Ever wondered how car journalists actually get their hands on press cars, what a first drive event looks like, or whether automakers ever pay for positive reviews? This week, Elliot, Natalie, and Dave pull back the curtain on the world of auto journalism.
The Driveway Podcast
Episode 43
Published: March 3, 2026
Tesla Loses "Autopilot" Name in California
California has banned Tesla from using the "Autopilot" branding, calling it misleading—six years after Germany did the same. The team breaks down what Tesla has to call it now and whether the rest of the country will follow.
Audi RS5 Returns as a Plug-In Hybrid
The RS5 is back after a year off, and it's electrified—with a big jump in power and a bigger jump in weight. The hosts debate whether that trade-off is worth making, and wonder aloud about the RS5 Avant wagon's chances of making it to the US.
2027 Chrysler Pacifica Revealed
Chrysler dropped images of the refreshed Pacifica, and the team has thoughts. Strong ones. Dave shares his screen and the group reacts live.
This is the main event. The team covers how they each found their way into automotive journalism, how press fleets work (and why LA and Boston operate differently), what actually happens at a first drive event, how embargoes work—and what happens when someone breaks one. Plus, the question they get in YouTube comments all the time: do automakers pay for reviews?
All three hosts just got back from press events with embargoes freshly lifted. Natalie drove the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas—on ice, in Quebec, with pro racing drivers as instructors. Elliot and Matt tested the new Subaru Uncharted and Trailseeker back-to-back with their Toyota siblings, the C-HR and bZ Woodland. Dave spent a day with the updated Mazda CX-5 in Orange County. Hear their first impressions and find links to the full video reviews.
To close out the episode, the hosts each share the most memorable press trip they've been on—and what made it stand out. Rock crawling, rally driving, and a surprisingly efficient two-day event in Detroit all make the list.
Have a question for the team? Send an email to editorial@cargurus.com
