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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? Leave us a 5-star rating and a review—it helps the show grow tremendously! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices