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Artwork for Talking Cars

Talking Cars (MP3)

Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Electric Vehicles
Toyota
Fuel Economy
Toyota Camry
Hyundai
Fisker Ocean
2026 Hyundai Palisade
BMW
2024 Tesla Cybertruck
2026 Toyota RAV4
Reliability
Used Cars
Hybrid Vehicles
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Kia EV9
Tesla Model Y
Chevrolet Traverse
Honda Cr-V

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes519Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Non-ProfitAutomotiveBusinessLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Talking Cars

Latest Episodes

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

The 2027 Kia Telluride gets a major redesign, but is it enough to keep this three-row SUV among the best in its class? On this week's episode, we discuss the Telluride's powertrain, styling, comfort, and biggest competitor. We also answer audience qu... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Steve Ellick
Consumer Reports reliability expert
Consumer Reports
Episode: 2026 Mazda Miata Is Still the Answer
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 576 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 States8 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 States8 months ago
  • Wonderful

    That’s great

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    量子跳跳糖
    China10 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 Statesa year 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.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

2026 Mazda Miata Is Still the Answer
Q: Neil from Sault Ste. Marie asks how long before self-driving tech replaces human drivers, and what that means for a Miata in the long run.
Jake explains that fully autonomous driving is unlikely to be realized in a consumer, everyday sense within most people's lifetimes, and emphasizes that Miatas will continue to be enjoyable and drivable for years due to their simple, robust design and the vehicle's ongoing lightweight philosophy.
Best Used EVs, Renting with Turo + Sixt, Rivian Reliability + Owner Satisfaction
Q: What is your response to the question about simulated upshifts and their value or lack of value?
Simulated upshifts are about delivering a pleasant experience by limiting high RPMs in hybrids; they're not primarily about efficiency, and the preference varies among drivers, which is why some people like them and others don't.
2027 Kia Telluride EX AWD
Q: Will the Telluride dominate its segment like the first generation did, and who are its main competitors?
The panel believes it has strong potential due to a lower starting price and competitive features, with the Highlander and Grand Highlander highlighted as primary rivals, along with the Palisade, and the hybrid variant could shift the dynamics further.
2026 Honda Prelude
Q: What is with Consumer Reports focus on long range EV tests?
We test range for long trips to protect consumers from over-optimistic numbers and to reflect real-world scenarios. Our approach considers how EVs behave at speed on highways, the availability of charging, and variations due to weather, route planning, and practical needs beyond the EPA city/highway mix. We also use survey data to understand what buyers actually want, not just the longest range possible.
2026 Jeep Cherokee Laredo
Q: What should Sean consider when choosing between selling two older vehicles and buying two newer ones or trading in?
Consider total ownership costs, trade-in values, and the convenience and taxes involved with dealer trades versus private sales, and use a trusted pricing tool to benchmark offers before making a decision.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
Household Income
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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 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?

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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. TFL Car Chat
2. Talking Cars (Video)
3. Everyday Driver Car Debate
4. TFL Talkin' Trucks
5. InsideEVs Plugged-In Podcast

How many episodes of Talking Cars are there?

Talking Cars launched 13 years ago and published 519 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. Steve Ellick
2. 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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