2020 Jeep Gladiator First Impressions; RIP Mercedes' Smart Car Brand | Talking Cars #201

We rented Jeep's all-new 2020 Gladiator and share our first impressions, discussing its place in the market, and if it has what it takes to succeed as a truck. Also, our experts weigh in on the Mercedes-Benz announcement discontinuing the Smart car brand of small vehicles in the US. Finally, we answer audience questions, including the high price for windshield replacement in cars with modern safety features, and why electric vehicle chargers aren't universal (or even cross-compatible.)

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SHOW NOTES
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00:25 - Mercedes’ Smart Car Announcement
05:55 - 2020 Jeep Gladiator
12:19 - Question 1: Increasing Windshield Prices Because of Modern Tech
15:55 - Question 2: Applying Aviation Licensing Rules to Cars With Autopilot
20:21 - Question 3: Why Electric Vehicle Chargers Aren’t Cross-compatible?
23:58 - Question 4: Is the 2020 Hyundai Venue a Good Car For Seniors Citizens?

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2016 Smart Car ForTwo Quick Drive

2019 New York Auto Show: 2020 Hyundai Venue

2019 Detroit Auto Show: 2020 Jeep Gladiator

2018 LA Auto Show: 2020 Kia Soul

2014 Kia Soul first drive

2019 Subaru Forester Quick Drive
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[scottstevens]

Buyer beware with the Subaru have a 2017 with on 30, 000 miles and it is burning a quart of oil between changes. My 2011 Outback with 111, 000 miles never burned a drop (it was totaled by an uninsured motorist)! I got the same standard (bs) response from Subaru USA that I read from many other people on other Subaru owners forums. I am so disappointed!

[PhillProbst]

You guys sort of missed the point re: air vs ground based autopilots. It’s not about the level of training. It’s about the appropriate use cases. The autopilot in an aircraft is not there to relieve the pilot of the responsibility to “fly the airplane”. Instead, they are a tool to reduce pilot workload. The pilot in command needs to remain “in command” at all times. As a private pilot I utilize the AP in enroute mode and in terminal arrival and departure procedures. This tasks the AP with keeping the AC on course and in stabilized flight, and frees me to concentrate on communications with ATC, monitoring my progress along the route, scanning for potential traffic conflicts, continually looking for, and updating my list of, emergency landing opportunities, and just enjoying the scenery. I monitor the AP, and should it start to get wonky, stay ready to disengage and hand fly. I also retain the freedom to hand fly whenever I choose to enjoy the freedom and joy of flight, and to keep my stick & rudder skills sharp. I regard “enhanced autopilot” and “full self driving” in cars in exactly the same light. Freeway and rush hour traffic are directly analogous to enroute and terminal phases of flight. I would utilize it in a car in exactly the same way, and for exactly the same reasons. The truly frightening thing is this talk of driverless cars without driver controls. I will not buy one. I will not ride in one, either, unless it is operating on a dedicated trackway, separated from interaction with pedestrians and other vehicles. Think: trains, trams, loops & hyperloops.

[Allthingschrysler]

I loveeee when Keith goes “MMMM!!😳” 😭😭🤣🤣

[catsspat]

Lousy pilots are rare, and the rare lousy ones don't last very long because they stop flying, voluntarily or not.
Lousy drivers are everywhere, are created at scary rates, and they don't go away all that often (no) thanks to the insanely safe cars these days.

[mitchellbarnow]

Electric outlets are different around the world, so you can’t take your lamp that you purchased in the USA and plug it in anywhere, without using adapters. There are different voltages, phases and cycles of electricity.

Even if all electric cars used the same connector on the vehicle, there are still those other factors to consider.

I love your show so much and have relied on Consumer Reports since the 1970’s.

[cpear]

Talking about the smart. Yes, it came at the time of the fuel crunch, and we bought one of our two with cash-for-clunkers. But it is more than just fuel economy numbers. These other cars do NOT have any room in them. I'm 6'5" and find most vehicles a pain to to try and get comfortable in. But the smart is big inside, you seemed to have missed that detail. As for liking the smart, both are over 105k miles. Plus the supported dealer is practically in my backyard. Another win. We also have a Toyota 4Runner for the big stuff, and a V8 one at that. Another fail for Toyota that you cannot get a V8 in a 4Runner these days.

[skipjack]

guys, I think you missed the point. Automation is integrated in the training mindset of pilots, whereas the same cannot be said for training automotive drivers.

[patricklondon]

Jeep gladiator is way over priced and being owned by FCA, I'm sure it will be a repairmans dream.

[dweebert]

When you say Smart cars have single speed transmissions, I think you meant single clutch automated manual instead, with six or five gears depending on 1st or 2nd generation (3rd gen Smart have five speed dual-clutch transmissions)

[KnowledgeSharingTech]

25:20 Please stop saying that Winter tires are a substitute for AWD. They are not. I live in Montreal and I know how it is with winter tires and 2 wd vehicules. The slightest ice or snow on a hill and you are stuck, even with winter tires. There's simply no substitute for AWD with winter tires. I had a Volvo C30 with the best winter tires you can buy and I got stuck multiple times. I see people with civics, corollas, and the like stuck on a flat road because of some ice or a small bank of tires. So I decided to always get AWD vehicules after my C30: I had a Lancer AWC, CRV 4WD and now a Legacy. Never got stuck once in all of them

[techpappee]

The Gladiator is *not a Wrangler* with a bed added. It's a different platform all together. The cabin is longer. Jeep made that clear at the launch event. Watch any other review from the launch and you'll hear the same information.

It looks similar but it's not a Wrangler. Common misconception.

[Fredd]

That thunder-rumbling kind of sound at around 0:16 felt so real in my earphones how did u do that.

[thepillowmafia]

I really want to drive a manual as my first car but my parents are sort of on the fence about it. Do you think it’s better for a teenager to drive automatic or manual?

[BTC]

ONLY the Model 3 doesn't let you fast charge due to "communication issues" according to Tesla. Not a problem with the S & X.

[pedrofernandez]

When the PT Cruiser first came out, dealers were asking for $2k over

[philsalley]

Isn't the problem with automated cars vs airplanes that cars operate in a very crowded environment whereas planes do not. If a plane drifts out of its lane so to speak, nothing really happens. With a car you can easily end up in an accident or dead.

[joebrown]

Nissan note got about the mileage as the Smart car for a third of the cost.. when it came out the hyundai getz was released and it got 60 mpg so i couldn't figure why people would choose the smart

[teop]

The mid-size recreational truck is the hottest segment in the market.
Jeep answered the call with the Gladiator.
It's a lucrative segment where Ford, Toyota, and Chevy are cashing in big.
Yes, the price is high.
Everything is more expensive today.
Wanna buy a V8 Mustang with the goodies? Get ready to pay.
Times are good, the economy is strong, people wanna spend and have fun.
The Gladiator will fly off the dealers' lots
This is still Consumer Reports: if it doesn't look, feel, and drive like a Prius, it's not gonna get good ratings.

[apache-yaquibrown]

Why are there dislikes and comments the video hasn't been out the length of the duration of the video.

[dzl]

In a city of 4 million ive probably seen less than 10 smart cars since they've been for sale. No one will give a damn.