Unnamed Automotive Podcast
Unnamed Automotive Podcast
Updated 3 days agoEvery week automotive journalists Benjamin and Sami review the cars, trucks, and SUVs they test drive, and get weird, and funny, and honest, about the automotive industry.
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Episodes (477)
Episode 75: 2018 GMC Canyon Diesel, 2019 Kia Sorento, Listener Questions
Would you buy a diesel pickup? What about a diesel pickup that's smaller than a full-size? And would you pay $50,000 for it? These are the questions Benjamin tries to answer when driving the 2018 GMC Canyon Diesel over the course of a week. Sami, when not provoking Benjamin about how many tires he's hauling around, also chips in with his thoughts on the 2019 Kia Sorento redesign, before wrapping things up with listener questions.
Bonus Episode - 2019 Lexus ES First Drive
Does the 2019 Lexus ES still have a place at the table in a world where mid-size premium sedans offering tons of luxury features can be had from nearly every automaker on the market? Benjamin and Sami discuss the all-new ES after having put it through its paces.
Episode 74: 2018 Kia Soul, 2018 Toyota CH-R, Unusual Crossovers, Mazda RX-7 FD Drive
When is weird too weird? When is weird not enough? That's what Sami attempts to discover when comparing the 2018 Kia Soul crossover to the 2018 Toyota CH-R. Benjamin jumps in with his strangely authoritative opinions on why, exactly, a whole bunch of other strange-looking SUVs failed where the Soul has succeeded. He then talks about his time driving the twin-turbo rotary-powered FD Mazda RX-7 from the Mazda classic collection, while Sami quietly seethes with jealousy.
Episode 73: 2018 Volvo S90 T8, 2018 Ford F-150, 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 2018 GMC Sierra Denali
Is the 2018 GMC Sierra Denali falling behind the pack just prior to its complete redesign this fall? After towing with it this past week, Sami certainly thinks so - especially compared to the 2018 Ford F-150 that Benjamin was driving. The pair also discuss their shared time in the 2018 Volvo S90 T8, debate the merits of its battery power, and try to figure out why Sami is so in love with the red convertible top on the 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Bonus Episode - 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo First Drive
The embargo has lifted and we can finally talk about the 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo - and boy, do we have a lot to say.
Episode 72: 2019 Audi A6, 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 Wagon, Chevrolet 4 Cylinder Turbo Pickup
Where does the redesigned 2019 Audi A6 fit into the executive sedan ecosystem? Sami drives the latest Audi in Portugal and comes back suitably impressed by what the luxury car has to offer. Meanwhile, Benjamin falls in love with the wagon version of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and delivers an impassioned soliloquy on the benefits of wagons over crossovers. Finally, Chevy's turbocharged four-cylinder Silverado gamble is an intriguing play for the full-size pickup, but neither Sami nor Benjamin are sure just how, exactly, it will play out.
Episode 71: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, 2018 BMW X2, 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
The Eclipse Cross is the last Mitsubishi to be developed entirely in-house prior to the merger with Nissan, and Sami spends a week behind the wheel to figure out what the new SUV's lasting legacy will be for fans of the brand. Meanwhile, Benjamin has his expectations overturned by the 2018 BMW X2 sport-utility vehicle, while also sampling the similarly surprisingly - although not in a good way - 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV. SUV! SUV! SUV!
Episode 70: 2019 Genesis G70, 2018 Land Rover Discovery, Sami Visits Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
The 2019 Genesis G70 turns out to be more than just a rival to the current crop of entry-level sport sedans from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi - it's a bit of a time machine back to when dialed-in steering, suspension, and a lively character were more important than outright power and multi-stage traction control. On both the street and the Mont Tremblant race track the G70 impressed Benjamin to the point where he makes some very bold statements about its place in the world. Sami, on the other hand, had a week of sand and sun in the 2018 Land Rover Discovery over in the Middle East, and also checked out Ferrari World Abu Dhabi which was, well, not quite as Ferrari-esque as he had been lead to believe.
Episode 69: 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, 2018 Lincoln Navigator, Ford Stops Making Cars
Stop the press, because Ford has decided to stop making cars! Well, almost - in the middle of recording this episode, Benjamin and Sami learn that Ford will keep building the Mustang, but kill every other sedan in a bid to focus exclusively on SUVs and trucks. The pair also talk about the all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which Sami drove under the Croatian sun, and the 2018 Lincoln Navigator SUV, which surprised Benjamin during their week together with how much of an effort Lincoln has made in revising its flagship.
Episode 68: 2018 Mazda 6 Turbo, 2018 Nissan Armada, Bear Attacks, News Round-Up
The Mazda 6 has always offered excellent handling, but was left in the dust by more powerful sedan peers - until now. The 2018 Mazda 6 Turbo is here, and Benjamin has the scoop after a day spent zoom-zooming through B.C.'s mountain valleys. Sami and Benjamin also discuss the excellent Nissan Armada, which impresses despite frightening fuel mileage, as well as the overland Armada Patrol bear-proof camper, which might not be nearly as ursine-ready as one would think. Also, news!
Episode 67: 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LE, 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 2018 Subaru Outback, 2019 Volkswagen Jetta
Who, exactly, is the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LE aimed at? Compact performance enthusiasts or budget-minded track fans? Benjamin gets to the bottom of that question after driving the newest Camaro at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, when he wasn't having his mind blown in the 755 horsepower 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 by pro drivers Tommy Milner and Tony Kanaan. Sami gets the chance to tell the world just how much he loves the Subaru Outback, before the two dissect Benjamin's wheel time in the all-new 2019 Volkswagen Jetta.
Episode 66: 2018 Nissan Leaf EV, 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, 2018 New York Auto Show
Is the Nissan Leaf DOA because of its miniscule battery range in comparison to the Chevrolet Bolt? Should Volkswagen be building 'American' cars like the full-size Atlas SUV in a bid to engage with buyers? These questions get answered this week as Benjamin and Sami try to figure out the two unusual corporate strategies behind this pair of vehicles. Sami also reports on all the good and bad vehicle debuts from the New York Auto Show.
Episode 65: 2018 Jeep Compass SUV, 2019 Kia Sorento SUV, Kia Stinger GT Ice Racing
Just how much did Kia need to change the already-outstanding Sorento SUV for the 2019 model year? Not all that much, as Benjamin explains after having driven the 2019 Kia Sorento from Montrose, Colorado to the slopes of Crested Butte. Sami wishes that Jeep had gone all-in with the 2018 Compass SUV he drove last week, lamenting the lack of polish on what should be a compelling compact entry. Benjamin finishes things off with a story about 100-mph ice racing in the Kia Stinger GT.
Episode 64: 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, 2018 BMW X3 M40i, 2018 Volvo XC60
Where, exactly, does the Land Rover Range Rover Velar fit in to the luxury sport-utility vehicle universe? That's what Benjamin and Sami try to figure out today, by comparing the gorgeous hauler to both the BMW X3 M40i and the Volvo XC60 - two very different, yet ostensibly competitive SUVs.
Episode 63: 2019 Ram 1500, eTorque, 2018 Jaguar XF Sportbrake, Amelia Island, Ford's New SUVs
Can the best full-size truck on the market get any better? For the moost part yes according to Benjamin and Sami, who each drove the redesigned 2019 Ram 1500 in the Arizona desert. The pair wish there'd been an eTorque model to test out, but other than that there's plenty to talk about when discussing one of FCA's most important vehicles. Benjamin also had a chance to drive the 2018 Jaguar XF Sportbrake, which might be the coolest luxury wagon on the planet, while Sami spent time with the XF sedan. Finally, hot takes on Ford's big announcements / non-announcements, and pitting Amelia island against Pebble Beach in a battle of the Concours.
Episode 62: 2018 Maserati Quattroporte, 2018 Maserati Levante, 2018 Cadillac Escalade, 2018 Cadillac CT6, Cadillac Super Cruise
What happens when Maserati buys a town in the Italian alps? Sami gets sent there to drive the Levante SUV and the Quattroporte sedan, in a completely normal and not at all creepy or isolated setting. Benjamin, on the other hand, had the opoortunity to drive both of Cadillac's top-tier models -the Escalade and the CT6 - back to back in a bid to figure out which one best represents the brand. He also spent time with Super Cruise, which is Cadillac's take on a robot driving your car for you on the highway - as long as you pay attention to what's happening at all times, human!
Episode 61: 2018 Audi R8 RWS, 2018 Buick Regal GS, 2019 Buick Envision, Hyundai's Sound System Takeover
Is it smart to sell a version of your halo car that subtracts the one factor that your brand is known for above all else? Sami pilots the rear-wheel drive 2018 Audi R8 RWS in Spain and comes back to tell Benjamin what he thinks about Audi's gambit. Benjamin, meanwhile, spends time behind the wheel of the completely redesigned 2018 Buick Regal GS and discovers that it's a lot better than anyone would expect. He also drives the 2019 Buick Envision, the 'oldest' new car in the Buick fleet. Finally, Hyundai decides that everyone's car stereos should be linked together, and then patents that idea.
Episode 60: 2018 Acura TLX A Spec, 2018 Honda Odyssey, Listener Questions, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Supercars
Chances are you haven't driven the 2018 Acura TLX A Spec, but Sami has, and he's willing to get behind the mid-size luxury sedan's mix of performance and comfort despite Benjamin's misgivings about the Acura brand. Benjamin goes in-depth on his time spent with the 2018 Honda Odyssey, a van wandering the wilderness of SUVs and crossovers in a bid to attract families to its cavernous cabin. The two also discuss the C7 generation Chevrolet Corvette Z06 after a listener asks whether or not the model is overlooked and undermarketed as one of the top supercars of its era.
Episode 59: 2018 Honda Fit Sport, 2018 Kia Niro Hybrid, Sad Toyota Supra Rumors, Korean Serial Killers
The 2018 Honda Fit Sport proves that no one should be buying SUVs if what they really care about is practicality - at least, that's what Benjamin has to say on this week's episode after spending serious time with the subcompact hatchback. Sami counters with the ultra-efficient, 50-mpg Kia Niro, and boldy claims it to be better than the over-styled Toyota Prius. Plus: bonus trash talk about the leaked Toyota Supra specs, and a serial killer story from Korea with an expected link to the Kia Niro.
Episode 58: 2019 Audi A7, BMW i8 In The Snow, Driving Exotics In The Winter, Sami's Extreme Exhaustion
How different is the new 2019 Audi A7 from the model it replaces? How strong does it stand next to the growing class of four-door luxury coupes that it once ruled? Sami has the scoop after driving the A7 for two days on the dusty streets of Johannesburg. Benjamin counters the South African sun with a week spent on snow and ince in the BMW i8, a hybrid that is surprisingly competent when the temperature drops, and a supercar that doesn't seem to mind plowing through the white stuff. Also, Sami fades in and out of consciousness throughout the episode, which was recorded a mere hour after he deplaned from a solid day spent traveling.
Episode 57: 2019 Infiniti QX50, Variable Compression Turbo, Mazda Compression Ignition Prototype, 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
This week Benjamin drives the variable compression turbo equipped 2019 Infiniti QX50, while both Sami and Benjamin get to say the words 'compression' and 'ignition' over and over again after testing out a prototype version of Mazda's Skyactiv-X compression ignition engine. Finally, Benjamin reveals his disappointment with the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SUV, while Sami engages him in that eternal debate: do you say 'P-H-E-V' or 'FEV?'
Episode 56: 2018 BMW M550i xDrive, 2018 BMW M760Li, M-A-R-K-E-T-I-N-G
When is an M car not an M car? When it's an...M car? If that's confusing to you, too, then join us for an exploration of two extremely fast, very large BMWs that wear the M badge more modestly than some of their stable mates - even thought one of the features a twin-turbo V12 under the hood and is the most expensive model you can buy from the German brand. We're talking M550i and the M760Li on this week's episode, and wondering what the end game is for BMW's M division: Motorsports or Marketing?
Episode 55: Live From The 2018 Detroit Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show in Detroit is the largest gathering of automakers in the country, and each year it brings with it a packed slate of new vehicle debuts. Benjamin and Sami hit the highlights and lowlights of this year's show, including new concepts, cars, trucks, and SUVs from Lexus, Ford, Acura, Volkswagen, Ram, Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, Infiniti, and Toyota.
Episode 54: Live from the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado Reveal in Detroit
New engines, new design, new interior secret storage compartments and all the other juicy, non-aluminum (and also aluminum) details of the new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. That's all we talk about in this mini-episode of the podcast.
Episode 53: Getting stuck in the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse Redline, 2018 Buick Enclave, Detroit Auto Show Preview, Crappy Jury-Rigged Car Repairs
Which of GM's full-size crossovers would you buy: the 2018 Buick Enclave or the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse? Benjamin and Sami debate these near-twins, trying to figure out what, if anything, marks a clear dividing line between their redesigned platforms, drivetrains, and feature-sets. Or, in other words, how much are you willing to pay for QuietTuning, and how many bad decisions did Benjamin have to make before he got the Traverse completely stuck in a snowbank? The two also talk about what's coming up in Detroit at next week's auto show, as well as some of the scariest 'home-made' car repairs they have ever seen or done to their own rides.