Most of you know that I have an extremely long daily commute to work, from Middletown, DE to West Chester, PA and now two of those days include driving to Wayne, PA.
Needless to say, those long drives in my small Bloggy Buggy have really put wear and tear on my body which is why I started seeing a chiropractor.
I did however, get a reprieve a few weeks ago thanks to Drive Shop USA and Mazda.
2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring
I had an opportunity to review this 2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring and it really made my commute much smoother and much more comfortable.
It was the perfect size for me and I didn’t feel overwhelmed on the highway. The ride was enjoyable and I loved the Infotainment Center with the controls on the middle console. This was a great feature because it keeps your eyes focused on the road and not on the dashboard panel.
It was also perfect for me since I am left handed but right hand dominant. The steering wheel can be adjusted up and down as well as being collapsible so it provides much more of a ergonomic grip.
Check out the video to see what I mean.
The only disappointment was the lack of a “cigarette lighter” power outlet but perhaps you can order it with a ‘smokers package’ I am not even sure if those are still available, just happy that I no longer need it! #exsmoker
There was plenty of storage/cargo space and I loved the Blind Spot Monitoring System; Departure Lane Warning; Rearview Camera and of course the Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming.
It was also great on gas mileage, averaging 26 MPG, 24 city and 30 highway, which is something I am always cognizant of. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 received the 2016 “Best Value Family Car” award from Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association and I have to agree.
Another great feature is the Madza Drive for Good Promotion. This charitable program was launched in 2013 and it’s Madza’s commitment to charitable service and a way to give back.
You are provided with a gift card worth $25.00 which can be redeemed by donating it to any 501(c)3 non-profit organization of your choice. For more details on this program, go to www.OneOC.org/GivingCards #MazdaDrive4TGood
I wished the weather had been a bit warmer so that I could have driven her down to the shore, but instead I stayed local and my co-workers and I enjoyed a few short trips around town including a stop at this walking trail.
Watch this video then leave a comment if the 2016 Mazda CX-5 would be a vehicle that would fit your family’s style.
The MSRP on this model was $32,340 which included the following optional equipment, however, the base price was $29,470, not bad for the ride and style of the Mazda CX-5.
Optional Equipment;
Cargo Mats
Pre-delivery inspection
Rear Bumper Guard
Retractable Cargo Cover
Door Sill Trim Plates
ULEV II Emissions Equipment
Sirius Satellite Radio
Grand Touring Tech Package: Navigation System, LED Headlights, Adaptive Front Lighting, LED Daytime Running Light
Daylight Saving Time might be a bit harsh on the body initially, but once you get used to it and the fact that we have more sun during the day, it makes it all worthwhile.
Feeling the warmth of the sun’s rays on my face always makes me want to linger longer outdoors.
Thank you Drive Shop for giving me an opportunity to linger longer outdoors in this beautiful Kia Sorento SXL V6 AWD.
I wasn’t home when the 2016 Kia Sorento SXL was delivered to my driveway as I was out running errands, but once I got the call I hustled home!
She was definitely a delight to see and the sunshine made her look even better.
Hubby and I took our customary drive through the neighborhood to get a feel for it, but since we had to leave town early the next morning to attend the funeral for my cousin, Anthony Frazier, I didn’t get a chance to take her out on the road until the weekend.
Saturday morning, hubby and I decided to go back to Bayberry, the 55+ Adult Community in Middletown. It seems as though this is where we will purchase once we decide to downsize.
Didn’t she look good sitting in front of the Ponds of Bayberry?
The Kia Sorento SXL is by far one of the more luxurious vehicles that I have had an opportunity to test drive and review. I found it hard to narrow down to just my 5 Fab Features, but here is what I came up with plus a few more!
1. LDWS – Lane Departure Warning System
visual and audible warning when veering outside of lane without change signals activated as I tend to pull to the right shoulder
2. FCWS – Forward Collision Warning System
never activated – thankfully!
3. BSD – Blind Spot Detection System
yellow indicators on side view mirrors and alarm when signal is activated if another vehicle is detected
4. Reverse Parking Aid Function
when you gear shift into reverse, the outside rear view mirrors will rotate downward to aid in reverse parking
5. Surround View Monitor (SVM)
parking camera view will display in both front and in reverse with 4 different angles – great for pulling out of driveways with side bricks like we have!
Engine Start/Stop Button
3rd Row Seating/with fold down seating providing ample cargo space
Auto Truck Release with Sensor
Dual Zone Heat and AC
Panoramic Sunroof
Retractable sun visors on windows of 2nd row passenger
Bluetooth and WiFi
Aux/Rapid Charge USB/IPod Ports and Power Outlets
Sunday, my son and I decided to spent the day together with a leisurely drive around town, relaxing and listening to jazz which is what I wrote about in my “Bring Back the Blue Laws” post.
He really liked how smooth the ride was and didn’t try to change the station which I had tuned into SiriusXM Radio Channel 67 Watercolors.
This fully loaded vehicle has an MSRP of $46,495 and has a low mileage rating of 19 MPG, 17 city and 23 highway. This is a drawback for me because of my long distance commute.
Monday I drove the Kia Sorento to work and two of my co-workers and I decided to go out for lunch, a rarity since we normally eat at our desks.
It was another bright and sunny day, perfect for lingering longer, styling and profiling in the Kia Sorento. Afterwards this is what one of my co-workers had to say about the Kia Sorento SXL:
“As a Techie Guy I loved how everything is set up from the Steering Wheel to the Touch Screen Console. The power of the Kia is perfect, and the Infinity Stereo is out of this world! I love the DRL LED Lighting, it is so bright, people can definitely see you from a distance. I love the Double Sun Roof and the Duel Control AC/Heating System, plus the 2 Driver Set up Options. I am very impressed in how far Kia has come to compete with other luxury brand vehicles.”
Needless to say, he was very impressed, so much so, he even assisted in the taking of these pictures!
Once again, I would like to thank Drive Shop for giving me opportunity to review the Kia Sorento SXL, which in my opinion is by far a more superior SUV than most on the road, however, I will need to test drive a few more to make it official!
Head over to my YouTube Channel to see this vehicle in action!
Disclosure Statement: I was provided with a Kia Optima LX Turbo for a week to review, however, all opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own. #Kia #DriveKia #DriveShopUSA
Two weeks ago a 2016 Kia Optima LX Turbo was driven into my driveway and needless to say, I was over-the-top excited to have her a as loaner for the entire week.
Thank you @Kia #DriveShopUSA and you can plainly see, we definitely belonged together as she complimented my outfit quite nicely! #kuteinaKia
Later in the day hubby and I sat inside listening to jazz on the Sirius Satellite Radio while checking out the bells and whistles, some of which included:
Then together, we took a slow, leisurely drive around the neighborhood before the sun set for the evening.
Wednesday, I left her in the driveway as I also did on Thursday because of the drenching rains. Having driven a small compact car (Bloggy Buggy) for the past 2 years, I was a bit apprehensive about driving this larger, more luxurious vehicle to work. I work in West Chester, PA, which is a 100 mile, 3 hour daily round trip commute.
The 32 MPG highway gas mileage for the Kia Optima LX Turbo is awesome, therefore, I doubt that I would have needed to stop and get gas to fuel up had I driven it to work those two days.
32 MPG
Friday was a vacation day from work but not a day off without a purpose as I attended a Friday Fuel Up, sponsored by Troy Farmer, www.tfarmerforeva.com This wonderful Women in Business event was enlightening and definitely rewarding as a new business owner.
Oh, I forget to tell you that I had officially launched my own business, A.Blake Enterprises, Social Media Management on the 13th of November. I will bring you up to speed with all the details but in the meantime, check out the website www.ABlakeEnterprises.com for more information.
After the empowerment session, driving home on a bright and sunny mid-afternoon, I took my time, leaned to the side and cruised along listening to Jazz playing on the Watercolors station from the Sirius Station. All the while thinking “I could get used to driving a car like this!” I pulled into the driveway, picked up hubby then we headed to the Dutch Country Farmers Market to get a late lunch.
Not wanting to buy too much because it was the week before Thanksgiving, we just bought some wings and pasta salad for the weekend and a few pounds of Oxtails for next week’s Slow Cooked Oxtail Stew – stay tuned for that recipe.
The Smart and spacious trunk of the Kia Optima LX makes it easy to load packages when your hands are full.
The MSRP on this fully loaded Kia Optima LX is $27,415 and these are just a few of the many standard features:
USB/Auxiliary Input Jack and 12 Volt Outlet
Bluetooth Wireless Technology
60/40 split-folding rear seats which are perfect for travel back and forth to college or a quick trip to your local Home Improvement Store
Push Button Start / Smart Key / Smart Trunk
The additional LX Technology Package Features on this vehicle included:
Dual Zone Auto Climate Controls with Rear Vents
Navigation System with 8” Display
Memory Driver’s Seat and Mirror Position
Blind Spot Detection System
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Parking Assist System
Auto-dimming Rear view mirror
There are many safety features in the LX Technology Package which are definitely of benefit to me because I spend a lot of time on the road. With so many distracted drivers and others who need a remedial Driver’s Ed course, having these options are a definite plus especially the “Blind Spot Detection System”.
Saturday, hubby was feeling well enough to take another “Road Trip to Retirement” which was a regular feature on my YouTube channel before he began his chemo treatments. Check out the latest video of this visit to the Village of Eastridge, a 55+ Community in Smyrna.
I had an evening appointment with a Venetia Thompson, a small business owner in New Castle, who is featured this year on my blog in honor of #ShopSmall Saturday. When I got home there was another surprise…our youngest son was home from college.
He had come home early for the Thanksgiving break with a big bag of laundry, fortunately he has been washing his own clothes since the age of 10 so it was not my responsibility to handle!
The Kia adventure continued into Sunday when my oldest son and I went shopping and then created this mini video, once again touting a few of the cool features of the Optima LX.
On Monday hubby had a chemo treatment, so the Kia spent the day parked at the Helen Graham Cancer Center, then Tuesday morning, I had to say, “See Ya” to the Kia.
It was definitely a fun filled, wonderful way to spend the week with a Kia. Now it’s your turn to tell me what you would do if you had a week with a Kia Optima LX Turbo…where would you go, leave a comment below.
