Main theme: Ford just revealed the all-new 2021 F-150 full-sized pickup truck. This mega-popular vehicle might not look all that different on the outside, but it has a totally redesigned interior, an optional hybrid powertrain, and a generous roster of safety and advanced driver assistance features.

Driven this week: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

Audience questions:

  • Is it more important to consider a car's age or its mileage when buying a used vehicle?
  • Can you explain the mechanics of delivering heating and air conditioning in electric cars, and are these electric systems more efficient?
  • I installed front and rear dash cameras in my Hyundai Palisade, but now I'm wondering whether the wires could affect my side-curtain airbags in a crash. Can you help?
  • How worried should I be that I will need to replace the timing chain on my 2018 Audi Q7 when it gets to around 100,000 miles? I've heard it's an expensive, engine-out job.  

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.

• Audi Q3, Ford Active Drive Assist, episode 261
• Driving the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, episode 260
• Driving the Honda CR-V Hybrid, episode 259
• Electric Car Market, Lincoln Corsair, episode 258
• Navigation Systems, Nissan Versa, Airbags, episode 257


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.