This week we discuss our test results of the 2020 Volkswagen Passat, and how it stacks up against its competitors in the midsized segment. We share tips on how to keep your car’s fuel fresh while it is (likely) being driven fewer miles during the coronavirus pandemic. We also discuss if a plug-in hybrid version of the Jeep Gladiator is on the horizon, how effective a load leg is on a child seat, and whether the tachometer is still necessary in modern vehicles.
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SHOW NOTES
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00:41 – Keep Gasoline in your Tank From Going Stale-
07:31 – 2020 Volkswagen Passat Test Results
15:35 – Question #1: Is a plug-in hybrid version of the Jeep Gladiator on the horizon?
22:01 – Question #2: Are tachometers still necessary in modern vehicles?
26:51 – Question #3: Will hybrid vehicles drop in price due to low cost of gasoline?
29:41 – Question #4: Why aren’t load legs more common on rear-facing infant seat in the US?
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How to Keep the Gas Fresh and Protect Your Car During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Coronavirus Resource Hub
How to Protect Yourself Against Coronavirus When Pumping Gas
2019 Detroit Auto Show: 2020 Volkswagen Passat
2014 Volkswagen Passat Review
2019 Volkswagen Arteon Quick Drive
2019 Detroit Auto Show: 2020 Jeep Gladiator
2018 Jeep Wrangler Quick Drive
4K Review: 2018 Toyota Camry Quick Drive
4K Review: 2018 Honda Accord Quick Drive
2020 Subaru Legacy Quick Drive
Load Legs Show Promise for Safer Child Seats
Load Legs Give Child Car Seats Improved Safety in a Crash
Best Infant Car Seats of 2020
• 249: Coronavirus Car Seat Care and Cleaning
• 248: Pumping Gas in the Age of Coronavirus
• 247: Your Favorite Automotive Podcast Goes Remote
• 246: Answering Audience Questions on EVs, Tires, Car Seats, and More
• 245: How the Coronavirus is Affecting Auto Shows
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJNm0R0hKnY
I feel like the passat has gone so far downhill from what it use to be with the vr6
My 2019 Civic has a digital tach that can be removed from the dash if you don’t want it on the screen. You can have it both ways.
Two thirds of CR suggesting a Jeep? Very disappointing! I’m a big fan but this makes me dubious of any other suggestions.
Still appreciate your efforts and dedication (especially given current circumstances).
I use the tach to determine my morning warm-up period when I first start the car. Once the tach dips down in rpms, I’m ready to go.
Jeep Gladiator is an ego vehicle. It’s useless as a truck and grossly overpriced.
It is a toy. There’s nothing wrong with that.
I don’t agree with the over priced part, but I’ve actually seen a few of them around town that are constantly towing or being used as a “work truck.”
LOL anything other than a Corolla is an ego vehicle. Design is an emotional aspect pertaining to the ego. If you dont care cheap out and buy a good quality used car just to go to point a to point b. If you care then hey thats your ego! Neither is right or wrong is up to you but those who rag on the others are foolish. I have an ego so the car matters but im not stupid enough to put down those who dont care. That said im not a fan of the Jeep brand thats not my path.
Scott Vickery I see a lot of rentals
Wouldn’t ethanol-free gas have more long-term stability?
Phoggbank actually ethanol attracts water into your fuel system, which is bad.
This just reaffirms my belief that electric cars are the way to go. Don’t have worry about stale gas, oil changes, transmission fluid, and brake pads last longer. I can also charge it at my house and not at gas station with other people to avoid getting sick.
You would have to worry about state of charge in the battery over a long period of time though don’t you?
Riyad Kalla Yes
All thanks to govt sponsored ethanol mandate. We would be doing so much for the environment by not growing so much corn. Not only will gasoline mpg will be better with no damage to engines but we can let grass takeover the fields. Cattle is not meant to eat corn but natural grass that would cut down on cow farts aka methane which is a big part of global warming.
Buy a Gladiator now, take a bath in two years to get the same thing in a PHEV.
Why don’t you see if you can find a 2-3 year lease?
I can’t understand leaving Philadelphia for South Carolina. No job is worth that.
My Prius has a sort of “power meter” which does essentially the same job as the tachometer — telling you how hard you’re pushing the engine. it’s only really useful in trying to figure out the most efficient style of driving, and is honestly a little distracting.
Thank you so much for answering my question about gas life so quickly, much appreciated! Two months sounds great.
The Prius has the “hybrid system indicator” which is basically a tachometer without the numbers.
Loved the heads up about the gas during this time of COVID 19.
Love the Talking Cars segments! They’ve taught me things I didn’t know that I didn’t know! I know that all car makers cheat at their numbers, etc., but dieselgate was so much beyond just fudging load ratings, etc., that I personally would never ever consider owning a VW or Audi, period. All 4 of my vehicles have a tachometer, and I use them on every drive. I’d be lost without them (2 CVT’s, 1 manual and 1 automatic).
Love what Emily said about Jeeps, so true!
Shouldn’t the fuel system in a modern car be sealed well enough to not significantly evaporate gases for long periods of time?
webcomment How would you put gas in then? You don’t want to put too much insulation on your gas tank because that would bring your mpg down.
All the “manuel modes” I’ve come across, still control your shifts with the computer. They won’t let you “shift” from 5th to 3rd so that argument for keeping a tach is ridiculous.
Dr. Emily is back! Heeelllooooo!
Emily is very easy on the 👀 and 👂
Love that Volvo 140 series speedometer!