#228: BMW M850i & Bentley Bentayga Review; FCA/Peugeot Merger

11/08/19 • 28 min

We recently rented two very expensive cars to try out at our test track: the 2019 BMW M850i, and the 2020 Bentley Bentayga. While these high-end cars are too rare for CR to purchase and formally enter into our test program, we share our impressions of these cars, and whether these six figure vehicles deliver an experience worthy of their sky high price tags. We also discuss the possible merger of Fiat Chrysler with French automaker Peugeot, and how past automaker mergers and alliances have affected consumers. In this week's audience questions segment, we explain the science behind snow tire performance in wet conditions, choose a mid-life crisis car for an outdoor enthusiast, and tell you why you definitely should not test your car's automatic emergency braking (AEB) system at home.

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Audio version: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-cars-mp3/id630831189?mt=2

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

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SHOW NOTES

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1:11 - Fiat Chrysler/Peugeot Merger

6:36 - @ the Track: 2020 Bentley Bentayga and 2019 BMW M850i

7:09 - Why did CR rent these high-end vehicles?

8:52 - Bentley Bentayga discussion

15:00 - BMW M850i discussion

17:40 - Audience Questions

17:58 - Video Question #1: How do you account for longer wet-stopping distances on winter tires?

22:11 - Video Question #2: How do I know if FCW/AEB systems actually work?

25:40 - What’s a good mid-life crisis replacement for a Volvo XC60?

LINKS

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2020 Kia Telluride Quick Drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBNhy1Putrs

2020 Toyota Supra; Talking Cars #203: http...

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Subscribe to Talking Cars on Apple Podcasts!

Video version: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-cars-hq/id630839767?mt=2

Audio version: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-cars-mp3/id630831189?mt=2

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

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

SHOW NOTES

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1:11 - Fiat Chrysler/Peugeot Merger

6:36 - @ the Track: 2020 Bentley Bentayga and 2019 BMW M850i

7:09 - Why did CR rent these high-end vehicles?

8:52 - Bentley Bentayga discussion

15:00 - BMW M850i discussion

17:40 - Audience Questions

17:58 - Video Question #1: How do you account for longer wet-stopping distances on winter tires?

22:11 - Video Question #2: How do I know if FCW/AEB systems actually work?

25:40 - What’s a good mid-life crisis replacement for a Volvo XC60?

LINKS

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2020 Kia Telluride Quick Drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBNhy1Putrs

2020 Toyota Supra; Talking Cars #203: http...

Previous Episode

#227 2020 Lincoln Corsair First Impressions; How Crash Test Dummies Can Cause Injuries

We give our first impressions of the 2020 Lincoln Corsair SUV, which we recently bought for our testing program, including how it compares to the platforming-sharing 2020 Ford Escape. We also discuss our recent investigation into how male-focused crash test dummies put female drivers at risk. And we answer your questions about compact SUVs under $10,000, Apple CarPlay subscriptions, and the science behind anti-whiplash seats.

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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

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02:24 - The Crash Test Dummy Bias

12:40 - 2020 Lincoln Corsair First Impressions

18:51 - Question #1: How do ant-whiplash front seats affect rear seat occupants?

22:01 - Question #2: Is Apple CarPlay becoming a subscription based service?

23:17 - Question #3: A comfortable and fuel efficient sedan for senior drivers?

27:18 - Question #4: A reliable compact SUV under 10K?

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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/

2019 New York Auto Show: 2020 Lincoln Corsair

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SfX2lGIMZs

All-New 2020 Lincoln Corsair Gains Interior Glamour and Tech

https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/2020-lincoln-corsair-preview/

2019 New York Auto Show: 2020 Ford Escape

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

2012 Honda CR-V review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcZ-KdWzcyM

2015 Honda CR-V Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUyV-NyUt7s

2014 Subaru Forester first drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0mHmaL_8I4

2013 Mazda CX-5 review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtIXKw4tvSo

2016 Mazda CX-5 Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlnxhx4MpCU

2017 Audi A4 Quick Drive

Next Episode

#229 2020 Subaru Outback; Consumer Reports’ Reliability Survey Results

We've completed our testing on the 2020 Subaru Outback, and share the results of this popular crossover. Every year, hundreds of thousands of CR's members take part in our annual reliability survey, answering questions about how well the vehicles they drive every day are holding up, or if they are experiencing issues. We discuss our survey methods, and give advice on making a wise car buying decision. Also, we answer audience questions about why the Toyota Hilux is not available in North America, why some manufacturers seem to have chronic issues with reliability despite using modern production lines, and we recommend a manual commuter car with a balance of driving fun and creature comforts.

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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/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQ

SHOW NOTES

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

01:10 - Consumer Reports’ Reliability Survey Results

06:21 - 2020 Subaru Outback Test Results

12:34 - Question #1: why some manufacturers seem to have chronic issues with reliability despite using modern production lines?

16:28 - Question #2: why the Toyota Hilux is not available in North America?

18:50 - Question #3: What is a good manual commuter car with a balance of driving fun and creature comforts?

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Guide to Car Reliability

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

2020 Subaru Outback Quick Drive

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

2019 New York Auto Show: 2020 Subaru Outback

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCEooaLT3Z0

2017 Audi Q7 Quick Drive

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

2016 Toyota Tacoma Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHnpNycnJ1s

2018 Mazda6 Quick Drive

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

2017 Honda Civic Is Quick Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyKF6jsVIug

2015 Volkswagen GTI first drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVL-IczHyl8

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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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