Car Stuff Podcast · Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo

Chinese Door Handles, Volkswagen Tiguan Review, Toyota Learns from Motorsports

·56 min·5 clips

Toyota engineers explain how off-road racing secretly improves the cars you drive every day.

This episode of the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast features hosts Tom Appel and Jill Ciminello discussing automotive news, reviews, and upcoming events. They are joined later by Toyota engineers Samantha Barber and Becky Brophy to discuss their participation in the Rebelle Rally. Tom details his comparison chart showing the Volkswagen ID Buzz is smaller externally than other minivans but offers a surprisingly large third row. Jill is preparing for the Rebelle Rally in a modified 2007 Honda Ridgeline with a lift kit and extra skid plates. The hosts mention an upcoming Electrify Expo in Chicago, with Ford hosting a free Cars and Coffee event featuring its electric lineup. China will outlaw flush door handles on cars starting in 2026 due to concerns they may not deploy after a crash, potentially affecting Tesla. Tesla raised the Cybertruck Cyber Beast's price from $102,000 to $117,000 by bundling options like full self-driving and free lifetime charging. Tom notes used Cybertruck prices are falling into the high $60,000 range, while affordable new cars like the Hyundai Kona are becoming scarce. Toyota has discontinued the base LE trim for the 2026 Highlander, raising its entry price by roughly $5,000, following the Grand Highlander outselling it two-to-one. Jill reviews the redesigned 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line, praising its 201-horsepower engine, comfortable interior, and welcome lighting system. She notes minor quirks like a wireless charger that overheats her phone and windshield glass that interfered with her toll pass. Toyota engineers Samantha Barber and Becky Brophy explain they got company support for the Rebelle Rally by pitching its value in leadership development and technical skill-building. Their first rally vehicle was a prototype TRD Pro Sequoia built in North America. Toyota has expanded its participation from two internal teams in 2021 to six teams this year, including a partnership with an external overlanding expert. The engineers state they typically modify rally vehicles only with skid plates, off-road tires, and an external odometer. They gather post-rally data through driver interviews and internal surveys to feed back to Toyota's R&D division. Becky Brophy expresses amazement at the capability of stock Toyota vehicles in extreme off-road environments. The tone is conversational and informative, blending casual banter between the hosts with detailed automotive analysis. The style is educational, offering consumer advice and insider perspectives from industry guests. This episode would appeal to listeners interested in practical car shopping advice, automotive industry trends, and grassroots motorsports. It might be less engaging for those seeking deep technical dives or exclusive coverage of luxury vehicles.

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