Lexus GX 460, 2020 NACTOY, Volvo XC Lineup, and GMC Sierra AT4

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If you’re like us, your vehicle isn’t just your mode of transportation. It’s an escape, a release, and a form of therapy. Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, and Alan chat about the therapeutic value of cars, and BJ gives her review on the Lexus GX 460. Then, Motorsports Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, and Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, discusses the 2020 NACTOY nominees for best car, truck, and SUV of the year. We also find out why the Dodge Charger Hellcat is his top pick for car he’d spend the rest of his life driving. Next up, JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, fills us in on the amazing design for the mars rovers in the new Brad Pitt movie, Ad Astra, and reviews the Volvo XC40. Changing lanes, Automotive Journalist and World Traveler, Sue Mead, regails us with tales of sleeping under the stars while trekking 4000 miles across the Australian Outback before gushing about her experience at the Volvo test drive event in Banff, Canada. With a lineup of Volvo XC utility vehicles, journalists at the event really got a taste of the diversity, style, comfort, and capability of these vehicles. Closing out the show, Host of TheDrivesSeat, Ron Doron, discusses the difference between the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra AT4. GMC has really been stepping up their game and revolutionizing the tailgate and towing world. Tune in to learn more.

·[00:00:00] Cars Are a Form of Therapy
·[00:06:13] Lexus GX 460 Still on Outdated Platform
·[00:12:33] Positive Points on the Lexus GX 460
·[00:19:52] Best Car For the Rest of Your Life?
·[00:27:51] 2020 NACTOY Nominees Are In
·[00:35:53] 2020 NACTOY SUV and Car Nominee List
·[00:42:13] Interesting Rovers Made for Ad Astra
·[00:47:03] Volvo Now Sits Among Luxury Greats
·[00:54:44] Australia Report and Volvo Stepping Up
·[01:02:04] An Experience With Volvo in Banff, CDN
·[01:12:30] Multipro: Swiss Army Knife of Tailgates
·[01:18:05] GMC Revolutionizes Tailgates and Towing

[00:00:00] Cars Are a Form of Therapy
For us car guys and gals, when the weight of the world is on our shoulders there is but one place to turn – our beloved autos. Alan and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, chat about the therapeutic properties of cars and taking a ride. We also touch on the recent EPA news in California. Tune in to learn more.

[00:06:13] Lexus GX 460 Still on Outdated Platform
A decade on the same platform is a long time in the automotive industry, and the age of the Lexus GX 460 platform really shows. Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, recently drove the gigantic Lexus SUV. This SUV slots in between the smaller RX and larger LX models, and while there is a lot to like, the old body-on-frame style platform adds a lot of unnecessary weight – which is why BJ and her husband averaged 15 mpg. Starting at $52,000 and going up to the top-of-the-line model at $69,000, it has the features you’d expect from a Lexus, as well as the comfort we all know and love from them. Listen in to learn more.

[00:12:33] Positive Points on the Lexus GX 460
While the body-on-frame platform the Lexus GX 460 uses may leave a sour taste in Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen’s mouth, it still comes packed with great features. We also theorize that this vehicle is still in development which is why it seems outdated at this time. When push comes to shove, sales will ultimately determine whether a vehicle needs an overhaul, and the Lexus GX 460 still sells fairly well. The GX 460 sports a 301HP 4.6L V8 engine, a towing capacity of 6,500 lbs, a Mark Levinson Audio System from Harman, seven seats, cargo space, and many other luxury features. This outdated ride still packs a punch, are you a Lexus fan?

[00:19:52] Best Car For the Rest of Your Life?
If you had to drive one vehicle for the rest of your life, what would it be? This question was posed on Facebook and the responses Motorsports Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, and Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, witnessed were wide ranging; but his top pick would be a Dodge Widebody Charger Hellcat. Alan throws a curve ball and picks the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk with the 707 HP Hellcat engine and changes Steven’s mind. Then, Steven fills us in on his upcoming plans including a trip to Laguna Seca for an end-of-season IMSA race, and the upcoming NASCAR championships. Listen in to learn more.

[00:27:51] 2020 NACTOY Nominees Are In
Every year, the North American Car, Utility, and Truck of the Year Awards (NACTOY) bring together automotive journalists from across the industry to choose the best vehicles of the year. Automotive Journalist, Steven Cole Smith, is one of the lucky journalists that gets to partake in these proceedings and explains the selection process and how the organization has been doing under Lauren Fix. This award is very prestigious because of its ability to remain unbiased and untainted by automotive industry money due to how disparate the journalists voting on the nominated vehicles are. So rest assured, when you see that a vehicle is a NACTOY winner, they didn’t pay for that. Tune in to learn more.

[00:35:53] 2020 NACTOY SUV and Car Nominee List
How do you choose a “best” new or significantly updated car, truck, or SUV of 2020 when auto manufacturers are pulling out all of the stops and producing the best vehicles the world has ever seen? Automotive Journalist, Steven Cole Smith, says its a painstaking process, but they’ve narrowed down their list of cars and SUVs to 12 (the truck segment only had a few eligible contenders). The list of SUVs has notable entries like the Audi e-tron, Cadillac XT6, Kia Telluride, Lincoln Corsair, and many more; while the list of cars pits cars like the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ford Mustang Shelby, Porsche 911, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Supra, and more against each other. What is your favorite car or SUV of 2020?

[00:42:13] Interesting Rovers Made for Ad Astra
If you’re a fan of futuristic and spacey designs, then check out the new Brad Pitt movie Ad Astra. JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, talks up the design of the Mars rover design done by his buddy Nick Pugh. The interesting design has captivated Josh by making them look believable. Check out Ad Astra in theaters this fall.

[00:47:03] Volvo Now Sits Among Luxury Greats
If you’ve been living under a rock, you might not know that Volvo has a lot going on right now. Thankfully, JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, is here to keep you up to date, as he recently drove the Volvo XC40, and attended the Volvo drive event in Banff, Canada. The Scandanavian heritage of Volvo brings a unique flair to all of their vehicles that lets you know when you get in a Volvo that it’s not a BMW, it’s not a Mercedes-Benz – it’s a Volvo. With their commitment to unmatched safety, inclusion of every luxury bell and whistle known to the auto industry, and superior interior and exterior design, we think it’s safe to say Volvo can be counted amongst the luxury segment greats. Are you a Volvo fan?

[00:54:44] Australia Report and Volvo Stepping Up
Auto Writer, Sue Mead, is recently returned from a 4000 mile trek across the Australian Outback and fills us in on the snakes, spiders, ticks, and stars that accompanied her. Changing topics, Sue also attended the Volvo event in Banff, Canada and was very impressed! If there’s one word that describes Volvo, its “safety”; but recently they’ve started adding more words to their vocabulary. Volvo has been producing some beautiful, feature-laden vehicles with amazing handling and power in recent years, and they really showed that off in Banff, Canada. Tune in to learn more.

[01:02:04] An Experience With Volvo in Banff, CDN
Volvo recently held an event in Banff, Canada, where they showed off their XC60 and XC90 utility vehicles. Auto Writer, Sue Mead, was at the event and got to drive the XC90 AWD R edition and was very impressed with its handling and cargo space. We also discuss Volvo’s performance Polestar brand, overseas delivery program, the Lincoln Aviator, Ford Escape, and RAM EcoDiesel. Tune in for more.

[01:12:30] Multipro: Swiss Army Knife of Tailgates
GMC recently held an event showing off their line of trucks in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. TheDriversSeat Host, Ron Doron, was at the event patiently waiting for Alan to show up, but he never did! Ron fills us in on the details of the event and gives us his impressions. We also discuss the difference between Chevrolet and GMC trucks, the GMC Multipro tailgate, and the GMC Sierra Denali AT4. Are you a fan of GMC trucks?

[01:18:05] GMC Revolutionizes Tailgates and Towing
Every so often, an automotive company invents something that changes the landscape of the industry forever. TheDriversSeat Host, Ron Doron, and Alan agree that GMC has done that with the GMC Sierra AT4 MultiPro Tailgate. The Sierra is more than just a tailgate, with a 10-speed transmission, exhaust brakes, the quietest diesel engine you’ve never heard, state-of-the-art towing cameras, and respectable fuel economy, you’d be silly not to consider a GMC truck. Are you a GMC truck fan?

Explore More with Helpful Links:

·Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive journalist

·Contributor: Steven Cole Smith | Motorsports Journalist, Autoweek/ Automobile Magazine/ Grassroots Motorsports

·Contributor: Josh Hancock | Hollywood Car Consultant, JoshCAR

·Special Guest: Sue Mead | Auto Writer

·Special Guest: Ron Doron | TheDriversSeat, Host

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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About THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor puts you in the driver’s seat for a unique, fast paced look at today’s automotive industry. This is your pedal-to-the-metal, two-hour thrill ride devoted to the latest car news and test-drive results, how-to tips, car maintenance tips, auto show coverage, expert insights and behind-the-scenes race day action. Don’t miss exclusive interviews with top auto executives, athletes, celebrities and prominent newsmakers from around the world.