Showing posts with label Test Drive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Test Drive. Show all posts

Monday, March 11, 2019

Feeling Safe in the Mountains with our Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Test Drive #Jeep #TestDrive #OCJeep

First time Jeep Driver here! Test Drive Success.....

 
I love cars, trucks, suv's... but I had never driven a Jeep before and I fell head over heels or well snow boots for her!
 
 
Mountain Ready and Safety Confident
 

 
About 2 weeks ago we were set to hit the road and spend a few days momcationing in beautiful Idyllwild.
 
Basically packed and ready to go just days before our trip the road conditions, from the socal weather we've been having, gave in and left us with one route up and back.
 
This route is not only the longest but ita the most mountain driving of the 3 routes in. On top of that we were advised we may need chains and there may be snow in the roads where the plows have not gotten to.
 
 
Let's Do This...
 

 
Thanks to Orange Coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Orange County we were set up with two snow ready Jeep Rubicon beasts to take on the mountain saelfy and comfortably. All opinions are my own.
 

 

Monday, January 7, 2019

My Family is in Love with the Chevy Tahoe 2019 Premier - Test Drive #ChevyTahoe

Siren Red Hot - 2019 Chevy Tahoe Premier 4WD Review 


We love the 2019 Chevy Tahoe, I didn't really want to give her back but I had to. Now I'm dreaming of her and all the greatness an SUV should be and here is why...
 
 
Chevy Tahoe Pinterest PIN IT

Thanks to Chevrolet we were able to tour in safe comfortable luxury from our SoCal mountains to our coastal OC beaches and maybe even girl scouts, soccer and the school pick up line too.

All opinions and experiences are my own. I wanted to share what really stuck out to me in the test drive as a notch above the rest for travel, safety, entertainment and comfort.
 

My Faves About the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe...

Comfort and Family Perfect - Seating seven(option for eight available), with captain seats in the middle, the entry of kids and taller sized people is super convenient.
 

 
My husband is 6'3" and I'm 5'7"... even our 10 year old is 5'6" and we piled in a car seat for the 6yo & others for a comfortable fit and drive.

Entertainment - Aside from Apple and Android auto capabilities there are also Rear-Seat Entertainment System with Blu-ray® playback available as add-ons. The audio sounded clear and played both the movies and satellite radio on point. I love that this can come factory with warranty too. I've had aftermarket audio and it's not better these days from my experience.

Safety Features - With sensors everywhere there is a kind reminder or heads up to almost every off route move you make. There is even a reminder to check your back seat. Groceries, pets, kids... not that one would intentionally leave anything in the car but helpful reminder anyways. While in reverse I felt my seat vibrate and was shocked at how the sensor was reacting to the basketball hoop at the end of our driveway to alert me all around. 

Visibility- wide view even with the TV monitor screen down. The rear vision camera is clear and sharp showing you the entire space behind the Tahoe. Cross traffic alerts are helpful when there's a lot of girl scouts or soccer team in the Tahoe singing and playing games! The rear parking assistant combined with the blind spot zone alert bring safety tech to the next level.
 


Durability and Strength - From climbing mountains to cruising the sand beach side the drive was comfortable, confident, safe and a lot of family fun! The curves of the mountain felt as if I was in a coup low to the ground with the center of gravity still and sturdy. 

Cargo or Passenger ready with Easy Fold Down Seats - I'd love to say it's perfect for all but I'll speak for myself when I say this soccer, girl scout, adventure seeking mom loves how quick and easily accessible the seats manipulate.
 




Specs and Highlights since I love these deets...

With V8 horsepower and 22mpg the Chevy Tahoe really surprised me on how many miles we were able to travel in the tank of gas! From Orange County to Idyllwild in the Mountains and back with plenty to spare for more travels. 
 


With the ability to seat 7 or 8 there's room for larger families, friends to tag along, carpools, cargo, multiple car seats and more.


While there are nine colors to delightfully select from, I'm not going to lie, the Siren Red Tintcoat color had my heart racing! I mean my holiday dress even matched.
 


Starting at 48k I was so surprised at all the bells and whistles that accompanied the top notch in technology safety features.
 
The navigation was spot on whole in the mountains as well as around town locally. I do love how the Navigation screen slips down and you can place items right behind it.
 

 
Perfect for mom life and quick access gold Fish snacks to toss to the back seat.. just saying!

"Tahoe offers advanced active safety features like Adaptive Cruise Control - Advanced, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Forward Collision Alert. You can drive with added confidence knowing Tahoe can help you prevent a potential collision."
 


I love that Chevrolet takes high priority in safety features. I want to remind you that our test drive even had seats that would vibrate in account with the safety system sensors and cameras. Best option!! Just Amazing! Shocking at first when you don't know but none the less brilliant.
 
As a mom carrying precious cargo I would totally suggest you look at and review your options with the Tahoe when SUV shopping if any of the above had you saying "oh, I like that too or that's important to me too".
 

 
 
What we loved most (kids perspective)... 
 
Cup Holders - the kids loved that there were plenty of places to store their water bottles, juices or friends drinks too. I loved that as well since I am a fan of coffee and water with me at all times!
 
Entertainment System - I totally forgot to connect them to the WiFi that was available but they loved watching movies in surround sound or with headphones on. A bonus for longer drives. We often have out of area soccer tournaments.
 
Space - the kids noticed that there was a lot of space and room to move around, pack in and settle down. No one felt cramped in any of the seats and while we traveled to the mountains with a full load of cargo, everyone was comfortable too.
 

 
Heated and Air Conditioned Seats - Maybe it's a kids favorite cause they seem to forget their sweatshirts over under dress when I've reminded them to layer up but none the less the heated seats are a huge hit for us all. I personally loved the heated steering when we drove to the mountains but the kids absolutely loved the heated seats after soccer and while out in the evenings. I know they would enjoy the cooling seats as well in the hot summer when coming home from the beach.
 
The Color - My son to a huge liking to the Siren Red color we test drove. It was memorizing and he just fell in love. He really wants us to have a red car... now he wants us to trade in our mid size SUV for the Siren Red Tahoe. He has my style of car goals there!
 
It was an adventurous test drive by purpose to put her to the test but we fell in love with the Chevy Tahoe Premier by choice, it was too easy to appreciate all she has to offer.
 

 
Please check out some of our video recaps here and live tours of the Chevy Tahoe during our test drive here
 
It's a great way to get a more personal look inside the Tahoe before heading to the dealer too. 

Oh, you can also follow #ChevyTahoe and #FindNewRoads for all the latest and greatest about all things #Chevrolet .
 
Chevrolet just shared some awesome tips on Winter Driving and Road Trips. 
CHEVROLET WINTER DRIVING TIPS 
Don’t Drive on Empty: Bad weather can cause unexpected delays, so keep your gas tank at least half full and your cell phone charged.

Prepare Your Car for Winter: Have your dealer or a trusted mechanic do any scheduled service. Make sure your battery, tires, lights, wiper blades and other critical parts are ready for winter. Check tire pressure, as it can drop as the weather gets colder.

Consider Winter Tires: Winter tires provide added traction in snow and ice, even for vehicles with four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. If you drive regularly in winter weather, a set of winter tires can be a smart investment.

Know Your Vehicle: Review the sections of your owner’s manual covering antilock brakes, traction control, and four- or all-wheel-drive (if equipped) to make sure you are comfortable with their operation. For quick and easy access to your owner’s manual, check out the myChevrolet app.

Stock Your Car: In addition to a snow brush and ice scraper, it’s a good idea to carry a snow shovel and abrasive material such as sand or cat litter.  Jumper cables, a flashlight and emergency flares can help if you encounter unexpected problems. Cold weather clothing and emergency blanket or sleeping bag can be critical if you are stuck or stranded.
 
Great tips! 

Live video chat about the Chevy Tahoe 2019 Premier here. 

Have any questions about our test drive or the Chevy Tahoe, please, drop them in the comments or visit Chevrolet here!

Happy Driving...
 

Friday, August 12, 2016

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Review

Go hybrid with the Hyundai Sonata plug in limited edition.

I loved life a bit more spending less money on gas...

This super Sleek Hyundai Sonata hybrid amazed me from the inside and out.


The four-door body style is super attractive on the outside and very spacious and roomy on the inside.

I couldn't believe how quiet it was to drive and how I really enjoyed being able to hear myself think when I was alone in the car enjoying it's extremely smooth maneuverability and drive.

So here is the scoop on my lovely week of Hyundai drive fun...

Friday, August 5, 2016

Mazda CX5 Summer Fun Review #ZOOMZOOM

Zoom Zoom With Me and My Mazda CX5 Test Drive!

Comfort, Style, Speed...


Have you driven a Mazda? I love how this line of cars handles very much. Each time I test drive a Mazda I am reminded how much I love the handling and stability. 

I loved driving this Mazda CX5! The kids loved the space inside as well as the cargo space for all our gear. Easy in and out and loading too! Perfect for this OnTheGo soccer mom!

We took this sweet Mazda CX5 all over SoCal... after each drive I thought about what I liked most about where we went and how this awesome SUV got us there.

Since I have never had an SUV it is super easy for me to be critical over the little things and I have to admit, I loved all the Bells and Whistles on this sporty SUV. 


Here are our top favs and loves:

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Mazda3 Grand Touring Zoom Zoom With Out Breaking The Bank

Summer Family Fun Mazda3 Test Drive!

So many Features and so much fun to drive, the Mazda3 was ideal for my family, with 5 doors and so much packed inside and out it.


Fun to drive and great gas mileage, the +Mazda USA we test drove was my first time in a Mazda and I loved it.

The options that come standard are plenty and those that can be added are in addition to the already comfortable and equip Mazda3.

Some of our favorite features off the list and must not miss:

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Legoland CA Welcomes New Tower to #MinilandNYC

Legoland California Tribute - Freedom Tower In Miniland  - America The Beautiful and United! 

What an Honor to be at Legoland California's unveiling of the Freedom Tower in #MinilandNYC !



Last week we were invited to preview the new Freedom Tower in Miniland NYC inside of Miniland at +legolandcalifornia !

It is really amazing to see the crafting of Legos anywhere in Legoland but this one is just super special to us all. 

Freedom Tower is the Miniland version of One World Trade Center and is built with more than 250,000 Lego Bricks!

Monday, June 27, 2016

Hyundai Tucson Test Drive Our Top 5 Favorites About This Sweet Ride

Loved it!

This perfect 5 seater SUV won me over with it's mom friendly features and so much more!


We took the opportunity to fully test drive this Hyundai Tucson and took her all over Southern California!

I had a few meetings and meet ups lined up and loved how much fun and practical the Hyundai Tucson really is.

Our family was able to test drive this beauty to a few soccer practices, a team bonding event at #BoomersIrvine , to +AquaBall headquarters, to the circus, to +Ruby's Diner , to the Circus and so much more... we did not want to let her go after a fun filled week. 

Here are my personal favs!
* the drive is similar to a coup. With the drive train handling, it's perfect for around town, or on the go gooo. Tight turns and easy to comfortably control gave me the confidence in the Tucson that I was looking for in an SUV.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Love the Fuel Efficient Budget Friendly Mitsubishi Mirage

Mitsubishi Mirage - Mini-Compact 

Mini-Compact Packed With Features.......

We had so much fun test driving the Mitsubishi Mirage! Our family of 4 zipped around Orange County saving so much gas and loving the space this sweet affordable 2015 Mirage gave us. 

This awesome 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage starts at $12,995, making it a amazingly affordable, what a price point! Wow!

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Kia Sorento 2016 IS My New Fav Full Size SUV #DriveKia

In love with the Kia Sorento SXL AWD!

All Wheel Drive and Over Spring Break, That is Just What We Did...


We had an amazing experience test driving the Kia Sorento thanks to Drive Shop and Kia. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to do these test drives and give an honest review. 

I was lucky enough to have my Kia arrive just in time for some spring break fun. 

As soon as I looked inside I knew I would love driving this car. I know that I am known for not being a fan of larger SUV's but I had a feeling the space would grow on me as soon as I realized I could put my kids on separate rows.. yes I know right?!

The Kia Sorrento seats 7 with the 3rd row up. Speaking of the third row... it is the easiest to put up and down I was so shocked I had to do it twice to make sure this mom that can barely get a car seat in on my own was not just having beginners luck! Truth!


Sometimes there are events or weekend soccer games that I am used to having to select things to leave behind. Sometimes it is the extra sideline chair or the stroller or even having to take halftime snacks on ice and not in a cooler. So the luxury of the trunk space with and with out all or some of the seats down was wonderful!

Over spring break we were able to head out to a media preview +legolandcalifornia and the long drive was smooth, comfortable and easy to drive, I must admit, I was starting to like the size.


I was able to test out the regular drive mode, ECO drive mode and also the Sport drive mode. I did notice a difference in EACH. While in ECO mode the drive was almost flawless and smooth as can be. With the Sport drive mode I was able to feel the extra power as needed to let's say accelerate when on the on ramp to the freeway or in the parking lot of the soccer game that was not fully paved and rigid. I really liked the options of this especially since the ECO seemed to be saving me gas on the daily drive from place to place local. 

Speaking of local and place to place... we took our Kia to the beach a few times and she was loaded up with all sorts of toys, towels and came home with a lot of sand. It was very easy to get the sand out of the back with a few shakes off of the mat, I would totally get that to protect the trunk space from our constant on the go lifestyle. 


Over the the weekend that we had our Kia Sorrento test drive we also had Soccer Saturday! For the first time I was able to ask "Who wants to come with us?" and it was so nice to be able to do that for my kids and see them smile with their cousins.

I was able to attend +DiscoveryCubeOC . #Bubblefest so we once again packed up and we were off on our next adventure.


We rocked out to the fun stations on +SiriusXM stations and had a blast with the panoramic sun roof..a favorite of the kids & me too! You know we love our +KIDZ BOP !


Something that my daughter was in love with and used daily, even in sunny so cal... the heated seat warmers. She would turn them on in the morning on the way to school and after the beach.

My son loved that there was air conditioning in the back seats and in the third row. Not going to lie, he liked to take his shoes off and let the cool air hit his feet, glad I was not in the back to smell that. Ha just kidding.. kind of.

Before we received the Kia Sorento to test drive I was set on a mid sized SUV. Now I am not so sure, I really like this larger SUV and the space it gave my family. We were even able to fit our 55lb dog in the back with park stuff comfortably. 


I am so torn at the size I will want but one thing that I am certain of is that I loved all the bells and whistles from the automatic trunk with sensor safety feature to the aerial camera so that I was able to see in front of, behind and on top of the car making visibility all around. 

My husband is totally sold, he is a huge fan of the Kia Sorento as well. He says that for the price (the Kia Sorento starts at around $28K and goes up as features & engine power are added) the space and comfort-ability for a family our size is ideal.


The more I sat behind the wheel the more I was able to get used to the cameras that helped me park and the difference in the actual size of SUV going from a small 2 door sport car to the Kia Sorrento. 

I am still interested in checking out the Kia Sportage, I hear that is just my style but, as a family we need to come to an agreement on the SUV of choice since this will be a family vehicle with room for us all and then some.. that is a first!

Do you have a Kia SUV of any kind? Perhaps even the Mini Van? I would love to know what you think about your Kia!?

Thanks for driving..ooopppsss... I mean reading along with us and following along on our social channels live for all the Kia Test Drive fun. 

Find out more about the Kia Sorento and all the Kia models at www.kia.com or click below...


Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Love Kia's Soul

The Kia Soul Left us Wanting More Drive Time!

Thanks to Drive Shop USA we were able to test drive a +Kia Motors America Soul. 

Last Friday when my Kia Soul was delivered I was instantly in LOVE with the sporty look, two tone color and the size. 

I knew we would have a fun weekend being able to fit all the things I like to take on outings. You know how it goes when you need to bring your stroller, bag of things the kids need and your own stuff!

I mentioned a little bit about the compact sporty car I drive now and how it is having some issues here in an older post. 

I was totally and pleasantly surprised when I sat in the Kia and realized how much more room it had. There is plenty of space in each seat for all body sizes and types. (my husband is 6'2"and about 200lbs) 

Monday, February 22, 2016

Having Car Issues Sometimes Means Looking for a New Ride!

Dreaming of a Bigger Vehicle.... 

So I may have somehow jinxed myself with my dream of a bigger car. 

Not even two days after I talked about wanting to eventually get into a bigger car, maybe a small SUV, my 10 year old car overheated. I know, right! The timing is just funny to me now.

I had to start thinking about what I would realistically be willing to drive if we are to have payments again or even entertain the thought of a new car. 

Those of you who know me, well, you know that I am not about a big car, suv or anything like that. I am at my most comfortable with my sporty, 2 door, low to the ground, pre mom sports style car. 

That being said, I also got my car when I was 25, had no kids and had just gotten married. Now, I am 36, a mom of 2 and always on the go. I mean ALWAYS! Having to leave our furbabies behind with the lack of room just upsets us as a family, so that too, has to change!

My son who is on the spectrum has appointments we attend and is a different school than my daughter. My daughter is involved in Glee music and is on two soccer teams. To say that I am all over the place is an understatement. 

I am finally giving in to the idea of a larger car and totally excited about it!

I was recently offered the opportunity to test drive a car for a week with Drive Time USA. I am not going to lie, this could not have come at a more perfect time with my car issues happening right now. 

I am looking forward to test driving a bigger option, hopefully an SUV, with more room for my kids, their activities, our pets and our whole family. 

Follow along as I get ready to take a huge step out of my small car zone and into the world of more space with comfort-ability and accessories I have never had in a vehicle!

I can not wait!