Safety concerns are problems that could hurt people. The hosts mention examples where companies had to take action—either pausing sales or issuing recalls.
Just because people search for something doesn’t mean they’re definitely buying it. The hosts say you have to look at what’s actually happening in the market, not just online interest.
The used EV market is where you buy electric cars that someone else owned first. The hosts say prices can drop a lot, so there may be good deals on low-mile cars.
Some people don’t have a place to plug in. For them, a hybrid can be simpler because you can still use gas like a normal car.
Term
Pricing starts at $43,245
Starting MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) is the baseline price before taxes and dealer add-ons. The speaker flags it as a potential “tripping point,” meaning the sticker price could be a barrier for buyers considering a plug-in hybrid SUV.
The New York Auto Show is a major North American event where automakers debut vehicles and concept cars. Mentioning it signals that the QX65 reveal is part of a formal launch/announcement cycle.
The Hyundai Palisade is a three-row midsize SUV that the hosts describe as having earned major accolades before a safety recall. In this segment, the recall affects power seats, including a fatal incident involving a child, and it leads to a stop-sale on certain trims.
Synthetic leather upholstery is a man-made material used to mimic leather. It’s often chosen for cost and durability, and it can feel different in heat/cold and wear patterns compared with real leather.
Lumbar support is the adjustable (or shaped) support for the lower back. If it’s not adequate—especially combined with a bouncy ride—it can lead to passenger fatigue on longer trips.
A 12.3-inch touchscreen is the main infotainment display size used to control media, navigation, vehicle settings, and driver-assist menus. Larger screens are common in modern SUVs and can improve usability.
Harman Kardon is an audio brand known for premium sound systems used in many vehicles. When paired with the right speakers and tuning, it can significantly improve clarity, bass response, and overall listening experience.
The infotainment system is the car’s main screen and controls for things like navigation, music, and apps. They’re saying it was easy to use on the trip.
Cargo space is how much stuff you can carry in the back of the SUV. They’re saying this one has a lot of room, which matters for trips and everyday errands.
This is about how the car uses the screen to control things like media and settings. The speaker thinks it’s not as easy or quick to use as it should be.
The Kia Telluride is a family SUV with three rows of seats. The speaker is saying the first one was a big success, and the new one has to improve on it.
An extended warranty is extra protection you buy after the regular warranty ends. It may pay for some repairs, but it usually doesn’t cover everything and you may still have to pay a deductible.
LIVE
This is America on the Road, named as Radio Show by the International Automotive Media
Conference, and now it's 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 Neyred. With me is co-host
Chris Teague, surviving horrible winter weather. And I know you're remodeling too, Chris. How's
that going? Yeah, we are. We are remodeling. The interior stuff doesn't start for a couple
of weeks, so we're lucky that we didn't have to deal with that and a power outage. But we're
good to go. How are things for you? A little better than that. We've got nice weather here,
so I like that. We'll see how long that lasts. Let's talk about automotive stuff. Gas prices
are climbing, and that's prompting some Americans to take another look at electric vehicles.
There's an increase in online searches, but that doesn't indicate what you might think. We'll get
behind the numbers on that coming up. Two automakers are preparing new SUVs for the market. Mitsubishi
is updating the Outlander plug-in hybrid with more electric range, while Infinity is getting ready
to reveal an all-new fast-back style luxury crossover called the QX65. Holding our breath on that.
Safety concerns are also making headlines. Hyundai has altered sales of some of its new
Palisade SUVs after a fatal incident involving a power seat mechanism. A very tragic story,
actually. Ford is dealing with a sweeping series of recalls, and there's something new for them,
right? 1.8 million vehicles. Two EV startups are aiming for the mainstream with lower-priced vehicles,
so a lot going on. Chris, are you excited about the Infinity QX65? I really want to be. I will
remain skeptical until I drive it. Yeah, we shall see. It's kind of cool looking, or what it's libel
to look like. We're not quite sure yet. 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 saved an average of $670 with mercury, so imagine how much you could save. You get a
quote today at drivingtoday.com slash auto insurance. That's drivingtoday.com slash auto hyphen
insurance. Well, Chris, what is your test vehicle for this week? I spent the week behind the wheel
of the 2026 Kia K4 hatchback GT line, and I can't wait to tell you all about it. Yeah, very cool.
I was on the launch of that, or the domestic launch of that, and so I'll have something to
kick in on that too. My test vehicle this week is the 2026 Volvo XC90 T8 all-wheel drive Ultra.
We had that when I did my annual spring training trip, so we'll tell you a little bit about that.
Two, our special guest this week is Sang Lee, his national manager of product planning at Kia North
America talking about the 2026 Kia Telluride. So we've got a ton of show for you, stay with us,
and we'll be right back right here on America on the Road. This is America on the Road, and welcome
back everybody with Jack Neyrad and Chris Teague. We're so glad you're with us. We appreciate it,
and it is news time. Gas prices are certainly peaking, and they are also peaking in two versions
of that word. One spelled one way, one spelled another, but they're going up, and we're seeing
more interest in electrified vehicles. This, according to Edmunds, among others, they say
searches for electrified vehicles including full battery electric models and hybrids accounted
for 22.4% of vehicle searches during the week of March 2nd. That's up from 20.7% the previous week.
A couple things I would comment about here, Chris. One is it's not just electric vehicles,
but it's hybrids, and you're hard-pressed not to search for hybrids these days, but also I'm not
sure whether that's a big rise from 20.7% to 22.4%. I think maybe these are statistics in search of
a story. What do you think? I think so too, and I think it's also good to point out that searches
don't necessarily mean anybody's buying these vehicles. That said, though, the used EV market
is rife with very heavily depreciated vehicles with low miles, so I think that there are some
good opportunities that people are actually looking to buy. Yeah, and I think that's where the
opportunities are, probably in the lightly used or heavily discounted new electric vehicles out
there. I think maybe lightly used is the way to go there, because some are coming off lease or some
were just short-term meta dealerships, so I think a thing to look at that. In the past, for example,
when Russia invaded the Ukraine in 2022, consumer searches for EVs also rose quickly, but that didn't
result in a lot higher EV sales. I'm not sure this is even about EV sales at all. I think this has
more to do with hybrids, and I think hybrids are the new darling of the industry anyway. Your thoughts
on that, Chris. Yeah, we've seen several automakers take steps back from their heavy EV plans and
recommit to hybrids and even some plug-in hybrids, because they're cheaper to produce,
they're much cheaper to buy, and they get the job done for a lot of people. I mean,
strong fuel economy, there's a lot to be said for strong fuel economy over fully electric for a lot
of people who can't charge and for other reasons. Yeah, they don't change your lifestyle either.
I mean, they operate just like a quote-unquote normal car, right, and you fill them up with gas
every now and then and walk out into the driveway and turn the key or push the button and they start
and off you go. Well, on that order, two automakers are preparing notable products,
and Mitsubishi, a brand we don't talk about all that much, but I think kind of offers some value
out there. The 2026 Outlander plug-in hybrid is coming in early May, and it's getting some
improvements. It's getting a larger battery to give all electric driving range of up to 45 miles.
I think that's good. Then there is the MPGE, which is newly controversial, that number,
but of 73. I don't know that that means anything to anybody, actually, these days in particular,
but I think this is a more powerful vehicle, almost 300 horsepower, more electric vehicle range.
I think there's a lot to like about this. Your thoughts, Chris? I agree. Mitsubishi flies
under the radar for most people in the country. They don't sell as many cars as even Nissan does,
which is kind of its sister brand at this point in time, but the Outlander has always been,
I've always had a soft spot for it. It's got a nicer interior than I think most people expect.
Decent plug-in hybrid range, I mean, 45 miles is not nothing to sneeze at. Those are competitive
numbers, and it's, styling is what it is, but it's not a terrible looking SUV.
Yeah. I think in some ways it's a little more Japanese than some of the other Japanese brands
out here that are kind of more mainstream America. Pricing starts at $43,245, so that might be a
bit of a tripping point for a vehicle this size. On the other hand, this is one of the largest of
the compact SUVs, and so I think it's probably worth a look. I agree.
Infinity is kind of teasing the fact that it's going to introduce the QX65 coming up very soon,
and then it's going to show it at the New York Auto Show. This is a two-row mid-sized luxury SUV
that is kind of in this luxury coupe SUV genre. I'm curious as to your reaction.
Well, I've read that. It's expected to get a nine-speed automatic transmission and not the
continuously variable transmission that has been fitted to so many infinities over the years,
which makes me happy. I think, you know, Infinity, again, like Mitsubishi, flies under the radar
for luxury buyers. I think the pricing will matter here. A lot of people are going to be kind of
turned off by the coupe style because it does cut into your utility a little bit, which is
kind of the reason people buy sport utility vehicles, right? So, but it is stylish. I do like
the look. Yeah, I like the look too. And I kind of always wonder about these things, because,
as you say, an SUV is for utility, and then you take some of the utility out of it with these
good looks. But, you know, some people like that. And I think as a retiree vehicle, maybe that would
be a cool thing, right? And, you know, you talk about Infinity flying under the radar. I was
looking at some used vehicles. We might actually buy a car, Chris, this just in. But the QX80 is,
like, remarkably cheap these days. I mean, just like beyond belief inexpensive as you use vehicles.
So that's something to take a look at too, just a word to the wise. Let's talk about recalls. I mean,
this is a sad story about the Hyundai Palisade. This is a vehicle that was named North American
utility of the year, among other things, a very good vehicle all the way around. But they have a
recall affecting about close to 70,000 vehicles. There was a fatal incident involving a child and
a power seat. Very, very sad. The limited and calligraphy trims are stopped because of these
power seats. Thoughts on that? Yeah, I just had this vehicle, a 2026 Palisade. The recall popped
up in the infotainment system for me. And then the stop sale popped up the day after that.
It's a tragic circumstance. You know, the seats, they move very slowly in this vehicle and many
others with the power seats. But there has to be some safety mechanism there to stop it from
happening. You know, if it wasn't somebody's kid, it could have been a pet or anything else. But,
you know, specifically a child is very, very much a tragic situation. Yeah, very troubling,
very troubling. Ford has a much larger bunch of recalls. They are recalling more than 1.8 million
vehicles for safety-related issues. One recall covers about 35,000 2025 and 2026 Ford Explorer
SUVs. They have a software problem with the headlamp control module that can cause the
passenger side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when cornering. I love, I mean, they
talk about a weird thing to happen. It's kind of like these pilot ray headlights that turn with
the wheels and it's turning the opposite way of the wheels. That's weird. And then there's a 48,000
vehicle recall involving Ranger, Mustang, Maverick, Escape Bronco and several Lincoln models. This
has faulty exhaust gas circulation valve. That could lead to a loss of engine power at low speeds,
which you certainly don't want. I mean, it's kind of amazing the number of recalls that Ford puts
out there, right? I mean, they set a record last year. Yeah, they've set records for many years.
They've been the leading recalled automaker for, I don't know how many years now and I want to get
in trouble by stating a number. But you have to wonder, CEO Jim Farley, was it just last year or
maybe 2024 that he came out and said, you know, we're going to drill down and focus on quality.
We're going to address these issues before these vehicles leave the factory because these recalls
cost billions of dollars over the course of a year. And I guess I would just hate to be the guy
tallying up the numbers at the end of every quarter on some of these things.
Yeah, I mean, they have rear view camera issues that are affecting almost two million vehicles.
1.74 million vehicles are being recalled because of that. So that's a little bit nuts.
Let's go into the electric vehicle business a little bit here. Rivian and Lucid are both
announcing lower priced models, I think in an effort to remain somewhat relevant here.
Rivian has introduced the R2, which is a compact electric SUV. And Lucid has announced a platform
for smaller vehicles. What's your quick take on that? I think it's due time for both of these
automakers to have something that most, I mean, $50,000, whatever is not super affordable. But,
you know, Lucid especially has been out of reach for the vast majority of buyers
since they started, right? The Lucid era has been several models well over $100,000. So
I hope they're able to pull it off and get some more traction. I like both automakers.
I think they make cool vehicles. So I'm looking forward to seeing them, especially the R2.
Yeah, I hope they survive. I mean, that's, I think they're probably in survival mode right now,
trying to keep swimming in a sea that is pretty rough for them, I would imagine.
Chris, remind us of your road test vehicle for this week.
I had the 2026 Kia K4 hatchback. Yeah, very cool. And I'll be talking about the 2026 Volvo
XC90 T8 all-wheel drive Ultra. So stay with us for those road tests. And we'll be right back
right here on America on the Road. I'd like to tell you about my newest crime novel,
Only One Thing Stays The Same. As the story unfolds, an unemployed aeronautics worker named Bill
McCurdy becomes disillusioned with his wife and slips into an illicit affair with a teenager
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stays the same. Only One Thing Stays The Same is available in Kindle e-book and paperback form
exclusively at amazon.com. I'd appreciate it if you'd look for it today.
Welcome back to America on the Road with Chris T. Jack Neerad back with you. It is road test time
on America on the Road. We would like to thank you for listening to America on the Road. And
if you like our show, please pass it along to somebody who you think might also like it. We'd
love to do that. We'd love to increase our listenership and viewership this year. So thanks for that.
Chris, you were driving a vehicle that I had a chance to experience fairly recently as well.
So I guess we can kick that around a little bit. Kind of an interesting vehicle, I think. Tell us
about it. It is an interesting vehicle, Jack. This is the hatchback version of the K4 sedan,
which came out, I don't know, 25 or 24. So very recently, it's the smaller version. It looks very
similar to the sedan version. It looks very similar to the K5, which is a larger, mid-sized
sedan. Jack, what are your initial impressions of just the driving or, I'm sorry, the styling and
the look of this thing? I mean, I love hatchbacks, right? I just think they're really useful vehicles.
So I like smaller hatchbacks. I always have. I don't think the American market, I don't think
Americans generally seem to like hatchbacks as much as us auto journalists do. But I like it. I
more fun to drive, certainly, than an SUV. I agree. The last three cars I've owned have been
hatchbacks. Most recently, the Toyota GR Corolla, which gave me high hopes for the driving
capabilities of this car. But stepping back, you can get into the base level sedan for around $23,500.
The base hatchback is about $26,000. And then the GT Line Turbo model, which is the range topping
model that I tested in the hatchback, is around $30,000. The base car has got 147 horsepower,
two liter engine, two liter four cylinder engine. My model, my test car had a turbocharged 1.6
liter four cylinder, makes 190 horsepower and 195 pound feet of torque, reaches the front wheels
through an eight speed automatic transmission. Now, as I said, I had high expectations of this
vehicle's driving style and driving experience. But the numbers on paper don't really live up to
those expectations. I think that's probably okay for most people because you gain a lot back in
the handling with this car. It's extremely fun to drive just on a twisty road. You're not going to
be hot rotting anywhere, but it holds its own. There's very little body roll. And it does feel
a little bit like a go cart type sensation. It feels smaller than it is. The GT Line Turbo has
larger 18 inch wheels than the other trims too, which I think contributes to that. What do you
think? Did you get to drive the turbo version? I did, I did. And I liked it. And I think what
they were trying for here is a hot hatch, you know, kind of in the, in the genre of the original
GTI and that kind of thing where it's affordable, but fun to drive, right? It's not super high
performance. And I think what we've seen in a lot of hatches recently is they add so much performance
that they get so price. I mean, the GR Corolla talk about that, right? I mean, that's stratospheric
in terms of cost for a vehicle of that size. And I think this is more approachable and maybe
that's the right thing to do. I think in that context, it makes a lot of sense, especially if
you look at like a golf GTI, yes, it has 50 or 60 more horsepower, but it's also $10,000 more expensive
in some configurations to get some of the same features. And as I mentioned, this car, the handling
is very fun. I don't have any issue with that. One thing I will say, and you in Southern California
and people who don't live in more rural areas probably have smoother roads than we do. I think
it's kind of a national pastime to complain about the roads, but you do feel every bump,
every crack, every little bit of everything in the road with this car. And over time, especially
on longer drives, I drove this to the ski mountain with my daughter. It's a little tiring. I think
that that could be the one thing I'll say about it. Inside you get synthetic leather upholstery
in the GT line turbo trim. He didn't ventilated front seats. The front seats are wide. They're
nicely supportive. But one thing I'd like to see in this vehicle is a little bit better
lumbar support. I think combined with the sort of jostling ride at times, it is a little tiring.
In my back, I'm, you know, 40, in my mid 40s now, I got a little tired of it after a while. But I
think for normal people, younger people, it's just fine. And you got good room in the front,
the front seats. The back seats are a little bit less supportive, but you do have enough room for
three people across. I will say if you're trying to put three adults back there, good luck. I think
the person in the middle is going to be irritated at least a few minutes into the drive. But there's
good room for kids in booster seats, kids in car seats. And if you want to strap your dog back
there, I strapped my almost 90 pound golden doodle into the back seat, and he had plenty of room to
turn around. And the fit and finish in this car, there are more plastics than, you know, you probably
expect. But again, we're talking about a $30,000 car as the flagship of this line. So I think it's
to be expected. In terms of technology, you get a 12.3 inch touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster,
wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging in the top trim,
and a Harman Kardon sound system that sounds great. I love Kia's infotainment system. We've
talked at length about how simple it is. It kind of sidesteps some of the fancy animations and
colors. But what the result is that it's easy to use and not bad to look at. And then with this
top trim, you also get a full suite of advanced safety equipment, blind spot monitoring, rear
cross traffic alerts, forward collision warnings, and so on. So Jack, I think if I were going for
this car, I'd probably still opt for the top trim. I don't think $30,000 is all that outrageous for
what you get. And you get a cool range of colors. Mine had a really bright gold $500 paint job.
But I think it's a fun car. Yeah, I think it's a fun car too and affordable. And those two
descriptors don't go together that often these days, do they? So that's kind of cool. I like a
lot. So certainly worthy of a look. Absolutely. Well, Chris, I was driving a vehicle that I
think I think you've owned one, for example, it is kind of an industry constant is the Volvo XC90,
their three row SUV from Volvo. And it just seems like year after year after year, the XC90 delivers
the same kind of stuff, right? You know what it is, you know what it's going to deliver. I had a
chance to drive the 2026 T8 all wheel drive ultra version. So kind of the ultimate version of the
vehicle this time around. And it's just a solid, calm, carefully designed vehicle. I just liked
it. Doesn't have aggressive styling. It looks like it what it looks like, you know, kind of a
family vehicle. It puts the emphasis on comfort and practicality, usability. And I had a chance
to drive this during my annual spring training trip to Arizona. It was just perfect for that. I
mean, more than enough room, certainly very comfortable. We used the maps a lot. We used
the onboard infotainment system and all that stuff. And then we tried to hook up various
phones to it and all that. And it just worked really well. I mean, this is a vehicle you've
had a lot of experience with weighed in on this. Yeah, while they can be a little pricey, I always
say, and I've said this many times, the XC90 is one of the most perfect family vehicles that is on
sale right now. It just has the fit. It has the finish. It's nice. It makes you feel special.
And we're talking about a vehicle that's what almost 10 years old since its last complete
redesign. Volvo has done a lot to keep it modern and they've done a good job with it. I still like
the new model as much as I did the others. Yeah, they did a refresh last year. So this year pretty
much the same. There's good updated technology inside the cabin. As you say, it kind of feels
current despite its age. This is a plug-in hybrid variant near the top of the lineup.
It has a turbocharged two liter four cylinder engine with an electric motor. They produce
a whopping 455 horsepower. This actually can be kind of a hot rod if you want it to be.
Tons of torque and that's available all the time. 523 pound feet of torque is a lot of torque.
Uses an eight speed geartronic automatic transmission, standard all wheel drive in this
version. So this has got a lot to like about it, I think. The suggested retail price is $83,400
with the options on the test vehicle we had. It was close to $90,000. So that's certainly pricey for
mid-sized family. And you had an XC90 several years ago. I'm imagining you didn't pay 90 grand
for it, right? No, we had a gas only version, but it was the T6, which at the time was the
upper level powertrain behind the plug-in hybrid. It was several tens of thousand dollars less than
that. Yeah, yeah. As you mentioned, it's a great family-oriented vehicle, fun to drive with fun
to drive, but not sports car fun to drive. I mean, certainly powerful enough to pass slower
traffic and there was plenty of that on the Arizona highways that I was on. We were driving
across town from Mesa where the Cubs train to, I guess, over toward Goodyear and that area,
Glendale where the Dodgers train because we have a division within the household on which
team we favored. But that was fun. And air suspension made this very, very comfortable to
drive over reasonably good roads, I think. The electric only driving range of 32 miles kind
of didn't come into play here. Given where we were, we couldn't recharge this because we were
staying in a hotel. So that was just kind of not a thing. And it also has 58 MPGE. If that means
anything to you, what's your take on that, Chris? I think it's really kind of a nebulous type of
concept to most people, right? Like trying to calculate that. And I don't often include it in
writing unless I'm just listing specs because it's so hard to conceptualize. Yeah. I mean, it was
designed so you could compare that with MPG in a gasoline-only car. It doesn't really do that,
but that's a whole different story. It's got a great cabin. You know, just a very useful cabin.
Good-looking, simple organized. I have a little Swedish heritage, so maybe I have even more
affinity for this than others do. But Napa leather upholstery in the vehicle, I had power adjustable
front seats. Very comfortable. As I mentioned, three-row. You can actually get some adults in
the third row. Maybe not forever, but four-zone climate control. Certainly a lot of safety stuff
as well. Good cargo space. I mean tons of cargo space, actually. So a super practical vehicle.
I mean, just a lot to like about this vehicle. I think you can get vehicles that are XC90s
that are less expensive than this one. They're probably a better value. I guess there's a little
issue with the touchscreen interface and how much stuff is in the touchscreen. Your quick take on that.
Yeah, they updated the infotainment, but there's still too much swiping for me. There's still too
much hunting for what you're trying to do. But it's at least snappy and pretty responsive.
Yeah. It now is a Google-based system, so we like that. So a lot of good stuff there. So
a great premium audio system. Good technology all the way around. So it's certainly a vehicle
to look at. I would look at maybe other versions of the XC90. But if you want a family luxury vehicle,
I mean, this is certainly one to gander at, I think. I agree. And when we come back,
we're going to have a great guest. His name is Sang Lee. He is the product planner on the
inner peace, self-respect, emotional fulfillment. Are you finding these worthwhile goals difficult
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Are you thinking about starting a business, but don't know what will set it apart from all the
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Jack Arnie Redd. Thanks for checking it out.
Welcome back everybody to America on the Road. Jack Arnie Redd back with you. So glad to be with
you. Thanks for joining us. I have a terrific guest. Sang Lee is product expert, product planner,
extraordinaire with Kia. We're talking about probably the most important Kia vehicle there is
on the planet and certainly in North America. The brand new Kia Telluride. Thanks so much for
being with us. We appreciate it. You're welcome. Thank you, Jack, for having me. I want to talk
about with this vehicle. It is a terrific vehicle. This was a game changer, the original Telluride
of about six years ago or so, was a game changer for your brand. Now you're charged with doing it
all over again. Tell us about that, about that challenge. So the sequel is always challenging.
Expectations were very high, but we had high expectations for ourselves. Whatever deficiencies
you know, we felt like we had with the first generation, we addressed with the second generation.
But the approach overall was let's set that set the first generation like it was
a lower benchmark and go above and beyond. Just like the approach was the first time around.
Was to go above and beyond before. I mean, you were entering in the last time,
entering a segment that Kia was not in. Now you're entering a re-entering, I guess,
a segment with a new vehicle where you're a big player, you know, where you had a hit vehicle
before. And yet you're talking about improving in virtually every area. I mean, start where you
want to. Where do you think the biggest improvements are? The biggest improvement is it's really two
fold overall refinement and overall capability. But it's just some of the all of its parts.
For example, the rack mounted power driven power steering system versus column mounted.
I'm sure you had a chance to drive and feel it. Yes. It's
but more upscale at the same time. My co-driver kept saying to me, you're going to like hearing this.
Wow, this thing really handles great. I'm loving the way this handled. I feel the same way, but
this is coming from him as well. And that's due to things like that that you did that are a step
ahead, right? Absolutely. You know, not only the vehicle grew, but it doesn't feel like it. It
feels light on its feet. It feels agile. Quantify that for us a little bit. Wheel base is a little
longer, like a couple inches longer. What is wheel base? The overall length grew by 2.3 inches.
But the wheel base grew by 2.7 inches. That's going to yield practical benefits like
larger ingress, egress. Yeah, getting into the back seat is easier because the back doors are
larger, right? That kind of thing. It improves ride comfort. So the vehicle grew, but the turning
radius only increased by less than two and a half inches. One of the biggest pros of the first gen
was despite being 196.9 inches long, it was very agile. We didn't want to lose that. So, you know,
we kept everything that was good and improved everything else, enhanced everything else,
addressed whatever we didn't have in things like one of the things I really wanted on the last
generation was a power adjustable steering column. We have that now. A auto dimming outside mirrors,
we have that now. Ergo motion massage and driver seats, we have that now. Even down to the triple
door seals to the acoustic second row windows, you saw how quiet the vehicle was. First generation
really wild people with how quiet it was, but we knew we could improve. So we improved just about
in every facet. Yeah, I mean, essentially, it's a luxury three row SUV. I mean, the Kia badge
is a value brand badge, but everything about this vehicle, the interior accommodation, the way it
looks inside, what you get in first and second and even third row, third row heated seats available,
for example. You've got a lot of storage space behind the third row, which is always a problem
in a lot of three rows is there's no room behind that third row if you're using the third row.
You kind of addressed all the issues, didn't you? That's, you know, we looked at the entire,
there's a spec sheet that we use and it's, we call it the DNA, some of us call it the DNA,
over 500 rows of specs, and we addressed every single one of those items.
Yeah. One of the vehicles that is heavily cross shopped is the Hyundai Palisade, which was out,
was North American utility of the year. I'm on the North American Car of the Year Jury. So
I was one of the ones who thought, absolutely, you have advances over that vehicle, right?
And kind of pointed them out. Tell us about some of that stuff.
So looking at the RX Pro versus their XRT Pro, we have an advantage in the amount of ground
clearance, 9.1 inches versus 8.4 inches. Looking at the hybrid, we have a greater driving range
of 637 miles as a result of having up to 35 miles per hour, miles per gallon combined,
4,500 pounds of towing versus 4,000. And of course, it comes with a standard spare tire.
So these two vehicles are essentially on the same platform. You're starting with the same thing,
but then you added all the stuff that we've talked about, and a bunch more, I think,
to tick off, to just add value to this vehicle. Again, kind of, because this is such an important
vehicle, I imagine, for Kia, right? It's very important for us, but also
the Toyota's primary consumer is an American consumer. And American consumers, Tomor,
they go on longer road trips, where having a spare tire matters, likely to go more off-roading,
where the 9.1 inches of ground clearance comes in. So it's really laser focused on
meeting the needs of the American. I think what you were talking about is,
this is a vehicle that's designed here in the United States, engineered here in the United States,
built in the United States. It's kind of an American vehicle all the way around.
And this type of vehicle is an American vehicle type, isn't it? We wrote it, yeah.
Let's talk about powertrain, because you've got an interesting powertrain story. Walk us through that.
So our standard engine is a turbo 2.5-liter GTI, putting out 311 foot-pounds of torque.
Very early in the RPM range of 1700. Tell why that's important,
because I think a lot of people won't grasp why that is. So these are not sports cars,
what matters, we hear it, we see it in the data, passing powers was important. And that extra
basically 49 foot-pounds of torque over the outgoing V6 plays a very key part in the passing power.
There's only three or four examples in the segment that's still using a naturally aspirated V6.
They can't deliver, they're all pretty much locked in at around 260,
70 foot-pounds of torque. We needed to provide more torque, and the 2.5-liter turbo was the answer.
Second, do you get better fuel economy with that as well versus the naturally aspirated V6?
Comparable, comparing to the Palisade, yes. Now move on to the bigger news, the turbo hybrid.
First-time implementation on the Tauri ride program. We really looked at what matters to the
consumers in the segment. One of the biggest unmet needs is driving range and or fuel economy.
So we didn't want to lose power. In fact, we wanted to add, if possible, which is the case here,
329 horsepower, 339 foot-pounds of torque, but up to 35 miles per gallon combined.
So in the development phase, we said, let's look at what's out there and let's deliver
a no-compromise approach. Add power, add efficiency. We know this is possible.
Nice combination, yeah. Very irresistible combination.
Yeah, yeah, and you've got both of those. Combined fuel economy is kind of an eyepopper,
really, for a vehicle of this size, this weight, with this capability.
Engineering has come so far, you know, 10 years ago, a vehicle of this size, 35 combined MPG,
hard to fathom, hard to fathom, but it's possible now and it's no longer a compromise to have a
hybrid. You get really best of both worlds. At six-speed automatic, tell me about that.
I'm kind of curious as to why that's a six-speed as opposed to, is it eight-speed in the, yeah.
So when you talk about number of speeds, it's really about the overall spread of the gears
and the hybrid, you only need the six because the lower speeds, you have the low-speed propulsion.
Yeah, you can fill in the gaps with the electric motors, right?
It's exactly what it is. And, you know, ideally, less gears, less complexity.
Well, talk a little bit about complexity because when you hear it's a turbo and it's a hybrid,
I mean, that strikes a lot of people, there's a lot of complexity, right? I mean,
walk us through that and I'm curious about dependability and longevity.
So I think a lot of people, including myself, we remember the turbos from the 90s, the 80s,
before software management, before digital management, modern turbos with direct injection,
with so much management. Turbo is really not a detriment to durability. In fact,
it's a contributor to efficiency and in this case, contributor to more power.
Tell us about the hybrid drive system. Two electric motors, where are they,
how do they work, what do they drive? Two motors, one is on the engine, one is
attached to the transmission. Combined, they provide about 90 horsepower of boost.
Again, the total net output being 329. The two motor application is regardless of
drivetrain, we don't. So it could be front drive or all-wheel drive, yeah.
You know, again, striking a perfect balance of power and efficiency was the goal of this power
chain. Let's talk a little bit about off-roading. It seems like this is so hot in this segment,
a lot of SUV segments, at least to look like you can go off-road, but you've added significant
capability this time around. Talk about that. That's correct. So the X-Pro on the new Toyota
right, we've added hardware and software, starting with the most important aspect of
capability, which is ground clearance, 9.1 inches of ground clearance. We all know if you
can't clear it, you can't you can't go past it. And once you get past it, if there is traction
challenging areas, we've also added the ELSD. We've added things like the terrain mode, which
snow mud sand optimizes the delivery of power along with the ELSD, right, to maximize grip.
The all-terrain tires are now 10 millimeters wider, 255, 60 on 18-inch wheels.
Yeah, 18-inch wheels with a thick sidewall, which is what you want for an all-terrain time.
And, you know, even software-wise, we have off-road display, ground view monitor, which
provides a kind of an invisible hood view of what's in front of you. And should you get stuck,
or should you want to pull somebody out, we have two recovery points in the front and two in the
back. It's really one of the more capable vehicles in the segment.
Well, Sangly, thanks so much for talking with us. We could talk a lot longer, but
this is the length of our segment, so thanks for telling us all about this. I appreciate it.
Thank you, Jack, for having me. And stay with us, everybody. We'll be right back right here
on America on the Road. Welcome back to America on the Road with Covers Christy.
Jack, you had back with you. It is the final segment of our show. It's question time. We love
to answer your questions based on our experience, so send those questions to editoradrivingtoday.com.
That's editoradrivingtoday.com. Here's a question for you, Chris. This is from Ricky in Topeka,
Kansas. I'm about to buy a new car, and I've always gotten an extended warranty,
but now I'm wondering, are extended warranties worth it on today's cars?
This is a tough question, right, because I've purchased an extended warranty, but the car
was already 10 years old and had 200,000 miles on it. I look, I think it really depends on how
long you're going to keep the car, how much you drive, and the type of car that you're buying.
Most cars, luxury brands, I think, are like five years or four years, 50,000 mile powertrain warranty.
If you buy a Kia or a Hyundai, you get a 10-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.
I think it would really depend on your appetite or, I guess, your risk tolerance with repair
costs as the vehicle ages. If you plan on trading it in the next four or five years,
I would say absolutely not. If you decide to buy the warranty, it's extremely important that you
thoroughly research the company that you're going with. Make sure you understand exactly what is
and is not covered, and what you're deductible, and what you're going to be on the hook to pay,
and all those things. I think it takes some thought, and you don't have to buy it from the
dealer right away, either. You may be paying more money upfront doing that. Just take your time,
think about it, and check all your options. Yeah, I mean, that's a very comprehensive answer.
My suggestion would be, if you're going to buy an extended warranty, you have plenty of time to do
it because, like you say, the warranty period on most cars, minimum is like three years,
and powertrain warranties are generally five or 60,000 miles. You can buy the warranty anytime
within that period. Also, I would only buy a warranty that was backed by a car brand,
as opposed to a third party. That's my thoughts on that. That's the end of our show for this
week, or that wraps it up. My new crime novel, only one thing stays the same, is available in
ebook and paperback form at Amazon, so look for that. If you like our show, please pass it on.
Listen on this radio station each week. Let your friends know where you hear America on the road.
We'd love to double our listenership this year, and we need your help. Right, Chris?
That is right. Quick Google search for the America on the Road podcast will bring us to you on all
the major platforms, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of the others. Like the show, download
the show, subscribe, and leave us a review. All those things will help us keep growing,
and you can take us with you wherever you go. Right. We have a YouTube channel, so check us
out there. You can see what we look like, and more importantly, see what these vehicles look like.
Our thanks to Mercury Insurance for sponsoring the show, and to our sports byline network
stations for carrying it. Most of all, thanks to you for listening. We know you have a lot of
different choices, so the fact that you're listening to us honors us. We appreciate that,
and join us again next time for another edition of America on the Road.
I received a letter from Rita 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 Arneerat.
Thanks for looking for them today.
About this episode
Rising gas prices are driving more searches for electrified vehicles, but the hosts dig into why that doesn’t necessarily mean EV sales are surging—especially with hybrids doing the heavy lifting. News covers Mitsubishi’s updated 2026 Outlander plug-in hybrid (up to 45 miles EV range), Infiniti’s QX65 coupe-style SUV, and major safety/recall stories including Hyundai Palisade stop-sales and Ford’s 1.8M+ recall wave. Road tests highlight the 2026 Kia K4 hatchback GT-Line and the 2026 Volvo XC90 T8’s family-luxury comfort. Guest Sang Lee explains the new Kia Telluride’s refinement, hybrid powertrain, and off-road upgrades, followed by a question on whether extended warranties are worth it.
This week on America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Chris Teague test the 2026 Volvo XC90 and Kia K4 Hatchback. In the news, they unpack climbing gas prices tied to global tensions, which are driving an uptick in searches for electrified vehicles, and cover the upcoming 2027 Infiniti QX65 fastback luxury crossover, the updated 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid, and sweeping safety recalls affecting Hyundai Palisade and Ford vehicles. They’ll also discuss ambitious plans from Rivian and Lucid to reach mainstream buyers as consumer interest in battery-electric vehicles wanes.
The Volvo XC90 remains a benchmark in the midsize three-row luxury SUV segment, and the 2026 T8 plug-in hybrid Ultra trim delivers calm, refined performance with a combined 455 horsepower from its turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder and electric motor setup. Jack tested it during his Spring Training trip to Arizona, praising its smooth power delivery, quick acceleration, quiet cabin, excellent ride comfort, premium Nappa leather interior with ventilated seats and four-zone climate control, advanced Google-based infotainment, comprehensive safety suite including Pilot Assist, and up to 32 miles of electric-only range. At around $89,695 as tested, it excels in family practicality, safety, and relaxed long-haul comfort over aggressive sportiness.
🚙 Chris Teague’s Road Test: 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback GT-Line Turbo
Chris Teague spotlights the 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback GT-Line Turbo, the sporty flagship of Kia’s new compact five-door lineup. It combines a peppy 1.6-liter turbocharged engine (190 hp, 195 lb-ft) with an eight-speed automatic and front-wheel drive, plus a sport-tuned suspension, multi-link rear, and upgraded brakes for engaging handling. The hatchback design boosts versatility with generous rear legroom, 22 cubic feet of cargo, and easy loading. Inside, it shines with dual 12.3-inch displays, wireless connectivity, premium touches like ventilated seats and robust driver aids. But does it have the performance credibility its looks suggest?
🎙️ Special Guest Interview
Sang Lee, National Manager of Product Planning at Kia North America, joins the show as our expert on the all-new 2026 Kia Telluride three-row SUV, discussing its fresh design, updated tech, enhanced capability, and why it has become a standout in the competitive family SUV class.
📰 This Week’s Headlines
Gas Prices Spark EV Interest
Rising gas prices over $3.75/gallon, driven by Iran tensions, have boosted electrified vehicle searches from 20.7% to 22.4% per Edmunds, but experts say short-term curiosity rarely leads to purchases.
Infiniti Unveils Sleek 2027 QX65 Crossover
The all-new 2027 Infiniti QX65, a fastback-style two-row midsize luxury SUV inspired by the classic FX, debuts in just a few days, with New York Auto Show reveal and U.S. sales starting early summer.
2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Gets Major Upgrade
The refreshed 2026 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid arrives in May with 45 miles of EV range, 297 horsepower, sharper handling, refined interior, and pricing from $43,245.
Hyundai Halts Palisade Sales After Fatal Seat Incident
Hyundai has stopped sales of select 2026 Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims and plans to recall nearly 70,00 vehicles due to an apparenr power seat defect linked to a child fatality.
Ford Issues Massive Recalls on 1.8M+ Vehicles
Ford is recalling over 1.8 million vehicles for headlamp glitches, faulty EGR valves (multiple models), and rearview camera failures causing shutdowns or inverted images in ~1.74 million units.
Rivian Launches Affordable R2 Compact SUV
Rivian’s new R2 compact electric SUV starts around $46,495, offers up to 656 hp, 330 miles of range, off-road capability, and begins production in spring 2026 to challenge the Tesla Model Y.
Lucid Targets Mainstream with Sub-$50K EVs
Lucid revealed a new midsize platform for three models under $50,000—including SUVs Cosmos and Earth—plus cost-cutting Atlas drive tech and a Lunar robotaxi concept partnered with Uber.
❓ Listener Question
Ricky from Topeka, Kansas asks: “Are extended warranties worth it on today’s modern cars?” Jack and Chris offer their seasoned perspective based on reliability trends and real-world ownership.
📚 Jack Nerad’s New Book
Jack’s crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, is available now in paperback and eBook on Amazon — currently at a sale price.
🎧 Where to Listen
Catch America on the Road on this station each week, or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Follow for newcar reviews, guest interviews, auto news, and road tests.
Sponsored by Mercury Insurance and DrivingToday.com
📺 Watch & Subscribe
Find America on the Road on YouTube and Rumble. Subscribe for road test videos, shorts, and extended reviews.
