Unnamed Automotive Podcast

Episode 248: 2022 Mini Cooper S 4-Door, 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL-Class, Did O.G. Hummer Have A Chance, Rivian's Toxic Bro Culture

November 7th, 2021  |  45 mins 59 secs

amg, cooper, cooper s, equator, ford, h2, h4, hummer, hx, laura schwab, mercedes-benz, mini, power wagoner, rivian, sexism, sl-class

How good can a four-door 2022 Mini Cooper S really be? Benjamin chats about his experience with the compact hatch and how different it feels compared to the JCW droptop from a few weeks back. Sami then chats about one of his favorite cars of all time, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, and how its legacy is quickly diminishing following the reveal of the new 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL, which now sounds more like a 911 than ever before.

Benjamin also brings up the Hummer H2 and how the brand could have avoided an untimely death if just a few other automakers jumped into the market of tough, rugged, big, SUVs, a theory that makes Sami sick. Finally, the pair discuss some ugly news over at Rivian, and how the EV startup has some serious concerns about its toxic corporate culture.

Episode 247: 2022 Bentley Flying Spur, 2022 BMW M4 Competition Track Tested, 2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe

October 31st, 2021  |  41 mins 27 secs

alpina b8, bentley, bmw, flying spur, gran coupe, m4, m4 competition, m8

After performing some kind of ritualistic sacrifice, Benjamin and Sami find themselves in a pair of wildly exclusive and kind of exotic rides. First off, Benjamin describes his premiere Bentley experience, behind the wheel of the new 2022 Bentley Flying Spur. He even explains how this ultra-luxurious sedan can still manage to feel decent to drive. Sami chimes in with report about the track friendliness of the new 2022 BMW M4 Competition AWD, before describing his time in the 2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe.

Episode 246: 2022 Lexus NX, 2022 Toyota Tundra, 2022 Genesis G70 3.3T AWD

October 24th, 2021  |  42 mins 55 secs

ev, g70, genesis, gv70, lexus, nx, toyota, tundra

After hearing the duo fall in love over the 2022 Genesis GV70 in the previous episode, Lexus sent Sami a brand new 2022 Lexus NX Plug In Hybrid to let him know that they can't be counted out just yet. The pair then discuss the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra and dole out the odds on its survival in the hyper competitive pickup truck segment. Finally Benjamin shares all the PG, family friendly details about his road trip to Toronto in the newly refreshed 2022 Genesis G70 sport sedan. Hear the witty banter, uncomfortable silences and all the details right here.

Episode 245: 2022 Ford Bronco, 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, 2022 Genesis GV70

October 17th, 2021  |  47 mins 46 secs

bronco, ford, genesis, gv70, hyundai, jeep, santa cruz, wrangler

Did you miss us? The duo is back talking about all the cars and trucks you want to hear about. Sami gets a go in the new 2022 Ford Bronco and spills the details on how Ford's fighting the Jeep Wrangler. Then he brings up the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, a unibody pickup that rides like a compact crossover. Finally Ben gives us his take on the 2022 Genesis GV70, and it's weird yet humorous controls.

Episode 244: 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible, 2022 Nissan Sentra vs. 2022 Toyota Corolla, 2022 Toyota Tundra Redesign

October 3rd, 2021  |  42 mins 53 secs

cooper, corolla, jcw, john cooper works, john cooper works convertible, mini, nissan, sentra, toyota, tundra

Benjamin's not done with warm weather as evidenced by his test drive in the 2022 Mini Cooper Convertible John Cooper Works, which is a mouthful of a name attached to a handful of performance goodies. Sami compares the 2022 Nissan Sentra and 2022 Toyota Corolla and somehow ends up talking more about the Elantra and Civic. Then it's time to share enthusiasm and concern for the redesigned 2022 Toyota Tundra.

Episode 243: 2022 Hyundai Elantra N-Line, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban Duramax Diesel

September 26th, 2021  |  43 mins 50 secs

chevrolet, diesel, duramax, elantra, hyundai, n-line, suburban

Sami takes the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N-Line for a spin but wonders if the past thrills of the sport compact car market were an unfortunate casualty of a Thanos infinity gauntlet snap. Benjamin gets a taste of the diesel lifestyle offered by the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, and makes a wild claim about its superiority while simultaneously complaining about its massive bulk.

Episode 242: 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, 2022 Honda Civic

September 19th, 2021  |  42 mins 47 secs

alfa romeo, bmw, c63, civic, giulia, honda, m3, m4, mercedes-amg, quadrifoglio

Benjamin fires up the gnarly sounding 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio to tell a story of line-crossing performance and gorgeous styling. Sami tries out the new 2022 Honda Civic, an Accord-sized compact car that he says feels more refined... but kinda large.

Episode 241: 2021 BMW M3 6-Speed, 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Road Trip

September 12th, 2021  |  35 mins 38 secs

With so many manuals wiped off the board, you'd think Benjamin would be more excited to talk about his stickshift 2021 BMW M3 tester this week, but the reality of a clutch pedal in a modern sports sedan is more nuanced. Sami talks about why he has seven different EV charging apps on his phone, and what that means when you're on an emission-free roadtrip in the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Episode 240: 2021 BMW M4 Competition, 2022 Genesis GV70, The Hyundai Multiverse

September 5th, 2021  |  44 mins 30 secs

bmw, dodge challenger, ford, genesis, gt500, gv70, hellcat, m4, m4 competition, mustang, redeye, shelby, srt

Got grille? Benjamin sees past the proboscis of the 2021 BMW M4 Competition and justifies its auto-only status by pointing out how much of a bargain the Competition package is over the base model. Sami claims Genesis has pinned its German SUV rivals to the mat with the impressive new 2022 Genesis GV70. Here comes the three-count!

Episode 239: 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 2021 Subaru Outback Wilderness

August 29th, 2021  |  40 mins 44 secs

grand wagoneer, jeep, outback, subaru, wagoneer, wilderness

Benjamin and Sami go into bizarro world, talking about new versions of cars that are currently in their own garage, but far different from what they're used to: the brand new 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer (and all of its screens), and the 2021 Subaru Outback Wilderness.

Episode 238: 2022 Toyota GR86, 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible, Listener Questions

August 22nd, 2021  |  49 mins 7 secs

86, brz, gr86, gt86, lc, lc500, lexus, subaru, toyota

Sami drives the (all-new?) 2022 Toyota GR86 sports coupe, while Benjamin falls in love all over again with the 2021 Lexus LC500 droptop, which is a strong candidate for the most beautiful car on the roads today. Plus, many listener questions!

Episode 237: 2021 Land Rover Defender 90, Listener Questions

August 15th, 2021  |  40 mins 4 secs

defender, defender 90, land rover, listener questions

Sami and Ben moan about the lack of power seats, visibility and fancy features while testing the 2021 Land Rover Defender 90. Will you be the one to tell them they're being big babies? Plus. listener questions answered!

Episode 236: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 4MATIC Cabriolet, Jeep Grand Wagoneer Project Update, Summer Free-Association

August 8th, 2021  |  32 mins 8 secs

cabriolet, e450, grand wagoneer, jeep, ls swap, mercedes-benz

Benjamin samples the surprising 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 4MATIC Cabriolet and gives an update on his Jeep Grand Wagoneer project before Sami segues into summertime free-association car talk.

Episode 235: 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4MATIC Wagon, 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander vs. 2021 Kia Sorento, Listener Questions

August 1st, 2021  |  44 mins 38 secs

e63 s wagon, kia, mercedes-amg, mercedes-benz, mitsubishi, outlander, sorento

Benjamin meets one of his heroes in the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 4MATIC wagon, but does it match the 2021 Audi RS6 Avant in terms of shock and awe? Sami compares the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander versus the 2021 Kia Sorento and tries to decide whether compact or mid-size three-row SUVs make more sense. Plus, listener questions!

Episode 234: 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, What Modern Cars Will Be Collectible?

July 25th, 2021  |  37 mins 16 secs

392, 5 series, bmw, dodge, durango, hellcat, srt

Benjamin and Sami discuss the most laid-back Hellcat in the Hell-pack, the Dodge Durango, before answering a listener question about what to do with a modern vehicle that might one day be a collectible classic

Episode 233: 2021 Ford Mustang GT Convertible CS, 2021 Jaguar F-Pace, Trailer Batteries For EV Pickups

July 18th, 2021  |  43 mins 36 secs

ev, f-150 lightning, f-pace, ford, jaguar, mustang, mustang gt

Sami and Benjamin contemplate the California Special's place in Mustang history after Sami drives the latest 2021 Ford Mustang GT Convertible, before the pair dissect why the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace base model can't cut it on the current luxury SUV landscape.