Car Stuff Podcast

Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo

Whether you drive a car, need a car, or just occasionally bum a ride with friends, you’ve come to the right place. Join the editors of Consumer Guide Automotive as they break down everything that’s going on in the auto world. New-car reviews, shopping tips, driving green, electric cars, classic cars, and plenty of great guests. This is the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast.

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337 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes337

Newest first

Feb 21, 2020 · 53 min
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, Nissan Switch
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing Nissan's tentative entry into the vehicle-subscription marketplace via its Nissan Switch pilot program in Houston, Texas. Next, we talk about our test-drive experiences with the redesigned-for-2020 Ford Escape compact crossover SUV. Larry Nutson, Executive Producer and Chicago Bureau Chief at The Auto Channel, joins us in-studio to talk about the Toyota Motor Manufacturing assembly plant in Princeton,...
Feb 14, 2020 · 52 min
Electrify America, Tesla Autopilot Takeback
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show by discussing the recent incident in which Tesla remotely and retroactively removed Autopilot features from a used Model S that was originally equipped with those features--after it sold the vehicle to a used-car dealer, who in turn sold it to a new buyer who discovered the features were missing. Next, we talk about our test-drive experiences with the Audi Q8 crossover SUV. Richard Steinberg, Senior Director of Green ...
Feb 7, 2020 · 52 min
Chicago Auto Show, Super Bowl Ads
Host Tom Appel and co-host Jill Ciminillo kick off the show by discussing the rising transaction prices of light-duty pickup trucks, which now average more than $50,000. Jill shares her takeaways from a preview reveal event of the Genesis GV80, the first crossover from Hyundai's luxury-vehicle brand. The crew is joined in studio by Paul Strauss, the publisher of the popular websites The Awesomer, Technabob, and the auto-themed 95octane. Tom, Jill, and Paul discuss the major news coming out of...
Jan 31, 2020 · 55 min
Lincoln and Rivian Partnership, NACOTY Award Winners
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show by discussing Lincoln's recently revealed plans to partner with start-up EV manufacturer Rivian to bring its first pure-electric vehicle to market. Jill fills us in on her preview-drive experience with Hyundai's all-new Venue subcompact crossover. Kirk Bell, Senior Editor of Motor Authority and a North American Car of the Year juror, joins us in-studio to talk about the 2020 NACOTY winners, as well as the winner of Mo...
Jan 24, 2020 · 52 min
Cadillac Eldorado, Cruise Origin
Host Tom Appel and co-host Jill Ciminillo start the show by discussing the reveal of the Cruise Automation Origin ride-hailing concept vehicle. The conversation includes an overview of autonomous-vehicle development companies Waymo and Argo AI. Jill shares impressions of her current test vehicle, the 2020 Lexus NX 300 F Sport. Collectible Automobile Magazine Editor-in-Chief John Biel joins the team to talk about the June issue of the publication. Tom, Jill, and John talk about the 1971-1978 C...
Jan 17, 2020 · 52 min
Hummer Returns, 2020 Auto Industry Insights
Host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start off the show with a discussion of General Motors' recently leaked plans to revive its Hummer brand name on a pure-electric GMC pickup truck. Next, we chat about one of our recent Consumer Guide test-fleet vehicles: the 2020 Lincoln Corsair AWD Reserve. Michelle Krebs of Cox Automotive and the AutoTrader Group calls in to give us the scoop on some of Cox's automotive-industry insights for 2020 and a few of the most important developments and trends o...
Jan 10, 2020 · 53 min
The Future of Auto Shows, Carlos Ghosn Escape
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing the latest developments in the saga of former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn--his dramatic recent escape from Japan, after spending almost all of 2019 incarcerated for alleged financial crimes. We then talk about Jill's test vehicle this week: the 2020 Acura RDX A-Spec compact SUV. Mark Bilek, Senior Director of Communications and Technology for the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, calls in to fill us in on t...
Jan 3, 2020 · 54 min
2020 Toyota Supra, Jeep Plug-in Hybrids
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show with a discussion of Jeep's forthcoming plug-in-hybrid Wrangler, Compass, and Renegade models, and their sub-brand name: 4xe. We then discuss Jill's recent test vehicle: the 2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited. Paul Herrold, Chief Editor at Sons of Speed, joins us in-studio to talk about his video review of the 2020 Toyota Supra. Tom has another "punny" car-name/movie-title quiz, and this time he comes up with a couple stumper...
Dec 27, 2019 · 53 min
Electric Car Myths Debunked, 2021 GMC Yukon
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell open the show with a chat about the forthcoming introduction of the 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs. We then discuss Jill's test vehicle this week: the 2020 Genesis G70. John Voelcker, former Editor-in-Chief and current principle contributor to greencarreports.com, calls in to discuss his article "Busting 7 of the Most Common Myths About Electric Cars," as well as what the future holds for EV technology and infrastructure. D...
Dec 20, 2019 · 53 min
Bullitt Mustang Auction, EV Tax Credits
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing the phasing out of the federal tax credit for electric vehicles, and how consumers and automakers will be affected. Jill fills us in on her preview-drive experience with Mazda's new-for-2020 CX-30 compact crossover. John Kraman, Lead TV Commentator/Analyst for Mecum Auctions, calls in for an interview on the upcoming auction of the original 1968 Ford Mustang GT driven by Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt, ...
Dec 13, 2019 · 53 min
The Death of the Car Magazine?, The Heartbeat of America
Host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start the show by discussing the recent news that TEN Publishing is discontinuing the print editions of 19 car magazines, including Automobile and Truck Trend. Next, we talk about the 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring, one of our Consumer Guide test-fleet vehicles this week. Harvey Briggs, Editor and Publisher of Rides & Drives (ridesanddrives.com), calls in for an interview on his days in the automotive advertising industry and the creation of...
Dec 6, 2019 · 52 min
2020 Lincoln Corsair, Phone As A Key
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show with a discussion Buick's recently announced decision to discontinue the Regal Sportback and Regal TourX wagon. Jill fills us in our her preview-drive experience with Hyundai's completely redesigned 2020 Sonata midsize sedan. Gretchen Sauer, Brand Manager for the new Lincoln Corsair compact luxury crossover, calls in for an interview on the Corsair, Lincoln's handy Phone As A Key technology, and the state of the Lincoln ...
Nov 29, 2019 · 53 min
2020 Consumer Guide Best Buys
Tom, Jill and Damon open the show with a discussion of Tesla's controversial Cybertruck and the media circus surrounding it. We then chat about Jill's test vehicle this week: the 2020 BMW M340i xDrive sedan. Next, Damon gives a complete "sneak peek" rundown of Consumer Guide's Best Buy picks for 2020, and we discuss the award-winning vehicles.
Nov 24, 2019 · 54 min
Ford Mustang Mach-E, Los Angeles Auto Show
Host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start the show with a discussion of the 2021 Mustang Mach-E, Ford's ground-breaking (and provocatively named) new pure-electric crossover SUV. We then chat about Damon's test vehicle this week: the 2020 Mazda 3 AWD hatchback. Next, co-host Jill Ciminillo calls in live from the Los Angeles Auto Show and gives us the scoop on the news-making new vehicles on display at the show--including the Mustang Mach-E, Land Rover Defender, Kia Seltos, and Toyota RAV4 P...
Nov 17, 2019 · 53 min
Jeep Wrangler Diesel, AWD Camry
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show with a discussion of the recently announced all-wheel-drive versions of the Toyota Camry and Toyota Avalon. We then discuss Jill's test vehicle this week: the 2020 Nissan Versa SR. Pete Milo, Chief Engineer of the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator, calls in for an interview on the 2020 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel. Damon gives a run-down of the articles posted this week on The Daily Drive blog, including test-drive reports on th...
Nov 10, 2019 · 51 min
Collectible Automobile magazine, 2019 SEMA Show
Host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start off the show with a discussion of the SEMA Show, a colossal automotive-aftermarket trade show that is held annually in Las Vegas. Next, we talk about the 2020 Volvo S60 T8 Inscription, one of our Consumer Guide test-fleet vehicles this week. Collectible Automobile magazine Editor-in-Chief John Biel is in-studio next, to fill us in on the history of the magazine and the evolution of the old-car hobby. Also, John, Tom, and Damon each reveal a couple o...
Nov 3, 2019 · 54 min
Car Seat Mistakes, RIP Ford Flex
The show kicks off with a discussion of Ford's decision to discontinue the Flex, its boxy three-row, seven-seat crossover wagon. Next, we talk about the 2020 Toyota Avalon Limited, one of our Consumer Guide test-fleet vehicles this week. Cars.com Editor-in-Chief Jenni Newman then joins us in-studio for a wide-ranging discussion on common car-seat mistakes parents make, Cars.com's 2019 Car Seat Check Honor Roll, and what new vehicles we would buy with our own money--and which "dream vehicles" ...

Car Stuff Podcast

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, Nissan Switch

Electrify America, Tesla Autopilot Takeback

Chicago Auto Show, Super Bowl Ads

Lincoln and Rivian Partnership, NACOTY Award Winners

Cadillac Eldorado, Cruise Origin

Hummer Returns, 2020 Auto Industry Insights

The Future of Auto Shows, Carlos Ghosn Escape

2020 Toyota Supra, Jeep Plug-in Hybrids

Electric Car Myths Debunked, 2021 GMC Yukon

Bullitt Mustang Auction, EV Tax Credits

The Death of the Car Magazine?, The Heartbeat of America

2020 Lincoln Corsair, Phone As A Key

2020 Consumer Guide Best Buys

Ford Mustang Mach-E, Los Angeles Auto Show

Jeep Wrangler Diesel, AWD Camry

Collectible Automobile magazine, 2019 SEMA Show

Car Seat Mistakes, RIP Ford Flex