Car Stuff Podcast
Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo
Updated 1 day agoWhether you drive a car, need a car, or just occasionally bum a ride with friends, you’ve come to the right place. Join the editors of Consumer Guide Automotive as they break down everything that’s going on in the auto world. New-car reviews, shopping tips, driving green, electric cars, classic cars, and plenty of great guests. This is the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast.
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Episodes (337)
Shopping During the Chip Shortage, Honda Sony Partnership
With co-host Jill Ciminillo out on assignment this week, host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start the show by discussing Honda's recently announced joint venture with Sony to produce pure-electric vehicles and other mobility services. We also talk about the redesigned-for-2023 Honda HR-V, CR-V, and Pilot SUVs. Sam Fiorani, Vice President of Global Vehicle Forecasting for AutoForecast Solutions, joins us to give his insight on how car shoppers can navigate the current new-vehicle inventory crisis. Tom has a quiz on 1977-model-year cars for Damon, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a test-drive review of the redesigned-for-2022 Subaru WRX.
Boxy Luxury Lincolns, Cadillac Escalade V
With co-host Damon Bell out on vacation this week, host Tom Appel and co-host Jill Ciminillo start the show by discussing Jill's preview test-drive experiences with the new-for-2023 Escalade V--Cadillac's 682-hp, high-performance full-size luxury SUV. Collectible Automobile magazine Editor-in-Chief John Biel joins us to chat about the great features in the August 2022 issue, including the 1980-1984 Lincoln and a Photo Feature on a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport convertible. Tom has a quiz for Jill and John, and Tom also runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog, including our quick-take test-drive impressions from a recent Road America press event and a test-drive review of the 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback.
Does Going Electric Fight Fascists?, 2023 Toyota Sequoia
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing Toyota's redesigned-for-2023 Sequoia full-size SUV. Max Baumhefner, Senior Attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, joins us to talk about the NRDC's efforts to improve America's electric-vehicle infrastructure and get the country off foreign oil. Tom has a "fake trim levels" quiz for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog, including a test-drive review of the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited.
Electrify America, Our Favorite New Vehicles
With co-host Jill Ciminillo out on assignment this week, host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start the show by discussing the vehicles they drove at the 2022 Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally, a journalist-only press event held annually at the Road America race course facility in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Michael Buff, Senior Manager, Product and Programs at Electrify America, joins us to talk about Electrify America's EV charging systems. Tom has a quiz on auto-factory locations for Damon, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a First Look preview of the redesigned 2023 Lexus RX midsize SUV.
EV Public Charging Basics, 2023 Nissan Z
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing the redesigned-for-2023 Nissan Z sports car. Jonathan Levy, Chief Commercial Officer at EVgo, joins us to talk about EVgo's public fast-charging network for electric vehicles. Tom has a "disc brakes or drum brakes?" quiz for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog, including a test-drive review of the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox RS.
Toyota's Rumored 3-Row Crossovers, VW Plans To Revive the Scout as an EV
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing Jill's plans to participate in the Rebelle Rally, a women-only off-road navigational competition, later this year. We also discuss Volkswagen's recently announced plans to revive the International Scout SUV as a pure-electric off-road vehicle. Robert Duffer, Senior Editor with The Car Connection, joins us to chat about Toyota's rumored plans to introduce Lexus TX and Toyota Grand Highlander 3-row crossovers, and his preview test-drive experience in Ford's new F-150 Lightning EV pickup. Tom has a "rules of the road" quiz for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog, including a test-drive review of the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer.
Lincoln Star Concept, Jeep-Exclusive Showrooms
With co-host Jill Ciminillo out on assignment this week, host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start the show by discussing the Jeep brand's push to add more Jeep-only showrooms, and the Toyota Supra gaining an available manual transmission for 2023. John Jraiche, Lincoln's Global Director for Luxury Vehicles, joins us to talk about the recently unveiled Lincoln Star Concept, and what it means for the brand's EV future. Tom has a quiz on car colors for Damon, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a test-drive review of the 2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T.
Tesla's Expanding Production Capacity, F-150 Lightning Prices
With co-host Jill Ciminillo out on assignment this week, host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start the show by discussing the Chevrolet's recent teaser video of an all-wheel-drive hybrid Chevrolet Corvette and official confirmation of a pure-electric Corvette. We also talk about Ford commencing production of the pure-electric F-150 Lightning pickup, and delve into the Lightning's pricing structure. Sam Fiorani, Vice President of Global Vehicle Forecasting for AutoForecast Solutions, joins us to give his insight on Tesla's new production facilities. Tom has a quiz on acronyms for Damon and Sam, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a First Spin test-drive review of Subaru's first pure-electric vehicle: the 2023 Subaru Solterra.
Dodge's Disco Charger, Hyundai Ioniq 5 Road Trip
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing their test-drive experiences--and Tom's public-charging-station experiences--in the Hyundai's new-for-2022 Ioniq 5 pure-electric vehicle. Collectible Automobile magazine Editor-in-Chief John Biel joins us to chat about the great features in the June 2022 issue, including the ill-fated 1975-78 Dodge Charger and a Photo Feature on a 1968 Ford Mustang High-Country Special. Tom has an "Abe Vigoda vs the Subaru WRX" true-or-false quiz for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog, including a First Spin review of Jeep's new Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid and a test-drive review of the 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat hybrid.
GM's EV Delivery Vehicle Startup, 2022 New York Auto Show Reveals
Host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start the show by discussing the new vehicle introductions at the 2022 New York International Auto Show. (Co-host Jill Ciminillo is out covering the New York Auto Show this week.) Steve Hornyak, Chief Revenue Officer for BrightDrop--a startup electric-delivery-vehicle manufacturer created by General Motors--joins us to give us the scoop on BrightDrop's Zevo EV delivery vans and the Trace electric delivery cart. Tom has a vehicle-length quiz for Damon, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a look back at the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette Indy concept car.
Food Truck Fundamentals, GMC Hummer EV
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show by discussing the outrageous new GMC Hummer EV pure-electric pickup truck, and Jill's first-drive experience with it. Geri Hernandez, co-founder and CEO of Savory Crust Gourmet Empanadas, joins us to talk about owning and operating a food truck. Tom has a "Queen Elizabeth or Jaguar" quiz for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a test-drive review of the redesigned-for-2022 Infiniti QX60.
EV Tipping Point, Mazda CX-50
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show by discussing Mazda's new-for-2023 CX-50 compact SUV. Robby DeGraff, Industry Analyst with AutoPacific, joins us to talk about a number of new pure-electric vehicles that are slated to hit the market in the coming months. Tom has a quiz on 0-60-mph times for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a track-drive review of the new-for-2022 Hyundai Elantra N and Kona N.
Pennsylvania's Little-Known Automotive History, Audi A3
Host Tom Appel and co-host Jill Ciminillo start the show by discussing their recent test drives of the smallest and least-expensive model in Audi's lineup: the A3 compact sedan. (Co-host Damon Bell is out on assignment this week.) Kendra Cook, Executive Director of the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, joins us to discuss the museum and its focus on Pennsylvania's automotive history. Kendra also shares details of the museum's upcoming A "Current" EVent display of historic electric vehicles. Tom has a fake-car quiz for Jill, and the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog are discussed--including a test-drive review of the 2022 Volvo XC60 R-Design.
China's Leading Automakers, Toyota Camry TRD
Host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start the show by discussing their recent test drives of the sportiest model in Toyota's midsize car lineup: the Camry TRD. (Co-host Jill Ciminillo is out on assignment this week.) Sam Fiorani, Vice President of Global Vehicle Forecasting for AutoForecast Solutions, joins us to give his insight on the current state of the Chinese auto industry. Tom has an engine-displacement quiz for Damon and Sam, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a test-drive review of the Ford F-150 Raptor.
EV Ownership Issues, Car Tattoos
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show with a lighthearted discussion of the most-tattooed American brands, according to a study of Instagram hashtags. Chad Kirchner, VP of Content for the electric-vehicle-focused website EV Pulse, joins us to talk about the things auto shoppers should be considering if they're thinking of buying an electric vehicle. Tom has a "Ford Maverick vs. The Jetsons" true-or-false quiz for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog, including a test-drive review of the refreshed-for-2022 Acura RDX compact SUV and a gallery of full-size two-door coupe ads.
Neoclassic Bustlebacks, Ford Creates New EV Division
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing Ford Motor Company's recently announced corporate-structure changes--electric vehicles will now be under the Ford Model e division, and gas-engine vehicles will be under the Ford Blue division. Collectible Automobile magazine Editor-in-Chief John Biel joins us to chat about the great features in the April 2022 issue, including the neoclassic, bustleback-styled 1982-87 Lincoln Continental and a Photo Feature on a 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Berlinetta. Tom has a "turbo or no turbo?" quiz for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog, including a "what if" 1955 Ford Crown Ranchero concept and Jeep's refreshed-for-2022 Compass compact SUV.
Ford Chief Futurist, J.D. Power Dependability Report
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing the 2022 edition of the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. Sheryl Connelly, Chief Futurist with Ford Motor Company, joins us for a talk about the Looking Further with Ford Trend Report, an annual study of future social, environmental, and economic trends. Tom has a quiz on the Opel brand for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a test-drive review of the 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport plug-in hybrid.
Track-Driving Basics, New-Car Colors
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing Damon's recent blog post on the interesting colors of the 2022 Chicago Auto Show. Hollie Heiser, VP of Marketing and Operations and Lead Driving Instructor for CGI Motorsports, joins us for a talk about driving your car on a race track. Tom has a quiz on Brad Pitt and the Subaru Forester for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a test-drive review of the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring plug-in-hybrid SUV.
Driving Electric Vehicles in Winter; Alfa Romeo Tonale
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing the recent global debut of the 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale compact SUV. Larry Nutson, Executive Producer and Chicago Bureau Chief at The Auto Channel, joins us for a talk about driving pure-electric vehicles in the winter. Tom has a quiz on the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette vs. the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a test-drive review of Nissan's redesigned-for-2022 Pathfinder midsize SUV.
Ford Maverick Sells Out, Tesla Rolling Stops
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show by discussing NHTSA's recent recall of Tesla vehicles to remove a software feature in the Full Self-Driving system that enables the vehicles to not come to a complete stop at some stop signs. Trevor Scott, Maverick and Ranger Marketing Manager with Ford Motor Company, joins us for a talk about Ford's incredibly popular new Maverick compact pickup truck. Tom has a quiz on vehicle sales in foreign countries for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a First Spin review of the top-line 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone pickup.
Bad Car Loans, 2023 Toyota Sequoia Unveiled
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show by discussing the recently unveiled 2023 Toyota Sequoia full-size SUV. Consumer Reports investigative journalist Ryan Felton joins us for a talk about bad car loans and how you can avoid them. Tom has a quiz on the second-best-selling vehicles for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a first look at the high-performance 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V.
EV Pickup Trucks, Cadillac Pares Dealers
Host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell kick off the show by discussing how Cadillac is paring down its nationwide dealership count as it prepares to become a pure-EV brand. (Co-host Jill is out on vacation this week.) Paul Strauss, publisher of the popular websites The Awesomer, Technabob, and the auto-themed 95octane, joins us to talk about the forthcoming wave of pure-electric pickup trucks--including the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and the Tesla Cybertruck. Tom has a "which sold better?" quiz for Damon and Paul, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog–including a test-drive review of the 2021 Ford Bronco Black Diamond.
How Winter Tires Work, Chicago Auto Show Preview
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show by chatting with Chicago Auto Show General Manager Dave Sloan about the 2022 edition of the show, which will be held at Chicago's McCormick Place from February 12-20. Next, we welcome Ed Gliss, Senior Subjective Test Driver with Michelin, for a talk about the importance of winter tires. Tom has a tricky quiz on Mexican-market Chevrolets for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a look at the 2022 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition.
The Enduring Appeal of the 1957 Chevy, CES 2022 Vehicle Reveals
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing the new-vehicle reveals of the CES 2022 show in Las Vegas--particularly the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV pure-electric full-size pickup and the Chrysler Airflow Concept compact crossover EV. Collectible Automobile magazine Editor-in-Chief John Biel joins us to chat about the great features in the February 2022 issue, and we discuss the enduring popularity of the classic 1957 Chevrolet. Tom has a quiz for Damon and Jill on automaker advertising taglines, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog, including our CES coverage and a test-drive review of the new-for-2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer premium large SUV.
The Year in EVs, Road Trip Rides
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell open the show with a chat about their test vehicles for their respective holiday road trips: the Audi Q5 Sportback, Subaru Outback Wilderness, and the new-for-2022 Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid. John Voelcker, former Editor-in-Chief of greencarreports.com and current contributing editor to Car and Driver, joins the show to give us his take on the electric-vehicle news of 2021, and the state of the EV market moving forward. Tom has a true-or-false quiz on the Dodge Challenger and the state of Wisconsin for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog--including a look back at the 1992-96 Buick Regal GS Sport Coupe.