2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid: Baseball & Fourth of July

While some say go big or go home, others will tell you great things come in small packages. This week on America on the Road,  we test both theories as Jack Nerad and Chris Teague review two family-friendly SUVs. On the Go Big side of the ledger Chris puts the luxurious 2026 Ford Expedition Platinum through its paces. Thinking smaller, Jack pilots the efficient 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid to a Fourth of July celebration — at Dodger Stadium, no less.

The pair also discuss Lucid’s leadership shakeup and missed targets, Rivian’s building momentum, Volkswagen’s potential massive job cuts, Subaru’s new Trailseeker EV, Kia’s refreshed Niro Hybrid, and Hennessey’s wild new manual-transmission hypercar. Do you have a spare $2.65 million burning a hole in your designer jeans?

🚙 Jack Nerad’s Road Test: 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE

In a week that included a Fourth of July celebration at the third-oldest major league baseball park in the nation, Jack drove and evaluated the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE. He discovered a practical and efficient compact crossover with a 196-hp hybrid powertrain delivering an excellent 42 mpg combined. The small SUV delivers a composed ride, offers upscale XSE styling, and a roomy interior. But at around $37,449 as tested, does the package justify the price? Or are other Corolla Cross models better buys? We’ll answer all that and more.

🚗 Chris Teague’s Road Test: 2026 Ford Expedition Platinum

While Jack was celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday in the Toyota, Chris tested the 2026 Ford Expedition Platinum, a premium full-size SUV that seats up to eight. With strong towing capability (up to 9,600 lbs) and refined comfort, it offers large families great stretch-out room. The big SUV is powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 producing 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, and it offers available four-wheel drive, Continuously Controlled Damping for a smoother ride, and impressive cargo space. So is it a better choice than the competitive Chevrolet Tahoe?

🎙️ Special Guest Interview

Rhys Martin, President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, joins the show to discuss his recent historic caravan along the Mother Road.

📰 This Week’s Headlines

Lucid Struggles with Sales

The luxury EV maker shakes up its executive team after falling short of Q2 sales targets. Does it have a way forward?

Rivian Raises 2026 Delivery Forecast