Ep. 316: These Are The 2025 Cars That We LOVE And HATE!
About this episode
A lively discussion about the cars that the hosts loved and hated in 2025, featuring a mix of new and used vehicles. Highlights include the surprising enjoyment of the Toyota Supra and Land Rover Discovery, while the hosts express disappointment in the Nissan Rogue PHEV and Volvo EX30 for their lack of innovation and frustrating infotainment systems. The episode also covers personal stories, including paragliding adventures and experiences with various vehicles, making it a blend of automotive insights and entertaining anecdotes.
( https://www.alltfl.com/ ) Check out our new spot to find ALL our content, from news to videos and our podcasts! On this episode of TFL Car Chat, Tommy and Kase dive into their most liked and most disliked cars of the year, based on real seat time and honest impressions. Some of the standouts that impressed them include the Honda Passport TrailSport, the Cadillac Allanté, and the Dodge Viper, each for very different reasons ranging from capability to character and driving feel.
Not every car left a good impression, though. They also break down a few models that disappointed them, including the Nissan Rogue PHEV, Volvo EX30, and Toyota RAV4. They reflect on what made certain cars shine, why others fell flat, and what makes a vehicle feel like a hit or a miss.
( http://www.patreon.com/tflcar ) Visit our Patreon page to support the TFL team!
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Land Rover Discovery
"So a couple weeks ago, I bought this Land Rover Discovery one at the auction and had a nice bucket of coolants in the back, which I assumed the kind preview owner just left me."
The Discovery is a type of SUV made by the British company Land Rover. It’s big, can handle rough roads, and is often used for family trips or outdoor adventures.
The Land Rover Discovery is a mid-size SUV known for its off‑road capability and spacious interior, popular among families and adventure seekers.
head gasket
"And what's nice about your disco one, honestly, it needs head gasket."
A head gasket keeps the engine’s parts sealed so oil and coolant stay where they belong. If it breaks, the engine can overheat or lose power.
The head gasket is a seal between the engine block and cylinder head that prevents coolant, oil, and combustion gases from leaking. A damaged gasket can cause overheating, loss of compression, or coolant leaks.
torque wrench
"But what he was noticing is he actually used a torque wrench to pull the head gaskets,"
A torque wrench is a tool that lets you tighten bolts to exactly the right amount of force. It helps prevent over‑tightening or under‑tightening, which can cause parts to fail.
A torque wrench is a specialized tool that applies a specific amount of rotational force to fasteners, ensuring they are tightened to manufacturer specifications.
oil pump
"He's going to put a new oil pump in it."
The oil pump is like a small motor that pushes engine oil through the car so all parts stay slick and don’t wear out too fast.
An oil pump circulates engine oil under pressure to lubricate moving parts, remove heat, and keep the engine running smoothly.
6L80
"So because the 6L80 is so heavily dependent on electronics and computers and that stupid techum that lives inside of the transmission,"
The 6L80 is a six‑speed automatic gearbox made by GM. It uses computer software to decide when and how fast it shifts, so fixing it often needs special tools and knowledge.
The 6L80 is a six-speed automatic transmission produced by General Motors, commonly used in many GM vehicles. It relies heavily on electronic controls and software for shifting logic.
Corvette C6
"So this was a Corvette engine, a C6, right?"
The Corvette C6 is a popular American sports car that was made between 2005 and 2013. It’s known for its sleek design and strong engine options.
The Corvette C6 is the sixth generation of Chevrolet’s iconic sports car, produced from 2005 to 2013. It introduced a more modern chassis and improved performance over its predecessor.
4L80
"So yeah, it will, yeah, someone saying in 4L80 we trust,"
The 4L80 is a type of automatic gearbox made by GM. It’s used in many trucks and can handle a lot of power, so it’s popular for heavy-duty vehicles.
The 4L80 is a four-speed automatic transmission produced by General Motors, commonly used in trucks and SUVs. It’s known for its durability and ability to handle high torque loads.
manual transmission
"I mean, theoretically, every manual that I've ever taken out and put back into something is just so easy."
A manual transmission is a car gearbox where you shift gears yourself with a lever and clutch pedal, giving you more control over how the car moves.
A manual transmission, also known as a stick shift, requires the driver to manually engage gears using a clutch pedal and gear lever. It offers direct mechanical control over power delivery.
suspension
"[1370.4s] And I just, oh, I wish I could talk to that guy and prove to him that my suspension does work."
It’s the part that keeps your car from bouncing too much and helps it stay on the road when you turn or hit bumps.
Suspension refers to the system of springs, dampers, and linkages that connects a vehicle’s wheels to its chassis, controlling ride comfort and handling.
Telluride
"So the old Telluride did this thing when it launched. Gosh, that must have been like seven, eight years ago..."
The Telluride is a big SUV from Hyundai that seats seven and has a comfortable, high‑quality interior. It’s popular for family trips.
The Hyundai Telluride is a midsize SUV that debuted in 2019, known for its spacious interior and upscale design.
Palisade
"The new Palisade does that to like even the next level. So it just is such a next level in terms of a premium feeling thing to interact with."
The Palisade is a big SUV from Kia that seats up to eight people and feels like a luxury car for its price. It’s great for families.
The Kia Palisade is a midsize SUV introduced in 2020, offering three rows of seating and a premium feel at an affordable price.
vented hood
"[2542.6s] That vented hood with big nostrils."
A vented hood is a car top that has little holes or openings so hot air can leave the engine area. It keeps the engine from getting too hot and helps the car run smoother.
A vented hood is a car hood designed with openings or vents that allow hot air from the engine bay to escape, helping keep the engine cooler and reducing heat buildup inside the vehicle.
remote start
"[2562.6s] Every single time I walked up to it in a parking lot, I would do the remote start."
Remote start lets you turn on your car’s engine from far away, like with a key fob or phone app, so the car is warm and ready when you get in.
Remote start is a feature that allows the driver to start the vehicle’s engine from a distance using a key fob, smartphone app, or other wireless device before getting into the car.
Mercedes S-Class (R107)
"[2848.6s] So that was like the R107 and the R129 is the car that everyone's wounds over now."
The R107 is a big, fancy Mercedes sedan that was made in the 1990s. It’s known for its smooth ride and high quality interior.
The R107 is the internal code for the Mercedes‑Benz S‑Class produced from 1994 to 2001. It was a flagship luxury sedan with advanced technology for its time.
integrated roll hoop
"You know, it had that integrated roll hoop in the crash structure."
It’s like a built‑in safety bar that helps protect the car and its occupants if the vehicle rolls over or hits something on the side.
An integrated roll hoop is a structural element built into the car’s chassis that provides additional side‑impact protection and helps keep the vehicle rigid during a rollover. It is often part of a car’s safety cage.
Honda Passport Trail Sport
"I think the car I like the most this year that I've been really surprised about is the… Our long-term are actually the Honda Passport Trail Sport."
The Honda Passport Trail Sport is a type of SUV that can handle rough terrain. It has a strong engine and special features to help it go off the road.
The Honda Passport Trail Sport is a midsize SUV that was introduced in 2023. It features off‑road‑ready suspension, a rugged exterior package, and a powerful V6 engine.
amber running lights
"[3410.6s] I like the amber running lights a lot. [3412.6s] I prefer it with some cool accessories, including wheels, [3415.6s] ours has the little rock sliders that are kind of hidden."
These are the bright orange lights you see on a car’s front and back when it’s moving. They help other drivers see the car better, especially at night.
Amber running lights are the front and rear illumination units that glow amber when the vehicle is in motion, providing better visibility to other drivers while maintaining a distinctive aesthetic.
rock sliders
"[3412.6s] I prefer it with some cool accessories, including wheels, [3415.6s] ours has the little rock sliders that are kind of hidden. [3417.6s] Oh, yeah."
These are the small metal or plastic pieces that sit on the sides of a car to keep rocks and dirt from scratching the paint when you drive off‑road or on rough roads.
Rock sliders are protective panels mounted on the lower sides of a vehicle’s body, designed to shield the paint and underbody from rocks, gravel, and debris during off‑road or aggressive driving.
skid plates
"It's got skid plates underneath, pretty aggressive tires"
Skid plates are like a car’s armor for the bottom. They protect important parts from rocks or bumps when you drive off-road.
Skid plates are protective metal or composite panels mounted under a vehicle’s chassis to shield critical components—such as the engine, transmission, and suspension—from damage when driving over rough terrain or debris.
all-wheel drive system
"Good all-wheel drive system all around"
AWD means the car can send power to all four wheels at once, so it’s better on slippery or uneven roads.
An all-wheel drive (AWD) system distributes power to all four wheels simultaneously, improving traction and stability in various driving conditions such as rain, snow, or off-road.
Tesla
"Tesla was definitely figuring things out at this point because this car was a 2012. 2014."
Tesla makes cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline. They’re famous for their high-tech features and fast acceleration.
Tesla, Inc. is an American automotive and energy company known for producing electric vehicles such as the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y.
hybrid
"Yeah, they're all hybrids. They're all hybrids standard."
A hybrid car uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor to help it use less gas and produce fewer pollutants.
A hybrid vehicle combines an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
digital instrument cluster
"I remember the first time I saw a digital instrument cluster was on an L322 Range Rover in 2009 or eight."
Instead of the old round dials, a digital instrument cluster shows all the car’s information on a screen inside the dashboard.
A digital instrument cluster replaces traditional analog gauges with a screen that displays speed, RPM, fuel level, and other vehicle data in a customizable format.
Jeep
"Wagonier still has that Jeep association for anyone that remembers the name Wagonier, they remember it as being the Jeep and being slightly rugged"
Jeep is a car brand that makes trucks and SUVs that can go off-road, like the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. They’re known for being tough and able to handle rough terrain.
Jeep is an American automotive brand famous for off-road vehicles like the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, and Wagoneer, known for ruggedness and versatility.
Silverado EV
"Now, there are some things that the Silverado EV does fairly well. ... So there are some things that this vehicle does really well."
The Silverado EV is a truck made by Ford that runs on electricity instead of gas, so it doesn’t need to refuel at a gas station.
The Ford Silverado EV is an all-electric version of the popular midsize pickup truck, offering a large cargo bed and modern technology while eliminating gasoline use.
Sierra EV
"And this one was actually a Sierra EV. The same thing."
The Sierra EV is a smaller electric truck from Ford, good for city driving and short trips.
The Ford Sierra EV is the all-electric version of the smaller, compact pickup truck, designed for urban use with a shorter wheelbase and lighter weight.
Volvo
"The infotainment system is so difficult in this Volvo"
Volvo makes cars that are popular for being safe and having a clean look. They’re also moving into electric vehicles.
Volvo is a Swedish automaker known for safety, understated design, and increasingly electric models.
infotainment system
"The infotainment system is so difficult in this Volvo"
It’s the screen or panel inside the car that lets you play music, use GPS, and adjust things like temperature.
The infotainment system is the car’s electronic interface that controls navigation, media, and vehicle settings.
Whipple
"that we saw at SEMA with the bigger 3-liter Whipple."
Whipple makes small, powerful devices that squeeze more air into an engine to make it run faster. They’re popular with people who want a quick boost in power without changing the engine itself.
Whipple is a manufacturer of high-performance superchargers and related components, known for producing compact, efficient forced-induction systems used in many aftermarket builds.
supercharger
"Supercharger on it."
A supercharger is a machine that forces extra air into the engine, so it can burn more fuel and make more power. It’s like giving the car a bigger breathing room.
A supercharger is a mechanically driven device that compresses air entering an engine, increasing oxygen and allowing more fuel to be burned for higher power output.
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