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Artwork for Talking Cars

Talking Cars (MP3)

Consumer Reports
Electric Vehicles
Consumer Reports
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
Fisker Ocean
Toyota
2024 Lexus TX
Kia EV9
Vehicle Pricing
Tesla Model 3
Artificial Intelligence
Chevrolet Blazer EV
Chevrolet Colorado
Low-Carbon Fuels
Voice Control Technology
Autonomous Vehicles
CES
Charging Infrastructure
Prius Prime
Hybrids
Reliability Ratings

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes507Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Non-ProfitAutomotiveBusinessLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Talking Cars

Latest Episodes

This week, we go through the mailbag and answer audience questions, including: Is driving 55 mph really more fuel-efficient—even in a 10-speed like the Acura TLX? We break down the science behind highway MPG, explain how regenerative braking affects ... more

In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about the 2026 Nissan Sentra SV we purchased for our test program. We cover everything that matters: real-world driving characteristics, engine performance, cabin quality, infotainment usabil... more

The redesigned 2026 Audi A6 is here — and we purchased a Premium Plus S-Line trim for our test program. In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about the new A6, including turbo V6 engine performance, transmission pros and cons, dr... more

This week, we cover the all-new 2026 Nissan Leaf SV+. No longer "just a commuter car," the Leaf offers increased range, updated SUV styling, a new NACS charge port, and a suite of standard advanced safety equipment, including Nissan's Pro Pilot Assis... more

Key Facts

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

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Talking Cars (Video)
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The Smoking TireZack Klapman, Matt Farah

Recent Guests

David Aylor
Vice President of Active Safety at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Episode: Behind the Scenes at the IIHS Crash Lab

Hosts

Mike Monticello
Host with a longstanding role, frequently guiding discussions on testing, reliability, and vehicle comparisons.
John Linkov
Host and consumer reports contributor, involved in evaluating vehicle performance and safety topics.
Alex Nizek
Co-host with deep involvement in vehicle testing and consumer-focused analyses.
Keith Barry
Automotive topic contributor involved in discussing testing and trends.
Michael Croson
Co-host and automotive topic expert, part of ongoing testing discussions.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 567 ratings
  • Great Podcast, wish it was weekly

    Finally an automotive podcast that is about reliability, fuel mileage, and driving cars on the road rather than speeding around a track and clocking the best 0-60. I like these folks aren’t bought and paid for and tell you what is wrong with a car and what they’d buy.

    Wish this was weekly and possibly add episodes on buying cars, how dealerships work, car repair, etc to help consumers

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Moeman99
    United States5 months ago
  • Video

    Hello, y’all should add video format for podcasts via Apple Podcasts especially when talking about certain things and bringing up an image of a car or what you’re describing.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    RyslanSiz
    United States6 months ago
  • Wonderful

    That’s great

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    量子跳跳糖
    China7 months ago
  • Good Pod!

    I enjoy this pod. Everything you need to know about the car discussed. One thing (and not removing a star for this). Maddie needs to know that the word button has not one but two ts. It’s buTTon not buh-en.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    INSOMNIATIC
    United States8 months ago
  • Car theft

    When r u going to talk about how easy it is to steal cars , and why hasn’t the car manufacturers do anything about it. U can go on u tube and watch how fast a car is stolen. Everyone would love a program on this. Also testing after market alarm systems. And will the void the warranty. ????

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    mary1222222
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience appreciates editorial independence and detailed testing insights, with some polarized feedback on EV coverage.
Overall positivity about the hosts and content, with some requests for deeper topic variety and production quality improvements.
Listeners note the potential for video formats and better audio quality.
Great show for reliability and buying guidance; hosts are credible and practical.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#15
United States/Leisure/Automotive
Apple Podcasts
#117
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#10
Canada/Leisure/Automotive
Apple Podcasts
#67
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#244
United Kingdom/Leisure/Automotive
Apple Podcasts
#27
Italy/Leisure/Automotive

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

2026 Audi A6 Premium Plus
Q: What's the battery state rule of thumb for when one should either trade for a hybrid vehicle or dump a few thousand into a new battery?
It's important to find a good quality remanufactured battery rather than go with a brand new one from the dealership, as that can be very pricey. A remanufactured battery can be economical and can help regain the expected miles per gallon.
2026 Nissan Leaf SV+
Q: Is my car's radar able to see through fog or am I just hoping that it's helping me?
Radar can be sensitive to inclement weather, but having both radar and camera sensors improves information collection. Cavalry is advised even with the adaptive system.
2026 Toyota bZ
Q: What are your thoughts on electric vehicles during winter?
They're seeing a predicted driving range significantly drop in cold temperatures, which isn't a BZ problem but common to all EVs.
2026 Toyota bZ
Q: What do you think about the charging issues with the old BZ model?
The old one had some of the slowest charging of any car on the market.
2026 Top Picks
Q: What advice do you have for buying a car that is too far away to look at in person?
Start with reliable vehicles, gather thorough documentation, and consider utilizing your network for local assistance. Ensure you're asking the seller clear and truthful questions about the vehicle's condition.

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?

A data-driven automotive show focused on reliability, real-world usability, and buying decisions. Episodes regularly analyze new models (including hybrid and electric options), discuss ownership costs, safety features, and driving dynamics, and compare rivals to help consumers and professionals make informed recommendations. Unique strengths include rigorous testing perspectives from Consumer Reports engineers and a willingness to tackle practical questions from listeners, such as maintenance, tires, and charging infrastructure. The show's format blends expert analysis with accessible, real-world examples, making it useful for listeners who want trustworthy car guidance as they move through purchases, ownership, or sponsorship decisions.

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 (Video)
2. TFL Car Chat
3. The Smoking Tire
4. The Best of Car Talk
5. Everyday Driver Car Debate

How many episodes of Talking Cars are there?

Talking Cars launched 13 years ago and published 507 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?

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What guests have appeared on Talking Cars?

Recent guests on Talking Cars include:

1. David Aylor

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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