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    Talking Cars 399: 2023 Top Picks

    We discuss the cars that made it to the top of the list, the latest auto industry trends, and other interesting insights from our Autos Spotlight coverage

    Main theme: Every winter, Consumer Reports’ resources focus on cars. This perennial autos moment presents the latest data on both new and used vehicles—including the latest scoring changes and reliability and owner satisfaction data from members—and is packaged in the annual April auto issue and online at CR.org/spotlight. 

    In this episode, the Talking Cars panel discusses the Top Picks for 2023 and what it takes to qualify for this exclusive list. We explore new trends among the latest picks, including newcomers and those making a return appearance, and deliberate over why some brands stand out more than others. 

    Audience question: Why can a vehicle’s reliability score change as a car gets older?

    See the complete 2023 Autos Spotlight guide.

    Talking Cars 399 panel
    "Talking Cars" panelists Steve Elek, Jen Stockburger, and Jake Fisher.

    Photo: Consumer Reports Photo: Consumer Reports

    As with other “Talking Cars” episodes, this one is available free through Apple Podcasts. (Subscribe to the audio or video.) You’ll also find the audio on Spotify (log-in required) and video on YouTube.

    Have a Question?

    We’d love to include it in a future show. Upload your video questions to our Dropbox folder. Please send high-definition (1920x1080) MP4 video files with high-quality audio. Or send an iMessage question to our TalkingCars@icloud.com account.

    Talking Cars Archive

    Browse the complete podcast archive for past shows.


    Jen Stockburger

    I never anticipated that engineering, the auto industry, and a few hundred tire changes and child seat installations would have brought me here: director of day-to-day operations at Consumer Reports' fabulous 327-acre Auto Test Center. The bonus is that the track's location in rural Connecticut leaves me close enough to home to also enjoy my children and husband while still squeezing in time for gardening, riding horses, and hunting for antiques.