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Talking Cars 531: Why Do Cars Do This?! The Things That Irritate CR Experts.

Main theme: On this week’s podcast, we do something a little different. The video crew asked the team at Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center what things really grind their gears in new cars. It is a chance to go behind the scenes at the track and hear from some experts who aren’t regulars on the Talking Cars podcast. And we expect some of these pet peeves frustrate you, as well. . Our team gripes about giant touchscreens, distracti...
Posted:Wed Nov 04 06:00:03 EST 2026

Is an Off-Road Trim Worth Buying on Your Next SUV?

• Automakers are equipping more small and midsized SUVs with off-road trims that add outdoorsy styling and enhanced off-pavement capability• Consumer Reports evaluated seven SUVs with off-road trims, exploring muddy trails at our Auto Test Center and running some of them through our handling and braking tests • Off-road trims come with compromises (price, handling agility, noise), but they also bring personality and heightened ca...
Posted:Tue Nov 03 14:39:12 EST 2026

Toyota Sienna Minivans Recalled to Fix Second-Row Seats

Toyota is recalling over 228,000 Sienna minivans from the 2022 through 2026 model years because their second-row seatbacks could unlock during a crash. Only minivans with seven-passenger seating configurations are included in the recall. MORE ON RECALLS What a Car Recall Notice Means and What to Do. .We Answer Your Car Recall Questions. .Make Sure The Used Car You Want Doesn't Have an Open Recall. The problem has to do with the seat be...
Posted:Fri Oct 30 16:23:10 EDT 2026

Talking Cars 530: Driving the Lexus ES Hybrid

Main theme: In this episode, the podcast panel talks about the 2026 Lexus ES Hybrid. We share our first impressions, discuss how it stacks up against its all-new electric vehicle twin (the Lexus ES 500e), and debate whether the 2026 redesign offers enough improvements over older, popular (and reliable) models from Toyota/Lexus. . Read our Lexus ES Hybrid review. . Audience questions:  • What are the risks of buying a redesigned car i...
Posted:Wed Oct 28 06:00:08 EDT 2026

Hybrids That Save You the Most Money on Gas—and a Few That Don't

When gas prices rise as high as they are now, buyers increasingly look to hybrid cars, trucks, and SUVs that combine gas engines, batteries, and electric motors for significant fuel-economy savings. Although most hybrids cost more than gas-only versions of the same vehicle, their fuel savings are often so significant that hybrids start paying for themselves in just a few years.. Consumer Reports purchases and tests the most popular hybr...
Posted:Tue Oct 27 11:23:01 EDT 2026

Digital vs. Analog: Which Tire Pressure Gauge Is Best?

It’s important to keep your car’s tires properly inflated to achieve optimal performance, safety, and tread life. Without the proper pressure, tires can wear faster and unevenly, waste fuel, and hurt your vehicle’s handling. Tire Pressure Gauges. Picking the Best Tire Pressure Gauge. Stick Tire Pressure Gauges. Dial Tire Pressure Gauges. Digital Tire Pressure Gauges. Tips for Checking Tire Pressure more on tires Best Tire Brands, ...
Posted:Sun Oct 25 06:00:20 EDT 2026

Best Harness-to-Booster Car Seats

Boosters are the final stop on your child’s journey from a rear-facing car seat to a vehicle seat belt.  But choosing a booster seat can feel complicated because there are multiple types, including highback boosters, backless boosters, and highback-to-backless booster seats, and each category has its own pros and cons. . Harnessed boosters, also known as harness-to-booster seats or forward-facing-only combination seats, are a less c...
Posted:Fri Oct 23 16:44:23 EDT 2026

Talking Cars 529: Driving the Toyota RAV4 Woodland

Main theme: This week, we share our impressions of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland. Similar to the Honda CR-V TrailSport Hybrid, Kia Sportage X-Pro, and Subaru Forester Wilderness, the Woodland is the RAV4’s off-road-oriented trim. It benefits from all-terrain tires, an elevated ride height, unique front-end styling, a tow-hitch receiver, Rigid Industries fog lights, and some Woodland-specific interior changes. . Most of the vehicle, t...
Posted:Wed Oct 21 06:00:08 EDT 2026

Preview: 2027 Lincoln Corsair Goes Hybrid-Only

• Starting with the 2027 model year, Lincoln’s smallest SUV comes standard with a hybrid powertrain. • Lincoln now builds the Corsair in China. • The gas-only and plug-in hybrid versions of the Corsair have been discontinued. Starting with the 2027 model year, the Lincoln Corsair—the luxury variant of the to-be-discontinued Ford Escape—becomes yet another car sold as a hybrid by default. Aside from the new powertrain, the la...
Posted:Tue Oct 20 13:19:35 EDT 2026

5 Essential Tips to Protect Your Car on Halloween

Halloween tricks usually start before the holiday, and your car may be the target.. Every October, goblins, ghouls, and pranksters prowl the night and “trick” car owners by hitting their vehicles with eggs, Silly String, smashed pumpkins, and more. If these items are left on a car’s paint too long, they can cause ugly permanent stains that can lower your vehicle’s resale value. Specifically, egg whites, pumpkin guts, bird droppi...
Posted:Tue Oct 20 06:00:19 EDT 2026

Smart Road Tips for Halloween to Keep Drivers and Pedestrians Safe

Ghosts, witches, superheroes, and other costumed children will soon be wandering along the roads this Halloween looking for candy and treats. Vehicular safety may not be their top concern, but it should be yours. It’s important that drivers remain vigilant and keep an eye out for children darting into the road, crossing parking lots, or strolling along the streets. . The scary reality is that Halloween has been one of the deadliest d...
Posted:Tue Oct 20 06:00:15 EDT 2026

How to Sell Your Car to an Online Dealer for the Most Money

There are several ways to sell your car: privately to a buyer, trade it in at a dealership, or sell it online to a used-car retailer.. Each method offers a different balance of hassle versus the amount of money you can expect to receive for the sale. Posting your own listing and meeting in person with private buyers takes time, but it usually earns the most money. Trade-ins are faster but likely will not earn you as much money. ICOs. H...
Posted:Sun Oct 18 06:00:13 EDT 2026

Most Fuel-Efficient 5-Year-Old Hybrid Cars for 2026

Consumer Reports’ auto experts regularly advise buyers that getting a well-maintained 5-year-old vehicle is a smart move. By that stage, it has undergone a significant portion of its depreciation. Cars from 2021 were designed recently enough that their performance in our objective track tests is on a par with brand-new models, particularly when it comes to fuel economy. . In addition, these cars and hatchbacks are equipped with most o...
Posted:Sat Oct 17 06:00:20 EDT 2026

Talking Cars 528: Driving the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness

Main theme: Consumer Reports is getting busy with soft roaders. You know what they are: a Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, or, in this case, a Subaru Crosstrek with all-terrain tires, a slightly raised ride height, and some extra body cladding to make it more off-road-ready. These SUVs aren’t taking on the same challenging terrain as a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, but they’re better equipped for fire roads and rougher stuff than their mild...
Posted:Wed Oct 14 06:00:02 EDT 2026

Preview: 2028 Volkswagen ID.Tiguan Reimagines the ID.4 Electric SUV

• The Volkswagen ID.Tiguan replaces the ID.4.• Many changes aim to improve usability, addressing prior issues with non-conventional controls. • Details have been released for the European market, but U.S. plans have yet to be announced.. The Volkswagen ID.Tiguan is the successor to the retired ID.4 electric SUV. This next-generation model has been unveiled for the European market, although exact configurations and timing for the ...
Posted:Tue Oct 13 15:04:24 EDT 2026