2026 Audi A5/S5: Putting Audi’s New Liftbacks to the Test

This week on America on the Road, Jack Nerad and guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo test two vastly different vehicles, both with stellar performance potential. In our road test segment, Matt and Jack share their drives of the new 2026 Audi A5 and S5, now a liftback duo that replaces both the A4 sedan and A5 Sportback. Jack also reviews Hyundai’s most luxurious electric SUV yet, the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 Calligraphy. And in our interview segment, Jack speaks with Matthew Jones, founder of Towlos, a fast-growing trailer-sharing marketplace with a unique origin story.

Jack and Matt also reflect on the aftermath of the Los Angeles Auto Show, where the pair got a first look at several major debuts. They also share insider commentary as longtime jurors for the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards, which announced their 2026 finalists at the show.

🚗 Road Tests

Matt DeLorenzo Test-Drives the 2026 Audi A5

Matt gets behind the wheel of the redesigned Audi A5, now a single model that blends the roles of the A4 and former A5 Sportback. With standard all-wheel drive, a 268-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, a spacious hatch, and a composed ride, the A5 aims to balance performance with everyday usefulness. Matt walks through the car’s comfort, cabin design, and how it stacks up against key German rivals. Jack and Matt both chip in with info on the S5, which Jack drove during NACTOY testing in Michigan recently.

Jack Nerad Reviews the All-New 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 Calligraphy

Looking for a family-size EV? Jack tests Hyundai’s flagship three-row battery-electric Ioniq 9. Riding on the brand’s E-GMP platform, the Ioniq 9 Calligraphy offers a large 110.3-kWh battery, available AWD, up to 335 miles of range, fast 800-volt charging, and a quiet, lounge-inspired interior. Jack explains where it shines on refinement and technology, and what buyers should know as Hyundai pushes further into premium EV territory.

🎙️ Special Guest Interview

Matthew Jones, Founder of Towlos

This week’s guest is entrepreneur and self-described car enthusiast Matthew Jones, who created Towlos, a peer-to-peer trailer-sharing platform that’s solving a long-overlooked problem in the towing world. He joins Jack to talk about the idea that sparked the company, how the platform works, and why trailer accessibility matters more than people think.

📰 This Week’s Auto Headlines

2026 North American Car, Truck & Utility Vehicle of the Year Finalists Announced

The Los Angeles Auto Show kicked off with the reveal of this year’s NACTOY finalists. As jurors, Jack and Matt share inside perspective on the surprises and standouts.

Car Finalists: Dodge Charger, Honda Prelude, Nissan Sentra

Truck Finalists: Ford Maverick Lobo, Ram 1500 Hemi, Ram 2500

Utility Finalists: Hyundai Palisade, Lucid Gravity, Nissan Leaf

DOT Introduces a New Female Crash-Test Dummy

For the first time, regulators are adopting a crash test dummy built to reflect real female body proportions. With more than 150 sensors, it is designed to better measure how women experience crash forces. Safety gaps between genders have persisted for decades, and this marks a long-overdue shift.

Tesla Faces Lawsuit Over Model 3 Crash and Fire

Tesla is under new scrutiny after a lawsuit alleges sudden acceleration, battery-fire risks, and electric door-handle failu