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Alan and Karl, Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror, and board member and Executive Analyst for ISeeCars.com, are both proud owners of the 2023 Dodge Demon 170, discussed how some automakers are hesitant about electric cars and are now going back to building hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Companies like GM, Porsche, and Hertz are struggling with the shift to electric cars, but Honda has recently unveiled their new electric vehicle called the Prologue. However, Honda is in their universe, where they do things the way they want to, moving away from their core strength of building fantastic engines. Karl shares the latest study on the best-used cars for the money. The study analyzed the amount you pay for a car, whether new or used and how much lifespan the car has left. The study found that despite the rise in prices for new and used cars over the last five years, plenty of cars are available in the $20,000 range with more than 100,000 miles of life left. The top 5 cars in the study, ranked by the price per 10,000 miles of lifespan, are Chevrolet Trax, Honda Fit, Honda Insight, Buick Encore, and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. You can find the complete study on iseecars.com.

Contributor George Kennedy III, the co-founder of Cartender.com and VP of the New England Motor Press Association, talked with Alan about Honda’s first high volume all-electric vehicle, the Honda Prologue. The car is based on the Altium architecture and the BEV3 platform developed by General Motors, and the platform is shared with the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyric. The Honda Prologue features a new interior design which uses both Honda and GM parts, and it comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in their infotainment system. This partnership with General Motors allows Honda to enter the electric vehicle market at a lower cost. George Kennedy reviewed the 2024 Acura TLX type S, a mid-size luxury sedan that offers great acceleration and handling. It has a twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 355 horsepower and a super-handling all-wheel-drive system that works well in all conditions. The car is comfortable enough to drive in traffic and has a healthy dose of athleticism. “George, what are your final thoughts on the Honda/Acura TL Type S? In my opinion, the TLX Type S is an incredibly well-built car. This is one of the reasons why Acura is known for being a premium vehicle brand. The Type S is not only athletic and exciting but also reliable. Honda is also doing more than just relying on its reputation for reliability. Another area worth mentioning is their technology. The ELS stereo system is phenomenal.”

Lauren Fix from CarCoachReports.com is calling from the Chicago International Auto Show. The 2025 Ford Explorer was shown, and they canceled the hybrid engine. Instead, they’re focusing on EcoBoost engines that consumers prefer. The new Explorer has a larger screen, includes the Copilot 360, and has an impressive interior.

Lauren Fix from CarCoachReports.com makes a quick pit stop to call us from the Chicago International Auto Show. The 2025 Ford Explorer was shown, and they canceled the hybrid engine. Instead, they’re focusing on EcoBoost engines that consumers prefer. The new Explorer has a larger screen, includes the Copilot 360, and has an impressive interior.  Lauren shared a little news that California is proposing a bill to limit the speed of new cars to 10 mph over the speed limit, which has caused controversy. The auto industry is not happy about this proposal, as it could pose a danger to drivers.

Brian Moody, the Executive Editor of AutoTrader.com and KBB.com, is attending the Chicago International Auto Show. According to him, the Tesla Cybertruck is bigger and more significant than expected, but it won’t replace F-series trucks, Silverado’s, or Rams due to the lack of configurations. He thinks that all trucks should have the electric Tonneau cover option like the Cybertruck. Hybrid cars are an excellent option for saving money and polluting less. You can find affordable options on AutoTrader like the Ford Escape, Ford Fusion, Honda Civic, Honda Insight, Lexus CT, Lincoln MKZ, and Camry Hybrid. Brian shares a tidbit that Kelley Blue Book’s five-year cost-to-own tool helps you choose a car in a specific segment. The 2024 Subaru Ascent is the top pick for a mid-size SUV and crossover, expected to cost just over $47,000 over five years. The BMW M3 is the top performer, but it will cost $111,000 to own and operate over five years. The Hyundai Palisade is the second lowest-cost to own and operate at $51,300. Check kbb.com to calculate your out-of-pocket expenses.

[00:00:00] – Contributor Karl Brauer
[00:07:00] – Prologue
[00:13:01] – Best Used Cars
[00:20:51] – Contributor George Kennedy III
[00:30:42] – 2024 Acura TLX type S
[00:37:22] – Honda Reputation
[00:44:13] – Contributor Lauren Fix
[00:50:28] – Chicago Auto Show
[00:57:15] – Contributor Brian Moody
[01:05:05] – Tesla Cybertruck
[01:13:03] – Affordable Options on AutoTrader
[01:21:36] – Kelley Blue Book’s five-year cost-to-own tool

CREDITS

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Colleen Mahi

Contributor: George Kennedy III
Contributor: Lauren Fix
Contributor: Karl Brauer Contributor: Brian Moody

EXPLORE MORE WITH HELPFUL LINKS:

• Contributor: George Kennedy III |  is a co-founder of Cartender.com, and the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. He contributes to U.S. News & World Report, CarGurus, Forbes Wheels, and here on The Drive
• Contributor: Lauren Fix | Editor-In-Chief, CarCoachReports.com..
• Contributor: Karl Brauer | Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror and board member and Executive Analyst for ISeeCars.com
• Contributor: Brian Moody | Executive Editor of Auto Trader.com and KBB.com.

Vehicles Discussed:

Chevrolet Trax, Honda Fit, Honda Insight, Buick Encore, and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. 2024 Acura TLX type S, Dodge Demon 170, Chevrolet Blazer EV , Cadillac Lyric, 2025 Ford Explorer, Ford Escape, Ford Fusion, Honda Civic, Honda Insight, Lexus CT, Lincoln MKZ, and Camry Hybrid

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• Austin Hatcher Foundation
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• Brembo
• Dodge
• Foundation of Human Understanding
• Shell
• Subaru