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This week on America on the Road, Jack Nerad and co-host Chris Teague deliver fresh road tests of the 2026 Land Rover Defender 130 V8 and the affordable 2026 Chevrolet Trax. They also examine Tesla’s large-scale China door-release campaign and its implications for U.S. owners, Volvo’s expanded connected safety alerts, Kia’s 2027 Niro and Sportage pricing, Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 growth plan, and Chevrolet’s refreshed High Country trim on the Traverse.
🚗 Jack Nerad’s Road Test: 2026 Chevrolet Trax
The Chevy Trax is a sharp-looking, roomy subcompact SUV that punches above its price. The 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder offers 137 hp and its six-speed automatic helps deliver more than adequate daily performance. A quiet cabin, car-like ride, generous rear legroom, and 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats make the little SUV worthy of a look. The LT trim pricing starts around $23,200, and the as-tested price of the vehicle Jack reviews was $27,975. In all, the Trax delivers strong value with modern tech and solid safety features at one of the lowest prices in the segment.
🚗 Chris Teague’s Road Test: 2026 Land Rover Defender 130 V8
The longest Land Rover Defender seats up to eight across three rows while keeping the iconic boxy look and serious off-road hardware. The P400 mild-hybrid 3.0-liter inline-six delivers 395 hp and 406 lb-ft; the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 P500 test vehicle makes 493 hp and 450 lb-ft. Permanent AWD, two-speed transfer case, and standard air suspension that provides up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance are among the Defender 130’s top features. Pricing starts in the low-to-mid $70,000s, but our test vehicle was well into six figures.
📊 Tesla China Recalls Raise U.S. Safety Questions
Chinese regulators have ordered Tesla to fix emergency door releases on nearly 3 million vehicles and update driver-attention systems on more than 2.7 million Model 3 and Y cars. The actions put NHTSA on notice. U.S. owners should stay current on software, learn mechanical release locations, and monitor the safety agency for any parallel action.
📡 Volvo Expands Connected Safety Network
Volvo is adding large animal, vulnerable road user, roadwork, and accident ahead alerts to its connected safety system, turning more than a million vehicles into a real-time hazard network that can share data across brands. Spatial Audio for Apple CarPlay also arrives via over-the-air update on EX90 models with Bowers & Wilkins audio.
💰 Kia Sets 2027 Niro and Sportage Pricing
The 2027 Niro starts at $29,890 for the LX and is all-hybrid. The gas Sportage X-Line now includes a panoramic sunroof and smart power liftgate as standard. Both models receive styling, tech, and refinement updates.
🚙 Mitsubishi Details Momentum 2030 Growth Plan
Mitsubishi is expanding its U.S. lineup to six vehicles by 2027, adding a new Eclipse Sportback EV, a rugged Outlander variant, and may have plans to re-enter the pickup segment via collaboration with Nissan. The strategy focuses on electrification, product renewal, and dealer growth.
✨ Chevrolet Refreshes High Country for 2027 Traverse
The top High Country trim gains a bolder exterior with new badging, Tritan Satin accents, and 22-inch wheels, plus richer interior materials and an interior camera for Cabin Glance. The 2.5-liter turbo with 328 hp and up to 98 cubic feet of cargo remain part of the Traverse program.
🎙️ Special Guest
Veteran auto journalist Chris Wardlaw joins Jack and Chris.
📩 Listener Question of the Week
Rick from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina asks: “What maintenance items do most drivers ignore until it’s too late?”
💻 Investigate Jack’s New Substack
📚 Jack Nerad’s Latest Book
Jack’s crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, is available now in paperback and eBook on Amazon — currently at a sale price.
🎧 Where to Listen
Catch America on the Road on your local Sports Byline Radio Network station each week and subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Follow for new car reviews, guest interviews, auto news, and road tests.
Sponsored by Mercury Insurance and DrivingToday.com
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📨 Email: editor@drivingtoday.com
📚 Look for Matt DeLorenzo’s Book on AMG
Look for guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo’s terrific new book Mercedes-AMG: Race-Bred Performance
📚 Check Out Gary Witzenburg’s New Book
Pick up a copy of auto journalist Gary Witzenburg’s engaging new book Legends in Motion.
📚 Special Price for Jack’s Newest Crime Novel
Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a 67%-off price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price.
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