Own the Road with AutoTrader

Jodi and Sébastien are joined by Michael the Former Intern, who had a great challenge for our hosts: Can they identifycertain cars based on how their engines sound? 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.

Read more at: https://www.autotrader.ca/editorial/fun-stuff/own-the-road-with-autotrader-episode-112-join-us-to-play-name-that-engine-sound/

Jodi and Sébastien discuss why certain vehicle features are the way they are. Why are touchscreens so big? What’s the thinking behind pop-out door handles? Why have cars gotten so big? 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.

Jodi and Sébastien are joined by marketing professor Steven Bochenek to help demystify why car brands sponsor certain events even though it might not make sense at first blush. They also chat about some of the best and worst automotive sponsorships in recent history. 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Jodi and Sébastien are joined by Michael the Former Intern to deliver their judgements on the spiciest driving and car-related posts from the Am I the A—hole (AITA) section of Reddit. This, along with the safer-for-work Am I the Jerk (AITJ) subreddit, is where people post about conflicts they’ve had where they were unsure if they were in the wrong or not. 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts or your own AITJ quandary, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.

Jodi and Sébastien are joined by Michael the Former Intern to play another game show-style segment where he tries to stump our experts in a game of Price is Right with car stuff. 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Dan, Jodi and Sébastien share their predictions on which startup EV companies could follow in Tesla’s footsteps to become a lasting force in the automotive industry. Especially with Chinese EVs coming to Canada, where does that leave companies like Lucid, Rivian, Scout, Slate, etc.?

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.

What Are Car Owners Supposed to Do When Automakers Shut Down?

Dan, Jodi and Sébastien dig deeper into Chinese electric vehicles as Canada prepares for their arrival. What are Chinese vehicles like? Are they safe? How will they be priced? And is all the panic justified?

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.

Jodi, Dan, and Sébastien discuss new, changing, and innovative road safety regulations they think would make the road a better place for drivers, pedestrians, and other road users.

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Dan, Jodi and Sébastien demystify autonomous vehicles and debate whether or not we actually need them.  

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Dan, Jodi and Sébastien demystify the new reality of Chinese EVs coming to Canada. They discuss the facts, issues, pros and cons, and some interesting findings from an AutoTrader survey on Chinese EVs. 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

High gas prices got you freaking out? In these times where everything is expensive, Dan and Jodi -- and Sébastien -- share some useful tips on how to save money at the gas pumps. 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Jodi chats with Sung Kang, best known for his role as Han in the Fast and Furious franchise, about his new movie Drifter, which he directed, produced, and starred in. They chat about his vulnerability with this passion project, what it’s like being an Asian man in Hollywood, his motivation for making this film, the challenges he faced, and about one of his favourite cars (it’s not what you think).  

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Dan, Sebastien, and Jodi celebrate the 100th episode of Own the Road with AutoTrader! We chat about memorable moments and brainstorm ways we’d like to change the automotive industry.  

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode

Dan and Jodi reveal the winners of the 2026 AutoTrader Awards. Each winning vehicle was voted on by a jury of 20+ automotive journalists from across Canada and signifies an expert recommendation you can trust. To see the full list of award winners, visit AutoTrader.ca/Awards or download the app. 

Thank you to TuxMat for sponsoring the 2026 AutoTrader Awards and this episode.  

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

An accountant weighs in on the questions you need to ask and calculations you need to do before replacing your aging car. 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Sebastien and Jodi interview Barry Hertz, the Canadian author of Welcome to the Family, the book that looks at the history and origins of the Fast & Furious franchise and explores its explosive success.

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.

After being on the road for most of last year, Dan has returned to the podcast. Dan and Jodi chat about where he’s been, what he’s been driving, and what they’re both looking forward to in 2026. Make sure to download the AutoTrader app or visit AutoTrader.ca/editorial for all your expert advice (not the URL Jodi mentioned in the episode!!)   If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.            

Sébastien and Jodi look back at the biggest automotive headlines and trends of 2025 and give you a peek at what to expect in 2026. Thank you all for your support for our podcast this year!  

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Sébastien, Jodi, and Michael (the intern) discuss the best and worst gifts to buy the car enthusiast in your life. And to spice it up, Michael hosts a game show-style segment where he tries to stump his bosses in a game of Price is Right with car merch.

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.

Sébastien and Jodi discuss all the interesting new vehicles that will be coming out or revealed in 2026. From popular staples to more niche vehicles, 2026 is going to be exciting! 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Sébastien and Jodi take a look at bad driving behaviour — like using the shoulder to pass or reversing in an intersection — and determine if it’s illegal and can get you fined or if it’s just rude. 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, or bad driving behaviour you’d like us to look into, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.

Jodi and Sébastien rant about all the foolish, unsafe, and idiotic driving behaviour they’ve witnessed lately. We know you can all relate to this episode, so don’t miss it!  

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts (or road rage rants to share), email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Sébastien and Jodi discuss recent developments in the electric vehicle (EV) industry including Dodge cancelling its EVs, Porsche scaling back its EV plans, Jeep axing its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) pickup truck, and Acura discontinuing its EV after only one year. Why is this happening, what does it mean, and what might happen next? 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Dan and Jodi discuss whether or not progress towards more sustainable vehicles has stalled or is even going backwards. And surprise! Days after recording this episode, Dodge announced that it is cancelling its full-sized electric truck and delaying its entry-level Charger Daytona R/T EV. We’ll address this development in the next episode. 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Dan and Jodi discuss the news that the Canadian government is reassessing the controversial electric vehicle (EV) mandate. What will replace it? What does this mean for Canadian car shoppers and the Canadian automotive industry? 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Sébastien and Jodi take a look at all the cars being discontinued that won’t be around after 2025.  

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.

Dan and Jodi are joined by their colleagues Sébastien and Michael (the intern) to discuss how our team of automotive journalists review cars. What goes into a car review? What are we looking for, what makes the job difficult, and why do we even review cars in the first place? 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Dan and Jodi discuss the loathed speed cameras popping up everywhere, and how they’re not the cash grab many critics claim.  

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Dan and Jodi chat about when you should pay up for the faster, sportier, or more capable enthusiast trim for a vehicle or when the regular version would be just fine. 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Dan and Jodi discuss the issues plaguing the public charging infrastructure and suggest ways to make it better. 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts or ideas on how to improve the EV charging experience, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

With road trip season finally upon us, Dan and Jodi talk about all the unsafe stuff you probably do in your car all the time. You might be surprised by some of these dangerous driving habits! 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email editors@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.

Dan and Jodi demystify what parents should be looking for when seeking a car for their new/young driver, and chat about some common misconceptions when it comes to safety. 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email expert@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.

Dan and Jodi demystify the differences between leasing, buying, or financing a car, the pros and cons, and what might work better for you.  

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email editors@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode.

Summary: We get it, buying a car can be hard. But it’s even harder when our emotions get in the way. Dan and Jodi chat about when to use your head versus your heart when buying a car and share some tips on how to make the smartest decision when buying a car. 

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email editors@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Jodi and Sebastien discuss the state of the Canadian auto industry and the havoc U.S.-imposed tariffs are wreaking on car manufacturing and the market.  

If you have a question you’d like to ask our experts, email editors@trader.ca and we will answer it in a future episode. 

Automotive journalists can have some pretty controversial opinions about cars and the industry in general. In this episode, Dan and Jodi ask their automotive journalist friends to chime in with their spiciest and most controversial hot takes.

If you have a question to ask our hosts or want to share your own hot take, email expert@trader.ca and we’ll discuss it in a future episode.

Dan and Jodi chat about the controversial electric vehicle mandate and how incentives have affected EV sales. Does the success of electric vehicles depend on incentives or is there a world where people will buy them without rebates? 

If you have a question to ask our hosts, email expert@trader.ca and we’ll discuss it in a future episode. 

With the ongoing trade war and tariffs wreaking havoc, Dan and Jodi discuss what this could all mean for you, the Canadian car buyer. What cars are made in Canada? How will tariffs affect car prices? How has this affected the Canadian automotive industry so far? 

If you have a question to ask our hosts, email expert@trader.ca and we’ll discuss it in a future episode.

Jodi and Dan share their predictions for cars that will likely be discontinued soon. If you have a question to ask our hosts, email expert@trader.ca and we’ll discuss it in a future episode.

Jodi and Dan pick foreign market cars they wish we could buy in Canada. From cool wagons to silly kei cars, here’s our worldwide wishlist.

If you have a question to ask our hosts, email expert@trader.ca and we’ll discuss it in a future episode.