Show notes
On this week's episode, the Consumer Reports auto team shares its biggest pet peeves about modern cars—from giant touchscreens, distracting alerts, and complicated door handles to cramped back seats, fake interior materials, missing Apple CarPlay, and sky-high prices. What frustrates you most about new cars?
Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.
SHOW NOTES
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00:00 - Intro
01:02 Unusable Armrests
01:23 Why New Nissans Smell Like Mice
02:04 Poor Build Quality
02:25 The Fake Third-Row Center Seat
02:53 Self-Driving Tech Can't Handle Bad Weather
03:44 Where Did the Backseat Legroom Go?
04:06 Stop Reinventing Door Handles
04:43 Nowhere to Put Your Stuff
05:00 Square Steering Wheels & Bad Controls
06:12 Too Many Screens, Beeps & Ambient Lights
08:16 Why New Cars Are So Expensive
09:04 Pickup Trucks Became Fashion Accessories
10:16 Screens Replacing Simple Controls
11:03 Auto Hold Should Be Standard
11:56 Every Car Needs Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
14:25 The Problem With Electronic Door Handles
16:12 Why Cars Don't Need More Phone Connections
17:13 Abrupt Throttles & the "Subie Surge"
18:29 Bring Back Physical Buttons
19:28 Ventilated Seats Are Essential
20:08 Driver-Monitoring Systems That Distract You
20:57 Lazy Interior Screen Design
21:53 New Cars That Aren't Better Than the Old Ones
22:14 Windshield Haze From Interior Off-Gassing
22:48 Pop-Out Door Handles Need To Go
23:06 Dashboard Reflections in the Windshield
24:08 Missing Manual Transmissions
24:53 Square Steering Wheels for No Reason
25:13 Fake Metal and Fake Luxury Materials
26:13 Bring Back Oldsmobile
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Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Popular Small SUVs to Avoid and What to Buy Instead
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/popular-small-suvs-to-avoid-and-what-to-buy-instead-a1273704153/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
10 Most Reliable Cars
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/10-most-reliable-cars-a6569295379/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
10 Best SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/10-best-suvs-you-can-buy-right-now-a8518508556/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
How to Find the Best SUV
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/buying-guide/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Which Brands Make the Best Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
TalkingCars@consumer.org
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/talking-cars-podcast-archive-a1439738009/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
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