CarCast+Edmunds - Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, new Mercedes CLA and Mustang Mach-E Rally vs Hyundai Ionia 5 XRT.

·52 min·5 clips

The $234,000 Mercedes G-Wagon has heated armrests and a leather-lined trunk for owners who never go off-road.

The episode opens with casual banter about weather in California and Alistair's upcoming trip to the Arctic to test an electric Range Rover prototype. The conversation shifts to the Mercedes G63 AMG, which Alistair drove for a week, praising its character, V8 engine, and luxury features like heated armrests and a $16,000 full leather package. They discuss the G-Wagon's image as an urban cruiser and its $186,000 starting price. Next, they cover the new Mercedes CLA, the first in a generation that will offer both gas and electric versions, with AI technology like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Alistair critiques its front-end design but notes it represents Mercedes' fresh EV strategy after previous EQ models underperformed. The hosts then compare the Mustang Mach-E Rally and Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT, labeling them as off-road posers with minimal practical utility, aimed at creating excitement during facelifts. Alistair shares his experience with the Lexus GX, getting only 15 MPG, and questions the progress in fuel efficiency compared to older vehicles. They touch on industry trends like shared platforms for gas and EVs, tariffs, and infrastructure challenges. The episode concludes with a discussion of the new Morgan Super Sport, a bespoke British roadster with a BMW powertrain, modern amenities, and a $100,000 price point, highlighting its appeal as a classic car alternative with a warranty.

As heard by us

A car chat that turns platform sharing, facelifts, and Porsche strategy into a sharper brand conversation.

The conversation opens in cold, wet California before settling into Weaver's take on Porsche, Mercedes, and Audi strategy. It keeps coming back to the cost of all-new cars, the practicality of repeated facelifts, and Mercedes' shared-platform approach for gas and EV models, with…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Porsche backpedaling, Mercedes platform sharing, and a dry tour of how the big brands are revising the script.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from CarCast