Main themes: CR is renting two 2019 RAV4s from Toyota, and Jake, Gabe, and Keith share their thoughts about the compact crossover's new look. We'll buy a RAV4 for testing when the redesigned models hit the market later this year.

Then our panel explains CR's efforts to get names for advanced safety and driver-assist systems standardized across the industry. And last, we discuss why CR tweaked its ratings to take into account whether a car has a standard blind-spot warning system.

Driven this week: 2019 Toyota RAV4

Audience questions:

  • Should I lease a car if I'm not sure I want to buy it?
  • Why can't I buy a Genesis G70 yet?
  • Has the reliability of the Mazda CX-9 improved?
  • Help me choose a plug-in hybrid.
Talking Cars Panelists Gabe Shenhar, Keith Barry, and Jake Fisher
Panelists: Gabe Shenhar, Keith Barry, and Jake Fisher.

As with other "Talking Cars" episodes, this one is available free through Apple Podcasts. (Subscribe to the audio or video.) You'll also find the audio on Spotify and video on YouTube.

New Car Reliability, episode 174
All Questions, episode 173
Honda CR-V Engine Issues, Nissan Altima, episode 172
CR Ranks Automated Driving Systems, episode 171
Google Maps, Alexa, Subaru Forester, episode 170


Have a Question?

We'd love to include it in a future show. Click here to upload your video questions to our Dropbox folder. Please send high-definition (1920x1080) MP4 video files with high-quality audio. Or send an iMessage question to our TalkingCars@icloud.com account.