America on the Road

The first journalists have driven production versions of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, and we at “America on the Road” were among them. Not only is the F-150 Lightning a remarkable vehicle that is fast, stable, and eerily silent, but it also has superpowers that have very little to do with driving. How about the ability to power your house for days if a thunderstorm knocks out your electricity? How about the ability to recharge ot...

As more and more people consider switching from conventional vehicles to EVs, we wanted to see what it would be like to live with one of the most-appealing EVs out there. So we borrowed a 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge and put it through a rigorous list of tasks for a week. The XC40 Recharge is Volvo’s leader in its quest to become an all-electric carmaker by 2035. The big question: is: can the average American adapt to the new lifestyle...

After years of existing in the wilderness, Ford Motor Company is taking the midsize Ford Explorer back into the woods. And it hopes the move will help get the midsize SUV out of the woods and into the sales sunshine. We have just tested the 2022 Ford Explorer Timberline, the automaker’s newest version of its very important SUV. The goal is not only to sell Timberline models; it is also to give a new, more adventurous sheen to the F...

Have you ever wondered why a Mazda feels like a Mazda and nothing else? We’ll have the answer for you in our exclusive interview with Dave Coleman, Mazda Vehicle Dynamics Manager. Host Jack Nerad had the chance to have a long discussion with Coleman on the recent first drive of the Mazda CX-50 crossover utility. He gave us insight into the special things Mazda does to give their vehicles an edge others lack.

Among other things, he’...

Volvo is turning itself into a completely new brand with a strong emphasis on EVs. The latest example of that is the all-new Volvo C40 Recharge, a vehicle we got a chance to test drive in the desert of Southern California. Kristina Vasandani, Volvo Senior Product Manager, is an expert on the C40 Recharge EV, and Host Jack Nerad got the chance to talk with her at length about the new car and how it fits into Volvo’s plans to concent...

Two global giants that many feel are past their prime have gotten together on a major joint venture to build electric vehicles. General Motors and Honda have announced plans to codevelop a series of “affordable electric vehicles” based on a new global architecture using next-generation Ultium battery technology. GM currently uses Ultium battery tech in its just-introduced GMC Hummer EV pickup truck.

The companies say they will ente...

Ford has just introduced a new low-priced off-road version of the F-150 pickup that is sure to be a hit. And we’ll tell you all about it in this episode of America on the Road.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Rattler is a rugged, entry-level addition to the Ford truck lineup. Its standard four-wheel-drive is a tipoff to its off-road emphasis. Designed with affordability in mind, it is based on the XL series, and it leverages FX4 content. The F...

Jeep continues to move toward electrification while retaining all the capabilities that it is known for. The latest example of that is the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, a plug-in hybrid version of the new five-passenger SUV. In this episode Host Jack Nerad interviews Jim Morrison, head of Jeep in North America, about the brand’s recent efforts to add electrified versions of many of its top products. The interview was conducted as M...

For the 2022 model year, the Mustang will offer five new special edition models while standing pat mechanically. With no major changes this year in powertrain or suspension, the special editions should give buyers a new reason to take a look at the venerable sports model. The limited editions are designed to suit a wide variety of tastes. They include the Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition, Ice White Edition Coupe, California Special GT...