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Artwork for Talking Cars

Talking Cars (Video)

Consumer Reports
Electric Vehicles
Consumer Reports
Toyota
Subaru Forester
Hybrid Vehicles
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
2024 Kia EV9
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes518Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessLeisureAutomotiveNon-Profit

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Artwork for Talking Cars

Latest Episodes

In this episode, we share our first impressions of the all-new 2026 Dodge Charger. The Charger features new styling and a hatchback design, a twin-turbo inline-six-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and an updated interior that feels small, despite th... more

As gas prices fluctuate and drivers look for ways to cut costs, on this week's episode we answer the questions drivers are asking most: Is premium fuel worth the extra cost? Does ethanol save money? Do Eco modes actually improve fuel economy? And sho... more

On this episode of Talking Cars, we discuss our recent evaluation of popular rugged SUV trims, sometimes called "soft roader" SUVs—including the Subaru Forester Wilderness, Honda Passport TrailSport, Toyota RAV4 Woodland, Ford Explorer Tremor, and mo... more

On this episode we share our impressions of the 2026 Mazda Miata and take a joyride through Miata history. We explain why the 2026 model remains one of the purest sports cars you can buy, and weigh its sublime manual transmission, lightweight feel, r... more

Key Facts

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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 387 ratings
  • 4Runner?

    The episode broke.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ytfj56
    United States8 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 States8 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
    China8 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 States8 months ago
  • Thank

    Than!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    hdeegbjyfvi
    China10 months 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.

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.
Best Used EVs, Renting with Turo + Sixt, Rivian Reliability + Owner Satisfaction
Q: Why do Rivian owners score high on owner satisfaction even if reliability scores are lower?
Owner satisfaction often reflects whether the vehicle meets expectations for range, novelty, and adventure-oriented features; many Rivian buyers accept some reliability quirks because the vehicle delivers on what they value most, so satisfaction remains high despite reliability concerns.
Best Used EVs, Renting with Turo + Sixt, Rivian Reliability + Owner Satisfaction
Q: What's your response to the idea that simulated upshifts in hybrids are unnecessary or inefficient?
Simulated upshifts are primarily about reducing RPMs to make the driving experience more palatable, especially with small four-cylinder engines used in hybrids; while they may not be the most efficient, they aim to balance power delivery and NVH, and we consider them a user-experience feature rather than a core performance metric.
2026 Mazda Miata Is Still the Answer
Q: Neil asks how long we have before the insurance industry and government safety regulations ban humans from driving themselves.
The hosts suggest it's unlikely to happen in the near term and emphasize that current self-driving tech is still in its infancy and better suited for controlled environments; humans will likely remain in control for a long time.
2026 Subaru Outback Premium & Touring XT
Q: Is there a hybrid option coming for the Outback, or is Subaru sticking with traditional powertrains for now?
The hosts suggest hybrids are likely in the pipeline (citing previous appearances in related models) but confirm there is no hybrid option on the tested Outback models at the moment; a hybrid variant could be coming in the near future.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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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.

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?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Talking Cars, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Driven Car Reviews
5. Autoline After Hours

How many episodes of Talking Cars are there?

Talking Cars launched 13 years ago and published 518 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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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Talking Cars?

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. 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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