Electric vehicle tax breaks are discounts or credits you can get when you buy an electric car. They help lower the overall cost of the car, making it cheaper for you to own one.
A Range Extended Electric Vehicle is an electric car that has a small gas engine to help charge the battery when it runs low. This means you can drive further without worrying about finding a charging station right away.
The Nissan Altima is a medium-sized car that many people use for commuting. It's known for being comfortable and saving on gas, even if it doesn't get as much attention as other cars.
The Hyundai Elantra N is a sportier version of the regular Elantra car. It's designed for people who want a fun driving experience, with a powerful engine and special features that make it handle better on the road.
The Tesla Cybertruck is a new electric truck that looks very different from regular trucks because of its sharp angles and metal body. It's designed to be strong and has cool technology inside, but it's still not as popular as some other trucks right now.
The Ford Lightning STX is an electric truck that can do many of the same things as a regular truck but without using gasoline. It has a bigger battery, which means it can go further on a single charge.
Electric vehicles, or EVs, are cars that run on electricity instead of gas. They are better for the environment and can save money on fuel costs.
Term
$7,500 incentives
The $7,500 incentives are discounts offered by the government to help people buy electric cars. This makes it cheaper for buyers to choose an electric vehicle instead of a regular one.
General Motors is a big car company that makes many different brands of cars, including electric ones. They're working on making more affordable electric cars.
Ford is another large car company that makes a variety of vehicles, including electric cars. They are trying to keep up with the demand for electric vehicles.
Term
$1.6 billion charge
A $1.6 billion charge is when a company decides to officially say that they lost a lot of money on something, which can affect how people view the company financially.
Range extended vehicles are a type of hybrid car that can use both gas and electricity. They have a gas engine that helps charge the battery, so you can drive longer distances without worrying about running out of battery.
A diesel electric locomotive is a train that runs on diesel fuel but uses that fuel to create electricity to power its engines. It's a mix of diesel and electric technology.
A plug-in hybrid is a car that can use both gasoline and electricity. You can charge it by plugging it into a power outlet, which helps it drive longer distances on electricity alone before using gas.
A twin-turbo engine has two turbochargers that help the engine produce more power. This means the car can go faster and perform better without using more fuel than a regular engine.
Battery price per kilowatt hour is how much it costs to store energy in an electric vehicle's battery. If this price goes down, electric cars become cheaper and more appealing compared to gas cars.
Forest meditation is a new feature in some Lincoln vehicles that helps create a peaceful and relaxing environment, using sounds and visuals from nature.
The Lincoln Nautilus is a comfortable luxury SUV that has a lot of space and nice features. It's a good choice for people who want a smooth and relaxing ride.
A 12.3 inch center touchscreen is a big screen in the middle of the car's dashboard that you can touch to control things like music and navigation. Bigger screens usually make it easier to use these features.
The Toyota Camry is a popular car that many people drive because it's dependable and easy to use. Recently, all Camrys have become hybrids, which means they use both gas and electricity to save on fuel.
Adaptive cruise control helps your car keep a safe distance from the car in front of you by automatically speeding up or slowing down. It makes highway driving easier by doing some of the work for you.
A surround view camera shows you a full view of what's around your car, like a bird's-eye view. It helps you park and avoid obstacles when you're in tight spots.
ProPilot Assist is a feature from Nissan that helps you drive by keeping your car at a set speed and helping it stay in the lane. It's like having a little extra help on the highway.
The SR trim is a special version of a car that usually has extra features or a cooler look compared to the standard model. It's designed to attract buyers who want something a bit more stylish.
Paddle shifters are buttons or levers on the steering wheel that let you change gears in a car without using a clutch pedal. They make it easier to drive faster and have more control over the car's speed.
Apple CarPlay lets you use your iPhone in your car. You can see apps, make calls, and get directions on the car's screen, making it easier to stay connected while driving.
Android Auto lets you connect your Android phone to your car. You can use apps and get directions on the car's screen, making it easier to use your phone while driving.
The Honda Civic is a small car that many people like because it's fun to drive and gets good gas mileage. There are special versions called the Civic Si and Type R that are even faster and sportier.
The Volkswagen Jetta is a small car that many people like because it's well-made and fun to drive. It's a good choice for everyday use and gets decent gas mileage.
The Hyundai Sonata is a medium-sized car that looks nice and is comfortable to drive. It's a good option for people who want a reliable car with modern features.
The Audi A5 is a fancy car that looks really nice and drives smoothly. It's known for being comfortable and having cool features that make driving more enjoyable.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a small luxury car that looks really stylish and has a lot of high-tech features. It's a good choice for people who want a fancy car that stands out.
The Ford Maverick is a small truck that people can use for work or everyday tasks. It's affordable and even comes with a version that uses less gas by being a hybrid.
The Ram 1500 is a big truck that can carry heavy loads and is great for work or towing. It's comfortable to drive and has a lot of modern technology inside.
The Audi Q5 is a nice SUV that feels luxurious inside and drives really well. It's a good choice for people who want a comfortable and stylish vehicle.
The Hyundai Genesis is a fancy car that feels very comfortable and has lots of high-tech features. It's a good option for people who want a luxury car without spending too much money.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a new electric car that looks cool and has a lot of space inside. It's great for people who want to drive without using gas and can charge quickly.
The Polestar 4 is a new electric SUV that is made to be both stylish and good for the environment. It's part of a trend where more people are driving electric cars.
The Toyota 4Runner is a tough SUV that can go off-road and handle rough terrain. It's popular with people who like outdoor adventures and need a reliable vehicle.
The Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV that many people like because it's reliable and has a lot of room inside. It's a great choice for families and those who need a versatile vehicle.
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a small SUV that has plenty of room inside and is comfortable to drive. It's a great option for families who need space for passengers and cargo.
The Kia EV9 is a new electric SUV that is made to be good for the environment and has a lot of space inside. It's part of the trend of more people driving electric cars.
LIVE
This is America on the Road named Best Radio Show by the International Automotive Media
Conference and now in its 33rd year on the air.
Thanks for being with us as we bring you the latest automotive information from around
the world.
I'm Jack Neerad with me as guest co-host Matt DiLorenzo and Matt, so good to have you
with us on the show.
Chris Teague, of course, is not with us this week but Matt substitutes so well.
Are you looking forward to the upcoming North American Car of the Year drive that we're
going to do?
Yeah, I really enjoy getting back to Ann Arbor every year and getting behind the wheel some
very interesting car trucks and utilities, so it'll be a good week.
We'll talk about that coming up, too, and there's plenty of news to talk about this.
Week 4 Motor Company and General Motors have very different responses to the end of the
electric vehicle tax breaks.
We'll have the details for you.
Jeep has pulled the wraps off an exciting new version of one of its most important vehicles.
One is a Range Extended Electric Vehicle, or REEV, we'll tell you all about that, even
what the heck that is coming up.
If your daily drive is driving you to the brink, Lincoln has an answer for you, and of
course we mean the car brand, not the ex-president, stay with us for that.
Matt, do you have a favorite among these stories?
I like the EV direction story.
It's kind of interesting since the expiration of the incentives, how each of these manufacturers
view the EV market.
That's different.
Right?
Yeah.
And you're the perfect guy to talk about that, so I look forward to having a discussion
with you about that.
American on the Road is brought to you by drivingtoday.com, emlancy.com, the publisher
of my latest book.
Only one thing stays the same, and Mercury Insurance.
If you're looking to save some money, you should switch to Mercury for your auto and
home insurance.
California is saving an average of $670 with Mercury, so imagine how much you could save.
I'm going to quote today at drivingtoday.com slash auto insurance.
That's drivingtoday.com slash auto hyphen insurance.
Well, there's your longtime listeners of the show, Matt and I are North American Car
of the Urgeurs, and you probably got that sense from what we said earlier.
We've been friends and colleagues for decades, and it's always a pleasure to have him on
the show.
Matt, what is your test vehicle for this week?
I'm driving one of the unsung heroes of the midsize passenger car market, the Nissan
Altima.
It doesn't get a lot of ink and a lot of attention, but it's really a nice car, and
I'll tell you more about it in that test drive portion.
I look forward to talking about that, and I love unsung heroes.
I think we all do, but they're unsung.
My test vehicle this week is a 2025 Hyundai Elantra N, and that was fun to drive, so you'll
tell me about that, and we'll be speaking with Matt DiLorenzo about a lot of stuff.
Stay with us.
We have tons of show for you.
We're so glad you're with us, and stay with us for more right here on America on the Road.
Welcome back to America on the Road with guest host Matt DiLorenzo.
He's jacking your head back with you.
Chris Teague is off this week, and Matt is filling in so ably, and it is news time here
on America on the Road.
Here's a perfect thing to talk with Matt about as an author of a book on buying an affordable
electric car.
I mean, Ford is lowering lightning prices for its F-150 lightning.
At the same time, General Motors is cutting back its EV efforts, very different kind of
stories here, Matt.
I mean, certainly the electric vehicle market is facing growing pains, but these are way
different strategies.
Let me detail what's going on with lightning, and then I'll ask your point of view on this.
They've announced price cuts of up to $4,000 on the 2026 F-150.
There's a base STX trim that extends range by 50 miles, which is a pretty big deal.
The lightning is still outselling the Tesla Cybertruck.
I guess that's not so hard, because that's certainly a lightning rod, so to speak.
The lightning STX starts at now at $63,000 or so, and it has a bigger battery.
What's your take on that before we go on to what General Motors is doing, Matt?
Well, affordability has been the key issue with EVs all along.
This is a natural response.
The $7,500 incentives were helping to move EVs, and once that's gone, the shoppers have
shown a little bit of reluctance.
I mean, even Farley has said that they're expecting sales to maybe even drop by as much
as a half over what they were last year.
So you just have to follow the market.
And I think the other part of it is bringing more affordable EVs to the market if they're
going to have any sort of share.
Not everybody can afford a $65,000 EV pickup truck.
Yeah, and that's the tough thing to try and figure out is how to build affordable EVs,
given what batteries cost, because they're so exceptionally expensive.
General Motors taking a different approach to Ford Motor Company, citing weakening EV
demand, go figure, changing federal policies.
We just talked about those.
GM is scaling back its EV production, and they're going to take what they call in the
accounting business a $1.6 billion charge right off.
They're writing off $1.6 billion in expenses and costs because of this.
That's a giant, I think that's a record, right off.
I mean, it's kind of interesting.
General Motors had been very gung-ho about electric vehicles, so now this is a major
pullback, isn't it?
Yeah, and I think it's, again, the recognition of the loosing of the emission standards, many
of which were designed to put more pressure on ICE vehicles to make EVs more attractive.
Not that that's gone away.
You're going to see the emphasis switch back to the ICE product.
And GM's strategy was kind of, they were way into the high end with the Hummer and a lot
of the Cadillacs.
And maybe there is a market for electric luxury, but if they want to have the volume
manufacturer, they're still going to need more popularly priced EVs.
Now, they're bringing the bulk back, but even then, it's going to be a 2027 model.
It's still not here yet.
It'll be here in the next calendar year.
We'll see.
But they're kind of half-hearted now.
They're like going, maybe, you know, they put big, tremendous investments in new
engine plants for their truck lines.
So that's where the money is.
Yeah, well, makes sense.
Let's talk about this Grand Wagoneer from Jeep.
They've just rolled this out and one of the models within the Grand Wagoneer, and they're
now calling it a Jeep rather than trying to have it as its own kind of separate
brand, which I think is wise and maybe should have been done from the beginning.
But they're going to have a range extended vehicle, a Reeve, that combines the 3.6
liter gasoline engine, the V6 engine, kind of the longstanding gasoline engine, as a
generator and then a 92 kilowatt hour battery.
So that's a pretty big battery pack, actually, for something that also has a
gasoline engine in it to get a total of 647 horsepower, 500 miles of total range.
And of course, range is not as big an issue because this will operate if you
fill up the gas tank, it'll generate more electricity and off you go.
But what's your take on these range extended vehicles that are using the
gasoline engine to drive a generator, essentially, and not driving the wheels?
You know, it's an interesting exercise in technology.
I think that these vehicles are going to come under the same criticism of EV,
evangelists that plug in hybrids have come in under and that people aren't
going to be plugging them in.
If I can just put gas in this RV EV, then I'm just basically, it's like me
driving, you know, a diesel electric locomotive, because that's what they
are. They don't plug those in at night.
They run off the diesel fuel.
Am I right in saying that you have a plug in hybrid, Matt?
Do you have a plug in hybrid?
I do, and I plug it in.
I like it.
And I think that that's the thing is that the plug in hybrids sell at a premium
to regular hybrids, they're almost as costly as a pure EV.
And I think people who buy them recognize that fact and they do plug them in.
I, you know, I hear a lot of people saying, well, the manufacturers, you know,
have the data and they won't share it because people aren't plugging in.
There might be some vehicles that people don't plug in, especially performance
vehicles where you have a limited range.
But if you have a fairly economical plug in hybrid that's getting 40, 50
miles per gallon plus a 30 mile range, you're plugging it in.
You know, that makes sense.
They're also going to have a three liter hurricane equipped with twin
turbo six cylinder engine in the grand wagon here, 420 horsepower.
I tell you, that's probably the one I would pick, uh, likely because it's
going to be a lot cheaper than the range extended vehicle.
Again, the hurdle they have to jump is batteries.
The grand wagon here is going to start under $65,000.
So I think that's kind of an interesting bargain.
But I think with in range extended vehicle form, it's going to be a lot
more expensive than that.
And, uh, I don't know how many people are going to jump on that bandwagon.
I'm just curious.
No, and that's the big, that's the big hurdle right now.
I just haven't seen the battery price per kilowatt hour drop to where
it's competitive with gas.
And until that difference is erased, uh, gas cars and trucks are going to win.
Yeah.
And that could be the conceivable future.
It has been the last hundred years.
So sometimes some things don't change.
Well, if you're looking for serenity, you should dial LINCOLN for Lincoln.
Uh, when you thought your luxury SUV couldn't possibly get more serene,
Lincoln has rolled out its latest high end feature.
It's called forest meditation.
And in case traffic jams weren't peaceful enough, your navigator or
nautilus can transform it into a full on forest sanctuary with soothing,
soothing sounds, I can almost say that, misty visuals.
And if you're lucky, the subtle scent of mystic forest.
What do you think about all this?
I mean, this is a, I'm being somewhat facetious here, but Lincoln's
rejuvenate system is skeptical.
I want to navigate our launch and I actually liked this system.
Now I wouldn't use it this, you know, in the traffic jam or anything like that,
but they really had a cool kind of thing.
We're like, let's see you get home after a busy day and you flip this thing on.
And it really works kind of cool because they have a screen that basically
extends from a pillar to a pillar.
And they put in this very calming visuals, a little bit of music.
They get the massaging seats to go.
They release a little bit of upscale.
It's almost like being in a spa.
And, you know, if you're, if you, you're spending that kind of money on
a navigator and they're going to put this cherry on top, I say, go for it.
I, it's, it's actually kind of counterintuitive.
It's kind of cool in its own way.
I like it.
I'm not sure that when I get home, I want to stay in my car after a long commute.
I think I want to get out.
Well, you don't have kids in a house anymore.
Do you, Jack?
I do not.
This was designed and with Purdue University.
So obviously it's got to be great because it was designed with a university in
conjunction with it.
So there you go.
Well, when we come back, we will be doing some road testing.
We're going to be road testing the Nissan Altima and the Hyundai Elantra N.
So stay with us for that.
We're going to have tons of show for you as Matt DiLorenzo joins us.
So we're so glad you're with us.
And we hope you stay with us as we go on here on America on the road.
We'll be right back.
Stay with us.
Welcome back to America on the road with you, Matt DiLorenzo.
And we'll be right back with you.
We're so glad you're with us.
And it is road test time.
We love road testing vehicles.
We love road testing other people's vehicles.
This is what we do for a living.
I've been doing it for decades now.
Matt, you are driving the Nissan Altima, maybe an under-sung car from a lot of people,
but tell us all about it.
Yeah, you know, they've always been sort of the, you know, the, the not so you see
them around, but they don't register, you know, everybody when you're looking at
a mid-range car, kind of like me, Matt, around and I don't register you on the
court or a Toyota Camry or whatever.
The Altima is a very affordable, comfortable car.
And, you know, it's styled nice.
It isn't, you know, it's not going to knock your socks off, but it's, it's, it's
just a handsome car, plenty of room for five people.
It's not overly powerful.
It's got a four cylinder engine.
It makes 188 horsepower.
It's got a CVT transmission, which I know is not a popular transmission among people.
But again, all these elements keep the costs down.
So you can get into a base model for under $30,000, which, you know, at a time
that an average car is costing $48,000, that's, that's tremendous value.
And then as you load it up, you can get a lot of nice amenities.
You can get like this SV special edition.
It's got the bigger 12.3 inch center touchscreen, you know, nicer interior.
It's just really a pleasant car to drive.
You know, it's if, if you're more interested in dependable, no frills,
transport family transportation, the ultimate should be on your shopping list.
Yeah.
I mean, this is a mid-sized sedan.
This used to be, of course, the, the family car of choice, right?
Mid-sized sedans.
They're not so much anymore, but this is a good one.
Nissan, I remember a time when Nissan was competing neck and neck with Toyota.
And those days are long gone.
But this is, this is a vehicle that competes with the Camry.
I think it does a pretty good job of competing with the Camry and is, I think,
a high value alternative to the Camry.
These days, all Camrys are hybrids.
This is not a hybrid.
This is a, has a conventional four cylinder engine.
And I think there's something to like about the simplicity of the ultimate.
What do you think about that?
Yeah, you know, and, and as you go, as you do the walk up and add more items,
you know, you get things like adaptive cruise control.
And, you know, all these cars offer a lot of the same driver assists.
They're almost commodities in a way, but you get a really great,
you can get a great surround view camera, which really helps with
parking and maneuvering in tight spots.
They have their, their version is called pro pilot assist, which, you know,
offers lane keeping and a lot of these other things that make driving it very easy.
And, you know, there are a lot of people who drive cars who just need them
for transportation are not enthusiasts.
And, you know, this is that this is a car for them.
It's very simple.
They have knobs, they have switches.
There is a center touchscreen, but there's really a nice blend of analog
stuff and the new digital stuff.
I think they do a really good job in it.
And like I said, they don't get a lot of attention for how good this car is.
And that, you know, it will fit the needs of a lot of people in a really
affordable price range.
Right. I mean, there's no particularly hot version of this.
I mean, all the powertrains are the same, essentially.
There is an SR trim that looks kind of cooler.
Yeah, like those, you know, midnight additions, you know, with the dark wheels
and kind of, you know, spiffed up a little bit.
But from a mechanical point of view, it's basically the same car.
And as paddle shifters, larger wheels, maybe a bit firmer suspension.
So that's that's cool.
But I mean, a lot of people are just just want a car that gets the thing done,
you know, a quote unquote transportation car.
And this is a really good one, I think.
So it's worthy of note.
And, you know, as you say, you can get into this for under $30,000.
And I think get a very nicely equipped one, probably for less than $35,000 in
these days when the average transaction price is $50,000 for a vehicle.
I think that's one heck of a bargain.
There's a lot of value here.
And and, you know, you get things like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, you know,
the the up the up trim interiors are really nice.
You know, they really have some nice sort of faux wood treatments and
and leather at seating and that kind of thing.
So it's a really comfortable car. I like it.
I just you don't see them.
That's the thing is there.
They're they're pretty.
If you want to be anonymous, just get one of these cars and, you know,
nobody's going to bother you.
Yeah. Well, I mean, there's kind of a lot to like about that.
And there's a lot to like about having a vehicle that everybody else doesn't have.
And it's pretty cool.
And as you say, the interior is very ergonomically sound,
which means you can work the stuff.
I mean, it has controls that are easy to understand.
It has a touchscreen.
But as you say, it also has discreet controls for things like
the climate control, turning up and down the heat and the air conditioning.
You know, you don't have to go into a screen.
So I think that's a great thing.
I think a great selling point of a lot of what Nissan that people don't know,
they do these zero gravity seats.
They have some of the most comfortable seats you can get all across the line.
And I think that's another feather in their cap.
Definitely one to take a look at.
If you're looking for a good transportation vehicle, mid-sized,
car, five passengers, sedan, Nissan ultimately take a look at it.
I want to talk about the Hyundai Elantra N,
which is the performance version of the Hyundai Elantra,
which is, you know, one size down, I guess, from the Altima compact vehicle,
although it's a pretty big compact vehicle.
It offers plenty of practicality at the same time, a lot of fun,
including a high revving turbo engine.
Then I'll talk about some track ready hardware.
I'm not sure that this is going to go on the track very much, but it could.
And a very livable daily driving setup that I think is most important here.
This is, of course, from the Motorsports Influenced N division of Hyundai.
Their answer to, you know, things like AMG from Mercedes-Benz,
maybe a different kind of answer, but an answer nonetheless.
This is offered in limited numbers, priced under $37,000 to begin with,
delivers 276 horsepower.
So this is a bit smaller than the Altima you were talking about that had 188 horsepower.
This has 276 aggressive chassis tuning,
which maybe makes it a little harsh riding for some people.
Driver focused tech, which we like.
I think it's a very good alternative to a lot of other vehicles out there.
There's a ton of vehicles that happen to be in this segment.
The Honda Civic Si and Type R, among them, the Volkswagen GTI.
From a 35,000 foot level, Matt, what's your take on the Elantra?
Well, I like it.
I think the styling stands out in the segment as well.
They have sort of an edgy, a lot of character lines.
So it does have distinctive styling.
The performance levels, I mean, you talk about almost 300 horsepower out of this thing.
It's really a lot of fun to drive.
And it's distinctive.
It does it like you say, it is in a highly competitive segment with things like Jetta,
GLI, the Civics.
But I think, you know, the Koreans have really come along in terms of offering
a lot of value for the money and now credible performance.
You know, they actually race using the end in and they've been very successful in IMSA.
So there's a lot of this technology that actually is transferred over from the track
to the car to make it a really a fun handling, high performance sports sedan.
Yeah, it is. It's very fun.
It has dual clutch automatic transmission, which we like electronically controlled suspension.
I mean, that's pretty interesting on a compact car that's not very expensive.
Torque vectoring limited slip differential.
So you like that.
The engine is a two liter turbocharged four cylinder engine.
As I mentioned, two hundred seventy six horsepower has plenty of torque to two hundred
eighty nine pound feet of torque.
You can get the eight speed wet dual clutch transmission with paddle shifters,
which I like. I think that's pretty cool.
How do you like these manumatic transmissions, Matt?
Are you a fan or not a fan?
They work well enough.
I mean, they do they're not as seamless shifting as
traditional torque converter transmission.
But the feedback is very positive.
I mean, if you're if you're in the performance driving,
people like that, that feel of the gears changing.
And especially if you use the paddle shifters,
it's it's a lot like a race transmission, a racing transmission.
Now a lot of them are our paddle shifted sequential shift gear boxes.
So I think it's consistent with the
the design of the car and what it what it purports to offer.
It's just that don't expect it to be this buttery, smooth,
eight speed automatic transmission that you might find in a sonata.
Yeah. And it's not supposed to be.
I mean, I kind of like using these things.
I have a tendency to use them for a little while and then kind of go, OK,
I get how this works.
Now I'll let it shift automatically for a while and, you know, take
take the brain work out of the gears are a real deal.
You know, like if you get a CVT, a lot of these shifts,
they're artificial, you know, they're totally artificial.
Yeah, a certain ratio.
So I just find that that these
these manumatics are a little bit more authentic.
Yeah, kind of cool. Yeah.
It has a grin control system that alters the throttle mapping.
It's actually just drive modes and the grin shift
that over boosts the turbo when you want to do that.
So that's kind of cool.
Like I say, it's got a lot of go fast stuff that I like a lot.
And I think it's quite a good value at the price of under 37000 dollars.
It's not that big a car, but you can use it as an everyday car
and have no problem with it.
It's a five passenger vehicle with the Hyundai infotainment interface,
which is one of a really good one with a 10.25
digital display, among other things.
So I think it's good value all the way around.
Yeah. And again, it's a distinctively looking car.
And it's part of a new family of performance vehicles.
So you'll get a little of that rub off that sport rub off with the car,
which is great. Right. A lot of good safety.
So Alantra and take a look at it.
Of course, there are other Alantras that are also, I think, very good values
that are less expensive than 37000 dollars.
But take a look at those two.
And when we come back, we will have a very special guest.
His name is Matthew Lorenzo, a very good looking guy.
We're going to talk about a bunch of things,
including his book, How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car,
a tightwad's guide to EV ownership.
So stay with us and we'll be right back right here on America on the Road.
I received a letter from the reader this week, and I thought I'd share it with you.
Here's what he wrote.
I just got around to reading Dance in the Dark and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it.
I'm a compulsive reader and this one was right up my alley.
An unlikely hero.
A lot of twists and turns, some adult content,
and humor that rose naturally from the action.
Keep on writing and I'll keep on reading.
Of course, that's just the kind of letter any author would love to get.
I hope that others get the same enjoyment from reading Dance in the Dark
and my newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same.
Both are available exclusively at Amazon.com.
That's Dance in the Dark and Only One Thing Stays the Same,
both written by me, Jack R. Neyret.
Thanks for looking for them today.
Welcome back everybody to America on the Road, Jack Neyret.
Back with who we have a special guest for you,
who is also our co-host, I guess co-host this week,
Matt DiLorenzo, of course, is an esteemed auto expert,
has been so for years, former editor of Road and Track Magazine,
as I am former editor of Motor Trend Magazine,
and many other fine laurels to accompany that.
It's always great to have you on the show
and we're both North American Car of the Year jurors as well.
Let's talk about that a little bit because we're coming up on the time
when we do a drive event where we drive most of the contenders here,
and it's a pretty cool event, isn't it?
Why don't you tell our listeners a little bit about what happens there?
Well, we have an opportunity to gather the jurors together
outside of Detroit and Ann Arbor,
and we gather as many of the cars that are in the running for finalists
and get an opportunity to drive them back to back over the same roads,
over the course of two and a half days.
And it's really a terrific opportunity to get a lot done in one place
and really evaluate them.
And the other thing that we're doing
is evaluate them against the vehicles in which the class they compete.
It isn't exactly head-to-head competition among all the finalists.
Is this the best car of its type of the year?
So it's really a great opportunity to get a lot of seat time,
interact with other jurors, other people's opinions do help,
and they can point things out that you might miss,
and it's just a great opportunity to be together and drive a lot of cars and trucks.
Yeah, it is a terrific time.
One of the things I look forward to every year, a lot of fun.
I learned so much.
Let's talk a bit about the contenders this year
because it's a mixed bag, of course.
And for a car of the year, there aren't really that many contenders.
And I'll talk about that a little bit coming up,
but let me tell you what the contenders are.
The Audi A5, the Dodge Charger, the new Honda Prelude,
coming back after a long, long absence, the Kia K4 hatchback,
Mercedes-Benz CLA, and the Nissan Sentra.
I mean, that's a mixed bag, right?
And we can't really compare them one against the other
because they're so different.
But talk about how we go about evaluating it.
Well, the Honda Prelude would be really an interesting one to start with
because sport coupes have not been, you know,
everybody's been crazy about SUVs,
and the Prelude is actually kind of the return of the sport coupe.
So it'd be really interesting to see how well-executed it is,
and how different it is from anything that's out there right now.
So I think that's one that people will be very interested in getting behind the wheel.
And by the same token, that K4 hatchback is like a little station wagon.
And we haven't seen station wagons, again, because of the whole SUV craze.
It's really kind of interesting to see that that body style still exists
and that, you know, we're going to get a chance to evaluate that
against other compact cars that are out there on the market.
So those are two that I'm really most interested in.
The other ones are more traditional, the CLA.
The Centra, we'll see what that does in terms of redefining compact cars.
And, you know, the A5 is, again, a luxury car.
Then Dodge Charger is a performance car.
Now, I don't know if they're going to be bringing just the electric version for us,
or if they're going to have the...
That would be fascinating.
Why wouldn't it be because the six-cylinder version?
Yeah, I think it was nominated largely because of the electric powertrain.
And, of course, there are a number of jurors who are big electric proponents.
And then others are maybe less so, which I think is one of the cool things about the
North American Car of the Year jury.
There are 50 of us who participate in this.
And, you know, all independent journalists from all walks of life,
and actually from two countries, from Canada and from the United States.
So it's an interesting group that brings probably 50 different ways to evaluate
cars, but I think that results in a good result each time.
Right. Now, you know, moving over to that, the trucks really aren't...
You know, they're basically mid-cycle enhancements of existing trucks.
So there's really nothing really new there.
There's like the F-150 and Ford Maverick.
They have this new Lobo version.
And then the Ram has the 1,500 and a 2,500 with new engines.
And then we get the...
I think there was a major change on the Rivian,
which is the only electric.
So I don't...
That's a pretty straightforward category.
It's the SUVs where there's...
On our list, there's what, 18, 19 of them?
Yeah. I mean, it'll take us half the show to list them all, but...
It's a bewildering array of electric vehicles.
Yeah. Let me run down the list.
Yeah. Let me run down the list because it's...
Wow.
Oh, I'll try and take a big breath before I say all these.
Acura ADX Audi Q5, the Cadillac Escalade iQ, the Cadillac Optic,
the Cadillac Vistic, the Ford Expedition, the Genesis GV70, Honda Passport,
Hyundai Ionic 9, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Cherokee, the Lucid Gravity.
Wow. Finally coming into this group.
The new Nissan Leaf that we've talked about on a prior show, the Polestar 4,
the Subaru Forester Hybrid, the Toyota 4Runner.
I'm going to drive that momentarily here, and the Toyota RAV4 are also going to drive that
very soon.
Volkswagen Tiguan, new version of that, and the Volvo EX30 that you and I
have first drove, I think, in Barcelona, Spain a long, long time ago.
It wasn't great for prime time.
Really mixed bag.
What's your take on the number of Cadillacs here on the list?
I was kind of surprised.
As a longtime juror and former vice president of this organization, I was surprised by that.
Yeah. Again, it shows...
A lot of these cars are in development for a long time.
We talked a little bit earlier about the changes in the EV market and the
going away of the incentives.
The fact that we have three electric Cadillacs in the SUV range shows that these products are
finally hitting the market, and they may be a little late to the market, and there may be no
market for them. It's kind of interesting that we have all those in there at this point.
Yeah. I think you're kind of a proponent of the Nissan Leaf.
This is a new version of the Leaf, and one of the mantra that you're spouting is
affordable EVs, which I get. I don't know how exactly affordable the Leaf is compared to vehicles
that are the same size that are conventionally powered, but at least it's closer to being
affordable. Talk about that a little bit.
I think that the Leaf and then also the EX30, one of the things we liked about it was the
affordability versus the range. Both of them are going to be about 300-mile range, which is
really a sweet spot for an EV. I think both of those are going to be very strong competitors
based on the affordability quotient, which is what the EV market actually needs right now.
At the other end of it, we have things like the Polestar 4 and the Lucid Gravity, which are
decidedly luxury electric entries. I don't know if they move the needle enough
because there's a lot of high-end luxury electric cars that do a lot of the things that
those two vehicles do. Yeah. Then you have vehicles like the Hyundai Ionic 9, a three-row
electric SUV. Interesting. At the same time, a very conventional vehicle, the Ford Expedition,
which I liked a lot. I spent a lot of time driving various versions of the new Expedition.
I think it does a lot of things very, very well. I think you and I are both proponents of the
Genesis GV72. I certainly am. I think that's a terrific vehicle. I don't know how vastly changed
it is and why it's necessarily in this field. Talk about any one of those that you care to talk
about. Well, I think the Expedition has really become sort of the family station wagon of this
century. A lot of people still buy full-size SUVs if they have a lot of kids or a lot of people
who move around or a lot of stuff to move around or things to tow. They remain very popular despite
this onslaught of smaller SUVs or electric SUVs. I think that's going to be a very strong contender.
I think that the Ionic 9 is really kind of a cool EV-type vehicle, but we've already seen the
EV-9 in the category do well. Again, when you're judging apples to apples,
you have to ask yourself the question, what does the Ionic 9 bring to the table that the EV-9
didn't last year? The other area that I think is going to be the affordable RAV4, Tiguan.
You know, those are also very popular. Those are like the mid-size four-door sedans of their day.
These are the family, small family haulers. I think that the Passport, certainly,
they're all strong contenders. It's going to be very difficult to sort what truly is the utility
of the year this year. Right. There are tons of really mainstream utilities,
right? Like the Honda Passport you mentioned, Hyundai Palisade, one of our favorites for a long
time. I think a really good value in a three-row vehicle. I think they've done interesting things
to it. The Jeep Cherokee, I think a lot of people and people are interested in the Subaru Forester
Hybrid. I think Subaru people, what took you so long to get us a hybrid? That's probably what
they're saying. I think there's a lot of high value, pretty conventional vehicles. Some are
hybrids, of course, which isn't totally conventional, but I think much more convention, much easier to
live with than a pure electric, a battery electric. I really see a dichotomy here between the battery
electrics and everything else in terms of just usability and probably in terms of price.
Yeah. It was kind of interesting that we've seen in the utilities segment a high penetration of
over the last four or five years, we've had a lot of EVs in there. EV wanted with the ID
buzz. It'll be interesting to see if the tide is turning this year that we actually name
either a hybrid or an ICE SUV compact or that size or even something like the Expedition.
That'll show that there's still a lot of life left in ICE technology.
I think there are some jurors, and they're perfectly welcome to have their opinion. I've
got mine and I voice it every week on this show, but there's some that I think just are absolute
battery electric fanatics and beyond the position in the marketplace, they're going to support a
battery electric, which is fine to do and that's why we have 50 of us making these decisions.
But I think in terms of mainstream vehicles, there's a lot of good choices here. One we
haven't mentioned I think up till now is the Acura ADX, which is a new Acura entry, a kind of a
lower end Acura SUV entry that I think we both kind of like pretty much and a pretty high value
vehicle. What's your take on all of that? Yeah, I agree. I think that especially in the SUV has
become sort of the de facto mass market vehicle across all ranges, luxury entry level. I mean,
so that's why we have like 19 of them. It's going to be difficult to sort through. I mean,
kind of go, well, is this state of the art? Is this where the market is going?
They're all really good questions to ask and your only way you're going to figure it is out
is to get behind the wheel and drive them and I hope we have enough time to get through the
majority of those vehicles when we hit Ann Arbor. Right. We're going to announce three finalists
in each category in truck and car of the year in SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late November.
And then the winners in each category will be announced at the Detroit Auto Show on January
14th, 2026. So there you go. And when we come back, we will have a listener question and final
thoughts. So thanks to Matt DeLorenzo for being with us and stay with us. We'll be right back right
here on America on the Road. We're so glad you're with us. Welcome back to America on the Road with
guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo. This is Jackie Red with you. It is listener question time and we're
so glad you're listening and we love to get your questions and comments. Send them to
editor at drivingtoday.com. That's editor at drivingtoday.com and a guy named Fritz from
Lunnington, Michigan has done just that and sent us this question. I like this question a lot.
I like the show very much. Well, thank you Fritz for that. But there's a question I have.
How safe are self-driving features like Tesla Autopilot or GM's Super Cruise?
Well, you know, a lot of it depends on how the, I think the Tesla's, the full driving system,
which they used to call Autopilot and the government said, no, you can't,
has had more glitches and accidents. And I think that the problem is that they're using people
on the road to kind of beta test the technology. So I'm not a big fan of their approach. I think
GM's approach is a little bit more conservative. And if you were going to get one of those systems
to use, I would look at either the Super Cruise or the Ford Blue Cruise because they actually mapped
the roads that these vehicles were the systems. Yeah. I mean, Tesla really has two systems,
Autopilot is the less sophisticated of the two, and then what they call full self-driving,
which is an $8,000 option on most Tesla vehicles. So it's fairly sophisticated. And then you have
the Blue Cruise from Ford and the Super Cruise from General Motors that are basically super
highway only systems. Well, that wraps up our show for this week. Matt, remind us of the name
of your book and how folks can get it. I've written How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car,
a tightwad's guide to EV ownership. You can find it on amazonbarnesandnoble.com and at my website
tightwadgarage.com. Look for it. It's a terrific book. My new crime novel, only one thing stays the
same is now available in ebook and paperback format Amazon exclusively. So look for that. If you
like our show, please pass it on. Listen on this radio station each week and let your friends know
where you hear America on the road. America on the road is also available as a podcast and we
have YouTube and Rumble channels. So check those out and subscribe. Our thanks to Mercury
Insurance for sponsoring the show and to our Sports Violin Network stations for carrying it.
And most of all, thanks to Matt DiLorenzo for co-hosting. We do appreciate it, Matt.
Thanks very much. It's a great being here as always, Jack. We love to have you with us and
we're glad that folks are listening and join us again next time for another edition of America
on the Road. Hi, this is Jack the Red, host of America on the Road. I'd like to tell you about
my book, Dance in the Dark. It's a crime novel inspired by true crime. Many people have told
me it is the perfect follow-up to fatal photographs, my true crime account of the notorious Hollywood
bathing suit model murder case. In Dance in the Dark, Jason Griffith is a rock and roll drummer,
turned computer programmer who fears for his life, but he doesn't know why. After living a quiet life
for years, suddenly his girlfriend leaves him. He meets the most beautiful woman he has ever seen
and within days he's wanted for the murder of a drug cartel enforcer, a murder he didn't commit.
The cops think he did it though and so does the boss of the cartel. So he's stuck between the law
and the mob with nowhere to turn. The only person who might be able to help him is the new woman in
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That's Dance in the Dark by Jack Arnie Red. Thanks for checking it out.
About this episode
Exploring the 2025 Hyundai Elantra N, this episode dives into its performance capabilities and daily drivability, comparing it to the Nissan Altima. Co-host Matt DiLorenzo shares insights on the shifting electric vehicle landscape, discussing Ford's price cuts on the F-150 Lightning and GM's scaling back of EV production. The episode also highlights Jeep's new range-extended Grand Wagoneer and Lincoln's innovative 'forest meditation' feature in their luxury SUVs, making for a lively discussion on current automotive trends and technologies.
In this week’s episode of America on the Road, host Jack Nerad teams up with guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo for a road test double feature. Jack gets behind the wheel of the track-capable 2025 Hyundai Elantra N, a front-wheel-drive sport sedan that brings serious speed and value to the compact segment. Matt pilots the refreshed 2025 Nissan Altima, where new tech and design tweaks aim to keep this midsize sedan in the hunt. The fully packed news segment covers EV policy shifts, Jeep’s electrified Grand Wagoneer, and Lincoln’s meditation mode. Before the episode ends, Jack and Matt answer a listener’s question about the safety of semi-autonomous driving systems and preview the contenders for the 2026 North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year awards.
🚗 Road Test: 2025 Hyundai Elantra N
Jack Nerad hits the road in the 2025 Hyundai Elantra N, a performance-tuned compact sedan built by Hyundai’s N division. With 276 horsepower, a dual-clutch automatic transmission, electronically controlled suspension, and an e-LSD for cornering grip, this is a serious driver’s car, front-wheel-drive or not. It features the N Grin Control System with modes that alter throttle, steering, suspension, and exhaust, plus an N Grin Shift overboost that adds punch when you want it. Jack describes it as a “fast, fun-to-drive commuter car” that also boasts standout value at under $37K. Sport seats, dual 10.25-inch screens, and Hyundai’s long warranty round out the package.
🚘 Road Test: 2025 Nissan Altima
Guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo drives the updated 2025 Nissan Altima. A new SV Special Edition package brings gloss black wheels, a rear spoiler, and a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Altima continues with a 2.5-liter engine, available AWD, and up to 39 mpg highway. SL trims add upscale features like leather seating, woodgrain-style dash trim, and a Bose sound system. Matt notes the Altima’s balanced approach: solid tech plus impressive standard safety with Nissan Safety Shield 360.
🗞️ In the News
Ford Slashes F-150 Lightning Prices, GM Cuts EV Production
Ford drops prices on the 2026 Lightning—up to $4,000 off, plus a new STX trim with longer range and $11,500 in potential incentives. Meanwhile, GM scales back EV efforts, taking a $1.6 billion charge and blaming the end of tax credits and relaxed emissions rules for the pivot back to gas-powered profits.
2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Gets REEV Power, Upscale Look
The 2026 Grand Wagoneer debuts with a new design and a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) setup—647 hp and 500+ miles of total range. Jeep adds premium trims, a McIntosh audio system, and ditches chrome for a cleaner, more refined look.
Lincoln Introduces ‘Forest Meditation’ Mode
Looking for zen in traffic? Lincoln’s new Rejuvenate system now offers “Forest Meditation” with sounds, visuals, and even a scent—just don’t open the doors. Available in the 2025 Navigator and Nautilus, the feature was developed with Purdue University and Calm.
🔎 Special Segment: NACTOY 2026 Preview
Jack and Matt preview the front-runners for the 2026 North American Car of the Year. Key contenders in the Car category include the Audi A5, Dodge Charger, Honda Prelude, Kia K4 Hatchback, Mercedes CLA, and Nissan Sentra.
In the Utility category, expect fierce competition between the Acura ADX, Cadillac Escalade IQ, Genesis GV70, Lucid Gravity, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Subaru Forester Hybrid, and the budget-conscious Volvo EX30. Winners will be announced at the Detroit Auto Show in January.
📬 Listener Question
Fritz from Ludington, MI asks: “I like the show very much, but there’s a question I have: How safe are self-driving features like Tesla Autopilot or GM’s Super Cruise?”
Jack and Matt break down the current state of semi-autonomous driving, how these systems work, their limitations, and why human oversight is still essential.
🎙️ Hosts:
Jack Nerad — Award-winning auto journalist and author of Only One Thing Stays the Same
Matt DeLorenzo — Guest co-host and author of How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad’s Guide to EV Ownership
📢 Presented by:
• DrivingToday.com
• EMLandsea.com
• Mercury Insurance – Switch today and save. Californians save an average of $670.
📺 Watch & Subscribe
Find America on the Road on YouTube and Rumble. Subscribe for road test videos, shorts, and extended reviews.
