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2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ram 1500 TRX and Toyota goes in on EVs | Autoblog Podcast #710

This episode of the Autoblog Podcast features Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore and Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder. John is beck from a recent first drive of the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, and has a 2022 Ford Bronco 4-Door Black Diamond in his driveway. Meanwhile, Greg just got out of a 2022 Ram 1500 TRX and back into Autoblog's long-term Acura TLX. After talking about the car's they've been driving, they dive into the news, including EV announcements from Toyota and Lexus, rumors of a turbo I6 Dodge Challenger, a list of future classics from Hagerty and a review of the sitcom American Auto. Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Enjoy your holidays, and we'll see you in 2022. Autoblog Podcast #710 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown What we're driving: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 2022 Ram 1500 TRX 2021 Acura TLX 2022 Ford Bronco Black Diamond News: Toyota and Lexus preview future EVs Dodge Challenger could get a downsized turbo straight-six Hagerty's list of future classic cars to buy before values take off NBC's American Auto fires on most cylinders Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related Video:

Toyota again claims Corolla outsold Focus worldwide

Toyota isn't convinced the Ford Focus was the best-selling nameplate globally last year. Bloomberg reports that for the second time in seven months, both Toyota and Ford are laying claim to the title. Ford cites R.L. Polk & Co. data that says the automaker moved some 1.02 million Focus models in 2012 compared to just 872,774 Toyota Corolla units. But Toyota says the actual figure is closer to 1.16 million Corolla models.
Last year, Ford said it took the sales crown through the fist half of 2012 based on information from IHS Automotive, but Toyota pointed out those numbers left out models like the Corolla-based Matrix and Auris, as well as the Corolla Fielder and Scion xB-based Corolla Rumion. Whether or not Toyota's belief that all these cars should be counted in the Corolla bucket is accurate or not is seemingly up for debate... as is the question of why it matters so much to both parties.
This time around, Ford is holding the line that the Focus is the "best-selling nameplate," with Erich Merkle, a US sales analyst with Ford saying the company's figure is, "a pure number that is verified by a third party." Toyota, meanwhile, has requested clarification from Polk.

Ford Focus RS configurator hits the Internet

Ford made waves yesterday when it drooped the performance and pricing details on the new Focus RS. Perhaps keen to keep the momentum going, the Blue Oval has launched the configurator for its new fire-breathing hot hatchback. As configurators go, this is a lot like the Ford's other build-your-own tools, only it's even more limited. The total list of options on the new Focus RS is quite light. You can pick from one of four colors, including the stylish Nitro Blue shown above, while there are just two interior upholstery schemes – partial black leather and full black leather for the standard Recaro seats. Your decision there will ultimately inform just how pricey your Focus RS will get. Opt for the full leather interior and you'll be stuck with the so-called RS2 package, which adds heated, powered front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated mirrors, and navigation to the standard SYNC3 infotainment system. Oh, and it'll also drive the price up by $2,785. Other options include a handsome set of 19-inch wheels, with the option of ultra sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The wheels alone are a $1,395 option while adding the tires runs the price up $595, which is a bargain considering how pricey 19-inch PS Cup 2s are. The final option is a simple sunroof, priced at just $895. As you can see above, we've built our ideal Focus RS, finished in Nitro Blue with the 19-inch wheels, RS2 package (we live in Michigan, after all) and standard Michelin rubber. Yep, we passed on the more aggressive tire, with blame going to replacement costs. The total price comes to $41,480. Head on over to Ford's website and build your very own Focus RS, and then head back here and let us know how you optioned it, down in Comments. Related Video: