{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"2026 Hyundai Tucson XRT: Surfing the ‘Soft-Roading’ Wave","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/2026-hyundai-tucson-xrt-surfing-the-soft-roading-wave","audioUrl":"https://media.blubrry.com/america_on_the_road/mc.blubrry.com/america_on_the_road/AOTR_Episode_323_airs_6-13-2026_EDIT.mp3?awCollectionId=1236214&awEpisodeId=12128509&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":"This week on America on the Road, Jack Nerad and Chris Teague road test and review two very different Hyundais — the futuristic 2026 Ioniq 9 battery-electric three-row SUV and the realistic 2026 Tucson XRT. They also offer details on Ford’s aggressive new Explorer ST Sinister package and premium Bronco Filson edition, Lucid’s major Gravity software update, Subaru’s enhanced 2027 BRZ, and Audi’s stunning 1,001-hp Nuvolari supercar. Our special guest is Demo Days founder BJ Birtwell with news about an exciting series of events that will unfold through the balance of the year.\n🚙 Jack Nerad’s Road Test: 2026 Hyundai Tucson XRT AWD\nJack reviews the 2026 Hyundai Tucson XRT AWD, a mildly rugged-looking compact SUV with an affordable price and approachable personality. Jack and Chris applaud its 187-hp 2.5-liter engine, conventional automatic transmission, standard all-wheel drive, and roomy and upscale interior. With excellent cargo space and a comprehensive safety suite, the $36,815 (as-tested) Tucson variant gets a thumbs-up for its strong value, everyday comfort, and semi-adventurous styling.\n🚗 Chris Teague’s Road Test: 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 SEL AWD\nChris tests the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 SEL AWD, a comfortable three-row electric family SUV with a 110.3 kWh battery, dual-motor AWD producing 303 hp, and an EPA-estimated 320-mile range. He highlights its smooth ride, spacious and flexible interior, and fast DC charging (10-80% in ~24 minutes). Sporting advanced tech with a dual 12.3-inch display and a strong safety suite, the Ioniq 9 is worth a long look if you intend to buy a battery-electric SUV, but if you don’t , its starting price of around $67,920 might take the wind out of your sails. Palisade, anyone?\n🎙️ Special Guest Interview\nBJ Birtwell, founder of Electrify Expo / Demo Days, joins the show to discuss the evolving EV landscape and consumer experiences. The first of his series of Demo Days events will unfold soon at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. We are unsure if the little old lady will attend.\n📰 This Week’s Headlines\nAudi Unveils 1,001-hp Nuvolari Supercar\nA hybrid hypercar with F1-inspired tech, limited to 499 units, and blistering performance.\nFord Launches Explorer ST Sinister Package\nThe new sub-model sports a blacked-out, aggressive appearance with unique badging and wheels, giving a new edge to the popular performance SUV.\nFord Bronco Filson Special Edition\nA premium off-road adventure model with Filson-inspired rugged materials, Sasquatch package, and high-end utility features arriving in early 2027.\nLucid Gravity Gets Major Software Update\nHands-free highway driving, smarter navigation, adaptive headlights, and improved charging tools now available via over-the-air update.\nSubaru Refreshes 2027 BRZ\nEnhanced EyeSight safety, Brembo brakes on tS model, and other upgrades for the engaging rear-drive sports coupe.\n❓ Listener Question\nWilliam from Lincoln, Nebraska asks: “Which driver-assistance features are genuinely useful and which are gimmicks?”\n#HyundaiIoniq9 #TucsonXRT #FordBronco #AudiNuvolari #CarReviews #AutoPodcast\n📚 Jack Nerad’s New Book\nJack’s crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, is available now in paperback and eBook on Amazon — currently at a sale price.\n🎧 Where to Listen\nCatch America on the Road on your local Sports Byline Radio Network station each week and subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Follow for new car reviews, guest interviews, auto news, and road tests.\nSponsored by Mercury Insurance and DrivingToday.com\n📺 Watch & Subscribe\nFind America on the Road on YouTube and Rumble. Subscribe for road test videos, shorts, and extended reviews.\n📨 Email: editor@drivingtoday.com\nLook for Matt DeLorenzo’s Book on AMG\nLook for guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo’s terrific new book Mercedes-AMG: Race-Bred Performance\nCheck Out Gary Witzenburg’s New Book\nPick up a copy of auto journalist Gary Witzenburg’s engaging new book Legends in Motion.\nSpecial Price 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 "},"annotations":[{"id":416499,"startTime":45.48,"endTime":51.84,"type":"car","title":"Ford Explorer","url":"/cars/ford/explorer","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/2020_Ford_Explorer_%28sixth_generation%29_1.jpg","quote":"...veiled a sinister, quote-unquote, addition of the Explorer SUV. It's also teaming up with legendary outdoor ...","canonicalId":"car:ford:explorer","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Benespit (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"id":416500,"startTime":51.84,"endTime":54.8,"type":"car","title":"Ford Bronco","url":"/cars/ford/bronco","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/1994_Ford_Bronco%2C_Rear_Right%2C_06-16-2020.jpg","quote":"...egendary outdoor fitter Philson for a new premium Bronco, so we'll talk about both of those. Lucid is addi...","canonicalId":"car:ford:bronco","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"SsmIntrigue (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"id":416501,"startTime":60.48,"endTime":66.48,"type":"car","title":"Lucid Gravity","url":"/cars/lucid/gravity","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Lucid%2C_GIMS_2024%2C_Le_Grand-Saconnex_%28GIMS0007-3%29.jpg","quote":"...adaptive headlights and new charging tools to its gravity SUV, so we'll talk about that. Subaru is going to...","canonicalId":"car:lucid:gravity","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)"}},{"id":416502,"startTime":66.48,"endTime":75.52,"type":"car","title":"Toyota Gr86","url":"/cars/toyota/gr-86","image":"https://toyota-cms-media.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2025_Toyota_GR86_Hakone_RidgeGreen_001.jpg","quote":"...mewhat revised BRZ, kind of similar to the Toyota GR86 we talked about last week. We'll talk about that....","canonicalId":"car:toyota:gr 86","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Toyota Motor North America press media"}},{"id":416503,"startTime":66.48,"endTime":75.52,"type":"car","title":"Subaru BRZ","url":"/cars/subaru/brz","image":"/images/cars/subaru-brz-press.jpg","quote":"...lk about that. Subaru is going to have a new 2027 BRZ, at least somewhat revised BRZ, kind of similar t...","canonicalId":"car:subaru:brz","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Subaru of America"}},{"id":416504,"startTime":125.48,"endTime":130.82,"type":"car","title":"Hyundai Ioniq","url":"/cars/hyundai/ioniq-5","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/0_Hyundai_Ioniq_5.jpg","quote":"... your test vehicle for this week? I have the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9. Can't wait to tell you all about it. I have a ...","canonicalId":"car:hyundai:ioniq 5","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Benespit (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"id":416505,"startTime":125.48,"endTime":130.82,"type":"car","title":"Hyundai Ioniq 9","url":"/cars/hyundai/ioniq-9","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/2025_Hyundai_Ioniq_9_%28Front%29_at_the_2025_NYC_Auto_Show.jpg","quote":"...st vehicle for this week? I have the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9. Can't wait to tell you all about it. I have a Hy...","canonicalId":"car:hyundai:ioniq 9","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Raszbeary (CC BY 4.0)"}},{"id":416506,"startTime":315.3,"endTime":321.84,"type":"car","title":"F-150 Raptor","url":"/cars/ford/f-150","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/2021_Ford_F-150_%28fourteenth_generation%29_front_view_01.png","quote":"...boost V six engine that it shares with the Bronco Raptor. So that's pretty cool. It has the sauce Sasquatc...","canonicalId":"car:f-150:","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Gold Pony (CC BY 3.0)"}},{"id":416507,"startTime":315.3,"endTime":321.84,"type":"car","title":"Bronco Raptor","url":"/cars/ford/bronco","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/1994_Ford_Bronco%2C_Rear_Right%2C_06-16-2020.jpg","quote":"...er eco boost V six engine that it shares with the Bronco Raptor. So that's pretty cool. It has the sauce Sasquatc...","canonicalId":"car:bronco:","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"SsmIntrigue (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"id":416508,"startTime":744.9,"endTime":749.94,"type":"car","title":"Audi R8","url":"/cars/audi/r8","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/1990_Audi_Quattro_20V_-_Flickr_-_The_Car_Spy_%2825%29.jpg","quote":"...all. And I guess it depends on the price. But the R8 was a popular car. It's still, people still like ...","canonicalId":"car:audi:r8","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"The Car Spy (CC BY 2.0)"}},{"id":416509,"startTime":841.08,"endTime":845.46,"type":"car","title":"Hyundai Palisade","url":"/cars/hyundai/palisade","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/2023_Hyundai_Palisade_%28facelift%29.jpg","quote":"... price difference between it and the fully loaded Palisade, it becomes a little bit less exciting. But going...","canonicalId":"car:hyundai:palisade","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"User3204 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"id":416510,"startTime":873.66,"endTime":877.6,"type":"car","title":"Chevrolet Volt","url":"/cars/chevrolet/volt","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/2016_Chevrolet_Volt_NAIAS_2015.jpg","quote":"...sepower, 516 pound feet of torque. You get an 800 volt electrical system with 350 kilowatt fast charging...","canonicalId":"car:chevrolet:volt","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"William Oliver (CC BY 2.0)"}},{"id":416511,"startTime":1086.6,"endTime":1091.42,"type":"car","title":"Cadillac Escalade","url":"/cars/cadillac/escalade","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/2021_Cadillac_Escalade_ESV_Sport%2C_rear_3.7.22.jpg","quote":"...ands off driving here, like you get in a Cadillac Escalade or something like that, but plenty of tech. And t...","canonicalId":"car:cadillac:escalade","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Kevauto (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"id":416512,"startTime":1239.62,"endTime":1247.1,"type":"car","title":"Honda Crv","url":"/cars/honda/cr-v","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/2017-2022_Honda_CR-V_Facelift_%28Back%29.jpg","quote":"It's distinctive, spacious interior, good value proposition, and there's a lot of good vehicles, including the Honda CR-V and, of course, the Toyota RAV4 in this. But what's your take on the Tucson as it confronts that kind of competition, Chris?","canonicalId":"car:honda:cr-v","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Sebsoare2511 (CC0)"}},{"id":416513,"startTime":1239.62,"endTime":1247.1,"type":"car","title":"Toyota RAV4","url":"/cars/toyota/rav4","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/2021_Toyota_RAV4_PHV.jpg","quote":"...cluding the Honda CR-V and, of course, the Toyota RAV4 in this. But what's your take on the Tucson as it...","canonicalId":"car:toyota:rav4","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"TTTNIS (CC0)"}},{"id":416514,"startTime":1363.94,"endTime":1371.56,"type":"car","title":"Mazda Cx50","url":"/cars/mazda/cx-50","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/2020-2021_Mazda_CX-5_XD_AWD.jpg","quote":"is just fine for commuting, for highway merging. I had no problem with the acceleration. It's not as fun to drive as, say, the Mazda CX-50, but okay. It doesn't need to be, does it? No. And the warranty is far greater than Mazda's. Yeah. Fuel economy, fairly okay. You know, 26","canonicalId":"car:mazda:cx-50","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"TTTNIS (CC0)"}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Jack Nerad - Host","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/2026-hyundai-tucson-xrt-surfing-the-soft-roading-wave/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}