#282 2020 Land Rover Defender First Impressions; CR's Annual Auto Reliability Survey

11/20/20 • 29 min

2 Listeners

Every year, Consumer Reports releases the results of its auto reliability survey, collecting data from hundreds of thousands of our members. We share the process of collecting this data, as well as some highlights from this year's results. The 2020 Land Rover Defender is a recent addition to our test program, and we share our first impressions on this resurrected and rugged luxury off-roader SUV. We also answer questions about NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) shields on cars, possible solutions to end a burdensome car lease, and at what point a child can safely ride in a vehicle without a booster seat.

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SHOW NOTES

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00:00 - Introduction

00:37 - Consumer Reports Auto Reliability Survey Results

09:25 - 2020 Land Rover Defender First Impressions

19:13 - Question #1: Do NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) shield help with preventing rust and corrosion on a vehicle?

21:27 - Question #2: Which vehicle would be a competent replacement for a 2003 Toyota Highlander?

25:25 - Question #3: Is there a possible solution to ending a burdensome car lease?

27:09 - Question #4: At what point a child can safely ride in a vehicle without a booster seat?

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CR Auto Reliability

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-car-reliability-guide/

Coronavirus Resource Hub

https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/

Car Care During Coronavirus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53CdG_7nDcU

Booster Sets: Why Your Big Kid May Still Need a Booster

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5h6kzWEyTU

2020 Subaru Outback Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovW5kMBdLB0

2017 Honda Ridgeline Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJJeNbqaQAM

4K Review: 2017 Toyota Highlander Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic5Obebxcv8

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Check out http://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez

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-----------------------------------

Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!

From your iOS device, iMessage us at [email protected] to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!

We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/

Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6

SHOW NOTES

-----------------------------------

00:00 - Introduction

00:37 - Consumer Reports Auto Reliability Survey Results

09:25 - 2020 Land Rover Defender First Impressions

19:13 - Question #1: Do NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) shield help with preventing rust and corrosion on a vehicle?

21:27 - Question #2: Which vehicle would be a competent replacement for a 2003 Toyota Highlander?

25:25 - Question #3: Is there a possible solution to ending a burdensome car lease?

27:09 - Question #4: At what point a child can safely ride in a vehicle without a booster seat?

----------------------------------

CR Auto Reliability

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-car-reliability-guide/

Coronavirus Resource Hub

https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/

Car Care During Coronavirus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53CdG_7nDcU

Booster Sets: Why Your Big Kid May Still Need a Booster

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5h6kzWEyTU

2020 Subaru Outback Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovW5kMBdLB0

2017 Honda Ridgeline Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJJeNbqaQAM

4K Review: 2017 Toyota Highlander Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic5Obebxcv8

-----------------------------------

Check out http://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1IQ2w5q

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1Yf5Fh2

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1P37mM9

Instagram: http://bit.ly/1I49Bzo

Google+: http://bit.ly/1Md3gfQ

Previous Episode

#281 Toyota RAV4 Fuel Issues; Are Crash Tests Too Perfect?

We discuss a number of topics this week, including an issue with Toyota RAV4 hybrids not able to fully fill their gas tanks, why some recall fixes can leave you without your car for months, if the positioning of occupant dummies in crash tests is not applicable to real-world conditions, why automaker Mitsubishi isn't as popular in the US market as it once was, the methodology behind CR's driving impressions and our Overall Score, why your next new car might be a tight fit in your garage, whether a Kia Stinger or Volkswagen Arteon is a better choice for a Canadian driver, and why luxury sports cars aren't required to be crash tested.

-----------------------------------

Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!

From your iOS device, iMessage us at [email protected] to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!

We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/

Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6

SHOW NOTES

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00:00 - Introduction

01:28 - Question #1: Why some Toyota RAV4 hybrids have an issue with not being able to fully fill their gas tanks?

06:34 - Question #2: Why some car recalls take a long time to get fixed?

11:33 - Question #3: Why is the positioning of occupant dummies in crash test are not applicable to real-world conditions?

16:13 - Question #4: Why Mitsubishi vehicles aren’t as popular in the US as they are in other parts of the world?

18:31 - Question #5: What methodology is behind CR’s driving impressions and overall score?

20:24 - Question #6: Why does it seem like the cars are getting bigger, but garages are not?

23:01 - Question #7: Which Sportback is a better choice for a Canadian driver, a Kia Stinger or the Volkswagen Arteon?

26:17 - Question #8: Why some luxury sports cars are not required to be crash tested?

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Coronavirus Resource Hub

https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/

New Toyota Highlander SUVs Recalled for Stall Risk

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/new-toyota-highlander-suvs-recalled-for-stall-risk/

Some Cars Will Never Be Crash-Tested, Leaving Consumers in the Dark

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/some-cars-will-never-be-crash-tested-crash-test-ratings/

The Crash Test Bias: How Male-Focused Testing Puts Female Drivers at Risk

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/crash-test-bias-how-male-focused-testing-puts-female-drivers-at-risk/

Federal Car Crash Testing Needs Major Overhaul, Safety Advocates Say

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/federal-car-crash-testing-needs-major-overhaul-safety-advocates-say/

2019 Volkswagen Arteon Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKYkg3Jw8HQ

4K Review: 2018 Kia Stinger Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z23ztuujxfA

-----------------------------------

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Next Episode

#283 2021 Toyota Venza first Impressions; Ballooning Cost of Ownership for BMWs

We recently purchased an all-new 2021 Toyota Venza for our test program, and we share our first impressions on the driving dynamics, hybrid powertrain, and standard advanced safety features of this midsized SUV. For some car brands, maintenance expenses can skyrocket once warranty and free-maintenance periods are over; we discuss why this can affect some brands more than others, particularly German automaker BMW. We also answer questions about matrix LED headlights and why they aren't yet available in the US, whether a convertible should be stored with its top up or down, and we share what we are thankful for, both personally and in the automotive world, in the crazy year that is 2020.

-----------------------------------

Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!

From your iOS device, iMessage us at [email protected] to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!

We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/

Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6

SHOW NOTES

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00:00 - Introduction

00:31 - 2021 Toyota Venza First Drive

10:34 - Question #1: Why do BMWs skyrocket in ownership cost over a long period of time?

13:48 - Question #2: Why Matrix LED headlights are not allowed in the US?

17:01 - Question #3: What is the best practice for storing a convertible in a garage?

18:16 - Question #4: Which 3-row SUV is best suited for hauling 3 grandchildren?

21:58 - Things we are most grateful for this Thanksgiving.

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Coronavirus Resource Hub

https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/

Car Care During Coronavirus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53CdG_7nDcU

First Drive: 2021 Toyota Venza Strikes an SUV Sweet Spot

https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/2021-toyota-venza-hybrid-review/

Toyota Venza review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAV6MdAv8LQ

The Cost of Car Ownership Over Time

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership/

2020 Kia Telluride Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBNhy1Putrs

4K Review: 2016 Mazda CX-9 Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UigcJd7PVY

2019 Subaru Ascent Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCgPso_jBDk

4K Review: 2017 Toyota Highlander Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic5Obebxcv8

-----------------------------------

Check out http://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1IQ2w5q

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1Yf5Fh2

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1P37mM9

Instagram: http://bit.ly/1I49Bzo

Google+: http://bit.ly/1Md3gfQ