The Subaru Forester is a small SUV that is great for everyday use and has all-wheel drive, making it good for various weather conditions. The 2025 version is the latest in its series.
The Subaru Crosstrek is a small SUV that can handle rough roads and is good for outdoor activities like hiking or camping. It's designed to be tough and reliable.
Automatic on-off headlights are lights that turn on by themselves when it gets dark or when you use the windshield wipers. This makes driving safer and easier.
A power rear liftgate is a feature that lets you open or close the back door of the car automatically, usually by pressing a button or waving your foot under the bumper. It's helpful when your hands are full.
A panoramic moonroof is a big glass roof that lets in a lot of light and lets you see the sky better while you're inside the car. It's a nice feature for enjoying the outdoors while driving.
18-inch alloy wheels are the size and type of wheels on the car. Alloy wheels are lighter and look nicer than regular steel wheels, and the size can change how the car drives.
A 12.3-inch LED digital gauge package is a big screen in the car that shows important information like speed and fuel level. It's easier to read and can look different than regular round gauges.
A multimedia touchscreen is a screen in the car that you can touch to control things like maps and music. It makes it easier to use different features while driving.
A wireless charger is a device in the car that lets you charge your phone without plugging it in. You just place your phone on it, and it charges automatically if your phone supports it.
USB-C ports are special connections in cars that let you charge your phone or connect devices. They are newer and work faster than older types of USB connections.
A four-cylinder 2.5-liter flat-four-boxer motor is a type of engine that has four cylinders arranged in a flat shape. This design helps the car handle better because it keeps the weight low.
CVT means Continuously Variable Transmission. It's a special kind of automatic transmission that helps the car run smoothly and use less fuel by changing gears without the usual steps.
MPG means miles per gallon. It tells you how far a car can go using just one gallon of gas. The higher the number, the better the car is at saving fuel.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a type of SUV that uses both gas and electricity to run, making it more efficient and better for the environment than regular gas-only SUVs.
'Numbers matching' means that the important parts of a car, like the engine, are the same ones that were in it when it was first made. This is important for people who collect cars because it makes the car more valuable and original.
The Mercury Cougar is a car that was made by Mercury, a brand of Ford. It started out as a fancier version of the Mustang and was popular for its looks and speed.
The Pontiac Torino is an older muscle car that people loved for its speed and cool design. It's a classic car that many collectors and fans still admire today.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and stylish sports car that many people love. It's famous for being powerful and is often compared to much more expensive cars from Europe, which makes it a popular choice for car enthusiasts.
The Kia EV6 is a new electric car from Kia that looks modern and has a lot of technology. The 2025 version is expected to be even better with more features.
An electric motor is what makes electric cars move. Instead of using gasoline, it runs on electricity, making it different from regular cars that have engines that burn fuel.
The Smart Electric Drive is a tiny car that runs on electricity instead of gas, making it great for driving around the city. It's easy to park and helps reduce pollution.
The Nissan Ariya is a new electric SUV that runs on batteries instead of gas. It's designed to be roomy and has a lot of modern features, making it a good option for people looking for an electric car.
The Ford Expedition is a large SUV that can carry a lot of people and their stuff. It's great for families or anyone who needs extra space and power for things like towing trailers.
LIVE
All right, time now 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 one.
It is part of the 6th gen, 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.
So the final assembly locations in Japan, there's actually nine different Foresters,
but there's only four Hybrid, the Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring.
And I had the Hybrid for the week that I drove it.
Now this is a small Hybrid Sport Utilities, the way it's classified, fits in between the
Crosstrek 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.
It also has the automatic on-off for the headlights if the window show wipers come on.
If you turn them on, you're automatically getting headlights, which is kind of neat.
Yep, it's a lot.
Heated exterior mirrors with the de-icer, you might need that a little up north, not
too much down here in Houston.
Had a panoramic moonroof to get you more of that outside feeling, power rear lift
gate with a hands-free foot-activated close 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.
And up 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 charger 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.
Got a rear cargo cover on it so that you keep things out of sight, out of mind,
whenever you've got cargo back there.
And up under the hood is a four-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 six-speed manual mode on it that
I kind of didn't mess with much.
I didn't think it was...
Why?
Yeah.
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 it 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, one of the great things 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 it.
Yep.
And then you've got to climb out of it.
I just want to make sure that we're correct here.
You said climb down into it.
Yeah.
Well, I've got to climb.
It's either climb or fall, and usually it hurts when I fall at this age.
You can tell me where you're going to.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And 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 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 $34,850,
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 $3,200 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 CR-V's got a hybrid that starts at $3,645.
The key is Sportage as a hybrid.
That's $30,185.
I 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?
In-wheel-time car talk show continues right after a quick break.
As soon as I find it, there it is.
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The award-winning In-Wheel Time Car Talk
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The In-Wheel Time Car Talk show has informative automotive
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along with popular features, including
driving destinations, Jeff's car culture,
latest car news, cruise-ins, and racing dates.
It's all on In-WheelTime.com.
Join us.
How's that?
OK, time now for Jeff's car culture.
How to start a car collection.
Yeah, we talked earlier that we've talked about a lot
of the car collections around the world.
But catching, isn't it?
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 arrange
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 Lupe Tortilla, the car shows here.
Get guidance, get technical advice,
get some things from the network people,
your 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've 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.
That's all he's got.
He's probably got 75.
All the originals.
One of them is a 4GT, a 4GT 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 cost.
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.
If you're, I like the Novas, the Cougars.
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.
All right, time to go see.
I'm going to do a review now of the 2025 Kia EV6.
Are you?
There's nobody else listening.
No.
Are you guys listening?
Yeah.
OK.
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, two-row seats,
including the driver, five exterior changes
from last model year, refreshed front and rear styling
this year.
Exterior 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 liked, 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, where I put that question.
OK?
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, one, now, why did he say that?
Is he just 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 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.
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 that 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.
There's no transmission.
There's direct drive electric motors.
Toe rating, 2700 pounds, which kind of surprised me.
Well, you know, it's not going to overkill or anything.
But 2700 pounds, that's it.
Pardon me just a minute.
Hello?
Hi.
No, no, don't pause it.
No, don't pause it, Mars.
OK, it's going.
It's rolling.
It's rolling, baby.
It's rolling.
Yes, we're on the air.
You can listen and hear us on the air.
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.
They were checking a C-bind 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 over complicate things, it probably
gets about in 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.
Did I say that?
I'm sorry.
I'm handling smooth, although it is heavy.
It doesn't feel heavy.
It's 4,520 pounds.
It's heavy.
That is heavy.
That's big.
Base trim price, 58.9.
Price is tested, 67.40.
Base model price, 42.9.
Competitors, Hyundai Ionic 5 for 35,000,
Chevy Equinox EV for 35.1, and the Nissan Aria for 39.7.
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.
And 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 a hybrid either.
And Nina should find a damn plug-in charger.
Don't get me started on that.
Don't get him started.
Well, go ahead and get me started
because I could go the next hour and a half
and tell you about EVs.
Mars, have you had any of those?
EVs?
Well, you know what?
I'm going to make a request that you get them back to back
to back.
I'm pretty well.
Now, you can use all the electricity in that area.
Hey.
About this episode
The discussion centers around the 2025 Subaru Forester Premium Hybrid, highlighting its features, performance, and pricing. The hosts delve into the vehicle's hybrid system, which combines a 2.5-liter boxer engine with electric motors, achieving 194 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency. They compare it to competitors like the Mazda CX-50 and Honda CR-V hybrids, emphasizing its practicality and comfort. The episode also touches on the broader topic of hybrid vehicles, encouraging listeners to consider them for their blend of power and efficiency.
Ready for a real-world look at two very different small SUVs? We put the 2025 Subaru Forester Premium Hybrid AWD and the Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD through their paces and compare what matters when you’re not reading a brochure. From highway range and cabin comfort to pricing ladders and charging access, we cut through the noise and share where each vehicle genuinely excels.
We start with the Forester Hybrid’s practical package: wide-opening doors, an insulated windshield that calms road noise, and a friendly cabin anchored by a 12.3-inch digital cluster and 11.6-inch infotainment screen. The 2.5-liter boxer with dual motor-generators delivers 194 horsepower and relaxed pace, while our 32.3 mpg over nearly 400 miles shows the kind of efficiency you can bank on. We break down the cost to step into the hybrid trim and how it stacks up to the CR‑V Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, Sportage Hybrid, and CX‑50 Hybrid so you can make the numbers work for your commute and weekend runs.
Then we shift to the Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD, a standout with fresh styling, a sweeping display, and a smart center console that actually improves daily use. Instant torque, refined manners, and a realistic 275-mile range make a strong case for drivers with home charging and predictable routes. We’re candid about pros, cons, and pricing—what surprised us, what didn’t, and why the EV6 still feels special even as the segment heats up.
To round things out, Jeff shares straightforward tips for starting a car collection on a budget: pick a theme, plan storage, network for knowledge, and build a list before you buy. Whether your heart leans hybrid practicality or EV excitement, you’ll leave with clarity about which trade-offs fit your life. If you enjoy transparent reviews and useful takeaways, follow the show, share this episode with a friend, and leave a quick review so we can help more drivers find the right ride.
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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