DRIVING MATTERS | 2017 MAZDA 3 REVIEW

I had a fun week driving around the Mazda 3 in Portland this past week! I haven't done a car review yet out here and it was a new level of driving. We have hills! Its not flat like Texas so these windy roads really were a treat. 

I got to drive the Grand Touring which retails for $27,930. It averages between 30 and 36MPG.  The Mazda 3 starts off at $19,960, the particular model I drove has every feature added. This one was a 4 cylinder with skyactiv technology. With 18 inch wheels this car surprised me with how smooth it was to drive. Typically that feels a little stiff, but on this build I was mostly comfortable. It has the normal features of being keyless and having a rearview camera. I am glad these features are becoming standard in a lot of new cars. A fun delight was rain sensing wipers! It sure rains a lot in the Northwest. Other fun features were the heated seats, lane departure warning and smart brakes.

As a commuter, the infotainment system is always what I lean on in cars. Exactly mentioned in my Mazda 6 review: When it comes to the interface, its pretty user friendly. The 7 inch display can be controlled through a rotary center console to drill down submenus ( basically a knob/joystick), as well as touchscreen option on the display screen. the interface was less cluttered than before! It still does not feature android auto or apple car play. I dove into the Sirius XM menu since in my real car I only use Spotify. XM was great, but in terms of connecting to Spotify or your phone, its a lackluster experience. The functionality is kind of wasted. Major improvement. There was also a 9 speaker Bose system included in this build. This made my commute very enjoyable!!! I also love the hologram display on the dash (this was featured on my instagram stories, be sure to follow me there to catch behind the scenes on all of my posts). The camera system is update and not as bulky as it used to be. The camera not only captures the alerts for lane assistance, but also reads street signs. The hologram is updated to show speed, signs, and lane assist cues. 

This was such a fun car to drive around Portland. Its also in the compact/mid range, so finding parking was so much better! This is also an exclusive new color, Eternal blue Mica. I actually really like it and was the only one on the road with something like it. With a sunroof, I got to enjoy the great weather we were having. Its nice to open the roof and not have humidity leak in! There is another version with a hatchback which is popular here for snowboards and other outdoor things. My version has a 60/40 split rear seat. It also comes with a spare tire (you would be surprised how some cars do not these days).
Overall this car gets my stamp of approval! My only other complaint is it was a little noisy in the cabin while driving, some of that might attribute to having an 18 inch wheel but it made me enjoy the 9 speaker Bose system a little more. Also, if you are looking for cabin space, it is on the small side. You will want to size up to the Mazda 6! If you are a commuter who is into urban living, this might be a good option for you.


Thank you Driveshop and Mazda for allowing me to drive this car around Portland for a week!

WHERE SHOULD I GO NEXT? 

LOVE, MARA

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2016 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED REVIEW

the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Limited was hands down my favorite car to drive around the city so far. Of course in true Houston fashion it rained and was over 100degrees all in the same week, so I really got to try it out in all elements. Overall this car was a smooth drive, great on gas, and pretty fancy!

Complete with a panoramic sunroof that opens, 8in touch screen, heated and ventilated front seats, lane departure, and collision warning. It wasn't cold, but there is also a heated steering wheel option. This car is a step above in terms of blending sleek style and technology. I actually like it better than its cousin, the Kia Optima. 

185 horsepower, 2.4 cylinder, 4 cylinder engine. It takes off pretty fast, I'm honestly considering trading my car in for it. Another cool feature is the smart trunk. Once you walk up to the trunk it will beep 3 times then pop open. Perfect if your hands are full! If you don't want it to open just keep walking past the trunk and it will stop beeping. 

One of the coolest features was that this car was a hybrid. I averaged about 39mph the whole time. Battery stayed about half, but I'm sure I drove almost 300 miles on half a tank. Hyundai also has a lifetime battery warranty. 

Priced at $26K-$38K this car is a safe and reliable option for those who like options but value being stylish. My only complaint is that is doesn't come with a spare tire. I have replaced a tire 3 times, and had at least 4 nails in 3 years... That's just my luck. So having no spare is no bueno for me. 

You can learn more HERE at the HYUNDAI website. 

LOVE, MARA

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This post was sponsored by Hyundai USA and DriveShopUSA. The vehicle was driven for testing and evaluation purposes over a period of time. Thank you for supporting my sponsors! Without them this blog is not possible :) As usual, all opinions are my own.

DRIVE KIA: 2016 KIA OPTIMA REVIEW

The 2016 Kia Optima was a pretty fun car to review for a week. This eye catching sedan has some fun new features and is a "Girl-on-the-go" approved.

Starting on the exterior this car is not too much different than last years besides being a tad larger. It is still a good mix of style and value, this one is the SX, but Optimas can range from 22K- 36K. 18 inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust tips and rear spoiler make this car look sporty and stylish. It even has a panoramic sunroof and a Harman/Kardon speaker system. 

This car has some impressive safety features. If you opt for this package, it includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure, electric brakes, and autonomous emergency breaking. I am really digging how automakers are adding autonomous emergency breaking in vehicles. This technology will detect an object in front of you and slow the vehicle down. In most cases it will just slow the car to minimize impact but there are instances where it will stop all together. 

One of the most interesting features in this car is the 360 surround view (pictured above). This is helpful when parallel parking...and just fun to look at. 

This car operates mainly off android auto so I wasn't a fan of that. Bluetooth was easy to connect and that is how I kept my iPhone connected. You can download a Kia app but I did not have the patience to set up an account!

Overall its a nice midsize vehicle to boss around town in! I felt so small in it, but I definitely recommend it when people are looking for a classy and updated midsize sedan. 

LOVE, MARA

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This post was sponsored by Kia Motors USA and DriveShopUSA. The vehicle was driven for testing and evaluation purposes over a period of time. Thank you for supporting my sponsors! Without them this blog is not possible :) As usual, all opinions are my own.

CADILLAC XT5 REVIEW: Style Driven Houston

Fashion, Food, Art and Cars. This event was basically my blog in motion. I had the coolest opportunity to experience the new Cadillac XT5. The event started at a new Houston hotspot, VrSi, we headed to Silver Street Studios for light bites from Pass and Provisions, watched pedestal fashion shows from Suit Supply and Chloe Dao and Listened to DJ Athenz spin while experiencing the art that aligned the studios. This was all sprinkled with the all new Cadillac XT5.

The New XT5 has 20 inch standard wheels. It boasts new technology like Side Blind Zone Alerts and Pedestrian Collision Mitigation. You have the option of both Android Auto or Apple Car play. With Android phones the center console has NFC charging! With the IPhone that is possible with a special case. Basically all you have to do is set your phone down to start charging, no wires required. 

The major player in the Xt5 is its Active Start and Stop technology. In low fuel driving situations the Active Fuel Management System will power off 2 of the cars cylinders, optimizing the vehicles fuel efficiency. When the vehicle is stopped and Idle, the technology automatically turns off the engine to reduce fuel consumption. When you accelerate the car the engine will start again. While being chauffeured in the XT5 you could definitely tell the car would turn off at red lights but it was very responsive. 

Upon arrival at Silver Street we had a blast viewing the mini fashion shows featuring Chloe Dao and Suit supply.  Instead of a traditional fashion show there were pedestals in front of the cars for models to pose it. The space was large! We also filed this fun video below in the photobooth. So I made two of these but the second never sent!

Topped off with an after party at VrSi the night was amazing. DeAndre Jordan was also there. Random, I know. It was unrelated to the event, he was just in the building. Lots of dancing occurred and it was a fun way to unwind from the work week.
Thanks for a fun night Cadillac!

LOVE, MARA

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2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA REVIEW | HOUSTON

If you haven't, please read my drive experience from the Sunny Imperial Beach. Drive shop gave me the opportunity to drive it around Houston. I think with all of my test drives it rains the whole time. This was no exception. At least the weekend was a perfect day to explore the city,  grab some coffee and check out some street art. After driving through twisty mountains, why not visit the concrete jungle?

The Hyundai Elantra navigation was super quick to pull up any destination and even shows traffic. On my way to work I got super annoyed with how red all of Houston is, not to mention the rain causing delays. One feature that I used a lot more here in Houston was the lane assist. Its pretty loud but I love that because I actually hear it over my music. The new Elantra is equipped with Infinity speakers. I LIVE by Spotify so the quality of it streaming was way better than what I am used to. 

Apple play is also one of the cool features of this car. The new Elantra actually has both Android Auto and Apple play. It hooks up very quickly and the interface is very user friendly. I also like how responsive the voice commands are. The Elantra can read your messages to you, and you can speak a reply back!

The Elantra can even auto start with an Apple watch or Android wear. If you are in the market for a small car, this isn't a bad option. At 110 cubic feet of cargo space its larger than a Mazda 3 or Ford Focus but not as big as a Corolla. 

For a little bit more depth or other information check out my Drive experience with Hyundai in Imperial Beach.   Its been a fun week test driving in the concrete jungle!

LOVE, MARA

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This post was sponsored by Hyundai USA and DriveShopUSA. The vehicle was driven for testing and evaluation purposes over a period of time. Thank you for your support in supporting my sponsors! Without them this blog is not possible :) As usual, all opinions are my own.

2017 New Elantra in Imperial Beach

Hey February. New Month, New.... Elantra?
I spent all weekend getting a first hand feel for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra near San Diego California. Nestled near Imperial Beach, Pier South Resort was the location for the awesome unveiling.

Winding roads, over 100 miles driven, and many photos later, we experienced 2017 Hyundai Elantra. When I look at the new Elantra its hard for me to remember its actually an Elantra. The features in the limited version I experienced really brings a little bit of luxury to this segment.

Starting at $17,150, the Elantra has an enhanced fuel economy, better ride quality and improved noise insulation. I drove over 100 miles down some winding mountains near coronado and I must say it was quite the experience! It was nothing like driving in flat Houston and a true test of this vehicle. Its super quiet and I envy the fact that there is no wind noise while driving it.

The updated exterior of this car has a nice hexagonal grille and modern led headlights. The front also features a functional wheel air curtain to help reduce drag, while looking sleek.
More features according to Hyundai:

Assembled in both Montgomery, Alabama and Ulsan, South Korea, the new Elantra distinguishes itself from the compact car class with segment-first premium features such as a hands-free Smart Trunk and Clari-Fi™ music restoration technology, plus additional convenience and safety items. The 2017 Elantra is available with a full suite of the latest advanced safety technologies including Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection and Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist. The Elantra is expected to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-Star Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

On to the interior...
How dope is it that it has both Android Auto and Apple Play? I connected my phone really fast, and the interface is similar to how your iPhone looks. Its very user friendly, the menu is not overly complicated, but at the same time it is equipped anything extra special. Because of the size, the Elantra is actually classified as a Mid Size car by the EPA.


The 8 speaker ClariFi system is very clear! I think my personal car just has the worst factory speakers so when I come across a great speaker I appreciate it. This is a new music restoration technology that really helps enhance all of the audio we stream from things like SiriusXM, Spotify or Pandora. I need it in my life.

This version also is complete with emergency breaking pedestrian detection, blind spot detection, lane assist, Dynamic Bending headlights, lots of airbags (including one for your knees), heated seats in the front and rear passengers and Alloy wheels. Thats a handful.
So may great features for an affordable price.


Thank you Hyundai for this awesome drive experience! The 2017 Elantra is beautiful.

LOVE, MARA

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DRIVE MITSUBISHI | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2015 Review

As the weather finally gets a little colder in Houston I try to find ways to stay active despite the small amount of daylight this season allows. I feel like weekends are the perfect time to get away or actually experience some sun. A long work week grind is so boring--But just because the week is boring doesn't mean your car needs to be! We packed up the pup, some skateboards and test drove the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport over the long holiday weekend. For starters, fun things about this car included heated seats, a subwoofer, and a moon roof!

Mazda 6 Car Review | A Girl on The Go

If you follow me on Twitter and Instagram you know I got the opportunity from DriveShopUSA and Mazda to test drive the 2016 Mazda 6i Grand Touring.  The Mazda 6 comes in three trim levels and the Grand Touring is the flagship. Complete with a 7inch display, heated seats, spoiler, Bose speakers, navigation and drive assist this car is the perfect stylish ride for a girl like me on the go. 

GIRL ON THE GO:

When it comes to the interface, its pretty user friendly. The 7 inch display can be controlled through a rotary center console to drill down submenus ( basically a knob/joystick), as well as touchscreen option on the display screen. The only ones I care about are music and navigation. The Music submenu is actually lengthy since it features almost every possible music option from AM/FM/XM (and HD versions) to stitcher, but my bluetooth is what I'm used too. Streaming Spotify was my go to option. 

The Navigation screen also detects speed, and turns red to let you know you are truly on the go because you are speeding, and being on time is a problem for you because you are always in a hurry. There is a unique active driving display that is basically a clear panel that pops out of the dash that projects MPH. I like it since its in your eye line while driving, it also shows some of the lane assist features. Although there is also an analog version of the MPH, I found myself only looking at the heads up display. This car seems to marry old school and new school very well by giving users traditional as well as advanced functionality. The user function options don't force the consumer to go completely enthusiast at any point.

Included in the Driver Assist attributes is Smart City Breaks (which slows the vehicle when going under 18mph), Lane Departure warnings, and blind spot monitoring. If you live in Houston and have driven on 290, all of these things are super helpful. The lanes a little uneven in the construction riddled stretch of roadway, so the lane assist can be kind of annoying but you can turn it off. 

This surprised me, but the Mazda is actually a 4 cylinder model vehicle. It boasts 32MPG EPA combined but it looks like my car averaged 26. It has also been driven less than 2k miles so that might be part of why the average is a little off. The four cylinder is rather quick and smooth. I am used to driving a fairly new 2.5 4 cylinder vehicle, and it's pick up is a little slower than the Mazda 6. This Mazda is a little more stiff due to the 19in wheels. Aren't they pretty though? Sporty chic!

Other wins include heated seats and a sunroof. With how bi-polar Houston weather is, I got a chance to use both. I even drove this car in part of Hurricane Patricia's aftermath, so I can honestly say the safety features are serious. 

The sticker price on this car was just over $33,000, but the Mazda 6 starts around $21,000. Its been a fun week running the town in this Mazda. 

Where to next?

CHEERS

LOVE, MARA

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This post was sponsored by MazdaUSA and DriveShopUSA. The vehicle was driven for testing and evaluation purposes over a period of time. Thank you for your support in supporting my sponsors! Without them this blog is not possible :) As usual, all opinions are my own.