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This week on America on the Road, host Jack Nerad is joined by guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo for a packed episode of industry news and road tests. They discuss Stellantis’s improving North American results, strong projected October sales, General Motors’ long-overdue move into hybrids, and Honda’s warning about potential 50% tariffs on Canadian-built vehicles. Matt delivers a first drive of the all-new 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid, while Jack tests the 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus. Special guest Derek Joyce, product expert, joins to discuss the 2027 Hyundai Tucson. Listener question of the week comes from Steve in Tacoma, Washington.
🚗 Matt DeLorenzo’s Road Test: 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid
Nissan brings back a hybrid Rogue for 2027, this time as a series hybrid (e-Power). Twin electric motors (one per axle) provide all-wheel drive and 225 total horsepower, while a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine acts purely as a generator with no mechanical connection to the wheels and no CVT. The result is EV-like smoothness and quietness, with the engine only becoming noticeable under hard acceleration. EPA estimates are 40 mpg city / 36 highway / 38 combined. The SR trim tested features Zero Gravity seats, a 14.3-inch screen, contemporary styling, and more than 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Pricing starts around $36,000 for the SR; SV and Platinum trims follow. Both hosts found it a strong, practical compact SUV that should help revive Nissan’s fortunes against rivals such as the RAV4, CR-V, and Santa Fe.
⚡ Jack Nerad’s Road Test: 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus
Mazda’s three-row plug-in hybrid sits at the top of the lineup and blends luxury, performance, and electrification. The system pairs an inline-six with electric assistance for 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, sent through an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive with a rear-biased feel. Electric-only range is rated at 26 miles; combined MPGe is 56. 0-60 comes in about six seconds despite a roughly 5,200-pound curb weight. The Premium Plus trim offers Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats (including heated second-row captain’s chairs), adaptive LED lighting, and a firm, engaging chassis that prioritizes Zoom-Zoom dynamics. Cargo space and third-row room are a bit tighter than some rivals, and the modest EV range requires consistent plugging in to maximize benefits. At around $60,000 fully loaded, it delivers understated premium character without a traditional luxury badge.
📈 Stellantis Signs of Recovery
Stellantis (Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler) posted a still-substantial $505 million quarterly loss but showed clear improvement. Ram sales rose 30 percent (Ram 1500 up 73 percent, helped by V8 availability), Dodge Durango climbed 14 percent, and Chrysler Pacifica gained 6 percent. The company is gaining North American market share as truck demand rebounds and regulatory pressure on fuel economy and pure EVs eases, allowing it to better amortize earlier EV investments.
📊 Strong October Sales Outlook
Cox Automotive forecasts U.S. new-vehicle sales of 1.38 million units in October—up 7.2 percent year-over-year and 3.6 percent from September—pushing the full-year seasonally adjusted annual rate toward 16.1 million. Strength is concentrated in more affordable subcompact and compact SUVs/crossovers plus compact cars, with midsize SUVs also up about 9 percent. Consumers appear willing to replace aging vehicles despite broader economic concerns that are largely unfounded.
🔄 GM Finally Adds Hybrids
After years of prioritizing pure EVs (and canceling the Chevy Volt), General Motors announced gasoline-electric hybrids for many crossovers and SUVs, starting with the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, and GMC Acadia. The move fills a competitive gap. Rivals already offer hybrids that add roughly $1,500 to the sticker while delivering meaningfully better fuel economy. GM’s U.S. market share has slipped from 17.4 percent to 16.6 percent in recent months; hybrids should help stop further erosion even if they never dominate volume.
🇨🇦 Honda Warns on Canadian Tariffs
Honda Senior Vice President Jennifer Thomas called a potential jump to 50 percent U.S. tariffs on Canadian-built vehicles and steel “catastrophic.” Honda has significant Canadian production feeding the U.S. market. The company is already shifting some Mexican output northward in response to other tariff pressures and faces a delicate political balancing act with the Canadian government.
🎙️ Special Guest
Derek Joyce, product expert on the 2027 Hyundai Tucson, discusses the recently introduced model that was unveiled in New York.
📩 Listener Question of the Week
Steve from Tacoma, Washington asks: With new-vehicle prices remaining high, would you rather buy a brand-new economy car or a three-year-old luxury vehicle for the same money? Matt leans toward the new compact for warranty, latest safety tech, and features (especially if the used example is not CPO). Jack is tempted by the used luxury car for the driving experience and image, noting that the choice is ultimately personal and emotional.
💻 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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📚 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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