In this week’s Ask Nathan:
- My interview with comedian Jeff Dunham on his show, The Cars That Drove Us.
- Is the Chevrolet Equinox EV RS a good deal?
The first question comes from me. Yup, I interviewed comedian and ventriloquism extraordinaire (AND massive car collector) Jeff Dunham about his new car show, The Cars That Drove Us.”
Q: RE: The Cars That Drove Us?
Unlike the usual Q&A format, I decided to present my interview with Jeff Dunham a little differently. Most people know him for his stand-up comedy and voice work – but fewer realize he’s a serious car enthusiast.
The Texas native has assembled a massive collection of roughly 130 vehicles. Some are as obscure and easily overlooked as a Yugo GV, while others are downright legendary, like the actual production-built Batmobile from the ’89 – ’92 Michael Keaton era of the franchise.
Dunham and his team partnered with the same production company behind The Movies That Made Us and The Toys That Made Us to create The Cars That Drove Us. The series goes beyond showcasing unusual vehicles, it digs into the people behind them. The episodes I’ve seen highlight a surprisingly human, sympathetic side of these machines, while still delivering tons of humor.
Dunham narrates throughout, blending his signature storytelling with sharp comedic timing, all wrapped in a slick production aesthetic.
Below are a few excerpts from our conversation. New episodes are currently airing back-to-back every Tuesday on Discovery Channel.
— Me
These are summarized questions and answers. I only posted a few as the television show speaks for itself.
Q: Tell me about The Cars That Drove Us…
Did you go to Discovery or did they approach you?
JD: I’ve been pulling together this collection over the years.
Every car has a story and a background and I love telling their stories. My friends, and business partners came to me and suggested that, given my passion for these things, maybe I should do a show about them.
This is a cars how for everyone, and I think its unlike any other car show before. It’s not about 0 to 60 and the motor you shoved in it. It’s about the people that made this stuff happen and made these vehicles come to life.
My team worked with the same production that created The Movies That Made Us and The Toys That Made Us – creating The Cars That Drove Us.
(Important note: I am a huge fan, so it was remarkably difficult not to ask him about his standup routine.)
Q: How did you become a Gearhead?
What got you started?
JD: I grew up loving Hot Wheels and that love grew. It started as a hobby, turned into a love, and now it’s a passion.
One day, I realized that the dummies (his puppets) were making decent money. “I asked my accountant if I can buy another car. Something that’s a bit cooler than my daily driver. He said it was okay.” This was back in 1994 and I bought a new (first generation) Dodge Viper. I loved the idea that it was like a Hot Wheels vehicle that I could actually buy.
From there, I got into the HUMMERS and the staff Arnold
(Schwarzenegger) was doing, got remarried and my wife thought the car stuff was cool. Which I hear is rare.
… from there, things kept going.
— N
You can watch Jeff Dunham’s The Cars That Drove Us on Discovery on Tuesday at 9 pm and 9:30 pm.
The last question comes from a reader who wants information about the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox RS.
Q: Via Facebook:
Hi Nathan, I saw that video you put up with the Chevy equinox interior. Someone guessed correctly that it was the RS model and that got me thinking about one of the choices I was looking at. I live in Turlock California, which is a good place to own an EV. It’s an OK place for charging, but the best part is that my job has a level two charger available. I’ve been driving a first generation Kona EV for a while, and it’s pretty good. I wanted to step up to something a little bit bigger with a little bit more muscle.
That’s why I started thinking about the Chevrolet equinox EV. People kept posting online that you could get one for incredible deals and that they were selling them for nearly half their asking price. I went into a few different dealerships in Central and Northern California to see if that was true. It’s not. At least for me. I don’t get it, why would people tell me that they got $10,000 off the MSRP when they actually didn’t? Other people yelling screamed that the Chevy bolt is not a bargain because you can get a Chevy equinox EV for the same price at some dealerships. I haven’t found any evidence of that whatsoever.
Anyway, and I’m sorry to take up all your time on this, but I just need to find out the truth about the Chevy equinox EV. I noticed that the new RS model has a price tag of over $50,000. That’s insane! I thought that these vehicles were going for $35-$40,000.
What’s going on?
Putting some of that stuff aside, I really hope that you can help me with the notion that the Chevrolet equinox EV is a good or bad choice. My commute are not that big, but sometimes I have to drive to Reno Nevada to see my mother. There are some places to charge along the way, but I hate having to do that. The drive is around 220 miles. I usually had to stop at least once along the way to top off my energy in order to make the trip without worrying too much. That means I have to usually stop in Sacramento, which is fine. They have a massive charging infrastructure there.
But I thought it would be kind of cool to have a car where I could drive up there on one charge without any worry. And that’s why the Chevrolet equinox seemed like the best bed for an EV. I do not want a Tesla, but I do want something that has good range and a comfortable cabin.
Can you give me the basics? You’ve driven them right?
I have a pretty small household. It’s just me and my partner, and we have two medium sized dogs. Sometimes I drive with my little niece, who needs a car seat. We also ride bikes a lot, so having space inside to place them would be great. There wasn’t quite enough room in the Kona EV for two bikes, so we had to have a bike carrier on the back. That was such a pain. So I’m hoping that the equinox EV has enough space. That is, if it’s worth buying.
I enjoy watching your stuff, Nathan. I hope you’re doing well in California and I can’t wait to see more videos and read more of your posts soon! Please keep making us laugh!
Sincerely
– J. Wilson
A: Hi there!
I totally understand your frustration. Having people post unobtainable deals, or subjective facts based on hearsay (regarding automotive discounts) is a tough pill to swallow. Sure, there’s always a deal out there, but there are often extenuating circumstances behind that particular car. Still, with some due diligence, there are some deals to be had.
Right now, on Chevrolet.com, prices for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT1 have a “net price” MSRP of $30,295. That’s a pretty good deal for a car that, right of the box, gives you up to 319 miles range, 17.7″ touchscreen display with Google built-in compatibility, and a 150 kW DC Fast charging speed.
Now: look below at the image I attached from a dealership. It’s a GM advertisement for the Equinox EV RS. They claim that you can get a Equinox EV for a lot less, but there’s a catch. There are many restrictions and folks have to participate (and be eligible for) General Motors Consumer Cash Program. That’s just one of many special incentives that require further scrutiny.
About the $52,540 ( ! ) 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV RS I drove.
Take the rereleased 2026 Chevrolet Bolt, add growth hormone and a bit more pizzazz. That’s about it. It’s better riding and quite comfortable all around. It’s an outstanding commuter and there’s just enough power (220 horsepower FWD and 300 hp AWD) to be effective in traffic. Still, it didn’t blow me away with its driving dynamics, and it was slightly less engaging than the Bolt.
The steering is pretty light, and the regenerative braking system can be a bit aggressive if you opt for one-pedal driving. Handling is decent, and daily maneuvers are a snap, with the exception of U-tunes. It has a slightly large turning circle. With its long wheelbase, it takes a minute to learn where how to make tight maneuvers successfully.
Additionally, there’s the issue of aa lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Sure they have their own app – but it’s clearly a money grab for subscriptions, and it irritates potential buyers. My biggest gripe was the sheer price difference between the LT1 and the RS. Yes, AWD and I just don’t understand the high price disparity between the two. That being said: the Equinox EX is a decent bargain, when you get the right trim.
Bottom line: I like the Chevy Equinox EV. At the same time, I feel like the RS is way too pricy, and you’re better served with the entry level model.
Hope that helps!
– N
