From Alex on Autos. Conventional wisdom says diesel is the way to go when it comes to towing, so that made me wonder: do diesels lose less range when towing than an electric truck? To find out I snagged a diesel Silverado 1500, my favorite diesel 1/2 ton engine by far and pitted it against…
From Alex on Autos. When Nissan launched their latest generation RAV4 and CR-V rival, the one thing missing was a new engine. That’s now been fixed with a new 1.5L three-cylinder turbo engine. Yep, three cylinders plus a turbo. That might sound funky compared to the 1.5L four-cylinder turbo Honda uses in the CR-V, but…
From Alex on Autos. The 2023 Versa proves that Nissan is still committed to giving Americans solid options for under $20,000 that aren’t crossovers or hatchbacks. How committed? Cheapest car in America committed. That’s right, for 2023 the Versa undercuts even the Mitsubishi Mirage to once again be the least expensive set of new wheels…
From Alex on Autos. The 2024 Kia Seltos receives a mild refresh with a busier but not unattractive front end and the sleek dual-screen setup found in most of Kia’s other latest models. Unfortunately, though, no hybrid to be found. Join this channel to get access to perks: The Pod: https://www.youtube.com/c/AutoBuyersGuidePodcast EV Buyers Guide: https://www.youtube.com/c/evbuyersguide…
From Alex on Autos. 2022 L.A. Auto Show: The Ford Escape receives a refresh for 2023 that brings a more elegant front-end design and larger screens inside. Dare I say this is a better buy than the 2023 Honda CR-V? Join this channel to get access to perks: The Pod: https://www.youtube.com/c/AutoBuyersGuidePodcast EV Buyers Guide: https://www.youtube.com/c/evbuyersguide…
From Alex on Autos. Yep, Hyundai is still betting on sedans with the new Ioniq 6. The new sedan sistership to the Ioniq 5 is laser focused on efficiency and range, but it’ll still sport a swift 0-60 and a dual-motor AWD system if you want it. Join this channel to get access to perks:…
From Alex on Autos. Subaru’s Impreza has returned for 2024 but it’s lost the sedan body and the manual transmission. If you didn’t know it already, this is basically the less-offroady Crosstrek with the two Subies sharing bodies and doors with one another. The Crosstrek is the pragmatic option with the suspension lift and body…
From Alex on Autos. The new 2023 is easily the best looking hybrid Toyota has ever made, dare I even say… lust worthy? Join this channel to get access to perks: The Pod: https://www.youtube.com/c/AutoBuyersGuidePodcast EV Buyers Guide: https://www.youtube.com/c/evbuyersguide The Mountain Garden: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMountainGarden Buy Merch! http://aoamerch.com Follow us on Facebook: http://fb.me/alexonautos/
From Alex on Autos. Chevy’s Trailblazer is no longer a rough-and-tumble body on frame SUV and that’s just fine by me because the new one is Goldilocks-just-right. It’s easy to park, inexpensive to buy, gets decent fuel economy and it’s roomier than you think inside, but the value pricing is where Chevy hit the nail…
From Alex on Autos. Join Alex and Brian for a live stream from Los Angeles as they prepare to walk the show floor tomorrow!
From Alex on Autos. With a whopping 315 horsepower being sent to just the front wheels, the new 2023 Type R is the kind of bonkers only Honda could produce. Other companies try and complicate things with all wheel drive, dual clutch transmissions or mild hybrids, but the Civic is a pure FWD hot hatch…
From Alex on Autos. Ford’s Bronco Raptor is the craziest Bronco, but it’s not quite the same kind of crazy as a Wrangler 392. For the baddest edition of the Bronco, Ford used the same playbook as the F-150 Raptor: wider is better. The body gets massive fender flares, ginormous 37-inch tires, and, of course,…
From Alex on Autos. Don’t get me wrong, I love the GR86 and BRZ, I just wouldn’t buy one. The reason is complicated. The GR86 is an insane amount of fun to drive, it’s engaging, handles well, and is a hoot on an autocross course. Unfortunately I don’t commute via autocross so if my money…
From Alex on Autos. Join this channel to get access to perks: The Pod: https://www.youtube.com/c/AutoBuyersGuidePodcast EV Buyers Guide: https://www.youtube.com/c/evbuyersguide The Mountain Garden: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMountainGarden Buy Merch! http://aoamerch.com Follow us on Facebook: http://fb.me/alexonautos/
From Alex on Autos. With the end of the year approaching it’s time to get rid of the long term EVs we have and try something new: An affordable, family friendly SUV/CUV with high fuel economy, a price tag under $45,000 and, if possible, a plug. Why? Because I like plugs. Join this channel to…
From Alex on Autos. Looking for the most rugged Honda ever? Check out the new Pilot TrailSport. The all-new Pilot is bigger and more powerful than ever, has a full set of skid plates and Honda’s latest advanced AWD system combined with all-terrain tires to get you even farther down that trail. It’s not designed…
From Alex on Autos. 2023 brings a bigger, boxier Pilot but unlike many, it still seats 8! Join this channel to get access to perks: The Pod: https://www.youtube.com/c/AutoBuyersGuidePodcast EV Buyers Guide: https://www.youtube.com/c/evbuyersguide The Mountain Garden: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMountainGarden Buy Merch! http://aoamerch.com Follow us on Facebook: http://fb.me/alexonautos/
From Alex on Autos. Kia’s fuel economy numbers might not match the lofty 40 MPG of the RAV4 hybrid, but the Sportage is bigger inside, more comfortable and it has a true mechanical AWD system. It also sports bigger LCD and more doodads per dollar than the Honda or Toyota… But… There’s that funky front…
From Alex on Autos. With 700 ponies from a 5.2L supercharged V8 engine, this is the Raptor we all knew Ford would eventually build and it’s finally here. With more finesse than a RAM RTX, standard 37-inch tires and the most raucous exhaust note this side of a Ferrari, the only problem will be the…
From Alex on Autos. Kia’s Telluride has been such a success that Kia literally can’t build enough of them. Hopefully that will change for 2023 as Kia is upping production in Georgia by 25% to around 120,000 a year. That’ll likely cement the Telluride’s position as the 4th best selling 3-row in America, but it…
From Alex on Autos. We all know there’s a new Taco in the wings, but exactly when it’ll land is anyone’s guess right now. While we wait for Toyota’s re-invention of their successful mid-size truck let’s answer the question on all of our minds: is it really that good? Join this channel to get access…
From Alex on Autos. It’s official, the new 2023 Ford Super Duty will be best in class when it comes to everything important in a heavy duty truck. Horses? 500 with the new diesel engine. 1,200 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard across the line. All of that adds up to 8,000…
From Alex on Autos. If you’re the outdoorsy type that wants to pack up the family hauler and overland, Nissan has a Pathfinder for you in the new Rock Creek trim. With a beefier roof rack, tougher tires and a few other tweaks, this Pathfinder will get you a bit farther down that trail at…
From Alex on Autos. Toyota’s new Crown isn’t a crossover, or a crossover sedan. It is however a comfortable sedan with an upright driver’s seat, big LCDs and a standard AWD hybrid system. Will Toyota’s play in the "full-size sedan" segment be a success? Let’s unpack it a bit before you all decide. How big…
From Alex on Autos. Jeep’s plug in hybrid system has been a tad controversial. If you can’t plug it in, fuel economy seems to be middling. Part of that is the weight and off-road mission of the Wrangler 4xe and the Grand Cherokee 4xe, and part of that is the way Jeep calculates the MPGs,…
From Alex on Autos. IMHO, most of the negative reviews I’ve seen on the Integra are based on a faulty premise: that Acura intended to create a head-on competitor to the Audi RS3 or CLA 45. In reality the Integra is what it has always been: a value play for customers wanting something a little…
From Alex on Autos. Join this channel to get access to perks: The Pod: https://www.youtube.com/c/AutoBuyersGuidePodcast EV Buyers Guide: https://www.youtube.com/c/evbuyersguide The Mountain Garden: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMountainGarden Buy Merch! http://aoamerch.com Follow us on Facebook: http://fb.me/alexonautos/
From Alex on Autos. The Corolla Hybrid debuted for the 2020 model year as an answer to the question: what if I want a Toyota hybrid sedan/hatchback that doesn’t look controversial on the outside but still gets up to 50 mpg and costs less than $30,000 when fully equipped? With an updated 1.8L hybrid powertrain…
From Alex on Autos. For 2023 the V6 is dead and Toyota replaced it with the 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder from the Lexus NX. Power levels are good, and since it’s a Toyota it should be reliable, but is it any good? And will the Toyota faithful accept a boosted engine in their next family hauler?…
From Alex on Autos. Honda’s new CRV has grown significantly vs the last generation with more legroom and cargo room than before. The new design looks more rugged in the outside, more Civic like on the inside, and more hybridized under the hood. Join this channel to get access to perks: The Pod: https://www.youtube.com/c/AutoBuyersGuidePodcast EV…
From Alex on Autos. The new Chevy Trax is an attractive and inexpensive small crossover for shoppers that don’t want to spend over $25,000 but are looking for more interior room and snazzier screens than are available in the Trailblazer. Just don’t need AWD, because it’s not available… Join this channel to get access to…
From Alex on Autos. Sad that the Wagoneer just wasn’t big enough? Fear not, there’s now a stretched Wagoneer L for you. They’ve added about a foot to the already ginormous SUV, almost all of which goes to the cargo area. Looking for more legroom? Check out the stretched Caddy because this third row doesn’t…
From Alex on Autos. OK, so the Niro is more of a boxy hatch, but at least this time it *looks* like a crossover. For 2023 Kia has completely redesigned the Niro for better handling, a roomier interior (now with more legroom than a RAV4) and even more fuel economy than before. Be gentle with…
From Alex on Autos. Basically the Niro PHEV is a regular Niro with a bigger electric motor and a bigger battery. The combo gives you more power (180 horsepower vs 139 in the hybrid) and an all electric rage of 33 miles. What’s the downside? Very little in reality. You lose a small amount of…
From Alex on Autos. Like its brother, the Chevy Silverado HD, 2024 brings a multitude of updates for the Sierra HD. Where do those updates lie? Well, under the hood, we have two updated powertrains, two new trim levels, a much-needed rethinking of the interior, as well as thoughtful new trailering features that bring it…
From Alex on Autos. Nissan’s new EV maybe late, but if you’re looking for a roomy EV with a strong value proposition and a comfortable suspension tune, the Ariya is the EV for you. Join this channel to get access to perks: The Pod: https://www.youtube.com/c/AutoBuyersGuidePodcast EV Buyers Guide: https://www.youtube.com/c/evbuyersguide The Mountain Garden: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMountainGarden Buy Merch!…
From Alex on Autos. Ford has already killed the F150 diesel, and RAM has indicated this will be the last year for the EcoDiesel so if you’re looking for a new 1/2 ton and want the only diesel option, here it is. Well, OK, one of two since the GMC Sierra will still get it…
From Alex on Autos. The main problem with the RAM Power Wagon is that you lose a great deal of the 3/4 ton capability due to the off-road suspension, but the Rebel promises more typical 3/4 ton capability. Join this channel to get access to perks: The Pod: https://www.youtube.com/c/AutoBuyersGuidePodcast EV Buyers Guide: https://www.youtube.com/c/evbuyersguide The Mountain…
From Alex on Autos. For 2024 Chevy has made some big changes to the 2500 and 3500. The biggest changes are the new front end and the interior borrowed out of thee Silverado 1500. The swap moves the Silverado 2500 from the worst interior in the segment to the best, tying with the RAM in…
From Alex on Autos. Ford’s new F-250, F-350, and F-450 aren’t earth shattering heavy duty pickup trucks, but that’s OK because Ford is already kind of the hill in HD sales. So for 2023 Ford played it safe with the styling while doubling down on features, options, and of course: towing and MOAR POWARRR!!! Join…
From Alex on Autos. Is an Escalade too unrefined and too big to fit in your garage? Is a GLE just so pedestrian you can’t be seen in it? Does your S Class not fit your growing family? There’s a GLS for you! Join this channel to get access to perks: The Pod: https://www.youtube.com/c/AutoBuyersGuidePodcast EV…
From Alex on Autos. Some companies have given up on sedans, others are cutting models in favor of future EVs, but Hyundai is (at least for the moment) offering two gasoline powered N models with affordable price tags and heaps of turbocharged fun. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3qM33hHgedfi7qTKKgIApg/join EV Buyers Guide:…
From Alex on Autos. Sit back, grab a drink and join us for another Friday night live show! Well, OK, so it won’t be night time everywhere, but it’s bedtime *somewhere*.
From Alex on Autos. Many of you requested that we start a podcast, so we did! But with a twist. Because I didn’t think that normal episodes would really work as a pod, Tim Mosso from Watchbox joins me every week to talk cars, trucks, SUVs, EVs, Tim’s unnatural love for his Chevy Volt and…
From Alex on Autos. Jeep’s mission has been complicated ever since the original Wagoneer came on the scene. Rather than a "pure off-road brand" Jeep’s dual mission is to have serious off-road capable Wranglers and a selection of luxury models to compete with Land Rover’s Range Rover sub-brand and now the Cadillac Escalade. The result…
From Alex on Autos. Interested in Android Auto but not sure what it looks like or how it works? In this video Brian takes a deep-deep dive into Google’s connected car system. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3qM33hHgedfi7qTKKgIApg/join EV Buyers Guide: https://www.youtube.com/c/evbuyersguide The Mountain Garden: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMountainGarden Buy Merch! http://aoamerch.com Follow us on…
From Alex on Autos. This is the sedan Lexus could have built and should have built, but it turns out the only Asian luxury car company willing to take the fight to Germany is Genesis. If you’re looking for a luxury sedan with poise, refinement, comfort, high predicted reliability and a lower MSRP, the G80…
From Alex on Autos. The Hornet is almost here and it’s an unexpected twist on small CUVs for America by focusing on performance. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3qM33hHgedfi7qTKKgIApg/join EV Buyers Guide: https://www.youtube.com/c/evbuyersguide The Mountain Garden: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMountainGarden Buy Merch! http://aoamerch.com Follow us on Facebook: http://fb.me/alexonautos/
From Alex on Autos. Chevy’s new mid-sized truck looks like a winner, as long as pricing stays under control. It’ll get a standard 2.7L turbo engine with up to 310 HP and a whopping 430 lb-ft max. That is of course in the top trims, but all models will get some version of the turbo…
From Alex on Autos. Worried that the new Mustang would be a hybrid or an EV? Fear not, the new 2024 ‘Stang is here and the GT is still rollin’ a naturally aspirated 5.0 with a 6-speed manual and there’s still a ragtop. Want to spend under $30,000? There’s a new 4th generation 2.3L turbo…