Talking Cars (MP3)
Consumer Reports
Updated 4 days agoJoin our experts at the Consumer Reports Test Track as they discuss cars, answer buying questions, and share insights on everything automotive.
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Episodes (528)
#68: A Tale of Two Jeeps
Jeep sales are setting new records, driven by models like the new Renegade. These models might help Fiat-Chrysler Group’s balance sheet, but do they risk alienating traditionalists? To find out, we invited George to bring in his off-road-ready 1999 Jeep Cherokee. Other than mercilessly mocking his project Jeep’s various shortcomings, we talk about how the Renegade fits with the brand, how it matches customer expectations, and if it’s a good value or not. Next we answer some reader complaints about reliability and recommendations, particularly comparing the Jeep Cherokee and Volkswagen Golf. Finally, we look at the VW Golf R, the top-trim model of the legendary GTI hot hatch. As expected, the gang is split on the car’s appeal and value.
#67: 2016 Mazda6 and CX-5; Acura ILX
We see it all the time in the YouTube comments: questions about the Mazda6 and CX-5. Both models were updated for 2016, so Talking Cars highlights the changes. Both cars stay true to form, with sharp handling and impressive fuel economy. We discuss if Mazda was successful in reducing interior noise, long a brand shortcoming. Also updated for 2016 is the Acura ILX. Despite changes, the car doesn't reach far beyond its Honda Civic roots, making us seriously question its $30,000 price tag.
LinkedIn Elevate & Twitter shuts off the firehose | Marketing News | MR014
Twitter is shutting down its tweet data “firehose” to third-party resellers. LinkedIn is launching a new app called Elevate to empower your employees to share content. What does this all mean for your business? All this and more on this week’s Marketing Recap! View the show notes for more stories and the video version of this episode by going to http://MarketingRecap.com/14. Join us next Thursday for the Marketing Recap Hangout and Chat at 10:00pm EST/7:00pm PST. Use the hashtag #MRcap on Twitter. Be a guest on the roundtable: http://MarketingRecap.com/guest PS: Please subscribe and leave us a rating and review to let us know you enjoy the show!
#66: We buy a Tesla Model S P85D!
Back in Episode #62, we asked our Talking Cars viewers if we should buy a Tesla Model S P85D, and heard a resounding "yes." Your support and interest was one reason for us to buy our most expensive test car yet. While the P85D delivers "insane" performance combined with impressive energy efficiency, that wasn't the only reason for our purchase. This latest Model S also offers Autopilot, with upcoming software updates that will make the Model S one of the first self-driving cars you can buy.
#65: 2015 New York Auto Show
Talking Cars hits the road, covering the 2015 New York Auto Show in an episode recorded right from the show floor. Honda surprises everyone with a 10th generation Civic. Old-school rivals Cadillac and Lincoln face-off, with the soon-to-production CT6 and the Continental concept. Lexus goes down a different road with the now-sportier RX: will it alienate previous buyers? The Chevrolet Malibu loses hundreds of pounds, yet gains four inches of needed rear seat room. While the Malibu looks way different from the previous car, it takes a much closer eye to spot the changes in the redesigned Kia Optima. The new Nissan Maxima draws on its oddly enduring brand equity. Subaru teases us with a BRZ STi while Scion outsources their iA and brings out a Corolla-based iM hatchback. Finally, the Volkswagen Golf Sportswagen Alltrack sets off a discussion about mainstream vs. enthusiast wagons.
Periscope vs Meerkat & Facebook's F8 Conference | MR013
Today Twitter launched Periscope to take on the live video streaming sensation, Meerkat. Facebook is hosting its F8 developers conference and introducing some interesting new products. What does this all mean for your business? All this and more on this week’s Marketing Recap! View the show notes for more stories and the video version of this episode by going to http://MarketingRecap.com/13. Join us next Thursday for the Marketing Recap Hangout and Chat at 10:00pm EST/7:00pm PST. Use the hashtag #MRcap on Twitter. PS: Please subscribe and leave us a rating and review to let us know you enjoy the show!
#64: Tesla and the self-driving car
Other car companies promise self-driving cars, coming years in the future. Tesla just shrinked that timeframe to months, thanks to software updates to the Model S. With the technology leading legislation, this raises a bunch of questions. We discuss how the car is becoming a rolling supercomputer, how that affects vehicle design, and what this all means for driving enthusiasts.
#63: Ford Edge, Lexus NX
The magic number for this episode is "two." We look at two new two-row SUVs, the Ford Edge and Lexus NX, both powered by 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinders. While the Lexus tries to be sporty (with some success), the 2015 Edge winds up being the better "Lexus," thanks to a redesign that transforms the car. Normally Toyota does hybrids well, but the hybrid NX300h isn't as fulfilling as the turbocharged NX200t. Viewer feedback ran deep from our annual Top Picks episode, asking about the lack of a sports car pick and our small car choice. Finally, we talk about the possibility of buying a Tesla Model S P85D.
#62: 2015 Top Picks
Coinciding with our annual April auto issue, it's time to reveal Consumer Reports' Top Picks for 2015. Selections have to be among the top-scoring cars in their category, and must have average or better reliability according to our survey data. Two big trends emerge this year: American brands are fighting back, taking three of the ten top spots. Subaru also continues to dominate, grabbing three of the other spots. We discuss each pick, why there isn't a choice for top pickup truck this year, and look at some cars that almost made the list.
Amazon Giveaways, Twitter + Niche & Facebook Relevance Score | Marketing News | MR007
Amazon makes it easy for users to host giveaway contests, Twitter acquires social talent agency Niche, and Facebook shows advertisers their Relevance Score. We talk about these stories and more and what they mean for businesses, plus talk with people on the Twitter chat #MRcap. View the show notes for more stories and the video version of this episode by going to http://MarketingRecap.com/7. Join us next Thursday for the Marketing Recap Hangout and Chat at 10:00pm EST / 7:00pm PST / 3:00am GMT. Use the hashtag #MRcap on Twitter. PS: Please subscribe and leave us a rating and review to let us know you enjoy the show!
#61: More SUVs: Kia Sorento, Chevrolet Trax
Right now, it feels like we're buying nothing but SUVs for the Consumer Reports test fleet. The two latest additions are the Kia Sorento and Chevrolet Trax. While the Sorento is a well-finished rival to rivals like the Toyota Highlander, the Trax literally comes up short - except for its optimistic price tag. We then dive into the viewer mailbag, answering questions about wintertime testing. Finally, several viewers didn't agree with us about the Cadillac Escalade, as discussed on episode #60.
Twitter Video & Quick Promote, Super Bowl Social Stats plus a Woman Hanging from a Star | Marketing News | MR006
We're big into Twitter news this week after the launch of their Quick Promote button and Videos. We also revisit last week's conversation and see how social media networks did during the Super Bowl. We talk about these stories and more and what they mean for businesses, plus talk with people on the Twitter chat #MRcap. View the show notes for more stories and the video version of this episode by going to http://MarketingRecap.com/6. Join us next Thursday for the Marketing Recap Hangout and Chat at 10:00pm EST/7:00pm PST. Use the hashtag #MRcap on Twitter. PS: Please subscribe and leave us a rating and review to let us know you enjoy the show!
Jeff Sheehan talks Super Bowl Ads & Social Media, plus Snapchat Ghosts | Marketing News | MR005
We welcome special guest Jeff Sheehan to talk about his recent LinkedIn Pulse articles about Super Bowl ads and the right way to handle social media. We also get into new features in Snapchat that could help you get more engagement. What does this all mean for your business? All this and more on this week’s Marketing Recap! View the show notes for more stories and the video version of this episode by going to http://MarketingRecap.com/5. Join us next Thursday for the Marketing Recap Hangout and Chat at 10:00pm EST/7:00pm PST. Use the hashtag #MRcap on Twitter. PS: Please subscribe and leave us a rating and review to let us know you enjoy the show!
Google Trusted Stores & New Structured Data Tool | Marketing News | MR004
Question of the Week: Is Google helping MySpace make a comeback? Topics: Google's new Structured Data Tool helps webmasters tell Google which information to show in search results including Social Media profiles. and more from Google ... Google Trusted Stores: Now it’s even easier to help shoppers buy online with confidence We talk about these stories and more and what they mean for businesses, plus talk with people on the Twitter chat #MRcap. View the show notes for more stories and the video version of this episode by going to http://MarketingRecap.com/4. Join us next Thursday for the Marketing Recap Hangout and Chat at 10:00pm EST/7:00pm PST. Use the hashtag #MRcap on Twitter. PS: Please subscribe and leave us a rating and review to let us know you enjoy the show!
#60: Cadillac Escalade vs. Lincoln Navigator
They're both big, plush, and expensive: the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator join the Consumer Reports test fleet. Each scores points in this skirmish in different ways, but we can't help thinking that this segment's heyday has come and gone. We also look at the new Nissan Murano, which aims for a upscale look and feel at a price point dominated by family haulers. After complaining about the Murano's steering feel, we debate how much that matters to its buyers. Finally, we answer two viewer questions from the Detroit Auto Show: Could Buick build the Avenir concept car without stepping on Cadillac's toes? And, could brands other than Volvo overcome the reputational baggage that comes with selling Chinese-built cars in America?
$750,000 Snapchat Ads, Facebook at Work & What Teens REALLY Think | Marketing News | MR003
Facebook is letting businesses create their own internal social networks with Facebook at Work. A teen's post on Medium goes viral when he reveals how he and his peers REALLY use social media apps. Are they really leaving Facebook in droves? Snapchat is asking for a minimum of $750,000 per day to advertise on their platform. Are they crazy? We talk about these stories and more and what they mean for businesses, plus talk with people on the Twitter chat #MRcap. View the show notes for more stories and the video version of this episode by going to http://MarketingRecap.com/3. Join us next Thursday for the Marketing Recap Hangout and Chat at 10:00pm EST/7:00pm PST. Use the hashtag #MRcap on Twitter. PS: Please subscribe and leave us a rating and review to let us know you enjoy the show!
#59: 2015 Detroit Auto Show
We cover all the news from the 2015 Detroit Auto Show floor! High-performance was a theme, whether it's supercars like the Acura NSX and Ford GT, or off-road-oriented trucks like the Ford Raptor and Ram Rebel. Diesel pickups also build up speed, with a fuel-efficient version of the Ram EcoDiesel and the new Nissan Titan XD. A revised Toyota Tacoma suggests new life in the small truck market, and Hyundai shows their Santa Cruz small truck concept. Buick has a strong show, with the stunning Avenir and the Cascada ragtop. Turns out our predictions for North American Car/Truck of the Year were half right, with the Ford F-150 taking the prize for trucks, but the VW Golf topping the Mustang among cars. We also look at new stuff from Volvo, Infiniti, and Lincoln.
Facebook looks more like YouTube & OnStar's New AtYourService | MR002
Facebook is continuing to challenge YouTube with new Video pages and your car may soon influence your purchasing decisions. What does this all mean for your business? View the show notes for more stories and the video version of this episode by going to http://MarketingRecap.com/2. In the past, it was typical for Page administrators to upload their video content only to YouTube and then share that link on their Facebook Page. For brands like PoolSupplyWorld with over 100,000 Facebook Fans, it made sense to try and convert those fans into some sort of engagement on YouTube. Unfortunately, this isn’t always practical application, especially with the new video tools offered by Facebook. OnStar introduced AtYourService at CES this week. It’s a new “commerce and engagement offering that connects drivers with retailers and merchants on their drive, providing information, convenience and money-saving values tied to their specific destinations.” This could have SEO implications. Join us next Thursday for the Marketing Recap Hangout and Chat at 10:00pm EST/7:00pm PST. Use the hashtag #MRcap on Twitter. For a preview of the stories and episode notices, go to http://MarketingRecap.com/newsletter. PS: Please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a rating and review to let us know you enjoy the show!
#58: CES 2015: Latest Car Tech
Maybe CES stands for Consumer Electronics Show, but the big Las Vegas event is becoming a car show in its own right. We look at the latest technology coming from the show floor, and discuss the impact when (or if) it hits the showroom. Automated or self-driving cars stole the show, with Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz showing off their latest. Alternative fuel news includes Toyota allowing other companies to use their fuel cell patents, much like Tesla did with their electric car development. Gesture controls are all the rage, but we question how much they will really reduce driver distraction. Finally, new infotainment systems look promising. Ford dumps MyFord Touch for Sync3, and Hyundai and Volkswagen debut systems that use both Apple's CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Year in Social Media Marketing - A look back at 2014 | MR001
Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of Marketing Recap! We're taking a look back at some of the most interesting things that happened in Social Media Marketing in 2014 and what that means for you in 2015. View the show notes for more stories and the video version of this episode by going to http://MarketingRecap.com/1. Key Takeaways Blake Understand that Facebook is a pay-to-play platform. You need to allocate budget if you want to use it. You don't need a massive budget to get good results on Facebook, especially small businesses. Blake has seen businesses be successful with budgets as little as $5/day. Stay on top of changes in social media and capitalize on it as soon as possible. That is one of the goals of Marketing Recap -- to let you in on the stories that keep you on the cutting edge of digital marketing while saving you hours of research time each week. Cynthia Remember that SEO is now an important part of social media. SEO is the process of removing obstacles to bring you the traffic you deserve. Build great content, play by certain rules and don't try to scam the system. BJ Beware of the growing disconnect between mediums. When creating campaigns, it is important to have a common message across all of your platforms (website, social media, email marketing, print, TV, radio, etc.). Social media is becoming very deep and we don't see the one person Jack-of-all-trades handling all social platforms like we did a year or two ago. Teams have grown and it is even more important today to maintain communications and make sure you have a strong leader to keep everyone on the same page. Join us next week, Thursday, January 8 for the Marketing Recap Hangout and Chat at 10:00pm EST/7:00pm PST. Use the hashtag #MRcap on Twitter.
#57: 2014's Best and Worst
Our end-of-the-year episode highlights testers’ personal highs and lows of the year. These cars don’t necessarily bracket our formal ratings, but they stand out in our collective memory. We really like cars that balance sport and practicality, with positive votes for the Porsche Macan, BMW M235i, and Volkswagen Golf/GTI. Minority votes also went to the Range Rover, Subaru Outback, and Chevrolet SS. Cars that made our least-liked list generally promised more than they delivered. Despite its storied marque, several of us dissed the Maserati Ghibli for falling short of luxury sport car expectations. Other cars earning brickbats include the Chrysler 200, Mercedes-Benz GLA and CLA, and the Infiniti Q50. Reaching beyond 2014, some of us dug up some older-introduced cars that still bug them today.
#56 Kia Sedona & Toyota Sienna; What makes a car fun?
Some car buyers emphasize practicality, while others prioritize driving fun. This episode of Talking Cars spans those extremes. First off, we take a look at the updated 2015 Toyota Sienna and redesigned 2015 Kia Sedona. While we applaud the space - and child-appeasing gadgetry - of minivans, we also note that SUVs are catching up or surpassing them in fuel economy. Next, we answer two viewer questions about what makes a car really fun to drive. Great steering plays an important role, but it isn't everything. Neither is the ever-increasing size of cars, despite a viewer's passionate pleas otherwise.
Sneak Peek: Marketing Recap behind the scenes | MR000
This is a sneak preview of our show that will launch New Years Day 2015! Each week we recap our favorite stories in digital marketing adding in our own unique spin and telling you what it means for businesses. We'll give you some ideas that you can try yourself. It's interactive! The show will be viewable live over Google+ Hangouts and we'll be tweeting about it in a live Twitter chat. That means you get to interact with us during the show. We'll be taking questions and comments as we're talking about the stories. It's going to be crazy and it's going to be so much fun! Learn more at http://MarketingRecap.com Hosts: BJ Smith (@bjsmithstrategy) Cynthia Johnson (@CynthiaLive) Blake Jamieson (@BlakeJamieson)
#55 Audi Q3 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLA
Two bite-sized German luxury SUVs face off in this episode of Talking Cars. While the Audi Q3 sticks to many of the brand qualities you'd expect, the Mercedes falls short in refinement. We talk about the market situations that created these cars, and how crowded the SUV market gets around this pricepoint. Next, the super-popular Honda CR-V gets an update for 2015, including a CVT and an infuriating radio. Moving on to a Canadian-themed bunch of questions, we help a viewer pick a comfy sedan. Finally, we wrap up by comparing the Volkswagen Golf and the Mazda3.
#54: Dodge Challenger vs. Ford Mustang
Modern-day muscle cars dominate this episode of Talking Cars, as we discuss the new 2015 Ford Mustang and updated Dodge Challenger. The gang debates who will buy which car, but everyone agrees that the Mustang has dramatically upped its game. Next, we detail the problems suffered by the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ as determined by our reliability survey data. Another viewer takes offense to Tom's frequent mentions of interior quality. A viewer question asks us to discuss the Acura TLX, but without comparing it to a Honda Accord. We try, and mostly succeed. Finally, we suggest alternatives to a BMW X3.