Food Fun Family

What We Love About the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica

Lolli — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 19:28:55 +0000

This post is sponsored by FCA US; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. #DrivePacifica

I realize that most people don’t get excited about a minivan. I’ve been a minivan driver for the last 17 years (nothing beats a minivan for space for big families like mine!) but I have never driven a minivan as cool as this. I think the Chrysler Pacifica might sway more than a few minivan-skeptics. It’s a game-changer.

We recently test-drove the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica for a week, which happened to include a weekend trip up to Pennsylvania, with my husband, four of my kids (of the big, teenage variety) myself, and all of our stuff. I got to drive while the rest of the family got to enjoy being passengers in this one-of-a-kind vehicle.

When I asked my husband’s opinion about the Pacifica, from a passenger’s perspective, he immediately commented that it was the best minivan he had ever ridden in. My teenagers were equally sold on the Pacifica, continually trying to convince me that it was a good idea for us to replace our current vehicle and ask Chrysler to just leave the Pacifica with us forever. Since it seats eight comfortably, (and holds all our stuff comfortably, too) the Pacifica is ideal for a family like mine.

Perhaps the coolest thing about the 2017 Pacific is that it is available in a Hybrid model. Yes, you read that correctly….a hybrid minivan for active families. That’s revolutionary.

If your car is like mine (2006), it was made before the latest round of safety features. Although I have driven cars with some safety features, driving the Pacifica was like jumping in a time machine. It helps you with parallel and perpendicular parking. When you’re just driving forward it has collision warning and lane departure warning for those of you who wander all over the road (like I do sometimes).

Also, these safety features have what are called “mitigation” which means they give you an audible warning before something happens, so that you can take action yourself first. Basically, it’s a safety feature that tells you that you are about to do something stupid and encourages you to change. If you don’t listen, it takes corrective action – like a parent who slaps you gently before yanking you out of the road so that you don’t get hit by a car.

Lots of cars have the rear cameras now, so you can see what you are about to back into as you park, but Pacifica has rear park assist with auto stop so that you don’t actually hit the wall or your spouse’s car. Again, it’s nice to see what you’re about to smash. It’s better to have something prevent you from hitting it. Thanks Pacifica!

Here’s where the rubber hits the road, or better said, how you keep your kids from hitting each other while you’re on the road. The Uconnect Theater will stream from a tablet or mobile device to the onboard screens. There are two 10-inch screens for passengers riding in the second row. Uconnect also has nine build in games and apps. You can play the games alone or on both screens. So, this is an easy way to end the arguments about who gets shotgun. The second row is where the action is.

Depending on what type of system you want, the 2017 Pacifica offers options that feature an 8.4-inch central display screen with two 10-inch rear touchscreens. You can pair your screens with mobile phones, tablets and headphones, or use the built-in travel apps. The next time you get the “Are we there yet?” you can tell them to check the app.

Let’s talk cool…The Pacifica has hands-free rear hatch and sliding doors. You can’t just walk up and say “Open Sesame”, but it’s almost that good. If you have the keys in your pocket, just wiggle your foot underneath the car and “viola”, the hatch or sliding doors will open.

If you don’t feel like using the fancy hands-free opening, the Pacifica’s power sliding doors open with the push of a button, not a jerk of the handle. Even the driver’s door unlocks when you touch the handle, so there’s no reason to fish in your purse for the keys. The car literally senses that the keys are there, and when you reach for the handle, it takes care of you.

They also added a capless fuel filler nozzle (I can’t tell you how much I wish our truck had this. Actually, it does, but that’s only because we always lose my gas cap). Chrysler has also added ventilated seats to cool your posterior, led interior lighting (no more dead battery when you kids leave the lights on) and one last sweet, feature – an optional tri-pane sunroof. Who cares, you ask? Well, everybody sitting in rows 2 and 3 cares, because now they can look up and see the sky, the stars, the moon and look for shooting stars. I think I’ll start sitting in the back from now on.

The back had a nice deep luggage area and the rear seats were incredible and very spacious (leg room galore). You can fold them over, slide them down and they disappear. The marketing term for that is Stow-and-Go Assist Seats, but I call it “holy crap, they fold up and go all the way into the floor seats.” You’re left with a huge amount of space for whatever you need.

That’s bedding, luggage, and food for a cabin vacation for six!

The console had everything you wanted right at your fingertips. I suggest taking a minute before you start driving so you can see everything and know how to turn things on and off. We bounced between listening to Sirius XM radio and connecting our Pandora in the front while the kids watched a movie in the back. It was nice to be able to let them do their thing while we did ours. I like having full control of what I listen to and this van was exactly what I needed.

If that’s not enough to convince you that the Pacifica is a parent’s DREAM car, it even has an optional built-in vacuum (how many times have you needed THAT?!). And for everyone’s comfort and convenience, there are cupholders and power outlets everywhere! You really have to see this one to believe it.

In the end, I have to say it was the coolest minivan I have ever been in.

Connect with the Chrysler Pacifica:

Twitter: @Chrysler
Facebook: @Chrysler
Instagram: @ChryslerAutos

How to Save Money on Gas

Lolli — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 16:31:29 +0000

I created this post about how to save money on gas as part of a sponsored series with Socialstars and Shell; all opinions are my own. #ShellCrowd

As a busy mother of teens and tweens, I spend a good bit of my day driving them places. To school. Back home from school. To sports practices. Scouts. Music rehearsals. Doctors appointments. The mall. Get togethers with friends. And I work at home, so I don’t even have a commute time to add into the equation.

I had no idea when my kids were little that “having teenagers” meant spending my life in the car.

And since I drive a minivan (out of necessity – there are seven of us!), I end up using a lot of gasoline. It adds up fast!

Since I just recently discovered (and am so excited about) Shell’s Fuel Rewards® program, I figured that this would be a good time to take a look at our driving and gas-consuming habits and where our family might be able to improve. We’re always looking for ways to save money on gas, food, and other expenses. Who isn’t?

Here are some tried and trusted ways to spend less at the gas pump. Since we really are trying to save money and reduce spending any way we can, this was a good exercise to remind me where we can do a little better.

How to Save Money on Gas: Pay LESS at the Pump

Don’t let your gas tank run dry – we’ve all been there. The tank is running on fumes and we’re desperate to find the closest gas station, but the closest, most convenient gas station is often the most expensive. Schedule your fill ups when you are already out running errands (don’t make a trip to the gas station, especially if it’s out of the way) JUST to get gas.

Choose the right time and day to fill up – did you know that Monday and Tuesday tend to be the best days to fill up your car? During the warmer months, it also helps to fill your gas tank in the mornings or in the evenings, as the gas is cooler and more dense and you actually get more of it in your tank.

Watch how you drive – do you ride the brakes a lot? Do you love driving with the windows down? Do a lot of stopping and starting or do you drive in traffic frequently? All of those habits use up more of your precious gas. Slow down to a steady pace and leave plenty of room between you and the car ahead (everyone will benefit from this little trick, not just your gas tank!).

Turn it off – when you’re parked and waiting for your child to be done with piano lessons, turn the engine off. Don’t use gas unnecessarily – especially when you aren’t going anywhere.

Maintain your car – change your oil, check and rotate your tires regularly, change the oil regularly, maintain your filters and make sure everything is running as it should. A well-running car is more fuel efficient.

Sign up for Shell’s Fuel Rewards® program – THIS is the tip that I am most excited about. When you use Shell’s Fuel Rewards® program when you fill your tank with gas, you’ll save 3 cents per gallon EVERY time…but it gets even better! If you link a Mastercard, VISA, or American Express credit card to your Rewards account, you can EARN 5 cents/gallon or MORE for every $50 you spend (not just on gas…on anything!).

You can even COMBINE savings – earn 10 cents/gallon when you use your linked card to dine out, 15 cents/gallon when you shop online at participating retailers, 20 cents/gallon when you book a flight through the Rewards program. You can STACK those savings and pay 45 cents/gallon LESS at the pump (this is just an example).

Here’s a quick video to show how easy it is to save money at the gas pump with Shell’s Fuel Rewards® program:

I LOVE watching the savings add up – I downloaded the free Fuel Rewards® App for my iPhone (it’s also available on Google Play) and I can check my rewards balance anytime as well as see where the closest Shell station is (and what the prices are today), or search for special offers and ways that I can earn even MORE money off gas.

Ready to sign up and save money on gas? Open your free account now and get a New Member 25 cents/gallon Sign Up Bonus! What are you waiting for?

Follow Shell on Twitter and Instagram and on their Website #ShellCrowd #fuelrewards

The BEST Car Buying Advice Ever & The Washington Auto Show

Lolli — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 17:47:08 +0000

This past week, just days before THE STORM began (and, yes, THE STORM has to be all caps. It has been that epic) I ventured to downtown Washington DC, where I met up with a few dozen of my local DC-area blogging friends to explore the Washington Auto Show. Although I was asked to attend the auto show as a paid ambassador with Chevrolet as part of the Chevy-SheBuysCars Women’s Influencer Event, all thoughts, opinions, and photos are my own.

For several weeks leading up to the Washington Auto Show, the kids and I heard radio commercials advertising the auto show every morning on the way to school. The main message? You can’t buy a car until you’ve SMELLED it. The kids laughed every time they heard it, and I totally understood where the commercial was coming from, but I had a different approach. Sure, I do love the smell of a new car, but that’s not my first priority.

You can’t buy a car until you have seen felt, handled, and compared several cars, and the BEST way to do that – without spending every single weekend at ALL of the local dealerships (which I’m SURE you guys don’t want to do) – is to attend the auto show and see all of your options before making a decision.

It was at the Washington Auto Show this past week that I was given the BEST CAR BUYING ADVICE EVER.

Someone Told Me The Best Car Buying Advice Ever….

Ready for it?

This is actually several tidbits of advice compiled together into one glorious piece of advice…

When you are in the market for a new car, decide what options and features you are looking for. Do your initial research at home. Then look at each car that fits your criteria (yes, from ALL of the different car makers) and test them out one by one. But DO NOT buy the first car you test drive, because that first car will ALWAYS feel amazing and wonderful and you’ll want to say LET’S BUY IT RIGHT NOW because it feels and looks and drives so much better than the old piece of junk I WAS driving. Now, that may be the car you end up buying, but don’t plop money down quite yet. Go to a few more stops and handle a few more cars and then go back to that first car to test it out again. That second experience with the first car will undoubtedly be different.

I am reminded of something that used to happen to me all the time when I was running a photography business (before my blog became too busy for me to handle both jobs). People used to ask me all the time which camera they should buy. At the time, the 2 main options that 99% of the people asking me were looking at were Canon and Nikon. I would tell them what my sister (the Nikon girl) had told me (a Canon girl): “Both cameras are amazing, but sometimes it comes down to how it fits in your hand. Go to a store. Hold both cameras. And then you’ll know which one is right for you.”

I’ve test driven a lot of cars. I have driven cars that were SO MUCH FUN, but only a handful of them felt right – something that felt like it was made for me.

I might not love to go around the Washington Auto Show smelling the car interiors, like the commercial suggests, but I LOVE sitting inside the cars, touching and inspecting and handling the cars. I love that I can look and touch (and click all of the buttons just to see what they do) with NO PRESSURE to buy.

I love that Chevy trucks have added this handy step to make it easier to get into or see into the back of the bed of the truck!

The Coolest Thing I Learned at the Washington Auto Show

I’m a paper and pencil kind of note-taker, and when I was looking back at the notes I took during our auto show tour, it was this piece of information that stuck out to me the most:

Luxury cars benefit ALL consumers. Because luxury car makers put a lot of money and resources into having the best, the latest, and the most cutting edge innovations, ALL cars can eventually benefit from those same innovations. So those luxury cars might be ahead of the game when they come up with cool tech and innovations, but those same innovations that the luxury cars specialize in will show up in the everyday person cars shortly, too.

My Favorite Feature From the Washington Auto Show

I saw a lot of cars with a lot of cool features (like cars that are a wifi hotspot) but the features that were SO COOL to me, especially as a mom to a daughter who will be getting her driver’s license within a month or so, were the teen driver safety features in the Chevy Malibu. Did you know that you can log on to see how your teen is driving – not just where but HOW? I love that the radio doesn’t turn on until the seat belt is fastened. I can’t wait to see this feature move to more vehicles!

The Washington Auto Show is open now thru January 31. Check the website for details on hours, what’s happening each day and to purchase tickets (you can get tickets at the show as well).

Have you ever been to an Auto Show? What was your favorite part?

2015 Kia Optima Review

Lolli — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 12:00:36 +0000

Kia sent me 2015 Optima SX to review for a week. Just one week….although I would have loved to have kept it longer. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Stock photos of the Kia Optima are courtesy of Kia.

The more cars I drive, the more I feel like I notice about each of the cars – all of those little details that set a car apart from other cars in its class. It has been interesting to watch my kids become more and more aware of what makes a car desirable – and I know that their experience will serve them well once they are buying cars of their own.

After spending a week driving the 2015 Kia Optima, I came to the conclusion that the Optima is a sedan that I would not hesitate to buy. It was a pleasure to drive, the features and functions were easy to understand and operate, and the value was excellent. Granted, at this stage of our family’s life, we still need a family car that has at least 6 seats, and the Optima seats 5….but soon we won’t be needing quite as many seats.

The Optima may be a mid-sized sedan, but the interior and trunk feel spacious. No one ever complained about leg room in the Optima (even my tall 14-year-old son), and there was more than enough space in the trunk for all of our groceries and gear.

During the week that I had the Optima, I posted a few snapshots on Instagram and Facebook, and I was surprised when local friends came up to the car to give it a closer look when I was out and about. Apparently, the pictures peaked their interest. One person commented upon seeing the Optima in person, “Wow, that IS a sharp car!”

There really wasn’t anything about the 2015 Optima that I didn’t like. That’s not to say that it was my favorite car ever…but there wasn’t anything about the Optima that turned me away. I don’t hesitate at all in recommending the Optima as a fantastic sedan to consider.

About the 2015 Kia Optima

Value: Starting at $21,690*
Fuel economy: 23 mpg city/34 mpg hwy

Exterior: Updated front fascia | dynamic, sculpted back end | sporty available red brake calipers

Interior: Redesigned, comfortable seats | spacious cabin with refined features | plenty of available amenities

Drive: Available 2.0-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) turbo engine | segment-leading 274 horsepower | fuel-efficiency of a four-cylinder engine

Tech: Available UVO eServices infotainment system that can stream music from a compatible smartphone, initiate a 911 call, or schedule service appointments | use voice commands or touch screen | no UVO subscription fees

Safety: Advanced airbag system | standard Antilock Braking System (ABS)

The 2015 Kia Optima is available in 5 models:

LX:
16″ Alloy Wheels
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
Heated Outside Mirrors with Integrated LED Turn Signals

EX:
Push Button Start with Smart Key
Leather Seat Trim
10-Way Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat

SX:
Sport-Tuned Suspension
Steering Wheel Paddle Shifters
Rear Combination Lamps, LED

SX Turbo:
Turbocharged, Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Engine
Drive Mode Select
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights

Limited:
Nappa Leather Seat Trim
Exterior Chrome Accents
18″ Chrome Alloy Wheels

Have you driven an Optima lately? It’s definitely a car to consider!

2015 Mazda3 i 4-Door Touring

Lolli — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 16:00:17 +0000

When I was in Los Angeles recently for a press trip, Mazda was gracious enough to send me a Mazda3 so that I could get from LA to San Diego. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Collage shots and car selfie were taken by me. All other photos of the Mazda3 are courtesy of Mazda.

My time with the Mazda3 i 4-door Touring was short (from Saturday evening to Monday morning), but I clocked a lot of hours driving the Southern California freeway and around town in San Diego while I had it, and it was easy to fall in love.

The Mazda3 is a slick-looking, smooth-driving, get-you-where-you-need-to-go kind of vehicle. My first impression of the car, when the hotel valet pulled it around to the front of the hotel for me, was that I loved the color (the car that I had a chance to drive was a gorgeous blue reflex mica with a black interior). The trunk had ample space for my luggage, and the driver’s seat had more than enough room for me. I was more than satisfied with my ride.

I got in the car, hooked my phone up to charge via USB cord, found a good radio station (take a look at the enormous touch screen infotainment system!), adjusted my mirrors, and was on my way south towards San Diego. It was easy to find the controls and features I needed to get on my way quickly. Maybe because I have driven a few Mazdas in the last few years, but this car just felt intuitive to me.

The Mazda3 handled well in the night-time slow and then fast, stop and go LA traffic. Possibly my favorite thing about the Mazda3? When I got to my destination, I was able to zip right into (and later, out of) an insane, tight, wall-on-one-side parking spot. I never would have dared it with a bigger car, but the Mazda3 tackled the parking job like a champ. Frankly, it made ME look good.

Perhaps one of the most appealing things about the Mazda3 is the sticker price. With an MSRP starting at $16,945, the 2015 Mazda3 is a very affordable car! The fuel efficiency adds to the affordability of the Mazda3; it has an EPA-estimated fuel efficiency rating of 29/41 mpg (city/highway), with an average of 34 miles per gallon.

The other stats that stood out to me were the government safety ratings – the Mazda3 got an overall vehicle score of 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, side, and rollover impacts. I feel so much better driving around in a car that has received top ratings for safety.

A few features of the 2015 Mazda3:

Below are available features for the Mazda3. Check MazdaUSA.com to see details on what is available on each model, and which features come standard versus optional >>

Moonroof with one-touch open
6-way power driver’s seat with manual lumbar adjustment
Variable heated front seats
Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio capability
Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry & Start System
Rearview camera
Mazda navigation system
Bose® 9 speaker surround sound system with Centerpoint® 2 and AudioPilot®
SiriusXM satellite radio w/ 4 month subscription
Dual-zone automatic climate control system
18-inch alloy wheels
LED Daytime Running Lights
LED combination taillights
Active Driving Display for driving information
Paddle shifters
Bi-xenon headlights with auto leveling
Auto On/Off headlights
Auto-dimming interior mirror with Homelink
Perforated leather-trimmed seats
Adaptive Front-lighting System
Rain sensing windshield wipers
MAZDA CONNECT Infotainment system with: 7″ full-color touchscreen display, multi-function Commander control, Infotainment system voice command, HD radio, Aha internet radio integration, Pandora® internet radio integration, Stitcher internet radio integration, SMS text message audio delivery and reply

Mazda3 safety features include:

Advanced front air bags
Front side-impact air bags
Side-impact air curtains
Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control System
4-wheel ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist
Available Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
E911 automatic emergency notification
Adaptive Front-lighting System
Smart City Brake Support
Lane Departure Warning System
High Beam Control
Forward Obstruction Warning
Mazda Radar Cruise Control

My Mazda3 selfie

Every time I get behind the wheel of a Mazda, I fall a little more in love with the brand. I love what Mazda has done with their cars in the past few years. Mazda has become one of our front runners for the new car search.

2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review

Lolli — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 02:24:03 +0000

It’s not everyday that this work-at-home mom gets to drive a car that turns heads. But when Mazda sent me a 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring PRHT (Power Retractable Hard Top) to drive for a week, that’s exactly what happened. This car is a head-turner.

(Note: photos courtesy of Mazda, except for the 2 photos I captured on my phone. You’ll be able to tell the difference. Trust me.)

Sure, a 2-seater convertible sports car is probably not the most practical car for someone like me. You should have seen what happened when I took my son shopping for groceries and one of those big tri-fold poster boards for the science fair. If you’ve ever shopped for a family my size, you’ll know that we typically fill the back of the minivan. Let’s just say we giggled all the way home (with the poster board in the passenger seat with my son).

The 2015 Mazda Miata may not be the most practical family car, but I can tell you what it IS. It’s sporty. It’s fun. It’s sleek. It’s an adventure on wheels.

My only regret during my time with the Mazda MX-5 was that the weather was simply too cold to drive with the top down. I wanted to. I really wanted to get the full convertible experience, but temps in the single digits, snow and ice made that impractical. Thank goodness that the heating system in the MX-5 was quick and efficient, and I stayed nice and toasty during all of my rides around town.

What I loved about the 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata:

I love the way it handled. Thanks to its compact size, it slips into parking spaces and takes curves and turns with ease. It’s also fun to drive. There’s simply something unique about a sports car, and the Miata has been turning heads for the past 25 years. Can you believe that the Miata is celebrating 25 years?

I also love the look of the 2015 MX-5. If a car ever earned the right to be called sleek and sexy, then the Miata was it. I drove the 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring PRHT in Meteor Gray with a “Spicy Mocha” interior. I was proud to drive it around all week! I was surprised at how comfortable the car was to drive. I had plenty of leg and elbow room, and even plenty of places to stash my stuff while I was driving. I especially appreciated the lockable compartments to stow valuables when leaving the car with the top down. Granted, when it came to cargo space (especially for groceries for a full-sized family) the Miata did come out lacking. But I doubt most people purchase a sports car like the Miata with the intent to stock up at Costco…

A special note: I drove the MX-5 with manual transmission, which I think made all the difference in the driving experience. It’s been a while since I’ve had a car with manual transmission, and I forgot how much I enjoy that feeling of control. The kids had lots of questions about shifting gears, and though none of them were old enough to get behind the wheel of THIS car, I think it sparked their interest in learning how to operate a manual transmission.

When did you learn?

2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata SPECS

ENGINE TYPE: 167-hp, MZR 2.0L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with variable valve timing (VVT)

CONVERTIBLE OPTIONS: Choice of soft top or Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT)

EPA-ESTIMATED FUEL EFFICIENCY:
* 21/28 city/highway — 6-speed Manual Transmission
* 21/28 city/highway — 6-speed Automatic Transmission

SAFETY FEATURES:

Standard advanced front air bags and side-impact air bags
Advanced front air bags with seat belt-use, passenger-weight and driver’s seat-position sensors
Side-impact air bags
3-point seat belts with pretensioners and force limiters
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS)

Mazda Limited Warranty Coverage:

Every new Mazda comes with a comprehensive limited warranty that provides coverage in the unlikely event a repair is needed in the first years after your vehicle’s purchase.

3-year/36,000-mile* “Bumper-to-Bumper” Limited Warranty
5-year/60,000-mile* Limited Powertrain Warranty
3-year/36,000-mile* 24/7 Roadside Assistance Program

*Whichever comes first.

Have you driven a Miata? What were your favorite features?

The 2015 Washington Auto Show {Win a Family 4-Pack of Tickets!}

Lolli — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 15:20:37 +0000

Two years ago, about this time of year, I attended my very first Auto Show. This coming week, I will be attending the Washington Auto Show – my second auto show ever – as a Chevy Ambassador with a few of my favorite DC-area bloggers and I am beyond thrilled. The only way that I could be more excited about my plans next week is if I could bring my dad along…the true car aficionado in the family. Although this post and event are part of a compensated opportunity with SheBuysCars.com, all thoughts, opinions and excitement are my own.

The front end of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt on display as a sneak peek Sunday, January 4, 2015 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The next-generation extended range electric vehicle will be fully unveiled on January 12 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (Photo by Isaac Brekken for Chevrolet)

I used to be of the opinion that cars were just a tool to get me from one place to another. I didn’t find much joy out of driving because it usually meant that I was heading to an appointment or to the store (or somewhere equally as unexciting). It wasn’t until I started test driving new vehicles and getting to know about the newest innovations in the auto industry the last couple of years that I realized that cars could be joyful. Exciting. Luxurious. Innovative. Comfortable. Fun.

I may not be an expert on cars like my dad is, but I have certainly learned to appreciate how exciting cars can be.

Chevrolet Global Chief Marketing Officer Tim Mahoney offers a sneak peek at the 2016 Chevrolet Volt Sunday, January 4, 2015 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The next-generation extended range electric vehicle will be fully unveiled on January 12 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (Photo by Isaac Brekken for Chevrolet)

Some of my favorite innovations in the automotive technology over the last several years have been…

Built-in GPS navigation (never have to worry about getting lost again!)
Bluetooth connectivity (my phone connects automatically when I get in the car)
Keyless entry and ignition (I can leave my keys in my purse and stop losing them or fishing for them in the bottom of my purse so often!)
Back up cameras (hello – less neck strain and less wondering if I’m missing a bike or another car when I’m backing up)
…And so much more.

The connecting factor in all of these enhancements has been to make life easier. And as a busy mom, I need the time I spend in the car transporting kids to and from school and activities to be as effortless and as pleasant as possible.

Chevrolet at the Washington Auto Show

I am excited to be meeting with Chevy at the auto show next week and for the opportunity to learn more about the new Volt (in addition to everything else they have to offer!).
- Chevrolet has some of the freshest lineups and dealerships in the industry, and they’re working hard to delight and excite a new generation of customers
- Chevrolet is committed to engaging performance, world-class safety features, designs that makes the heartbeat and easy-to-use technology from all of their cars, trucks and crossovers…all at a value
- This year alone, Chevrolet will be introducing five new cars in the US with 25 new technologies that improve safety, performance and fuel efficiency
- Every Chevrolet – from Spark to Silverado and Corvette – will offer easy-to-use technologies like 4GLTE, MyLink and Active Fuel Management
- In 2014, Chevrolet won more industry awards in the US than any other car company
Attend THE FUTURE OF CARS TWITTER PARTY

When: January 19, 2015, 9-10 PM EST (8-9 pm CT; 7-8 pm MT; 6-7 pm PT)

WHO: Hosted by @SheBuysCars and @TravelingMom
Panelists – @AllThingsFadra, @ShelleyKramm, @JessicaMcFadd, @scrappinmichele, @notasupermom, @1momof5, @KimOrlando

HOW TO JOIN: Follow the hashtags #TMOM, #NextGenVolt, #Chevrolet

RSVP: Let us know on THIS POST on SheBuysCars.com that you’re coming and for more details about the twitter party.

PRIZES:
- A family four-pack of tickets to the Washington, DC Auto Show, January 23-February 1, 2015, Washington, DC
- A Chevrolet Ultimate Tailgate package, including a Bowtie travel mug, a Tailgate cooler bag and a warm and cozy Chevy Beanie cap
Win tickets to the Washington Auto Show

Before the twitter party on Monday, I’ve got another way you can WIN your way in to the DC Auto Show! I’m giving away Family 4-pack of tickets to the Washington Auto Show (2 adults and 2 children) on January 23 through February 1, 2015 (Please see https://www.washingtonautoshow.com/ for more details)!

All you need to do is tell me what car (or cars) you are most excited to learn about and see at the auto show. Enter through the Rafflecopter form below. A winner will be announced at the twitter party on Monday night (1/19) so please leave your twitter handle in the comment!

Entry -Form

See you there!

© 2015, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.

Introducing the 2015 Hyundai Sonata in Montgomery, Alabama #NewSonata

Lolli — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 02:49:56 +0000

Hyundai invited me to Montgomery, Alabama, to experience the brand new 2015 Sonata and tour the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) plant where the Sonata and Elantra are made. Travel and accommodations were covered but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Introducing the new 2015 Hyundai Sonata, available this summer!

It’s not every day that I get to tour one of the most technologically advanced manufacturing plant in the world. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA), located in Montgomery, Alabama, was built in 2002 with production starting in 2005…and has already surpassed the 2.5 million mark in total production. While we saw amazing processes and machines putting the Sonata and Elantra together the secret to the success of HMMA is the team members.

As much as I loved seeing the hundreds of hi-tech robots in action, the employees who stopped to wave and smile as we took our tour through the plant were what impressed me the most.

Did you know? You can tour the HMMA plant just like we did for free. Tour Days and Times: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m by reservation only.

The most exciting part of the plant tour was when we came to the end. We saw a line of brand new 2015 Sonatas ready to come off the line and we were told to chose a car, get inside, start the engine, and drive the cars off the line and out of the factory. How exciting is that?

Our 4+ hours of driving took us through some beautiful country in Alabama, and I thoroughly enjoyed being behind the wheel AND in the passenger seat of the new Sonata.

The 7th Generation Sonata is a car you can’t help but love. With a user-friendly interior and driver-focused cockpit, you can focus more on what you love about driving.

I was impressed with the roominess of the Sonata, enhanced by the panoramic sunroof in the two cars I was able to drive. I also found that the lighter interior of the Limited model I test drove enhanced the feel of wide-open space in the car.

The 2015 Sonata is available in 3 models: The SE, the Sport (more volume), and the Limited (which is the premium model). The Sport 2.0T (2.0L Turbo) has an even sportier body and feel…and I can tell you from experience that you can tell the difference in the power it delivers with its more responsive turbo-charged engine.

The new Sonata is available in 9 exterior colors and 4 interior colors. It has an incredible 106.1 cubic feet of passenger volume and a total interior volume of 122.4 cubic feet. That’s some nice leg room!

Not only does the 2015 Sonata offer space and comfort and better ride quality, but undesired outside noise has been drastically reduced with better sound absorption materials and reduced apertures in the bulkhead. It all comes together to create a pleasant driving experience.

“We crafted the shape of the 2015 Sonata in the same way an award-winning chef refines his recipes over the years,” said Chris Chapman, chief designer, Hyundai Design North America. “With the 2011 Sonata, Hyundai took the mid-size sedan from a meal to a gourmet dinner. The evolution to Fluidic Sculpture 2.0’s more taut, modern lines reflect the improvements in refinement and driving dynamics for 2015.”

Notable safety features:

Standard 7 airbags, including driver’s knee airbag designed to help prevent the driver from sliding down the seat in a collision.
Also standard: electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, traction control, ABS and tire pressure monitoring system with individual tire pressure display.
Forward collision warning, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, and lane departure warning system are all available.

Cool convenience features:

High beam assist so you don’t have to worry about blinding oncoming traffic when you forget to turn the high beams off again!
Smart cruise control (SCC) with full stop capability with front-grille-mounted radar sensor so you can maintain safer, consistent spacing with the vehicle ahead.
Smart trunk gives drivers a convenient hands-free way to open the trunk. No feet needed! The driver simply approaches the Sonata’s trunk with the key fob in a purse or pocket and waits 3 seconds. The trunk will automatically open.
Built-in sunshades in rear windows.
Heated AND ventilated (cooled) front seats – the cooled seats were truly amazing in Alabama in June! Plus, heated rear seats.
Heated steering wheel included in Tech package.

Multimedia and BLUE LINK

The 2015 model will be the second Sonata to offer the next-generation Blue Link system. and the debut of the new Sonata coincides with the launch of a new Hyundai Assurance Car Care in-vehicle app.

Destination Search powered by Google – users can use the Blue Link button (voice recognition) and navigation display to take advantage of Google’s destination search. It’s so easy!
Remote Start – includes a timer (from 1 to 10 minutes), remote stop, remote climate control, and remote defroster via the mobile app.
Hyundai Assurance Car Care in-vehicle – Includes service scheduling, maintenance and warranty information, and a warnings and indicators guide as well as lots more.

The fuel economy on the new 2015 Sonata varies from 23-28 MPG city and 32-38 MPG highway, with a combined 28-32 MPG. The 2015 Sonata begins at $21,150, with the base model $300 less than the model it replaces!

My over-all findings after test driving the Sonata – this is a sedan that I would be happy to drive around town. With 5 comfortable seats and plenty of leg room to the spacious trunk, there’s plenty of space for a family of 4 or 5. (I guess all I have to do is get rid of a few more kids and this will be perfect for me!)

Note: Photos that are not watermarked with Better in Bulk have been provided by Hyundai (because the trip photographer took much better pictures than I did, so why not show them off?).

2014 Kia SOUL Review

Lolli — Fri, 23 May 2014 18:49:39 +0000

Just a little disclaimer: first, I am not a car person. I have to mention that whenever I post a car review. I’m just an ordinary person who has to drive a car daily. I look at car features with the eyes of a mom. How will my family “fit” with this car? How easy is it to learn and how comfortable is it to drive? Second, I was given a 2014 Kia Soul ! in Inferno Red to drive for a week. No other compensation was received, and all thoughts are my own.

This was the second time I’ve had the chance to drive the Kia Soul. I reviewed the 2012 model 2 years ago, and either the new 2014 Soul has a ton of improvements or I’m simply at a better stage in life to appreciate all the Soul has to offer. I liked the Soul in 2012, but I LOVED the 2014 model.

What I loved about the 2014 Kia Soul:

The new Soul is insanely comfortable to drive. And most of all, it’s FUN. From the Infinity audio system with speaker lights to the heated front AND rear seats (amazing for the winter!) to the panoramic sunroof…the Soul has so much to offer. The Kia Soul is affordable to purchase, starting at $14,900 (up to $26,195 for the model I drove, with lots of extras like the panoramic sunroof). The Soul gets 23 MPG city and 31 MPG highway. Don’t let the affordable sticker price fool you, though. The Soul doesn’t FEEL like a cheap car. It feels like top-of-the-line comfort. And fun. Did I mention that I simply enjoyed driving it?

The Soul also comes with Kia’s famous warranty – 10 years/100,000 miles unlimited powertrain warranty, 5 year/60,000 mile limited basic warranty, and 5 year/60,000 mile roadside assistance.

The Kia Soul has 5 seats and plenty of cargo space in the back for day-to-day driving, shopping, sports, etc. There is plenty of leg room in the Soul, too. No knocking knees on the back of the seat in front of you!

Because I drove the Soul during a week of late-in-the-season wintery weather, the heated seats and heated steering wheel were very much appreciated. And the panoramic sunroof was exactly what I needed to enjoy the feeling of being outdoors without actually having to be outdoors (I feel much the same once the summer hits – I love being outside, but I prefer a less humid, air conditioned environment). I tried taking a picture of just how huge the panoramic sunroof is. I could hardly fit it all into a single picture. It feels like a convertible without the hassle of having the wind mess up your hair.

The Kia Soul was very popular with my kids, receiving a thumbs-up from all of them. It looks “cool and sporty” but it doesn’t give up comfort and convenience for its good looks.

Kia has once again impressed us with its comfort, ease-of-use, and appealing features. It’s definitely a strong contender!

A few technical specs and features of the 2014 Kia Soul:

Some of the Souls’ STANDARD features:

2.0L GDI 4-cylinder engine
6-speed automatic transmission with Active Eco System
Electric power steering

18″ alloy wheels
Dual front advanced, front side-mounted, and full length side curtain airbags
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with brake assist (BAS)
Traction control system (TCS)
Air conditioning
Bluetooth technology
Sirius/XM satellite radio with a free 3-month subscription

USB and Aux jacks
Center console with armrest and storage bin
60/40 folding rear seats
Cruise control and trip computer
Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
Heated power-folding mirrors with turn signal indicators
And so much more!

A few notable additional available features:

Sun and Sound Package: automatic climate control, panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, navigation with 8″ screen and Sirius/XM traffic, Infinity audio system, speaker lights
The Whole Shebang: HiD low-beam headlights, push button start with smart key, leather eat trim, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, heated steering wheel, supervision meter cluster with 4.3″ color LCD, engine immobilizer

Have you driven the 2014 Kia Soul? If you have, what was your favorite feature? If you haven’t driven one yet, what feature is most appealing to you?

Many thanks to Kia for letting me test drive the “Urban hatchback” Soul! Check out more about the 2014 Kia Soul at Kia.com.

Where Are You Rolling This Spring? #RollWithCooper

Lolli — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 01:28:32 +0000

This post brought to you by Cooper Tire. All opinions are 100% mine.

The snow has melted (finally!) and we're ready to jump into our Spring Break…and it feels like Summer is right around the corner. I'm sure it will be here before I know it.

We have big plans for this Summer, including a BIG cross-country road trip to take my oldest daughter to college. I love long road trips, but whether we're driving to the next state for a day trip during Spring Break or driving to the opposite coast for a college drop off, we need to make sure that our car is up to the challenge.

Roll With Cooper – Spring Savings Event!

Cooper Tire wants to help prepare drivers for safe travels this Spring…so they are offering up to an $80 Visa® prepaid card as well as a chance to WIN a "Roll With Cooper" prize pack to get travelers started on their journeys.

Where are YOU rolling this Spring and Summer?

Now through April 15, when you purchase a new set of 4 qualifying Cooper tires (at participating dealers in the U.S., District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) you'll have a little extra spending money back in your pockets. Plus, Cooper Tire is giving away a $1000 prize pack in their #RollWithCooper sweepstakes.

Enter the Roll With Cooper Sweepstakes for $1000 Prize!

How to #RollWithCooper: Check out Cooper Tire on Facebook and post some of your favorite moments of daily travels in the car, or tag #RollWithCooper on Twitter or Cooper’s new Instagram page to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing for a gas card and Cooper merchandise.

Cooper wants to hear how YOU #RollWithCooper – do you sing along to the radio (turned up loud, of course!) or do you have favorite car games that you like to play as a family? Have any fun traditions or car travel tips?

Consumers can see eligible products, obtain full terms and conditions and a mail-in reward form by visiting a participating Cooper Tire dealer or visit Cooper Tire Rebates.

What would you do with the prize if you won the $1000 grand prize in the #RollWithCooper Sweepstakes? Let me know in the comments below!