To celebrate the 300th episode of the Car Stuff Podcast, Jill and Tom are joined by Jennifer Newman and Damon Bell of Cars.com. Jennifer was the podcast’s first guest, and Damon was co-host for the first three years of the show.

Jennifer and Damon share the Cars.com picks for the best vehicles under $30,000. That conversation dovetailed nicely with Jennifer’s research into new-vehicle affordability.

In the second segment, everyone looks back over the past six years to discuss the biggest automotive news stories and strangest events that transpired during the Car Stuff Podcast run.

In the last segment Jennifer, Damon, and Jill are subjected to Tom’s “Who Said It?” quiz, featuring quotes from Henry Ford and Elon Musk. Plus, enjoy a special holiday-themed bonus question.

Jill and Tom open the show discussing Tom’s take on the future of Apple CarPlay. You can read Tom’s recent blog post on the topic here.

The hosts also discuss Ram’s new SUV, which is due sometime as a 2028 model. Expect the truck to be mechanically similar to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

Next topic is a trio of boundary-pushing Lexus concept cars seen last week at the Japan Mobility Show. The six-wheel minivan is Tom’s favorite.

Still is the first segment, Jill reviews the 2025 Subaru BRZ tS small coupe. Good news, the rear-drive sportster can still be had with a manual transmission.

In the second segment, the hosts welcome Jerry Perez of The Drive to the show. Jerry shared details of his time in the updated Audi Q3 featuring the maker’s Micro LED Digital Matrix Headlights. Jerry also recalls his time in one of Europe’s smallest—and most charming—electric vehicles, the Fiat Topolino.

In the last segment, Jill is subject to Tom’s “More Spellin’” quiz, featuring a Hallmark Christmas move bonus question.

Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill this week. Jill will be back for next week’s show. Paul and Tom open the show by discussing consumer-battery maker Duracell’s foray into electric-vehicle charging. Duracell branded car chargers are showing up now in the U.K., and are expected to arrive in the U.S. in the not-to-distant future.

The hosts go on to discuss two big General Motors announcements. First, GM will be launching full level-3 semi-autonomous drive systems for the 2028 model year, beginning with the electric Cadillac Escalade IQ. An advancement of the maker’s Super Cruise technology, the new system will permit drivers to look away from the road while engaged. Listen in for further details. GM also plans to drop Apple CarPlay from all its vehicles beginning in 2028. Jill is going to be angry.

Still in the first segment, Paul talks about driving the high-performance McLaren GT on the race track. Paul also talks a little about the McLaren lineup and how the sports-car maker’s U.S. offerings differ.

In the second segment, Paul and Tom welcome Bart Sowa of GTI Energy to the show. Bart talks about fuel-cell technology, and how hydrogen-power is viable option for large over-the-road trucks. Bart also shares his thoughts on the future of hydrogen as a transportation fuel in the U.S.

In the last segment, Bart joined Paul for this week’s quiz. Can you guess the best-selling car in Alabama? Listen in to hear the “Best Sellers by State” quiz.