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Auto Buyers Guide PodcastAuthor: Auto Buyers Guide
The Auto Buyers Guide team is dedicated to bringing you the latest in automotive industry news, car buying advice, car reviews, and all things car, truck, SUV, and EV. Every week Alex and Travis try to tackle important questions like: are software defined cars a thing? Should shiny black plastic be banned? Language: en Genres: Automotive, Leisure Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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ABG Pod Live Show - Alex Does Q&A!
Episode 96
Monday, 9 February, 2026
It’s a packed Friday live show covering one of the biggest shake-ups in the modern car market: dozens of vehicles disappearing for the 2026 model year. We kick things off with a rapid-fire rundown of discontinued sedans, coupes, EVs, and SUVs—and what those cancellations say about where the industry is heading. From there, we dive deep into EV demand, plug-in hybrid realities, tariffs, pricing pressure, and federal incentives, plus honest answers to audience questions on everything from Kia and Toyota strategy to Volvo wagons, Stellantis indecision, and the real cost of owning modern EVs. We also cover: Why affordable $25,000 EVs are still a long way off Whether plug-in hybrids actually get plugged in Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions and CarPlay rumors Used EV buying advice (Lightning vs Rivian, Audi vs Mercedes) The future of minivans, wagons, and midsize trucks As always, this one blends industry analysis with real-world ownership experience and zero PR spin. 00:00 – Welcome & live show setup 00:02 – Massive list of vehicles canceled for 2026 04:45 – Audience Q&A begins 04:55 – Why there’s no 2026 Kia EV6 yet 05:36 – Kia & Hyundai’s electric future in the U.S. 06:21 – EV demand slowdown, tax credits, and pricing math 07:06 – Toyota warns of multiple price hikes due to tariffs 07:27 – Volvo wagons: why they stopped working in the U.S. 08:17 – Refresh vs redesign: when automakers stretch platforms 09:51 – Are plug-in hybrids dying in America? 11:09 – Europe vs U.S. plug-in hybrid reality check 13:20 – GM, Mary Barra, and plug-in hybrid data 15:09 – Aston Vantage vs Porsche 911 ownership advice 16:29 – When (or if) $25,000 EVs will exist 18:09 – Used Mercedes EQ vs Audi e-tron reliability 18:58 – Why minivan seats don’t fold flat 19:43 – 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander refresh & warranty thoughts 20:54 – Blazer EV ownership update (pros, cons, issues) 23:46 – Solar, batteries, and Chinese subsidy changes 26:01 – Why EVs cost more in the U.S. than Europe 28:26 – Automakers writing off billions in EV investments 29:14 – Grand Highlander vs Honda Pilot buying advice 31:39 – 2026 Jeep Cherokee vs Dodge Durango 33:47 – Volvo EX60 vs Rivian R2 expectations 36:10 – Polestar 3 vs Volvo EX lineup overlap 37:37 – Stellantis product delays and strategy confusion 40:31 – Rivian R1T vs Ford Lightning for camping 42:04 – Tesla CarPlay rumors & software strategy 43:06 – Honda Accord Hybrid MPG limits explained 46:00 – Tesla, robotaxis, and the future of carmaking 48:02 – Frunks, crash safety, and real-world risks 50:34 – Will the Accord ever get AWD? 51:52 – RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid: worth the premium? 53:36 – Wrap-up and sign-off
