Owner Satisfaction Results and Affordable Luxury Cars | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #130

This week we cover Toyota's announcement on EV’s and a new Mercedes bound for the States. Owner Satisfaction results are in, and we talk about the brands and models that left drivers wanting more. Plus, viewer questions about our test fleet and more on electronic parking brakes.

SHOW NOTES
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0:50 - Toyota EV Announcement

4:05 - Mercedes-Benz A-Class

7:27 - Owner Satisfaction Survey

13:26 - Viewer Question, CR Test Fleet

15:30 - Viewer Question, Electronic Parking Brake

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[cafes]

I got in an accident on the freeway a long while back. Airbags deployed. I was in the front passenger seat. After the initial impact the car was then rolling into the flow of traffic on the freeway. I was able to pull up on the hand brake to avoid other accidents. When I got out there was brake fluid all over the road. It was a front impact, and I don't remember if the car still had power or not. Not a common thing to happen of course, but a good use for a mechanical parking brake. I would also say, that a hand brake is also safer than a foot operated parking brake. Also, with the mechanical brake, you're able to control the amount of braking... not just on/off like the new electronic parking brakes.

[La-ytwr]

I’m extremely satisfied for buying my 2011 Saab 9-5 Aero and My 2016 Kia Optima Sxl.

[daphlavor]

Something to consider is cold climate and EV's don't get along great, ala northeast, snow, ice, and lack of infrastructure( public charging stations)

[BruceMan]

But what happens if you park you car with the electronic parking brake on and your car goes dead? Does that make it impossible to tow for help, especially if a front wheel drive car in park or in gear??

[swanblake]

I seriously love these three. Great chemistry and no rants

[markwunderman]

The handbrake on my old 2008 Honda Accord operated in a modulated manor. The suggestion in your video is that you could only use it in a lock up fashion. I was in the habit of using it to come to a controlled stop once every few months when there were no other vehicles around. I figured that by using it in this fashion, in a sudden emergency, I might remember that it was a viable means of stopping the vehicle.

[AH-bmts]

Mercedes has made lower end models in the rest of the world but only now are they sending their cheap cars to the US.

[df]

Love the show, glad you're weekly now. But, PLEASE get rid of the swirl-metal table!! It's distracting during your long shots, and, well, quite frankly, was in style in like 2003.

[LlyleHunter]

"Tarnishing". Concisely chosen. Hats off to you.

[scott]

Toyota really dropped the ball with their electronic parking brake.

[tirthb]

I once accidentally pulled the e-parking brake while driving my '17 Civic. Good that it was not a Toyota!

[CurrentRapCurrents]

My 2013 Lincoln MKZ (3.7L) has an electronic p-brake, and per page 179 of the owners manual:
Applying the electric parking brake while moving will result in use of the anti-lock braking system.

[juanrodriguez-ryyt]

Really like my 17 geneses V8 15k so far other than long waits for oil change at dealer.i would buy it again

[antoinepageau]

I had a 2016 Mazda 6 and the E / parking  brake on that car would not engage unless you were going less than 2 mph. Although I understand the viewers point with the possibility of an electronic brake failure, I think that over time they will prove to be more reliable than old rusty hand or foot operated cable E brakes.

[Shahabbi]

I wanted to touch up on the 'e-brake' subject again. What happens if the car is parked on a slope, and the batteries go dead. Will the brakes let go?

[markgriffith]

Is the electric grid in the developing countries good enough for plug-ins?

[keltonjohnson]

Nice video.

I wonder about your microphones. Aren't those side address mics and not top address mics?

[tarassu]

Actually... I think CR should consider E-brake functionality on every vehicle you review. BMW also does the same. Applies modest amount of braking to rear wheels when you pull the small button so rear wheels do not lock up. And then, when vehicle has stopped, fully engages brake pads.

[future]

I really liked the 2012 Genesis 3.8 I drove, but passed on it for something sportier. If it were an SUV I definitely would have got it for my wife. Hyundai dropped the ball by not launching a Genesis crossover, and now with the market so saturated it's probably too late.

[Mv]

I really don’t get the fuss about the CLA. I think that buyers should know before purchasing it that it’s not an S-class and that it’s the least expensive model. And even then, the CLA is still a really nice car. 🤔 Yeah it’s not especially luxurious and it’s definitely compromised, but as far as interior, technology, and build quality, it’s definitely Mercedes level of quality, and it’s actually quite price competitive within it’s class. Maybe it’s a FWD compact car and not a RWD, but so is an Audi A3, Buick Regal, Volvo S60, etc. The way I see it, if people in Europe can buy loads of CLA, A, and B classes and accept them as Mercedes vehicles, so can we.