Episode 154 - 2023 Dodge Hornet, 2023 Toyota Crown, Exclusive with Greg Kitzens from Lexus

The 2023 Dodge Hornet is the newest addition to the giant compact sport-utility segment. And it brings along the Dodge brand muscularity, an image that is entirely lacking in that starkly conventional segment. The Hornet also marks a major departure for the Dodge brand, which like all Stellantis brands, has an uncertain future as the parent company considers consolidation. But if the Honet points the way for Dodge, the brand should have a bright future. The two variants — the plug-in hybrid 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T and the turbocharged 2023 Dodge Hornet GT — are shining proof that crossovers don’t have to be mundane.

Host Jack Nerad had the rare chance to drive both Hornet models at a recent event in and around Asheville, North Carolina, and he’ll have a full report. With enticing doses of horsepower and a “Powershot” feature that releases 30 extra horsepower for occasional use, the Italian-built Dodge Hornet will certainly raise some eyebrows … and may raise Cain.

The subject of our other road test is equally interesting but for far different reasons. The 2023 Toyota Crown supplants the long-in-the-tooth Toyota Avalon as the brand’s full-size sedan. And while the Crown channels Buick sedans in some important ways, it also brings a distinct Toyota spin to a segment that is in need of as much spin as it can get. Guest Host Matt DeLorenzo tested the Toyota Crown and will share his impressions in this episode.

This week’s special guest is Greg Kitzens, General Manager of Product and Consumer Marketing for Lexus. He joined Host Jack Nerad to discuss the all-new 2023 Lexus RZ 450E, the brand’s first battery-electric vehicle. And he had interesting thoughts on how the Japanese luxury brand can compete with the Tesla Motors juggernaut.

In the news, the European Union has just announced a plan that would allow the use of so-called e-fuels in combustion engines after 2035, its previous deadline to go all-electric. This could be a giant game-changer in the auto industry, and we’ll have our thoughts coming up.

Also in the news this week, a just-published article by Reuters says that many electric vehicles offer no way to repair even slightly damaged battery packs after accidents. This forces insurance companies to write off cars with few miles, which could lead to mammoth insurance rate hikes. We’ll let you know which automaker is most responsible for this problem coming up a little later.