Ready for a real-world look at two very different small SUVs? We put the 2025 Subaru Forester Premium Hybrid AWD and the Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD through their paces and compare what matters when you’re not reading a brochure. From highway range and cabin comfort to pricing ladders and charging access, we cut through the noise and share where each vehicle genuinely excels.

We start with the Forester Hybrid’s practical package: wide-opening doors, an insulated windshield that calms road noise, and a friendly cabin anchored by a 12.3-inch digital cluster and 11.6-inch infotainment screen. The 2.5-liter boxer with dual motor-generators delivers 194 horsepower and relaxed pace, while our 32.3 mpg over nearly 400 miles shows the kind of efficiency you can bank on. We break down the cost to step into the hybrid trim and how it stacks up to the CR‑V Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, Sportage Hybrid, and CX‑50 Hybrid so you can make the numbers work for your commute and weekend runs.

Then we shift to the Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD, a standout with fresh styling, a sweeping display, and a smart center console that actually improves daily use. Instant torque, refined manners, and a realistic 275-mile range make a strong case for drivers with home charging and predictable routes. We’re candid about pros, cons, and pricing—what surprised us, what didn’t, and why the EV6 still feels special even as the segment heats up.

To round things out, Jeff shares straightforward tips for starting a car collection on a budget: pick a theme, plan storage, network for knowledge, and build a list before you buy. Whether your heart leans hybrid practicality or EV excitement, you’ll leave with clarity about which trade-offs fit your life. If you enjoy transparent reviews and useful takeaways, follow the show, share this episode with a friend, and leave a quick review so we can help more drivers find the right ride.

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In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

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Big power, big space, and even bigger holiday plans. We put the all-new 2025 Ford Expedition Max under the microscope, from its streamlined grille and clever two-piece tailgate to a fully revamped interior with twin screens and a sliding center console that actually changes daily usability. With 400 horsepower, 480 lb-ft of torque, and up to 9,000 pounds of towing, the Max Platinum proves it can haul, cruise, and carry with confidence. We share true-to-life fuel economy, where it shines on ride quality, and why a hybrid option could be the smartest next step. Plus, we stack it against Suburban, Yukon XL, Sequoia, and Armada to help you decide what belongs in your driveway.

Then we hit the map with road trips that wrap driving fun in holiday magic. Start in Chicago and glide to Frankenmuth’s Little Bavaria charm and Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. Chase lights and live music across the Texas Hill Country, from Grapevine to Fredericksburg to San Antonio’s River Walk. Crave snow? Cross the Cascades to Leavenworth, Washington, for carolers, nutcrackers, and alpine energy. Prefer a slower pace? Wander Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the Biltmore Estate sparkle, or make a quick East Coast run from Philadelphia’s Christmas Village to New York City’s iconic tree and window displays.

We close with a no-nonsense guide to RV laws that keep your holiday rolling instead of ruined. Learn why overweight rigs are dangerous and costly, where parking gets you ticketed, how propane rules shift by state, why belts matter for every passenger, and what boondocking boundaries you must respect. Whether you’re picking a full-size SUV or plotting a festive escape, you’ll leave with practical insight, smart safety tips, and a shortlist of destinations worth the drive. If you enjoyed the ride, follow the show, share it with a road trip friend, and drop a review telling us where you’re heading next.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

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Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?

In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!

Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.
----- -----
Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.

In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.

Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!

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For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at

info@inwheeltime.com

Prices keep climbing, patience keeps thinning, and the smartest car on the lot might be the one that’s two or three years old. We sit down to explore why a crowd-pleaser like the VW ID. Buzz is slipping from the U.S. launch calendar, how an $80,000 price tag changes the conversation, and where EVs still struggle to deliver everyday convenience for people without home charging. From the Detroit Auto Show preview to the North American Car, Utility, and Truck of the Year buzz, we connect the headlines to real buyer decisions.

Our take on affordability gets practical fast: a $5,000 difference can flip a purchase when the competing vehicle offers more features or utility. We break down why late-model off-lease cars remain the sweet spot, even as the market feels the aftershocks of COVID-era production cuts. Then we zoom out to tariffs and USMCA dynamics shaping what gets built in the U.S., and why the playing field among American, European, and Asian brands feels more level than ever. With fewer true lemons on sale, lifetime cost and ownership experience become the real story.

Reliability and complexity take center stage as we examine turbo longevity, hybrid durability, and the sticker shock of modern repairs, like a $6,000 turbo swap. On the EV front, the pain points are clear: battery longevity anxiety, charging standards and adapters, and the simple truth that the five-minute gas stop still fits many lives better than public chargers. We round things out with a quick, candid guide to RV laws most people ignore, from weight limits and seatbelts to boondocking and propane safety.

If you care about getting the best value for your money, understanding how policy nudges production, and choosing tech that won’t bite you later, you’ll find this conversation timely and useful. Tap follow, share the show with a friend who’s car shopping, and leave a quick review telling us your best recent buy and why it worked for you.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

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Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?

In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!

Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.
----- -----
Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.

In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.

Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTime

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/

https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltime

https://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTime

For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at

info@inwheeltime.com