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Subaru Uncharted, Jeep Cherokee Deep Dive, New Silverado

Subaru Uncharted, Jeep Cherokee Deep Dive, New Silverado

Car Stuff Podcast Jun 22, 2026 62 min
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About this episode

The Car Stuff Podcast moves from station-wagon speed talk to EV and hybrid realities, then lands on hands-on impressions of the Subaru Uncharted. Hosts connect the Uncharted to the new Toyota CHR, note its city-friendly character, and discuss charging, real-world range, and an unusual front-wheel-drive base trim. The Jeep Cherokee deep dive follows, focusing on its return, bigger dimensions, and a hybrid strategy designed to protect all-wheel-drive capability. The episode also looks ahead to the 2027 Silverado redesign and ongoing RAV4 supply constraints.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

station wagon

"Last week, we talked about obscure station wagons. In my parking lot, in my driveway right now, 2026 BMW M5 Touring. Oh. Station wagon."

A station wagon is a car with extra space behind the back seats. The back area is built for carrying stuff, so it’s more practical than a typical sedan.

Car

2026 BMW M5 Touring

"Last week, we talked about obscure station wagons. In my parking lot, in my driveway right now, 2026 BMW M5 Touring."

This is a super-fast BMW wagon. It’s based on the BMW M5, which is BMW’s performance model, but in a station-wagon body instead of a regular sedan.

Car

Audi Rs6

"...oked at the specs on it, but I would also say the Audi RS6 Avant is probably also pretty fast. Oh, you know ..."

The Audi RS6 Avant is a fast, performance-focused wagon. It’s built to be quick while still having the space you’d want for cargo. The podcast mentions it because it’s known for strong performance.

Car

Porsche Taycan

"Hmm. Will be the Porsche Taycan wagons, which have both been discontinued. Yeah."

The Porsche Taycan is an electric car from Porsche. The episode mentions that the wagon versions of the Taycan have been discontinued. That matters because it tells buyers what styles are still available.

Car

RAV4, Toyota RAV4

"Okay. [505.7s] I'm just changing topics here. [508.6s] RAV4, Toyota RAV4. [510.6s] Yes."

The Toyota RAV4 is a popular SUV that a lot of people buy. Here, they’re saying it’s so in-demand that it’s hard to find, and that Toyota’s move toward hybrid versions slowed things down a bit.

Term

hybrid

"[516.5s] Yeah. [516.5s] Like the demand is high and the supply is very low. [520.4s] Yeah. [521.0s] Apparently the rollover to the hybrid only thing slowed them down a little bit."

A hybrid uses both a gas engine and an electric motor. The host is saying that when Toyota started making the model hybrid-only, it took time to ramp up supply.

Term

tariffs

"[528.8s] Japan, Canada and the US, which is messing with things. [533.3s] It's also messing with them when it comes to tariffs. [536.0s] Okay. [536.9s] By them, I mean Toyota."

Tariffs are extra taxes on imported products. The host is saying that if Toyota is building cars in different countries, those taxes can affect pricing and supply.

Term

unfilled orders

"Wow. Unfilled orders. So RAV4 are tough to get right now."

Unfilled orders means people have already ordered cars, but the dealer can’t get enough vehicles to deliver them yet. That can lead to waiting and pricing changes.

Brand

Lucid

"[638.9s] Lucid. [640.0s] Do you remember we were talking about electric, like new companies? [643.2s] And I said the jury was still out on whether or not Lucid's going to make it."

Lucid is a company that makes electric cars. The hosts are talking about whether Lucid is doing well enough financially and in sales right now.

Car

Tesla Model

"...r. And for people who don't know the Lucid air, a Tesla Model S size large electric sedan, very nice vehicle."

The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric SUV. It’s designed to be a practical daily driver, with room for passengers and cargo. The podcast mentions it to help people understand how big and capable different electric Teslas are.

Concept

market for large luxury sedans doesn't exist

"Not selling so well because the market for large luxury sedans doesn't exist. [674.8s] But they brought out the gravity, which was a midsize electric crossover."

The host is basically saying that not many people are shopping for big, high-end sedans. So even if a car is good, the sales may still be weak if the demand isn’t there.

Car

Lucid Gravity

"But they brought out the gravity, which was a midsize electric crossover. [679.4s] Everything Lucid sells is electric. [681.4s] And it's not selling so good. [684.0s] Also, the S sales just fell off a cliff when the gravity came out."

Lucid Gravity is an electric SUV/crossover from Lucid. The discussion suggests that when Gravity came out, it changed what people were buying and hurt sales of Lucid’s other model.

Term

midsize electric crossover

"But they brought out the gravity, which was a midsize electric crossover. [679.4s] Everything Lucid sells is electric. [681.4s] And it's not selling so good."

This phrase means an electric SUV-style car that’s in the middle size range—not a small compact and not a full-size vehicle. The host is using it to explain what kind of buyers Gravity is trying to reach.

Term

revise its guidance for 2026

"And Lucid's going to have to revise its guidance for 2026 because they'd hoped to sell 25,000 [699.3s] units this year. [700.3s] Not going to happen. [701.5s] It's going to be more like half that."

Guidance is a company’s public forecast for the future. If they revise it, they’re admitting their earlier sales expectations were too optimistic.

Car

Tesla Model X

"And even though Tesla just got rid of the Model S and the Model X, you would think that Lucid [746.5s] might be able to break up some of those sales."

Tesla Model X is an electric SUV from Tesla. The host says Tesla removed it from the lineup and suggests Lucid could have benefited from that shift.

Car

Tesla Model S

"He got one of the first Tesla Model S's in 2012 and owned them all the way through. I want to say like last year, 2025, and just bought a Lucid Air and loves it."

The Tesla Model S is a popular electric luxury sedan. Here, it’s the car he had for years, and it’s the one he compares the new car against.

Car

Lucid Air

"I want to say like last year, 2025, and just bought a Lucid Air and loves it. ... if you have a Model S and you aren't going to be able to replace it with another Model S, I would say give the Lucid Air series consideration ..."

The Lucid Air is an expensive electric luxury car. The host is talking about how Lucid offers it in different versions, and whether that makes it harder for shoppers to understand the lineup.

Term

Apple CarPlay

"He said it is so much better than the Tesla Model S. And, you know, because of features, functionality, how it drives, Apple CarPlay."

Apple CarPlay is a smartphone-integration system that lets you use an iPhone’s apps and navigation through the car’s infotainment screen. The host mentions it as part of what makes the Lucid Air feel better and more complete than the Tesla Model S.

Term

architecture

"I wonder too, if Lucid hurts itself a little bit by putting, attempting to sell way too much variance on the Lucid Air architecture, right?"

Here, “architecture” means the car’s underlying design and layout. The host is wondering if using the same basic design for both cheaper and ultra-expensive versions might confuse buyers.

Brand

Rivian

"And when we talk about Lucid, it's hard not to talk about Rivian. [852.7s] Rivian is selling some volume of vehicles. [855.2s] It's R1S, R1T, nearly big pickup and nearly big crossover."

Rivian is an electric-car company. The host is talking about how many they’re selling now and what kind of smaller, cheaper model they plan to bring out next.

Car

Rivian R1S

"Rivian is selling some volume of vehicles. It's R1S, R1T, nearly big pickup and nearly big crossover...."

The Rivian R1S is an all-electric SUV. It’s built to carry people and gear, similar to other larger SUVs, but with an electric powertrain. The podcast mentions it as one of Rivian’s main models.

Car

Rivian R1T

"...ian is selling some volume of vehicles. It's R1S, R1T, nearly big pickup and nearly big crossover. And ..."

The Rivian R1T is an all-electric pickup truck. It’s designed to do the kinds of jobs people expect from a truck, but with an electric powertrain. The podcast mentions it as one of Rivian’s main vehicles.

Term

trim level

"[871.4s] Though they are launching it in its most expensive trim level. [875.8s] But there's supposed to be like a 40 grand version of that coming at some point."

A trim level is the “version” of a car you buy, based on what features it includes. The host is saying Rivian will start by selling the top, most expensive version first.

Car

Toyota Corolla

"...ou can guess the first one. I mean, I would guess Corolla. No."

The Toyota Corolla is a small, everyday car made for commuting and errands. It’s popular because it’s generally straightforward to own and maintain. The podcast mentions it as a likely model in their discussion.

Car

Ford F

"...s grain of grain of sand, grain of salt here. The Ford F series, 40 million sold since 1948. That's when t..."

The Ford F-100 is an older model in Ford’s pickup truck lineup. The podcast mentions it while talking about how long the F-series has been around and how many trucks have been sold. It’s mainly used to highlight the truck’s long history.

Car

Ford Model T

"Right. Number three, the Model T. Number four, we're going to be talking about thi..."

The Ford Model T is an old, historically important car. It was one of the early cars that became widely available to regular people. The podcast brings it up as part of a list of notable vehicles.

Car

Honda Accord

"Our friend Vince is going to be coming back on the show Vincent. I'm sorry to talk about the Honda Accord."

The Honda Accord is a very common Honda sedan that many people buy as a practical daily driver. The host is just flagging it as something they’ll talk about next.

Car

Jeep Cherokee

"I just spent a week in the Jeep Cherokee. Okay. And for people who don't know, there's been a hole in the Jeep lineup for a little while now, because the Cherokee had disappeared about three model years now. But it is back."

The Jeep Cherokee is a Jeep SUV you can drive daily, but it’s also built to handle rougher roads than a typical family car. Here, they’re saying it’s back after being missing from Jeep’s lineup for a few years.

Concept

hole in the Jeep lineup

"And for people who don't know, there's been a hole in the Jeep lineup for a little while now, because the Cherokee had disappeared about three model years now."

They mean Jeep wasn’t selling the Cherokee for a few years, so there was a gap in what models Jeep offered. It’s basically a pause before the next version comes back.

Term

compact crossover

"And that's compact or large compact crossover. It's back now."

A compact crossover is a smaller SUV. It’s meant to be easier to drive and park than a big SUV, but still gives you extra space for passengers and cargo.

Term

cargo

"So now you're going to have tons of great space on the inside, about 30% more cargo than we had before, which was something we found from customers was an area where we could improve."

Cargo is the space in the vehicle for bags, groceries, and gear. “30% more cargo” means there’s more room to carry things than before.

Term

tech on the inside that you connect five

"Lots of tech on the inside that you connect five. So I think overall it feels a nice spot in our showroom."

Uconnect is the Jeep system for the touchscreen and phone features. It helps you use things like navigation, music, and hands-free calling through the car’s screen.

Car

Jeep Grand Cherokee

"...pace between the, what is it, the Compass and the Grand Cherokee? Yeah. Yeah."

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a mid-size SUV. It’s meant to be bigger and more capable than smaller Jeep SUVs, while still being easier to live with than the largest options. The podcast mentions it to explain where it sits compared to other Jeep models.

Car

Jeep Compass

"between the, what is it, the Compass and the Grand Cherokee? Yeah. Yeah."

The Jeep Compass is a smaller Jeep SUV. Here, they’re using it as a comparison to explain how big the vehicle they’re discussing needed to be.

Concept

rear seat leg room

"when we were looking at that specifically at that rear seat spaciousness, [1239.5s] the rear seat leg room and the cargo room that we were after,"

Rear seat leg room is the amount of space for passengers’ legs in the back seats. It’s a key driver of how long and wide an SUV needs to be, because more leg room usually requires more cabin space and packaging.

Concept

rear facing car seat

"We put car seats in the back. [1287.6s] You know, we're out of the rear facing stage, [1290.1s] but I know for some of those young families that do have a rear facing car seat,"

A rear-facing car seat is how many baby car seats are used—facing backward for safety. It can take up more space in the back seat area, so it influences how roomy the vehicle needs to be.

Car

Ford Escape

"...like, was simply that Ford has just abandoned the escape, which seems like a really strange move from, you..."

The Ford Escape is a compact SUV. The podcast talks about it because it sounds like the model may be getting dropped or changed in the lineup. That matters if you’re shopping and want to know what will still be sold.

Car

Ford Bronco Sport

"...r seat space, but they're still going to sell the Bronco Sport, which has absolutely no rear seats whatsoever."

The Ford Bronco Sport is a smaller SUV with an off-road style. The podcast points out that it doesn’t offer much (or any) rear seating, so it’s mainly for front passengers. That’s important if you need to carry people in the back.

Term

XJ Cherokee

"So, you know, they're all of us in the studio are 80s and 90s babies and we grew up with or maybe had a the original XJ Cherokee like that 80s 90s Cherokee is, you know, that was our, [1437.6s] for me, that was my mom's car when I was growing up for some of the guys in the studio that was their first car."

The XJ Cherokee is the older, famous Jeep Cherokee from the 1980s and 1990s. The designers are saying they wanted to keep some of that original, boxy “heritage” look, but still make a modern vehicle.

Car

Cherokee Xj Cherokee

"...s and we grew up with or maybe had a the original XJ Cherokee like that 80s 90s Cherokee is, you know, that was..."

The Cherokee is a Jeep SUV model name. The podcast talks about older Cherokee versions from the 1980s and 1990s and how people remember them. It’s mentioned to connect the newer discussion to the model’s earlier history.

Term

square key

"So I think, you know, one of the first thing people call it the square key for a reason. [1450.4s] So we wanted to have kind of this boxy profile, which I think, you know, for, you know, brands that like to do more slick aerodynamic types of things."

They’re using a nickname (“square key”) to talk about the Jeep’s boxy, upright shape. The point is that this shape helps make the cabin and cargo area bigger and easier to use.

Term

boxy profile

"So we wanted to have kind of this boxy profile, which I think, you know, for, you know, brands that like to do more slick aerodynamic types of things. [1461.6s] It is a struggle to get that spacious descending inside in the cargo, but for us, the boxy profile lent itself really well to the mission that we were after."

A “boxy profile” means the vehicle is shaped more like a box than a teardrop. In this case, that helps the designers fit more space inside and make the cargo opening as wide as possible.

Term

liftgate

"…the liftgate cut line wraps around the side and the tail lamps are integrated. [1478.6s] There's some there's some small touches there that kind of hint back to that that XJ Cherokee, but then at the same time they make they help us make the cargo area, you know, wider and taller and they make the cut lines go all the way out [1491.6s] so that the opening when you do open that that trunk is as wide as it possibly can be."

A liftgate is the rear door on many SUVs that swings upward to access the cargo area. Here, the hosts discuss how the Cherokee’s rear sheetmetal and cut lines are shaped so the opening is as wide as possible when the liftgate is opened.

Concept

resto mod heritage piece

"So kind of a resto mod heritage piece on that it was kind of the you know the classic kind of gold metallic color but we left it."

A restomod is an older car that’s been kept in the spirit of the original, but improved with newer parts so it drives better. Here, they’re talking about doing that while still honoring the Cherokee’s classic look.

Term

you didn't have to plug in

"So with the hybrid the hybrid did make a lot of sense and we wanted to do something that you didn't have to plug in."

They’re saying you don’t need to plug the car in to charge it. Instead, the car charges its battery using its own systems while you drive and slow down.

Term

trip computer

"I had the the Laredo for the weekend actually for the week just got out of it and I photographed it yesterday and usually right before I photograph but I check all my numbers including my fuel economy. [1758.5s] I got 45 miles per gallon last week according to the trip computer."

A trip computer is the car’s dashboard screen that tracks things like fuel economy. They’re using it to see how many miles per gallon the car is getting.

Term

EPA estimated

"I know I was even averaging around 40 to 42 miles per gallon when I drove it. [1794.9s] I know I did better than what the EPA estimated. [1797.1s] So I was thoroughly impressed with the hybridness of the of the powertrain and how efficient it was."

The EPA estimated fuel economy is the official MPG number the government publishes based on tests. They’re saying their real driving beat that number.

Car

Toyota Prius

"... Yeah that used to be the unique territory of the Prius the Prius would always exceed its EPA numbers. Vi..."

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid car, meaning it uses both a gasoline engine and an electric system. It’s known for getting good gas mileage. The podcast mentions it because it historically performed very well compared with EPA fuel-economy estimates.

Term

plaid seats

"You know besides for the exterior package we finally we put the plaid seats in which I was so excited about."

“Plaid seats” just means the seats have a plaid pattern on the upholstery. They’re pointing it out as a cool interior update.

Term

Easter Jeep Safari concepts

"Yeah something we've been showing in Easter Jeep Safari concepts for a long time but I just love the idea of these patterns and textures and things that we can add to the jeeps and just add a little bit of fun. [1894.0s] I think time you were asking about the lineup you said you drove a Laredo"

Easter Jeep Safari is a Jeep event where Jeep shows off special concept vehicles. They’re saying they’ve been testing fun design ideas there for a long time.

Car

Jeep Laredo

"You drove a Laredo and I think one of the things you know our design models of course when we build them in the studio and we sketch them are always the top of the line biggest wheels. [1905.9s] You know most luxurious interior all of that stuff but you know so the Laredo I think I was pleasantly surprised every time I see one how premium it feels even though it's just one step off off the base."

The Jeep Laredo is a version/trim of a Jeep. It’s meant to be a little nicer than the base model, with more features, but not as expensive as the highest trims.

Car

Jeep Wrangler

"we've been having a lot of fun with the Wrangler on the 12 for 12 program and doing heritage inspired things and military I guess more modern youthful types of things and all kinds of pop culture [2008.9s] sorts of like, and we can go pretty far in the Wrangler but you know we're looking to have fun with the Cherokee to so you know whether that be color, patterns and textures, like we've been talking about"

The Jeep Wrangler is Jeep’s famous off-road SUV. It’s also the model Jeep loves to customize with special colors and themed designs, and that’s what they’re talking about here.

Car

Jeep Gladiator

"And it's just in a sea of white and gray and silver, a juice colored Wrangler or scram not scrambled. I'm getting ahead of myself here. Gladiator. Just a wonderful thing to see. [2078.4s] Yeah, yeah, we have we have tons of fun. Yeah, I'm like you guys always do the best job with your colors"

The Jeep Gladiator is Jeep’s pickup truck. They mention it while talking about how fun, bright colors stand out compared to the usual neutral colors.

Trailhawk
Jengtingchen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Trailhawk

"So Vince, we're running out of time here but you mentioned a trailhawk which is off road oriented. Does that mean we'll see a trailhawk you guys like to talk about future products. [2132.7s] Yeah, no, I think we teased it today. Yeah, so you will see a trailhawk."

Trailhawk is a Jeep trim meant for off-roading. It’s the more rugged, trail-focused version, and they’re talking about whether it’s coming as a future product option.

Term

hemi engine

"All right, no, no hemi engine in the Cherokee. Fortunately, the thing doesn't fit in there."

A “Hemi” is a type of engine design where the inside of the cylinder head is shaped to help the fuel burn more efficiently. It’s commonly linked with powerful V8 engines from Chrysler.

Term

12 for 12 program

"before we sign off can you just tell us briefly what the 12 for 12 program is you've mentioned that a couple of times... give us a brief synopsis of what it was what it is and what we should look forward to in the future."

The “12 for 12 program” is Jeep’s plan to release a new special Wrangler every month for their 85th anniversary. They’ll announce each one on the 12th day of the month at 12 o’clock.

Term

Hemi 392 v8

"we've done the willies 392, which is kind of a entry level but with the Hemi 392 v8 and the white cap which has kind of white a white grill and a white top..."

“Hemi 392” is a powerful V8 engine used in some Jeep models. The “392” is the engine’s size, and “Hemi” refers to the engine design that helps it breathe and burn fuel efficiently.

Person

Vince Calante

"All right, that was Vince Calante. He is vice president of design and cheap. We're going to take a break and when we come back."

Vince Calante is the Jeep design vice president. In this interview, he explains Jeep’s 85th-anniversary plan for monthly special Wrangler editions.

Term

fuel economy

"I, um, I'll be honest, I wish it was a little bit more engaging to drive, but I'm super impressed by the fuel economy and I'm really impressed by the use of space and the interior looks good."

Fuel economy is how far the car can go on a gallon (or a tank) of gas. Better fuel economy usually means you spend less money on fuel.

Term

price sweet spot

"I think that they are hitting a price sweet spot at 40K for that vehicle. The only option on the vehicle I drove was, um, uh, special paint."

A “price sweet spot” means there’s a price where the car feels like a really good deal. It’s when you get enough features for what you’re paying.

Oldsmobile Omega
Bull-Doser (Public domain)
Car

Oldsmobile Omega

"Number one, the Omega. Was there an Oldsmobile Omega? You do get the nice alliteration. I know. And I'm like, but only if there was an alpha. Um, I'm, I'm going to say yes."

Oldsmobile used the name “Omega” for a couple different eras. The hosts are saying it was built on GM’s shared car platform and was similar to other GM models from those decades.

Car

Chevrolet Nova

"...X chassis. The first one was similar to the Chevy Nova. And for the eighties, it was similar to the Chev..."

The Chevrolet Nova is an older car model name that was used across different years. In the podcast, it’s brought up because they’re comparing it to other cars from similar time periods. It’s mainly being used as a historical reference.

Car

Oldsmobile Savoy

"Number two, the Savoy. Was there an Oldsmobile Savoy?"

The Oldsmobile Savoy is a model name Oldsmobile used. In this clip it’s just introduced as the next quiz question, before they say whether it’s real.

Car

Savoy Plymouth Savoy

"Okay. There was a Plymouth Savoy between 54 and 64. Nice. You've got two points. Y..."

The Plymouth Savoy is an older car model. The podcast mentions it to talk about what cars were available between the 1950s and early 1960s. It’s mainly a historical reference.

Car

Starfire Oldsmobile Starfire

"Yeah. Star, Starfire. Was there an Oldsmobile Starfire? Ooh, I know there was a something Starfire."

Starfire is a car name that the hosts are trying to recall, specifically whether Oldsmobile used it. The podcast brings it up as a historical question about older model names. It’s not about a modern car in this context.

Car

Chevy Monza

"And it was similar to the Monza from Chevy and the Sunbird from Pontiac. Nice. You've already won."

The Chevrolet Monza is mentioned as a related GM car. The point is that it shared the same basic GM platform as the Starfire, so they were similar in how they were built.

Car

Pontiac Sunbird

"And it was similar to the Monza from Chevy and the Sunbird from Pontiac. Nice. You've already won."

The Pontiac Sunbird is another GM car the host says was similar to the Starfire. The reason is that they shared the same basic platform (H-Body), so they were built in comparable ways.

Car

Oldsmobile Intrigue

"All right. Was there an Oldsmobile Intrigue? Ooh, I, again, I know there was an Intrigue that was the name of the car, but I don't think it was Oldsmobile. ...Sipowitz drove an Intrigue."

The host discusses an “Intrigue” and initially wonders if it was an Oldsmobile. They later clarify that the character Sipowitz drove an Intrigue in NYPD Blue, making this a specific model name tied to a real-world TV product placement moment.

Car

Toyota Chr

"me, but here they are. There's the new Toyota CHR, and there's a Subaru Uncharted, which is based o..."

The Toyota C-HR is a small SUV crossover. The podcast mentions it to compare it with other similar-sized SUVs. It’s part of a discussion about what models are in the same general category.

Car

Subaru Uncharted

"There's the new Toyota CHR, and there's a Subaru Uncharted, which is based on it. So that's what's going on there. But you just spent time in the smallest but not cheapest of the Subaru EVs, and that's the Uncharted."

The Subaru Uncharted is a small electric crossover meant for city driving. The hosts say it’s built on a Toyota platform (the Toyota CHR), so it should feel similar in size and layout.

Car

Subaru Saltera

"There's also the old Toyota BZ, which is the Subaru Saltera. They've been around for a few years."

The Subaru Saltera is described as Subaru’s version of an older Toyota EV (the Toyota BZ). That usually means the two cars are closely related in how they’re built.

Car

Subaru Trailseeker

"There's the BZ Woodland, which is the Subaru Trailseeker. And then finally, the Highlander for 2027 goes electric."

The Subaru Trailseeker is mentioned as the Subaru version of the Toyota BZ Woodland. It sounds like they’re related cars, but with different trim and look aimed at outdoor use.

Term

range

"I'm like, I don't know that I'm going to have enough range to do all of that... Well, they delivered it to me at like 95%, which was 280 miles of range... The range tends to exceed the published EPA figure."

For an electric car, “range” means how many miles you can drive before the battery runs low. The host is saying their real driving matched (or beat) what the car’s estimate said.

Term

EPA figure

"That has been true of Toyota EV products since the beginning... The range tends to exceed the published EPA figure."

The “EPA figure” is the official mileage estimate the government publishes for an EV. Your actual miles can be higher or lower depending on how and where you drive.

Brand

Toyota EV products

"That has been true of Toyota EV products since the beginning."

The host is talking about Toyota’s electric cars and how their stated range tends to be conservative. That means you often get at least as much driving distance as the estimate suggests.

Term

wall jack

"And second, I brought it home and I plugged it into a wall jack... and just plugging it into a wall jack was fine for me."

A “wall jack” means using a normal home outlet to charge the EV. It usually charges slower than a dedicated EV charger, but it can still be enough if you don’t drive far every day.

Term

level two charger

"And so for the driving that I do, I would not need to have a level two charger at home and just plugging it into a wall jack was fine for me."

A “level two charger” is a faster EV charger you can install at home or use at public stations. The host is saying they didn’t need the fast charger because their regular driving fit what they could get from a regular wall outlet.

Car

Dodge Charger

"...g that I do, I would not need to have a level two charger at home and just plugging it into a wall jack was..."

The Dodge Charger is a car that’s usually built for a sporty, powerful driving experience. The podcast mentions it alongside home charging, which implies the topic is about how you power it when it’s electric or plug-in. The key point is whether you need special charging equipment at home.

Term

Tesla supercharger

"So standard Nax charging, which means you can go to a Tesla supercharger to charge."

A Tesla Supercharger is a fast public EV charger. It’s the kind of station you can stop at to add a lot of battery fairly quickly.

Term

gauge cluster

"It has a large infotainment screen, the Toyota infotainment system, that weird gauge cluster above the steering wheel that I like, but I don't think you like."

The gauge cluster is the instrument panel behind or above the steering wheel. It shows important driving info like speed and warnings.

Term

infotainment screen

"It has a large infotainment screen, the Toyota infotainment system, that weird gauge cluster above the steering wheel that I like, but I don't think you like."

An infotainment screen is the big screen in the dash. It controls things like music, navigation, and phone features.

Term

steering wheel kind of hits it in a weird place

"But people who are taller or larger than me are going to have a problem because the steering wheel kind of hits it in a weird place."

They’re saying the driver’s seating position might not work well for taller people. The steering wheel can interfere with where the controls/displays are.

Car

Nissan Juke

"The Nissan Juke had that. Yeah. Yeah."

The Nissan Juke is a small crossover with a very unusual look. The hosts mention it because its door handle design can make it hard to figure out how to open the door at first.

Term

all-wheel drive

"I had the mid-level, they called it the sport trim... standard with all-wheel drive... It is not standard with all-wheel drive... base trim actually comes as a front-wheel drive model... CHR version of this vehicle is all-wheel drive only."

All-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels. That usually helps it grip better on slippery roads, and here it’s the main thing they’re comparing between trims and models.

Term

front-wheel drive

"It is not standard with all-wheel drive. The base trim actually comes as a front-wheel drive model."

Front-wheel drive means the front wheels do most of the work to move the car. In this discussion, it matters because the host says Subaru doesn’t usually offer FWD in America for its mainstream models.

Car

Subaru BRZ

"And this is like the first front-wheel drive Subaru in America in many, many years. You have the BRZ, but that's real-wheel drive."

They mention the Subaru BRZ as a contrast point. The key idea is that some Subarus (like the BRZ) don’t use all-wheel drive as their default setup.

Car

Subaru Salterra

"So the Salterra, their first EV, was all-wheel drive only? I think so."

They bring up the Subaru Salterra, Subaru’s first EV. The point here is that it’s described as all-wheel drive only, unlike some other Subarus.

Car

Subaru Forester Subarus

"but not its hybrid vehicles. The Forester, Subaru's compact crossover, which we compete directly with the Compass. I'm sorry, the Cherokee."

The Subaru Forester is a compact SUV meant for everyday driving. It’s often chosen for its versatility and the option of all-wheel drive. The podcast mentions it to explain how it compares in size and role to other SUVs.

Term

E-axle

"They did a hybrid version of that, but they didn't go with an E-axle in back because they didn't want to compromise the vehicle's all-wheel drive capability. So it's using the mechanical hookup to get power torqued to the back of the car, which most hybrids do not do,"

An E-axle is basically an electric motor built into the rear axle to help drive the wheels. In this case, the host says they didn’t use that setup because it could have made the all-wheel drive less capable.

Term

power torqued to the back of the car

"So it's using the mechanical hookup to get power torqued to the back of the car, which most hybrids do not do, because you can save money and power and fuel by going another way, but they wouldn't compromise on that."

Torque is the force that makes the wheels spin. The host is saying this hybrid sends that driving force to the rear using a mechanical setup.

Car

Chevrolet Silverado

"But the Chevrolet Silverado, the second best-selling vehicle in the United States, is all-new. [3386.7s] I believe it's all-new for 2027. [3389.2s] It is. Next generation."

The Chevrolet Silverado is a big U.S. pickup truck. The host is saying the next generation is coming and it’s a big deal for the market.

Car

Gmc Sierra

"[3394.2s] And General Motors, Chevy, excuse me, and GMC Sierra, which is a companion vehicle, [3403.2s] they're not twins, but they're very similar mechanically."

The GMC Sierra is a big pickup truck from General Motors. In this episode, they’re talking about a new 2027 version and how it should be very similar to the Chevrolet version.

Term

pushrod

"[3433.0s] But one of the really interesting pieces of news, and this is total geek stuff, [3437.5s] but they've replaced the two top engines. [3440.7s] There used to be a 5.3 and a 6.2 pushrod,"

Pushrod refers to a traditional engine design where the camshaft moves the valves using rods and rocker arms. It’s an older layout that can still be modernized with newer fuel and efficiency tech.

Term

cylinder deactivation

"[3440.7s] There used to be a 5.3 and a 6.2 pushrod, [3445.4s] but otherwise very advanced engines with direct injection and cylinder deactivation"

Cylinder deactivation lets the engine shut off some cylinders when you don’t need full power. That can save fuel during cruising.

Term

direct injection

"[3440.7s] There used to be a 5.3 and a 6.2 pushrod, [3445.4s] but otherwise very advanced engines with direct injection and cylinder deactivation"

Direct injection is a way of delivering fuel more precisely into the engine. That precision can help the engine burn fuel more efficiently.

Term

10-speed automatic

"[3445.4s] but otherwise very advanced engines with direct injection and cylinder deactivation [3450.1s] made it to 10-speed automatic."

A 10-speed automatic is an automatic gearbox with more gear steps than older transmissions. More gears can help the car feel responsive and sometimes improve fuel economy.

Term

EPA numbers

"[3474.7s] So the engine got bigger, but reportedly fuel economy is going to improve. [3478.6s] We haven't seen the EPA numbers yet. [3480.1s] And then the old 6.2 becomes a 6.6, which is another legacy thing."

“EPA numbers” are official fuel-economy estimates from the U.S. government. People use them to compare how efficient different cars and engines are.

Term

high-margin

"because this is a high-volume, high-profit, high-margin vehicle"

“High-margin” means the truck line makes more profit per dollar of sales. The hosts are saying GM’s big pickups are especially profitable.

Company

GM

"something like a third of all the money GM makes comes from the Silverado and the Sierra. So huge deal."

GM is General Motors, the company that makes trucks like the Silverado and Sierra. The hosts are talking about how GM’s sales and profits are affected by what other automakers can build.

Term

half ton

"when I get a truck, it's almost always a half ton, a 1500, and I drive it like I would commute in it"

“Half-ton” is a way people categorize pickup trucks by how much they’re meant to carry. Here, the host says they usually get the smaller “1500” size and just drive it normally.

Car

Dodge Ram

"...d I generally enjoy these vehicles very much. The Ram, the F-150, the Silverado, these are really, real..."

The Dodge Ram is a large pickup truck. People choose it for hauling and towing, and it’s available in many different setups. The podcast mentions it as part of a group of well-known trucks.

Car

Ford F150

"having a hard time getting F-150s built because of an aluminum shortage, because there was a fire at an aluminum provider at their factory."

The Ford F-150 is a very popular big pickup truck. The hosts are saying Ford couldn’t build as many as usual because of a shortage of aluminum after a fire at a supplier.

Term

aluminum shortage

"having a hard time getting F-150s built because of an aluminum shortage, because there was a fire at an aluminum provider at their factory."

An aluminum shortage means there wasn’t enough aluminum available for car parts. The hosts say a fire at a supplier reduced supply, so Ford couldn’t build as many F-150s.

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