Episode 431: 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
About this episode
A lively discussion kicks off with hosts Sami Haj Asad and Benjamin Hunting reflecting on listener feedback about Chrysler's minivan lineup. They dive into the new 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S, exploring its design, performance, and pricing, while debating its positioning in the luxury EV market. The conversation shifts to the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, highlighting its spaciousness and unique 'baby mode' feature aimed at easing driving for parents. The episode wraps up with a light-hearted look at holiday sentiments and the challenges of winter driving.
Dodge Grand Caravan
"[129.1s] Grand Caravan, they just called it that in Canada because the brand equity was there. [133.7s] But it's only funny because the Grand Caravan was a Dodge nameplate, right?"
The Grand Caravan is a family minivan made by Dodge. It’s known for having lots of room inside and being easy to drive.
The Dodge Grand Caravan is a minivan that was produced by the American automaker Dodge, part of the Chrysler Group. It was popular in North America for its spacious interior and practicality.
Stellantis
"[140.0s] Well, Stellantis is determined to remove as many vehicles from the Dodge lineup as possible. [145.1s] Currently, they sell two vehicles."
Stellantis is a big car company that owns many brands, including Dodge and Jeep. It was created when two large companies joined together.
Stellantis is the multinational automotive company formed in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Peugeot S.A. (PSA). It owns brands like Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and many others.
Durango
"[149.9s] Yeah, gotcha. And the Durango? [152.3s] Yeah, I consider the Durango."
The Durango is a big family car made by Ford. It can seat up to seven people and has room for lots of cargo.
The Ford Durango is a midsize SUV that has been produced since 2001. It offers three rows of seating and is known for its spacious interior.
Challenger
"[153.6s] But you don't consider the Challenger and Charger two different cars? [156.3s] The Challenger doesn't exist anymore."
The Challenger is a big, fast car made by Dodge. It looks like older muscle cars and can be very powerful.
The Dodge Challenger is a classic American muscle car introduced in 1970. It has a retro design and powerful V8 options.
Charger
"[157.7s] Is it not a Charger? [160.5s] And there's a four-door Charger?"
The Charger is a big, fast sedan made by Dodge. It has four doors and can be very powerful, just like the Challenger.
The Dodge Charger is a full‑size sedan that shares its platform with the Challenger. It offers four doors and similar performance options.
EV
"[270.3s] A new new EV? [271.8s] Yeah."
An EV is a car that uses electricity from batteries to drive its motor, so it doesn’t need gasoline.
EV stands for Electric Vehicle, a car that runs primarily on electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries instead of internal combustion engines.
Jeep Compass
"And the vehicle you drove, was it a Compass?"
The Jeep Compass is a small SUV that looks like a mix of a car and a truck. It’s good for everyday driving and can handle light off‑road adventures.
The Jeep Compass is a compact crossover SUV produced by the American automaker Jeep. It combines off‑road heritage with modern amenities, making it popular for families and urban drivers.
Jeep Wagoneer
"Let's think about all of the Wagoneers that have been in production and what they look like and behave like and compare it to what this vehicle is."
The Jeep Wagoneer is a big, comfortable SUV that can handle rough terrain. It’s like a mix of a regular Jeep and a luxury car, with a strong engine and lots of space.
The Jeep Wagoneer is a full‑size luxury SUV that debuted in 1970 and was revived in the 2020s. It combines Jeep’s off‑road heritage with upscale interior features and a powerful V8 engine.
Dodge Avenger
"Whereas Avenger was just, you know, it was a Dodge that was based on a Mitsubishi platform."
The Dodge Avenger was a regular family car that shared parts with Mitsubishi cars. It had a roomy inside but many owners reported problems and it didn’t score well on crash tests.
The Dodge Avenger was a mid‑size sedan produced from 2002 to 2011, built on a platform shared with Mitsubishi vehicles. It was known for its spacious interior but suffered from reliability issues and poor safety ratings.
Ford Wagoneer
"This vehicle is nothing like the Wagoneer that's in my garage, which is super old and has wood paneling."
The Wagoneer is a big, sturdy SUV made by Ford. It has a strong frame that supports the body, which is why it can carry lots of people and cargo.
The Ford Wagoneer is a full‑size, body‑on‑frame SUV that has been produced in various generations since the 1960s. It is known for its large interior space and traditional truck‑style chassis.
Cadillac Escalade IQ
"The Cadillac Escalade IQ is closer to the Cadillac Escalade, but it isn't a one-to-one transformation. No, it's bigger."
The Escalade IQ is a big, fancy SUV from Cadillac that can run on electric power for short distances. It’s like the regular Escalade but with a battery and electric motor to help save fuel.
The Cadillac Escalade IQ is a plug‑in hybrid version of the flagship Cadillac Escalade SUV, offering electric power for short trips while retaining the large size and luxury features of its gasoline sibling.
three-row SUV
"But more importantly, it's still a three row."
A three-row SUV can seat nine people: one row at the front and two rows behind it. It’s a big car that can carry lots of passengers or cargo.
A three-row SUV has seating for up to nine passengers, with three separate rows of seats. This layout is common in large family vehicles and offers ample cargo space.
seven-slot grille
"What is your interpretation of the seven slot grille?"
A seven‑slot grille is a front part of the car with seven gaps or openings. Jeep uses this design on many cars to make them look like a Jeep.
The seven‑slot grille refers to a front bumper design featuring seven vertical openings, a signature styling cue used by Jeep on many of its models. It’s a visual hallmark that signals brand identity.
Grand Cherokee
"Other than the slots, this looks very much like a Grand Cherokee that's been put in a wind tunnel."
The Grand Cherokee is a popular SUV made by Jeep. It’s big enough for families but still good on rough roads.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a mid‑size SUV known for its blend of off‑road capability and on‑road comfort. It has been produced since 1993 in several generations, with the latest models featuring advanced safety and infotainment systems.
Grand Wagoneer
"It in no way resembles the slab sides of a Wagoneer or a Grand Wagoneer."
The Grand Wagoneer is the biggest and most luxurious Jeep SUV. It’s like a super‑big version of the Wagoneer with extra fancy stuff.
The Grand Wagoneer is the top‑tier version of Jeep’s full‑size SUV lineup, offering more luxury features and a larger body than the standard Wagoneer. It competes with other premium full‑size SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade.
rearview camera
"The only saving grace of this giant wing is the fact that the rearview camera is on the back of the wing in the middle."
A rearview camera is a small camera on the back of your car that shows you what’s behind you on a screen inside, so you can see obstacles without looking over your shoulder.
A rearview camera is a video system mounted on the back of a vehicle that streams live footage to a display inside the car, allowing drivers to see what’s behind them without turning around.
Pirelli
"There's a Pirelli tire you could order with it that drops the range to 273 miles."
Pirelli makes tires that help cars grip the road. Some models are designed for speed, others for everyday driving.
Pirelli is an Italian tire manufacturer known for producing high-performance and touring tires, often used on luxury and sports cars.
range estimator
"Well, I get in, and in the cold, the range estimator is showing 450 miles on a full charge."
A range estimator tells you how far your electric car can go before it needs to charge, using the data from how you've driven so far.
A range estimator is a feature in electric vehicles that predicts how many miles or kilometers the car can travel on its current battery charge, based on recent driving patterns and conditions.
preconditioning
"Preconditioning is when you warm up the battery, because when a battery is cold, it doesn't just discharge inefficiently."
Preconditioning means the car heats up its battery and interior before you start driving, so it charges faster and feels warmer.
Preconditioning is a feature in electric vehicles that warms the battery and cabin before driving, improving charging efficiency and comfort.
traction control
"So normally, when you have an EV, the traction control is really good at keeping these under control because it can just kill the electric motor instantaneously, right?"
Traction control helps a car stay on the road by stopping wheels from spinning too fast when you accelerate, especially in slippery conditions.
Traction control is a vehicle stability feature that monitors wheel speed and applies braking or reduces engine power to prevent wheels from spinning excessively during acceleration.
drift
"you can just spin it and drift it and do whatever you want."
Drifting is when the back of a car slides sideways while you’re driving, usually for fun or in racing. It’s a controlled spin.
Drift refers to intentionally oversteering a vehicle so that the rear wheels lose traction and slide sideways through a corner, while maintaining control.
Mustang
"And the amount of smoke they got was equivalent to like putting line lock on a Mustang."
The Mustang is a popular sports car from Ford that many people love for its speed and looks.
The Ford Mustang is a classic American muscle car known for its powerful engines and aggressive styling.
Jeep Recon (EV)
"[1489.2s] But there is going to be an EV called the Recon, but I think that's even more..."
The Recon is a future electric SUV from Jeep that will run on batteries instead of gasoline, aiming to be more environmentally friendly.
The Jeep Recon is an upcoming electric SUV that will be part of Jeep’s electrification strategy, expected to offer a modern, eco‑friendly alternative to traditional gasoline models.
kilowatt hour battery
"Now, when we get to the 200 kilowatt hour battery, there's a point of diminishing returns"
Think of the battery like a big rechargeable pack. The more kilowatt-hours it has, the farther your electric car can go before you have to plug it in again.
A battery measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) indicates its energy storage capacity; a larger kWh rating generally allows an electric vehicle to travel farther before needing a recharge.
torque motor
"I don't know, the torque motor, those motors seem to be able to keep up."
A torque motor is a special kind of electric motor that gives the car a big push when you press the gas, helping it speed up quickly.
A torque motor is an electric motor designed to produce high torque (rotational force) at low speeds, which is essential for strong acceleration and handling in electric vehicles.
EVs
"They're like, here's a whole bunch of EVs. One of these you're probably going to like."
EVs are cars that use electric power from batteries, so they don’t need gas. They’re becoming more common as people look for cleaner driving options.
EVs stands for electric vehicles, cars that run solely on electricity stored in batteries instead of gasoline.
Hyundai
"And we should probably talk about it because it's the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid."
Hyundai makes cars that are usually cheaper and still good quality, with many models having useful features.
Hyundai Motor Company is a South Korean automotive manufacturer known for producing affordable, reliable vehicles with modern technology.
hybrid powertrain
"along with a hybrid powertrain that achieves somewhere in the vicinity of, let's say, 231 horsepower"
It means the car uses both a gasoline engine and electric motors to move, so it can run on gas, electricity, or both.
A hybrid powertrain combines an internal‑combustion engine with one or more electric motors and a battery to provide propulsion, improving fuel economy and reducing emissions.
Elantra N
"Well, the N-line could, like, feasibly lead to an Elantra N—"
The Elantra N is a faster version of Hyundai’s small car, with a turbo engine and sporty upgrades that make it more fun to drive.
The Hyundai Elantra N is a high‑performance variant of the compact sedan, featuring a turbocharged engine, sport suspension, and aggressive styling. It’s part of Hyundai’s N performance line that also includes the i30 N, Veloster N, and others.
Kona N-line
"And there was a Kona N-line."
The Kona N‑line is a sportier version of the small SUV, with better handling and brakes but not as powerful as the full N model.
The Hyundai Kona N‑line is a sport trim of the compact SUV, featuring upgraded suspension, brakes, and styling cues that hint at performance potential. It does not include the full N‑series turbocharged engine but offers a more engaging driving experience than the base Kona.
Chrysler Pacifica
"you got mad at me because I mentioned the auto brake hold on the Pacifica."
The Pacifica is a big minivan made by Chrysler. It’s popular for families because it can seat many people and has a lot of room inside.
The Chrysler Pacifica is a full‑size minivan that has been produced since 2017. It’s known for its spacious interior and family‑friendly features.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.