0:00 / 0:00
The BEST And WORST Cars At The 2026 Detroit Auto Show! | Ep. 320

The BEST And WORST Cars At The 2026 Detroit Auto Show! | Ep. 320

TFL Car Chat Jan 16, 2026 65 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

The 2026 Detroit Auto Show showcased some of the most exciting and controversial vehicles, with hosts discussing standout models like the Chevy Corvette ZR1X, which boasts jaw-dropping performance stats, including a 0-60 time of just 1.68 seconds. The episode features insights on the new Chevrolet Bolt RS, highlighting its affordability and improved technology. The hosts also explore the latest from Ford, Honda, and Kia, debating design choices and performance specs while sharing personal anecdotes and industry insights. The discussion wraps up with a look at the evolving electric vehicle landscape and the importance of consumer choice.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"...at's at the show. But we're starting here at the Corvette at the Chevy Corvette stage. It has its own stage..."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a famous sports car from America that is known for being fast and stylish. It's been around for a long time and is loved by many people who enjoy driving and racing.

Term

zero to 60

"...they did some insane mind boggling zero to 60 and quarter mile times..."

'Zero to 60' is a way to measure how fast a car can go from a complete stop to 60 miles per hour. It's often used to show how powerful a car is.

Term

quarter mile

"...zero to 60 and quarter mile times. Yes, they did..."

A 'quarter mile' is a distance used in racing that is equal to 1,320 feet. It's often used to see how fast a car can go in a straight line.

Term

all wheel drive

"This car is all wheel drive. It does have 1,250 horsepower."

All wheel drive means that the car can send power to all four wheels at the same time, which helps it grip the road better, especially in bad weather.

Term

LT7 V8

"Yes, which is it's a twin turbo. What is it? LT7 V8 at the back here?"

The LT7 V8 is a type of engine made by General Motors that is very powerful and is often found in fast cars.

Term

twin turbo

"Yes, which is it's a twin turbo. What is it? LT7 V8 at the back here?"

Twin turbo means the car has two turbochargers that help the engine produce more power by pushing in more air, making it faster.

Term

carbon fiber

"It's got carbon fiber wheels. It's got carbon fiber little bits."

Carbon fiber is a very light and strong material used in cars to make them faster and more efficient by reducing weight.

Term

159 miles per hour

"...less than nine seconds in the quarter mile at 159 miles per hour."

159 miles per hour is how fast the car can go; it's a way to show how powerful and fast the car is.

Term

10 second car

"...when Vin Diesel would say, bring me a 10 second car."

A '10 second car' is a car that can go a quarter mile really fast, in less than 10 seconds, which is impressive for racing.

Car

Tesla Model S

"Because like a Tesla Model S Plaid or any other Plaid for that matter, can't match this performance."

The Tesla Model S Plaid is a super-fast electric car that can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 2 seconds. It's known for being very high-tech and powerful.

Car

Tesla Model

"...urrently speaking this day today. Because like a Tesla Model S Plaid or any other Plaid for that matter, can't..."
Car

Lucid Air

"Neither can, even the Lucid Air Sapphire, right? Yeah. I think that's 1,234 horsepower."

The Lucid Air Sapphire is a powerful version of the Lucid Air, an electric car that can go really fast and has a lot of horsepower. It's made to compete with other luxury electric cars.

Term

oil line

"although the oil line burst."

An oil line is a pipe that moves oil around in the engine to keep it running smoothly and prevent it from overheating.

Term

crankcase

"...fill the crankcase with oil. And they kept driving. He fired it up. There was a little bit of a tapping I heard in the mic right as he started it..."

The crankcase is a part of the engine that holds oil and helps keep the engine parts moving smoothly. It's important for the engine to work properly.

Car

Chevrolet Bolt

"Oh, wait, we cannot leave the Chevy area yet, because I really want to check out the new bolt. Oh, yes, yes, yes."

The Chevrolet Bolt is an electric car that is popular for being budget-friendly and having a good driving range. The 2026 version is coming back with some changes but is similar to earlier models.

Term

150 kilowatt charging

"Because they updated, it has pretty good range. It has better charging than before. Yes. 150 kilowatt possible charging."

150 kilowatt charging means that the car can charge its battery very quickly, which is important for electric vehicles to reduce waiting times at charging stations.

Company

GM

"...And also, they hike up those prices, right, recently. But GM is not one of those companies. And this is under 30K starting."

GM stands for General Motors, a big car company that makes many different types of vehicles, like Chevrolets and Cadillacs.

Term

starting price

"...this is under 30K starting. I believe it's about 29 actually."

The starting price is the cheapest price you can pay for a car model, usually for the simplest version without extra features.

Term

electric cars

"...electric cars in general, end trucks, have been way more expensive there than their combustion counterpart. Absolutely."

Electric cars run on electricity instead of gasoline. They use batteries to power an electric motor, making them cleaner for the environment and often cheaper to run.

Car

Toyota Corolla

"I looked up a price of a Corolla hatch. We might see it over here, because Toyota is here too."

The Toyota Corolla is a small car that's very popular because it's reliable and doesn't cost too much to buy or maintain. It's a good choice for many drivers.

Term

destination charges

"...this does not include destination. Of course not. Oh, no. Shake, shake, shake of the finger..."

Destination charges are extra fees for getting a car from the factory to the dealership. They usually aren't included in the car's price, so it's good to check how much they are before buying.

Car

Chevrolet Tahoe

".... Is it? Full-size pickup trucks and SUVs like a Tahoe or an Expedition. Yeah. $2,595. $2,600? Yes. That..."
Car

Ford Expedition

"...full-size pickup trucks and SUVs like a Tahoe or an Expedition..."

The Ford Expedition is a big SUV that has lots of room for people and luggage. It's good for families and can tow heavy things, making it useful for trips.

Car

Ford F150

"...you live down the street from the F-150 factory."

The Ford F-150 is a big pickup truck that many people use for work and everyday driving. It's known for being strong and able to carry heavy loads.

Car

Toyota Chr

"...the CHR will be the electric car that Toyota is going to be launching. So I'm really hoping it's coming sooner or later..."

The Toyota C-HR is a small SUV that looks different from other cars. It's made for city driving and is popular among younger people because of its cool design.

Car

Honda Prelude

"...o if you're interested in anything, including the prelude, which we'll see in just a second, this is a lit..."

The Honda Prelude is a two-door car that was made by Honda for many years. It's known for being sporty and fun to drive, making it a popular choice for people who like a bit of excitement in their cars.

Car

Honda Pilot

"...this is a little refresh on the pilot. And Tommy saw this in Los Angeles..."

The Honda Pilot is a larger car designed for families. It has plenty of room for passengers and cargo, making it a practical choice for everyday use.

Car

Ford Super

"..., that's getting a bit big. They're following the Ford Super Duty strategy of supersizing the badge. The Ford..."

The Ford Super Duty Lariat Tremor is a big truck that can pull heavy things and is also comfortable inside. It's made for people who need a tough truck for work but still want some nice features.

Car

Honda Accord

"...on the older Honda, like the Accord, they had a little black box down here..."

The Honda Accord is a popular car that many people use for everyday driving because it's reliable and comfortable.

Term

Honda Sensing

"...they had a little black box down here. It said, I think, Honda Sensing..."

Honda Sensing is a collection of safety features in Honda cars that help drivers avoid accidents and stay safe on the road.

Car

Honda Passport

"...hink there's another example right there with the passport. Yes, yes. So that might be exactly what I'm ref..."

The Honda Passport is a roomy SUV that can carry a lot of people and stuff. It's good for families and people who like to go on adventures, as it can handle rough roads.

Term

adaptive cruise control

"...lost my adaptive cruise control system. You can drive like a sucker again, do the steering and braking yourself..."

Adaptive cruise control helps you keep a safe distance from the car in front of you by automatically adjusting your speed. It makes driving easier, especially on long trips or in heavy traffic.

Car

Honda Ridgeline

"...we're looking at the Ridgeline. Yes. A Ridgeline, but it has an older face still..."

The Honda Ridgeline is a type of pickup truck that drives more like a car. It's designed to be comfortable and practical, making it a good choice for everyday use and light hauling.

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...ittle bit more premium. It almost reminds me of a Range Rover. Absolutely. Do you see that? In fact, that's wh..."

The Range Rover is a fancy SUV that can drive on rough roads and also feels really comfortable inside. People like it because it looks good and can handle different types of driving conditions.

Car

Ford Bronco

"...oading with Ford and Jeep, where you can, in the Bronco or Wrangler, you can go up and down. Do they get..."
Car

Jeep Wrangler

"...th Ford and Jeep, where you can, in the Bronco or Wrangler, you can go up and down. Do they get along? Are ..."

The Jeep Wrangler is a tough-looking car that is great for driving on rough trails and in nature. It has a unique design that lets you take off the doors and roof, making it fun for outdoor adventures.

Car

Lincoln Navigator

"...m and glowing with the sort of gold color. So the navigator is refreshed with like a year ago. Yes. So I thi..."

The Lincoln Navigator is a big, fancy SUV that has a lot of space inside and feels very comfortable. It's designed for people who want a luxurious driving experience.

Car

Lincoln Nautilus

"...kind of a frame underneath. Yep. But I think the Nautilus is also newish. But in the last couple of years, ..."

The Lincoln Nautilus is a stylish SUV that feels very nice inside and has lots of space. It's made for people who want a comfortable and fancy car.

Car

Toyota Tundra

"...uality, I feel. Yeah, I see that with some of the Tundra. Now I'm entering my truck world, right? Sure. T..."

The Toyota Tundra is a big truck that people use for work or to carry heavy things. It's known for being strong and lasting a long time, which makes it a favorite for many truck owners.

Car

Toyota Tacoma

"... world, right? Sure. Toyota Tundra engine recall. Tacoma has had several recalls. Honda has a couple of r..."

The Toyota Tacoma is a smaller truck that people like for its ability to drive off-road and carry things. It's known for being tough and lasting a long time, making it a good choice for many drivers.

Car

Ford Mustang

"...o, but you wanted to see the Bronco and also the Mustang. Yes. So we have a couple of Mustangs here at the..."

The Ford Mustang is a popular sports car from America that has been around for a long time. It's known for being fast and looking cool, making it a favorite among car lovers.

Car

Ford Bronco Sport

"...u believe that? Yes. This is kind of cool though. Bronco Sport, which is a smaller Bronco. Badlands Sasquatch w..."

The Ford Bronco Sport is a smaller SUV that looks like the classic Bronco but has new features. It's made for people who like to go on adventures and drive on different types of terrain.

Car

Jeep Cherokee

"...ere do you want to start? Do you want to start at Cherokee? Let's do the Cherokee. I think I want to swing ..."

The Jeep Cherokee is a smaller SUV that can drive well on rough roads but is also good for everyday use. It has a nice interior and features that make driving easier.

Car

Jeep Gladiator

"...ut but you could look they took the doors off the gladiator too. So it's pretty cool."

The Jeep Gladiator is a truck that can also go off-road like a Jeep. It has a tough look and is great for people who want to drive in nature and carry things in the back.

Car

Ram 1500

"...ere. We're looking underneath a hood of this Ram 1500 650 Hemi. Yeah this is the pulley size."

The Ram 1500 is a big truck that is comfortable to drive and can pull heavy loads. It's popular because it has a nice interior and lots of features that make driving easier.

Car

Dodge Charger

"...buy now now now. And you can't look at the Dodge Charger here and and then immediately walk two booths ove..."

The Dodge Charger is a big car that looks sporty and can go really fast. It's a four-door car, so it's practical for families but still fun to drive.

Car

Toyota Camry

"...here, check out a Bronco, check out an F-150 or a Camry or whatever. It's all in one place."

The Toyota Camry is a popular car that many people choose because it's reliable and gets good gas mileage. It's comfortable to drive and is great for everyday use.

Car

Mazda Miata

"...b Hall? Bob Hall is considered the father of the Miata. He doesn't like that title because he's very ma..."

Mazda is a car company from Japan that makes cars that are fun to drive and look good. One of their most famous cars is the Miata, which many people love for its sporty feel.

31 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars