Unnamed Automotive Podcast

This week the Unnamed Automotive Podcast delivers a two pronged approach to the 2027 Subaru Uncharted, a new EV for the Japanese brand that is basically the Toyota C-HR with a different front end design. Both Sami and Benjamin share their take on the new Toyobaru EV, and come up with the same conclusions about its price, performance, size and efficiency. The guys discuss whether this really is a Subaru or not and how it manages to fit in the Subaru lineup. And naturally, Benjamin discussed the fast charging experience and continuing NACS adapter headaches. Then Benjamin talks about his road trip experience in the incredibly powerful 2026 BMW i4 M60. With tons of performance and excellent range Benjamin expands his review to discuss how the car looks, turns heads and starts discussions at public charging stations. Also he found some BYD engineers testing cars, so he talks about that too! Then the guys give some updates on Benjamin's Datsun and Sami's car buying long list. Thanks for listening!

The Unnamed Automotive Podcast returns this week with a review of the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V, a higher performance version of the mid-size crossover. Packing more power but asking for more dollars is a tough thing when EVs are already plenty quick. Benjamin breaks it down and explains whether this version of the Caddy is the one you want, or if you should stick with the other models instead. He also tackles some listener feedback about the Lyriq, including some experiences that we just don't get a chance to encounter during our review timeframes. Then Sami jumps into the saddle of the 2026 Ford Bronco Heritage Edition, which is loud, inefficient and cumbersome, but finds it delightfully endearing for Ford buyers who want something off-road oriented. Our hosts struggle to find out what makes the Bronco gain an advantage over other off-roaders, but wonder if that's ok in the long run. Then we discuss some listener feedback about the Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf, before Sami goes on to discuss some more cars he's thinking of replacing his FRS with. Thanks for listening!

Can a car be good but also get a bad review? The Unnamed Automotive Podcast gets its hands on the already cancelled 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, which is an affordable, useful EV, but as Benjamin explains, comes with some serious baggage in the form of charging issues. Then Sami reviews the 2026 Acura MDX Type-S, which feels 'good enough' but is up against some tough rivals that offer more space, tech, power, and refinement. This discussion leads the hosts to try to pinpoint Acuras position in the automotive world, and highlight another automaker, Genesis, who is seemingly doing everything right with the reveal of a new flagship SUV. Thanks for listening!

The show starts with Sami reviewing the 2026 Toyota 4Runner, with his tester featuring limited equipment and the entry-level powertrain. How does this impact his impression? Quite a bit, it seems! Then the show pivots to EVs with Benjamin's review of the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker, which looks good but can't seem to shake a few significant concerns. Then Sami's weekly feature returns with his inspection of a manual, all wheel drive sedan. Thanks for listening! Note: We reached out to Subaru to confirm the Trailseeker's battery size as 74.7 km. This makes Benjamin and Sami's observed range 389 km / 243 miles, versus the advertised up to 444 kms and 281 miles (depending on wheel size). It's a drop of 14 percent.

Ladies and gentlemen, Sami is BACK! Our dedicated host has returned after witnessing the birth of his child, and is here to talk about cars, toddlers and EVs! This week's show begins with Benjamin's review of the 2026 Kia EV5, an electric car that isn't coming to the US but will land in Canada, allowing us to get a glimpse of what kind of affordable EVs Americans are missing out on. Then Sami reviews the 2026 Honda Civic Sport Hybrid Touring, which he'd describe as an absolute peach, with just one fatal flaw: its price. Is this an adequate replacement for the Si? Would you take MPGs or a MT? The guys try to figure it out. Finally, Sami tries to introduce a new weekly segment where he tries to figure out what his next possible family friendly car will be. Thanks for listening!

With Sami taking a break to welcome his new child into the world. guest host Chad Kirchner drops by to talk about the Rivian R2 EV - and to endure Benjamin's endless digressions about diesel trucks, towing, and, for some reason, Alaska.

When a three-row crossover advertises big towing figures, you just know that the Unnamed Automotive Podcast will have something to say about it. This week, Benjamin reviews the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder, which promotes a 6,000 lbs tow rating. Benjamin puts the crossover through its paces with and without a load to let you know how it fares. Also, while on the subject on the Pathfinder, our hosts discuss the pros and cons of its future, and whether it will succeed with a body on frame future, or if it makes any difference at all. Then the guys share some listener feedback about the Dodge Charger and its platform/suspension history. Thanks for listening!

The Unnamed Automotive Podcast gets its first taste of Lotus this week as Benjamin test drives the new Eletre. This large electric SUV might not be the most Lotus thing you could think of, but it represents a new chapter of the automaker, one that has left Benjamin with many thoughts and impressions that he is keen to share. Then Sami reviews the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport, a car he had trouble understanding in the past, but now totally gets, especially in light of all these other fake off-road trims that have come out. With a bunch of upgrades and features, the Bronco Sport stands out, but is a bit expensive. Sami details more Pros and Cons in his full take of this cute-ute. Thanks for listening!

The show starts with Sami's thorough review of the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker, an electric wagon that shares its bones with the Toyota bZ Woodland. Can a Subaru feel like the rest of its family while being so closely related to a Toyota, or does no one actually care if it feels all that different from an Outback or Forester? Then Benjamin pilots the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata around the rural backroads to find his happy place. A focused machine with no true rivals, Benjamin has plenty to say about the latest Miata, with a mostly positive spin. Finally Benjamin gives us an update on the new Hankook Ventus tires fitted to his Subaru Outback, and responds to some listener feedback. Thanks for listening!

The Unnamed Automotive Podcast open-door policy is in full effect as we welcome another great guest, journalist Bradley Iger, who jumps in to discuss the unbelievably cool, made-in-America Czinger 21C VMax hypercar. Beyond its amazing looks and incredible design philosophy, Iger talks about what it's like to pilot one of these legitimate racecar for the streets from the centre seat. Then Benjamin chimes in to review the 2026 Ram 2500 Laramie, which was tasked with his own racecar towing duties. How'd the big diesel truck fare when dealing with the long road between Montreal and Toronto? Maybe a better question is, how did Benjamin deal with a track day gone wrong, and how has that changed his outlook on the sport? Finally, our hosts discussed the 2026 Dodge Charger one more time, this time with Bradley's perspective of being a multiple-time owner of the previous generation Dodges. What was the American automaker going for, and what mishaps further explain just how compromised this car really is? Thanks for listening!

Welcome guest Chad Kirchner on this week's episode which is loaded with all kinds of interesting car discussion. The show starts off with Benjamin's review of the 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, which boasts a 550 horsepower inline six cylinder engine. However, Ben notes some important details about the size of this new muscle-y car, and suggests that it's stuck in a sort of limbo with few actual customers and rivals. Then Chad reports on the newly detailed Slate Auto's EV pickup truck. Now with an official price, and list of features (or features missing), our round table can really begin. How influential will this startup be, when it lacks a paint job, radio, and power windows? Are other automakers checking their rear view mirrors about the Slate truck? Chad shares his thoughts and more! Thanks for listening!

The Unnamed Automotive Podcast goes full EV this week, starting with Benjamin's review of the 2026 Honda Accord Hybrid. He says it's not dull, or bland, but NORMCORE, whatever that means. Well, let him explain! It seems to do everything it needs to and can maybe even out-do its crossover cousins across the Honda showroom in a few things, like, say fuel economy. It's an interesting review of a sedan when there's so few to choose from in the first place. Then Sami revisits the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid. Following Benjamin's positive impression of the Japanese crossover, Sami took it upon himself to compare it to the 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV, to find out if the Mitsubishi is actually good, or just good in a vacuum. Lots of surprises here! Then the show ends on a kind note from a listener. Thanks for listening!

What's this? The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Electric Vehicle has zoomed onto the Unnamed Automotive Podcast for its review? Benjamin has plenty to talk about with this seriously refreshed compact crossover. Loaded with more range, a new interior and that same controversial third row, does this one of a kind PHEV make sense for today's buyers? And what is going on at Mitsubishi these days anyways? Then Sami talks quickly about the 2026 Genesis Electrified GV70, before quickly going on a tangent about weird car features that haven't been perfected and what that means for a mature market like the automotive industry. Thanks for listening everyone!

When a car is reviewed so well that one of our hosts actually considers buying one, you know its going to be a good podcast discussion. This week starts off with such talk with Benjamin's review of the 2026 GMC Canyon AT4, which was so perfectly suited for his lifestyle that he seriously pulled up the spreadsheets and budgets to see if it could work for him. Hear what makes this truck so good, and maybe one of the best mid-size trucks on the market. Then Sami jumps in with a review of the only-for-Canada (so far) 2026 Kia EV4, something he said was revolting to look at when Benjamin reviewed it last month, but now has much more to talk about after testing it for a week. He dishes his pros and cons with this affordable EV and comes out feeling pretty good about the state of entry-level electric cars. Thanks for listening!

The Unnamed Automotive Podcast gets deep into it this week, with a "review" of the impressive and high end 2026 Land Rover Defender Octa, a performance oriented version of the off road SUV. While Jaguar and Range Rover get the SV treatment for their high output models, Defender gets an Octa badge, though it features the same BMW sourced turbo V8 and 6D suspension as the Range Rover Sport SV. Which JLR super SUV camp do you belong to? What makes a six figure SUV special? What differentiates this from a G63 AMG? Then Benjamin checks out the 2026 Buick Encore GX, a subcompact crossover that used to represent the growth of the American premium brand, but now seems a bit dated compared to other Buick vehicles. Benjamin explains it all with careful perspective of where the Encore stands with the impressive Envista sitting next to it. Then the show introduces a new concept: tire testing! Benjamin throws on some new summer rubber on his Daily Driver and can't wait to tell you the results. Thanks for listening!

Has the Unnamed Automotive Podcast really never reviewed a Volkswagen Jetta? That's situation has been resolved, and Benjamin has a full and thorough test of the German compact car, as Sami asks him tons of questions. What makes the Jetta a worthy pick over other small sedans? And how does it compare to hybrid options out there? Benjamin has plenty answers as we review this sedan for the first time ever. Then Sami checks out the 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor, an off road variant of the three-row crossover that replaces the old Timberline trim. Packed with a 3.0L turbocharged engine, the Ford Explorer has plenty of cool features and equipment, but Sami was really caught off guard by the hands-free driving tech. Thanks for listening!

The Unnamed Automtoive Podcast jumps back into the subcompact sphere and gets to review the 2026 Volkswagen Taos. Benjamin wonders what the correct pronounciation of the crossover is, then gets into the nitty gritty about the pros and cons of this small, but steady SUV. They also talk about what makes for a good subcompact crossover, and what doesn't make the cut. Then Sami brings up some recent harrowing news about Honda, and the weird pricing strategy over at Toyota regarding its three-row crossovers. Thanks for listening!

What's the deal with the Jeep Grand Wagoneer? The Unnamed Automotive Podcast thoroughly explores the 2026 model which has a new design, revised lineup, reduced powertrain options and a million screens. Sami's review is all encompassing though he brings up a lot of competitors in the space. 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!

Benjamin's 2026 Kia EV4 review may leave our American listeners confused since it isn't coming the the US market, but the Canadians get to enjoy this weird looking EV and its several positives. It looks good, has pretty good range and an attractive pricetag, so whats the catch? Then Sami reviews the 2026 Lexus TX with seven seats, and he gets to use all seven of those luxury-lined seats. The review leaves Benjamin and Sami wondering what other true three-row luxury crossovers are out there, and which ones can compete at the TX's price point. Thanks for listening!

How do you create a toddlers core memory? The Unnamed Automotive Podcast discusses Sami taking his son to see Monster Jam when it crashes and bashes into town. Hear how a child—who believes all trucks are monster trucks—can still enjoy the spectacle of jumbo-sized motorsports. Then Benjamin reviews the significantly redesigned and upgraded 2026 Toyota bZ, and has many things to say about it, both positive and negative! Is the bump in power and range really noticable? What about all of the bZs rivals? Benjamin shares his thoughts and more. Thanks for listening!