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We Pick the Best Cars We Drove this Year - An AutoGuide Show Holiday Special

We Pick the Best Cars We Drove this Year - An AutoGuide Show Holiday Special

The AutoGuide Show Dec 29, 2025 67 min
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About this episode

The AutoGuide Show's holiday special features hosts Kyle, Greg, and Mike discussing their favorite cars driven throughout the year across various categories. From the thrilling Lamborghini Revuelto to the practical Kia EV4, they share insights on standout vehicles, including hybrids like the Honda Civic and the Dodge Charger. The trio also highlights SUVs like the Honda Passport Trail Sport and the Ford Maverick, while diving into the world of luxury with picks like the Mercedes E 53 and the Cadillac Lyric. The episode wraps up with a fun segment on the most ridiculous cars they've driven, showcasing the blend of performance and luxury in today's automotive landscape.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

buyer protection

"And eligible vehicle purchases are backed by up to $100,000 in protection. This is what modern car buying looks like."

Buyer protection means if something goes wrong with the car you bought, the company can help fix it or give you money back up to a certain amount.

Car

Lamborghini Revuelto

"I'm going to go with the Lamborghini Revuel, though... it's a plug‑in hybrid version of a V12 Lambo supercar"

The Revuelto is a fancy sports car from Lamborghini that uses both gasoline and electric power to go fast but also be more eco‑friendly.

Term

plug-in hybrid

"I'm going to go with the Lamborghini Revuel, though... It feels like a cop‑out, but I mean, you know, the wild thing to me is that... it's a plug‑in hybrid version of a V12 Lambo supercar"

A plug‑in hybrid car can run on gasoline, electricity, or both. You can charge it from a wall outlet to drive short distances without gas.

Term

V12

"...it's a plug‑in hybrid version of a V12 Lambo supercar, and yet it still has all the theater"

A V12 engine has twelve cylinders that make the car very powerful and smooth. It’s common in big, fast cars like Lamborghinis.

Car

Toyota Camry

"like I will say. The Camry is great. The Camry is all the car most people n..."
Car

Lucid Air

"The Camry is all the car most people need. The Lucid Air remains one of my favorite luxury sedans because ..."
Car

Kia EV4

"and so capable and feels like a sensitive occasion, but I think the EV4 is so impressive"

The Kia EV4 is a small electric car that looks like an SUV. It’s cheaper than many other electric cars and has good features for everyday use.

Car

Kia EV6

"I really like the EV6. I like how the EV4 looks."

The Kia EV6 is a bigger electric car that can charge quickly and has plenty of room inside.

Brand

Revoto

"I have driven the Revoto, and yeah, it's pretty fantastic..."

Revoto makes small, fast cars that are fun to drive. They focus on making the car feel very responsive and close to the road.

Company

eBay

"eBay has reinvented car buying. From click to curb, everything is covered."

eBay is a website where people can buy and sell cars online, and it now helps with all the steps needed to finish a purchase.

Brand

Mini

"Oh, I was just going to say, you did drive every single Mini this year."

Mini makes small cars that are fun to drive and look cool, often with a distinctive design.

Car

Honda Civic

"We were at the four doors of a car, but I just popped out and went back to our comparison test and the Civic. The Civic Hybrid is just so good."

The Civic Hybrid is a version of the Honda Civic that runs on both gasoline and electricity, which helps it use less fuel.

Car

Hyundai Elantra

"...were going to take it, I would have then said the Elantra Hybrid, which in our comparison was just barely ..."
Term

all-wheel drive

"...Subaru with all-wheel drive or Mazda trying to be sporty, like you can't compete right now."

AWD means the car can send power to both the front and back wheels at the same time, which helps it grip the road better in rain or snow.

Term

hybrid system

"but now that Subaru has a hybrid system, they should probably stick it in everything."

A hybrid car uses both a regular gasoline engine and an electric motor to help it use less fuel and produce fewer emissions.

Car

Dodge Charger

"...was new, but also new to me, which was the Dodge Charger six-pack with the Hurricane. I went with definit..."
Car

Honda Prelude

"I also thought about the Honda Prelude. That was really cool, but you got to pick one, so that's how I went."

The Honda Prelude is a small, sporty car made by Honda that many people liked for its fun driving and cool looks.

Car

Honda Passport

"...ually wasn't. For me, it was forerunner or Honda Passport Trail Sport and I ended up going with the Honda. ..."
Car

Ford Bronco

"...'s thinking, hey, I think I want a Wrangler or a Bronco, but I'm mainly just going to drive around with i..."
Car

Jeep Wrangler

"... everybody who's thinking, hey, I think I want a Wrangler or a Bronco, but I'm mainly just going to drive a..."
Car

Toyota 4Runner

"...d that's where I landed. You know, I thought the 4Runner is right in there too. You're seeing a theme her..."
Car

Ford Maverick

"...ugh because it's also like, you know, I drove the Maverick Lobo. It's a truck."
Car

Ford Lobo

"...se it's also like, you know, I drove the Maverick Lobo. It's a truck."
Car

Hyundai Palisade

"...But overall, I think I'm giving it to the Hyundai Palisade. But specifically, specifically here, I'm going ..."
Car

Hyundai Genesis

"...d closer to these premium brands. If you stuck a Genesis badge on it, people actually probably wouldn't q..."
Car

Volkswagen Id Buzz

"...s a smile. Sort of like a vehicle right now, the ID buzz, but even it, some people are like, Oh, that's m..."
Car

Ford Mustang

"...ood modern takes. I mean, they did that with the Mustang so many years ago and that kind of, you know, ga..."
Car

Chevrolet Blazer EV

"...f its main drug competitors and that's the Chevy Blazer EV SS that thing. I was really impressed."
Car

Cadillac CT5

"...ves me a little bit everything, sort of like the CT5 black wing. I always go on about, I get performa..."
Car

Fiat 500

"... Here, I was thinking it was going to be the Fiat 500. JoJo Armani edition specifically."
Term

EV

"but this is my third straight year of having an EV"

An EV is a car that uses electricity from batteries to move, so it doesn’t need gas.

Car

Nissan Leaf

"over the holidays. I have a leaf and last year had the buzz and the year before t..."
Term

launch control

"the crazy launch control on those AMG versions is fine"

Launch control helps a car get off the line as fast as possible by automatically managing the throttle and brakes.

Term

crossover

"And it's, you know, they're pitching it as a crossover this year."

A crossover is like a car that has some SUV qualities, such as more room inside and higher ground clearance. It’s usually easier to drive than a full SUV but still gives you extra space.

Car

Hummer

"[1508.9s] I actually drove the Hummer last fall too."

The Hummer is a big, tough truck that can go off the road. It’s made by GMC and was popular in the 2000s.

Car

Lucid Gravity

"...e Vistick is a really great three row. The Lucid Gravity was probably the most all around impressive vehi..."
Car

Bmw Ix3

"...y recently, but it's a game changer and it's the BMW iX3. The tech in that thing works really well."
Car

Mercedes-Benz EQS

"So, did we get Greg's? Yeah, for EQS, my six-figure Mercedes with beautiful interior. ..."
Car

Bmw 5

"...or whether it's like the Mercedes E-Class or the BMW 5 series. And this just really struck a chord with..."
Car

Mercedes-Benz Eclass

"e-segment sedan, which I've always had a fondness for whether it's like the Mercedes E-Class or the BMW 5 series. And this just really struck a chord with me."
Car

Mercedes-Benz CLS

"...the back, it makes it look like a more of a baby CLS even though it doesn't exist anymore. But that's..."
Part

inline six

"The inline six as Greg will attest because a version of it is in the 53 is so insanely smooth when you want it to be."

An inline six is a type of engine that has six cylinders lined up in one row. It’s smooth and powerful, which makes the car feel very steady.

Car

Lexus LC 500

"...it. Similarly, I was really close to picking the LC 500 because I love that car."
Term

CarPlay

"even with the lack of carplay"

CarPlay lets you use your iPhone inside the car so you can see maps, listen to music, and get messages on the dashboard screen.

Term

Android Auto

"and Android Auto Cadillac wins it for me"

Android Auto lets you use your Android phone inside the car to see maps, listen to music, and get messages on the dashboard screen.

Car

Mclaren Artura

"...I have two. This was tough, but I was in McLaren Artura. I just drove it a few weeks ago, actually."
Brand

Lamborghini

"[2902.9s] Oh man, I hope Lamborghini is not listening."

Lamborghini makes fancy, fast cars that are famous for their sharp looks and powerful engines.

Car

Mazda Miata

"it, which is really funny. It was the Miata. It just you know what every year the Miata is n..."
Car

Porsche Carrera T

"Surprise, surprise. The 911 Carrera T. Good choice because you know what?"
Car

Porsche 911

"Surprise, surprise. The 911 Carrera T. Good choice because you know what?"
Car

Porsche 911 GT3

"...t's the only manual 911 you can get outside of a GT3. But that's actually kind of the appeal is it's ..."
Car

Toyota Prius

"...comeback player of the year car was probably the Prius, what it went from to what it became. Yeah."
Car

Dodge Ram

"...an opportunity for them to kind of reinforce the Ram and I drove it. It's obviously it's a Hemi V8 an..."
Car

Subaru Solterra

"...ut the same idea, but that's because I drove the Solterra and you drove the VZ. So yeah, Greg, you should ..."
Car

Ford F-150 Denali

"Some of the stuff you get in it, you don't get in the regular train and I, and that was a difference maker. So I think you need to stick with Denali."

Denali is the fancy version of a Ford F‑150 truck, with better seats, more tech, and a stronger engine than the regular models.

Car

Mazda 3

"It's just the regular Mazda 3 sedan. We, I had a manual hatchback earlier in the year and then we had the sedan in our comparison and it's smaller."

The Mazda 3 is a small car with a front‑door design that’s good for everyday driving and has a nice interior.

Car

Lincoln Aviator

"... split, I'll split this a little bit here at the Lincoln Aviator. I drove a black label one thought it was awesom..."
Car

Buick Enclave

"...gn inside and out and I actually drove the Buick Enclave Sport to the again, another UP trip for me and I..."
Concept

facelift

"Yeah, we drove the, we drove the facelift against the Toyota Highlander"

It’s when a car gets a new look or some changes in the middle of its production run, like new headlights or bumpers.

Car

Toyota Highlander

"...ve the, we drove the facelift against the Toyota Highlander, but yeah, we have driven the current version, b..."
Car

Toyota Rav4

"...eal now because everyone goes to crossover, so a RAV4 feels overpriced for what you're getting, wherea..."
Car

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

"engine. So I drove a Range Rover Sport addition to with over 600 horsepower and high pr..."
Car

Land Rover Defender

"...nsane. And then last week I drove the Land Rover Defender Octa with an even more powerful, powerful versio..."
Car

Porsche Cayenne

"...aven't even driven it yet. It's going to be that Cayenne because oh geez. Yeah, yeah, a Cayenne EV with o..."
45 cars featured

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