Watch our automotive experts chat about new road test results and answer reader questions in the third episode of "Talking Cars with Consumer Reports."

The auto industry has a very confusing family tree. The past few years have seen partnerships, sales, separations, bankruptcies, and entire divisions killed off, making it difficult to keep up with who owns which car brands.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a minimum sound standard for electric and hybrid vehicles to help reduce pedestrian fatalities.

The Porsche Panamera: a really fast washing machine? Jaguar XJL: a leather-lined toaster? Audi A8: an aluminum-crafted blender made for the autobahn? This is one way to interpret comments by Tony Posawatz, the new CEO of Fisker Automotive, in response to our recent (and uncomplimentary) review of the Karma sedan.

Essentially a family-sized 911, the Porsche Panamera sedan proved entertaining and even pampering at our test track. It holds true to many of the vaunted brand's driving characteristics, although this six-figure sedan does come with compromises.

The striking Fisker Karma extended-range electric car has turned heads for months in our test program, from its distinctive design to its sci-fi hum soundtrack. During that time we've experienced far more than our share of frustrations. And in the final tally, the Karma scores a failing grade.

Fisker has been in the hot seat due to troubles with its Karma extended-range hybrid-electric luxury sedan that resulted in two recalls, ownership hiccups, and more recently the second Karma to catch fire. The first one to combust was in Texas earlier this year, the second one in California. The most recent incident has been traced to a faulty cooling fan, and the company voluntarily issued its third recall over the weekend.