Rephonic
Artwork for Talking Cars

Talking Cars (MP3)

Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Electric Vehicles
Toyota
Fuel Economy
Toyota Camry
Hyundai
BMW
Fisker Ocean
2026 Hyundai Palisade
2024 Tesla Cybertruck
Hybrid Vehicles
2026 Toyota RAV4
Reliability
Used Cars
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes536Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AutomotiveBusinessLeisureNon-Profit

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Talking Cars

Latest Episodes

This week, we share our first impressions of the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid—the first hybrid version of Kia's popular three-row SUV. We discuss its 329-hp hybrid powertrain, improved fuel economy, quiet and comfortable ride, controls, front-seat comfo... more

In this all-questions episode of Talking Cars, our experts answer questions on selling a used car online, how to get the most life out of directional tires, storing fuel in a plug-in hybrid, how hybrid engines work, and more. Plus, the rear-wiper sag... more

On this week's episode, we share our first impressions of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV and explore whether the plug-in hybrid is worth its sizable price premium. With up to 54 miles of electric range, 324 horsepower, impressive fuel economy, and no EV r... more

On this week's episode, we share our first impressions of the redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos, Kia's least expensive SUV. Its roomy interior, comfortable ride, bold styling, and user-friendly controls make it feel surprisingly mature—but the sluggish 147-... 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

Emily Thomas
Safety expert
Consumer Reports
Episode: Say It to Me Seltos: First Impressions of the 2027 Kia Seltos
Jennifer Stockburger
Podcast guest during a takeover segment
Consumer Reports
Episode: I Bought 171 Cars for Consumer Reports. Here's What I Learned.
Mike Crossan
Expert on ethanol fuels and engine compatibility
Consumer Reports
Episode: How to Survive High Gas Prices
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 of Talking Cars at Consumer Reports
Mike Quincy
Host of Talking Cars, CR Test Track host
Alex Nizek
Host of Talking Cars, Consumer Reports (CR)
Keith Barrie
Host of Talking Cars

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 591 ratings
  • Incredibly rare that they aren’t bullied by advertisers or venture capitalists! More, please.

    Too many people retiring, will miss Mike Q! Thanks for his final episode and the Miata episode. I wish all of your youtube videos were on this feed. This podcast is incredibly informative. About a huge number of car-related things, like the buying process in a supply-chain disaster or how these much-ballyhooed driver assistance features actually work in testing. (You know, the feature people are lulled into assuming will drive their cars for them, which then runs them into firetrucks?) The va... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blizzard1s2d
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year ago
  • Wonderful

    That’s great

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    量子跳跳糖
    Chinaa year 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

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners wish for more video and production polish.
A few reviews note perceived political bias in some episodes; overall constructive feedback.
High regard for data‑driven insights and audience Q&A.
Great depth on car testing and reliability; very practical for buyers.
Positive on banter and diverse host perspectives; credibility from CR data.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#13
United States/Leisure/Automotive
Apple Podcasts
#114
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#41
Canada/Leisure/Automotive
Apple Podcasts
#128
United Kingdom/Leisure/Automotive
Apple Podcasts
#186
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#98
Australia/Leisure/Automotive

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV Is Great—but Is It $50,000 Great?
Q: Would you buy the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid, and what would you get instead?
The panel is mixed, with some hosts acknowledging the plug-in's strong power and EV-capable range but noting the high price; a practical choice for those who can maximize EV use, otherwise a tough financial sell given fuel savings may not fully offset the premium.
All-Weather vs. All-Season Tires; Should I Buy My Own Spare?
Q: Steve from Tennessee asks how to go about ensuring all car technology features work and to get a salesperson to walk them through the systems in a new vehicle.
The hosts suggest scheduling a dedicated appointment with a delivery specialist at the dealership, verifying that safety systems are on and configured properly, and using owner resources or manufacturer videos to understand features and how to operate them.
All-Weather vs. All-Season Tires; Should I Buy My Own Spare?
Q: Noah from Richmond asks about upgrading to all-weather tires for winter traction versus sticking with current tires given trade-offs in dry traction.
The panel recommends Michelin Cross Climate 2 as a strong all-weather option for winter performance, noting it trades some dry traction but provides stronger winter grip and long tread life, with caveats about tire direction and matching speed rating.
All-Weather vs. All-Season Tires; Should I Buy My Own Spare?
Q: Paul from St. Paul asks which brands currently have the best self-driving systems and what to consider when evaluating them.
The hosts acknowledge that there is no true self-driving in most systems; lane centering and driver monitoring vary by brand, with some standard features and some requiring subscriptions, and they advise evaluating hands-on usability, driver monitoring, and system limitations before purchase.
Lexus Finally Gets Electric Right: 2026 Lexus ES 500e
Q: John from Palmer Lake, Colorado asks if a plug-in Volvo XC60's 10,000-mile oil change interval could effectively extend to 20,000 miles if most driving is electric.
No. Oil change intervals are vehicle-specific and depend on how the powertrain is designed for a plug-in hybrid; the manufacturer's recommended interval should be followed, typically with a maximum around a year due to oil aging and potential engine-use scenarios.

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 where a rotating team from a major consumer testing organization discusses current car reviews, buying guidance, and the realities of ownership. Episodes cover reliability, value, and technology—ranging from EVs, driver assist, and infotainment to practical buying tips and industry trends. Listeners often praise the show's honesty, rigorous testing, and accessible banter, while callers sometimes push back on perceived biases or production quality. Expect thoughtful comparisons, real‑world usability discussions, and a steady stream of data‑backed insights on what to buy, avoid, or wait for in today's car market. A standout aspect is the long‑running focus on reliability and total cost of ownership, paired with a... more

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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. InsideEVs Plugged-In Podcast
5. TFL Talkin' Trucks

How many episodes of Talking Cars are there?

Talking Cars launched 14 years ago and published 536 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?

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What guests have appeared on Talking Cars?

Recent guests on Talking Cars include:

1. Emily Thomas
2. Jennifer Stockburger
3. Mike Crossan
4. Steve Ellick
5. 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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