Latest / In Wheel Time Podcast / A Closer Look at Consumer Reports' Vehicle Testing Process and a review of the 2023 Bronco Sport Heritage

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A Closer Look at Consumer Reports' Vehicle Testing Process and a review of the 2023 Bronco Sport Heritage · In Wheel Time Podcast

• 0:03
  Don Armstrong: Welcome to another In Wheel Time Podcast, a 30 minute mini version of the In Wheel Time car show that airs live every Saturday morning 8 to 11am central.
• 0:12
  Don Armstrong: What did the woman used to say?
• 0:19
  Don Armstrong: Mini Pearl howdy, live on iHeart Radio.
• 0:23
  Don Armstrong: It's the In Wheel Time car talk show.
• 0:25
  Don Armstrong: We're going to talk with Mike Quincy at Consumer Reports on SUVs.
• 0:30
  Don Armstrong: You should avoid Juicy.
• 0:35
  Don Armstrong: I got to drive the 2023 Ford Broncos Sport and I'll give you my look at that.
• 0:39
  Don Armstrong: Later on we're going to have Conrad talking about the Cruise Inn calendar and this week in Auto History, and later we talked with Ford F-150 marketing manager about the updated 2024 model that's just been displayed for all to look at.
• 0:56
  Don Armstrong: Plus, we'll also bring you the stories making automotive news headlines this week.
• 1:00
  Don Armstrong: It's all just ahead on the In Wheel Time car talk show Howdy, along with Mike out of this world, mars King, conrad DeLong.
• 1:07
  Don Armstrong: We always need more Jeff Zekin.
• 1:08
  Don Armstrong: I'm Don Armstrong, and we start this morning with the United Auto Workers Strike that started.
• 1:16
  Don Armstrong: Let's see Friday morning, at midnight.
• 1:23
  Don Armstrong: In a historic gambit, nearly 13,000 hourly workers at three large assembly plants went on strike against the Detroit 3 early Friday in what UAW President Sean Fain is framed as a righteous fight against the rich to get better wages and benefits for the working class.
• 1:41
  Don Armstrong: Never in the UAW's 88-year history has it attempted a simultaneous strike against Ford Motor Company, general Motors and Chrysler, now part of Stellantis.
• 1:52
  Don Armstrong: Union plans to expand the work stoppage at yet to be determined intervals to ratchet up pressure on the automakers.
• 2:00
  Don Armstrong: A novel tactic.
• 2:02
  Don Armstrong: Fain has branded a stand-up strike to mirror the sit-down strikes of the UAW's early years.
• 2:10
  Don Armstrong: This story from automotive news.
• 2:11
  Don Armstrong: The walkout will immediately halt production of profitable, high-demand vehicles, including the Ford Bronco, the Jeep Wrangler and Chevy Colorado, and could have devastating ripple effects on suppliers, contractors, dealers and the broader economy in the coming weeks.
• 2:28
  Don Armstrong: So we're going to keep an eye on that and give you all of the latest, as mentioned.
• 2:33
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, hopefully we get to talk a little more about it later.
• 2:35
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, we will.
• 2:36
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, we will.
• 2:37
  Don Armstrong: I've got another story Without raising our voice and without being glued you know, just calm it down.
• 2:44
  Konrad Delong: I have some notes I want to talk about.
• 2:45
  Don Armstrong: Okay, well, that's just fine, but we're going to hold that for now.
• 2:48
  Konrad Delong: Yes, sir, that's why I asked Please.
• 2:50
  Don Armstrong: Okay, consumer Reports is a very popular magazine and they always have all sorts of things besides.
• 2:57
  Don Armstrong: You know their reviews of washing machines and all sorts of sewing machines.
• 3:02
  Konrad Delong: I like sewing machines, it's educational.
• 3:05
  Don Armstrong: But I will tell you what I think that they do a pretty good job on their automotive reviews and the research that they do on them and with the, and they drive all of them, yeah, and they also have places for you and me to comment on the cars, especially if you own one of them.
• 3:25
  Mike Quincy: So joining, us like a singer.
• 3:27
  Don Armstrong: So joining us now is Mike Quincy from Consumer Reports.
• 3:30
  Don Armstrong: Mike, good morning and thanks so much for joining us.
• 3:33
  Mike Quincy: Good morning.
• 3:34
  Mike Quincy: And please don't ask me about sewing machines.
• 3:36
  Mike Quincy: I have no idea.
• 3:38
  Don Armstrong: Well, I think I've driven one or two of them in my past, a long time ago, but not any longer.
• 3:43
  Don Armstrong: But, at any rate, this story that you guys have come up with caught my attention, as well as Mr Mars over there and the story really is about the popular and not so popular or well received or reviewed level and your testing has proven some of these right on and some of the most popular midsize sedans, some of the most popular SUVs to avoid, and why.
• 4:17
  Don Armstrong: So I'll let you start when do you want to start.
• 4:21
  Mike Quincy: Well, basically, looking at this list of this story at consumerreportsorg, we're looking at vehicles that did well in our testing, have average or better reliability, as well as good scores in our surveys for owner satisfaction.
• 4:34
  Mike Quincy: We also have a criteria for a vehicle to be recommended and to be kind of like on the buy list.
• 4:40
  Mike Quincy: Is standard, automatic mercy breaking at highway speeds, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning.
• 4:46
  Mike Quincy: So you know the standards are high but you kind of set it up real well because there's a number of vehicles that are you know, air quotes popular but that high sales does not necessarily mean that it's a good car.
• 5:01
  Don Armstrong: Oh, and don't we know it?
• 5:02
  Don Armstrong: Yes, and we agree with you.
• 5:04
  Don Armstrong: Holy yeah, absolutely.
• 5:06
  Mike Quincy: I mean you remember way back when the Chevrolet Cavalier was one of the top selling cars of all time, or at least for a whole bunch of, and it was a terrible car.
• 5:17
  Mike Quincy: So just because everyone bought it doesn't necessarily mean that it's a good buy.
• 5:22
  Konrad Delong: It was in the class of the Dodge Neon.
• 5:24
  Konrad Delong: It means it has good marketing.
• 5:26
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, good marketing, or it may be shaped just the right way, or offer the best colors and go.
• 5:32
  Konrad Delong: Oh, I really like that it had the biggest rebate as a percentage of price.
• 5:38
  Mike Quincy: Oh, yeah, that's what I was going to say probably heavily rebated and low cost, and that's you know that's what drives a lot of consumers decision.
• 5:46
  Mike Quincy: It's solely based on cost and consumer reports, where you're encouraging people to look a little bit deeper than just the monthly payment.
• 5:55
  Don Armstrong: It had a good coefficient, yep, exactly.
• 5:57
  Don Armstrong: So let's talk about those vehicles that really they made the list, but not in a good way.
• 6:03
  Don Armstrong: Those two, those vehicles to avoid.
• 6:06
  Mike Quincy: Right and we're going to start right out with with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
• 6:09
  Mike Quincy: This is a very popular to grow SUV priced around 40 to $70,000.
• 6:15
  Mike Quincy: If you're trying about 20 miles per gallon overall consumer reports testing, which is a bit below the average of this class.
• 6:23
  Mike Quincy: It has a decent 3.6 liter V6 engine but in our tests we found the stopping distance were really long.
• 6:31
  Mike Quincy: And, just to remind you and your viewers and listeners, consumer reports has its own test track, 327 acres in Connecticut where we can do all of these instrumented testing and so we can look at it in comparison with other SUVs.
• 6:44
  Mike Quincy: So really, the braking distances were part of the reason that it's on the avoid list, but even more so than that is below average reliability and consumer reports surveys.
• 6:54
  Mike Quincy: So there are other choices out there and we encourage people to dig a little deeper.
• 7:01
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, and one of them being over on the Ford side and this kind of surprised me.
• 7:06
  Don Armstrong: You guys like the Ford Edge.
• 7:09
  Mike Quincy: We do and actually one of the things that that is notable about the Edge and a number of vehicles that have decent reliability is that the components have really been kind of fleshed out.
• 7:19
  Mike Quincy: If there's been any bugs going on with the Edge, whether it's the engine, transmission or the general vehicle architecture, ford's probably worked out the problems by that.
• 7:28
  Mike Quincy: So, with about 22 miles per gallon, overall price between like 38, $47,000.
• 7:37
  Mike Quincy: The edges are very decent by.
• 7:40
  Mike Quincy: I think that there's not a big demand for this vehicle, which is too bad because it rides well, it has a roomy cabin, above average reliability and it really, if you haven't been in an engine a while because it's been around a while, you should definitely check it out.
• 7:56
  Don Armstrong: Well, I will say this that I had somebody yesterday.
• 7:59
  Don Armstrong: I got my hair cut.
• 8:00
  Don Armstrong: The lady that cuts my hair says, oh, I want that Chevy Blazer.
• 8:04
  Don Armstrong: Now I don't know too many people that really say I'll raise my hand for the new Chevy Blazer.
• 8:10
  Don Armstrong: When you think Blazer, you think back in the 70s and the 80s.
• 8:13
  Don Armstrong: This is not that this is a crossover SUV and you guys like it and you put it under the radar, as you say.
• 8:23
  Mike Quincy: Yeah, it isn't as popular as some of the other models.
• 8:25
  Mike Quincy: It gets about 19 miles per gallon overall with the V6 engine, which is just so-so.
• 8:31
  Mike Quincy: But listen, chevrolet can really get it together when they feel like it.
• 8:36
  Mike Quincy: The Blazer returned above average reliability and consumer reports surveys, which is a real credit to how they're building this Easy controls, pretty easy car to live with.
• 8:47
  Mike Quincy: And, yes, you're right, all of us talking right now are of the era of the Chevy Blazer being the large truck-based and two-door model with a fiberglass cap on the back.
• 8:59
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, it takes off and almost make it a convertible.
• 9:01
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
• 9:02
  Don Armstrong: And now those old things are coming back and more popular than they were when they were brand new.
• 9:08
  Don Armstrong: It's crazy.
• 9:10
  Mike Quincy: Isn't that crazy?
• 9:10
  Mike Quincy: And then become collector cars where back in the day they were just the vehicle that you got in every day and went to work.
• 9:16
  Don Armstrong: Well, here's a perfect example of that.
• 9:17
  Don Armstrong: That would be the Ford Bronco.
• 9:20
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, Remember when that came out in the 60s.
• 9:22
  Don Armstrong: Oh my gosh, it was just a little Tim thing.
• 9:24
  Don Armstrong: That is like are you kidding?
• 9:27
  Konrad Delong: And now they're worth 10 times what they were new back then.
• 9:29
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, friend of mine, high school had one.
• 9:31
  Don Armstrong: His dad bought one orange one with a white top.
• 9:32
  Don Armstrong: Crazy, crazy, crazy.
• 9:34
  Don Armstrong: Nothing in it.
• 9:34
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, here's one that this one also surprised me.
• 9:37
  Don Armstrong: One of your three rows to avoid is the Ford Explorer.
• 9:42
  Don Armstrong: Now this one.
• 9:44
  Don Armstrong: I think everybody at least knows somebody that had one, if they didn't have one themselves.
• 9:49
  Mike Quincy: Yeah, I think back in the 90s Ford really hit a home run with the original Explorer.
• 9:55
  Mike Quincy: It helped to build the whole SUV wave that we've been riding for over 20, 30 years or whatnot.
• 10:02
  Mike Quincy: But the current Explorer did not do well in consumer reports, testing about 21 miles per gallon, overall Price between about $37,000 and $56,000.
• 10:12
  Mike Quincy: We found that the Explorer got below average reliability in consumer reports surveys and even more so than that, owners have reported also below average for satisfaction.
• 10:26
  Mike Quincy: So not only are they telling us about problems that they're having with their vehicle, they're also saying that we're not really crazy about it.
• 10:34
  Mike Quincy: And they don't always go hand in hand.
• 10:36
  Mike Quincy: For example, the Jeep Wrangler usually gets below average reliability, but owner satisfaction is always among the highest in our surveys.
• 10:45
  Mike Quincy: So it isn't necessarily well, it's breaking, so people don't like it.
• 10:48
  Mike Quincy: That's not always the case.
• 10:50
  Mike Quincy: So we would definitely say avoid the Ford Explorer.
• 10:52
  Don Armstrong: The next one, the best three-row choice or better, and I find it interesting because you guys liked it and so did I.
• 11:00
  Don Armstrong: I just had it a couple of weeks ago the Kia Telluride.
• 11:04
  Don Armstrong: Oh my gosh, I think that there's a ton of content in this vehicle for the price that they're asking for it, and I really liked it.
• 11:13
  Mike Quincy: You know, once in a while a car manufacturer just gets everything right.
• 11:19
  Mike Quincy: I don't know what it is or how to describe it.
• 11:22
  Mike Quincy: I'm sure if you could bottle it and sell it to every car manufacturer you'd be richer than Jeff Bezos.
• 11:28
  Mike Quincy: But with Kia and the Telluride you're absolutely right.
• 11:33
  Mike Quincy: Price between $36,000 and $57,000, $53,000.
• 11:37
  Mike Quincy: It has about average reliability, which is not outstanding, but it's still good enough to be recommended by Consumer Reports.
• 11:43
  Mike Quincy: But the smooth V6 engine, 21 miles per gallon overall, the comfortable, quiet ride and, as you mentioned you just hit the nail on the head the interior is much nicer than you think it was.
• 11:56
  Mike Quincy: You sit in the tell your ride and you think, wow, this must be like an $80,000 car, Exactly.
• 12:02
  Mike Quincy: Yep, You'd be surprised at just how much you're getting for your money.
• 12:06
  Mike Quincy: I love the tell your ride and it has been tops in Consumer Reports ratings for a number of years.
• 12:12
  Konrad Delong: And it's a lot to me.
• 12:14
  Konrad Delong: It's a larger of the SUV family, it's not one of the small ones.
• 12:20
  Mike Quincy: Right, but it isn't hooking to drive.
• 12:22
  Mike Quincy: Whenever I drive to tell your ride, I think it drives smaller than it is, if you get my drift.
• 12:27
  Don Armstrong: Absolutely, and I'm right on there with you.
• 12:29
  Don Armstrong: As a matter of fact, I liked it so much I'm using it in a magazine article that I just wrote for Bay Area Houston Magazine and I put it in the article that also shares the Lincoln Navigator.
• 12:42
  Don Armstrong: I know it's a stretch, but I'm just saying as far as the price that you pay for a Navigator and then you pay for a Kia Telluride, I'm kind of leaning toward the Telluride, you can say Ford Explorer with what's left over.
• 12:58
  Don Armstrong: Well, ford Explorer, that's it All right.
• 13:00
  Don Armstrong: And the under the radar three row alternative would be the Subaru Ascent.
• 13:06
  Don Armstrong: You know I've not had a Subaru Ascent.
• 13:08
  Don Armstrong: Have you had one, mike?
• 13:09
  Don Armstrong: No, no, uh-uh, yeah.
• 13:10
  Don Armstrong: So I find it interesting that you guys really kind of like that.
• 13:15
  Mike Quincy: Well, Subaru, as the expression goes, is like the vehicle of New England, or at least the Pacific Northwest or whatever.
• 13:23
  Mike Quincy: Because all but their sports car is standard all wheel drive.
• 13:26
  Mike Quincy: So that goes a long way when the snow starts falling.
• 13:29
  Mike Quincy: But what we like about the Ascent is it's 22 miles per gallon overall about average reliability and over satisfaction.
• 13:37
  Mike Quincy: Four cylinder turbo is pretty responsive.
• 13:39
  Mike Quincy: Handling is OK.
• 13:41
  Mike Quincy: I don't really find it that engaging to drive but seeing that it's a three row SUV it's probably going to be more like a family vehicle and maybe that's not high on your radar.
• 13:52
  Mike Quincy: But it's easy controls and just rock solid Subaru build quality.
• 13:57
  Mike Quincy: It makes it easy to recommend price around $34,000 to $48,000.
• 14:02
  Mike Quincy: Like I said, it is among the least engaging SUVs for me to drive, but it really has hit home with a number of owners because they like it and Subaru has what I call a fanatical fan base.
• 14:17
  Konrad Delong: They are the people who drive and own Subaru's, are very loyal to the brand.
• 14:23
  Don Armstrong: Well, one of the things, Mike, that I wanted to mention is the fact that back in the day, when Subaru really got its Mojo together, if you want to call it that, that everybody at Subaru touted the fact that it's a flat four engine that handles a lot better.
• 14:40
  Don Armstrong: We don't care about handling it in a sense.
• 14:43
  Don Armstrong: I mean I wouldn't.
• 14:44
  Don Armstrong: I mean I get it with the engine certainly closer to the ground.
• 14:49
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, but it's more because who's going to race it?
• 14:52
  Don Armstrong: Nobody that I know of, and so I mean it works well.
• 14:57
  Don Armstrong: I guess that it's a pretty reliable engine, but that used to be a big thing and now not so much anymore.
• 15:03
  Don Armstrong: Let's just talk about reliability.
• 15:05
  Don Armstrong: I think is more at the top of the list.
• 15:09
  Konrad Delong: Well, one of the things I really like about Consumer Reports you talked about, you have your own test track, so everything you guys test is tested on the same facility.
• 15:18
  Konrad Delong: So there's the comparisons are equal.
• 15:22
  Konrad Delong: The vehicles might not be equal, but the road test comparisons are equal.
• 15:28
  Konrad Delong: So it's not a matter of were you testing it that day and it was bad weather or you were in heavy traffic for whatever reason.
• 15:37
  Konrad Delong: No, because you guys drive on that same test track, because the criteria is all the same.
• 15:41
  Konrad Delong: Yeah.
• 15:42
  Mike Quincy: Right, right.
• 15:42
  Mike Quincy: We have a lot of lawyers working for Consumer Reports and they say everything you do has to be defensible.
• 15:50
  Mike Quincy: And to make it defensible is when you're testing a group of cars.
• 15:53
  Mike Quincy: You do the acceleration runs on the same day, you do the braking tests on the same day, so all of the conditions are the same for all the cars.
• 16:02
  Mike Quincy: There's criteria for weather.
• 16:04
  Mike Quincy: If it's too cold, we won't test.
• 16:06
  Mike Quincy: If it's too hot, we won't test.
• 16:08
  Mike Quincy: If it's obviously raining, we can't do dry braking tests.
• 16:11
  Mike Quincy: So we're very dependent on the weather.
• 16:13
  Mike Quincy: But we have to make sure that the test is repeatable for every make and model.
• 16:18
  Konrad Delong: Well, you have to pay the attorneys Well, and the other big advantage you have in that you don't have to worry about where the police are setting whenever you go out to do that breaking test or the acceleration test.
• 16:29
  Konrad Delong: It was on their track.
• 16:30
  Konrad Delong: You don't have to.
• 16:31
  Mike Quincy: Only only only Mr Mars would come up with that.
• 16:33
  Mike Quincy: Well, you have to work around these things.
• 16:34
  Mike Quincy: Yeah, he's trying.
• 16:35
  Mike Quincy: Yeah, he does the on ramp acceleration test.
• 16:37
  Mike Quincy: It's on a closed track, mike.
• 16:39
  Mike Quincy: Well, listen, I I agree with Mr Mars, because we just got a Ford Mustang dark horse that we rented from Ford and to to to let that pony breathe heavy.
• 16:54
  Mike Quincy: Yes, you've got.
• 16:56
  Mike Quincy: We take it out on the track and just come back to our guests grinning like a fool and thinking this is better shot of adrenaline than a cup of coffee.
• 17:05
  Don Armstrong: Absolutely Well, mike.
• 17:07
  Don Armstrong: It's great to talk to you and we really appreciate the insight into the popular SUVs to avoid and what to buy through consumerreportsorg.
• 17:17
  Konrad Delong: And we posted that on our Facebook and social media.
• 17:20
  Mike Quincy: Thanks so much.
• 17:21
  Mike Quincy: I mean we we rely on on on people to to support consumerreports so we could do the work that we do.
• 17:26
  Mike Quincy: Every member, every subscriber, every person that donates to the organization allows us to keep testing and to stay independent, and we really appreciate the opportunity to talk to you guys and getting the word out.
• 17:39
  Don Armstrong: Keep on keeping on Mike Quincy.
• 17:42
  Mike Quincy: Next week is sewing machines.
• 17:43
  Don Armstrong: Next week is sewing machines.
• 17:44
  Don Armstrong: We'll have you back.
• 17:45
  Don Armstrong: Thanks so much, take care oh fun.
• 17:51
  Konrad Delong: I need to, I need to be a substitute and like when they go on vacation or something.
• 17:55
  Don Armstrong: Yes, what you have to get behind me.
• 17:57
  Konrad Delong: Okay, I gotta go to Connecticut to do it, that's all right, I can do that way is 60 degrees up there.
• 18:03
  Konrad Delong: I just can say it's a beautiful weather.
• 18:05
  Konrad Delong: Back to get in the color change.
• 18:07
  Don Armstrong: And this is almost going to be a perfect morning for cruise ins.
• 18:11
  Don Armstrong: Oh yeah, now we don't have the events calendar.
• 18:15
  Don Armstrong: This is the cruise in calendar.
• 18:18
  Don Armstrong: I have to underscore that.
• 18:19
  Don Armstrong: So you know.
• 18:20
  Don Armstrong: The difference is a cruise in is where you cruise in, stay, talk to your friends and show your car, and then you cruise out two or three hours later.
• 18:29
  Don Armstrong: That's how that works.
• 18:30
  Don Armstrong: Can't breakfast in between?
• 18:32
  Don Armstrong: Sure?
• 18:32
  Konrad Delong: Something like that.
• 18:33
  Konrad Delong: So this afternoon, starting at 11am, cruising for this morning for cure at the Wild Peach Market in Bessoria, texas.
• 18:42
  Konrad Delong: It's a $20 entry fee and that's all going to a good charitable cause.
• 18:47
  Konrad Delong: Nifty 50's is tonight up off of Buckthorn Place and it's the G-body bash, so they've invited all of us.
• 18:57
  Konrad Delong: What's a G-body Would be the oh gosh, the Buick 678 through 86, altamobile Cutlass, buick Regal, grand National, grand Prix, that size of a rear wheel drive GM midsize cars.
• 19:16
  Konrad Delong: So they should have a pretty good collection of those if you're into those.
• 19:20
  Konrad Delong: If it doesn't rain, the Buddha Car Show and Shine is at Cabela's in Buddha, texas, this afternoon, starting at 6.30pm, Isn't it?
• 19:30
  Don Armstrong: Buddha, it's Buddha.
• 19:31
  Don Armstrong: Is it Buddha?
• 19:32
  Don Armstrong: I think it's Buddha, I think it's Buddha.
• 19:34
  Don Armstrong: I don't know.
• 19:36
  Konrad Delong: Well, it's out near the Salt Lake Barbecue Okay.
• 19:39
  Don Armstrong: Well, Mr Mars has got this smile on his face.
• 19:41
  Don Armstrong: I was going to call it Buddha.
• 19:43
  Konrad Delong: Buna Buna, there's Buna.
• 19:45
  Konrad Delong: There's a little town above Silphie, buna Buna.
• 19:48
  Konrad Delong: I mean, you know it's.
• 19:49
  Don Armstrong: Buddha.
• 19:49
  Don Armstrong: It's changed the D to the N in the year or Niederville.
• 19:53
  Konrad Delong: There you go Now.
• 19:54
  Konrad Delong: Cypress West Houston vintage car meetup is at the twisty treat off of Fry Road.
• 20:03
  Don Armstrong: Listen, I consider myself a twisty treat.
• 20:05
  Don Armstrong: Yes, you do, and a Fry Road.
• 20:08
  Konrad Delong: The Blue Bonnet Street Riders cruise in is in College Station tomorrow starting at 6pm.
• 20:15
  Konrad Delong: Also tomorrow, starting at 7pm, at Freddy's Steakburger in Katie is an open cruise in.
• 20:22
  Konrad Delong: And then the let's see Park and Pizza at Mod Pizza in Katie Tech Free pizza.
• 20:34
  Konrad Delong: No, I don't think it's free pizza, but that's it Back to you.
• 20:40
  Don Armstrong: All right, thank you very much.
• 20:41
  Don Armstrong: Time now for this hour's car review.
• 20:43
  Don Armstrong: I had an opportunity to drive the 2023 Ford Bronco and I'd like to thank the Ford Motor Company for allowing me to take this car from Chicago O'Hare Airport up to Janesville, wisconsin, and back, over a three day period of time, and I was really impressed.
• 21:02
  Don Armstrong: Well, let's get into the review, shall we?
• 21:03
  Don Armstrong: Available trim levels are the base, the big bend, the heritage, the outer banks, the badlands and the heritage limited.
• 21:15
  Don Armstrong: The review trim level is the sport heritage limited four by four.
• 21:22
  Don Armstrong: This is a small SUV.
• 21:23
  Don Armstrong: I don't know how to classify small.
• 21:26
  Don Armstrong: See, I would consider it a midsize.
• 21:29
  Don Armstrong: But whatever, five passengers, including the driver.
• 21:31
  Don Armstrong: Exterior changes from last model year?
• 21:33
  Don Armstrong: None, it was all new in 2021.
• 21:36
  Don Armstrong: This is the same platform as the Ford Escape.
• 21:39
  Don Armstrong: Okay, same platform.
• 21:41
  Don Armstrong: It's been around for a number of years.
• 21:44
  Don Armstrong: They just put a different kind of body on it.
• 21:45
  Don Armstrong: Exterior features paint options with trim levels.
• 21:49
  Don Armstrong: Now, the one that I had, the one that I had was a yellow body with white wheels and white grill.
• 21:57
  Don Armstrong: It's like you, don.
• 21:59
  Konrad Delong: It's a yellow body with gray hair and perfect pearly white teeth.
• 22:02
  Konrad Delong: Yes, and bloodshot eyes.
• 22:05
  Don Armstrong: My cousin Steve made fun.
• 22:06
  Don Armstrong: He says are you kidding me?
• 22:08
  Don Armstrong: You've rolled the windows down to let people see you inside of this car pulling into my driveway.
• 22:14
  Don Armstrong: Well, I liked it.
• 22:16
  Don Armstrong: So there, square upright body.
• 22:19
  Don Armstrong: Unique lighting like the regular Bronco has on the front end and actually the new F-150 mods are kind of in that same yeah pattern and it really does look good.
• 22:30
  Don Armstrong: Attractive lighting with short rear overhang.
• 22:35
  Don Armstrong: What I liked very much, like you, don, overall fun.
• 22:39
  Don Armstrong: Look, listen, this is a beach buggy all the way.
• 22:42
  Don Armstrong: What could use improvement?
• 22:44
  Don Armstrong: Optional wide fender flares for big off-road tires.
• 22:48
  Don Armstrong: Just a thought hey, ford, I'll give it to you for free.
• 22:52
  Don Armstrong: Okay, that idea.
• 22:54
  Don Armstrong: Interior highlights sharp looking dash with an infotainment pod and radio controls.
• 23:00
  Don Armstrong: Perfect instrument pod with configurable displays on it.
• 23:05
  Don Armstrong: Goat mode goes over any terrain, makes off-road choices easy.
• 23:12
  Don Armstrong: Interior well, the interiors range from basic to off-road to high-end, with plenty of storage throughout.
• 23:22
  Don Armstrong: Cargo trunk room, large for its class.
• 23:25
  Don Armstrong: What I liked about it?
• 23:26
  Don Armstrong: The Sync 3 infotainment system with the 8-inch touchscreen worked great.
• 23:31
  Don Armstrong: 2-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine that boasts 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission.
• 23:42
  Don Armstrong: Now, that's not a lot of horsepower, but I will tell you, the 8-speed automatic transmission Keeps it in sweet spot.
• 23:47
  Don Armstrong: Oh yeah, and it works well.
• 23:48
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, it's not a CVT, it's a real 8-speed.
• 23:51
  Don Armstrong: Toe rating 2200 pounds.
• 23:53
  Don Armstrong: So you could take your little garden trailer and take it to the garden house and bring some dirt back to the house, no problem.
• 24:00
  Don Armstrong: Miles per gallon 21 city 26, highway for combined at 23.
• 24:04
  Don Armstrong: I got 25.8 miles per gallon over 258.4 miles and it was perfect.
• 24:13
  Don Armstrong: Power is fit for off-roading and what could use improvement is nothing.
• 24:20
  Don Armstrong: I drove, obviously, on the interstate highway between Chicago O'Hare and Jamesville, wisconsin, passing a closed Belvedere assembly plant that Stalant has closed a couple of years ago, and talk about a sad sight for a car guy to see a ginormous assembly plant that's been in business out there at Belvedere for quite some time.
• 24:41
  Don Armstrong: Illinois, it's sad.
• 24:43
  Don Armstrong: No cars in the parking lot.
• 24:45
  Konrad Delong: Well, he said he also went to Jamesville, which GM shut down the truck.
• 24:49
  Don Armstrong: Not only did they shut it down but they bowled it, leveled it.
• 24:52
  Don Armstrong: Anyway, riding the handling, I did not take it off-road, I would have liked to and I think it would do well off-road.
• 24:59
  Don Armstrong: Actually, nice cross between city and off-road.
• 25:03
  Don Armstrong: In the handling department.
• 25:04
  Don Armstrong: What could use improvement?
• 25:06
  Don Armstrong: Just gonna throw it out there.
• 25:07
  Don Armstrong: But it jacks the price up.
• 25:09
  Don Armstrong: Adjustability in the suspension.
• 25:15
  Konrad Delong: It has that what I'll call that familiar.
• 25:17
  Konrad Delong: Look to the other Bronco.
• 25:19
  Konrad Delong: Yes, it does.
• 25:20
  Konrad Delong: You could tell that they are quasi sister.
• 25:25
  Don Armstrong: You've suggested the suspension on other vehicles that you have, I have, because it's out there and they can make it.
• 25:33
  Don Armstrong: But then that jacks the price up too much, it's very expensive, yeah, to do, and so I don't know for that, for that mode to get into that sort of stuff.
• 25:42
  Don Armstrong: I don't know if that's worth that Pricing Base trim price Base trim price $44,655.
• 25:50
  Don Armstrong: Prices tested $46,250.
• 25:52
  Don Armstrong: They're the base model price.
• 25:54
  Don Armstrong: You can get into one for $29,215.
• 25:57
  Don Armstrong: And it's a two-row only.
• 25:58
  Don Armstrong: It's a two-row, yeah, two-row seating.
• 26:00
  Don Armstrong: Competitors the Mazda CX50 starts at $27,550.
• 26:06
  Don Armstrong: The Honda CR-V starts at $29,550.
• 26:08
  Don Armstrong: And the Subaru Outback starts at $20,000.
• 26:12
  Don Armstrong: 3.95.
• 26:14
  Don Armstrong: So those are the competitors to it.
• 26:16
  Don Armstrong: And that is my review of the 23 Ford Bronco Sport.
• 26:21
  Don Armstrong: So I enjoyed it.
• 26:23
  Don Armstrong: Thanks again to Ford Cool for allowing me to drive it up to Wisconsin.
• 26:26
  Don Armstrong: Hey, I want to remind you that the In Wheel Time car talk show is available 24 seven through the iHeart radio app.
• 26:32
  Don Armstrong: Just look for In Wheel Time car talk.
• 26:34
  Don Armstrong: We also video stream on Facebook, youtube and InWhealtimecom, and podcasts are available on over a dozen of the most popular podcast outlets available in the world.
• 26:45
  Don Armstrong: Added in the world In the world.
• 26:49
  Don Armstrong: The In Wheel Time car talk show continues right after this quick break.
• 26:52
  Don Armstrong: Stay with us.
• 26:53
  Don Armstrong: The original group of loopy tortilla restaurants will have you telling your family and friends just what the original recipes mean when it comes to the best fajitas in southeast Texas.
• 27:01
  Don Armstrong: Founder Stan Holt invites you to visit the original loopy tortilla near I-10 at Highway 6.
• 27:06
  Don Armstrong: Here's the original house that inspired the design of all the rest and the original charm that helped make loopy tortilla the go-to destination for Houston Tex-Mex.
• 27:14
  Don Armstrong: Speaking of original, nothing can compete with the original lime pepper marinade that everyone will agree makes loopy tortilla award-winning beef fajitas the best anywhere.
• 27:22
  Don Armstrong: Loopy tortilla Katie is another location that gives you the same quality and service Houstonians have come to expect it.
• 27:28
  Don Armstrong: It's located just off I-10 of the Grand Parkway, at Kingsland Boulevard and Katie Find yourself in Aggieland.
• 27:33
  Don Armstrong: Head to the loopy tortilla in College Station, located just around the corner from Kyle Field.
• 27:38
  Don Armstrong: It's a great place to enjoy those famous frozen margaritas before or after the game.
• 27:42
  Don Armstrong: Head at east to Louisiana.
• 27:43
  Don Armstrong: Stop in at the loopy tortilla in Beaumont it twos on I-10.
• 27:47
  Don Armstrong: You can't miss it.
• 27:48
  Don Armstrong: The original group of loopy tortilla restaurants invites you in for the best Tex-Mex anywhere.
• 27:52
  Don Armstrong: You own a car you love, why not let Gulf Coast Auto Shield protect it?
• 27:56
  Don Armstrong: Houstonian John Gray invites you to his state-of-the-art facility to introduce you to his specialist team of auto enthusiasts.
• 28:03
  Don Armstrong: We promise you'll be impressed, whether you're looking to massage your original paint to a like-new appearance, apply a ceramic coating, install a paint protection film, nanoceramic window tint or new windshield protection called ExoShield.
• 28:16
  Don Armstrong: Gulf Coast Auto Shield is where Houston's car people go.
• 28:19
  Don Armstrong: Curb your wheels Instead of buying new one.
• 28:22
  Don Armstrong: I'd have them repaired.
• 28:23
  Don Armstrong: How about a professionally installed radar detector?
• 28:25
  Don Armstrong: Gulf Coast Auto Shield does that too.
• 28:27
  Don Armstrong: Get a peek inside the shop and look at the services offered by getting online and heading to GCautoshieldcom.
• 28:33
  Don Armstrong: Better yet, stop by their facility at 11275 South Sam Houston Tullway, just south of the Southwest Freeway, and get a personal tour.
• 28:40
  Don Armstrong: Gulf Coast Auto Shield is your place to go for all things exterior.
• 28:44
  Don Armstrong: Call them today, 832-930-5655, or GCautoshieldcom.
• 28:51
  Don Armstrong: The award-winning In Wheel Time car talk show is available on the most popular podcast channels out there in 30-minute episodes.
• 28:57
  Don Armstrong: We realize our three-hour live show can be difficult to catch in its entirety, so now you can listen every day to a convenient, fresh 30-minute episode.
• 29:04
  Don Armstrong: Check us out on Apple Podcasts, spotify, google Podcasts, amazon Music and Audible, along with a dozen more.
• 29:11
  Don Armstrong: In Wheel Time has the most informative automotive guest interviews and new car reviews, along with popular features including Conrad's car clinic and this week in auto history, along with automotive news headlines.
• 29:21
  Don Armstrong: Our live broadcast airs every Saturday 8 to 11 central on InWheelTimecom, the iHeart app and on YouTube.
• 29:28
  Don Armstrong: Be sure to say hello when we're broadcasting from the tailpipes and tacos cruise in Auto-Rama and the Houston Auto Show, among others.
• 29:35
  Don Armstrong: Now it's easier than ever to hear about all things automotive all week long.
• 29:39
  Don Armstrong: You're invited to join fellow car enthusiasts in becoming part of the ever-growing In Wheel Time car talk family.
• 29:44
  Don Armstrong: Don't forget those 30-minute podcast episodes on your favorite podcast channel.
• 29:49
  Don Armstrong: That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time car show.
• 29:53
  Don Armstrong: I'm Don Armstrong, inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning 8 to 11 am central on Facebook, youtube, twitch and our InWheelTimecom website.
• 30:04
  Don Armstrong: Podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, spotify, stitcher, iheart Podcast Podcast Addict TuneIn Pandora.