Then Benjamin shares his thoughts on the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. It's the most powerful Crosstrek yet, and is barely the most efficient, but theres more to the story than that. Hear the full review to learn more! Thanks for listening!

Links:

• Benjamin's new comic book, Dead Air #3, is on Kickstarter now! — What if one day a year, you could talk to the dead? Check out Dead Air on Kickstarter!
• 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 reviews the 2025 Subaru WRX tS, and can't stop bringing up his memories of the STI brand. While all kinds of sport compact newcomers keep popping up in the world the old WRX STI used to dominate, Subaru instead holds back, delivering a few upgrades for a lot of money. Why is Subaru limiting itself?

Finally, our hosts tackle the complex issue of JLR's cybersecurity hack, which has cost the company about $2B in damages and lost sales. Yikes! Why isn't anyone else talking about this? 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 Sami brings up the 2025 Lincoln Aviator he recently piloted for a wintery getaway. Loaded with massage seats, hands-free driving technology, and tons of creature comforts, he seemed impressed, until he checked out the rest of the Lincoln lineup, and remembered the PHEV model from the past... Is the Aviator caught in a holding pattern? Then the guys quickly discuss a listener comment before signing off. 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.

Then Sami shares his thoughts on the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, which changes the older FJ formula to something less capable and less luxurious than Americans are used to. Beyond that, Sami points out the difficult to swallow pricing of the new Land Cruiser and how it stacks up against other rugged SUVs.

Then the guys talk about the quality and pricing of cars following the COVID Pandemic, and whether consumers can head into a dealership and get a good deal right now. 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.

Then Benjamin climbs into the cab of a 2024 Toyota Tacoma Limited Hybrid, and put it through its paces doing truck stuff. Loaded with tons of power from its i-Force Max drivetrain, the new Hybrid Taco is among the punchiest mid-size trucks on the market, but this model may be plagued by some first year issues and bugs. 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.

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 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.

Then Sami, noted Outback enthusiast and serial owner, talks about the 2024 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition, which he isn't recommending to new car shoppers. He lists why, and the guys go on their own journey to find acceptable Outback alternatives.

Finally the pair discuss some news from Ford about the brand cutting a much loved/maligned feature from their future cars. Be sure to reach out to us on social media or check out our website for more Unnamed Automotive Podcast news.

Links:

• Check Out Benjamin's New Comic Book On Kickstarter: Dead Air Issue #1 — Dead Air Issue #1-2 is LIVE on Kickstarter!
• Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.

First up Benjamin has plenty to say about the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4Matic SUV. Despite its wacky name, this all-electric SUV should be a highlight in the world of luxury EVs, but there are a few factors that stand in its way, including its price, performance and technology. It all has our hosts asking: "How much is that three-pointed star badge really worth?"

Then Sami chimes in with his experience in the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport, and compares it to the recently reviewed 2024 Hyundai Kona. To make things extra-thorough, Benjamin discusses his time in the 2024 Crosstrek base model, and the two come to many of the same conclusions, which, given the long history of this podcast, is very rare.

Thanks for listening and be sure to drop us a note on our website or socials! And if you can, please donate to help fellow auto journalist Jason Torchinsky with the unexpected medical costs he and his family are now facing. Link below!

Links:

• Jason Torchinsky Medical Expenses GoFundMe — Fellow auto journalist Jason Torchinsky's GoFundMe campaign to cover unexpected emergency medical expenses.

Then the guys talk about their own recent car buying experiences, and why they struggled to find the perfect fit for their needs among their enthusiast mindsets. But Benjamin closes the episode by talking about his new addition to his garage and why it may be such a surprise to listeners!

Thanks for listening to this week's episode, we can't wait to get you all another fun episode next week!

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 brings up the 2023 Acura Integra, something both of our hosts have tested and have many thoughts about. Ben raves about the manual transmission while diving deep into the sport-compact luxury market, as Sami says Honda and Acura are on a downward spiral, minimizing its enthusiast appeal by limiting and hiding features to different badges.

To close off the podcast, the guys laugh at the latest VinFast gaffe. Thanks for listening, don't forget to message us on our socials to stay in touch!

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.
• Check Out Benjamin's New Comic Book On Kickstarter: Dead Air Issue #1 — What if one day a year, every year, you could talk to the dead? It's 90's college radio sci-fi with a soundtrack!

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!

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 brings up the 2023 Subaru Legacy XT, also known as the sedan counterpart of the popular and instantly recognizable Subaru Outback. Benjamin's time in the Legacy brought out many existential questions like 'is this car good?' 'why does this car matter?' and 'who is buying this car?' which could only be worked through on this week's episode of the podcast. Be sure to listen and chime in later.

Finally, the guys talk about armored and bullet-proof vehicles, , what's involved in building them, and who needs such a service. Be sure to listen, review, subscribe and reach out to us on social media or our website.

Links:

• So You Want to Buy an Armored Car? — Americans of all stripes, from wealthy executives to blue-collar preppers, are increasingly interested in these tactical vehicles, so we got the lowdown from a leading manufacturer
• 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 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:

• 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 "Racing With Rich Energy" Book Here — Click here to learn more about the Racing With Rich Energy book and pick up your own copy.
• Test Drive Review: Is the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Still Relevant As An Affordable EV? — Yesterday's latest and greatest very quickly becomes today's old hat, especially in the fast-paced world of electric vehicles.

Lots of fun talk about the latest and greatest cars, including fun stories, retrospectives and hot takes. Subscribe and listen!

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.

First Sami describes his time in the 2022 Subaru WRX, which gets a new look and motor, along with a redesigned cabin. Since there's no high end STI anymore, can the WRX carry the performance crown with its meagre setup? Sami and Benjamin talk about the company, CVTs, driving feel and refinement before adding another experience to the mix.

Extra discussion arrives with the introduction of the 2022 VW Golf R, which is more expensive and more powerful than the WRX, but delivers a less authentic sport compact feel. Sami says it's high end and high tech, but the car has some significant issues, especially with its user interface.

You'll want to hear all the juicy details from this week's episode and don't forget to subscribe so you get the latest episode as soon as it's available. 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.

Then Benjamin takes a walk on the wild side with the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness, an all-new trim package that boasts several off road modifications, similar to last year's Outback Wilderness. He seems pretty impressed with the effort applied by Subaru but he eventually gets pulled into a conversation about who exactly this crossover is made for.

Finally the duo discuss an interview on The Verge with Ola Källenius, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz where the concepts of legacy and marketing collide in predictably awkward fashion.

Drop in, listen, subscribe and stay in touch! Thanks for listening to the Unnamed Automotive Podcast!

Links:

• How Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius is refocusing for an electric future — I had to ask Ola about Apple’s recent announcement that the next version of CarPlay would be able to take over every display in the car, including the instrument cluster. Apple showed a Mercedes logo on a slide during that presentation — so, is Ola ready to hand over his UI to Cupertino?
• Review: 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness Adds Trail-Friendly Features For Compact Crossover SUV Fans — How does the Forester Wilderness compare to its Outback predecessor? And where does Subaru's latest fit in with the growing compact crowd at the trailhead?
• Like what you hear? Tip us at Ko-Fi — Send a dollar our way using Ko-Fi to help support the Unnamed Automotive Podcast.

Benjamin jumps in to talk about empeegees with the 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV. Is its teeny turbo gas engine and electric drivetrain enough to motivate this three row, six passenger SUV? Ben talks about efficiency and performance, and how they balance out the styling and pricing of the new model.

Finally the duo answer questions from listeners about new age parking strategies and the Dodge Journey. Listen, subscribe, and enjoy!

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 the duo rip through some of the hot news in the automotive industry. Specifically, there's super-sad information about the next generation Subaru WRX STI, and all the juicy details about the new Acura Integra. Finally, Benjamin takes Sami for a spin with his version of This-or-That, called That-or-This.

Listen through, and don't forget to send us your thoughts on the episode through social media or our website www.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.

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.

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.

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

Later, Sami changes his mind about Subaru's midsized crossover and goes full-Sasquatch for the 2021 Subaru Outback Wilderness trim, which he says is what the model should have been in the first place. Now we all know what to get Sami for Christmas: more plastic body cladding.

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.
• Review: The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Is No Blast From the Past — Forget heritage: Jeep is after your Escalade money

Then it's time to answer some (non-personal) listener questions, before going off on yet another tangent about something completely unrelated.

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.
• Review: The 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Is a Beauty Among Beasts — Somewhere in the multiverse there exists a timeline where Lexus went all-in on design at the turn of the millennium, allowing it to build up to a car as staggeringly beautiful as the 2021 Lexus LC 500 rather than delivering it out of nowhere like a surprise shock to the optic nerve.

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.

The two then discuss CES, how Benjamin hates it so much that it once sent him into a career-questioning tailspin in a Las Vegas hotel room, and how terrible it is that companies like Cadillac are bringing windowless autonomous pods to the digital-only show. The pair wrap things up with a review of TWR's Le Mans-Winning Jaguars by John Starkey.

Links:

• TWR's Le Mans-Winning Jaguars — Written by John Starkey, and available from Veloce Publishing. ISBN 978-1-787115-68-2.

Links:

• Code 45 - Benjamin's graphic novel!

Links:

• Code 45 - Benjamin's graphic novel!

The pair also discuss the 2020 Subaru WRX, and try to decide just where this somewhat older high performance sedan fits in the world of compact turbocharged rockets.

Links:

• 2020 Chevrolet Corvette First Drive — Years from now, automotive enthusiasts look back on the 2020 model year as the chronological cut-line dividing two very different schools of sports car philosophy. On one side, receding ever more rapidly into the distance, are the champions of driver involvement, visceral sensation, and the ability to occasionally colour outside the lines by way of great big streaks of black rubber. On the other lies the current zeitgeist of carefully curated speed experiences engineered primarily to produce impressive on-paper numbers coupled with squeaky-clean asphalt performance.
• Code 45 - Benjamin's graphic novel! — The Kickstarter campaign for Benjamin's graphic novel, Code 45, starts March 3! Click the link to find out more.

This weeks episode is brought to you by the new Roland Gumpert Nathalie. To learn more go to https://www.rolandgumpert.com/en/

Links:

• Roland Gumpert Natalie — This weeks episode is brought to you by the new electric Roland Gumpert Nathalie.
• Code 45 - Benjamin's graphic novel! — The Kickstarter campaign for Benjamin's graphic novel, Code 45, starts March 3! Click the link to find out more.

Links:

• 2019 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R REVIEW: HOT HATCH OR SLEEPER AGENT? — What if Volkswagen's intentions were to play the long game by creating a compact Q-ship, an executive car experience in hatchback form that defied the expectations of what was possible at the peak of the entry-level?
• 2019 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI VS. 2019 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R: COMPARING THE GERMAN HOT HATCH TWINS HEAD-TO-HEAD — Should you save your pennies and dimes in anticipation of a Golf R down payment, or would you be nearly as happy snagging a GTI and enjoying the savings instead? I drove each of these mighty 'Dubs back to back to bring you the answer.

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.

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