Jill is away at CES, leaving Tom and guest Paul Harold to discuss the latest in the automotive world. They review the 2026 Nissan Kicks, highlighting its affordability and features, while also lamenting the disappearance of base models in many lineups. The episode features a lively debate about the return of the Hemi engine and predictions for 2026, including the future of EVs and the impact of tariffs on sales. Tim Healy from The Truth About Cars joins to share insights and predictions, making for a dynamic discussion on the state of the auto industry.
For the first show of 2026, Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill who is traveling. Paul and Tom address a number of topics to open the show, including annoying helper AI bots on dealership websites, the death of the Karma Revero (once known as the Fisker Karma), and the return of the Hemi engine to the Ram 1500 lineup.
Still in the first segment, Tom reviews the 2026 Nissan Kicks. Tom is impressed by just how much equipment can be had on this small, practical crossover.
In the second segment, Paul and Tom are joined by Tim Healey of The Truth About Cars. The guys dare to predict what’s coming for the car industry in 2026, especially for electric cars and Cadillac; they also address vehicle affordability and sales.
In the last segment Tim joins Paul for Tom’s “Best Sellers of 1976” quiz. Listen in to hear who won. Paul wraps up the show with a surprisingly long list of vehicles that didn’t return for 2026.
"Trends, sales, electric cars. Haptic touch steering wheels are going away. Thank God. Everyone's dropping them."
Haptic touch steering wheels are designed to let you control things in the car by feeling vibrations instead of using buttons. Some people find them difficult to use while driving, so many car makers are moving away from them.
Haptic touch steering wheels use tactile feedback technology to provide a sensation of touch, allowing drivers to interact with controls without physical buttons. This technology has been criticized for being less intuitive and harder to use while driving.
"Instead of having like solid buttons, you had like a little touch, like a little feather touch sensor on the steering wheel. And when you pressed it, you got like a little vibration from it to kind of give you that sensation that you did activate something."
A touch sensor is a part that lets you control something just by touching it instead of pressing a button. It's often used in cars to make controls look sleek and modern.
A touch sensor is a device that detects physical touch or pressure. In automotive applications, it can replace traditional buttons on controls like steering wheels, providing a more modern interface.
"And when you pressed it, you got like a little vibration from it to kind of give you that sensation that you did activate something."
Haptic feedback is when a device gives you a little buzz or vibration to let you know you've done something, like pressing a button. It's used in cars to make controls feel more responsive.
Haptic feedback refers to the use of touch sensations to communicate information to the user. In cars, it often involves vibrations or movements that provide feedback when a control is activated, enhancing the user experience.
"So I remember the scandal when the Ferrari Enzo came out and it was special oil. And I think an oil change at the time was 800 bucks and people were scandalized."
The Ferrari Enzo is a supercar made by Ferrari, known for its speed and design. It was produced in the early 2000s and is highly sought after by car enthusiasts.
The Ferrari Enzo is a high-performance supercar produced by Ferrari from 2002 to 2004. It features a V12 engine and advanced aerodynamics, making it one of the most iconic models in the brand's history.
"...because everything's synthetic. Synthetic, yeah. Yeah. Basically doubles the price of an oil change."
Synthetic oil is a special kind of oil made in a lab. It helps your car run better and can last longer before needing to be changed, usually between 7,000 and 10,000 miles.
Synthetic oil is a type of motor oil that is artificially made from chemical compounds, offering better performance and protection compared to conventional oils. It allows for longer intervals between oil changes, typically ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 miles.
"...when Tim Healy, our guest, when he and I worked together, we had a long-term Jaguar S-Type. I did not know you two worked together."
The Jaguar S-Type is a luxury car that was made by the British company Jaguar. It’s a comfortable sedan that many people liked for its stylish design and smooth driving experience.
The Jaguar S-Type is a mid-size luxury sedan produced by Jaguar from 1999 to 2008. It was known for its classic styling and comfortable ride, appealing to buyers looking for a blend of performance and luxury.
"...the Toyota Highlander, very popular car, very good car, very good crossover, available in two-row and then three-row Grand Highlander."
The Toyota Highlander is a popular family SUV that can fit a lot of people and cargo. It comes in different sizes, including a larger version called the Grand Highlander.
The Toyota Highlander is a midsize crossover SUV known for its spacious interior and family-friendly features. It is available in different configurations, including a two-row and a three-row version called the Grand Highlander.
"...Interestingly, I'm going to talk about this car in a moment, the Nissan Kicks, which is built in Mexico, and you think that they might be subject to some price stress."
The Nissan Kicks is a small SUV that is easy to drive and park. It's made to be affordable and has good fuel economy, which makes it a good option for city driving.
The Nissan Kicks is a subcompact crossover SUV known for its affordability and efficiency. It is designed for urban driving and offers a range of modern features, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious consumers.
"...the car that was called the Fisker Karma, which was later the Karma Rivera. Rivera, yes."
The Fisker Karma is a fancy car that runs on both electricity and gasoline. It's designed to be stylish and environmentally friendly.
The Fisker Karma is a luxury plug-in hybrid sports sedan that was produced by Fisker Automotive. It is known for its distinctive design and eco-friendly technology, combining electric power with a gasoline engine.
"The Fisker Karma came out almost exactly the same time as the Tesla Model S."
The Tesla Model S is an all-electric car that is known for being fast and having a long battery life, making it a popular choice among electric vehicles.
The Tesla Model S is a fully electric luxury sedan that debuted in 2012, recognized for its high performance, long range, and advanced technology features.
"And then Tesla went to volume with the Model 3 and the Model Y, which are really the only thing they're selling right now."
The Tesla Model 3 is a popular electric car known for being more affordable than other models, making it accessible to many buyers.
The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric sedan that has gained popularity for its affordability and range, making it a significant player in the electric vehicle market.
"...people might know Lucid, they make the Lucid Air, which is beautiful. And that just drove it."
The Lucid Air is a fancy electric car that looks great and can drive a long way on a single charge. It's designed to compete with other luxury electric cars.
The Lucid Air is a luxury electric sedan known for its impressive range and performance. It features a sleek design and advanced technology, positioning it as a competitor to other high-end electric vehicles.
"Is it 1300 horsepower? Yeah. Something like that."
Horsepower tells you how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and more powerful the car can be.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to describe the power output of engines. It indicates how much work an engine can perform over time, influencing a vehicle's speed and acceleration.
"Whenever I hear a zero to 60 time like that for an electric vehicle, I think about some of my favorite videos on YouTube, which is Mustangs leaving car shows and getting sideways on it."
0-60 time is how long it takes a car to go from a stop to 60 miles per hour. It's a way to measure how fast a car can speed up.
0-60 time refers to the time it takes for a vehicle to accelerate from a complete stop to 60 miles per hour. It's a common performance metric used to gauge a car's acceleration capabilities.
"...which is Mustangs leaving car shows and getting sideways on it. And then ultimately ending up in a ditch. Yeah. Or in the opposite direction."
The Mustang is a well-known sports car made by Ford. It's famous for being fast and fun to drive, often seen at car shows and races.
The Ford Mustang is a classic American muscle car known for its performance and sporty design. It's popular for its powerful engines and rear-wheel-drive layout, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.
"The most expensive trim level starts at $28,000, but the vehicle I drove was $36,000."
A trim level is like a version of a car that has different features. Some versions are fancier and cost more money.
Trim level refers to the different versions of a vehicle that come with varying features and equipment. Higher trim levels typically include more luxury options and advanced technology, which can significantly increase the price of the vehicle.
Miles per gallon tells you how far a car can go on one gallon of gas. The higher the number, the more efficient the car is with fuel.
Miles per gallon (MPG) is a measure of fuel efficiency that indicates how many miles a vehicle can travel on one gallon of fuel. Higher MPG ratings generally mean better fuel economy.
"...It's normally aspirated 2-liter engine. So when you hit the gas, you kind of have to wait."
A 2-liter engine is a type of engine that has a total volume of 2 liters. It's a common size that can provide a good mix of power and fuel economy.
A 2-liter engine refers to the engine's displacement, which is the total volume of all the cylinders in the engine. This size is often associated with a balance of performance and fuel efficiency, making it popular in many compact and midsize cars.
"...There's no extra power, unfortunately. It's normally aspirated 2-liter engine. So when you hit the gas, you kind of have to wait."
Normally aspirated means the engine gets air naturally without any help from a turbo or supercharger. This can make it slower to respond when you press the gas pedal.
A normally aspirated engine is one that relies on atmospheric pressure alone to draw air into the combustion chamber, as opposed to a turbocharged or supercharged engine that uses a mechanical compressor. This can affect the engine's power delivery and responsiveness.
"Ultimately, I think you know this, my daughter went with the CX-30, the Mazda CX-30. Very similar in terms of offering luxury stuff in an entry-level vehicle."
The Mazda CX-30 is a small SUV that combines comfort and luxury features, making it a good choice for people who want a nice vehicle without spending too much.
The Mazda CX-30 is a subcompact crossover SUV that offers a blend of practicality and luxury features, making it appealing for those looking for an entry-level vehicle with upscale touches.
"...the question is, are Americans ready to buy Chinese cars? And... I don't think so."
Chinese cars are vehicles made in China. The speaker is discussing whether people in America are ready to buy these cars.
Chinese cars refer to vehicles manufactured by automotive companies based in China. The discussion reflects on the perception and acceptance of these vehicles in the American market.
"...the average American at the time, and I assume it was someone in a position to buy a car, that was the... They responded, they were expecting a discount of up to 35% off the price of the vehicle..."
A discount means you pay less than the original price of something. Here, it refers to how much less people expected to pay for Chinese cars compared to others.
A discount in automotive terms refers to a reduction in the price of a vehicle, often used as an incentive for buyers. In this context, it highlights consumer expectations regarding pricing, particularly for Chinese cars.
"I think with EV range getting a lot better, I think we'll start seeing more EV sales pick up slowly."
EV range is how far an electric car can go before it needs to be charged again. It's an important thing to think about when buying an electric vehicle.
EV range refers to the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge, which is a critical factor for consumers considering electric cars.
"...unless you own an old Nissan Leaf? Yeah, it doesn't help you or a Mitsubishi iMiEV..."
The Mitsubishi iMiEV is a small electric car that doesn't need gasoline to run. It's made for city driving and is one of the early electric cars available.
The Mitsubishi iMiEV is a compact electric vehicle that was one of the first to be sold globally. It features a small footprint and is designed for urban environments.
A Hemi engine is a special kind of engine that has a rounded top shape, which helps it run better and produce more power. It's often found in powerful cars made by Chrysler.
The Hemi engine is a type of internal combustion engine with a hemispherical combustion chamber design, known for its ability to produce high power and efficiency. It's commonly associated with Chrysler and has been used in various performance vehicles.
"And it's an inline six cylinder engine, twin turbo direct injection, slick. Very smooth."
An inline six-cylinder engine is a type of car engine that has six cylinders lined up in a row. This setup helps the engine run smoothly and evenly.
An inline six-cylinder engine is a type of engine configuration where six cylinders are arranged in a straight line. This design is known for its smooth operation and balance, making it popular in various vehicles.
"And it's an inline six cylinder engine, twin turbo direct injection, slick. Very smooth."
Twin turbo direct injection means the engine has two turbochargers that help it get more air for better performance, and it injects fuel directly into the engine for better efficiency.
Twin turbo direct injection refers to an engine technology that uses two turbochargers to increase air intake and improve performance, while direct injection allows fuel to be injected directly into the combustion chamber for better efficiency and power.
"The supercharged version that was in the old TRX was very good."
Supercharging is when an engine gets extra air to help it run faster and produce more power. This makes the car quicker and more powerful.
Supercharging is a method of forcing more air into the engine's combustion chamber, which allows for more fuel to be burned and increases power output. It's commonly used in performance vehicles to enhance acceleration and overall performance.
"...but the hurricane is better and more fuel efficient and better for the environment."
The Hurricane is a new type of engine from Chrysler that uses less fuel and is better for the environment while still being powerful.
The Hurricane is a newer engine family from Chrysler, designed to be more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly compared to traditional Hemi engines. It aims to provide a balance of performance and efficiency.
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