2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD

Source: MazdaUSA Refreshed and ready for 2016 the Mazda CX-5 comes at you in a fully engaged, fun way.  I admit I was hesitant to drive it for a week due to my lack luster feelings on the CX-9 last year but then I remembered that I loved the 2015 CX-5 so I was eager to see what had changed in the last year. Mazda calls the CX-5 an overachiever and I have to agree.  This SUV handles itself well in so many categories while still being a joy to drive.  First, the Titanium Flash Mica paint job on the exterior drew me to it. It has a depth in its subtle brown shade with a touch of graphite paint color.  When I opened the door I was fell in love with the interior color of black and parchment.  It was a nice touch to the car that felt inviting each time I climbed into it. Source: Victoria … [Read more...]

2015 Kia Soul EV

  Source: Kia.com I have to admit that the 2015 Kia Soul EV took me by surprise, big time. I drove a Soul last year and it was cute and fun. The girls liked it more than I did.  Then the EV in 'Clear White' arrived and I got a bit of a crush.  First, it has a Star Wars Storm Trooper quality to it inside and out.  That got me excited to drive it right away.  Then, I spent a week with it and didn't want to give it back. This car is electric.  It contains a DC Fast Charge port (480V) and a 27kWh Lithium Ion polymer battery.   I used ChargePoint.com to find charging stations that did quick charges (2-3 hours for a full charge) and DC Fast Charge (30-40 minutes for 80% charge). There were more stations near me than I even knew.  Charging it up was easy, but daily, my one issue.  The … [Read more...]

Ford F-150: One truck, a Million Ways to Work

2015 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab Fully redesigned for 2015 the new Ford F-150 boasts aluminium body panels and some small style changes that creates a rugged look that offers more substance rather than just sleek style.  Don't me wrong, the grille and headlights are striking but there is no mistaking this is an F-150 and that is not a bad thing. I was excited to test this truck out. I haven't been behind the wheel of a truck for everyday driving purposes in almost ten years and I missed it.  I'll willingly admit I was hesitant about it too.  Last time I didn't have three kids in the extended cab behind me to shuttle to school.  I burn a lot of gas that way each week but it was nice to have the usefulness of a truck which also contained a 2.7L Ecoboost V-6 engine.  I didn't go through nearly … [Read more...]

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC

Source: veamason "It's short and squatty." That is just what my five year-old first said when she took a look at the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC.  This four-door crossover SUV arrived at my door in a sharp Mercury Gray with black interior.  It did look short and squat, but so what, it is a crossover SUV.   The grill has a predatory look to it that always makes me smile and it zips around highways with a speed that surprised me. Here's why. … [Read more...]

2015 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD

Source: veamason I have always had a thing for dark blue cars.  I wanted a navy sedan years ago and ended up with desert sand beige. The Deep Crystal Blue on a Mazda CX-5 is a beautiful thing.  Much like the Soul Red 2014 version I reviewed last year ,  the Mazda colors have depth and the sleek lines on the car stand out making the Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring with AWD an attractive small crossover SUV.  … [Read more...]

2014 Hyundai Sonata Limited

Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only courtesy of Drive STI.  Opinions are TMC's only.    The stylish Sonata Limited seats five. I fit one booster, one child with no seat and a car seat in my Sonata for the week. … [Read more...]

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe LTD AWD Review

Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are TMC's only. Car provided by STI Drive. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe LTD AWD Let me start off by saying that I have driven four Hyundai's in my lifetime.  A Hyundai Accent and Elantra, both rental cars and last in October I had the opportunity to drive the Equus, which is just flat-out amazing.  The Santa Fe I had I only knew from seeing it on the road since its debut and never gave it much thought. That all changed when this model arrived at my front door earlier this month.  Lower to the ground than I expected this SUV is a great alternative to a minivan.  I instantly fell in love, as did my kids, with captain style chairs in the middle row and the full third row with bench … [Read more...]

The 2014 Ford C-MAX Energi and #onetankofgood

Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are TMC's only. 2014 Ford C-MAX Energi We all want to do good this time of year and help out our fellow man.  Normally, I do the whole donation of food, clothing and give money to various charities.  This year, I wanted and felt the real need to get involved and do more.  Ford asked me to review their C-MAX Energi and incorporate it into their One Tank of Good campaign.  It sums up to mean, what can you do with one tank of gas?  With the Ford C-MAX Energi it felt limitless! For three weeks I put out the word with friends, family, co-workers, whoever I could think of that the girls and I were holding a clothing drive to benefit ACTS in Dumfries, VA.  In particular, I wanted to give … [Read more...]

2014 KIA Forte LX Review

Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are TMC's only. Cars provided by STI Drive.     The newly redesigned 2014 KIA Forte LX arrived at my door in sedan form (it comes in coupe and hatchback too) and I was anxious to check out a sedan that is typically too small for my needs. In the past this model was known for having good gas mileage but lacking in interior design and extras. Did the redesign succeed in bringing out a better Forte? … [Read more...]

2014 KIA Sorento SX AWD

Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are TMC's only The 2014 KIA Sorento SX arrived at my door and no one noticed.  From the outside the Sorento looked so similar in size, color and shape to the previously reviewed SUV from the week before that no one could tell the difference. After two days of driving the Sorento the differences could not be ignored. Redesigned for 2014 the Kia Sorento SX with AWD is drastically different in look and feel.  Not much of the old model was left behind, which was I think is a step in the right direction.  The old ways of Kia still plague its reputation despite the fact that each year with some model or other the company continues to win over the car industry.  Trust me, I still … [Read more...]