The AutoGuide Show

Are AI chat tools like ChatGPT giving you unbiased car-buying recommendations, or are sponsored links silently creeping in?In this episode, we sit down with Corey Lydstone, Founder & CEO of CarGenius AI (and former co-founder of Autolist), to break down what’s really happening under the hood when you ask an LLM for car recommendations.

After analyzing tens of thousands of search queries across the U.S., Corey discovered intriguing patterns in how ChatGPT handles automotive research—including dynamic multi-step interview prompts, customized UI components, and search results steering buyers toward third-party finance portals instead of local dealerships.

To learn more, check out https://www.cargenius.ai/ and don't forget to check out their dealership AI rankings here: https://www.cargenius.ai/dealer-ai-visibility

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Think driving an electric vehicle is saving you thousands? Think again. A new study from AAA reveals that average new vehicle ownership costs have hit a staggering $12,863 per year ($1,071/month) and the most shocking takeaway isn't the total cost, but how EVs actually fare compared to hybrids and gas-powered cars.In this episode, we sit down with Greg Bannon, Director of Automotive Engineering and Research at AAA, to break down the real numbers behind car ownership. We discuss why gas savings alone won't offset electric vehicle ownership costs, how depreciation acts as the "Achilles' heel" of EVs, and why hybrids are currently the smartest financial choice for new car buyers.

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Are you wasting hundreds of dollars a year on premium gas? In this episode, we sit down with Keith Barry from Consumer Reports to break down their latest testing on fuel octane ratings, luxury vehicles, and engine performance.

We dig into the truth behind why automakers require or recommend premium fuel, whether higher octane actually gives you better performance, and how luxury brands like Lexus, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz compare to mainstream models like Toyota under the hood.

Key Takeaways:

Required vs. Recommended: If your owner's manual explicitly says premium fuel is required, stick to it to avoid voiding warranties or damaging your engine. If it’s only recommended, regular fuel is generally fine for everyday driving.

Performance Myths: High-octane fuel doesn’t magically unlock massive horsepower in standard driving unless your engine is under heavy strain (towing, extreme heat, or track driving).

Look for Top Tier Gas: Instead of paying extra for higher octane ratings your car doesn't need, focus on using Top Tier detergent gasoline to prevent carbon buildup and protect your engine long-term.

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Are you looking to buy a car that you can drive until the wheels fall off? In this episode of The AutoGuide Show, host Colum Wood is joined by Karl Brauer, Executive Analyst at iSeeCars.com, to dive into their massive annual study analyzing over 395 million vehicles to determine which cars are most likely to reach the quarter-million-mile mark.We break down the top-ranking brands, the longest-lasting individual models, trucks, SUVs, sedans, and the surprising truth about how hybrids and EVs hold up over time.

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If you think finding a affordable new car is hard, wait until you check the used market! In today’s episode of The AutoGuide Show, host Colum Wood sits down with Karl Brauer from iSeeCars.com to break down a shocking new study: used cars under $20,000 are rapidly disappearing. Just a few years ago, a $20,000 budget gave you access to roughly half of the 1-to-5-year-old used car market. Today? That number has plummeted to just 11.4%. Karl walks us through the exact data behind rising 3-year-old vehicle prices, why popular sedans like the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Camry saw double-digit price spikes, why luxury icons like the Porsche 911 and G-Class are skyrocketing, and how the "Disneyland Rule" applies to modern automotive pricing.

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Why Are So Many Car Buyers "Underwater" on Loans? (And Why Don't They Care?) Negative equity in the car market is hitting record numbers—so why are consumers still signing on the dotted line? Today, Dave Thomas from CDK Global joins the show to break down consumer buying habits, long-term auto loans, and the truth about car affordability. In this video, we discuss: What negative equity is and why it's rising post-COVID The shift away from leasing and why younger buyers prefer long loan terms Why car prices aren't inflating as fast as you think (despite the $50k headlines) How dealerships view long-term loans and customer retention Drop your thoughts in the comments below: Would you ever take out a 7-year car loan?

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Are you driving one of the most dangerous cars on the road—or one of the safest? In this episode of The Auto Guide Show, we sit down with Chuck Farmer, Vice President of Research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), to break down the latest real-world driver death rate study.While IIHS is famous for its slow-mo crash test videos, their real-world crash data reveals the true impact of vehicle size, weight, muscle car performance, and driver demographics on highway fatalities. We discuss why small cars like the Kia Rio continue to top the highest death rate lists, why large trucks pose a threat to other drivers, and which luxury SUVs recorded zero driver deaths.

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Despite ongoing vehicle affordability concerns, today’s new car buyers are happier with their purchases than ever before. Even more surprising? The satisfaction gap between mainstream vehicles and luxury brands is rapidly evaporating.In this episode of The AutoGuide Show, host Colum Wood (AutoGuide's VP of Content) sits down with Frank Hanley, Senior Director of Automotive Benchmarking at J.D. Power, to break down the key findings from the 2026 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.

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Ever feel like Uber or Lyft is charging you way more than your friend for the exact same trip? You’re not crazy and we have the data to prove it.On this episode of The AutoGuide Show, we sit down with Consumer Reports investigative reporter Derek Kravitz to unpack a groundbreaking study on rideshare pricing. We dive into how AI might be personalizing your fares, why those "advertised discounts" might actually be fake, and why two people standing side-by-side can see a 50% price difference for the same ride.If you’re tired of feeling ripped off, Consumer Reports is pushing regulators to step in and stop these tactics.SIGN THE PETITION & READ THE STUDSign Consumer Reports' Petition: https://action.consumerreports.org/cro-20260616-mtpr-uberlyftRead the full investigative report: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/uber-lyft-different-prices-for-same-ride-and-fake-discounts-a1093538909/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_LI

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Are cars actually getting more reliable, or are we just getting better at designing cupholders? In this episode of The AutoGuide Show, we dive deep into the shocking results of the newly released 2026 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). To help us unpack the data, we sat down with Frank Hanley, Senior Director of Automotive Benchmarking at J.D. Power. He gives us the unfiltered truth on which automakers are crushing it, which ones are crashing out, and what these rankings actually mean for everyday car buyers. If you want to know if your favorite brand made the top of the list—or sunk to the absolute bottom—this is the episode you can’t miss!

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This week we have a special episode dedicated to discussing the best vehicle choices for off-roading and camping. Our guest is Alex Kwanten, Managing Editor, Autos U.S. News & World Report. More than just a list of what he thinks are the best choices, he's actually thoroughly testing them in these conditions. Some are obvious choices, others may surprise you!

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This week Mike talks to Consumer Reports about the pros and cons of letting AI help you with your next vehicle purchasing decision. We break down at which point AI can be helpful and where it will lead consumers astray.

Later, Mike reviews the Ironhead Thrasher R/T RTD01 Tire - an off-road warrior for those on a budget. Finally, in the mailbag, we answer the question of what are the best fuel efficient cars currently on sale today.

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This week Mike talks to Becca from the IIHS about the best cars for teenagers. We discuss what makes a car good or bad for teenagers to drive, and what to look for deciding what to buy.

Later, Mike reviews the Sailun Terramax RT off road tire, for you value orientated trail travellers. Finally, we dig into Audi's latest release, a near 1,000 horsepower supercar.

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Why aren't people buying electric vehicles as quickly as expected, even with high gas prices? This week on the Auto Guide Show, we sit down with Brent Gruber, Executive Director of EV Solutions at JD Power, to break down the massive gap between consumer interest and actual sales. From the "cost of convenience" and hidden home charging expenses to the truth about public charging infrastructure and range anxiety, we look at what’s really holding buyers back. Plus, what does the influx of 4-to-5-year-old off-lease EVs mean for affordability? Later in the episode, we head to Toronto Motorsports Park to test out the Garmin Catalyst Driving Performance Optimizer—your ultimate digital track coach. Is it worth the $1,400 price tag for serious track days? Finally, we wrap up with a real-world test of the spectacular 2026 Lamborghini Temerario. Can a 900+ horsepower plug-in hybrid supercar handle a brutal, two-hour rush-hour crawl across Toronto, or is it only built for the open foothills of Italy?

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This week we talk to David Thomas from CDK about why Chinese cars may not be as affordable as some people think. We discuss the barriers and cost issues that surround the North American automotive market compared to other regions.

Later, Mike does a product review of the Chemical Guys Tire+Trim Gel High-Gloss Restorer and Protectant. Finally, in the mailbag, the topic centers around Ram's new Rumble Bee lineup of sport trucks.

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This week Mike sits down with Karl from iSeeCars.com to discuss which makes and models are holding their value the best in terms of resale. There are some surprising entries at the top, and bottom, of this list.

Later, Mike reviews the VIOFO A329S 3CH Dash Cam which includes three separate cameras and a ton of features. Finally, in the mailbag, we discuss some of the best vehicles to take on your next camping trip, regardless of how you head out into the woods.

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This week Mike talks to Nissan about the challenges behind making a smaller, more affordable car like the 2026 Sentra, achieve a top safety rating. We discuss the process of designing a car right from the ground up to excel at all the current crash tests as well as including the latest technology to avoid a collision altogether.

Later, Mike talks about his experiences with the Sailun TerraMax HLT highway-bias SUV tire in our product review. Then, finally, in the mailbag portion we tackle the question of why V8 engines are about to return to Formula 1.

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This week Mike sits down with Hagerty to discuss the future of car collecting. We discuss the current trends, what cars are gaining popularity, and what cars are decreasing in value. We also discuss why there is a shift happening in the collector car world.

Later, during the product review, Mike discuss the Pros and Cons of the Nextbase Piqo 2K Dash Cam. Finally, in our mailbag, we give a bit of advice on Used Cars, and whether sedans still make sense.

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This week Mike talks to Brandon Sturgis from BFGoodrich tires about a wide range of topics, including how to decide which off-road tires are right for your CUV or SUV. We also talk tire care tips, the advancements off-road tires have made in the past decade, as well as the current ruggedized SUV craze from automakers.

Later, Mike talks about his latest product test, The Chemical Guys Headlight Restoration and Ceramic Kit. Finally, we visit the mailbag to answer what we want the rumored Chevrolet Camaro to be.

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This week host Greg Migliore chats with Andrea Algeri, Brembo’s Car Racing Market Manager, to discuss how braking and energy recovery have impacted what’s shaping up to be a wild 2026 Formula One season.

We also get into how braking tech has evolved throughout different eras in F1, what changed this year and how Brembo transfers its racing experience to road cars

Then Mike Schlee joins for his latest gear test, the Viofo A119M dash cam. In the AutoGuide Garage, Mike reviews the monstrous 2026 Ford F450

We close things out with the mailbag, where we ponder what the return of the Nissan Xterra means for the off-roading segment.

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