The 2025 Subaru Forester is a small SUV that can drive on different types of roads. It has a hybrid version, which means it uses both gas and electricity to run, making it more efficient.
The Subaru Outback is a type of car that looks like a mix between a wagon and an SUV, and it's designed to handle rough roads and bad weather. It has all-wheel drive, which helps it grip the road better when it's slippery. People like it because it's safe and can carry a lot of gear for adventures.
CVT means Continuously Variable Transmission. It's a special kind of automatic transmission that helps the car use fuel more efficiently by changing gears smoothly without noticeable shifts.
MPG means 'miles per gallon.' It tells you how many miles a car can go using one gallon of gas. The higher the number, the less gas you need to drive a certain distance.
The EPA is a government agency that sets rules to protect the environment. They also provide information on how fuel-efficient cars are, which helps you know how much gas a car will use.
Suspension is the system in a car that helps it ride smoothly over bumps. It includes parts that support the car's weight and keep the tires on the ground.
The Mazda CX-50 is a small SUV that combines sporty driving with everyday usefulness. It's a good choice for people who want a fun car that can also carry things around.
The Kia Sportage is a small SUV that is comfortable and packed with tech features. It's a great option for those looking for a practical and affordable vehicle.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a type of SUV that uses both gas and electricity to run, making it more fuel-efficient and better for the environment. It's a great option if you want a vehicle that can handle both city driving and outdoor adventures.
Classic car collecting means buying and taking care of old cars that people think are special or valuable. You don't have to be rich to start collecting these cars; there are options for everyone.
Hot rods are old cars that have been changed to go faster and look cooler. People like to collect them because they can be really fun to drive and show off.
A muffler is a part of a car that makes it quieter by reducing engine noise. It's found in the exhaust system, which helps to get rid of gases from the engine.
Vintage cars are older cars that are usually at least 20 years old. They are often collected because they have a classic look and are part of automotive history.
'Numbers matching' means that the important parts of a car, like the engine and transmission, are the same ones that came with it when it was first made. This can make the car more valuable to collectors.
The Pontiac Torino is an older car that many people loved for its speed and cool looks. It was popular during a time when muscle cars were really exciting and fun to drive. Car fans talk about it because it's a classic and has a lot of history.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a classic American sports car that is known for being fast and stylish. It's been around for many years and is popular among car enthusiasts.
The Kia EV6 is a new electric car from Kia that looks like a sporty SUV. It's part of Kia's effort to make more electric vehicles, which are cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline.
The Renault Wind is a small car that can turn into a convertible, meaning you can take the roof off and enjoy the open air while driving. It's designed to be fun and sporty, making it a good choice for people who like to drive with the wind in their hair. It's not very common, so people talk about it for its unique style.
Trim levels are different versions of a car that come with various features. For example, one trim might have more technology or better wheels than another.
A direct drive automatic transmission helps the car move smoothly by connecting the motor directly to the wheels, making it easier to accelerate without changing gears.
The Ford Expedition is a big family vehicle that can carry a lot of people and their stuff. It's great for road trips and has a strong engine, which means it can pull trailers or go off the beaten path. People talk about it because it's roomy and useful for many activities.
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All right, timeout for this hour's car review. Mr. Mars, drove the 2025 Subaru Forester and hear his feelings about it. Yeah, so you did the Wilderness last week, so this is a little bit different. It is part of the 6GN, but this is new for 2025, and it's the Forester premium hybrid all-wheel drive. It is kind of more of a street car versus the Wilderness that we had last week.
There's only one assembly location in Japan, there's actually nine different Foresters, but there's only four hybrid premium sport limited in touring, and I had the hybrid for the week that I drove it. Now, this is a small hybrid sport utilities, ways classified, fits in between the cross track and the outback, fits in between those two different sizes if you're out looking at these.
It comes with LED headlights, with the automatic height adjustments, which I thought was rather different, and it also has the automatic on-off for the headlights if the Windisher wipers come on. If you turn them on, you're automatically getting headlights, which is kind of neat.
Heated exterior mirrors with a deicer, you might need that little up north, not too much down here in Houston, had a panoramic moonroof to get you more of that outside feeling, power rear liftgate with a hands-free foot activated clothes on it, and we were rolling on the 18-inch alloy wheels that come with that premium package.
Now, the interior, we had the premium cloth seats, which I liked it a lot better than the leather for this kind of vehicle. They are heated in the front seats, the second row seat is a 6040, it does recline, and it does fold.
Now, in front, we had a 12.3-inch LED digital gauge package, all the way across there, nice and big, you can see anything and everything, and it has 11.6-inch tablet-style multimedia touchscreen, and that's where you're going to find your navigation and all your infotainment systems.
It's got plenty of USB-C ports, it's got a wireless charge on it, I will say though the wireless charger, if you're driving there's nothing really to hold your phone in place, and it will slide on you a little bit, so just be aware of that.
You've got a rear cargo cover on it, so that you keep things out of sight, out of mind, whatever you've got cargo back there, and up under the hood is a 4-cylinder 2.5-liter flat four-boxer type motor with two electric motor generators, now this is where the hybrid system that comes in.
Now, combined, it puts out 194 horsepower, up from 180 on the regular gasoline-only engine. It is still backed by a CVT, but it does have a 6-speed manual mode on it that I kind of didn't mess with much, I didn't think it was...
Why? It has a tow rating of 1,500 pounds, MPG in the city, the EPA says you should look for about 35, highway 34, combined 35, now it has a 16.6 gallon tank, so that means you're going to get about a 580 mile range out of this vehicle with it even in the hybrid.
Now, I drove it 391.6 miles and got 32.3 miles to the gallon, a little bit lower than the rating on it, but I was well pleased with that by all means.
Now, the great thing about it is it's got wide opening doors to make it easy to get in and out, you don't have to climb down in it, you don't have to climb up in it like you do some vehicles.
It's also got an insulated front windshield that reduces the road noise, all the controls are easy.
Well, you know, some cars you've got to kind of style down into, and then you've got to climb down.
I just wanted to make sure that we're correct here, you said climb down into it.
Well, I've got to climb, it's either climb or fall, and usually it hurts when I fall, is this a...
Consistent where you're going, too.
It does have a little bit of a firm ride, but that's an all wheel drive and the suspension that's suspension that's set up for this vehicle, but it's not quite...
I don't think it's firm as the wilderness ride, but you know, you can have to be the judge of that.
Now, the base trim price on this vehicle is $38,015.
Now, the base model price, you can get into a Subaru Forester for $31,415.
Now, I did note that the premium, the MSRP, based on the premium, is $34,150.
But you go to the hybrid, the one that we're driving, and you're back up to that $38,015,
which means you're paying $3200 to get into that hybrid.
Fall into it.
Just something you've got to count on whenever you're calculating, deciding if you want to go that route.
The competitors, you're going to find you can go look at the Mazda CX-50 hybrid, $35,499 to start.
On the CRB, he's got a hybrid that starts at $36,045.
The key is Sportage, that's a hybrid, that's $30,185.
I've got a friend that's got a Sportage now, and he's looking to buy a new one, and he's seriously considering this hybrid.
I'd like to get my hands on one, just so we can kind of test it out a little bit more.
Toyota's even got a RAV4 hybrid.
So there's lots of things to look at, particularly in that small SUV.
If you're looking for a hybrid, there are plenty to look at there, plenty to choose from there.
And if you get a chance, drive the Subaru Forester Hybrid.
There you go.
Hey, you know what, Enwheel Time Car Talk Show continues right after a quick break.
Okay, time out for Jeff's car culture.
How to start a car collection.
You talked earlier that we've talked about a lot of the car collections around the world.
But catching is the...
Yeah.
Prior to purchasing cars, it's important to ask yourself questions like,
what type of collectibles can I afford?
Jay Leno recommends listening to your heart when beginning a car collection.
But you don't have his money.
So determine your storage solution before you start making any purchases you want to range storage locations.
Especially if you plan to build a collection of more than four vehicles.
Square footage location, security, that's all the factors that you really need to consider.
Despite popular misconceptions, classic car collecting isn't a hobby reserve for the rich and famous,
you can actually start a collection with hot rods and cars for under 10 grand.
So there's a market out there.
Establish your collection theme.
One of the tips for collecting is, what do you want to do?
It's got to be cohesive.
What sets your collection apart from the random assortment of vehicles?
If you're unsure where to begin, start with a muffler.
Start with a muffler.
Prior to purchasing cars, it's important to ask yourself like,
what am I more interested in?
Vintage, sports cars, hot rods, what type of collectibles can you afford?
So that's the main thing before you even get started.
Network with fellow collectors.
Be here at the looped towards you.
Are the car shows here?
Get guidance, get technical advice, get some things from the network people.
You're networking with other cars as well.
It's invaluable.
Don't forget to set a budget.
Get caught up with the excitement of the first car.
Soon to be a collector.
Could be a reckless purchase with no decision.
Before buying a collector car, build out your collection wish list.
Account for maintenance costs.
Is that car going to be maintained in that spot?
So you got to consider that as well.
And lastly, just ask questions.
Ask the questions that we all want to know about our hot rods.
So get involved in that network.
Find out what you're going to do.
Make a list.
Check it twice.
Start a collection.
Sure.
Yep.
Right.
All different kinds.
I don't know how many he's got.
Lots, lots.
Fill up the entire barn.
I don't know another guy.
That his car collection is originals, untouched originals.
All original.
Got to have the paperwork.
Yep.
Numbers matching.
The whole line.
It's all originals.
It's all he's got.
He's probably got 75.
All the originals.
One of them.
As a Ford GT.
A Ford GT that still has the original wrap on the seats.
Oh, yeah.
Oh, wow.
You open the door.
Everything's all still in plastic.
How much is that worth?
Wow.
Yeah.
Of course, I don't know how much it costs.
Probably a lot.
But those are the kind of things.
I got a Chevy collection.
Yeah.
I got a Chevy collection from the 80s.
I got a Buick collection from the 90s.
Yeah.
Whatever.
That's the whole collection.
And that's the point of it.
You know, if you're.
I like to know this.
The coolers.
You know, the Torinos.
Things like that.
That would be something that you would collect.
Other guys do the Ferraris.
You know, you've got Corvettes.
How much money you got?
Exactly.
I'm going to do a review now.
But the 2025 Kia EV6.
Are you?
There's nobody else listening.
No.
Are you guys listening?
Yeah.
Okay.
The Kia EV6 was assembled in West Point, Georgia.
Available trim levels include the light, the light long range, wind, GT line, and GT.
I had the GT line long range all-wheel drive with 20-inch wheels.
This is an all-electric, small SUV to row.
Seats including the driver.
Five exterior changes from last model year.
Refreshed front and rear styling this year.
Exeter your features include radically sloped hood with a short overhang.
This is a very different looking vehicle sharp distinctive lighting front and rear.
Fast back rear design with unique rear sunshade and spoiler.
Extra large rear hatch door.
What I like?
This, in my opinion, is one of the sharpest looking EVs in the market today.
And it's in the SUV form.
What could use improvement?
I put a big question mark, right?
Put that question.
Okay.
I don't know.
I think it fits a lot of categories.
Interior highlights sweeping combination display that stretches almost door to door.
Attractive, unique center console with a flat phone charger.
I really liked it.
It sits right there beside you and it's flat.
And you can look down there and go, who's bothering me right now?
Yeah.
Attractive, unique center console.
Comfortable seating with attractive materials.
Steering wheel controls are easy to understand and use.
You think it won't know why did he say that?
Is he trying to fill time?
No.
Because I drive a new different car every week.
And let me tell you something.
Everybody tries to reinvent the wheel.
And there's no reason for that.
I see slight adjustments and, you know,
and we're going to do this over here and do that.
But why change the whole thing?
Last week I drove a vehicle that had steering wheel controls that weren't really controls.
They were pads to fill in all the blanks.
No, no, no, no, no.
You fill in the blanks.
I'll tell you whether or not I like it.
Cargo trunk room.
Small.
What I liked.
The clamshell hatch.
The keeps cargo limited to accommodate taller items.
But it works for this vehicle.
What could use improvement?
Nothing.
It's an electric motor with 225 horsepower and 258 pound feet of torque
with a direct drive automatic transmission.
This direct drive electric motor.
So rating 2700 pounds, which kind of surprised me.
It's big.
Well, you know, it's, it's not the overgelering thing,
but 2700 pounds, that's, that's.
Sit.
Yeah.
Pardon me, just a minute.
Hello?
Hi.
No, don't pause it.
No, don't pause it.
No, don't pause it, Mars.
Okay, it's going.
It's rolling.
It's rolling.
Yes, we're on the air.
You can listen and hear us all the year.
I know.
Love you and talk to you soon.
Bye.
That was a stock broker he's talking to.
On a Saturday.
Yeah, right.
Actually.
Actually is the parole department.
No, they were checking to see my location.
Your ankle monitor fell off.
Manufacturers, miles per gallon E rating is 128 city,
101 highway for a range of 318 miles.
And from what I could gather without trying to do the math
and overcomplicate things, it probably gets about in real
realistic terms about 275 miles in a regular everyday drive.
I drove it for 502 miles.
What I liked about it was the power.
What could use improvement?
More range in finding a damn Tesla charger.
Let me see that.
I'm sorry.
I'm handling smooth.
Although it is heavy.
It doesn't feel heavy.
It's 4,500 and 2, 45, 4,500 and 20 pounds.
It's heavy.
That is heavy.
That's being based trim price, 58.9.
Price is tested 60, 740.
Base model price, 42.9.
Competitors.
Hyundai Ionic 5 for 35,000 Chevy Equinox EV for 351
and the Nissan Area for 397.
Next week, the Ford Expedition.
If the area is not being produced anymore.
Well, it's not going to be produced anymore, yes.
That's correct.
EVs are out.
Gasoline hot rods are in.
Well, hybrids are the thing.
I can't encourage you enough to look at the hybrids
because I think that you're going to be very impressed
because it gets gas mileage and power.
All at the same time under one roof.
Under one roof.
Well, and range anxiety shouldn't be an issue with the hybrid either.
And neither should finding a damn plug-in charger.
Don't get me started on that.
Oh, get him started.
Well, go ahead, get me started.
Because I can go the next hour and a half.
I'll tell you about the EVs.
Mars, have you had any of those?
No.
Well, you know what, I'm going to make a request
that you get him back to back to back.
I'm pretty well now.
He's all the electricity in that area.
Hey.
About this episode
A detailed review of the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid and the Kia EV6 highlights the strengths and weaknesses of both vehicles. The Forester Hybrid impresses with its spacious interior, advanced tech features, and decent fuel economy, while the EV6 stands out for its striking design and electric performance. The hosts discuss pricing, competitor models, and practical considerations for potential buyers, including the importance of hybrid options in today's market. The episode also touches on car collecting tips, emphasizing budget and personal interests.
Two very different roads, one clear question: what actually works for everyday drivers? We put miles on the 2025 Subaru Forester Premium Hybrid and the refreshed Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD to find out, comparing real-world efficiency, tech usability, comfort, and cost. Along the way, we pull apart the numbers you care about—mpg versus range, tow ratings, cargo usability—and the little things that make or break ownership, like whether your phone stays put on the charger.
We start with the Forester Hybrid’s practical perks: wide-opening doors that make entry easy, an insulated windshield that softens road noise, and a simple, clean interface anchored by a 12.3-inch digital cluster and 11.6-inch touchscreen. The hybrid system’s 194 horsepower feels adequate, and while the CVT’s manual mode isn’t essential, the all-wheel-drive ride is planted and predictable. We talk through honest mileage—32.3 mpg over nearly 400 miles—and why a 16.6-gallon tank and 1,500-pound tow rating help this small SUV punch above its weight. Then comes the money: where the trim pricing lands, and how it stacks up against CR-V Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, CX-50 Hybrid, and Sportage Hybrid.
We switch gears to car culture with a practical guide to starting a collection without celebrity money. Think storage first, define a theme, build a wish list, network with local enthusiasts, and budget for maintenance before you chase the dream. Whether you love 80s Chevys or numbers-matching time capsules, discipline builds a better garage than impulse ever will.
Then the EV6 GT-Line takes center stage. Built in Georgia, this is one of the sharpest-looking EVs on the market, with refreshed front and rear design, a sweeping cockpit display, and a smart flat phone charger in a striking console. We talk range reality—expect around 275 miles in daily use—charging frustrations, surprisingly smooth handling for a 4,500-pound crossover, and a 2,700-pound tow rating that adds real utility. Pricing, competitors, and the truth about finding fast, reliable chargers round it out.
If you’re cross-shopping hybrids and EVs, this ride-along gives you clarity without hype. Follow the show, share it with a friend who’s shopping, and drop your take: team hybrid or team EV? Leave a review and tell us what you’re driv
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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