2026 Consumer Guide Best Buys

2026 Consumer Guide Best Buys

Author: Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo May 26, 2026 Duration: 1:04:55
Jill and Tom share thoughts on every vehicle on the 2026 Consumer Guide Best Buy list.

Ever find yourself wondering about the difference between hybrid and electric, or how to actually negotiate at a dealership without feeling awkward? That's the kind of ground Car Stuff Podcast covers, without the jargon or the snooze factor. Hosts Tom Appel and Jill Ciminillo, the editors from Consumer Guide Automotive, bring their decades of experience to your headphones, but it feels more like a casual, informative chat in a garage. They're not just talking specs; they're talking about the real experience of buying, owning, and loving cars. Each episode dives into practical topics like new-model reviews and used-car shopping strategies, but also explores the fun side of automotive culture, from classic car restorations to the future of self-driving tech. The conversation is grounded in expertise but delivered with a genuine, often comedic rapport that makes even the most technical discussions accessible. You'll hear from industry guests who offer insider perspectives, making this podcast a well-rounded resource. Whether you're a daily commuter, a weekend tinkerer, or just someone who appreciates the role cars play in our lives, this show connects those interests with clarity and a good dose of humor. It’s the automotive advice you need, served up in a way you’ll actually enjoy listening to.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Car Stuff Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Nissan Kicks Review, Confused by the Hemi, Boldy Looking into 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:49
For the first show of 2026, Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill who is traveling. Paul and Tom address a number of topics to open the show, including annoying helper AI bots on dealership websites, the dea…
Failing EV Startups, Redesigned Kia Seltos, Chicago Auto Show News [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:45
Jill and Tom open this week’s show acknowledging that Vietnamese EV startup VinFast is likely to cease U.S. operations in the very near future. The hosts also note that another EV startup, Bollinger Motors, has called it…
Polestar Price Cuts, Ram 2500 Review, Best Films of the Past 40 Years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:49
Jill and Tom open the show by discussing the recently rolled-back federal fuel-economy standards, and the implication for carmakers in the near term. Tom then shares—to his great amusement--the long, complicated, and mul…
Lucid Gravity Review, Jeep Recon Reveal, Winter Driving Deep Dive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:27
Jill and Tom open the show acknowledging a listener’s concerns regarding recent donut selections by Tom. This involves an apology to Producer Randy. (See the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page for pictures of recent donut s…
BMW X3, Future of Hands Free Driving, Jeep's New Engine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:38
Jill and Tom open the show accepting the challenge of a listener. Tom was tasked to purchase more exciting donuts than the usual collection of double chocolates and powdered cinnamons. Listen in for this week’s expanded…
New Ram SUV, Subaru BRZ Review, Audi's High-Tech Headlights [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:03
Jill and Tom open the show discussing Tom’s take on the future of Apple CarPlay. You can read Tom’s recent blog post on the topic here. The hosts also discuss Ram’s new SUV, which is due sometime as a 2028 model. Expect…