{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"2026 Genesis GV70 Review, 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid First Drive, and the Truth About AI in Cars","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/2026-genesis-gv70-review-2025-subaru-forester-hybrid-first-drive-and-the-truth-about-ai-in-cars","audioUrl":"https://media.blubrry.com/america_on_the_road/mc.blubrry.com/america_on_the_road/AOTR_Episode_286_Airs_9-27-2025.mp3?awCollectionId=1236214&awEpisodeId=11754868&aw_0_azn.pgenre=Leisure&aw_0_1st.ri=blubrry&aw_0_azn.pcountry=US&aw_0_azn.planguage=en&cat_exclude=IAB1-8%2CIAB1-9%2CIAB7-41%2CIAB8-5%2CIAB8-18%2CIAB11-4%2CIAB23%2CIAB24%2CIAB25%2CIAB26&aw_0_cnt.rss=https%3A%2F%2Fdrivingtoday.com%2Ffeed%2Fpodcast%2F","description":"Description:This week on America on the Road, we get behind the wheel of two standout SUVs—one that screams luxury, and another that leans into green. Host Jack Nerad road tests the 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige, a twin-turbocharged powerhouse wrapped in premium materials and loaded with high-end tech. Co-host Chris Teague takes a first drive in the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid, as the rugged favorite evolves with electrification while staying true to its roots.\nOur special guest is Kathleen Rizk, Senior Director of User Experience Benchmarking and Technology at J.D. Power, who joins Jack to discuss how drivers are reacting to AI-powered features in modern vehicles. Are consumers onboard—or overwhelmed?\n🚗 Road Test #1:2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport PrestigeJack dives into Genesis’s compact luxury SUV flagship, packing 375 hp, a 27-inch OLED display, and Nappa leather comfort. From its show-stopping Ceres Blue paint to its refined ride and strong warranty coverage, this GV70 shows Genesis is going the extra mile to make its mark in the hotly competitive luxury SUV market.\n\n🌿 Road Test #2:2025 Subaru Forester HybridChris explores the newly hybridized Forester, testing how it blends Subaru’s signature all-weather confidence with improved fuel economy and a smoother ride. Will this be the electrified SUV that wins over both loyalists and newcomers? And does hybridization add more than just better fuel economy?\n\n🎧 Special Guest Interview:Kathleen Rizk – J.D. PowerWe unpack new research on how drivers feel about AI-powered features like driver assist, voice controls, and automated parking. Are automakers moving too fast?Or is progress not fast enough?\n🗞️ In the News:\n\n\nJeep cancels Gladiator 4xe: Stellantis pulls the plug on its plug-in pickup, citing changing customer demand.\n\n\nVehicle thefts drop in 2025: National auto thefts are down 23%, but hotspots like D.C. and L.A. still lead in this dubious statistic.\n\n\nCyberattack halts Jaguar Land Rover: JLR plants remain closed until October after a serious breach.\n\n\nVolvo to build hybrid SUV in South Carolina: New U.S.-made hybrid coming before 2030 as part of $1.3B investment.\n\n\nBentley goes to the dogs: New luxury pet accessories for the Bentayga mean even your pup rides first class.\n\n\n📬 Listener Question:Quentin from Yucaipa, CA asks:“With all the talk about electric cars and plug-in hybrids, it seems like we are going to see an end to normal cars. What brands, if any, do you see making a comeback?”\n\n🎙️ Hosts: Jack Nerad & Chris Teague📢 Presented by: DrivingToday.com & Mercury Insurance📚 Book Plug: Jack’s new novel Only One Thing Stays the Same is available now on Amazon.📺 Watch: Subscribe to our YouTube and Rumble channels for videos, reviews, and shorts.📨 Listener questions? Email us at editor@drivingtoday.com\nDon’t Miss the Next Episode\nIf you enjoy America on the Road, make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, check out our YouTube and Rumble channels, and spread the word. And don’t forget to send your questions to: editor@drivingtoday.com.\nCheck Out Matt’s Book:\nPick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo’s terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad’s Guide to EV Ownership.\nLook for Jack’s Newest Crime Novel:\nJack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a 67%-off price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price.\n\n \n \n"},"annotations":[{"startTime":30.0,"endTime":60.0,"type":"car","title":"Nissan Leaf","url":"/cars/nissan/leaf","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/2017_Nissan_LEAF_%28ZE0_MY17%29_hatchback_%282018-11-02%29_01.jpg","quote":"... around the corner, I guess. I've already had the leaf blower out here, Jack. We've been, we've been wit...","canonicalId":"car:nissan:leaf","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"EurovisionNim (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":150.0,"endTime":180.0,"type":"car","title":"Hyundai Genesis","url":"/cars/hyundai/genesis","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/2010_Hyundai_Genesis_2.jpg","quote":"...ussion of that. My test vehicle this week is 2026 Genesis GV73.5 Sport Prestige. I decidedly non-offroad SU...","canonicalId":"car:hyundai:genesis","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":150.0,"endTime":180.0,"type":"car","title":"Forester Hybrid","url":"/cars/subaru/forester","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/2015-2018_Subaru_Forester_XT.jpg","quote":"...is week? I spent the week driving the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid. It's an all-new model for this year, and I can't...","canonicalId":"car:forester:","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"TTTNIS (CC0)"}},{"startTime":281.76,"endTime":293.76,"type":"car","title":"Jeep Gladiator","url":"/cars/jeep/gladiator","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Gobi_Jeep_gladiator_%28JT%29_on_W_Ann_Rd.jpg","quote":"...h kind of makes some sense. I mean underneath the Gladiator is a lot of Ram 1500. So the fact that the Ram 15...","canonicalId":"car:jeep:gladiator","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Noah Wulf (CC BY-SA 3.0)"}},{"startTime":293.76,"endTime":301.76,"type":"car","title":"Jeep Wrangler","url":"/cars/jeep/wrangler","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/JEEP_WRANGLER_%28JL%29_China.jpg","quote":"...adiator, what's your thought about time? Yes, the Wrangler with the 392 V8 sold very well, and so I'm sure t...","canonicalId":"car:jeep:wrangler","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":380.76,"endTime":384.76,"type":"car","title":"Dodge Challenger","url":"/cars/dodge/challenger","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Dodge_Challenger_%281970%29_Hirschaid-20220709-RM-115601.jpg","quote":"... social media for a while being stolen. The Dodge Challenger and the Charger Hellcats have been stolen a lot. ...","canonicalId":"car:dodge:challenger","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Ermell (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":380.76,"endTime":384.76,"type":"car","title":"Dodge Charger","url":"/cars/dodge/charger","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/1970_Dodge_Charger_R-T_Hirschaid_22-20220709-RM-120204.jpg","quote":"... while being stolen. The Dodge Challenger and the Charger Hellcats have been stolen a lot. So I'm personall...","canonicalId":"car:dodge:charger","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Ermell (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":422.76,"endTime":430.76,"type":"car","title":"Honda Accord","url":"/cars/honda/accord","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/2007_Honda_Accord_Euro_R_with_Mugen_tuning_front.jpg","quote":"... that get stolen, the Hyundai Launcher, the Honda Accord, Chevrolet Silverado are top targets. What should...","canonicalId":"car:honda:accord","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Throwawayacc222 (CC0)"}},{"startTime":654.76,"endTime":673.76,"type":"car","title":"Bentley Bentayga","url":"/cars/bentley/bentayga","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Bentley_Bentayga_%28FL%29_Azure_1X7A7439.jpg","quote":"...have come up with new ped accessory range for the Bentayga SUV, you know, giving the same comfort to dogs th...","canonicalId":"car:bentley:bentayga","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":850.76,"endTime":859.76,"type":"car","title":"Subaru Outback","url":"/cars/subaru/outback","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/2000-2004_Subaru_Outback_Wagon.jpg","quote":"...em. Yeah, you know, it has grown in size like the outback. So it's more of an SUV now than it was in past y...","canonicalId":"car:subaru:outback","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"IFCAR (Public domain)"}},{"startTime":2031.76,"endTime":2039.76,"type":"car","title":"Rolls-Royce Phantom","url":"/cars/rolls-royce/phantom","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/1936_Rolls-Royce_Phantom_III_Landaulet%2C_Classic-Gala_2025%2C_Schwetzingen_%2820250906-P1049456%29.jpg","quote":"...gency braking, you know, when they see, you know, phantom braking. In a style reminiscent of James M. Kane ...","canonicalId":"car:rolls-royce:phantom","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)"}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Jack Nerad - Host","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/2026-genesis-gv70-review-2025-subaru-forester-hybrid-first-drive-and-the-truth-about-ai-in-cars/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}