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Artwork for Talking Cars

Talking Cars (Video)

Consumer Reports
Electric Vehicles
Consumer Reports
Toyota
Hybrid Vehicles
Subaru Forester
Fuel Economy
Tesla
2025 Mini Countryman S All-4
Toyota 4runner
Honda
Hyundai Kona Electric
2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron
2026 Hyundai Palisade
Fisker Ocean
Toyota Tacoma
2024 BMW X2
Toyota Camry
Tesla Model 3
Toyota RAV4
Chevrolet Blazer EV

Join our experts at the Consumer Reports Test Track as they discuss cars, answer buying questions, and share insights on everything automotive.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes540Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AutomotiveBusinessLeisureNon-Profit

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Talking Cars

Latest Episodes

In this episode, we dive into the mailbag to answer your questions. We cover data privacy in your car, how tires and all-wheel drive systems perform in snow, tips for long-term car storage, and the methodology behind CR's predicted reliability rating... more

On this week's episode, the Consumer Reports auto team shares its biggest pet peeves about modern cars—from giant touchscreens, distracting alerts, and complicated door handles to cramped back seats, fake interior materials, missing Apple CarPlay, an... more

YouTube

This week, we're talking all about the 2026 Lexus ES Hybrid. We share our first impressions of this perennial CR favorite, discuss how it stacks up against its all-new EV twin, the Lexus ES 500e, and debate whether the 2026 redesign offers enough imp... more

YouTube

On this episode we share our first impressions of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland, the new hybrid SUV with all-terrain tires, extra ground clearance, and a more outdoorsy look. Is it a smart upgrade for rough roads and city potholes—or mostly a styling... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Emily Thomas
Consumer Reports safety expert specializing in child seats and automotive safety
Consumer Reports
Episode: The 2026 Lexus ES Hybrid is an Endangered Species
Mike Crossan
Fuel expert from Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Episode: How to Survive High Gas Prices
Dr. Quinta Warren
Leader of the Sustainability Policy Team at Consumer Reports with a background in sustainability and energy policy.
Consumer Reports
Episode: The Feasibility of Low-Carbon Fuels in the US

Hosts

Mike Monticello
Automotive expert at Consumer Reports
Jeff Bartlett
Automotive expert and writer on car-buying topics
Jon Linkov
Automotive expert at Consumer Reports
Alex Nizek
Automotive expert at Consumer Reports
Keith Barry
Automotive expert at Consumer Reports

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 456 ratings
  • Fantastic, so rare to see a video podcast here on the podcast app, and supported by donations!

    *Actually I WOULD like to get all the retired car reviewers on to share their experience with older cars, many of us do buy older cars and would appreciate the wisdom. I myself am cross shopping the Miata, the older Fiat 500e, and the little BMW i3.* This is one of my favorite podcasts, so fun to see everyone interacting. I love the Miata episode; I might buy one or might buy a used EV but I listen to it over and over again. This podcast is very informative and interesting. It’s helpful that... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blizzard1s2d
    United States2 months ago
  • Finally

    Thanks for fixing the episodes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gsmdks
    United States2 months ago
  • 4Runner?

    The episode broke.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ytfj56
    United Statesa year ago
  • 4Runner Episode Broken!

    Yes, the episode does not work. Gets started then just stops and does not allow you to play. All other episodes work. I’ll update my rating when you resolve this issue.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    HawkMan1971
    United Statesa year ago
  • On the car test

    Do you have like on the car test, not only uses your mouths to talk,that would be better

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Minecraft king6666
    Chinaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A few reviews report playback or video-quality problems on particular episodes.
Reviewers are often described as well-informed and easy to listen to, with balanced conversation.
Some listeners find detailed discussions slow or overly focused on minor features.
Listeners value the staff's automotive knowledge and practical comparisons for choosing a vehicle.
The video format helps viewers see cars in motion and follow hands-on evaluations.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The 2026 Lexus ES Hybrid is an Endangered Species
Q: How many children are seriously injured or killed in car accidents today when secured in child safety seats, compared with 1963, when child seats and seat-belt use were uncommon?
Emily Thomas says the data cannot be directly compared because driving culture and miles traveled have changed. National Safety Council figures show 5,054 child occupant deaths among children age 14 and under in 1963, compared with 550 deaths among children under 13 in 2024, with about one-third unrestrained. Proper restraint substantially reduces fatal-injury risk.
The 2026 Lexus ES Hybrid is an Endangered Species
Q: Will manufacturers fix known bugs and flaws before the end of a vehicle's first production year, or are fixes typically saved for later model years?
The timing depends on the problem. Manufacturing changes may be quick, supplier issues can take longer, and software may be updated over the air or at a dealership. Safety findings and parts changes can also take months or extend into a later model year. Buyers should consider the manufacturer's track record and may benefit from waiting for later production.
Toyota RAV4 Woodland; Dealer Add-Ons That Are Actually Worth It
Q: At the dealership, are any of the add-ons actually worth it?
The hosts say most add-ons can be declined, and buyers should compare costs and benefits, check how and where coverage works, and read the fine print. Some coverage may suit particular needs, such as wheel-and-tire protection for someone exposed to road debris, but shoppers should verify details and negotiate the price.
2026 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness: Worth the Extra Cost?
Q: Is a lightly used Volvo EX90 at about half its original price a bargain or a risky buy?
The hosts advise carefully testing the car's everyday controls and ensuring it comes with a proximity key fob. They describe persistent software, interface, and key-access frustrations, while acknowledging its comfortable seats, quiet ride, and smooth powertrain.
2026 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness: Worth the Extra Cost?
Q: Is the Crosstrek Wilderness worth paying more for than a regular Crosstrek?
The hosts say it provides genuine extra off-road confidence through its suspension, ground clearance, tires, and towing capacity, but brings more noise and lower fuel economy. It is most worthwhile for buyers who will use those capabilities and value its styling; the regular Crosstrek is already capable for many drivers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Cars

What is Talking Cars about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Video conversations with Consumer Reports automotive experts combine hands-on vehicle evaluations with practical advice for shoppers and owners. Rotating staff panels compare new cars, hybrids, electric vehicles, and SUVs, examining comfort, safety, reliability, technology, performance, and value. Regular voices include Mike Monticello, Jeff Bartlett, Jon Linkov, Keith Barry, Alex Nizek, Mike Quincy, and tire and safety specialists. Listener questions add guidance on topics such as dealer add-ons, used-car purchases, maintenance, and tire choices.

The distinctive angle is consumer-focused testing: reviewers explain how vehicles perform in real use and weigh the trade-offs behind their recommendations, rather than relying on specifications ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Talking Cars?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Talking Cars. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Talking Cars and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Talking Cars get?

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What are the audience demographics for Talking Cars?

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How many subscribers and views does Talking Cars have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Talking Cars has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Talking Cars?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking Cars:

1. Talking Cars (MP3)
2. TFL Car Chat
3. Everyday Driver Car Debate
4. TFL Talkin' Trucks
5. Under The Hood show

How many episodes of Talking Cars are there?

Talking Cars launched 14 years ago and published 540 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Talking Cars?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Talking Cars?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Talking Cars from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Talking Cars. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Talking Cars?

Recent guests on Talking Cars include:

1. Emily Thomas
2. Mike Crossan
3. Dr. Quinta Warren

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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