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Artwork for Talking Cars

Talking Cars (Video)

Consumer Reports
Electric Vehicles
Consumer Reports
Hybrid Vehicles
Toyota
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
2024 BMW X2
Toyota Camry
Tesla Model 3
Toyota RAV4
Chevrolet Blazer EV
2025 Toyota Camry

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes524Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureBusinessAutomotiveNon-Profit

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Artwork for Talking Cars

Latest Episodes

In this episode, we separate fact from fiction about viral claims that a government-mandated "kill switch" for cars is coming in 2027. Our experts explain what the law actually says, how alcohol-impairment detection technology is being developed, and... more

In this episode of Talking Cars, we discuss why modern vehicles rely so heavily on software, apps, over-the-air updates, and smartphone integration. We compare the pros and cons of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, discuss the learning curve of built-i... more

In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, which, ironically, was officially discontinued days after we bought one for testing. We talk about the history and future of small trucks, discuss why Hyundai decided to end pr... more

This week's episode tackles a long-running debate: are American cars inferior to their Asian and European counterparts? We break down the truth about Ford, GM, Stellantis, and Tesla, and how they stack up to Toyota, Honda, and other top automakers, r... more

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Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Talking Cars (MP3)
Talking Cars (MP3)Consumer Reports
MotorWeek
MotorWeekTelevision's Original Automotive Magazine
TFL Car Chat
TFL Car Chatwww.allTFL.com

Recent Guests

Mike Crossan
Master Technician at Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Episode: 2026 Audi A6 Premium Plus
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

Host

Mike Monticello
Primary host on Talking Cars coverage with roles across video and test-track formats; affiliated with Consumer Reports.

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 388 ratings
  • 4Runner?

    The episode broke.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ytfj56
    United States9 months 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 States10 months 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
    China10 months ago
  • 4-Runner episode hangs about 5 mins in

    This happening for anyone else? I was looking forward to watching this one.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    mega-me18
    United States10 months ago
  • Thank

    Than!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    hdeegbjyfvi
    Chinaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners note video/audio quality issues and prefer less host banter.
Positive feedback highlighting credible, data-driven reviews and technical depth.
Appreciation for clear ownership guidance and EV coverage.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Get a Job As a CR Tester, Rivian vs. Lucid, Unfair Minivan Bias
Q: And Terry from St. Louis asks about vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, and why progress seems stalled; what happened to V2X and will it ever take off?
V2X stalled largely due to spectrum reallocation and regulatory changes reducing the viable bandwidth, which diminished the practicality of early prototypes; the technology may still resurface if cellular or other spectrum solutions mature, but current momentum has cooled.
Get a Job As a CR Tester, Rivian vs. Lucid, Unfair Minivan Bias
Q: What career advice would we have for someone who wants to test cars the way we do?
Develop a strong foundation in car dynamics and driving experience, gain hands-on vehicle repair and modification skills, pursue data analysis or programming for testing data, and consider studying human factors to specialize in usability; a diverse skill set makes you valuable across testing, data, and tech sides of automotive work.
Get a Job As a CR Tester, Rivian vs. Lucid, Unfair Minivan Bias
Q: My questions are the following. Recently, I heard that Lucid is losing a lot of money. What marks the difference between the upstarts of Rivian and Lucid? They both have cool cars, impressive range and unique features, but why is Rivian prospering when Lucid is not? Also, what career should I pursue if I want to be a CR vehicle tester?
Rivian benefits from broader revenue streams and diversification (including commercial vans) as well as substantial backing and a growing production footprint, while Lucid has focused more on ultra-luxury EVs with financial struggles. For a career, the panel emphasizes multiple pathways—dynamics, hands-on mechanical work, and data/human factors—advocating a mix of driving experience, technical training, and usability expertise.
How to Survive High Gas Prices
Q: What should I know about using ethanol blends in my car?
Ethanol blends like E10, E15, or E85 are common, each with different energy content and vehicle compatibility. Flex-fuel vehicles can handle higher ethanol content, but non-flex fuel cars should not use E85 as it can cause drivability problems and potential damage.
Best Used EVs, Renting with Turo + Sixt, Rivian Reliability + Owner Satisfaction
Q: What would you tell Andrew about rental categories and getting a vehicle closer to what he wants?
Categories and 'or similar' options can lock renters into smaller cars; it's worth stepping up to intermediate/full-size or even luxury if possible, or choosing an alternative like Sixt or Turo to pick a specific vehicle in advance and avoid the mismatch with budget and expectations.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Cars

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

A data-driven automotive show where a team at a nonprofit testing organization evaluates new cars, shares firsthand impressions from the road, and answers buying questions. Episodes frequently cover driving dynamics, interior ergonomics, infotainment and ADAS adoption, and real-world value across mainstream and niche models. Special episodes spotlight EV range testing, powertrain choices, and practical ownership considerations, often contrasting rivals and discussing long-term ownership narratives. The tone blends test-track insights with audience Q&A, making it a solid resource for shoppers, enthusiasts, and sponsors seeking credibility and technical depth in automotive coverage.

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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. MotorWeek
3. TFL Car Chat
4. Everyday Driver Car Debate
5. Driven Car Reviews

How many episodes of Talking Cars are there?

Talking Cars launched 13 years ago and published 524 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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What guests have appeared on Talking Cars?

Recent guests on Talking Cars include:

1. Mike Crossan
2. 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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