web01.fireside.fm Thu, 14 May 2026 07:53:45 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Unnamed Automotive Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Ascent” https://www.unnamedautomotivepodcast.com/tags/ascent Sun, 10 Mar 2024 01:00:00 -0500 Every week automotive journalists Benjamin and Sami review cars and get weird, and funny, and honest, about the automotive industry. en-us episodic Cars, trucks, and a weird sense of humor. Unnamed Automotive Podcast Every week automotive journalists Benjamin and Sami review cars and get weird, and funny, and honest, about the automotive industry. no cars, trucks, automotive, comedy, driving, EV, car reviews, truck reviews, EV reviews, electric vehicles, automobiles, journalism Unnamed Automotive Podcast benjamin@benjaminhunting.com Episode 355: 2024 BMW i5 M60, 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 2024 Subaru Ascent https://www.unnamedautomotivepodcast.com/355 b30244fa-3f00-47c6-9b49-e35c456a7cf4 Sun, 10 Mar 2024 01:00:00 -0500 Unnamed Automotive Podcast full Unnamed Automotive Podcast This week starts off with Benjamin talking about the near-600 horsepower 2024 BMW i5 M60, which does a lot to impress. Listen to him discuss the performance along with the weird technology that surrounds this new EV. Then Sami compares the 2024 Toyota Highlander and 2024 Subaru Ascent as he checks out all of this year's three-row offerings. Thanks for listening!! 47:33 no <p>Starting things off this week is the 2024 BMW i5 M60, a near-600 horsepower all-electric sedan that Benjamin seems impressed with, especially in comparison to the Mercedes-AMG EQE from last week. But every BMW comes with its hiccups and gimmicks, and Benjamin is more than eager to share his experience with this high-end German, and how the new executive sport sedan feels.</p> <p>Then Sami gets his three-row on by talking about not just one, but two family oriented crossovers. The discussion starts with the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which seems to be the default three-row for families looking to grow from their RAV4. Then the guys go on to talk about Sami's recently tested 2024 Subaru Ascent, and how the brand has recieved a lot of credit for its steady approach to the market. Thanks for listening!! </p> BMW, i5, Toyota, Highlander, Subaru, Ascent, car talk, truck talk, SUV talk, minivan talk, EV talk, electric vehicle talk, car podcast, truck podcast, SUV podcast, EV podcast, electric vehicle podcast, cars, trucks, SUVs, EVs, electiric vehicles, minivans, car, truck, automotive, automobile, minivan, EV, electric vehicle, SUV Starting things off this week is the 2024 BMW i5 M60, a near-600 horsepower all-electric sedan that Benjamin seems impressed with, especially in comparison to the Mercedes-AMG EQE from last week. But every BMW comes with its hiccups and gimmicks, and Benjamin is more than eager to share his experience with this high-end German, and how the new executive sport sedan feels.

Then Sami gets his three-row on by talking about not just one, but two family oriented crossovers. The discussion starts with the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which seems to be the default three-row for families looking to grow from their RAV4. Then the guys go on to talk about Sami's recently tested 2024 Subaru Ascent, and how the brand has recieved a lot of credit for its steady approach to the market. Thanks for listening!!

Links:

  • Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.
  • BMW i5 M60 Is No Conversion Car, But It Might Convert You — Perhaps more so than any of its luxury peers, BMW’s approach to electrification has been to design vehicles that would fit into its lineup regardless of whether they were burning hydrocarbons or scarfing down electrons. Building on earlier outlier efforts like the i3, a modern BMW EV eschews the drastic wind-tunnel concessions made by rivals like the Mercedes-Benz EQ series, retaining an instantly-identifiable profile that is in some cases polarizing, and in others lifted directly from the internal combustion side of the showroom.
]]> Starting things off this week is the 2024 BMW i5 M60, a near-600 horsepower all-electric sedan that Benjamin seems impressed with, especially in comparison to the Mercedes-AMG EQE from last week. But every BMW comes with its hiccups and gimmicks, and Benjamin is more than eager to share his experience with this high-end German, and how the new executive sport sedan feels.

Then Sami gets his three-row on by talking about not just one, but two family oriented crossovers. The discussion starts with the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which seems to be the default three-row for families looking to grow from their RAV4. Then the guys go on to talk about Sami's recently tested 2024 Subaru Ascent, and how the brand has recieved a lot of credit for its steady approach to the market. Thanks for listening!!

Links:

  • Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.
  • BMW i5 M60 Is No Conversion Car, But It Might Convert You — Perhaps more so than any of its luxury peers, BMW’s approach to electrification has been to design vehicles that would fit into its lineup regardless of whether they were burning hydrocarbons or scarfing down electrons. Building on earlier outlier efforts like the i3, a modern BMW EV eschews the drastic wind-tunnel concessions made by rivals like the Mercedes-Benz EQ series, retaining an instantly-identifiable profile that is in some cases polarizing, and in others lifted directly from the internal combustion side of the showroom.
]]> Episode 299: 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV, 2023 Subaru Ascent, Racing With Rich Energy Book Giveaway, Listener Shout-Outs https://www.unnamedautomotivepodcast.com/299 6d4c2e5f-4907-4893-baa8-2d565db7a7c6 Sun, 18 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0500 Unnamed Automotive Podcast full Unnamed Automotive Podcast Benjamin shares his recent experience in the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV, which introduces a new acronym to an industry completely devoid of confusion (not!). Then Sami, fresh off a date with the 2023 Subaru Ascent, explains what went right and wrong with the Japanese three row crossover. Listen and enjoy, but don't forget to enter the contest for a cool book! 46:16 no <p>First up Benjamin grabs the 2022 Chevrolet Volt EUV, a vehicle that tries to defy established nomenclature and expectations of a crossover-fied car. Hear his thoughts on the affordable EV and how livable this former fire hazard is and wonder aloud with our hosts about the future of the Bolt nameplate.</p> <p>Then Sami chimes in with a recap of the 2023 Subaru Ascent, and relates it to his experience in the recently refreshed 2023 model. With more cameras, technology, and a segment leading 19 cupholders, Sami explains exactly where the Ascent stands today and whether you should buy one. Finally the guys remind listeners about the ongoing book contest and sling out a few shoutouts. Listen, review, subscribe and enjoy! </p> Chevrolet, Bolt, EUV, Subaru, Ascent, Racing With Rich Energy, Rich Energy, car talk, truck talk, EV talk, SUV talk, car podcast, truck podcast, SUV podcast, EV podcast First up Benjamin grabs the 2022 Chevrolet Volt EUV, a vehicle that tries to defy established nomenclature and expectations of a crossover-fied car. Hear his thoughts on the affordable EV and how livable this former fire hazard is and wonder aloud with our hosts about the future of the Bolt nameplate.

Then Sami chimes in with a recap of the 2023 Subaru Ascent, and relates it to his experience in the recently refreshed 2023 model. With more cameras, technology, and a segment leading 19 cupholders, Sami explains exactly where the Ascent stands today and whether you should buy one. Finally the guys remind listeners about the ongoing book contest and sling out a few shoutouts. Listen, review, subscribe and enjoy!

Links:

]]> First up Benjamin grabs the 2022 Chevrolet Volt EUV, a vehicle that tries to defy established nomenclature and expectations of a crossover-fied car. Hear his thoughts on the affordable EV and how livable this former fire hazard is and wonder aloud with our hosts about the future of the Bolt nameplate.

Then Sami chimes in with a recap of the 2023 Subaru Ascent, and relates it to his experience in the recently refreshed 2023 model. With more cameras, technology, and a segment leading 19 cupholders, Sami explains exactly where the Ascent stands today and whether you should buy one. Finally the guys remind listeners about the ongoing book contest and sling out a few shoutouts. Listen, review, subscribe and enjoy!

Links:

]]> Episode 260: 2022 Volkswagen Golf R, 2022 Subaru Ascent. Utes https://www.unnamedautomotivepodcast.com/260 3f2365f1-a2cc-4536-93f9-828e1461f277 Sun, 06 Feb 2022 08:00:00 -0500 Unnamed Automotive Podcast full Unnamed Automotive Podcast Benjamin isn't done with sporty compacts, as this week he gets hands-on with the redesigned 2022 Volkswagen Golf R. Despite more power and updated exterior styling, hear why he has some harsh words for VW and its enthusiast car. Sami chimes in with his thoughts on the Subaru Ascent, which was a successful re-entry into the world of three-row crossovers, but now feels a bit basic in some ways. Finally, Sami and Benjamin get nostalgic thinking of all the 'utes we used to have, and how they all left us for more lucrative parts of the world. Listen, review, and reach out to us through our website UnnamedAutomotivePodcast.com 50:53 no <p>You might have heard that North Americans only get the 2022 Volkswagen Golf in enthusiast grade GTI and R forms. Recently, Benjamin picked up the keys to the more powerful of the two, and while there was a massive winter storm blowing snow during his testing, it wasn't the weather conditions that left him cold. Hear what VW has done to the most recent generation Golf R and whether Benjamin would recommend it. </p> <p>Sami then talks about how Subaru reached relevancy with its Ascent three-row back when it launched, but has struggled to do anything worthwhile with it since. Is the basic family crossover still good enough for 2022 or is the competition's more premium and powerful entries stealing the spotilgiht? </p> <p>Finally, Sami and Benjamin discuss another forbidden-fruit market segment: the 'Ute. Once mildly popular in North America, the 'ute was a bigger deal in other parts of the world. The duo ponder why and try to figure out if there are any hopes for more 'utes for us in the future. </p> <p>Be sure to subscribe, rate, and send us a note on our website UnnamedAutomotivePodcast.com </p> Volkswagen, VW, Golf R, Golf, GTI, Subaru, Ascent, utes, El Camino, car talk, truck talk, SUV talk, car podcast, truck podcast, SUV podcast You might have heard that North Americans only get the 2022 Volkswagen Golf in enthusiast grade GTI and R forms. Recently, Benjamin picked up the keys to the more powerful of the two, and while there was a massive winter storm blowing snow during his testing, it wasn't the weather conditions that left him cold. Hear what VW has done to the most recent generation Golf R and whether Benjamin would recommend it.

Sami then talks about how Subaru reached relevancy with its Ascent three-row back when it launched, but has struggled to do anything worthwhile with it since. Is the basic family crossover still good enough for 2022 or is the competition's more premium and powerful entries stealing the spotilgiht?

Finally, Sami and Benjamin discuss another forbidden-fruit market segment: the 'Ute. Once mildly popular in North America, the 'ute was a bigger deal in other parts of the world. The duo ponder why and try to figure out if there are any hopes for more 'utes for us in the future.

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and send us a note on our website UnnamedAutomotivePodcast.com

Links:

  • Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.
  • Caminofication: The Coolest Car-Trucks of All Time — In the world of utes (or car-trucks, or caminos, or crucks) there exist models both wonderful and awful, vehicles that balance the scales of good and bad taste across a line that is admittedly quite fine. We took a look at all of them—yes, all of them—and picked out the 20 coolest, compiling them here in alphabetical order for your debate, scorn, and admiration.
]]> You might have heard that North Americans only get the 2022 Volkswagen Golf in enthusiast grade GTI and R forms. Recently, Benjamin picked up the keys to the more powerful of the two, and while there was a massive winter storm blowing snow during his testing, it wasn't the weather conditions that left him cold. Hear what VW has done to the most recent generation Golf R and whether Benjamin would recommend it.

Sami then talks about how Subaru reached relevancy with its Ascent three-row back when it launched, but has struggled to do anything worthwhile with it since. Is the basic family crossover still good enough for 2022 or is the competition's more premium and powerful entries stealing the spotilgiht?

Finally, Sami and Benjamin discuss another forbidden-fruit market segment: the 'Ute. Once mildly popular in North America, the 'ute was a bigger deal in other parts of the world. The duo ponder why and try to figure out if there are any hopes for more 'utes for us in the future.

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and send us a note on our website UnnamedAutomotivePodcast.com

Links:

  • Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.
  • Caminofication: The Coolest Car-Trucks of All Time — In the world of utes (or car-trucks, or caminos, or crucks) there exist models both wonderful and awful, vehicles that balance the scales of good and bad taste across a line that is admittedly quite fine. We took a look at all of them—yes, all of them—and picked out the 20 coolest, compiling them here in alphabetical order for your debate, scorn, and admiration.
]]> Episode 103: 2019 Subaru Ascent, Cupholders, 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, SRT Interview https://www.unnamedautomotivepodcast.com/103 375764ff-4121-4400-bfce-2e27b557b00b Sun, 30 Dec 2018 08:00:00 -0500 Unnamed Automotive Podcast full Unnamed Automotive Podcast Are you ready for a 15 minute tangent on cupholders? Great! Benjamin and Sami also give their Freaky Friday car-swap second takes on the 2019 Subaru Ascent and the 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk. 45:04 no <p>It's Freaky Friday on this week's podcast as the pair swap SUVS they each drove last month. Sami interviews the SRT braintrust about the Ram SRT10 pickup and the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, and Benjamin goes on a journey of self-discovery in the 2019 Subaru Ascent, which has no fewer than 19 cupholders. Or is that 18? The only way to know for sure is to listen to our final episode of the year. </p> Jeep, Grand Cherokee, Trackhawk, SRT, SUV, Subaru, Ascent, cupholders It's Freaky Friday on this week's podcast as the pair swap SUVS they each drove last month. Sami interviews the SRT braintrust about the Ram SRT10 pickup and the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, and Benjamin goes on a journey of self-discovery in the 2019 Subaru Ascent, which has no fewer than 19 cupholders. Or is that 18? The only way to know for sure is to listen to our final episode of the year.

]]> It's Freaky Friday on this week's podcast as the pair swap SUVS they each drove last month. Sami interviews the SRT braintrust about the Ram SRT10 pickup and the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, and Benjamin goes on a journey of self-discovery in the 2019 Subaru Ascent, which has no fewer than 19 cupholders. Or is that 18? The only way to know for sure is to listen to our final episode of the year.

]]> Episode 77: 2019 Audi Q8, 2019 Subaru Ascent, Renault Clio V6, Chevrolet Blazer https://www.unnamedautomotivepodcast.com/77 c81bb6be-8e6a-4e4b-889d-07f1c4464e2e Sat, 23 Jun 2018 18:00:00 -0400 Unnamed Automotive Podcast full Unnamed Automotive Podcast Benjamin travels to the Atacama desert in Chile to drive the 2019 Audi Q8, while Sami heads to Cape Breton to sample the 2019 Subaru Ascent. Benjamin also drives one of his heroes - the ultra-rare Renault Clio V6 - and the pair round things up by expressing their disillusionment with the brand new Chevrolet Blazer. 52:19 no <p>What's it like driving the 2019 Audi Q8 across the driest desert on the planet? Benjamin has the scoop after piloting the Q8 through Chile's Atacama, which NASA uses as a stand-in for the surface of Mars. Closer to home, Sami is impressed by how well Subaru has nailed its second attempt at a seven-seat crossover with the 2019 Subaru Ascent, which he drove along the Cape Breton coast. Finally, Benjamin drives one of this heroes - the bonkers Renault Clio V6 - and Sami is sad about the recent reveal of the Chevrolet Blazer. </p> What's it like driving the 2019 Audi Q8 across the driest desert on the planet? Benjamin has the scoop after piloting the Q8 through Chile's Atacama, which NASA uses as a stand-in for the surface of Mars. Closer to home, Sami is impressed by how well Subaru has nailed its second attempt at a seven-seat crossover with the 2019 Subaru Ascent, which he drove along the Cape Breton coast. Finally, Benjamin drives one of this heroes - the bonkers Renault Clio V6 - and Sami is sad about the recent reveal of the Chevrolet Blazer.

Links:

  • First Drive: 2019 Audi Q8 passes luxury SUV coupe test in Chilean desert — Following the leader is a time-honored trend in the automotive business, and one that often leads to a profitable payoff at the end of the line. Still, for luxury brands whose entire identity is wrapped up in being able to offer something the other guy doesn't, trend-surfing - no matter how much market share is at stake - can be a delicate enterprise.
  • First Drive: 2019 Audi Q8 (Canadian market) — For those expecting the Q8 to be merely the Q7-plus-one, the all-new SUV “coupe” has several surprises in store. Not the least of these is the decision to truncate the 8 in favour of introducing more muscular proportions as compared to its full-size platform-mate.
  • 2019 Subaru Ascent Review — The all-new Subaru Ascent is finally here and the brand thinks it has really cracked the code when it comes to three-row goodness.
]]> What's it like driving the 2019 Audi Q8 across the driest desert on the planet? Benjamin has the scoop after piloting the Q8 through Chile's Atacama, which NASA uses as a stand-in for the surface of Mars. Closer to home, Sami is impressed by how well Subaru has nailed its second attempt at a seven-seat crossover with the 2019 Subaru Ascent, which he drove along the Cape Breton coast. Finally, Benjamin drives one of this heroes - the bonkers Renault Clio V6 - and Sami is sad about the recent reveal of the Chevrolet Blazer.

Links:

  • First Drive: 2019 Audi Q8 passes luxury SUV coupe test in Chilean desert — Following the leader is a time-honored trend in the automotive business, and one that often leads to a profitable payoff at the end of the line. Still, for luxury brands whose entire identity is wrapped up in being able to offer something the other guy doesn't, trend-surfing - no matter how much market share is at stake - can be a delicate enterprise.
  • First Drive: 2019 Audi Q8 (Canadian market) — For those expecting the Q8 to be merely the Q7-plus-one, the all-new SUV “coupe” has several surprises in store. Not the least of these is the decision to truncate the 8 in favour of introducing more muscular proportions as compared to its full-size platform-mate.
  • 2019 Subaru Ascent Review — The all-new Subaru Ascent is finally here and the brand thinks it has really cracked the code when it comes to three-row goodness.
]]>