In Wheel Time Podcast: Your Go-To Automotive Talk Show

Awards shape buyer decisions more than most of us realize, so we sat down with veteran juror and radio host Jack Nerad to peel back how North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year actually get chosen. Fifty independent journalists, a year of testing, multiple voting rounds, and a marathon drive event near Detroit all lead to three names everyone talks about. We walk through the process, the politics (or lack thereof), and th...

Looking for a winter car fix without a long road trip? We map out a string of Texas car museums that punch above their weight, from Austin’s rock-and-roll-infused collection to the Hillsboro time capsule and Woody’s Classic Cars and Baseball Museum. The highlight is the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum’s Chaparral Gallery, where engineering legends meet live demonstrations that keep these racers in motion, not mothballed. We wrap the...

Ever wondered why your first fast-charging session felt so pricey? We dig into the real numbers behind fueling an electric vehicle versus a gas car and show where the savings actually live. With Anderson Economic Group’s data in hand, we focus on fuel-only costs per 100 miles, stripping away purchase price and repairs to reveal a clean comparison that helps you decide based on your daily reality, not marketing claims.

We b...

Big SUVs promise comfort and power, but where do they land on efficiency, tech, and day-to-day usability? We took the 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor and the 2026 Lincoln Aviator Black Label on extended drives to find out. From grille details and cabin storage to third-row realities and highway manners, we dig into what these family haulers do well and where they fall short.

The Expedition Tremor leans into body-on-frame muscl...

Fire up your curiosity: what happens when AI, humanoid robots, and digital manufacturing collide on the factory floor? We dig into the bold prediction that a fully automated car assembly line could be operating by 2030 and unpack what it really takes to get there. From wiring harnesses and delicate dashboard installs to the complexity of door modules, we separate headlines from the hard engineering work that makes or breaks automat...

What really makes a car a classic—age, design, or the stories we attach to it? We dive into a lively debate on classic status, from the beloved Tri-Five Chevys to the late-50s and 70s icons that still turn heads. Along the way, we swap drag strip memories, laugh about dual antennas and sagging springs, and draw a clean line between resto-mods and factory-correct restorations. The big question sits in the middle of it all: who decid...

Think you can read the market better than the bidders? We put that to the test with a live Hemmings sold-car roundup—calling final prices and then revealing the hammer on a lineup that spans a 1966 Dodge W100, a first-year 1970 Monte Carlo, a polarizing 1993 Cadillac Allanté, a white-on-white 1973 Pontiac Firebird, a slick 1959 VW Beetle resto-mod, and a modern-legend 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The fun isn’t just in the guesses; it’s ...

Ever wondered what happens when you hand a team $2,200, drop them in Detroit, and tell them to chase riddles across America for a good cause? We sit down with organizer Richard Tomlin to unpack Wrench Rally 3, a back-roads, no-interstate adventure where budget beaters become charity champions. From the thrill of the hunt on Facebook Marketplace to the tight ten-minute evening check-in window, Richard explains how a gimmick rally bl...

Looking for a small truck that actually does big truck things without the bulk? We put the 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo through real-world paces and found a compact that blends smart packaging, confident power, and everyday usefulness. From the clean new dash and bigger screen to the rugged cabin and under-seat storage, this one proves you don’t need an oversized footprint to tow, haul, and handle errands with ease. With 250 horsepower ...

A rainy gas stop in 1986 led to one of the most useful car features you use without thinking: the tiny arrow on your fuel gauge. We share the little-known story of Ford interior designer James Moylan, whose quick proposal turned a personal mishap into a global convenience. It’s a reminder that smart automotive UX often starts with empathy, not expensive tech—and it’s the perfect lens for looking at what modern cars still get wrong ...

The doors are about to open on Houston’s biggest automotive moment, and we’ve got your playbook. We walk the floor plan, the test tracks, and the insider perks so you can plan a smarter visit that actually answers your buying questions. Think 23 automotive brands side by side, five acres of boats, and ride-along experiences that turn spec sheets into seat-of-the-pants truth.

We start with the headline attractions: Camp Jee...

Continuing with our End of Year showcase...

Two SUVs, two philosophies, one clear question: what do you actually want from your daily driver? We put the 2025 Mazda CX-5 under the microscope to see why a design from 2017 still pulls buyers, then swing to the Dodge Durango’s 5.7 Hemi to explore how old-school power and modern tech can coexist in a three-row hauler. Along the way, we zoom in on steering feel, ride character, real-world...

Big luxury meets real-world testing as we put the fully redesigned 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph through its paces and ask the question that matters: does six-figure comfort justify its place among Escalade, Navigator, and Grand Wagoneer? We break down the Autograph’s quilted-leather lounge, massaging seats in two rows, digital rearview mirror, and 14.3-inch infotainment, then pair it with hard numbers from the new twin‑turbo V6—450...

We continue our 2025 End Of Year look...

Looking for clarity on your next daily driver? We put two very different paths under the microscope: Volvo’s 2025 EX40 Twin Motor Ultra with its tight, tech-forward approach to electrification, and Chevrolet’s 2026 Tahoe Premier 4WD with big V8 torque, real towing, and road-trip comfort. The contrast reveals what you truly trade—time at chargers for quiet torque, touchscreen taps for min...

We wrap up the year with two radically different drives, one honest verdict. We put the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata through its paces to see if a featherweight roadster with a manual top and a “butter” shifter still delivers peak driving joy in a world of screens and mega-SUVs. Then we jump into the 2025 GMC Acadia Denali to test whether a quiet, tech-rich, seven-passenger family hauler can feel premium without feeling ponderous, and how...

Ready for a real-world look at two very different small SUVs? We put the 2025 Subaru Forester Premium Hybrid AWD and the Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD through their paces and compare what matters when you’re not reading a brochure. From highway range and cabin comfort to pricing ladders and charging access, we cut through the noise and share where each vehicle genuinely excels.

We start with the Forester Hybrid’s practical package: ...

Big power, big space, and even bigger holiday plans. We put the all-new 2025 Ford Expedition Max under the microscope, from its streamlined grille and clever two-piece tailgate to a fully revamped interior with twin screens and a sliding center console that actually changes daily usability. With 400 horsepower, 480 lb-ft of torque, and up to 9,000 pounds of towing, the Max Platinum proves it can haul, cruise, and carry with confide...

Prices keep climbing, patience keeps thinning, and the smartest car on the lot might be the one that’s two or three years old. We sit down to explore why a crowd-pleaser like the VW ID. Buzz is slipping from the U.S. launch calendar, how an $80,000 price tag changes the conversation, and where EVs still struggle to deliver everyday convenience for people without home charging. From the Detroit Auto Show preview to the North America...

A twelve-year-old car can be a trusty friend or a looming money pit—and most of us don’t know which until a big repair lands in our lap. We sat down with RepairSurge CEO Jon Vorisek to unpack a clear, data-driven way to decide whether to fix an aging vehicle or sell it with confidence. Drawing on usage patterns across manuals for 10,000+ models, John breaks down which repairs usually pay for themselves and where to draw the line us...