Chinese Cars in Canada, RAV4 Review, Looking at Kia's Newest Rides
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The Car Stuff Podcast dives into the rising presence of Chinese EVs in North America, spotlighting Stellantis' joint venture with Leap Motor as a potential game-changer for Canadian manufacturing. With the Brampton plant possibly becoming Leap Motor's North American hub, the episode explores how this could bypass tariffs and reshape the EV landscape. Meanwhile, the all-new 2027 RAV4, now hybrid-only, receives a glowing review for its comfort, quiet ride, and refined design—though a glitchy driver distraction monitor is a major frustration. The hosts also unpack Kia’s aggressive electrification push, including the upcoming EV3 and redesigned Seltos with a hybrid option, while questioning Hyundai’s mysterious 'Boulder' concept—a body-on-frame SUV that may be a decoy for a future pickup truck. The conversation reveals a pivotal shift: as gas prices edge toward the 5% pain threshold of take-home pay, consumers are reevaluating hybrids and EVs, even as U.S. policy lags behind global trends.
Stellantis is building Leap Motor EVs in Canada to avoid tariffs, with Brampton plant possibly becoming the future home of Chinese EV production in North America.
The new 2027 RAV4 hybrid is a comfortable, quiet highway cruiser with a sleek redesign, but its driver distraction monitor is overly sensitive and disables Traffic Jam Assist when turned off.
Kia is rapidly expanding its hybrid lineup, including a hybrid version of the redesigned 2027 Seltos launching within 60–90 days of the gasoline version.
The Hyundai Boulder is a body-on-frame SUV concept that may be a design test for a future pickup truck, not a standalone product, due to high costs and market saturation in the off-road segment.
Gas prices at 3.2% of take-home pay are below the 5% 'pain point' threshold, but rising prices could push more drivers toward hybrids and EVs despite current policy headwinds.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Car Stuff Podcast
Tom Appel welcomes listeners to the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast, introduces Jill Simonello, and previews the episode’s topics including Chinese EVs, the new RAV4, and Kia’s latest models.
Leap Motor & Stellantis: China’s EV Push in Canada
“Stellantis moved $67,000 Leap Motor cars in Western Europe last year. So not a small amount, not a huge amount, but they're working together and they're building this thing up.”
The New 2027 RAV4: Hybrid-Only & Highly Reviewed
“I ended up turning off the driver distraction detection because it was literally squawking at me every two seconds.”
Kia’s Electrification Momentum & the EV3 Launch
“We're seeing a just skyrocketing interest, especially in the Telluride hybrid. It's only been on sale for what, two or three weeks now.”
Hyundai Boulder: Concept or Pre-Production Signal?
“I literally think this is just a design concept for the pickup truck that is coming out.”
“I literally think this is just a design concept for the pickup truck that is coming out.”
“We're seeing a just skyrocketing interest, especially in the Telluride hybrid. It's only been on sale for what, two or three weeks now.”
“I ended up turning off the driver distraction detection because it was literally squawking at me every two seconds.”
Host
Guest
jill simonello
person
tom appel
person
kia
organization
hyundai
organization
toyota rav4
other
stellantis
organization
james bell
person
leap motor
organization
boulder
other
subaru getaway
other
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Stellantis "Core" Brands, Forester Wilderness, Used EV Prices
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An Interview with Infiniti's Eric Ledieu (Bonus Episode)
Car Stuff Podcast • 16m • 5/17/2026
Buick's New Sedan, 1000-Pound Caterham, Elon is Distracted
Car Stuff Podcast • 56m • 5/18/2026
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