The elephant in the room this week is the landslide election of Donald J. Trump and what it means to the auto industry and the American car buyer. From tariffs to regulation changes to tax breaks, things won’t be the same, and we’ll look at it all though our America on the Road lens. Changes, they are acomin’, so buckle up for what will be a new and fascinating ride.

In the road test segment week, we’ll be taking a close look at two popular crossovers: the 2025 Kia Sorento and the 2024 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus. Both vehicles have established beachheads in the crowded crossover market, but are they right for your driveway? Jack and Chris have put them through their paces to give you the real scoop on their performance, comfort, and tech features. 

The 2025 Kia Sorento is a versatile but sometimes overlooked midsize SUV designed for families, offering three rows of seating, a well-equipped interior, and multiple powertrain options. With modern tech features and a comfortable ride, the Sorento fills the bill for daily kid carpool and weekend adventures alike. But how does it stack up to competitors?

The Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus brings Mazda’s signature sporty handling to the compact SUV segment, featuring a turbocharged engine that delivers plenty of acceleration. With premium materials, all-wheel drive, and even moderate off-road capability, the CX-50 is a refined yet adventurous crossover. Jack Nerad will give a detailed report. 

In addition to our road tests, we have Sam Fiorani, Vice President of Global Vehicle Forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions, joining us as our special guest. With extensive expertise in automotive trends and forecasting, Sam will share his perspective on where the auto industry is heading, what consumers are looking for in their vehicles, and the challenges automakers face in today’s rapidly evolving market.

In the news, we’ll discuss a new survey revealing the features Americans are prioritizing in their vehicles, Volkswagen’s latest car subscription initiative, and a promising safety technology aimed at protecting school children on their way to and from school.

As always, this episode is filled with expert opinions, thorough vehicle reviews, and all the updates you need to stay informed on the latest automotive trends. So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do we’ll like you forever.

America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com