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Have you always wanted a sports car, but couldn’t commit because you need a family hauler? Well, thankfully Executive Editor, Brian Moody, and his buddies over at Autotrader.com have come up with a list of the best high performance SUVs on the market. Just remember, when you’re talking SUVs like the 576 HP Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63, and the 707 HP Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, you need to be prepared to spend more to get more. Then, we chat with Brian about Lincoln’s effective rebranding, and the future of hydrogen powered cars. Up next, Cartender Co-Founder and automotive journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy III, reviews the 2020 Nissan Versa and 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. One of these is not like the other, in that it is able to pack a lot of value into its asking price, while the other falls flat. Then, we discuss Alan’s offer from Toyota to receive serial number 1500 for his new Toyota GR Supra. Changing gears, NASCAR Personality and Former Host of Top Gear, Rutledge Wood, discusses his involvement with the awesome new Netflix automotive show, Hyperdrive. This mix of Ninja Warrior and car culture is a must see! Switching lanes, automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, reviews the 2019 Hyundai Tucson Ultimate; for $32,000 fully loaded, this thing is a bargain! Then, we discuss the difficulties of car shopping when you know too much about cars, and the tragic passing of the fastest woman on four wheels, Jessi Combs. Rest in peace Jessi, you were the best.

·[00:00:00] Autotrader High Performance SUV List
·[00:06:22] Lincoln’s Rebranding Has Been Effective
·[00:12:30] Hydrogen Powered Cars Still a Thing?
·[00:19:51] 2020 Nissan Versa, and Ride Sharing
·[00:29:26] Overpriced 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
·[00:35:52] Toyota GR Supra Serial Number 1500
·[00:42:13] Hyperdrive: Car World’s Ninja Warrior
·[00:48:11] Drivers Compete on Hyperdrive for WHAT?
·[00:54:44] Netflix Shining Light On Car Culture
·[01:02:05] 2019 Hyundai Tucson Ultimate Review
·[01:11:23] So Many Cars to Choose From…
·[01:18:06] Car Hobby Loses An Amazing Racer

[00:00:00] Autotrader High Performance SUV List

Are you torn between getting a family vehicle to tote the family to soccer practice and the grocery store and burning up your local track? Well, have no fear because Autotrader has put together a list of the eight best high performance SUVs. Executive Editor, Brian Moody, issues this warning before delving into the list: if you want high performance, you’re gonna pay a premium. That said, we chat about this list of amazing SUVs, including the $87,000, 707 HP Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, the $63,000, 392 HP Dodge Durango, the $126,000, 576 HP Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63, and more! Tune in for more performance SUVs.

[00:06:22] Lincoln’s Rebranding Has Been Effective

Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, recently drove the 2020 Lincoln Aviator, and Alan is wondering: does this vehicle fit into Autotrader’s top performance SUVs list? Brian explains that while it would have likely made the list, they wrote that article before he had a chance to test drive it. The hybrid version of the Lincoln Aviator has close to 500 HP, and is comparable to the Volvo T8 in terms of styling and luxury. When Lincoln kicked off their rebranding, Brian wasn’t convinced it was going to work – boy was he wrong! In recent years, Lincoln has been making big splashes at the auto shows with vehicles like the Lincoln Navigator. Brian’s only problem is the pricing of these vehicles. Listen in to find out why.  

[00:12:30] Hydrogen Powered Cars Still a Thing?

If you remember all of the buzz about hydrogen powered cars a few years back, you were probably just as confused as we were by the sudden silence coming from those developing these vehicles. We discuss the reemergence of hydrogen powered cars in the Hyundai Nexo, Honda Clarity, and Toyota Mirai with Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody. These hydrogen fuel cell cars still face a familiar problem – range anxiety. Hyundai’s offering has a range of 380 miles and the infrastructure for hydrogen fueling stations is still very limited. California does have a plan to have 59 fueling stations in-state by 2020, but that’s not saying much for the rest of the country. Should the already-established gas fueling stations take the initiative and begin implementing electric and hydrogen fueling pumps? 

[00:19:51] 2020 Nissan Versa, and Ride Sharing

If you’re shopping for a new car, but looking to keep costs as low as possible, you’ve probably looked into the Nissan Versa, Mitsubishi Mirage, or Chevrolet Spark. Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, wouldn’t recommend those last two to anyone, but the 2020 Nissan Versa is a different story. Although not as inexpensive as they used to be, the updated 2020 version of the Nissan Versa is packed with features while remaining budget friendly. A spacious interior, standard driver assistance features, a standard touch screen display, and Apple Car Play/Android Auto make the Versa well worth the $14,730 starting price tag. Find out why George suggests springing for the upper tier trim levels for all the bells and whistles. 

[00:29:26] Overpriced 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

If you heard that Mitsubishi had a high-riding, wagon style hatchback SUV, what would you guess their name for it was? The Eclipse? You just read that on the segment title. Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, recently drove the 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and can confirm – this is NOT the old Eclipse, not even close. While the base model of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross feels wallowy, the SEL 1.5T with AWD has leather, touch screen infotainment, Apple CarPlay, and more. George notes that there are still two major issues with the Eclipse Cross – bad driving dynamics and shoddy infotainment controls. With these issues in mind, a nearly $30,000 pricetag on the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL seemed a bit overpriced. Tune in to learn more. 

[00:35:52] Toyota GR Supra Serial Number 1500

When Alan buys a car, he’s aiming for vehicles that are very in demand. That’s why he asked Toyota for a low serial number Toyota GR Supra. Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, and Alan chat about a call Alan received from Toyota on the commercial break regretfully informing him that he isn’t the only one that wants a low serial number. So what did Alan get? The exact opposite, of course! We discuss the benefits of having serial number 1500 on the Toyota GR Supra, their decision to partner with BMW for the inline six cylinder engine, and what’s coming up next for George.

[00:42:13] Hyperdrive: Car World’s Ninja Warrior

Are you a fan of the hit show, American Ninja Warrior? Do you love fast cars? Have you ever wished these two concepts would somehow meld themselves together in a tire-burning, death defying mash-up? Wish granted! Former Host of Top Gear and NASCAR Personality, Rutledge Wood, gushes about his time working on the new Netflix car show, Hyperdrive. This action-packed competition style series pits drivers against each other on an insane obstacle course in their quest to become the best drivers in the world. Tune in for the details. 

[00:54:44] Netflix Shining Light On Car Culture

As a subscriber and a fan for years, Former Host of Top Gear and NASCAR Personality, Rutledge Wood, has been watching Netflix take deep dives into specific subcultures that would be difficult to get on normal television. Without commercials and traditional industry strings, Netflix allows for a different format of storytelling that is more cohesive and immersive. If you want to get involved, and maybe race your custom rod on the Hyperdrive track one day, tune in on Netflix to support the show and find instructions on how to apply at the end of the show. 

[01:02:05] 2019 Hyundai Tucson Ultimate Review

As Alan was out hunting for a Kia Telluride the other day, he stopped at a Hyundai dealership and noticed something – they had no unattractive vehicles on their lot! Hyundai has really stepped up their game as far as styling and features in the past few years. Automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, recently got to drive the 2019 Hyundai Tucson Ultimate FWD edition and wasn’t blown away, but says it is definitely well worth the asking price. At $32,000 fully loaded, the 2019 Hyundai Palisade sports a 2.4L, 181 HP 4 cylinder engine that gets the job done, but is a little hesitant to get up and go. An attractive enough exterior design doesn’t stand out from the crowd, but is nothing to scoff at. Top that off with ample room on the inside, a nice set of features and drive modes, and you really can’t go wrong with the Hyundai Tucson. 

[01:11:23] So Many Cars to Choose From…

You might think car shopping as an automotive journalist would be a walk in the park, but you’d be wrong. Automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, chats about her trouble looking for a new vehicle to replace her Lincoln MKC. When you know so much about the industry, its tough to settle on one particular vehicle. For example, the new Lincoln Corsair would be a good replacement, but its $50,000-$60,000 price range is not attractive, considering other brands compact SUVs on the market. Tune in to learn more. 

[01:18:06] Car Hobby Loses An Amazing Racer

On August 27th, the world lost one of its finest race car drivers in a tragic accident. American professional racer, television personality, and metal fabricator, Jessi Combs, was known as the fastest woman on four wheels for good reason. On that fateful day, she was attempting to set a new land speed record of over 500mph. Our warmest condolences and best wishes go out to her family. Rest in peace, Jessi Combs – you are missed.

Explore More with Helpful Links:

·Contributor: Brian Moody | Executive Editor, Autotrader

·Contributor: George Kennedy III | Co-founder, Cartender | Freelance Automotive Journalist, CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News & World Report

·Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive journalist

·Special Guest: Rutledge Wood | Former Host, Top Gear | NASCAR Personality

Credits

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Cody Castleberry
Contributor: Brian Moody
Contributor: George Kennedy III
Contributor: BJ Killeen
Special Guest: Rutledge Wood

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

·Austin Hatcher Foundation

·Barrett-Jackson

·Brembo

·Bridgestone

·Dodge

·Foundation of Human Understanding

·Go RVing

·Patriot Outreach

·Shell

·Subaru

·The Little Rock Foundation

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This episode was produced by Entertainment Right Now (ERN). If you found value in this episode, and you’d like to hear more, please consider leaving us a review on iTunes and be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss a beat. Your feedback helps us to reach more enthusiasts around the world! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, please leave a comment below or e-mail us at info@ernlive.com.