Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast, Episode 76; How COVID-19 Changed Car Buyers; EV Sales Uptick

EV Sales

Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast

Whether you drive a car, need a car, or just occasionally bum a ride with friends, you’ve come to the right place. Join the editors of Consumer Guide Automotive as they break down everything that’s going on in the auto world. New-car reviews, shopping tips, driving green, electric cars, classic cars, and plenty of great guests. This is the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast.

Episode: 76

Broadcast date: April 12, 2021

Guest: Jenni Newman

How COVID-19 Changed Car Buyers; EV Sales Uptick

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show by discussing the upcoming GMC Hummer SUV and pure-electric Chevrolet Silverado, as well as the uptick in EV sales. Cars.com Editor-in-Chief Jenni Newman joins us to talk about the effect COVID-19 has had on car shoppers, based on Cars.com’s internal data and survey results. Tom has a “sales-per-dealer” quiz for Damon and Jill, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog, including a Test Drive review of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra SEL and a gallery of currently available new vehicles powered by 3-cylinder engines.

The Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast is broadcast every Sunday on Chicago’s WCPT AM 820 at 1:00 PM CST.

Discussed this week:

Cars.com Pandemic Study

Test Drive: 2021 Hyundai Elantra SEL (with photo gallery)

Missing Pistons? A Gallery of 3-Cylinder Vehicles

Best 4 Cars For Beginner Drivers In 2021


If you’re a new driver or car owner, there are top best cars for beginner drivers that you must be knowledgeable about.

Choosing vehicle requires knowledge about insurance cost, maintenance cost, safety and ease or driving, affordability, economy of use, and MSRP price, etc.



We have taken the time out to research on the best 4 cars for beginner drivers.


Volkswagen Up

2021 Volkswagen Up
2021 Volkswagen Up

This is one of the best cars for car owners who are just launching into the car driving.  This car appeals to first time drivers in a number of ways with its incredible features. Starting with the price, the Volkswagen Up is offered a price that’s not breaking the bank. When it comes to insurance cost, this car sits quite comfortably in insurance group one or two.

In terms of capacity, the car engine a 1.0-litre three-cylinder that is capable of delivering up to 89 bhp, or something in the range of 59bhp to 74bhp. The lower-powered entry version of the Volkswagen Up promises fuel economy of 54.3mpg. Servicing the car is quite economical because it requires intervals of about 10,000 miles.


Kia-Picanto

2021 Kia Picanto
2021 Kia Picanto

The Kia-Picanto is truly a city car that sportier look and city-worthy appeal to beginner drivers. Offering combination of practicality, great quality, and reliability, the Picanto comes a s a top-quality construction. Thanks to its grand style, this guy is equipped with five doors

Boasting 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that delivers 66bhp and another 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that reaches 83bhp, the Kia Picanto is truly a frugal choice. The 1.0 engine can reach 50.4mpg on the WLT combined cycle; while the larger 1.2 version offers a maximum range of 47.9 and 49.6mpg

Ford Fiesta

2021 Ford Fiesta
2021 Ford Fiesta

Regarded as Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta is a piece of ride for young drivers who are beginning their foray into driving. Its features speak for it.

The Ford Fiesta is an easy-to-drive car; it also a fun ride, too, thanks to its raft of safety technologies. Beginning with the MyKey system, you can reduce the maximum speed of the car, as well as the volume of the stereo. The system seatbelt reminder alerts so driver doesn’t end up in the hands of the traffic cop.

Fuel economy is the real deal, especially with the diesel models that feature 1.0 litre 99bhp fuel booster that returns up to 50.4mpg. the lower-powered version incurs very low insurance cost

Hyundai i10

2021 Hyundai i10
2021 Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 is best known for its sturdy build, strong performance, safe handling, multiple kit, and reliability. It may not the most stylish car you would love but it remains one reliable vehicle for all time and seasons.

Roomy, confident, the Hyundia i10 boasts 1.0- and 1.2-litre petrol engines which respectively offer 66bhp and 86bhp. It shares some common features with the Picanto, but it boasts higher performance, fuel efficiency, and cheaper maintenance cost. The 1-0 engine is capable of returning 50.4mpg unlike the higher 1.2-liter that only returns 46.3mpg. the entry level belongs to the Insurance group 2.


Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast, Episode 55: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; 2022 Hyundai Tucson

2022 Hyundai Tucson

Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast

Whether you drive a car, need a car, or just occasionally bum a ride with friends, you’ve come to the right place. Join the editors of Consumer Guide Automotive as they break down everything that’s going on in the auto world. New-car reviews, shopping tips, driving green, electric cars, classic cars, and plenty of great guests. This is the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast.

Episode: 55

Broadcast date: November 15, 2020

Guest: Harvey Briggs

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, 2022 Hyundai Tucson

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start off the show by discussing  the radically redesigned 2022 Hyundai Tucson compact SUV. Harvey Briggs, Editor and Publisher of Rides & Drives (ridesanddrives.com), joins us to talk about his brand-new book–Rolls-Royce Motor Cars: Making a Legend. Tom has a tricky quiz for Damon and Jill on vehicle-name spelling and punctuation, and Damon runs down the latest articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog, including a road-test review of the 2020 Aston Martin Vantage Coupe.

The Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast is broadcast every Sunday on Chicago’s WCPT AM 820 at 1:00 PM CST.

Discussed this week:

Jill’s Tucson post

Harvey’s book at Bookshop.org

First Spin: 2021 Lexus IS

Test Drive: 2020 Aston Martin Vantage Coupe

Streamline Madness! A Gallery of Automotive Aerodynamics in Print Ads

Follow the crew:

The CG Daily Drive Blog

Car Stuff Facebook Page

Consumer Guide on Twitter

Tom on Twitter

Damon on Twitter

Jill on Twitter

Drive, She Said (Jill’s blog)

Tom on the radio:

Tom on WGN Radio

Tom on Green Sense Radio

Tom on the Stan Milam Show

The Crew

2022 Hyundai Tucson