web02.fireside.fm Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:28:15 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Unnamed Automotive Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Plug In Hybrid” https://www.unnamedautomotivepodcast.com/tags/plug-in%20hybrid Sun, 19 Dec 2021 08:00:00 -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 254: 2021 Ford Bronco Wildtrak, 2021 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid, Forbidden Fruit Kei Cars, BMW M Book Review, Listener Questions https://www.unnamedautomotivepodcast.com/254 8f6ec6fb-1262-4d38-b7e6-e75041cfe3ea Sun, 19 Dec 2021 08:00:00 -0500 Unnamed Automotive Podcast full Unnamed Automotive Podcast The Unnamed Automotive Podcast dives right into one of the most hyped debuts of the year: the 2021 Ford Bronco. Benjamin shares his experiences of driving the Wildtrak version of the new off-road SUV, and wonders if Ford has nailed this Wrangler competitor yet missed the modern sport-utility target in the process. Sami then brings up the new 2021 Ford Escape Plug In Hybrid, a vehicle with 37 miles of electric range that squeezes between the Hyundai Tucson PHEV and Toyota RAV4 Prime. Is that 'good enough' for Ford, or does the Escape manage to one-up its competition in any significant way? Then there's a new segment about forbidden fruit Kei cars, followed by a BMW M book review and a listener question. There's lots to like this week, so be sure to reach out and send your questions and comments to our hosts. 59:03 no Benjamin talks about his experience in the new 2021 Ford Bronco Wildrak, and explores how the Blue Oval has worked to keep up with the legacy and momentum of the Jeep Wrangler. Was the Wrangler as easy of a target as Ford thought it was? Benjamin decides whether the Bronco beats its Jeep bogey in any meaningful way, and whether the hype machine surrounding the Ford is warranted. The Sami jumps into the newly-electrified 2021 Ford Escape PHEV, and wonders if this vehicle was made to satisfy an eco-cred quotient, or if it had an intended target in the market. With 37 miles of consistent electric range to compare to the Tucson PHEVs 33 and RAV4 Prime's 42, is the Escape a happy medium between the two? Finally, the pair dive into a new segment this week, talking about an entire class of vehicle that eluded the North American market—the kei cars of Japan—before wrapping things up with a BMW M book review and a listener question. Tons of stuff to listen to this week, but don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments! Ford, Bronco, Wildtrak, Escape, PHEV, plug-in hybrid, EV, BMW, book review, Jeep, Wrangler, car talk, truck talk, SUV talk, EV talk, car podcast, truck podcast, SUV podcast, EV podcast, car reviews, truck reviews, SUV reviews Benjamin talks about his experience in the new 2021 Ford Bronco Wildrak, and explores how the Blue Oval has worked to keep up with the legacy and momentum of the Jeep Wrangler. Was the Wrangler as easy of a target as Ford thought it was? Benjamin decides whether the Bronco beats its Jeep bogey in any meaningful way, and whether the hype machine surrounding the Ford is warranted.

The Sami jumps into the newly-electrified 2021 Ford Escape PHEV, and wonders if this vehicle was made to satisfy an eco-cred quotient, or if it had an intended target in the market. With 37 miles of consistent electric range to compare to the Tucson PHEVs 33 and RAV4 Prime's 42, is the Escape a happy medium between the two?

Finally, the pair dive into a new segment this week, talking about an entire class of vehicle that eluded the North American market—the kei cars of Japan—before wrapping things up with a BMW M book review and a listener question. Tons of stuff to listen to this week, but don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments!

Links:

]]> Benjamin talks about his experience in the new 2021 Ford Bronco Wildrak, and explores how the Blue Oval has worked to keep up with the legacy and momentum of the Jeep Wrangler. Was the Wrangler as easy of a target as Ford thought it was? Benjamin decides whether the Bronco beats its Jeep bogey in any meaningful way, and whether the hype machine surrounding the Ford is warranted.

The Sami jumps into the newly-electrified 2021 Ford Escape PHEV, and wonders if this vehicle was made to satisfy an eco-cred quotient, or if it had an intended target in the market. With 37 miles of consistent electric range to compare to the Tucson PHEVs 33 and RAV4 Prime's 42, is the Escape a happy medium between the two?

Finally, the pair dive into a new segment this week, talking about an entire class of vehicle that eluded the North American market—the kei cars of Japan—before wrapping things up with a BMW M book review and a listener question. Tons of stuff to listen to this week, but don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments!

Links:

]]> Episode 252: 2022 Volvo XC60 B6, 2021 Toyota Prius Prime https://www.unnamedautomotivepodcast.com/252 ecd824ed-ab92-473d-ab48-f09911da2cb4 Sun, 05 Dec 2021 08:00:00 -0500 Unnamed Automotive Podcast full Unnamed Automotive Podcast While our hosts can sometimes be a bit nit-picky, this week's episode brings real criticism to a pair of disappointing 2022 models. First Sami discusses the 2022 Volvo XC60 B6, which gets a fresh infotainment system, new electrical system and a weird naming scheme for its motors. Then Benjamin gets in the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime, a plug-in version of everyone's favorite hybrid. Despite the not quite freezing temperatures, Benjamin's feeling cold as ICE towards the Japanese PHEV, and has plenty of reasons to be upset. Listen here! 34:28 no On this week's episode our hosts dive deep into a pair of cars that struggle to impress. First Sami describes the mild updates to the 2022 Volvo XC60 B6, which gets a new Johan De Nysschen-like nomenclature to go along with a Google-branded operating system and a beefy 48-volt electrical system. Is the twin-charged motor and minimalist styling enough to save this Swedish luxury crossover from Sami's ire and discontent? Next, Benjamin gets his hands on the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime, a plug-in variant of the popular, yet one-note hybrid. Listen to how Benjamin's frustrating experience with the car's electric range fails to match up with its advertised figures, then hear his one weird trick to using as little gas as possible. Don't forget to visit unnamedautomotivepodcast.com to get in touch with us or check out past episodes. Volvo, XC60, Toyota, Prius, Prime, Prius Prime, PHEV, plug-in hybrid, car talk, truck talk, SUV talk, EV talk, EV, car podcast, truck podcast, EV podcast, SUV podcast On this week's episode our hosts dive deep into a pair of cars that struggle to impress. First Sami describes the mild updates to the 2022 Volvo XC60 B6, which gets a new Johan De Nysschen-like nomenclature to go along with a Google-branded operating system and a beefy 48-volt electrical system. Is the twin-charged motor and minimalist styling enough to save this Swedish luxury crossover from Sami's ire and discontent?

Next, Benjamin gets his hands on the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime, a plug-in variant of the popular, yet one-note hybrid. Listen to how Benjamin's frustrating experience with the car's electric range fails to match up with its advertised figures, then hear his one weird trick to using as little gas as possible.

Don't forget to visit unnamedautomotivepodcast.com to get in touch with us or check out past episodes.

Links:

]]> On this week's episode our hosts dive deep into a pair of cars that struggle to impress. First Sami describes the mild updates to the 2022 Volvo XC60 B6, which gets a new Johan De Nysschen-like nomenclature to go along with a Google-branded operating system and a beefy 48-volt electrical system. Is the twin-charged motor and minimalist styling enough to save this Swedish luxury crossover from Sami's ire and discontent?

Next, Benjamin gets his hands on the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime, a plug-in variant of the popular, yet one-note hybrid. Listen to how Benjamin's frustrating experience with the car's electric range fails to match up with its advertised figures, then hear his one weird trick to using as little gas as possible.

Don't forget to visit unnamedautomotivepodcast.com to get in touch with us or check out past episodes.

Links:

]]> Episode 232: 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Plug-In Hybrid, IROC Porsche Book Review https://www.unnamedautomotivepodcast.com/232 a14f7933-b319-4912-8c8c-0f7a90822e73 Sun, 11 Jul 2021 08:00:00 -0400 Unnamed Automotive Podcast full Unnamed Automotive Podcast Benjamin and Sami both drive the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid and try to figure out who this electrified 4x4 is for. Plus: a deep dive into the first year of IROC racing with a Porsche-focused book review. 40:48 no A plug-in Wrangler is finally here, and Benjamin and Sami both get behind the wheel to try and make sense of the 2021 Jeep Wranger 4xe. Is the world ready for silent running on the off-road trail? Benjamin also reviews 'The Iroc Porsches,' a beautifully illustrated book that takes a deep dive into the first season of the International Race of Champions and the Porsche 911 RSR that ran it. Jeep, Wrangler, 4xe, plug-in hybrid, EV, Porsche, IROC, book review, car talk, SUV talk, truck talk, EV talk, car podcast, truck podcast, SUV podcast A plug-in Wrangler is finally here, and Benjamin and Sami both get behind the wheel to try and make sense of the 2021 Jeep Wranger 4xe. Is the world ready for silent running on the off-road trail? Benjamin also reviews 'The Iroc Porsches,' a beautifully illustrated book that takes a deep dive into the first season of the International Race of Champions and the Porsche 911 RSR that ran it.

Links:

]]> A plug-in Wrangler is finally here, and Benjamin and Sami both get behind the wheel to try and make sense of the 2021 Jeep Wranger 4xe. Is the world ready for silent running on the off-road trail? Benjamin also reviews 'The Iroc Porsches,' a beautifully illustrated book that takes a deep dive into the first season of the International Race of Champions and the Porsche 911 RSR that ran it.

Links:

]]> Episode 205: 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e, 2021 Toyota Avalon AWD, Listener Questions https://www.unnamedautomotivepodcast.com/205 fb080e89-a07e-4503-9412-ec5078eefca2 Sun, 03 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0500 Unnamed Automotive Podcast full Unnamed Automotive Podcast Benjamin discovers that the plug-in hybrid version of the 2021 BMW X5 might be better than the hardcore M model, while Sami tries to figure out who, exactly, is lining up to buy the modest all-wheel driver version of the 2021 Toyota Avalon. Plus, listener questions answered! 39:20 no Is a plug-in hybrid edition of BMW's popular X5 SUV even better to drive than the high-horsepower M version? That's the surprising conclusion Benjamin is forced to reckon with after an extended period behind the wheel of the 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e. Sami then attempts to solve the puzzle of the 2021 Toyota Avalon AWD, a full-size model that drops power but adds traction in a bid to appeal to...who, exactly? Finally, the pair answer their first batch of listener questions for the year. BMW, X5, X5 M, 45e, xDrive45e, PHEV, plug-in hybrid, Toyota, Avalon, Avalon AWD, SUV, SUV podcast, car podcast, truck podcast Is a plug-in hybrid edition of BMW's popular X5 SUV even better to drive than the high-horsepower M version? That's the surprising conclusion Benjamin is forced to reckon with after an extended period behind the wheel of the 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e. Sami then attempts to solve the puzzle of the 2021 Toyota Avalon AWD, a full-size model that drops power but adds traction in a bid to appeal to...who, exactly? Finally, the pair answer their first batch of listener questions for the year.

]]> Is a plug-in hybrid edition of BMW's popular X5 SUV even better to drive than the high-horsepower M version? That's the surprising conclusion Benjamin is forced to reckon with after an extended period behind the wheel of the 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e. Sami then attempts to solve the puzzle of the 2021 Toyota Avalon AWD, a full-size model that drops power but adds traction in a bid to appeal to...who, exactly? Finally, the pair answer their first batch of listener questions for the year.

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