Then Sami tests out one of the bigger SUVs out there, the 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor. Able to haul 8 passengers and deal with off roading, this big truck-based family hauler has some cool new tech to discuss, and some worth nitpicking.

Finally the show ends on a discussion about Mazdas new approach to their cars, namely cost cutting. Are they the only ones? Thanks for listening!

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Then Benjamin has a quick review of the 2026 BMW M340 xDrive 50 Jahre Edition, a special edition of the podcast favorite 3 Series. With fancy equipment and a great powertrain, Benjamin has mostly positive things to say about the new 3, except for its choice of winter rubber.

Finally, the guys discuss some wild news from Stellantis regarding its PHEV vehicles, which gets them thinking about invisible vehicles (or the ones that have wandered off to "the island of misfit cars") Thanks for listening!

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Hear the whole discussion and don't forget to head over to our website to send us your feedback and comments. Thanks for listening!

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Links:

• Benjamin's new comic book, Model Un is on Kickstarter October 7! — When aliens mistake a high school Model UN club for the rulers of the Earth, the fate of the planet rests in the hands of '90s teens. Sign up for the Kickstarter preview page at the above link!
• Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.
• Check out the Kirchner Report — Get Chad Kirchner's auto writing direct in your inbox!

Then Sami chimes in about his plug-in experience with the 2025.5 Volvo XC90. Loaded with 455 ponies and 30-ish miles of range, the XC90 is sure to be a hit. But then Sami's attention turns to the Swedish automakers attempts at designing an infotainment system, and things fall apart a bit. While not as bad as the EX90, the XC90 has a few glitches of its own that make it hard to recommend.

Then it's time for a classic Nissan Pathfinder cow adventure. Thanks for listening!

Links:

• Benjamin's new comic book, Model Un is on Kickstarter October 7! — When aliens mistake a high school Model UN club for the rulers of the Earth, the fate of the planet rests in the hands of '90s teens. Sign up for the Kickstarter preview page at the above link!
• Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.

Then Benjamin shares how his latest trip to Canadian Tire Motorsports Park went as he towed his way to the track in a Silverado HD 2500. Hear answers to questions like "did it have adaptive cruise control?" and "how much worse was the fuel consumption while towing?" and "do you need all that truck to tow a car?" Thanks for listening!

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Then Sami chimes in with his review of the 2025 Nissan Ariya, which offers a lot of the same features and technologies found on other EVs on the market. Our hosts ask what makes the Ariya special in this segment, and struggle to come up with a definitive answer, despite Nissan's past leadership in the EV space. Thanks for listening!

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• Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.

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.

Then Benjamin chimes in with some thoughts on the 2023 Nissan Ariya. Seeing how Nissan used to have a foothold in the EV space with the leaf, but slowly lose that edge over the years to Hyundai, Kia and Ford, Benjamin seeks the truth about the latest Nissan EV, and you won't want to miss his definitive verdict of the brand's latest electric car.

Then the guys wrap up the episode responding to listener feedback. If you've got questions or comments to share, don't hesitate to visit the website: UnnamedAutomotivePodcast.com or reach out to use on social media. Thanks for listening!

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Then Sami continues his run of family friendly vehicles with a test of the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge. A plugin hybrid with 455 HP and 36 miles of all electric range, there's a lot to like about this vehicle, but Sami says the third row accessibility isn't ideal, which begs the question, why are people buying three row vehicles if they can't climb in the back? Though Sami confesses a few elements that are enjoyable of the XC90, he wants to know what's the real purpose of these crossovers.

Then the guys have some fun discussing a Tokyo mobility show concept and recalling some of the significant supercars of the 70s. Thanks for listening!!

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Then Benjamin gets his kicks in the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover, which now arrives with a seven seater configuration. Benjamin gets a go in this exact configuration and has plenty of ideas about what a luxury SUV is capable of and what it's measuring up against.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe and reach the guys on social media to get a shout out or some fun discussion going!

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Then Benjamin chimes in with his recent 2023 Subaru WRX experience, which was dulled by the implementation of the a fun-sapping CVT. CVTs are generally used for fuel savings, and Benjamin is unclear why the new Subaru offers such an option given that it actually uses more fuel than the standard manual gearbox. Given Subaru's performance-car history, does this new WRX measure up?

Don't forget to subscribe, review and message our hosts! Thanks for listening!

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Benjamin then discusses the new electrified addition to his household, before answering a listener question. Don't hesitate to reach out and ask the guys any questions you may have, or send them a tip through Ko-Fi. Thanks for listening!

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• Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.

Sami then shares his thoughts on the 2022 Toyota Highlander, after his time comparing it to the Nissan Pathfinder. The Toyota always sits atop the sales charts, and Sami shares exactly why that is. The two go on a bit of a tangent about the Lexus infotainment system and how it is finally changing for the better, before Benjamin talks about the driver assistance woes of the 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country. Then Benjamin's horrific mouth calls it a day and the two close up the podcast for another week.

Be sure to listen, subscribe and review!

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• Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.
• The Determined Employee Team That Convinced Lexus to Finally Drop the Touchpad — Steve Basra and Daniel Hall floated the idea of a new user interface in 2017 and it's finally in play. Here's how they did it.
• Trying (and Failing) to Live My Best Semi-Autonomous Life in the 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country — After 800 miles, it appears many advanced driver-assistance features are still not ready for prime time

Sami and Ben also share their thoughts on their favourite cars and trucks for 2021. Make your bets early, because there are so many picks that the hosts don't really give you a moment to think about it. Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe and even leave us a note to tell us which models we left off the list that deserved some extra recognition.

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Benjamin then shares his thoughts on the 2022 Subaru Outback WILDerness, and whether it's the real off-roading Subaru deal or just another somewhat goofy trim package for those secret Pontiac stans who really, really love plastic body cladding.

Finally, Sami and Benjamin talk about marketing versus real-world fuel numbers in the new variable compression, turbo three-equipped 2022 Nissan Rogue, where Sami reveals his deep-seated fears that someone, somewhere, is playing an elaborate trick on would-be Nissan buyers.

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• Review: 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness — Just how far from civilization are you likely to get in the Subaru Outback Wilderness?

Sami also dives into the larger, heavier, biggers, heavier, faster, heavier and wider 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe. He seems to suggest that it's bigger, but that can't be true, can it? Hear his impressions, both positive and negative on this weighty subject, and how the modern era of BMW weighs in compared to what we know and love about the brand.

Finally, the pair discuss the latest goofy reveals from the 2022 LA Auto Show. Listen, review, subscribe and do all your favorite things!

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• Review: 2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X — From behind the wheel it's business as usual for the task-focused truck.

Sami then talks compact car rankings, with the always popular 2022 Toyota Corolla and the less lower-profile 2022 Nissan Sentra going head to head before he explains where they among the best in the segment. Finally, the conversation takes an abrupt shift north to talk about the new 2022 Toyota Tundra redesign.

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• Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.

Links:

• Check out Benjamin's Graphic Novel Code 45 — Dragons, drugs, and underground raves beneath the streets of Montreal. Launches June 1st on Kickstarter at www.code-45.com.
• Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.

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.
• Does the 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor Deliver Off-Road Fun For 4x4 Fans? — Has the Tremor been worth the wait? I took the 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor out to play in the mud to see how it compares against the class-leading Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Chevrolet Colorado ZR2.
• How To Level Up The Base Ford Ranger Truck For Maximum Factory Off-Road Fun On The Cheap — We dove deep into the Ford Performance catalogue to level up a base Ranger from milquetoast to monster, focusing exclusively on the gear you need to dominate the trail without forcing you to pay for all the extras and accessories baked in to Ford's pre-programmed packages.

Links:

• That Time Subaru Built a Flat 12-Cylinder Engine for F1 Racing — Subaru's boxer-12 disaster KO'd its F1 dreams flat—and so it turned to rally.

Benjamin is puzzled by the 2020 Nissan Titan PRO-4X, which needs to be better than the full-size pickup competition to catch eyes among truck buyers, but seems determined to merely match a narrow spectrum of what customers are looking for.

Benjamin spends a week with the 2020 Honda Civic Si Coupe, a sporty compact that's among the last of its breed - and a car that is discontinued at the end of this year. How does the Si stack up against the dwindling crop of two-door offerings at the $25,000 mark?

Links:

• MANUAL TRANSMISSION NISSAN Z PROTO TARGETS AUTO-ONLY TOYOTA SUPRA WITH RETRO FLAIR AND MODERN TWIN TURBOS — The Nissan Z has spent the past several years watching almost every other sports car on the market zoom by it in terms of performance, technology, and perhaps most telling, sales. With only a handful of examples finding new owners in 2019, the once-proud rear-wheel drive coupe has been on life support in world where the Chevrolet Corvette has morphed into a mid-engine monster and even four-cylinder hot hatches are turbocharging their way past the Nissan's performance envelope.

Sami then explains why the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport is a much better small sport-utility vehicle value than it might at first seem, especially when it comes to safety. Also, there's a really long tangent about hawks versus eagles versus falcons. You've been warned!

Links:

• 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE TRACKHAWK VS. 2021 MUSTANG MACH E: CHANGING OF THE DOMESTIC SUPER SUV GUARD? — The apex predator of the performance SUV world is undoubtedly the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. While other, pricier haulers from Porsche (the Cayenne Turbo) and BMW (the X5 M) might deliver smoother handling or a larger helping of luxury features, nothing else features the shock and awe of the Trackhawk's Hellcat-sourced, 707hp supercharged V8 engine, a power plant that causes even the mightiest twin-turbo Euro rival to cower in its presence.
• Review: Jeep’s 700-HP Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Is the Super SUV Nobody Needs, But Everybody Wants — “Who needs a 707-horsepower Jeep?” It’s a question that would seem to have a very short answer from any rational SUV fan’s point of view, and yet it’s one that Fiat-Chrysler saw the need to address not with a glitzy, over-muscled concept truck, but a fully-warrantied supercharged production monster that can shame a respectable list of supercars in a straight line.

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• Code 45 - Benjamin's graphic novel!

Links:

• 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550 Review — How much are you willing to pay to be different? That’s the question that the excellent, and over-qualified 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550 asks luxury SUV buyers. Slab-sided styling and go-anywhere off-road capability are major standouts in its segment, but few will actually need the extras offered by one of the last rugged overlanders left on the premium market.
• On The Road: 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550 — For the 2019 model year, Mercedes-Benz finally elected to update the G-Class—the only member of its current lineup still riding on a platform brought to life via slide-rules and long-division rather than the fully-digital design environments now commonplace throughout the industry.

Links:

• Why Aren’t Nissan Trucks as Popular Here as They Are Around the World? — We were in Morocco to experience Nissan’s global LCV (light commercial vehicle) lineup. For those in North America, that means the Nissan Titan was represented. But also present was the Nissan Navara, Patrol, and Asian-market Terra. The Sahara was a central meeting place for journalists all over the world to see what Nissan was all about.

Links:

• 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Review — While it’s true that the 2019 edition of the Jetta does deliver incremental improvements in fuel economy, interior room, features availability, and safety gear, the overall concept behind the vehicle is very nearly a dead ringer for what was available the year before. Whether this is a good or a bad thing depends on how enamored you were of what Volkswagen’s popular small car already had to offer (and if you’re comfortable with a little less choice under the hood).
• 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LE First Drive — Heralding the styling and equipment updates that have been made to the refreshed 2019 Camaro (the SS gains the 10-speed automatic gearbox that’s been slowly working its way across the GM portfolio, Chevrolet’s new Infotainment 3 system is now available, and, of course, the regular roundup of design tweaks also join the order list) comes the full 1LE treatment for the most affordable version of Chevrolet’s every-person performance car. The newest 1LE model doesn’t just allow the Bowtie to pull even with Ford, but it actually gives them something the Mustang doesn’t have: a legitimate track-ready package that’s now available with three separate drivetrains.
• 2018 Subaru Outback: 2 Million and 9 Reasons Why It’s So Popular — Two million buyers can’t be wrong, but in case there was any doubt, the Outback does a number of things very well. Here are a few reasons why this rugged crossover has become so popular

Links:

• 2018 Nissan Leaf Review — The 2018 Nissan Leaf is more than just a modest bump in EV range

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• 2018 Lexus LC 500 First Drive: Surrender To All This Relentless Beauty — The all-new 2018 Lexus LC coupe makes a compelling argument for automakers to do it their own way rather than simply trace the familiar lines on a map already worn down by the competition. It also proves that sometimes ignoring the prevailing winds makes for a more interesting journey for driver and brand alike.
• 2018 Lexus LC 500 First Drive: Ground-breaking luxury coupe lets Lexus find its soul — The 2018 Lexus LC is an act of bravery. Not only did Lexus take the unusual and difficult step of birthing a street car that hews almost perfectly to the gorgeous, yet production-challenging lines of the LF-LC concept that preceded it, but it also chose to ignore prevailing winds – or are those forced induction vortices? – that have come to define the drivetrains found in top-tier luxury coupes. That the Lexus LC is a stunning design achievement is obvious to anyone with a pair of eyes. That it also waves a big, five-liter middle finger in the direction of its would-be German rivals is in a way both a more and a less-subtle statement.

Links:

• 2018 Hyundai Accent Review and First Drive — It’s a symptom of the universe that the slow death of small cars in the United States is heralded by perhaps the best crop of safe, efficient, and affordable compact and subcompact vehicles to have ever been available to budget-conscious buyers.
• Honda Civic Type R vs Subaru WRX STI vs VW Golf R vs Ford Focus RS: Sport Compact Comparison — Spend any time in the 2017 Honda Civic Type R and you’ll quickly realize that it’s probably the best sport compact car money can buy.