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2026 Lexus TX 550h+ Plug-In Hybrid: 404 HP Luxury Meets 33-Mile Electric Range

2026 Lexus TX 550h+ Plug-In Hybrid: 404 HP Luxury Meets 33-Mile Electric Range

America on the Road Mar 07, 2026 43 min
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About this episode

The discussion covers major shifts in the automotive industry, including nine CEO changes at top automakers amid challenges like tariffs, Chinese competition, and EV losses. The anticipated Scout brand launch faces delays due to software and powertrain issues. Canada’s new trade deal allows Chinese-built EVs at reduced tariffs, stirring debate about market impacts. The NHTSA closed a long-running Stellantis investigation without a recall despite numerous complaints. The hosts also share impressions of the 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid and the Honda CR-V Hybrid Trail Sport, highlighting their features and driving experiences.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Honda Crv
EurovisionNim (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Honda Crv

"I spent the week driving the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid Trail Sport. I can't wait to tell you all about it."

The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid Trail Sport is a small SUV that uses both gas and electricity to save fuel. The Trail Sport version has special features for light off-road driving.

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Car

Lexus TX 550h+

"My vehicle is the 2026 Lexus TX550H Plus. It's a plug-in hybrid."

The Lexus TX550h Plus is a new SUV that uses both gas and electric power to help save fuel and drive smoothly.

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Term

plug-in hybrid

"My vehicle is the 2026 Lexus TX550H Plus. It's a plug-in hybrid. We'll talk about that."

A plug-in hybrid car uses both gas and electricity. You can charge its battery by plugging it in, so it can drive some distance using only electricity.

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Concept

electric vehicles (EVs)

"Certainly Chinese competition, what's going on with EVs. Toyota, BMW, Porsche, Nissan, Stellantis, Volvo, Renault, and Jaguar Land Rover, and Hyundai are all companies that have changed CEOs recently."

Electric vehicles are cars that run only on electricity instead of gas, which helps reduce pollution.

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Brand

BMW

"Certainly Chinese competition, what's going on with EVs. Toyota, BMW, Porsche, Nissan, Stellantis, Volvo, Renault, and Jaguar Land Rover, and Hyundai are all companies that have changed CEOs recently."

BMW is a German car company that makes fancy and sporty cars.

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Brand

Porsche

"Certainly Chinese competition, what's going on with EVs. Toyota, BMW, Porsche, Nissan, Stellantis, Volvo, Renault, and Jaguar Land Rover, and Hyundai are all companies that have changed CEOs recently."

Porsche is a German company that makes fast and fancy sports cars.

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Brand

Stellantis

"Certainly Chinese competition, what's going on with EVs. Toyota, BMW, Porsche, Nissan, Stellantis, Volvo, Renault, and Jaguar Land Rover, and Hyundai are all companies that have changed CEOs recently."

Stellantis is a big company that owns many car brands like Jeep and Dodge.

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Brand

Volvo

"Certainly Chinese competition, what's going on with EVs. Toyota, BMW, Porsche, Nissan, Stellantis, Volvo, Renault, and Jaguar Land Rover, and Hyundai are all companies that have changed CEOs recently."

Volvo is a car company from Sweden that makes safe and strong cars.

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Brand

Renault

"Certainly Chinese competition, what's going on with EVs. Toyota, BMW, Porsche, Nissan, Stellantis, Volvo, Renault, and Jaguar Land Rover, and Hyundai are all companies that have changed CEOs recently."

Renault is a car company from France that makes many types of cars, including electric ones.

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Brand

Jaguar Land Rover

"Certainly Chinese competition, what's going on with EVs. Toyota, BMW, Porsche, Nissan, Stellantis, Volvo, Renault, and Jaguar Land Rover, and Hyundai are all companies that have changed CEOs recently."

Jaguar Land Rover is a company from Britain that makes fancy cars and SUVs.

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Concept

Scout brand

"of represented him, and I'd love to see the Scout brand come back, but it looks as if that's going to be a tough one based on the fact that, well, the US EV market and Scout was going to be all EV all the time has kind of fallen on hard times, to say the least. It looks as if Scout, which was going to launch maybe this year as a 20 to 27 model,"

Scout was a brand that made tough off-road vehicles a long time ago, and there were plans to bring it back as electric cars, but it’s been delayed.

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Term

tariff

"They are going to let in 49, up to 49,000 China-made electric vehicles over the next 12 months. That's with a much lower tariff. The tariff has now reduced to 6.1%. It had been 106.1% before, so that's a pretty big change."

A tariff is a tax that a country charges on things it buys from other countries. It makes those things cost more so people might buy stuff made closer to home.

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Brand

Tesla

"Tesla, Polestar, and Volvo might be among the brands that bring in Chinese built vehicles into Canada."

Tesla is a company that makes electric cars. They are famous for making cars that can go far on a single charge and have lots of cool technology.

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Brand

Polestar

"Tesla, Polestar, and Volvo might be among the brands that bring in Chinese built vehicles into Canada."

Polestar is a car company from Sweden that makes electric cars that are fast and fancy. It started from the Volvo car company.

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Brand

BYD

"They might open the door for Chinese brands like BYD, which is, I think, the largest builder of electric vehicles worldwide these days, competing with Tesla for that title."

BYD is a big car company from China that makes a lot of electric cars. They are one of the biggest makers of electric cars in the world.

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Concept

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

"One thing that's not up for discussion anymore is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is a government group in the U.S. that makes sure cars are safe to drive and checks if there are any problems with them.

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Chrysler 200
HJUdall (CC0)
Car

Chrysler 200

"... were covered. It goes dates back to the Chrysler 200. Do you remember the Chrysler 300, Chris? The Ch..."

The Chrysler 200 was a medium-sized car that tried to be stylish and comfortable for everyday driving. It’s not made anymore but is sometimes talked about when people remember older cars.

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Chrysler 300
DestinationFearFan (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Chrysler 300

"...to the Chrysler 200. Do you remember the Chrysler 300, Chris? The Chrysler Town and Country, the Dodge..."

The Chrysler 300 is a big, comfortable car that looks stylish and has a strong engine. Many people liked it because it was roomy and smooth to drive.

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Chrysler Town
AlfvanBeem (CC0)
Car

Chrysler Town

"...00. Do you remember the Chrysler 300, Chris? The Chrysler Town and Country, the Dodge Caravan, the Dodge Journey..."

The Chrysler Town & Country was a big van that families used to carry lots of people and things comfortably. It was popular because it made traveling with family easier.

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Dodge Journey
IFCAR (Public domain)
Car

Dodge Journey

"...er Town and Country, the Dodge Caravan, the Dodge Journey, and Durango. So some vehicles that are not even..."

The Dodge Journey was a family SUV that was not too expensive and could carry people and cargo. It wasn’t the newest or fastest, but it was useful for many families.

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Jeep Compass
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Jeep Compass

"...not even in production anymore, and then the Jeep Compass Patriot, again a long gone vehicle in the Grand ..."

The Jeep Compass is a small SUV that can drive on rough roads but is also good for city driving. Some older versions aren’t made anymore, but the newer ones are still popular.

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Jeep Grand Cherokee
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Jeep Grand Cherokee

"...ompass Patriot, again a long gone vehicle in the Grand Cherokee, these were head restraint issues. Maybe not. The..."

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a type of SUV that can drive well both on regular roads and rough terrain. People like it because it’s comfortable inside and can handle tough driving conditions. Sometimes, older versions had small safety issues with the seats.

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Toyota Prius
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Toyota Prius

"...you would experience in something like the Toyota Prius or the RAV4 Hybrid. But it's reasonably smooth. ..."

The Toyota Prius is a car that uses both gas and electricity to save fuel and help the environment. It drives smoothly and is very good on gas, so many people choose it to save money and be kind to nature.

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Toyota RAV4
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Toyota RAV4

"...rience in something like the Toyota Prius or the RAV4 Hybrid. But it's reasonably smooth. It's surprisi..."

The Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV that’s easy to drive and doesn’t use a lot of gas, especially the hybrid version that uses both gas and electricity. Many people like it because it’s reliable and comfortable.

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Toyota 4Runner
IFCAR (Public domain)
Car

Toyota 4Runner

"...But I wouldn't expect this to be anything near like a Toyota 4Runner or anything like that in the off-road capability department..."

The Toyota 4Runner is a type of SUV that is really good at driving on rough, bumpy roads and trails because it’s built tough.

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Term

heated seats

"...This vehicle had heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, which I appreciated and they were easily some of the hottest and fastest warming heated seats I've seen..."

Heated seats are seats in the car that get warm to keep you cozy when it’s cold outside.

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Term

heated steering wheel

"...This vehicle had heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, which I appreciated and they were easily some of the hottest and fastest warming heated seats I've seen..."

A heated steering wheel is a steering wheel that warms up to keep your hands comfortable when it’s cold outside.

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Term

wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

"...You also get a nine-inch touchscreen in this vehicle, which is an upgrade from years past. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto..."

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto let you connect your phone to the car’s screen without plugging it in, so you can use apps like maps and music safely while driving.

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Term

digital gauge cluster

"...And you get a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, which isn't all that configurable, but it does display a lot of information..."

A digital gauge cluster is a screen in front of the driver that shows important information about the car, like how fast you’re going or how much gas you have, instead of old-fashioned dials.

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Term

blind spot monitoring

"...This vehicle also has a good amount of safety equipment, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control..."

Blind spot monitoring is a system in the car that watches the areas you can’t see when driving and warns you if another car is there, so you don’t accidentally hit it.

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Term

adaptive cruise control

"...This vehicle also has a good amount of safety equipment, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control..."

Adaptive cruise control is a feature that helps keep your car at a safe distance from the car in front of you by slowing down or speeding up automatically.

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Term

rear cross-traffic alerts

"...This vehicle also has a good amount of safety equipment, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control..."

Rear cross-traffic alerts help you when backing out of a parking spot by warning you if a car is coming from the side that you might not see.

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Term

all-wheel drive

"It is the TX550H Plus with all-wheel drive, and this is a plug-in hybrid. This offers three rows of seating. In this configuration, seating for just six, I'd rather see a seven-seater, but that's me if I'm going to have a vehicle this large. 404 horsepower, that's good. Standard all-wheel drive."

All-wheel drive means the car sends power to all four wheels, helping it grip the road better, especially when it's slippery.

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Toyota Grand Highlander
Elise240SX (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Toyota Grand Highlander

"...tting harder to justify the price upgrade over a Grand Highlander at this point. The Toyota is very nice. Yeah. So..."

The Toyota Grand Highlander is a big SUV that can fit more people and stuff than the regular Highlander. It’s good for families who want a reliable and roomy car.

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Concept

North American Car of the Year

"I was going to say, let's talk about North American Car of the Year a little bit. I feel kind of vindicated here and I was three for three in my picks this year."

This is a yearly award that picks the best new cars in North America, decided by car experts and reviewers.

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Dodge Charger
Ermell (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Dodge Charger

"...ut. I was, I would say, a strong supporter of the Charger. I thought the whole multi-energy platform was a..."

The Dodge Charger is a big car that can go really fast and is fun to drive. It looks sporty but can also be used for regular driving every day. People talk about it because it mixes power with comfort.

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Honda Prelude
Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Honda Prelude

"...t at the Nactoy Drive in the fall. I thought the Prelude might give it a run for its money just because Ho..."

The Honda Prelude was a small, sporty car that was fun to drive and looked cool. Even though they don’t make it anymore, many people still like it because it was reliable and handled well on the road.

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Ford Lobo
Anonymousfox36 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Lobo

"...rise, I was a little surprised about the Maverick Lobo, not because there's anything wrong with it, but..."

The Ford Lobo is a big truck sold in Mexico that is very strong and can carry heavy loads. It’s like the Ford F-150 truck you might see in the U.S.

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Ford Maverick
dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Car

Ford Maverick

"..., no surprise, I was a little surprised about the Maverick Lobo, not because there's anything wrong with it..."

The Ford Maverick is a small truck that doesn’t cost too much and can save gas because it uses a mix of gas and electricity. It’s good for people who want a truck that’s easy to drive and useful for many jobs.

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Hyundai Palisade
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Hyundai Palisade

".... So I guess what's old is new again, right? And Palisade, I kind of thought was going to be a walk-off. I ..."

The Hyundai Palisade is a big SUV that can fit lots of people and has nice features inside. It’s a good choice for families who want a comfortable and modern car to drive around.

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Nissan Leaf
EurovisionNim (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Nissan Leaf

"...d I thought, based on what it was up against, the leaf, I would argue, wasn't even really a crossover. ..."

The Nissan Leaf is a car that runs only on electricity, so it doesn’t use gas. It’s good for driving in the city and was one of the first electric cars many people could buy.

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Chevrolet Equinox
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Chevrolet Equinox

"...th a real just home run, like, I think the Chevy Equinox is a great example of a EV that was really good a..."

The Chevrolet Equinox is a small SUV that lots of people like because it’s easy to drive and useful for families. There’s also an electric version that doesn’t use gas and is good for everyday driving.

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Term

hybrids

"Well, on the mileage front, I will say I think it depends on the vehicle and maybe hybrids, electrics and plug-in hybrids would struggle with it a little bit more, especially if the wheels are wider than they were to begin with."

Hybrids are cars that use both gas and electricity to help save fuel and pollute less.

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Cadillac Escalade
Baron Maddock (CC BY 4.0)
Car

Cadillac Escalade

"...ng said, some of the newer SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade, the Defender Octa that I tested a few weeks ago..."

The Cadillac Escalade is a big, fancy SUV that many people buy because it looks nice and has a lot of luxury features. It’s powerful and comfortable, making it popular for those who want a high-end vehicle.

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20 cars featured

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