Auto Buyers Guide Podcast
Auto Buyers Guide Podcast
Auto Buyers Guide
ABG Pod Live Show - Alex Does Q&A!
53 minutes Posted Feb 9, 2026 at 6:57 pm.
– Welcome & live show setup00:02 – Massive list of vehicles canceled for 202604:45 – Audience Q&A begins04:55 – Why there’s no 2026 Kia EV6 yet05:36 – Kia & Hyundai’s electric future in the U.S.06:21 – EV demand slowdown, tax credits, and pricing math07:06 – Toyota warns of multiple price hikes due to tariffs07:27 – Volvo wagons: why they stopped working in the U.S.08:17 – Refresh vs redesign: when automakers stretch platforms09:51 – Are plug-in hybrids dying in America?11:09 – Europe vs U.S. plug-in hybrid reality check13:20 – GM, Mary Barra, and plug-in hybrid data15:09 – Aston Vantage vs Porsche 911 ownership advice16:29 – When (or if) $25,000 EVs will exist18:09 – Used Mercedes EQ vs Audi e-tron reliability18:58 – Why minivan seats don’t fold flat19:43 – 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander refresh & warranty thoughts20:54 – Blazer EV ownership update (pros, cons, issues)23:46 – Solar, batteries, and Chinese subsidy changes26:01 – Why EVs cost more in the U.S. than Europe28:26 – Automakers writing off billions in EV investments29:14 – Grand Highlander vs Honda Pilot buying advice31:39 – 2026 Jeep Cherokee vs Dodge Durango33:47 – Volvo EX60 vs Rivian R2 expectations36:10 – Polestar 3 vs Volvo EX lineup overlap37:37 – Stellantis product delays and strategy confusion40:31 – Rivian R1T vs Ford Lightning for camping42:04 – Tesla CarPlay rumors & software strategy43:06 – Honda Accord Hybrid MPG limits explained46:00 – Tesla, robotaxis, and the future of carmaking48:02 – Frunks, crash safety, and real-world risks50:34 – Will the Accord ever get AWD?51:52 – RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid: worth the premium?53:36 – Wrap-up and sign-off
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Show notes
It’s a packed Friday live show covering one of the biggest shake-ups in the modern car market: dozens of vehicles disappearing for the 2026 model year. We kick things off with a rapid-fire rundown of discontinued sedans, coupes, EVs, and SUVs—and what those cancellations say about where the industry is heading.
From there, we dive deep into EV demand, plug-in hybrid realities, tariffs, pricing pressure, and federal incentives, plus honest answers to audience questions on everything from Kia and Toyota strategy to Volvo wagons, Stellantis indecision, and the real cost of owning modern EVs.
We also cover:
Why affordable $25,000 EVs are still a long way off
Whether plug-in hybrids actually get plugged in
Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions and CarPlay rumors
Used EV buying advice (Lightning vs Rivian, Audi vs Mercedes)
The future of minivans, wagons, and midsize trucks
As always, this one blends industry analysis with real-world ownership experience and zero PR spin.