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.

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.

Audi A3 Overnight

A cute little Audi A3 spent the night in our garage last week and the whole family was smitten. As posted in my earlier review, it is an adorable car that's fun to drive. My 8-year old daughter loved the overall size and the backseat legroom and window height (it was low enough). Now that she's out of a booster seat, some backseats are so low she has a hard time seeing the world as it rushes past.

2012 Dodge Avenger: 1100 Miles, Iron Man & One Big Bass

I put more than 1100 miles on the Dodge Avenger SXT Plus I rented two weeks ago. All of those miles were logged in the State of Minnesota with 14 days of driving between Bemidji and Stillwater, with many stops in between. I feel confident that I got to know this Avenger and its ability to handle rain, wind and clouds of bugs. 

2012 Prius v: Trust Me, It's "vee," As In "Wagon"

The new Prius v is the wagon alternative to the original Prius hatchback, and it's a very good alternative if you need the space a wagon offers. It's also a Prius with great city and highway mileage and the quirky alien-hand shifter.

Dear Santa, Car Mama's 2011 Gift Guide

This year I decided to cut out the middle woman and send my Christmas list straight to Santa. He's got an army of elves to help him pull this off. (I just have a stinky dog who hates riding in my car, and kids who are too busy with homework to be my helpers.) Ho-Ho-Ho!


December 13, 2011

Dear Santa, 

For my brother who desperately needs a new car, I'm asking that you send him a new Ford Escape. It's eco-friendly, has 4WD, and is perfect for fishing trips, commuting to work, and chauffeuring those 2 beautiful girls. It's time for a new ride: his Jetta windows are held up with duct tape. 

For all the skiers I know and love, please deliver some warm and perfectly performing Patagonia gear. And a Subaru Outback with snow tires. My go-to Patagonia gear includes Capilene 3 tops and bottoms for cold days (with Cap 2 for warm days); down sweaters for kids and adults; coats and pants that keep everyone dry and warm; and Better Sweaters for the whole family for after-ski time. Big bonus: When pieces are outgrown or wear out, anyone can send them back to Patagonia who will recycle them through their Common Threads Initiative. (We have yet to wear anything out, so get a color they'll like for at least the next 10 years.)

For my Dad who loves music but prefers silence, please drop off a Sonos system (with 3 zones) by his chair in the living room. This way he can listen to what he wants, when he wants (and Mom can find NPR in the mornings with no static). Please add on Spotify so he can listen to great Motown, Blues and Jazz that he hasn't heard in decades.

For my Mom who loves NPR, classical music, and spends a lot of time in her car, please install SiriusXM satellite radio in her Subaru Forrester. It'll be perfect for those long trips from Iowa to New Mexico. No more books on tape when they're in the middle of nowhere.

For my Mom, the teacher, please deliver 50 iPads loaded with the Khan Academy app and a few stylus "pens" so a few of her students can practice Math and get immediate help and feedback when she's not available.

For my practical father-in-law, please send a new Subaru Outback this year. I know he loves our old one that he fixed up, but the newer version has more headroom for his 6-foot frame. Plus a new Outback doesn't have those goofy automatic attached-to-the-door seat belts that he gets tangled in.

For my mother-in-law who needs to relax after directing choir all day, please put together a rest-and-relaxation package that includes: an Breville electric tea kettle, a collection of Mighty Leaf tea, a subscription to Yoga Download, and a Rolling Hills Day Spa massage gift certificate. Anyone who deals with kids and adults singing all day needs some quiet downtime in downward facing dog followed by hot tea. 

Kayla Rose Dehnert

And for my kids and husband and all of our friends, who I love and who have everything they need, please let them know that we're donating money to the Curing Kayla Rose fund via PayPal and St. Judes Hospital.  Kayla and her family need our support so they can focus on healing little Kayla and bringing her home from St. Jude cancer-free. And please see to it that Kayla and her little brother find some sweet gifts under their trees this year.

Happy Holidays! I hope you all enjoy a peaceful, healthy and relaxing December!

(c) Copyright 2010-2016. Erika JN Fish. Car Mama. All Rights Reserved.

Q & A with Car Mama: Three Rows of Luxury

Car Mama answers your questions! A reader recently sent this: 

Infiniti QX56

Q. Dear Car Mama: I live on Long Island with my three kids, husband, and our nanny. My husband and I both work full-time and like to fill our weekends with adventure, as well as soccer games and trips to the park. I would like a luxury SUV with All Wheel Drive (or 4 Wheel Drive) that has captains chairs in the 2nd row and an easy-to-access 3rd row. My husband already has a GMC Denali, so I don't want another one of those. And I really don't want a minivan. Suggestions?

2012 Audi A3 TDI: Cute, Comfortable & Beyond Competent

The new Audi A3 TDI Premium is a great option for anyone who wants a competent wagon with a turbo diesel engine. The diesel gets you great mileage, some eco street cred, and a few talking points at dinner parties, PTA meetings and lacrosse practices. Add the soundbite "My Audi's B5 approved," and you may get an invitation to see the local biodiesel factory.  But hurry -- more and more people are now driving the 2010 Green Car of the Year.

Good Books for Young Car Lovers

I love to hang out in libraries and book stores and look at as many books as I can carry. Surrounding myself with books makes me feel both calm and excited for a new adventure. Today my daughter's 2nd grade class walked to the public library for a field trip and I got to tag along and help the kids find books to check out. Two kids wanted books on lizards and another kid wanted a Tin Tin book. Having checked out almost all of the lizard books and Tin Tins with my kids, I knew exactly where to look. And I found the Eyewitness Car book with a Mercedes 300SL Gullwing on the cover which got me thinking about car books for kids. My short suggestion list follows.