Lexus RX 450h Plus
The Lexus RX 450h Plus is an SUV that can use electricity sometimes, but it also has a gas engine. That makes it a “hybrid with a plug,” so you may be able to drive part of your day without using gas.
PHEV
PHEV means “plug-in hybrid.” It’s a car that can run on electricity from a battery, but it also has a gas engine for longer trips.
oversized Lexus grille
The grille is the front opening on the car. It helps the engine stay cool, and when it’s “oversized” it’s mostly a bold design change you can see right away.
high-mounted headlights
High-mounted headlights are just headlights placed higher up on the car’s front. It can change both the style and how the light aims down the road.
arrow windshield
An “arrow windshield” is a way of describing the windshield’s shape—more angled and sporty-looking rather than flat. It’s mainly about the car’s styling.
built-in sunshade
A built-in sunshade is a built-in cover for glass to block sun and reduce glare. It helps keep the cabin cooler and more comfortable.
instrument cluster
The instrument cluster is the screen(s) behind the steering wheel that show your speed and important warnings. It’s where the driver checks the car’s status.
infotainment screen
The infotainment screen is the main display for things like music, maps, and phone features. If controls are mostly on it, you may have to look at it more while driving.
volume knob
A volume knob is a dial you turn to change the audio volume. It’s handy because you can usually adjust it without looking away.
combined horsepower
Combined horsepower is the total power number the car advertises from both the gas engine and the electric motor. It’s a single “how strong is it” figure that blends the two systems.
CVT transmission
CVT means the car doesn’t have traditional gears. It smoothly changes the ratio as you drive, which can feel different than a normal automatic.
miles per gallon electric
For plug-in hybrids, they sometimes convert electric driving into an MPG-style number. It’s a way to compare “how far you go” using electricity versus gas.
gasoline only
Gasoline only means you’re driving using just the gas engine, not the electric battery. It usually gets worse fuel economy than when you can drive on electricity.
full hybrid version
A full hybrid is a car that uses gas and electricity together. It can often run on the electric motor by itself for short periods, and the battery is recharged while you drive.
per-charge daily range
They’re talking about whether your daily driving fits within what the car can do before needing more charge. If your commute is short enough, the electric part can cover most of your day.
top-of-the-line trim
“Top-of-the-line trim” means the most fully equipped version of that model. It usually includes the most features and costs the most.
non-hybrid
“Non-hybrid” means the car doesn’t have a hybrid system. It uses regular gas power rather than combining gas and electric drive.
2026 Chevy Equinox EV
This is the electric version of the Chevrolet Equinox, a small SUV meant for daily driving. The host is reviewing the 2026 model and talking about what’s different about the EV version, especially the look and trim options.
trim levels
A trim level is like a “version” of the same car. Different versions include different features, so the RS may have more equipment than the lower LT trims.
slit lighting
Slit lighting means the headlights or light strips are shaped like thin lines. It’s a design choice that helps the car look recognizable from the front.
faux grille
A faux grille is a fake-looking grille that’s there for style. Since this is an electric car, it doesn’t need a real engine-cooling grille the same way a gas car does.
21-inch wheels
21-inch wheels are bigger wheels than what many cars come with. Bigger wheels often make the ride feel a bit firmer and can change how the car handles bumps.
two-tone paint
Two-tone paint means the car has two different colors—usually one for the body and a different one for the roof. The host is saying they don’t personally like that look.
two wood panels
The host is talking about interior trim that looks like wood. It’s there to make the cabin feel nicer and more upscale.
column shift
A column shift means the gear lever is on the steering column, not on the dashboard or center console. It’s mainly about where the shifter is located and how the interior is arranged.
infotainment controls
Infotainment controls are the buttons/knobs or screen menus you use for things like music, navigation, and phone features. Good controls make it easier to use those features without fumbling.
Evotex
Evotex is a man-made seat material used instead of leather. It’s meant to feel nicer than cloth and be easier to clean and live with.
EV drivetrain
An EV drivetrain is everything that helps the electric power reach the wheels. It’s the EV’s version of the engine-and-gear system, but without the usual gears.
electric motor
An electric motor is the EV’s main power source that turns electricity into motion. It’s what actually makes the car move.
direct drive transmission
Direct drive means the EV sends power to the wheels without traditional gear changes. It’s one of the reasons EVs feel smooth and responsive.
tow rating
Tow rating is the maximum weight a vehicle is approved to tow under specified conditions. It depends on the vehicle’s cooling capacity, braking, drivetrain strength, and sometimes battery and thermal management in EVs.
MPG
MPG means “miles per gallon.” It’s a way to say how far a car can go using one gallon of gas. Higher MPG usually means you spend less on fuel.
kilowatts per 100 miles
For EVs, this is a measure of how much electricity the car uses to go a set distance—here, 100 miles. If the number is lower, the car is more efficient and costs less to drive.
kWh
kWh is the unit for electrical energy. For an EV, it’s how you measure battery capacity and how much electricity the car uses while driving. More kWh used for the same distance usually means less efficiency.
EPA rated range
EPA rated range is the official estimate of how far an EV can go on a full charge, based on standardized testing. Your actual range may be lower or higher depending on how and where you drive.
front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive means the front wheels do the work of moving the car. It can be efficient and is often simpler than driving all four wheels.
long range version
A long-range EV version is the one meant to go farther on a charge. It usually uses a bigger battery, which can cost more but improves range.
basetrim price
Base trim price is the starting price for the simplest version of a car. Options and add-ons usually make the final price higher.
Price is tested
“Price is tested” means the real price of the exact car they reviewed, not the cheapest version. The number can be higher because that specific car includes options.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is an electric SUV. The host brings it up mainly to compare EV prices with other models.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an electric SUV. The host mentions it because it starts at a lower price than some of the other EVs being compared.
Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition is a big, full-size SUV. It’s built more like a truck, so it’s designed to be sturdy and capable, and the host is talking about the 2025 model and different trim levels.
4x4
“4x4” means power goes to all four wheels. It helps the SUV grip better when roads are wet, snowy, or rough.
body-on-frame SUV
A body-on-frame SUV is built like a truck: there’s a strong frame underneath, and the body sits on it. That usually helps with towing and durability, though the ride can feel different than smaller “car-like” SUVs.
Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup truck. The host is saying the Expedition is built using a lot of the same basic “truck” parts and design, which affects how it feels and how capable it is.
fully redesigned for 2025
“Fully redesigned for 2025” means the 2025 version was changed a lot compared to the previous year. The host is saying the changes might not be obvious at a glance.
EcoBoost V6
EcoBoost is Ford’s way of making a smaller engine feel stronger by using turbochargers. A “V6” just means the engine has six cylinders.
10-speed automatic transmission
This is the car’s automatic gearbox, and “10-speed” means it has ten different gear settings. That can help the engine run more efficiently and smoothly.
miles per gallon city
This is a fuel-economy number based on city driving, where you stop and go more. It usually ends up lower than highway mileage.
diesel
Diesel is a different kind of engine than the usual gasoline setup. It often makes strong pulling power, which is why people consider it for towing.
Toyota Sequoia
The Toyota Sequoia is a big SUV. The host briefly brings it up as a comparison point, then shifts to reviewing other vehicles.
2026 Mazda3
The Mazda3 is a compact car, and this episode is reviewing the 2026 four-door sedan. The host also talks about different trim levels and the car’s styling details.
2.5 Turbo
“2.5 Turbo” means the car has a 2.5-liter engine and a turbocharger. The turbo helps the engine make more power than a non-turbo version of the same size.
all-wheel drive
All-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels. That can help with grip, especially on wet or slippery roads, and the host mentions it as part of certain Mazda3 trims.
shark grille
A “shark grille” is just a nickname for a front grille design that looks sharp and aggressive, like a shark’s face. Here, it’s describing how the Mazda3 looks at the front.
quickback design
“Quickback design” means the roofline slopes down toward the back fairly quickly. It’s a design choice that makes the car look sleeker, even though it’s a sedan.
four-cylinder engine
A four-cylinder engine is an engine with four working parts (cylinders) that create power. It’s a very common design in many SUVs because it can be efficient without being too expensive.
base model price
“Base model price” means the cheapest version of the car, before you add options. They’re pointing out that the price you see in ads can be much lower than what you end up paying for a fully equipped car.
tested price
“Tested price” is what that exact car costs with its specific options and trim. They’re using it to show that the car you test can cost way more than the starting price you see online.
Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra is a compact car that competes with models like the Civic and Corolla. They mention it because its starting price is very similar to the others they’re comparing.
sub-compact SUV
“Sub-compact SUV” means a smaller kind of SUV/crossover. It’s usually built for easier driving and parking in the city, and it’s roughly in the same size neighborhood as the Subaru Crosstrek.
crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is a common small SUV/crossover. They’re using it as a comparison to say the vehicle they’re talking about is about the same size.
front fascia
The front fascia is basically the car’s front styling pieces—like the bumper and the area around the grille. It’s a big part of how the car looks at first glance.
EV-ish
They mean the car doesn’t look like the typical electric-vehicle design. Many EVs have a distinct front-end look, and this one avoids that style.
radiator
A radiator helps keep a gas engine from overheating by cooling the fluid that runs through it. Electric cars often don’t need the same big front grille opening for radiator cooling.
air intake
An air intake is the part that brings outside air into the car for cooling or for the systems that need airflow. They’re saying this one still has an intake-like feature up front.
fastback rear hatch
A fastback rear hatch refers to a body shape where the roofline slopes smoothly down toward the rear, often integrated with a hatchback. This styling is commonly used to give a sportier silhouette even on a hatchback SUV.
C pillar
The C-pillar is the vertical support on the side of the car behind the rear door. They’re saying the door handle is hidden there for a cleaner look.
dual horizontal foam chargers
They’re talking about having two charging spots up front. That way, both people in the car can plug in their phones at the same time.
fastback design
A fastback is a car shape where the roof slopes down toward the back. It can look sleek, but it sometimes makes the back seats feel a bit more cramped.
kilowatthour high capacity lithium battery
In EVs, the battery’s size is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A bigger kWh battery usually means you can drive farther before needing to recharge.
dual motor
Dual motor means the EV has two electric motors. Usually one helps the front wheels and the other helps the rear wheels, which can improve grip and acceleration.
ground clearance
Ground clearance is how much space there is between the bottom of the car and the ground. More space helps the car handle rough roads without getting stuck or scraping.
wheelbase
Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear wheels. It affects how the car rides and handles; a shorter wheelbase can feel more nimble but may be less smooth on rough roads.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is a fully electric SUV. It’s mentioned as one of the main EV alternatives shoppers compare against.
plug-in hybrid
A plug-in hybrid is a car that can run on electricity and also has a gas engine. You can charge it like an EV, but it only goes so far on electricity before the gas engine helps out.
Kia Sportage plug-in hybrid electric
The Kia Sportage plug-in hybrid is an SUV that can run on electricity when you charge it, but it also has a gas engine for longer trips. The host’s takeaway is that charging it makes a big difference in real-world driving.
true EV
A “true EV” is a car that runs on electricity from a battery. If you don’t plug it in, you won’t have much electric range to use.
donut spare
A donut spare is a small spare tire meant for short-term use. The host is comparing that limited range to how far a plug-in hybrid can go on electricity before the gas engine needs to help.
2026 Mazda3
The 2026 Mazda3 is a small, everyday car from Mazda—specifically a compact sedan with four doors. The host notes that the current look started with a redesign in 2019, so it’s starting to feel a bit dated.
four-door compact sedan
This is a type of car body style: a small “compact” sedan with four doors. It usually means a normal trunk for luggage and easier access for rear passengers.
hatchback
A hatchback is a car where the back opens like a door, and the trunk and rear window are part of the same piece. It often makes it easier to load bigger items.
infotainment operation
That’s the car’s screen-and-button system for things like music, maps, and phone features. If it’s “too complicated,” it usually means it’s hard to figure out or takes too many steps to use.
torque
Torque is the engine’s “pulling power.” Higher torque usually helps the car feel stronger when you start moving or accelerate from slower speeds.
six-speed automatic
This is the car’s automatic gearbox with six different gear ratios. It shifts for you, aiming to balance smoothness, acceleration, and fuel economy.
miles per gallon highway
That’s the fuel economy estimate for highway driving—more steady speed and fewer stops. It’s usually better than city MPG for many vehicles.
combined at 27
“Combined” MPG is a single fuel economy number that averages city and highway driving. It’s the easiest way to compare how efficient different cars are overall.
hybrid offering
A hybrid version would use both a gas engine and an electric motor. The idea is to use less fuel, especially in stop-and-go driving.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a popular small car people buy for commuting and daily driving. Here, they’re using it as a price comparison against other similar cars.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a very common small car. In this part of the show, they mention its starting price to compare it with other cars in the same class.