2013 Kia Sorento EX: A Good SUV

I drove a 2013 Kia Sorento for a week, logging 165 miles of combined town and highway driving. I found the Sorento to be a capable family vehicle with a third row that could deploy for emergency car pool situations. The interior was nice, the ride was comfortable, and the kids weren't embarrassed by the Sorento. For some reason, however, the 12-year old is embarrassed by me no matter what I drive, wear, or say. I have a feeling it has everything to do with me.

Car News: Week of October 29, 2012

Here are some automotive stories and other news items that I thought were interesting and/or fun this week. 

(c) Car Mama

Oops. EPA audits Hyundai America & Kia America for fuel economy claims. Hyundai & Kia will issue personalized debit cards to owners of affected vehicles. The amount on the debit cards will depend on the fuel price in owners' region and the miles driven. Hyundai & Kia will continue to add money to the debit cards as long as the vehicles are owned. Even those who had the vehicles and sold them can get reimbursed for the "inconvenience" and extra cost associated with their ownership. (Now I don't feel so bad that I couldn't get the Kia Optima Hybrid to return the mileage numbers that were on the sticker.)

Kia Optima Hybrid: Quietly Turning Heads

(c) Hyundai Motor Co

I had fun driving a 2013 Kia Optima Premium for a day. I had even more fun driving a Kia Optima Hybrid Premium for a week. My challenge was to empty the gas tank, but I couldn't do it. I drove around town, I went shopping in various towns, I went to Sonoma and sipped wine, but I didn't drain the tank, and therefore my gasoline costs for the week were low. Looks like I flunked my assignment, but the Optima Hybrid seems to have done well on it's assignment.

Out of Balance? So Am I.

I'm out of balance in almost every sense of the word. 

Physically, I'm still out of balance after my left-knee surgery two years ago and my quadriceps aren't the same size. And last week I did something to my right shoulder so that now I should put my right arm in a sling (but I haven't).  I have no idea what happened. I either slept funny, used my computer mouse too aggressively, or simply over-used my right arm while petting the dog. Having this physical limitation is especially stinky because the pain radiates from my shoulder up my neck and down my right arm and therefore it is painful to drive and painful to type. Maybe a pinched nerve?

2013 Kia Optima SX Pemium: Sporty Fun for Every One

2013 Kia Optima
(c) Hyundai Motor Co.

Up until recently, I would rarely gave a Kia a second look. But when the redesigned Kia Optima came out for 2011, I started to pay attention. I think a lot of us did. This 3rd generation Optima projects a strong, sporty attitude and seems to have a lot of features for substantially less $ than you'd pay for a new luxury sedan. I held off driving an Optima until the 2013 models hit the dealer. You shouldn't wait too long -- the 2012 and 2013 models are in demand. I hope you'll be as pleasantly surprised as we were.

2011: New Car for the New Year

Happy New Year from Car Mama! 

I love the look, ease and fun of writing 1-1-11. I hope 2011 is full of beauty, ease and fun for all of us.

Nissan Leaf

The new year is a great time to think of upgrading to a new car, and I have some suggestions of 2011 models to check out. Even if you're not in the market for a new car, it's always fun to look. 

Car Mama's Top 6 Minivans to Test Drive

If you're in the market for a minivan, my top 6 to test drive (in order) are:

1. Honda Odyssey (reviewed in October 2010)
2. Toyota Sienna (reviewed in November 2010)
3. Nissan Quest (review of 2011)
4. Kia Sedona 
5. Volkswagen Routan (reviewed in November 2010)
6. Dodge Grand Caravan