Auto Buyers Guide

27/08/2025

Today's forbidden fruit is the sexy Volvo XC70, Volvo's first "long range" plug in hybrid which if EPA tested would likely clock in around 85 miles of driving range. Details are still scant, but it would slot between the XC60 and XC90 in length and has a solid Volvo wagon vibe. Sadly we'll probably never see it as it's going to be built in China with the Chinese market in mind. If it shares the full drivetrain (as we suspect) with the Lynk & Co 08, it should be around 380 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque total with a healthy 218 HP in EV mode. The only ray of hope is that the platform is a cousin to the CMA platform that the XC40 and Polestar 2 ride on, so maybe it could be built in Belgium?

26/08/2025

The Stroppe Edition at $77,665 (as shown) is the only way to get Ford’s 2.7 L twin turbo V6 in the two-door Bronco for 2025. That’s definitely pricey, but it does look strangely cool in this four color paint scheme…

25/08/2025

When it comes to "legroom," the question of "where do you put the front seat?" is critical, and the answer isn't as easy as you might think. Here's how companies can game their legroom numbers, and what we're doing to give you a better idea of how roomy a car is.

In N. America legroom is typically measured using the J1100 standard, but it's a guideline and nobody seems to feel the need to say which version they are using. As you can see in the photo, J1100 measures from the hip-point of a 5'9" tall dummy to a theoretical ankle hinge point with the seat all the way back & down and the foot on the accelerator pedal. *IN A STRAIGHT LINE*. Then you add 10 inches to the measurement, and hey-presto you have front legroom. For the rear you do something similar. You jam a size-9 foot into the footwell (size 12 in the photos here) and measure the same way (hip to ankle + 10). Notice the problem? My knee is not bent the same way. This is why very upright seating positions give the feel of roominess but often don't show well in legroom testing because your hip and ankle are simply closer together.

Also... Where's the front seat when you measure the back seat? Aye, there's the rub. MOST companies measure things out with the front seat in the same position, but sometimes companies will measure the front seat like this, then move the front seat forward so a 50th percentile male would have his foot in the proper ergonomic position for the pedal (usually several inches), then they measure the rear room from there. Sketchy? You betcha.

So what are *we* doing about it? Well, starting now every vehicle we drive is going to be measured in-house for comparisons. We're using our own methodology, which will measure from the seat back to the bottom of the heel, following the angle of the seat bottom cushion (fully back & down). Then we'll measure the rear legroom the same way. *THEN* we're giving you a bonus measure. With the front and rear seat backs at the same angle (typically 70-degrees) we'll measure the distance from one seat back to another at a height of 11 inches. Why 11 inches? Because that's where many rear facing child seats will be at their "deepest" so it'll give you a better idea of how adults and child restraints will fit.

What other measurements are y'all interested in? We'll be measuring things and then getting comparisons together as well as populating a database on the website (eventually).

22/08/2025

Subaru's new Outback is quite a bit more expensive than last year. Some of that is likely due to tariffs, but how much? We don't know. What we do know is that you'll be paying $3,000-$5,000 more for your Outback depending on what you're looking for in your next high-riding wagon.

The biggest bump is at the bottom of the lineup where the Base model (yep, it was called the Base) is gone, making the jump from 2025 to 2026 about $5,000. At the top end, a loaded XT is about $3,700 more. What do you think? Is the new model worth the bump?

Outback Premium $36,445
Outback Limited $43,165
Outback Touring $46,845
Outback Wilderness $46,445
Outback Limited XT $45,815
Outback Touring XT $49,445

22/08/2025

Jeep FINALLY dropped details on the new 2026 Cherokee, and it's not quite what many were expecting. Why? Because this isn't the rugged Bronco Sport competitor some were hoping for, no, instead this takes the fight straight to the... RAV4 hybrid? Yep, the Cherokee is launching with just a 1.6L hybrid system for now.

Before we get to that hybrid, however, you should know this is a pretty big Cherokee. At 188.1 inches long on a 113 inch wheelbase, this is closer to the Grand Cherokee than a RAV4 with a wheelbase longer than a Highlander. It seems that much of the stretch happens up front where we find a fairly long hood and of course, inside where we find more legroom than average and a more relaxed seating position as well.

Powering everything is a 1.6L turbo engine made in Michigan that's a close relative of the 1.6L "Prince" engine Peugeot has been using for a while, but the hybrid system, that's all Chrysler. Specifically the Pacifica PHEV. Jeep wouldn't comment on parts sharing, but the design of this hybrid system looks more like the Pacifica (and RAV4) than a Hyundai Tucson. That means 2 motors, one planetary gearset... and that's it. AWD? That's standard, but it's not an e-axle system like in the Toyota, so in other words, this a bit more like the Subaru Forester Hybrid in a way. With everything working together you get 210 HP and 230 lb-ft motivating around 4,300 lbs.

On the inside, the big screens you see are standard, but clearly the upgraded seats, etc are not. Exact trim level details are still to come, but all models will have features like wireless smartphone projection, adaptive cruise control , etc.

Pricing? Well, Jeep says their high flying days are over and it looks like it might be true. The AWD hybrid model will start at $36,995 including destination which might be a hair higher than the updated all-hybrid RAV4 when pricing launches soon. Sadly however you will have to wait until early 2026 for that model. The first Cherokees on sale will be the $42,495 Limited and $45,995 Overland trims (base prices with destination) which slot fairly well against the competition.

Bummers? Touch buttons for the climate control and what appear to be electronic door latches. (No word on what the base model will get.) Also: where's the non hybrid? Nobody knows yet.

21/08/2025

Volvo is joining the software upgrade party finally. We just got an offer to add adaptive cruise control to the C40 tester we've had for a year. For $499 all it does is flip a software switch. Yep, the C40 was built with all the hardware, buttons, AND software for adaptive cruise control to work, but the option on ours wasn't enabled. You see, in many Volvos, adaptive cruise doesn't happen until the top trims, but in order for Volvo's active safety tech to work, the radar sensor and everything needed is built into every model. So. Would you consider this a "win" and add it later? Or are you offended? Also, would you risk the cheaper option which is to use aftermarket software to turn on this option like we did?

21/08/2025

Has this happened to you? You read/watch a review of, say a Ford Escape where the reviewer regurgitates the spec sheet and announces that it has world-class rear legroom... Then you sit in one and think, gee this is awfully small? Well, there's a reason for that: it's the weird way we measure legroom and the fact that some companies game the system to make their cabins look roomier than the competition... On paper that is. So what can we do about it? Well, we're measuring cabins and asking for your opinion on what numbers matter most, so let us know below.

The origin of the issue? In a nutshell: not every company measures legroom the same way. Typically, the front seat legroom is measured with the front seat all the way back in the tracks, then rear seat legroom is measured in that position. BUT, several companies on occasion (Ford for instance) measure front legroom this way, but then they move the front seat to a position suitable for a 5'9" crash dummy (50th percentile male from 1960), then they measure legroom in the back from there. See the problem?

20/08/2025

The KIA Sportage is KIA"s top selling model and to avoid the risk of getting stale it's gotten a little attention for 2026. The most obvious changes are front and rear styling but it goes a long way to differentiate itself from last year's model that didn't receive universal design praise. The update is also now in line with other KIA models with the dual 12.3 inch displays running the most up to date software and the ability to skin that software to match your favorite NBA team (a fun benefit when the brands is the title sponsor of the NBA). The updated Sportage come with updated pricing starting at $30,135, the hybrid (HEV) about $1,600 more at $31,735, and the PHEV starting nearly $10,000 above that.

If you're interested in the electrified models you'll find more power by way of a new electric motor and you'll find a lot of trims available between those 2 powertrains. The HEV now packs 232 hp while still getting a combined 35mpg rating and the PHEV packs a 268hp punch. If you want the most fuel sipping version there will be a FWD only LX trim that returns 42mpg but your list of features will be much shorter than other hybrid trims (like no spare tire, strangely).. You'll likely find a price point and personality to match you!

19/08/2025

Why can't you always trust legroom numbers, and why do we always talk about "combined legroom" rather than front and rear legroom separately, as many people do? All that and more is in today's pod!

In this episode Alex and Travis take a deep dive into legroom. How it's measured, why you can't always trust the numbers, and why we always talk about legroom in a specific way. We also ask: is the Blazer EV SS the modern Grand National? -gasp- Oh, and Durango gets another year to live, standard V8s...

19/08/2025

$31,485 is the magic number for Nissan's resurrected Leaf, and that makes it the cheapest EV in America. More surprising? That price tag will get you the 303-mile range model, the base trim is coming later, which promises to drop the price tag further. While it's clearly not for everyone, I have to say that it could be a compelling commuter car. You'll get a 214 HP motor, a tight 35 ft turning circle, full LED lights, a 12.3 inch touchscreen, a ton of active safety and driver assist tech, and of course this time the Leaf has a battery that should last longer than your NiCad toys from the 1980s thanks to it FINALLY having a liquid cooled battery. So... This, or a Prius that starts at $30,220?

18/08/2025

Had you been waiting for the updated Genesis G80 EV? Well, ya done waited too long because Genesis pulled the plug before we ever got the refreshed model you see here. Here's why that's a bummer.

For 2026 the "Electrified G80" got some big changes, most notably... it got bigger by 5.1 inches, adding a much-needed stretch to the rear seats. It also got rear wheel steering, over 300 miles of range, micro lens array LED headlights, power open/close rear doors, and a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. Sadly, it was not meant to be since the existing G80 EV sold like spilt milk (just 140 were shifted last year). It's a pity because I always liked the G80 and I always thought "if it were a bit roomier inside, I could see myself in one." Well, that thought is over unless I move to Korea where it will continue.

06/08/2025

Looking for a 3-row PHEV? The Kia Sorento isn't a bad option since it combines the roominess of a Highlander with 30 miles of EV range and 33 MPG when that battery is exhausted. There's just one little problem: a starting MSRP of $47,990 plus destination. Or... Is it a problem? The Highlander hybrid (sans plug) isn't much less at $46,820. So should you plug or not plug?