car Archives - MomStart

Awesome Technology in The Mazda3 #DriveMazda

March 23, 2017 by Momstart 3 Comments

Meet my new ride for a few days! It’s the Mazda 3 @mazdausa #drivemazda #car #travel #travelblogger @driveshopusa #driveshop

A post shared by Louise Bishop (@momstart) on Feb 23, 2017 at 7:49am PST

Oh wow, so, reviewing cars was sort of shelved for me while I was traveling with my kids as they were acting. So I sort of feel out of touch with technology in cars. I only say I’m out of touch because when we drove the Mazda3,

I was introduced to a new technology that I haven’t seen in cars before and of course my husband has…..

The Active Driving Display…. WOW this is such a cool feature.

The Active Driving Display looks like a projection on the windshield. I mean I can see it’s not but look at it. It’s right there in the line of sight. It projects critical driving information allowing you to process information faster by keeping your eyes focused on the road ahead.

I’m loving the digital display on the Active Driving Display on the 2017 Mazda 3! It feels like a hologram! #supercool #travelblogger #travel #zoomzoom #drivemazda @mazdausa

A post shared by Louise Bishop (@momstart) on Feb 23, 2017 at 12:34pm PST

Of course you want to know how does it drive? I love how it drives, it has some great get up and go, some zoom zoom. It’s super comfortable with comfort features like heated seats and even a heated steering wheel. At least the one I drove did.

Connecting my phone was easy. I mean pairing phones with cars should be easy by now since most cars do it but I still feel I should mention it.

The interior is beautiful.

moon roof was nice

The trunk space, oh wow the trunk space. My current car has a battery in the trunk making me forget how spacious a trunk can be.

Even with plenty of leg room in the back the trunk had so much space I think I could have loaded kids in the back like a clown car, instead of just having my son back there.

I was really happy with the gas MPG too.

FWD Manual Transmission (City / Highway / Combined)^²: 27 / 37 / 31
FWD Automatic Transmission (City / Highway / Combined)^²: 28 / 37 / 32

I also really like the little things in cars. I really liked the nob to adjust everything. The MAZDA CONNECT has a touch screen but while driving it is deactivated. So while you are driving you can use the big nob.

Then you can find your navigation, settings, music. You know all those things right there. The multifunction Commander control positioned on the center console offers a seamless way to control the functions displayed on the standard 7” full-color touch-screen—such as audio, hands-free telephone, and the available navigation system.

The music sounds good too through those BOSE speakers.

I don’t usually get into engine details and package deals. You can visit. Mazda to find out more about the Mazda3.

Perfect First Car: 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4

December 2, 2016 by Momstart 1 Comment

Last week I spent my time test driving the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4. Mitsubishi loaned us this car so we could experience it’s features first hand. They sent us a base model without a lot of bells and whistles and it was kind of refreshing to just test out a basic car. It reminded me a lot of my first car because it had only a 3-cylinder engine. So it was a bit slow on the uptake but that’s kind of perfect for a teenager or first time driver which is what we decided this car is perfect for.

For college students this car would be an excellent idea as well. The car is cute, clean and environmentally friendly. So for someone that is strapped for cash this is going to be easy on the budget when filling the tank. I drove for a week and barely used any gas making it the perfect little around town or college campus driving. The around town MPG is 35 in city 42 highway and about 37 combined. Plus for a college student that is moving in our out or travleing home for the holidays this car has amazing trunk space, 12.4 cubic feet to be exact.

It’s a fantastic small car for big city life. It features a responsive electric power steering with best-in-class turning radius and a long wheelbase provides for a very spacious driver seat.

The car has push button start which seems to be more an more common in cars. In fact I haven’t driven one without it for quite a while. It has a 6.5” display, 4-speaker and AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system. You can connect your phone over bluetooth for hands free or you can connect it over the cord to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This allows you to have maps, contacts, all kinds of things directly loaded from you phone into your display.

Safety Features:

Anti-theft engine

Child safety rear door locks

Height Adjustable front shoulder belts with pretensioner

LATCH child-restraint system

Three point seatbelts for all seating positions

Front and rear park assist sensors available with Park Assist package

Rear-View camera (SE)

Advanced 7 air bag SRS system including driver’s side knee air bag, dual-stage front air bags with occupant seat position sensors, front seat mounted side-impact air bags and front & rear curtain side air bags

Hill Start Assist

Active Stability Control

EXTRA PHOTOS:

This car is not only a fantastic first car but it’s a great car for the value. The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 starts at 13,995. It’s a small car for big city life.

Seattle International Auto Show – Get in the Driver’s Seat with Drive FCA!

November 27, 2016 by Momstart Leave a Comment

By Lynn Hooper

(We were provided with press passes)

I was recently able to attend the International car show here in Seattle. If you’re thinking of getting a new car, it has a great advantage of going to visit – there are so many different cars in one place; a great place to compare “apples to apples”.

While we decided to not test drive any cars there (raining, little kids in tow) we did take a close look at a few. My husband was with, and he really knows a lot about cars. I can call up a random name and he’ll describe in detail what the car looks like and it’s engine, etc, so it was helpful for me.
We’re still in the “minivan” era and so we took a look at the Chrysler Pacifica, it did have more styling than most minivans, it was less “box like”. It also had a beautiful panoramic sunroof.

My 6 year old instantly fell in love with the fact that there were TWO screens for the middle row, one for her, one for sister. She wanted to buy the car right then and there and didn’t understand why we couldn’t and proceeded to burst into tears. She was VERY sad, poor thing!

Next up we checked out the Dodge Durango – American made alternative to the Honda Pilot. It had a more aggressive look than typical SUV, access to 3rd row is less easy than a minivan, but you get more ground clearance and off road capability.

For fun we looked at the Fiat 124, it’s a very nice looking sporty two-seater. Not a car for our household right now, but a good opponent to the Mazda Miata

We also sat in the Fiat 500, this was a tiny car 2 doors and our 2 small children fit in the back seat. This acre gave me the impression that it is very zippy.

Another car that caught my children’s eye was the Bright green Jeep.

As I said in the beginning, the advantage of the car show was to compare cars side by side, my hubby got to see a Volvo XC90 he’s been considering. So we could walk from one vehicle, to another and back again.

There were lots of people on hand to answer questions and were helpful.

Also, for the kids there were these Push pedal cars that were fun to look at as there were all decorated and then some battery operated jeeps for them to ride around in.

And finally a tip: If you’re going with little kids, get there early! It got crowded really quickly.

Enjoy!

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas-The Perfect Family Midsize SUV

November 1, 2016 by Gayle Turner 1 Comment

Disclosure: I received a trip to Santa Monica in order to review the 2018 VW Atlas but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

For most of us when you hear VW, images of the iconic VW Bus and Volkswagen Beetle immediately come to mind. Back in the 60’s whether it was all about the perfect family van or the fun and frolic that the Bug brought, the name Volkswagen was synonymous with fun, durability and was built to last for generations to come.

Throughout the decades, the look of the Volkswagen may have changed but one thing has remained and that is the VW maker’s commitment to make nothing but the very best when it comes to a family car. This past weekend I was privileged to be on the Santa Monica Pier at the end of historic Route 66 as the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas was unveiled ushering in a a new chapter in the company’s American history.

Built in Tennessee, the seven-passenger Atlas offers class-competitive levels of technology and spaciousness combined with hallmark Volkswagen driving dynamics and attention to detail, all at a price designed to draw customers’ attention in the family SUV segment.

“This is the biggest and boldest Volkswagen we have ever built in the United States, delivering the distinctive design and craftsmanship we’re known for, now with room for seven,” said Hinrich Woebcken, CEO of North America Volkswagen. “The Atlas marks a brand new journey for Volkswagen to enter into the heart of the American market.”

Built entirely in the United States in Chattanooga Tennessee, at 16.5 feet long, the Atlas offers a three-row SUV that’s bigger than the brand’s present largest offering, the Touareg SUV, but is still considered a midsize. Inside, the Atlas makes maximum use of its dimensions to offer space for seven adults and their luggage. The third-row can be easily reached by an innovative folding seat solution, one that works even with child seats installed in the second row.

Having tested out all three rows I can personally attest to the fact that no matter what row you sit in, this is comfort at its very best with plenty of legroom to spare, even in the third row which was surprisingly easy to access, something that is not always true of all third-row vehicles. And the best part, if you don’t need the last row of seats, they easily fold down leaving you even more room for cargo. The interior cabin is luxury all the way featuring seats wrapped in high-quality leather and adjustable with your comfort in mind.

Performance Plus:

Coming to showrooms next spring, Atlas will be offered with either a 2-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder engine producing 238 horsepower or a 3.6-liter V-6 engine with 280 horsepower. Both will be paired with an eight-speed transmission. Woebcken said, at least initially, he expects the six-cylinder engine will be the most popular.

Designed With Safety In Mind:

VW plans to equip Atlas with an array of safety gear, offering available driver assistance features that had previously been reserved for premium SUVs, at a pleasantly affordable price. These include: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist); Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert; Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), which actively helps the driver steer the car back into its lane; and Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist).

In addition, Atlas is the only vehicle in its class to offer the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. This builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single, instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial impact—the most significant of which can cause additional collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System addresses this by applying the brakes when a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus helping reduce residual kinetic energy and, in turn, the chance of additional damage.

Technology On The Go:

The Volkswagen Car-Net® system provides a full suite of connected vehicle services, including standard App-Connect technology that offers integration with the three major smartphone platforms—Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®. The vehicle also features an available Fender® Premium Audio System that is the most sophisticated yet seen in a Volkswagen, with 12 channels, a 480-watt amplifier and 12 speakers. Simply put, with the Fender Premium Audio System passengers will be able to hear a powerful, arena-sized sound while driving the all-new 2018 VW Atlas.

All in all, Atlas is the largest Volkswagen ever assembled in America and offers:

Five trim levels, priced for the heart of the competitive SUV market
Available interior features include innovative Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation with the centerpiece being the large touchscreen display fitted with the updated infotainment system designed specifically for Atlas
Two engine options: Four-cylinder TSI® turbo or the available powerful VR6®, both with eight-speed automatic transmission
Seating for two adults in the third row, with innovative access system
Based on the award-winning Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) architecture
Optional 4Motion® all-wheel-drive system on VR6 models or standard front-wheel-drive

Room For The Whole Family & More:

With ample room for seven as well as luggage, the latest in technology, comfort and safety, the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is the perfect family vehicle whether you’re driving the school car pool, taking the hockey team and their equipment to the finals, or if you’re finally taking that trip of a lifetime across the country. This spring, get ready for newest addition to the VW family-the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas-it’s the midsize SUV you’ve been waiting for and it was worth the wait.

Spruce up Your Ride With 303 Automotive Car Care Products!

April 28, 2016 by Beeb 160 Comments

Product & gift card provided.

It’s Spring cleaning season, and that doesn’t just go for your house – that also means neglected areas like your car. April is National Car Care Month, and since we just took Grandma’s car up to Washington for a family road trip this past weekend, it was the perfect time to get the vehicle cleaned out and spruced up. As you can see from the fingerprints on the exterior, it was in dire need of a good washing!

Luckily, 303 Products came to our rescue. They already helped us get some outdoor Spring cleaning done earlier this year, and now we had a chance to try out their line of automotive cleaning products.

After giving the car a quick cleaning with soap and water and allowing to dry, Jai and I used 303® Automotive Quick Wax spray to buff the exterior out to a shine. Look at the gleam and how you can see the background reflected like a mirror!

Next, we went around the edges with the 303 Automotive Speed Detailer to turn the grime into shine!

Another handy item in the arsenal is the 303® Instant Windshield Washer Tablets. All you have to do is drop these straight into the reservoir with clean water to dissolve into windshield washing fluid. Cool!!

Now that the exterior was looking great, it was time to clean out the inside. This vehicle was made in 2002, so it’s had a lot of wear and tear over the years. First, we sprayed 303® Automotive Leather 3-in-1 Complete Care over the seats, dash, and other interior areas such as the doors. There was a LOT of grime to clean off!

I finished the job using 303® Automotive Protectant, which is available both as a spray and as handy wipes. A little bit goes a long way, and it really made the surfaces shine!

Seats after using 303® Automotive Leather 3-in-1 Complete Care

We were really impressed by how much better the car looked afterwards – you get so used to looking at something a certain way, that it really stands out when it’s buffed out to a sparkle! Grandma was thrilled and said, “You didn’t just clean this, you detailed the whole thing!” Everyone who has ridden in the car since then has commented that it looks like new again. Mission accomplished!

In addition to being easy to use, both Jai and I noticed that all of these products smelled good, so you didn’t get hit with icky fumes or find that the interior smelled like cleaning products afterwards. These are awesome products for making any car look like new, and I know they’ll serve us well for years to come!

Enter to Win:

In honor of National Car Care Month, 303 Products are giving one MomStart reader a package to help with your Spring cleaning projects:

303® Protectant offers superior protection of your vehicle’s interior and exterior surfaces against the harmful effects of UV rays. It brightens all vinyl, rubber and plastic to keep it looking new, longer. It also helps prevents fading and cracking, repels dust, lint and staining and dries with a non-greasy finish.

303® Protectant Wipes offer a convenient and portable version of 303 Protectant. Each container includes 40 individual wipes perfect for quickly brightening up vinyl, rubber and plastic surfaces.

303® Speed Detailer instantly shines and protects clear coat, fiberglass, plastic, chrome and glass. It blocks the sun’s harmful rays, helps protect against fading and keeps your vehicle looking clean between washes.

303® Leather is a 3-in-1 complete care solution- it cleans, conditions and protects. It is safe to use on all finished leather and vinyl and helps prevent fading and cracking, reduces dust, lint and staining and is a rinse free formula – just spray on, and wipe off.

303® Instant Windshield Washer Tablets – Eco-friendly and super concentrated tablets deliver three times the cleaning power of regular windshield wiper fluid. Simply drop a tablet into your car’s reservoir and add a gallon of water. No disposal of plastic containers required and the powerful solution removes bugs, dirt and grime to make your windshield sparkle.

$50 gift card to Amazon

To Enter:

Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. Giveaway is open to US residents 18+, and closes on May 5th, 2016 at 11:00 PM PST. Sorry, no PO boxes. See widget for full details and click here to read our giveaway rules.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kia Announces The All-New 2017 Cadenza #KiaCadenza #KiaNYIAS

March 23, 2016 by Beeb 25 Comments

Kia unveiled the all-new 2017 Kia Cadenza at The New York International Auto Show today:

The Big Apple today is playing host to the world debut of the all-new 2017 Kia Cadenza at the New York International Auto Show. The stunningly beautiful Cadenza improves upon all the elements that made its predecessor an award-winning success, boasting a precisely crafted cabin, cutting edge technology for connectivity and driver assistance, a stronger body structure, and powertrain enhancements for a more premium experience behind the wheel.

‘The new Cadenza adds an extra dose of excitement to the large-car segment with its striking, aggressively handsome looks and premium refinements,’ said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, Kia Motors America. ‘Everything you see and touch in the Cadenza’s cabin has been improved, but it’s underneath where the Cadenza truly shines with a stiffer and lighter chassis, eight-speed transmission and vastly improved driving dynamics.’

The second-generation Cadenza is set to go on-sale in late 2016, and pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch date.

Highlights:

• New body structure is stronger, yet lighter and more rigid for a more enjoyable driving experience
• All-new Cadenza takes its sophistication to greater heights with beautifully crafted interior
• Kia’s first FWD eight-speed automatic transmission improves driving dynamics and efficiency

Never Forget Where You Parked Again With ZUS

March 15, 2016 by Beeb Leave a Comment

Sample provided.

Have you ever parked in a large garage and found it hard to locate your car afterwards? Or made a mental note of the spot, only to later think to yourself, “Was I parked in 2E or 2F?!” This has happened to me a few times – the most memorable instance being when my family and I went to see a movie, and then spent about 20 minutes searching for our car afterwards – only to realize that we were actually in the wrong parking garage to begin with! We didn’t immediately realize that there were two identical parking garages across from each other in the packed city center we were visiting, and we happened to walk into the wrong one first.

Of course, there are apps that allow you to save your parking spot to find it later – but those depend on you opening the app before you leave to mark the spot, and if you forget to do this, you’re out of luck. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to know where you parked automatically? Well, now there is, thanks to ZUS!

ZUS is a car charger that is so much more. It syncs up with a corresponding app for your phone, which detects when you park your car. When it’s time to head back to your vehicle, just open the app and it will display a map of your car’s location as well as a compass that will guide you back to your car in real time.

In addition to this, ZUS has also been designed to charge devices fast and is built with an “ElegantShine(TM) Lighting System”, which lights up the device without being distracting – Jai and I have noticed that the lights on other car chargers can be a bit glaring and obtrusive, so it’s a thoughtful touch.

When a product can address more than one need at a time, it becomes a valuable assets – so I’d say that the ZUS Car Charger is a real winner!

Vision G Coupe Concept Car Spotted at The Chicago Auto Show #CAS16

February 21, 2016 by Beeb Leave a Comment

Travel consideration provided.

One of the standout concepts I saw on display at The Chicago Auto Show was the Genesis Vision G Coupe concept car. This is only the second auto show appearance of this beauty in North America so it made quite a splash!

Volvo XC90 Wins MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Best of The Year Award #CAS16

February 21, 2016 by Beeb Leave a Comment

Volvo Wins MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Best of The Year Award

Travel consideration provided.

You’ve heard me talk about how much I love the Volvo XC90 for a while now, and I am in good company: During the Motorweek Driver’s Choice Awards ceremony at The Chicago Auto Show media preview last week, the XC90 was honored with the 2016 Drivers’ Choice Best of The Year Award.

Congratulations to Volvo on this well-deserved win!

Volvo XC90 on Display at The Chicago Auto Show

Get a look at the XC90 in person this weekend at The Chicago Auto Show.

Check Out The MOMO Edition Jetta GLI at The Chicago Auto Show #CAS16

February 21, 2016 by Beeb Leave a Comment

Travel consideration provided.

Here’s something fun to see at The Chicago Auto Show – the MOMO Edition Jetta GLI:

Volkswagen of America is bringing the MOMO Edition Jetta GLI that debuted at the 2015 SEMA Show to this year’s Chicago Auto Show. Built on the newly redesigned 2016 Jetta GLI, the MOMO edition show car focuses on the sports-oriented driver through OEM-plus tuning with a dash of Italian flair. Riding on 19-inch MOMO aluminum-alloy wheels, with the Volkswagen 210-horsepower, 2.0-literTSI® turbocharged and direct-injection EA888 four-cylinder engine under the hood, this special GLI offers a compelling blend of performance, practicality and style.