On this episode we share our first impressions of the 2022 Acura MDX, and how this long standing name plate competes with other three-row SUVs in its segment. Consumer Reports, in collaboration with IIHS, recently released a list of safe and reliable new and used cars for teen drivers, and we discuss the criteria to make the list, as well as share our personal picks for which vehicles we would recommend. Other topics include: Electric vehicles for post-covid commuting; why the auto industry lacks standardization for manual modes on shifters; why some car manufacturers are more proactive in implementing new technology and making updates to their vehicles than others; and how to safely transport a pet in a vehicle.
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SHOW NOTES
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00:00 – Intro
00:31 – Welcome Alex Knizek: CR’s Auto Engineer
02:23 – Testing at The Track
04:23 – Best Used and New Cars for Teens
09:27 – 2022 Acura MDX First Impressions
16:44 – Question #1: Which electric vehicle is best suited for post-covid work commuting?
20:32 – Question #2: Why does the auto industry lack standardization for manual modes on shifters?
23:05 – Question #3: Why some car manufacturers are more proactive in implementing new technology and making updates to their vehicles than others?
27:16 – Question #4: What is the safest way to transport your pet in a vehicle?
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First Drive: 2022 Acura MDX Luxury SUV Adds Refinement and Tech
Best New Cars for Teens
Best Cars for Teens Under $20,000
2016 Toyota RAV4 Quick Drive
4K Review: 2017 Mazda CX-5 Quick Drive
2018 Mazda6 Quick Drive
2017 Chevrolet Bolt Quick Drive
2018 LA Auto Show: Audi E-Tron
How to Keep Your Pets Safe in a Car
Center for Pet Safety
Guide to Car Safety
Coronavirus Resource Hub
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Apparently I am pretty good at anticipating what CR says is a good car for kids. Bought new in 2013 a Subaru Legacy with Eyesight. Kids will be driving in less than two years. The car will have about 140,000 on it at that point (9 years old), but very reliable. So probably a good car to start on. Lexus and Acura both have horrible controls – glad to see they agree on that. Lexus is marginally better as they state but both are “features” we all can do without.
Lexus is switching to touch screens, and already has steering wheel and voice controls. That’s all you need. Acura is stuck with the stupid True Touchpad that they insist everyone loves.
Welcome Alex. Great job.
Alex, you are an fantastic addition to Talking Cars and I hope that it will be the three of you that will be the hosts from now on! Thank you so much to whoever made today’s programming decision.
ahmmmm 1st
Great video. Alex is a great addition. You three have good chemistry. Hope you do it again. I’m amazed that the worlds best engineers can design these world class vehicles and they can’t figure out how to make a usable interface for the screen functions. It’s crazy.
My 2020 RDX lease has had several spotty reliability issues also so I am a little disappointed that the new MDX might have them as well. I am glad that I opted to lease my RDX and I will be able to turn it in a year.
Consumer Reports is obviously testing snacks this week, and I am here for it.
Hello Alex, Please tell your contacts at Stanley – Black & Decker to put Porter Cable out of its misery. They have dragged the name of the finest American power tool manufacturer in history through the mud long enough.
Perhaps it’s worth pointing out an obvious point about the need for paddle shifters on some vehicles with conventional automatic, automated manual (i.e dual clutch), and CVT transmissions. In vehicles with a traditional gear selector lever the existence of paddle shifters may not be required or may well be redundant. That’s the case with my DSG equipped GTI, for example, that allows a driver to select a particular gear either with the console mounted lever or its paddle shifters. Likewise, my KIA Sorento does not have paddle shifters but the console mounted selector allows me to choose a particular gear.
However, vehicles with a push button or dial to control the transmission MUST have paddle shifters. Otherwise, there is no way for a driver to select a particular gear in situations that call for it. Thus, there are no paddle shifters on the KIA Telluride while the almost identical KIA Palisade has to include them. It’s not simply a question of (often faux) “sportiness”; it’s a question of necessity.
Dogs are like children. The cargo area is not the safest choice, the rear passenger seats (if available) are safest!
Outtake FAIL! Need to see Darcy next time. 🙂