Episode 419: 2025 BMW M2, 2025 Honda CR-V TrailSport

This week the Unnamed Automotive Podcast is so revved up it's putting Benjamin to sleep! Even while Benjamin does tons of PR for his upcoming book (www.modeluncomic.com) he has time to review a car for us. He jumps into the pilots seat of the 2025 BMW M2, which has been totally redesigned on a new platform and feels very close to its M3/M4 cousins. While boasting plenty of power, and a manual gearbox, Benjamin wonders if there's something missing in the M2's typically exciting sauce. Then Sami climbs into the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport Hybrid, and comes away unimpressed. Yet another off-roading cosplaying trim arrives on the street with minimal real upgrades to capability and it sends out hosts into disassociation mode. What does Honda think its doing? Listen to find out!

If you're after the latest reviews of some three-row crossovers of varying sizes, then you're listening to the right podcast! The Unnamed Automotive Podcast starts off with Benjamin's review of the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander, loaded with three rows and a gas-powered motor, the Outlander begins to boil Sami's blood due to its lack of competitiveness in a field full of excellent options. Benjamin has more than a few nice things to say about the Outlander, but none of them are about the barely-useable third row. Then Sami chimes in about his plug-in experience with the 2025.5 Volvo XC90. Loaded with 455 ponies and 30-ish miles of range, the XC90 is sure to be a hit. But then Sami's attention turns to the Swedish automakers attempts at designing an infotainment system, and things fall apart a bit. While not as bad as the EX90, the XC90 has a few glitches of its own that make it hard to recommend. Then it's time for a classic Nissan Pathfinder cow adventure. Thanks for listening!

Our hosts have plenty of energy and stuff to talk about following Benjamin's road-trip vacation. After Benjamin's discussion of hot dog prices and charitable clowns, this weeks show starts off with a review of the 2026 BMW iX xDrive60. With over 350 miles of range on tap, this EV should have been the perfect chariot for a road trip, but Benjamin did have a few issues along his trip. Additionally, the guys go into a deep discussion about carbon fiber, clamshell hoods, and other premium EVs. Then Sami goes nuts over news following this year's Monterey Car Week and Pebble Beach Concours. From Lexus to Infiniti to Nissan and BMW, there's all kinds of fun news to pour over, and laugh about. Thanks for listening!

Benjamin fires up the show with his take on the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq, an electric three-row crossover that seems to be replacing Caddy;s own XT6. With 102 kWh of battery on tap, and over 600 hp, this is a big player in the world of EVs, but what else makes it stand out? While the world of three-row EVs is relatively slim, Benjamin suggests that the Vistiq might have a chance to be the best in its class, if only GM could sort out some small teething issues first. Then the show turns towards plug-in hybrids, as Benjamin and Sami quickly discuss the 2025 Toyota Prius PHEV. Formerly crowned as car of the year, the guys pinpoint what makes this Prius special compared to previous ones, and whether this plug-in variant is one of the best commuter cars on the market. Thanks for listening!

This week, the Unnamed Automotive Podcast jams out with some subcompact crossovers. The show starts with Sami's review of the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric, a perfectly fine EV that is a bit overshadowed by its market. With the competition offering better value, Sami and Benjamin argue that a used Hyundai Kona Electric is the smart choice for EV shoppers on a tight budget. Then the guys turn their focus to the 2026 Honda HR-V. Using Sami's previous experience as background information on his tester, Benjamin starts off thinking the Honda subcompact is pretty solid, but after spending more time with it, he wonders if there's a worse choice in the segment. Thanks for listening!

The Unnamed Automotive Podcast gets their hand on an iconic sports car and a sleek new EV this week. The show starts off with Sami's review of the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T, the only 911 with a manual transmission. That MT comes with a bunch of bits and bobs too, but there are 14 other 911 trims to choose from, with more power, more tech and more speed... what makes this one feel so good? Then Benjamin tackles a listener question about wagons by reviewing the 2025 Kia EV6, a long-roofed electric car, that may fit the bill as a wagon. However, this year, Kia made a huge change to the charging port of its mainstream EV, and it may ruffle a few feathers. Thanks for listening!

Our hosts at the Unnamed Automotive Podcast are perfectly synchronized (unlike the 3rd gear in Sami's car) which means they can come to this weeks show to talk about their vastly different experiences in the same car. Up for review is the 2025 Cadillac Optiq, which both Benjamin and Sami had the pleasure of testing out, and both of them have plenty to say about. Sami seems charmed by its more mainstream roots, while Benjamin thinks the Optiq is the embodiment of GM's recent push for EVs. With plenty of range and space, there's a lot to like about the Optiq, but there are a few oddities too, including its class-exclusive hands-free driving mode too, which wasn't working so smoothly with one of our hosts. Then the guys talk about T-Tops, upcoming EVs and track cars, all questions asked by our fantastic listeners. Don't hesitate to head on over to the site to send us more questions, or connect with us on social media. Thanks for listening!

This week, the Unnamed Automotive Podcast discusses Benjamin's newest addition to his garage; a second-generation Nissan Pathfinder! Find out what led him to this Japanese SUV, and what makes it so interesting (hint, it has something to do with its transmission!) Then Benjamin shares how his latest trip to Canadian Tire Motorsports Park went as he towed his way to the track in a Silverado HD 2500. Hear answers to questions like "did it have adaptive cruise control?" and "how much worse was the fuel consumption while towing?" and "do you need all that truck to tow a car?" Thanks for listening!

Following our summer spin-off episodes, the show returns to its normal off the wall self, as our hosts catch up on what's been going on. First up, Benjamin shares his thoughts on the large and technically impressive 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ. His review covers both the good and the bad of this gargantuan EV. He also comments on Cadillac's approach of stuffing its large SUV with everything possible, and whether its a sensible, sustainable model of EV development. Benjamin then shares how the Cadillac IQ compares to the gas powered model, which is now only available with a thirsty V8, rather that the loveable diesel. While these two share a name, they seem wildly different, but a few important factors keep them so appealing. Thanks for listening!

As part of our fun, special summer episodes, the Unnamed Automotive Podcast plays a game of "Remembering Some Cars." Take a trip down short-term memory lane, and see what Benjamin remembers from cars he reviewed a short time ago. Does he know the names of the trims he tested? How much power those cars had? Whether he even liked them or not? Any funny experiences he had while testing those cars? Hear it all on today's show. Thanks for listening!