales are expected to waver this year.
We've always complained about the fact that infrastructure has not kept up with EV sales.
And now we've had a year in which there have been a ton of infrastructure advantages
and they're adding chargers right and left.
And now we've eliminated the EV tax credit.
And we'll see where this goes.
Fast chargers have surged more than 80% in the last two years.
The number of fast chargers out there is 60,000 across the country.
That still doesn't come close to the number of gas stations.
But your take on this.
Look, I think, you know, EVs have had two main problems since they became a thing here.
One of them was price and the other one was charging availability and range anxiety.
And this kind of solves half of that equation over the tax credits going away.
It leaves a major problem.
So who knows, maybe used EVs will have a moment out of this.
But what I will say is that the improvement in the charging infrastructure has made it
so that you can recommend EVs to people who don't, who can't charge at home
in a lot more places in the country now, which I think is a great thing,
even if demand isn't where many want it to be.
Right. One of the things I'm curious about, Chris, and maybe you've had some experience
with this because I know you're an EV owner and you drive an EV all the time,
is public charging and the how much it costs?
I've heard that it's much more expensive to charge at a public charger
than it is at home.
What's been your experience?
It is. It's orders.
It's three or four times as much to charge at my local EV go station
as it is when I do the math and plug in at home.
And it's also slower.
Some of the plugs are fast chargers, you know, depending on where you live.
We don't have a single fast charger where I live.
The fastest is 50 kilowatts.
So, you know, the closest 350 kilowatt charger is about an hour for me.
That's crazy. Yeah.
You know, we're seeing infrastructure catch up, but I think a lot of people would go,
well, that's still not nearly appropriate for me.
I can't sit at a thing for an hour or something like that to recharge my car.
And maybe it's much longer than that at that kind of charge speed at a level two.
Yeah.
Let's talk about what Volvo is putting out there.
They are still quite gung-ho about their all-electric lineup.
You know, certainly they're going to supplement that with a lot of more
conventionally powered vehicles, although Volvo certainly has creative powertrains.
There's no doubt about that.
It's plug-in hybrids and all kinds of stuff, turbocharging and this and that.
But here's the all-electric lineup.
They have updated the Volvo EX90
for 2026.
They give it 800 volt charging architecture, which is a big, big advantage.
It gets up to 155 miles of range in just 10 minutes time
at a compatible station at a fast charging station, kind of
optimized fast charging, I would imagine.
It also gets more advanced dual NVIDIA computer system.
And that's kind of cool what they've they've done there,
although everything is centralized in that one system,
which I think is good or bad depending.
What's your quick take on that before we go onward here about the other Volvos?
Yeah, I think it's a big improvement for the EX90.
But, you know, Volvo's had problems with its software in these vehicles,
both the EX30 and the 90.
So the move to the NVIDIA processors could help with that.
So I'm going to hold my breath and wait to see
because I think both vehicles look great and have some great features,
but need some improvements.
Yeah, I mean, that kind of stuff, when you have software problems,
I think I interviewed the NVIDIA head of automotive
in combination with the EX90 launch, you know,
I think this two or three summers ago now.
And it's exciting what they're planning to do.
But at the same time, kind of challenging if you have stuff
that isn't working properly, then it all doesn't work properly.
It's not just a single system that goes out.
They're also introducing a less expensive version of the EX30,
a single motor version that starts at 38,000
or about 39,000, 38,950 dollars,
261 mile range and 28 minute charging.
I think that's fairly competitive.
Your thoughts on that?
I agree, the EX30 has been compelling from a price and range standpoint
since it debuted.
So again, with the software improvements,
I hope they've made them for this upgrade.
Right. And then they're going to have a cross country version of the EX30,
which is interesting.
And this is of special interest to you, Chris.
The black edition styling package on the EX40
has got to have you very, very excited, right?
Oh, you know how much I love cosmetic upgrade packages for thousands of dollars.
Yes. And blackout in particular.
Yeah. Yeah.
Well, here's a sad story to me.
And I, you know, I was close to Kia at one time.
I did some public relations work for them, you know, 20 or 30 years ago.
But the Kia Soul seemed to capture a lot of the ethos.
I think of Kia, you know, their compact hatchback.
I almost want to call it a sport utility because it's almost that, but not really.
It kind of helped redefine compact vehicles, which is usually popular.
And now it's going away after 16 years or so.
It's one of the biggest values out there, I think, when it was in the marketplace.
I just thought, you know, there's so much interior space.
It's so versatile, interesting design.
What's your thoughts about its departure?
Yeah, you know, I was a little on the fence about it at first,
you know, the hamsters and the kind of funky styling.
And then I drove one and actually put my kids in it and the whole dog in it.
And it's a fantastic, it was a fantastic vehicle.
You know, it would be, I would be happy to see Kia bring it back as an EV.
At some point, that would be nice.
But I think, you know, for people who need that sort of space,
it's a very great vehicle and I'm sad to see you go.
Yeah, I think they had an EV version of it for a while.
If memory serves, yeah, it was kind of cool.
But I think it was just such a value.
I think that's one of the things that I really liked about it.
And then, of course, you had that hamster advertising that was kind of fun.
We're going to see Subaru.
Subaru has already bid adieu to its legacy sedan,
at least building its legacy sedan here and probably selling it here in the United States.
It was assembled at their Lafayette, Indiana plant for many, many years.
And, you know, this was always, I think, kind of an underrated car.
I like the legacy sedan.
And even more so, I like the legacy wagon when it was out there.
I think it was, you know, a terrific kind of family station wagon.
It just met a lot of needs, thoughts.
Yeah, legacy was always my favorite Subaru, even, you know, the older models.
They had a bunch of sportier variants and things.
But, you know, I would love to have them keep it around, but I guess not.
Yeah, yeah.
Well, the sedan market is just going away.
So they're going to build more forest or SUVs in that plant in Lafayette, Indiana.
So that's good.
Building America is good, too.
Here's the thing.
This is about stuff that isn't built in America, necessarily.
It's counterfeit auto parts and they're creating major headaches out there.
And it's very, very difficult to determine what's a genuine part
and what's not a genuine part, especially if you're, you know,
buying at an independent auto parts store versus a dealership.
I think if you go to, say, a Toyota dealership,
you're going to get genuine Toyota parts there.
But there's and there are a lot of good aftermarket parts.
Don't get me wrong, but there are a lot, apparently,
a lot of counterfeit parts that just aren't good at all.
And I'm curious as you're you're thinking on all this.
Yeah, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
I think, you know, saving some money on cheap car parts
is one of the more dangerous ways to save money.
I think, you know, it may look the same as the part that you took off the car
that the mechanic took off the car.
But it won't function the same.
It might not last as long.
And for things like airbags and wheels and tires and brakes,
those safety issues pile up very fast.
So you can't always control it.
But I would say do everything in your power to buy genuine parts.
Yeah, I mean, the difficulty here is the packaging makes them look as if I mean,
they counterfeit the package as much as they counterfeit the part.
And again, there are good aftermarket parts from very reputable companies
that are worthy of being put in your car.
But an extra bit of caution here.
Again, if it seems too cheap, probably an issue there.
Chris, remind us of the vehicle you'll be testing this week.
I drove the 2025 Genesis GV 70.
Yeah, I like that vehicle.
I was driving the 2025 Lexus TX 350 all wheel drive.
We drove it around Texas.
We were visiting my middle daughter, who is getting married a little later this year.
So we're doing some prep on that.
And I got to travel around in the Lexus TX.
So we'll have more information on that when we come back.
Stay with us and we'll be right back right here on America on the Road.
Welcome back, everybody, to America on the Road with Chris T.
Jackie Redback with you and it is road test time.
And Chris, just to give people a little preview of what you're going to be talking about.
This is a vehicle that I've liked a lot.
We talked about it, I think a month or so ago.
But I'm really eager for your take on the Genesis GV 70.
It is one of my favorites in the segment, just to preface the review by saying that.
But it's a 2025 Genesis GV 70.
You can get into this vehicle, Jack, for around $48,000.
I tested the top sport prestige trim, which has an upgraded powertrain and all the great features.
And it was a little bit more than $70,000.
But what do you think about the value proposition of this vehicle?
I think there's a ton of value here because this is one of those vehicles
that is just so impressive to look at inside and out.
And I think it drives just fine and maybe better than average in the segment.
But from a looks in curb appeal, it's got it in spades, I think.
I agree. And I mentioned this last year or the year before when I tested the GV 70.
It was the first vehicle that people actually came to my house to take pictures of
because it was so striking looking.
But the base powertrain is a 2.5 liter turbocharged 2.5 liter four cylinder.
It makes 300 horsepower.
My test vehicle had the upgraded twin turbocharged 3.5 liter V6.
It makes 375 horsepower through an eight speed automatic transmission
and all wheel drive is standard in this higher trim level.
Jack, one of the things I really like about this vehicle
is that you hear just enough of the engine to know that something is happening.
But it feels like it's three or four rooms away from you if you were in a house.
Genesis has done a very good job at isolating the cabin in this vehicle
and making it feel special and premium.
And there's plenty of power here.
The acceleration, I think this thing does zero to 60 in like four and a half seconds,
which is pretty solid for a two row SUV.
And then the ride quality here is fantastic.
What do you think about the performance?
I think the performance is great.
I mean, this isn't a performance vehicle.
I think competitors, probably the German competitors,
have specialized performance models or really expensive specialized performance models
that will outdo it at the at the edges.
But I think overall this is a very responsive vehicle with a lot of acceleration
and also good ride quality.
As you mentioned, quiet.
Yeah, I agree.
I was going to say, you know, the more expensive European models,
I think sometimes you're not able to use all that performance.
And I think you can get more out of a twin turbo V6 than you could a big V8.
But, you know, as you mentioned, the ride quality is great.
It's not quite as agile.
I drove an Audi Q8, I'm sorry, an S8 RS Q8.
Geez, I can't talk today, which is far more expensive.
But the ride quality there is not as great, but you get great handling.
So I think more people would be happier with the Genesis ride quality,
even though it's not as sharp as some of the more expensive Euro model.
Inside, as you mentioned, the cabin is gorgeous in this vehicle.
The materials are high end.
It looks great.
There's plenty of space.
Everything is where you expect it to be.
This vehicle has perforated leather upholstery with heated and ventilated seats
in the sport prestige trim.
And then as you get a nice material, so you have like a simulated crystal gear shift lever,
nice metal aluminum accents, faux wood accents that actually look real.
And the space is very nicely designed, as I said.
So it looks nice when you're sitting inside.
The front seats are great.
You get good space, good ergonomics, and they're nicely padded.
The back seats, like with the Murano that I reviewed last week as a two-row SUV,
they're a little bit tighter than I would like to see, but you get good cargo space.
So that's kind of the trade-off here.
Jack, what do you think of the interior space, especially in the back seat?
I think it's just fine.
And I think it's appropriate.
And, you know, this is a vehicle I think that I'm not necessarily golfer.
You know, I play golf maybe once every two or three years and not well.
But I think a lot of people are golfers and they want to put golf bags in the back.
This could be an empty Nester vehicle where people are going out with another couple or
something like that, or maybe going on a long weekend even with another couple.
There's plenty of luggage space in this thing, is what I'm trying to say.
And the back seat is plenty roomy.
Yeah. And, you know, the nice thing here is even though it does have limited back seat space,
you have a couple of different color options.
My vehicle came with the lighter leather interior package.
And with the panoramic sunroof on board, it feels like an open space.
So it doesn't feel like you're confined.
And again, it just looks great inside.
So no complaints there.
You get a 14.5-inch touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster,
wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
This is based on Hyundai's infotainment system.
So it's easy to use.
It does have a more complex skin over the interface, if I could say it that way.
But it's still very simple.
The resolution is great.
It looks great and it's very responsive.
So you're not going to be spending a ton of time swiping and looking for features
and settings while you're driving.
And then this vehicle comes with a nice audio system as well and a full suite of safety equipment,
including blind spot camera system, which I really enjoy.
If you're changing lanes, you can't rely on it entirely,
but it does add a layer of peace of mind to lane changes.
And you can see what's beside the vehicle.
So, Jack, this is a luxury vehicle and it's priced as such.
But I think, you know, $50,000 to $60,000 is a good sweet spot for this car.
And it doesn't feel too expensive.
No, absolutely.
It's one of those vehicles I think that doesn't feel too expensive,
even though it's not that big.
I think the level of luxury of this thing, you know, the level of looks and just the exterior
jewelry on it.
And it just seems so premium that the price doesn't bother me in this instance at all.
I agree completely.
Well, let's see if you agree with what I have to say about the Lexus TX350 all-wheel drive.
I had a luxury trim.
This is a vehicle where I think you and I both think, what took Lexus so long to do this?
There have been three-row luxury SUVs everywhere else from competitors for years and years and
years.
And we've never really got a legitimate three-row SUV from Lexus until the TX.
And it is absolutely legitimate.
It's not quite full-size, but it is a nice size.
And it just makes a ton of sense to me.
I mean, the three-row practicality of this thing.
So you have the style.
It's a good-looking vehicle.
Not overly Lexus, if you get my drift.
I mean, they haven't gone crazy with the spindle grill, for example.
I think it looks good.
It's not necessarily striking.
And I wouldn't say it's striking in the Genesis sense.
It's not one that just jumps out at you in a parking lot.
But it's a good-looking vehicle.
And I like this trim, actually.
I'm really glad that this is the test trim that I got to drive because there's some more
expensive trims that maybe aren't the value that this one is.
It's kind of a mid-range and very conventional, at least conventional, compared to others.
The MSRP on this thing was $73,518.
So it's not an inconsiderable sum.
That's a lot of money.
But we're talking about a luxury 3-row with three legitimate rows.
I think competitors would be more expensive.
Maybe one of the ways that there's a little economizing here is in the powertrain.
This is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
275 horsepower, 317 pound-feet of torque.
That's not a ton of horsepower.
Reasonable amounts of peak torque.
It's paired with an automatic transmission.
So it doesn't have a CVT.
That works well.
It's paired with full-time all-wheel drive here.
And that dynamically adjusts its distribution.
Most often it's kind of front-drive oriented, and then it can go 50-50.
But what should you take on the TXN in this powertrain?
Yeah, I agree that I'm surprised it took Lexus so long to do this.
They had the RXL for like a year or two, and it didn't do very well.
The powertrain is okay.
I will say that it's not the most powerful, as you said.
It's not the most athletic.
But it's mostly quiet.
Lexus does a good job with sound insulation, although you can still hear it.
And I don't think anybody's going to be drag racing their TX anyway.
So I think unless you need to tow, this is probably just a fine engine.
Yeah, I thought it had enough power.
I wouldn't have minded another 20-horsepower.
This is Jack Niren.
I always like a little bit more power, I guess.
But certainly comfortable, quiet.
Did all the things that Lexus should do, even when pretty fully laden.
And we were driving it around with, you know, oftentimes with four adults or more.
We went to a college football game and did that kind of thing, which was kind of cool.
It was my rivals, my daughter's rivals.
So they went to rival colleges.
So they play each other once a year, although that's going away.
So we got to take it to that.
Steering feel is light, but predictable.
I mean, very appropriate for a luxury vehicle.
It handles very well for a vehicle that it's of its size.
I think, as I mentioned, it's a fairly good-looking vehicle.
The vehicle I had had 22-inch alloy wheels.
It had LED lighting, a rear spoiler, which was neither here nor there, really.
Again, doesn't really stand out in a parking lot, was perfectly good-looking.
Any thoughts about any of that?
I've said, Chris.
I am exceptionally happy that they didn't go overboard with the grille.
I think that's very tastefully done, at least compared to their previous models.
So I'm on board with it.
Yes, I am, too.
I like the interior.
The materials are high quality throughout.
There's ultra suede on the front seats, and they're heated.
Of course, they're trimmed in leather.
There's open-pore blackwood trim, my favorite.
I hate closed-pore wood.
You know, I just, it needs to be open-pore the way I look at it.
Panoramic glass roof, which I like.
Big 14-inch touchscreen.
It has the Lexus interface, which is essentially the Toyota interface.
I mean, you mentioned the Hyundai interface being the Genesis interface.
We're seeing the same thing here.
It has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto digital key capability.
It works just fine.
I mean, we hooked it up to Apple CarPlay.
That was reasonably simple pairing and, you know, went on about our business.
I could have done that wirelessly, but I think most often we used a wired connection.
Good cargo space behind the third row, which I think is important.
Some of these three-row vehicles have like zero, not quite zero, but very little cargo space.
But this has 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row.
And if you fold all the seats, 97 cubic feet.
So this is a very ample inside.
Parting shots on this, Chris.
Yeah, I love to see it.
So many three-row SUVs have like 70 cubic feet of space with the third row down.
And then you fold the third row up and you end up with like 12 cubic feet.
So that's a great thing for people who need to haul people and gear.
Right. Good amount of ADS, Lexus Safety System plus 3.0.
Why it isn't 3.0 plus, I don't know, but that's the editor in me.
And there you go.
Reasonable fuel economy.
Of course, if you got a hybrid, you'd get better fuel economy.
So all in all, I think this is a good value.
I mean, $73,000, $74,000 is a lot for a mid-sized vehicle,
but this is a premium vehicle from a luxury brand with a bunch of luxury stuff.
So I think it's a good value overall.
I'll agree with that.
Very good.
And when we come back, we will be talking about stuff,
because that's what we're going to do next.
So stay with us and we'll be right back right here on America on the Road.
I received a letter from a reader this week and I thought I'd share it with you.
Here's what he wrote.
I just got around to reading Dance in the Dark and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it.
I'm a compulsive reader and this one was right up my alley.
An unlikely hero.
A lot of twists and turns, some adult content,
and humor that rose naturally from the action.
Keep on writing and I'll keep on reading.
Of course, that's just the kind of letter any author would love to get.
I hope that others get the same enjoyment from reading Dance in the Dark
and my newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same.
Both are available exclusively at Amazon.com.
That's Dance in the Dark and Only One Thing Stays the Same,
both written by me, Jack R. Neyred.
Thanks for looking for them today.
Welcome back everybody to America on the Road.
With Chris Teague, this is Jack Neyred back with you.
Instead of having a guest this week, we're going to talk about what's going on in the car
industry because we reach kind of a pivotal point where the electric vehicle tax credits
have gone away.
We have some new tax credits out there and we'll see what they do.
They're, I think, designed to spur the American production of vehicles.
But this is kind of a pivotal time in the auto industry as we enter the fourth quarter of 2025
and see what's going on there.
What are your initial thoughts on that, Chris?
I think everybody is kind of scrambling to figure out where the buyers are going to land
over the next three months, two months of the year.
And I don't think anybody knows, even the automakers, you know, you've seen
a lot of them, including some Americans dodge back off of their electrification plans a bit
and go back to their gas engine roots.
So I don't know, man, I think it's going to be tough to figure it out.
I do think the range-extended EV trend might be something we start seeing more of.
Scout is doing it, Ram is doing it.
So I think it'll be, it's anybody's guess, Jack.
I mean, who knows?
Yeah, I'm fascinated to see that.
Let's dive into that a little bit.
I mean, I think Jeep is also going to have a range-extended vehicle out there.
And I think they're excited about that.
Why don't you describe to the listeners exactly what that means?
Because it's kind of a hybrid, but really not.
Tell us about it.
Sure, yeah, range-extended electric vehicle is an electric vehicle.
It runs on electric power alone, but it does have a gas engine.
And that gas engine is not connected to the wheels in any way, no transmission, none of that.
The only purpose the gas engine serves is as a generator to charge the electric battery
or the batteries and the electric motors.
And that extends the range by 30, 40 percent, whatever the number is, but it's different
for every vehicle.
The difference is that you still use gas, but the gas doesn't actually power the car.
Yeah, I mean, it's kind of like, well, it is really what the Chevy Volt was back in the day.
You know, a lot of people, I think, looked at that as a hybrid, but it wasn't that really.
I don't think they called it a range-extended vehicle, but it's that kind of thing.
What's interesting to me is in some of these vehicles, the size of the engine they used
to run the generator to generate the electricity, there's a lot of complication here.
And I would have thought you could probably get by with a fairly small four-cylinder engine to
charge batteries, but it doesn't look like some are taking that course.
Yes, Delantis or Ram is using the Pentastar V6 as the extender in the Ram truck,
which I think is probably a cost thing for them, right?
They've been making that V6 for decades at this point in time, so it's probably not cheap.
But from my perspective, I think range-extended EVs might be the sweet spot for a lot of buyers.
At least the models we've seen that are coming out look like gas vehicles.
People still get to go to the gas station and fill up like they would a normal car,
and then they don't have to worry about so much of the range, although you do still have to stop
and charge. So I don't know. I think it'll be interesting to see, but I am hopeful that they
become the sort of new sweet spot. Yeah. Well, I think they answer a lot of questions that electric
vehicles have posed and have not answered, right? And one of which is range, because you can
conceivably drive this vehicle forever. If you have fuel in it, because it's going to be charging
enough to run the electric motors, you don't have to worry about recharging. And I think that
answers the question. You can refuel in seconds, just as you would refuel a gasoline, conventional
gasoline powered vehicle. So I think there's a lot to like about that. What probably people
won't like about that is I've got to believe they're going to be much more expensive than a
conventional vehicle, because essentially you've got, if not a second powertrain, you have a
conventional engine, and then you have electric propulsion with a pretty big electric battery,
you know, pretty big, I don't think there's a gas battery, Chris, I think they're all electric,
but you have a battery, and of course, that's the most expensive part about an electric vehicle.
So it doesn't really solve that, but I think it solves a lot of other problems.
It does. Yeah, people, I mean, we don't have pricing for the RAM charger or whatever they're
going to end up calling it, but it's expected to start at, you know, $70,000 to $80,000, which is
$25,000, $30,000 more than the gas truck is to start. I think it starts in the $40,000 range. So
it might be a hard sell. I also thought about this while you were talking just a moment ago is,
you know, these are pretty similar to plug-in hybrids, and people buy plug-in hybrids and
don't plug them in and don't get the efficiency that they need, and those are pretty expensive too.
So, you know, I might be second guessing my thought that they'll become the next step in EVs,
based on how plug-in hybrids are performed. Yeah, I mean, plug-in hybrids are expensive,
and they're not all that popular. I mean, there's a small niche that they have occupied,
but it's smaller than battery electric vehicles themselves. Again, a lot to like about that,
but the premium you pay for that, I think a lot of people are going and are presented with the
issue, I could get a hybrid, I could get a plug-in hybrid, or I could get a battery electric,
and the hybrid versus the plug-in hybrid, I think a lot of people aren't seeing the
advantages of going to a plug-in hybrid. It requires you to plug it in, for example,
and I think one of the things too, and I've thought about this in this past week,
the vehicles with immense range these days, we're seeing a lot of vehicles that have
450, 500, 600 miles of range. That means where you used to go to the gas station once a week,
you're now going to the gas station maybe once a month or something like that. It's,
as opposed to I have an electric, I've got to plug it in every night.
Talk about that, your thoughts on that.
Yeah, I think it's a big benefit, but we've talked about this 100 times. Everybody wanted more range
to start when we were getting to EVs like the Nissan Leaf with like 115 miles of range. Everybody
wanted more range. Now we have it, now everybody wants faster charging. You have 600 miles, 500
miles of range, or whatever it is, and as I mentioned, if I owned a Lucid Air where I live now,
I'd have the option to charge in my Level 2 home charger or a Level 2 public charger,
and I think that's the holdback for me. But some people charge into these things and buy these
things without really caring about some of those issues. So who knows? But I do think we've kind
of got the cart before the horse, and now the horse is catching up, and now the cart is falling
behind with tax credits going away. So it's still, I just keep coming back to it. I don't know what's
going to happen, but I'm very excited to see what does. Yeah, me too. I'm curious about your
experience too. You're what, like a year or so into owning an electric vehicle, or maybe longer
than that. I mean, tell us about... About a year and a half. Yeah. What have been the positives and
the pitfalls there that you'd like to point out to people that they might not be thinking about?
I think the positives for us, at least for my wife, because she's the primary driver of it,
is that she doesn't have to stop for fuel anymore. The car is very quiet. It has quick acceleration,
quicker acceleration than her Volvo did before. It was a turbocharged four-cylinder versus electric,
and she likes the more relaxed driving experience of the vehicle, because there's no engine noise
and things like that. I will say, and part of this is due to General Motors, the crossover between
General Motors and the Honda and the Honda Prologues, there's some quirks there. I think the time to
charge is the big thing. I just mentioned that a moment ago. For us to get a full charge on our car,
it takes overnight, almost, you know, it takes, you know, a little bit of extra time, and there
aren't any quick charges around. I think also the price is another holdback. We got a very good
deal on the Honda Prologue, and I think they probably still have a lot of really good deals,
but if you were to go out and buy it, it's $70,000 for a two-row SUV, which is just too much.
Yeah. Do you essentially plug it in every night? Does that become kind of a pain in the neck, or
you know, tell me about that? We charge like once every other week.
Really? Okay. We don't really have, my wife's commute is very short. We have 270-some odd miles
of range, and it just isn't that often that we have to charge, but it's very easy just to
plug in at home and forget about it. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, some of the electric vehicles I've had
recently as testers, in fact, one I'm going to be talking about, you know, coming up. I had an
Ionic 5 recently, and it had enough range that it never became an issue at all. You know, I
wasn't going to charge it, but I also wasn't going to go 230 miles in it. So it's a non-issue,
and I think apparently a non-issue for you. And then it's super convenient. The vehicles are so quiet
and just in some ways fun to drive for that reason. The amount of torque, it reminds me of
slot car racing, right? You just, you add more throttle and you get more speed, right? And then
you come off the throttle and you get less. There's no gear shifting, nothing else going on. It's just
like a rheostat, essentially. I guess it probably is a rheostat, right?
Yeah, I agree. I enjoy the EV driving experience. You know, at first, I was a little bummed out
about not having the gas noise and the feeling and everything else. But even as a die-hard gas
engine enthusiast, I can find pleasure in the smoothness and the refinement and the instant
power, as you mentioned. And some of these things are pretty darn quick, Jack. I mean,
not even performance models, but just like the regular Genesis GV60 is like Porsche 911 quick
in a lot of ways. Yeah. They're quick, but in some ways, they're uninvolving to me. And I think
you mentioned some of the reasons that they're not that visceral, really. You know, they kind of just
perform really well and they're really quick, but it's like, okay, got that. You feel the same way
about it? And it strikes me that kind of one electric operates pretty much like every other
electric. It does. There isn't a lot of variation between how one, like, I mean, some of them are
quicker than others, but the feeling is relatively the same. I mean, some of them handle differently
and some of them have different seats and things. You know, for me, it feels like an on-off switch.
And I've kind of started thinking about it that way. You put your foot down, the vehicle goes.
There's not a lot that happens in your brain when that happens. But it can be very exhilarating,
at least the first few times you do it. And like the Hyundai Ioniq 5N is breathtakingly quick.
But once you do that a couple of times, that's kind of the trick, right? There's none of that
driver involvement, like changing gears with a manual transmission and stuff like that and,
you know, using the clutch and doing those things that we as drivers kind of enjoy doing
and have that skill set. Some were skillful than others. There's plenty more skillful than I am
at all of that. But it's in a lot of ways, to me, more engaging than the electric vehicle experience.
Yeah, driving my GR Corolla feels like actually doing some work and being involved with the car
and then driving the Honda Prologue is, it's like being transported somewhere, although you still
have to pay attention to what you're doing. Right. I'm kind of curious as to your thoughts about
what the future is going to hold and I mean beyond the end of the year and into 2026 and so. I think
a lot of people still talk about a transition to electric vehicles. They think it's still
going to happen, but maybe not as quick as possible and I have to ask the question and maybe this is
the old Luddite in me. Like, why does it have to happen? You know, what about it necessitates that?
I think when electric vehicles are better than gasoline power vehicles at the same price. Absolutely
and I love the experience. Don't get me right. I love electric vehicles, but I don't know that
there's a compelling reason right now for the mass market to go out and buy an electric vehicle
versus a conventional vehicle. What are your thoughts on that? Yeah, I think any prediction
that the world is going to be electric by 2035 or 2040 or anything like that is a little bit
misguided. We'll probably have gas vehicles. I mean, this is my opinion, not fact by any
mean, but I think we'll have gas vehicles on the road for several more decades at the very
least and even then there may be use cases where gas will always be better than electric. We don't
know that just yet. So and I'm fine with that. I don't really have an issue with that even though
I think, you know, we do need to get a handle on vehicle emissions and things. So I don't think we'll
see it anytime soon if we see it ever. Yeah, I think there are rural areas. Maybe you want a
gasoline vehicle. You're operating a farm or something like that or a ranch. I think you
probably want a gas or diesel truck or something like that to help you along. I'm also curious
as to your reaction. We've seen a revival of V8 engines specifically from Stellantis. You know,
we've seen them reinstall V8 engines in the Ram truck and some other in some of the sedans.
I think that's kind of an interesting take, isn't it? I think it's fine. I mean, I find
humor in it that we were now going. We're not just, you know, not doing electric all the way. We're
going all the way back to the V8. Look, their buyers bought the cars with the V8s and they didn't
really buy the electric version of the Challenger that came out after the fact. So this makes sense.
I mean, the V8 engine, those cars are made for the V8 engine. I mean, I think it's kind of how
that goes. I'm glad to see it back in the trucks, too. And people probably, they've already bought
a ton of them. So good for Ram and good for Stellantis, I guess. Yeah, well, we will see how
the rest of 2025 unfolds and then 2026, a whole new year. And that'll be fascinating, too. I think
a very watershed year for the auto industry. And when we come back, we'll have a listener question.
So stay with us and we'll be right back right here on America on the Road.
Welcome back to America on the Road with Kovos. Chris Teague, this is Jack Nierad with you. It
is listener question time, one of our favorite segments of the show. We love to get your questions
and comments. Send them along to editoratdrivingtoday.com. That's editoratdrivingtoday.com.
Let me give you this question from John in Lubbock, Texas. John says this, with all the hype
around electrics, I'm wondering if hybrids aren't really the smart play. What do you guys think
about buying a hybrid versus an EV? I think a hybrid can be a great way to save money on fuel
and to reduce your environmental impact without spending all the extra money on an EV. I would say
that just remember you're still going to have to purchase gas, but you won't have to plug in and
charge it because hybrids don't don't do that. And you won't have to stop and charge hybrids are
also considerably less expensive than EVs, so you would save some money there. I would caution
against trying to judge your fuel savings versus the money that you're paying for the car,
because the payback period doesn't always work out as people believe it will.
But yeah, I think in a lot of situations hybrids are better for drivers than electric vehicles,
especially if you live where I do, where charging is not up to speed just yet.
I think that the current hybrids too also have drivability advantages, right? I mean, they're
actually somewhat more fun to drive. They have smoother shifts, for example. So I really think
there's a lot to like about hybrids. As much as I like plug-in hybrids, I don't know that you
can make the case that they're worth the premium. Yeah, I think we're getting to a point where
the plug-in hybrids might be becoming irrelevant. I don't like to say that because I think they
do serve a purpose. But I think we're at a point where some electric vehicles are better than
plug-in hybrids and the cost might not be worth it for everybody. Yeah, so that's our answer to
John and Lubbock. And that wraps up our show for this week. My new crime novel, Only One Thing
Stays the Same, is now available in both ebook and paperback form at Amazon. If you like our show,
please pass it on. Of course, listen on this radio station each week. Let your friends know where
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you'll join us again next time for another edition of America on the Road.
Hi, I'm Jack Arnie Redd and I'd like to tell you about my newest crime novel,
Only One Thing Stays the Same. In a style reminiscent of James M. Kane and Jim Thompson,
two of my writing idols, the book chronicles a blue collar workers up and down love affairs with
two modern Southern California women who continue to surprise, shock, and ultimately confound him.
As the story unfolds, an unemployed aeronautics worker named Bill McCurdy becomes disillusioned
with his wife and slips into an illicit affair with a teenager from down the street.
Before long, he begins to think of doing the unthinkable, but despite his desperate attempts
to make things work, almost nothing goes as planned. His misguided quest for simple love
doesn't turn out to be simple at all. And before the roller coaster ride stops,
he learns quite personally and very finely that Only One Thing Stays the Same.
Only One Thing Stays the Same is available in Kindle eBook and paperback form,
exclusively at Amazon.com. I'd appreciate it if you'd look for it today.
About this episode
The latest episode dives into the 2025 Lexus TX 350 AWD, highlighting its three-row comfort and practicality, especially for families. Hosts Jack Neerad and Chris Teague discuss the evolving EV market, including the growing charging infrastructure and Volvo's ambitious electric plans. They also touch on the discontinuation of beloved models like the Kia Soul and Subaru Legacy. The episode features detailed road tests of the Lexus TX 350 and Genesis GV70, comparing their performance, interior quality, and overall value in the luxury SUV segment.
In this week’s episode of America on the Road, host Jack Nerad and co-host Chris Teague get behind the wheel of two luxury crossovers aiming to win over premium SUV buyers. Chris reviews the 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige, a sleek and tech-packed SUV that blends bold styling with real driving chops. Jack reports from the road in Texas on the 2025 Lexus TX 350 AWD Luxury, a spacious, well-appointed three-row SUV built with well-heeled American families in mind. The AOTR driving duo compares the SUVs’ driving dynamics, tech features, and real-world usability to help buyers make smarter decisions.
🚙 Road Test: 2025 Lexus TX 350 AWD Luxury
Hitting the highway to DFW, Jack Nerad takes a closer look at the all-new 2025 Lexus TX 350 AWD Luxury, a three-row SUV that delivers comfort, capability, and tech for families who need space without sacrificing style. Powered by a 275-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and featuring adaptive AWD, this mid-trim model impresses with a panoramic roof, Mark Levinson audio, heated/ventilated seats in both rows, and an intuitive 14-inch touchscreen. Jack details how it handled a family road trip to an historic college football game and why the TX may become a new go-to for luxury-minded families.
🚗 Road Test: 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige
Chris Teague drives the top-trim 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige, a compact luxury SUV that balances performance, refinement, and high-end features. With a 375-hp twin-turbo V6, AWD, and a long list of standard tech, this model stands toe-to-toe with more expensive rivals from some better-known manufacturers. Key highlights include a gorgeous paint job, 21-inch wheels, a 27-inch curved OLED display, Ergo Motion front seats, and an impressive suite of safety features. Chris explains why this Genesis might be the highest-value SUV in its class and why it could finally shake the “underdog” label.
🗞️ In the News:
More EV Chargers, But Fewer Buyers?
Fast-charging stations have surged 80% in two years, but EV sales may dip now that federal tax credits have expired. Is the infrastructure boom arriving too late?
Volvo’s 2026 EV Lineup Revealed
Highlights include the 800V EX90, budget-friendly EX30, off-road-ready EX30 Cross Country, and a new Black Edition EX40.
Kia Drops the Soul
After 16 years and over 1.5 million units sold, Kia is ending Soul production. The iconic boxy hatch and its “hamstars” ride into the sunset.
Subaru Ends Legacy Production in U.S.
At the conclusion of a four-decade run, the Subaru Legacy sedan has rolled off its final assembly line in Indiana. Sedans aren’t what they once were, so Subaru’s focus now shifts to the Forester.
Fake Parts = Real Trouble
Counterfeit auto parts are on the rise, costing drivers thousands in damage and repairs. Experts urge buyers to steer clear of third-party online parts.
📬 Listener Question:
John from Lubbock, TX asks: “With all the hype around electrics, I’m wondering if hybrids aren’t really the smart play. What do you guys think about buying a hybrid versus an EV?”
Jack and Chris weigh the pros and cons of hybrids versus full EVs, discussing cost, infrastructure, daily usability, and long-term ownership.
🎙️ Hosts: Jack Nerad & Chris Teague
📢 Presented by: DrivingToday.com, EMLandsea.com, and Mercury Insurance
📚 Book Plug: Only One Thing Stays the Same — Jack Nerad’s crime novel, available now on Amazon
📺 Watch: Subscribe to our YouTube and Rumble channels for reviews, test drives, and more
