Episode 443: 2026 Chevrolet Equinox, 2026 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
About this episode
The hosts kick off with a funny debate about whether USB drives degrade over time, then swap real-life electronics mishaps—like a key fob surviving a wave pool and the practicalities of drying/washing fobs. The main reviews cover the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox and the 2026 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The Equinox earns praise for styling, cabin design, space, and usable AWD, but gets criticized for infotainment/controls, voice-command login requirements, and a somewhat underwhelming turbo feel. The Sonata Hybrid is praised for standout design, comfort, and features, but criticized for a dated-feeling hybrid powertrain and less-than-exciting driving smoothness. They also discuss the shrinking sedan and hybrid markets.
The Unnamed Automotive Podcast has a couple of car reviews this week to share, but not before discussing things like wet keyfobs, pond entry/exit, and Canadian Tire clearance sales! The show eventually gets to the point and Benjamin reviews the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. Not the electric one, but the gas model that faces off against a meaty segment full of favorites like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Bronco Sport. Benjamin has a lot to say about Chevy's plucky crossover, and Sami has a few things to add, but is this oft-forgotten rival worth checking out in such a crowded segment?
Then Sami shares his review of the 2026 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, one of the few sedans out there, and with its own fair share of pros and cons. How can one reasonably pick this over something like the Camry or Accord? Sami explains where the Sonata sings and where it falls flat. Thanks for listening!
Toyota Prius
"Yeah, of course. I did it one time with a Prius V. And this was a car key fob."
The Toyota Prius is a car that uses both a gas engine and an electric motor. That combination helps it use less fuel than many regular cars. The podcast mentions it because someone washed the Prius key fob.
The Toyota Prius is a compact hybrid car known for using an electric motor alongside a gasoline engine to improve fuel economy. It’s often discussed because it helped popularize mainstream hybrid ownership. In the podcast, it comes up in the context of a key fob being washed, which is a common real-world scenario for owners.
key card
"And a key card kind of thing."
A key card is like a modern “key” that you keep in your pocket or bag. The car can recognize it when you’re near, so you can unlock the doors without taking out a key.
A key card is a proximity-access credential used for locking/unlocking and sometimes starting a vehicle without inserting a traditional key. Many modern cars use this kind of system to make daily access easier.
drip dry
"I hang it up in the locker so it can like drip dry. [188.7s] Oh, yeah, that's the way most electronics need to be."
“Drip dry” means you let the device dry by letting water run off, instead of using a hair dryer or heater. That helps prevent damage to the electronics inside.
“Drip dry” is a practical drying approach for electronics: let water drain off naturally rather than forcing heat. For key fobs and phones, excessive heat can warp plastic housings or damage internal seals and electronics.
Chevrolet Equinox
"So the Equinox is the entry level SUV for Chevrolet. If you if you need all wheel drive, because there's there's a sub... And then you have the Equinox, which is larger than both of those two vehicles."
The Chevrolet Equinox is one of Chevrolet’s smaller SUVs, but it’s bigger than their tiniest SUV options. Think of it as the “step up” SUV in the lineup.
The Chevrolet Equinox is Chevrolet’s entry-level SUV in this lineup. In the compact-SUV segment, it sits above smaller subcompact models like the Chevrolet Trax and Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Chevrolet Trailblazer
"The trailblazer is the next thing you can buy, which is another subcompact. It's another subcompact, but it's different... Whereas if you know, but philosophically, a tracks is a lifted hatchback... a trailblazer is trying to be a small SUV in the sense that it's chunkier looking."
The Chevrolet Trailblazer is a small SUV that’s meant to be tougher-looking than the smaller Trax. It’s basically the next size up in Chevrolet’s SUV lineup.
The Chevrolet Trailblazer is positioned as the next step up from the Trax, described as a subcompact SUV. The speaker contrasts it with the Trax’s “lifted hatchback” philosophy, saying the Trailblazer aims to look and feel more rugged.
Chevrolet Blazer
"If you want to get weirder, you can also get a blazer, which is kind of midsize, but also kind of not because the true midsize is the Traverse, which is their three row option."
The Chevrolet Blazer is another Chevrolet SUV. They’re saying it’s hard to tell whether it’s “midsize” or “compact” because the sizes of these SUVs keep getting bigger.
The Chevrolet Blazer is a crossover SUV that GM markets as a midsize option, but its size can overlap with what some shoppers think of as “compact.” The hosts are pointing out how confusing the naming and sizing have become across the crossover lineup.
Chevrolet Traverse
"which is kind of midsize, but also kind of not because the true midsize is the Traverse, which is their three row option. So no, it's massive, though."
The Chevrolet Traverse is a bigger Chevrolet SUV with three rows of seats. They’re using it as the example of what they consider a real midsize family SUV.
The Chevrolet Traverse is GM’s three-row midsize crossover, positioned above smaller two-row crossovers. The hosts use it to explain their idea of what “true midsize” should mean—especially compared to the Blazer.
Bronco Sport
"It still has that chunky look. It still has that Bronco Sport. We can go anywhere we want to go as long as there's a dirt road."
The Ford Bronco Sport is a small SUV that’s marketed for outdoor adventures. In this conversation, it’s being used as a style comparison for the Equinox’s rugged look.
The Ford Bronco Sport is a compact SUV designed with an outdoors-focused image and available off-road-oriented features. Here, the host compares the Equinox’s “chunky” styling to the Bronco Sport’s look, not necessarily its actual capability.
turbocharger (turbo)
"So it's a it's a turbo for some torque, apparently. ... So this is a turbo so that the torque band is lower..."
A turbocharger is a device that helps the engine make more power by forcing extra air into it. In this segment, it’s discussed as a way to get stronger torque without revving as high.
A turbocharger uses exhaust energy to spin a compressor, forcing more air into the engine for more power. Here, the host is discussing the Equinox’s “turbo for some torque” and how that affects the torque curve compared with naturally aspirated engines.
frost heaps
"There's I'm in the season of frost heaps right now. The roads are very uneven because the roads are all thawing at different rates."
Frost heaves are those lumpy bumps you get when the ground freezes and thaws. They can make the ride feel rough and cause the car to bounce.
“Frost heaves” are bumps and uneven pavement caused by freeze-thaw cycles in the ground. As the roadbed expands and contracts, it can create persistent lumps that make cars bounce and feel unsettled.
steering is somewhat heavy
"The steering is somewhat heavy. It's not a handler."
Heavy steering means it takes more effort to turn the wheel. That can feel steady when driving fast, but it can be tiring when parking or driving slowly.
“Heavy” steering means higher effort is required to turn the wheel, which can be due to steering assist calibration, steering geometry, or tire grip. It can feel more stable at speed but less effortless in low-speed maneuvers.
infotainment system
"But nitpicking, I don't like the fact that light controls are in the infotainment system now. This is true of a lot of general."
The infotainment system is the big screen in the car that runs the menus. If the headlight controls are inside that screen, it can take more steps than using a simple button.
The infotainment system is the car’s main screen and software interface for media, navigation, phone, and increasingly vehicle settings. When light controls move into it, you may need extra taps/menus instead of using a dedicated physical switch.
Android Auto
"If you have Android Auto attached, for example, there's two ways to access voice commands in this vehicle."
Android Auto lets you connect your Android phone to the car so you can use things like maps and voice control on the car’s screen. In this segment, the key point is that voice commands work differently depending on whether you’re using the car’s built-in system or Android Auto.
Android Auto is a smartphone-to-car system that mirrors compatible apps and features onto a vehicle’s infotainment screen. It can also handle voice commands through the phone’s connection, depending on how the car’s software is set up.
load floor
"The cargo area is also perfectly fine, no issues there. The load floor is at a good level as well."
The load floor is the bottom of the trunk where you place items. If it’s at a good height, it’s easier to load and unload your stuff.
The “load floor” is the height of the cargo floor relative to the ground and the trunk opening. A lower or well-positioned load floor makes loading easier and can reduce how much you have to lift items.
GM
"because I think, you know, as always, I think GM's major, major killer feature in any of its vehicles is Super Cruise."
GM stands for General Motors, the company that makes cars like Chevrolet. In this segment, they’re saying GM’s Super Cruise is a big selling point.
GM is General Motors, the automaker behind brands like Chevrolet and Cadillac. In this discussion, the host frames GM’s Super Cruise as a major differentiator that can influence how much buyers are willing to pay.
Hyundai Tucson
"Tucson comes with a hybrid powertrain and so does the Kia version, the Sportage."
The Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV. Here it’s brought up because it’s offered with a hybrid option.
The Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV referenced as having a hybrid powertrain. This matters because hybrid variants can change the driving feel, packaging, and fuel-economy focus compared with the standard gas-only setup.
Kia Sportage
"and so does the Kia version, the Sportage. I think the Nissan Rogue is gonna come with a hybrid."
The Kia Sportage is another compact SUV. The point here is that it also offers a hybrid version.
The Kia Sportage is mentioned as offering a hybrid powertrain alongside the Hyundai Tucson. In the compact-SUV segment, hybrid availability is a key differentiator for buyers focused on efficiency and lower fuel costs.
plug-in hybrid
"What was the plug-in hybrid Cadillac? I think there was a CT6 PHEV, wasn't there? ... But not a plug-in hybrid."
A plug-in hybrid is part electric and part gas. You can plug it in to charge the battery, and it can still use gas when you need more range.
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and a battery you can charge externally. This lets the car drive on electricity for shorter trips, while still having the long-range flexibility of a gas engine.
Ford Maverick
"We have talked about that stupid truck so much, that Maverick, sorry, I shouldn't call it stupid."
The Ford Maverick is a smaller pickup truck that was meant to be relatively affordable. The hosts are saying that even though it started cheap, the price went up.
The Ford Maverick is a compact pickup marketed as an affordable, mainstream truck. The conversation highlights how its “affordable” positioning can be undermined by price increases over time.
Kia Carnival
"You know, whether or not you want a Sierra or a Pacifica [2355.6s] or an Odyssey or a Carnival, right?"
The Kia Carnival is a minivan from Kia. It’s aimed at families and competes with other popular minivans, often with a focus on value and features.
The Kia Carnival is a mainstream minivan that competes with the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna by offering a family-friendly layout and strong value. It’s often discussed as a more stylish alternative within the minivan segment.
hybrid segment
"And especially in the hybrid segment [2380.1s] where you can get those in multiple trim levels."
The hybrid segment means cars that use both a gas engine and an electric system to improve fuel economy. When hybrids come in many trim levels, shoppers have more choices to match their needs.
The hybrid segment is the portion of the market where buyers prioritize fuel economy and reduced gasoline use. In this context, the speaker notes that hybrids are offered across multiple trims, which affects how shoppers compare options and pricing.
body-on-frame vehicle
"okay, here's a body on-frame vehicle. It has to look this way, but it's disappointing. It has to fit these proportions with the new platform."
Body-on-frame means the car has a sturdy “skeleton” frame underneath, and the body sits on top. It’s often used on trucks, and it can make it harder to make the shape look as sleek as unibody designs.
A body-on-frame vehicle uses a separate structural frame with the body mounted on top. This architecture is common on trucks and some SUVs because it can handle heavy-duty use, but it can also constrain how designers package proportions and styling.
powertrain
"I think there's nothing really modern about this powertrain, [2861.8s] which is probably the worst thing I can say about it."
The powertrain is everything that provides motion—like the gas engine, electric parts, and the gear system. The speaker is saying it doesn’t feel like the newest technology.
“Powertrain” is the combined set of components that make the car move—engine, electric motor(s), transmission, and related control systems. The speaker’s critique is that the Sonata Hybrid’s powertrain doesn’t feel especially modern.
car seat
"somebody who has somebody who has to you know, chuck a kid into a car seat or put a stroller into the trunk,"
A car seat is the child safety seat you install in a vehicle. The speaker is talking about how the car’s height and trunk access can make it easier or harder to use.
A child safety seat (“car seat”) is central to the speaker’s practicality argument. Vehicle height and seat/trunk access affect how much bending and lifting are required when putting a child in or out.
trunk
"or put a stroller into the trunk, not having a large like that carrying"
The trunk is the storage area in the back of the car. How high it is and how it opens can make loading things easier or harder.
The trunk is where the speaker is focusing the practicality comparison. Trunk height, opening size, and access angle can strongly influence how easy it is to load bulky items like strollers.
sedans
"I think that’s what I want to talk about. I want more sedans."
A sedan is a car with a separate trunk. The host is saying they want more of them because they can be easier to live with than SUVs for some people.
Sedans are being discussed as an alternative to SUVs, especially for comfort and ease of use. The speaker’s point is that sedan packaging and access can reduce strain during daily routines like loading a child seat.
key fobs
"Reach out to us or your key fobs or your key fob. If you have your pond, if you have a key fob lost story"
A key fob is the small remote you use to lock/unlock your car. The host is inviting people to share stories about key fobs, like losing one or having trouble with it.
Key fobs are the wireless remotes used to lock/unlock and often start modern cars. The episode’s call-to-action suggests listeners may share stories related to key fob issues or experiences.
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