Unnamed Automotive Podcast
Unnamed Automotive Podcast
Updated 7 days agoEvery week automotive journalists Benjamin and Sami review cars and get weird, and funny, and honest, about the automotive industry.
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Episodes (470)
Episode 137: 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 2020 Hyundai Palisade, RIP Benjamin's Datsun Motor
Is the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata's new motor a worthy upgrade over the previous 4-cylinder? Benjamin certainly thinks so - to the point where it changes the entire character of the car for the better. Sami then dives deep into the 2020 Hyundai Palisade SUV and wonders how such a luxurious three-row hauler came to market without a Genesis badge. Finally, the pair pay their respects to Benjamin's Datsun engine, which died doing what it loved at Watkins Glen International Raceway this past week. Also - Porsche book contest winners!
Episode 136: 2020 Subaru Legacy, 2019 BMW 750i xDrive
Subaru's basic design language doesn't take any risks, and after driving the 2020 Subaru Legacy for the first time Sami kind of wishes it did so that more buyers might be tempted to take a chance on the brand instead of seeking out the more stylish competition. Benjamin sets sail in the 2019 BMW 750i xDrive across two-lane blacktop seeking county fair fun, and is surprised by the combo of performance and plushness offered by the massive four-door sedan.
Episode 135: 2019 Volkswagen Golf R, 2019 Subaru BRZ Raiu Edition, Listener Feedback, Porsche Contest
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R a hot hatch, or a 'stealth executive car?' Will Sami tolerate Benjamin's unabashed use of marketing speak to describe the turbocharged, all-wheel drive Golf, or will it end their friendship forever? Will Sami's time in the 2019 Subaru BRZ Raiu Edition make him paint his own BRZ 'Cool Khaki Grey?' The answers to these questions, plus a Porsche book giveaway and fun listener feedback on this week's episode.
Episode 134: 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt, 2020 BMW M340i xDrive, Weird Movie Tie-In Cars, How Benjamin and Sami Got Started As Writers
How strong is the charisma of Steve McQueen that Ford is still making Bullitt Mustang tribute cars 50 years after the movie debuted? Sami dives deep into the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt and comes away impressed with its mix of style and performance. After a detour into the weird world of movie tie-in cars, Benjamin continues the discussion with the 2020 BMW M340i xDrive, the fastest non-M3 version of the 3 Series sedan ever built. Don't even bother trying to re-read that sentence. Finally, the pair answer a question from a listener about how each of them got started in the automotive writing business.
Episode 133: 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LE, 2019 Ford Ranger, 2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Is the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo worth of the 1LE road racing package? Benjamin spends a week with the entry-level car to find out. Meanwhile, Sami pits the 2019 Ford Ranger against the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 in a mid-size pickup battle that may have a surprising winner.
Episode 132: Guest Chad Kirchner, 2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO, 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550, 2019 Jeep Gladiator
Is the world ready for a version of the Nissan GT-R that costs over $200,000? Guest Chad Kirchner explains why the NISMO makes sense - and who it makes sense to - after driving the automaker's most expensive sports car to date. Benjamin relates his experiences with the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550, the first re-design of the boxy G-Class in decades, and argues with Sami about whether it truly has a place in this world. Finally, the three engage in a spirited debate about where, exactly, the 2019 Jeep Gladiator fits in the existing mid-size pickup truck hierarchy.
Episode 131: 2020 BMW Z4 M40i, 2019 Toyota Corolla vs. 2019 Hyundai Elantra
When a Japanese company pays for a Germany automaker to build its flagship sports car, and then lets it sell a more powerful roadster version of its own, Benjamin is there to try to make sense of it all. The 2020 BMW Z4 M40i turns out to be more impressive than inspected after a week together on the road. Sami follows up with a comparison test between the 2019 Toyota Corolla sedan versus the 2019 Hyundai Elantra sedan. Has Toyota finally caught up to its Korean rival?
Episode 130: 2019 BMW M850i Cabriolet, 2019 Honda Passport SUV
Benjamin's love for the BMW M850i is no secret - but when the roof gets sliced off, will his heart stay true? A week in the 2019 BMW M850i Cabriolet has a surprise ending that leaves Sami shocked. The pair then go on to discuss Sami's time in the 2019 Honda Passport, and debate whether anyone is really heading down to their local Honda dealer to pick up an off-road capable SUV.
Episode 129: 2020 Lexus RX, Classic Lexus Drive, Benjamin's Fiat 500X Nightmare In France
What's it like to sample a fleet of museum-quality Lexus classics? Sami finds out after spending a few days in Costa Rica with the original LS, RX, SC, and more. He also pilots the refreshed 2020 Lexus RX and makes the startling discovery that its infotainment system might actually now be on par with the rest of its luxury rivals. Benjamin, on the other hand, is filled with anguish and despair after enduring hundreds of miles behind the wheel of a rental Fiat 500X while driving through the French countryside.
Episode 128: 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs. 2019 Audi A6, 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition
It's a battle of the turbocharged V6 engines as Sami discovers something old and something new while comparing the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class against the 2019 Audi A6. Benjamin discovers that a week with an old friend leaves him feeling more sad than energized after driving the DSG-equipped 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit edition. Has the Veloster N broken his brain?
Episode 127: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, 2019 Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack 1
Do you need an SUV that can bounce itself out of the snow or mud? Sami tries to answer that question, and more, with his in-depth review of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Meanwhile, Benjamin counters with the one Ford Mustang model the pair had yet to drive: the GT Performance Pack 1.
Episode 126: VW Autostadt Tour, 2019 Volkswagen Arteon, 2020 Kia Telluride
Is the Autostadt the German Disneyworld for Volkswagen fans? After spending a day there, Benjamin certainly thinks so, and he goes into detail about VW's unusual theme park for gearheads. He also gets some wheel time with the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon. Sami continues his campaign for Korean supremacy as he is wow by his experience with the 2020 Kia Telluride full-size SUV.
Episode 125: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, 2019 Porsche Macan S, 2019 Toyota CH-R
How much do the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and the 2019 Porsche Macan S luxury SUVs have in common? Sami travels to Germany and Newfoundland, for some reason, to sample these two refreshed models. Meanwhile, Benjamin sticks closer to home to spend a week with the 2019 Toyota CH-R - an SUV that doesn't quite live up to the anticipation.
Episode 124: Guest Chad Kirchner, 2019 Ford Mustang GT350, 2019 Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack 2
What change have been made to the 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350? Is it still the king of pony-land? Chad Kirchner guest hosts on the show to give his perspective after taking the new GT350 to the track. Sami and Benjamin discuss their time in the 2019 Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack 1 and 2 cars to see just how well they compare against the road course chops of the Shelby.
Episode 123: 2019 Hyundai Veloster N, What's Next For N Performance
Benjamin falls in love with the rowdy 2019 Hyundai Veloster N, and is convinced it's the most fun hot hatch on the market. Sami thinks Benjamin might be crazy. The pair also discuss the future of the N Performance brand, and what vehicles might be ripe for their own N treatment.
Episode 122: 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Sky One-Touch Convertible, Weird Car Names Lightning Round
When is a style icon just another four-door coupe? When it's the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, according to Sami after a weary week together with this in-betweener. Benjamin has a better time with the Sky One-Touch convertible version of the 2019 Jeep Wrangler, a vehicle that tries to be the best of both worlds to soft-top and hardtop lovers. Finally, Benjamin challenges Sami to a weird car name lightning round.
Episode 121: 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC EV, 2019 Lexus UX, Datsun Track Disasters
Will the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC have what it takes to unseat the Tesla Model X, the Audi e-tron, and the Jaguar i-Pace? Sami has the scoop after spending a couple days behind the wheel of the latest German electric car under dreary Norwegian skies. Benjamin's week is a little sunnier, as he samples the 2019 Lexus UX and discovers that the Japanese automaker has been smart when shrinking down its luxury formula. Finally, Benjamin relates two shocking tales of mechanical woe from his most recent Datsun track adventures.
Episode 120: 2020 Toyota Supra Track Drive, 2019 Cadillac XT5
Is the 2020 Toyota Supra just as good the second time around? After a full day at Summit Motorsports Park - and a fair bit of street driving - Sami spills the beans on his Supra secrets. Benjamin goes in a family-friendly direction with the 2019 Cadillac XT5, a handsome SUV that might just be a little too expensive if you get crazy with the options.
Episode 119: 2019 Genesis G70, 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback vs. 2019 Honda Civic Hatchback, No More VW Golf
Is the 2019 Genesis G70 the real sports sedan deal not just on the track, but in the day-to-day? Benjamin certainly thinks so after spending a week behind the wheel of the turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 model - even after having sampled the completely-redesigned BMW 3 Series the week before. Sami gets to the bottom of whether the 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback has a chance at toppling the excellent Honda Civic hatch, just before the pair segue into the death of a longtime five-door friend of the show, the Volkswagen Golf.
Episode 118: 2019 BMW 3 Series, 2019 Nisan Altima AWD vs. 2019 Honda Accord 1.5T, Jeep Grand Wagoneer Update
The 2019 BMW 3 Series has been completely redesigned in a bid to capture past driving glory. Benjamin spends a week behind the wheel of the 330i xDrive to discover what's good and what's still so-so about the German automaker's sales leader. Sami pits another all-new sedan - the 2019 Nissan Altima AWD - against a perennial favorite in the 2019 Honda Accord 1.5T and isn't nearly as impressed. The pair wrap things up with an update on Benjamin's Jeep Grand Wagoneer project, and what happens when you turn to the internet underground to try to by some tapes for your truck, man.
Episode 117: 2019 BMW M850i, 2019 Cadillac XT4, New York Auto Show Lightning Round
Is the 2019 BMW M850i so good that it makes Benjamin take the most controversial stance in the history of the podcast? Is this luxury coupe really as good as he says it is, or does Sami have to hit him with a hard reality check? Once that's out of the way, it's time to talk about what went right, and what went wrong, with the 2019 Cadillac XT4 SUV, before sliding into a lightning round where Sami summarizes the best cars at the New York Auto Show.
Episode 116: 2020 Kia Soul EV, 2019 Nissan Kicks
Is the electric version of the 2020 Kia Seoul that Benjamin drove last month just as good as the gas model? Sami continues with tales from Korea, telling us all about his drive in the all-new Soul EV. Meanwhile, Benjamin spills the beans on the 2019 Nissan Kicks, which isn't really an SUV - and is all the better for it.
Episode 115: 2020 Hyundai Sonata, 2020 Land Rover Ranger Evoque
Does Hyundai's return to fashion-forward design have what it takes to push the all-new 2020 Hyundai Sonata back into mid-size family car contention? After a detour to the DMZ, Sami drives through the streets of Seoul, Korea, to find out. Benjamin heads to the Mediterranean to put the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque SUV through its paces up treacherous foggy mountains and down perilous off-road trails.
Episode 114: 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited X, 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550, Benjamin Buys A Jeep Grand Wagoneer
If it looks like an SRT but packs a V6, is it still a good buy? Benjamin and Sam argue about the merits of the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited X before veering off into Mercedes-Benz G-Class territory, which Sami opines is simple too expensive to ever take off-road. Finally, Benjamin drops the stunning revelation that he's purchased a 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and made it the official UAP project truck.
Episode 113: 2019 BMW X7, 2019 Mazda 3 AWD
The 2019 BMW X7 is the first full-size 3-row SUV from the German brand. Benjamin drives it from Florida to Louisiana to see if it has what it takes to compete with Land Rover et al. Meanwhile, Sami spends time with the 2019 Mazda 3 AWD, the first all-wheel drive challenger to the Subaru Impreza in the compact segment in a very long time.