Outfitted with Mazda’s superb SkyActiv-G inline 4-cylinder 2.5-liter engine and accompanied by the SkyActiv-MT 6-speed manual transmission, this was a perfect conveyance to cut and dice through Chicago’s Saturday afternoon traffic and haul butt down the I-65 to Indy, where speed limits hit 70 and the natural pace is around 10-mph over that. The front-wheel-drive Mazda6 sedan is remade for 2014 and is even more handsome than its predecessor, which was no slouch. Its aggressive front grille and shoulders enhance the personality of this car, which I find a tight and willing partner over the road.

There were no options on this car and, truly, none were needed. Sure it might have been nice to have satellite radio or a nav system, maybe a sunroof but as it stands, the 2014 Mazda6 i Sport is a great machine at $21,675. Taut, willing (with 184 hp at 5700 rpm and 185-lb-ft of torque at a usable 3250 rpm), this Mazda dances over ruts and dismisses imperfections in the road without qualm. It’s an absolutely delightful chassis that needs nothing to be complete. The speedometer caps at 160 mph; redline is 6200 rpm.

Mazda does fit keyless remote, a start/stop button, sporting Yokohama 225/55R rubber on 10-spoke alloy 17-inch rims, signals in the mirrors and a single pass for wipers. The leather-covered steering wheel controls audio and trip info on the left and an excellent cruise control on the right – used that the whole way and enjoyed it. Road feedback is excellent on this car, it doesn’t lean overmuch and the body roll is more than acceptable.

Mazda earned 25/37/29 mpg ratings for this car, which uses regular unleaded in its stout 16.4-gallon tank and, once broken in I’m sure it will achieve those figures, thanks to the SkyActiv technology that simultaneously enhances performance and economy. My averages were closer to 35 mpg over the road but I was hauling down the road in this 3183-lb sedan.

The pop-open trunk easily swallows my luggage for nearly a month on the road, rated at 14.8 cubic feet with seats in place; there is a 60/40 fold to cram even more under the boot; there are plastic cubbies on either side of the trunk to contain special cargo items. The center, closed console between the two front seats holds all the connectivity aspects any modern driver could need.

With its willing engine, slick and precise shifter (with excellent gearing), outstanding chassis and suspension, great steering and brakes, the 2014 Mazda6 i Sport stands apart from the crowded mid-size sedan marketplace. It’s got the looks, the performance and innate panache to appeal to drivers far and wide. I’d have one in a heartbeat because this is, truly, a four-door sports car.

Written by: Anne Proffit HerHighway Contributor and Edited by Christina Selter

OCSD & HerHighway Tips for Kids:
~Always TAKE A FRIEND with you when walking, biking, or standing at the bus stop. Make sure you know your bus number and which bus to ride.

~Say NO if anyone you don’t know or a person who makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused offers a ride. Do NOT accept a ride from anyone unless I have told you it is OK to do so in each instance.

~Quickly get away and yell, “THIS PERSON IS NOT MY MOTHER, FATHER, GUARDIAN” if anyone tries to take you somewhere or is following you. If anyone tries to grab you, make a scene and every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.

~NEVER LEAVE SCHOOL GROUNDS before the regular school day ends. Always check with the office before leaving school early.

~NEVER take shortcuts or walk through alleys to get to or from school faster. We will talk about which way to go to and from school. Remind me if activities you participate in cause you to leave earlier or arrive home later than usual. Remember to call me once you have arrived home.

There is no mistaking Malibu for anything than what it is – a thoroughly American family sedan. It’s big, bold and even a bit brash, with an oversized grill, large Chevy bowtie, a Camaro-inspired hood bulge and LED taillights, and optional large 19-inch wheels. The looks are deceiving however; the interior of the sporty looking Malibu is quiet, cultured and refined. Really quiet, thanks to the hard work of Suzanne Cody, the General Motors Aerodynamic Development Lead Engineer, Kara Gordon, GM Noise & Vibration Performance Development Engineer and their teams. Only the occasional tire noise could be heard, even over pothole and puddle strewn roads.

Inside, Malibu LTZ is driver-oriented, with large well-placed controls and Chevy’s intuitive MyLink system. The center infotainment screen has easy to read buttons, steering wheel mounted control make it easy to scroll between features – features like SiriusXM, Pandora and Stitcher radio. Pairing my Android phone was no trouble what so ever, voice commands worked on the first try. I’m a bit of a Luddite, if I can make high tech features work without a hitch, anyone can!

Other interior pluses: the storage space behind the flip up touch screen, the standard household plug charging point in the back row, perfect for rapid charging of laptops as you drive across town between meetings and the oversized fold down sunglass storage bin. Let’s face it, sunglasses have gotten bigger, thanks in part to Rachel Zoe, it’s great that car makers have kept up on style trends.

Speaking of style, the smart two-tone interior of this Chevy add a touch of distinction. Cocoa piping trimmed the supportive front row buckets and 60/40 split rear seats. Touch of chrome brighten the dash, center console and door panels, though the chrome trim around the shifter sometimes threw glare across the large 7-inch touch screen. Cool blue ambient lighting made the interior lines pop at night, the standard power sunroof helped Malibu feel light and airy. Three setting heated front seats took the chill off of damp and soggy morning, I can’t say enough good things about the speed at which the defrosters cleared the front and rear windows during torrential rain storms.

Other reviewers have commented on a lack of rear seat room in the 2013 Malibu, I found it comfortable and accommodating, even when seated behind to 6-foot plus friends. The rear seats feature both a ski pass-thru and are split folding, a feature that come in handy at the patio furniture store. The trunk is large, though the liftover height makes reaching items in the back of the trunk a bit of a stretch.

My Malibu LTZ test car came equipped with a rearview camera, and the Advanced Safety Package, with Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning. Oddly enough, front and rear parking sensors are not offered. The Forward Collision Warning System may be my favorite new safety feature, no more worrying about rear ending the person in front of you when they suddenly stop, brake or turn in front of you.

Fuel economy was dead on the 24 MPG EPA-estimates; I averaged 23.8 MPG combined over 400 miles. Not too shabby, give the ark inspiring weather and my sometimes heavy foot. The suspension is slightly stiffer than the other Malibu models, enhancing the ride and handling and adding to the more lively driving experience. Standard Stabilitrak stability control, balanced braking and responsive steering give you a real sense of confidence.

My well-equipped test model featured the available Electronics and Entertainment Package ($1,350), which added a Pioneer Premium Sound System, Rear Camera and 19-inch aluminum wheels plus the LTZ Premium Package ($1,000), Navigation ($795), and the Advanced Safety Package ($395) and Cocoa Brown interior trim ($150), bringing the Crystal Red ($395) from a starting price of $29,595 to $34,595. With so much to like, Malibu LTZ was a welcome rainy week garage guest and one welcome to come back for an extended nice weather visit.

Written by: Eve Pickman HerHighway Road Test Contributor, Edited by Christina Selter and Photography by Ingo Rautenberg.

Although I’ve already driven – and reported on – the 2.5-liter ATS, this was a horse of a different color, Thunder Gray with light Platinum leather, in fact. With the 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Ecotec engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the multi-function steering wheel, putting the Caddy ATS in sport mode (as opposed to touring or snow/ice), gave this machine a truly peppy personality.

Sporting 272 horsepower (at 5500rpm) and 260 lb-ft of torque at an extremely usable 1700 rpm, (redline on the ATS is 6500 rpm) it was easy to crack the whip and go! With a doable 3375-lb curb weight, the ATS feels lithe and danceable over the road, taking the long hikes uphill and down without complaint. Back twisty roads were a pleasure!

The EPA rates this Cadillac at 21/31/24 from the 16-gallon tank using premium unleaded; I found myself getting closer to 31-33 mpg over the road and in the high 20s around town – and I’m no lightfoot! I obeyed the rules of the road – for the most part – and kept with traffic flow, which meant going about 7-8 mph over the limit on the I-15. I’d get run over otherwise.

The sport seats in this Cadillac are excellent with wonderful support for the back and thighs, making it a fine touring machine for both driver and passenger. The interior of the ATS is superbly done with plenty of soft touch plastics to appease even fussy-bussy types. There are buttons on the doors to lock and unlock the car and door handles illuminate at night as courtesy lights.

This beautiful Cadillac ATS has a list price of $45,775 that includes a small power sunroof with separate tilt/slide controls, an up-charge for the Thunder Gray paint, a wonderful navigation system that works beautifully , a highway safety kit and cargo net that boost it from the entry fee of $41,895. All options are usable РI would have liked heated seats and steering wheel for those cold mornings…

My only beef with the ATS is the big brotherism – if following closely the side cushions vibrate and red lights flash on the dash. Hasn’t Cadillac, which is engaged in Pirelli World Challenge racing, ever heard of drafting? I also received wind and surf advisories in Las Vegas on my screen and really haven’t heard of anywhere worth surfing in Sin City. Although it was windy on the return trip, the Caddy handled it all beautifully.

While it’s no secret the 2013 Cadillac ATS takes direct aim at BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and the like, it’s a technically advanced vehicle with the 2.0T option that places it squarely in those vehicles’ categories.

With excellent power, right-here, right-now handling, comfort for the front seat occupants (but a rather small rear seat), a good and usable 10.4 cubic feet of trunk space and superb driving dynamics, the Cadillac ATS 2.0T Performance Collection hits the bullseye for me. It’s a world-class machine that is sufficiently refined to combat the competition – and win!

Written by: Anne Proffit HerHighway Contributor and Edited by Christina Selter

Every time we review a Hyundai vehicle, we are impressed with the level of quality, fit and finish and features the manufacturer includes without tacking on an astronomical pricetag. After all, it takes a lot of money to accumulate stuff; why waste cash on a vehicle when you can buy stuff instead? While we want to speak to the interior, we should first mention that the exterior design is clean and contemporary, in keeping with Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture theme that carries forward through all its vehicles’ styling. It’s a design that should stay fresh for many years.

Inside, we felt as if we were in a much more expensive SUV. There are two trim levels: GLS and Limited, and two drivetrain options: front or all-wheel drive. The GLS comes standard with lots of goodies like steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, tilt/telescoping steering column, stain-resistant cloth seating, and remote keyless entry. The Limited adds the popular proximity key, heated front- and second-row leather seats, color touchscreen, power liftgate and more. Because it’s longer than the Sport by about nine inches, there’s more room in the cargo area (about 40 cubic feet more) to haul more stuff. On the road, the Santa Fe was comfortable and roomy. It would be a good companion on a long journey for both the driver and passengers.

To get you moving quickly down the road, the Santa Fe comes with one engine choice: a 3.3-liter V6 that’s similar to the engine found in the Hyundai Azera sedan. It’s a solid powerplant, making 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. As a bonus, the standard tow capacity is 5,000 pounds, for when you have more stuff to haul with you. Driving the Santa Fe, you’re never at a loss for more power, and there’s a level of driver confidence that comes with a solid engine mated to a smooth 6-speed automatic transmission. We also really like the driver-selectable steering effort — low, medium, or high, depending on road or travel conditions.

While you won’t be getting into the Santa Fe at Accent prices, you will be getting a lot of vehicle for the money. The GLS starts at $28,350. Our test model added the Popular Equipment Package for a reasonable $950, which includes power, heated driver’s seat, foglights, automatic headlamps and more, for a total of $30,280. The Limited model based at $34,850, and with the Technology package (panoramic sunroof, navigation, side window sunshades, heated steering wheel and more) came to $38,730. If that sounds like a wad of cash, it is, but when you put it head to head with the competition, it comes in as a bargain. Remember, the more cash you save on the vehicle, the more stuff you can buy.

Written by: BJ Killeen HerHighway Contributor, Owner Team Killeen and Road-Test Editor Drivers Talk Radio and Edited by Christina Selter

Starting off in Orlando on a lovely Wednesday evening, we found the Chrysler – decked out in deep Cherry red with premium leather Light Frost beige interior a calming place to be. Equipped with Chrysler’s 283-horsepower DOHC 3.6-literV-6 engine, the front-wheel-drive 200 Limited convertible moved out easily into rush hour traffic, almost as anxious as we were to head south to Sebring. I liked the 6-speed, shiftable automatic transmission’s gearing for getting on freeways and past the inevitable anti-destination league. It was Florida, after all.

We were in such a hurry we didn’t stop to take pictures with the top down – work was calling. In fact, it wasn’t until St Pete that we had a chance to bring down the top. That exercise takes a good 30 seconds but the result is well worth it – the top is covered by a body-color solid tonneau cover and still, there’s space for our 22-inch carry-on and camera/computer backpack in the 13.3-cubic-foot cargo hold. The only caveat – the trunk is wicked heavy – as are the doors on this Chrysler, so at least we got a workout opening and closing the trunk on a very regular basis!

While the government claims a combined city/highway mileage count of 22, on this trip (on regular unleaded although E85 can be used) it was unusual for us to see less than 26mpg on the very well laid-out trip computer. On our Alligator Alley run, mileage was up to a heady 31 from the 16.9-gallon tank. I was impressed, considering the 4,000-lb curb weight.

The Chrysler 200 Limited convertible has Goodyear P225/50R tires mounted on twinned, 10-spoke polished16-inch alloy wheels that really enhance the elegance of this drop-top. Handsome is as handsome does, too, with sufficient power and good handling capabilities. Steering wasn’t wishy-washy and brakes were excellent to haul this car down to a quick stop.

An excellent navigation system is part of one option group that includes a 40GB hard drive, SiriusXM travel link for a year and the Pebble beige cloth top for $695. A preferred package ($475) includes six 276-watt Boston Acoustic speakers that neatly complement the satellite radio. Thanks to the nav system, we never got lost; directions were easily understood. The list price of this car is $34,260 – equitable considering all the luxury and performance.

Controls are easily reachable from the driver’s seat and the steering wheel handles trip computer and cruise control duties. Two-position seat heaters did the job on cold mornings (yes, it gets chilly and rainy in Florida) and it’s easy to access the rear seats with pulls on the outside front seats – but you wouldn’t want to sit there without cooperation from front seat occupants.

There’s an interior button for the trunk and wow, this car still uses a key for ignition!

Living with the 2013 Chrysler 200 Limited for nearly two weeks was a pleasure I’d accept again any day. it’s an excellent touring car for a long, involved road trip with distinctive enough looks to stand out from the omnipresent crowd of rental cars.

Written by: Anne Proffit HerHighway Contributor and Edited by Christina Selter

First stop pick up MaryAnne and Adam for the trip to Irwindale Speedway and Event Center today is media day for the re-Grand Opening of the track. Lunch is included, so we should see plenty of old school retired car guys there to talk about “remember when, remember this or that and remember that race in 1850 (JK)”.

Irwindale went though some ruff times speaking of ruff we got to dog sit Leah for a bit while Anne Proffit took HerHighway photographers right up front at the boarder to get some great shots.

But lets take a few steps back in time we arrived and parked the LeSabre at the drag strip as Christina our Editor was meeting the handsome Drag Racer Ali Afshar there for a quick interview on his way out of town.

We had scheduled this so many times during the Thursday night Drag Night filming of the new TV series One and Done, but never seemed to get these two there at the same time, the full interview in video for your viewing, but here are a couple of great photos our team grabbed.

This event started off with registration and media badges followed by a quick safety meeting then the practice runs on the track for photo opportunity and lunch. Lunch was catered in via a giant BBQ company of course we all had the sliders.



Now back to the Dynaride since this was an actual HerHighway Day Trippin outing we need to discuss this awesome trip. The two hour drive to Irwindale gave us plenty of time to look up all the unique features on this bad boy who is in top ship shape top of the line clean as can be. One owner with just over 30,000 miles on’er not one ding and smooth sailing with the Dynaride plus just in case you forget it does have “antilock breaks” it says so right on the dash.

All in all a great trip and glad to hear that Irwindale is back up and on the road to a successful 2013 race season!

Now off to LA Boxing in Lake Forest for my first workout with Johnny “Tattooed Terror” Cisneros MMA Fighter and private trainer, I weighed in got measured and when the six weeks is complete Johnny and I are co-hosting Cars and Kickboxing event at LA boxing on May 11th so mark your calendars to come celebrate with us.

I made it through my first class a giant thank you out to @MaryAnneWendt for helping being there for my first butt whoopin with Johnny at LA Boxing. We started with warm up circuit training, over to boxing then he matched us against each other bag to bag, finally he said we were done, but wait….. he lied we had one more 3 minute rope pull… So even with the surgeries, pain and the years of minimal exercise, I did it my first class was complete and I felt GREAT!!!

Now even though the sexy hot 007 couldn’t make it the Vanquish still had a great time with driving the ladies. It lists for just under $300,000 and is worth every dollar, it hand build in England even the glass buttons in the cockpit are handcrafted, the seats are more comforting then sitting on Bond’s lap not that we would have said no to Mr. 007 lap time. Speaking of lap time the Vanquish goes 0-62 in just over 4 seconds, which the ladies squealed with delight each time one of them took a ride around La Jolla with HerHighway editor Christina Selter (to learn more about the amazing Vanquish visit HerHighway 2014 review section).

The guests arrived they were swiftly whisked off on a tour of the newly renovated Hotel La Jolla by Kimpton. For those of you that have never stayed or visited a Kimpton hotel it is a must do! Each of the Kimpton hotels are designed by a different prominent designer, Hotel La Jolla was conceptualized by LA’s prominent designer Gulla Jonsdottir (Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Red O restaurant) and La Jolla’s Claude-Anthony Marengo, the hotel opened in August 2012 after a dramatic $4M transformation. The new coastal-chic boutique features 110 deluxe guestrooms, complete with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and daily sunsets.

The tour included visiting a few of the La Jolla Hotel themed rooms one was for romance with rose peddles, champagne and the other was yoga with mat set and yoga TV shows both rooms were so beautifully redesigned and balcony views of the ocean as far as the eyes could see.

Next we were escorted to Cusp Dining & Drinks and greeted by the handsome Chef Donald Lockhart. Cusp is Kimptons coastal Mediterranean restaurant, which is perched on the hotel’s 11th floor with a tantalizing view of the Pacific Ocean, just like the rooms as far as the eyes can see.

Chef Lockhart’s approach to cooking is simple: gather the best ingredients and allow them to shine. Using timeless techniques steeped in tradition, his food showcases subtle, yet flavorful dishes with clean presentations. On the menu, guests will find a variety of elements made fresh in-house, such as soft cheeses, cured fish, flatbreads and colorful pastas.

At Cusps Dining and Drinks we started with the mussels and then each of us ordered something off the menu including Melodie with her vegan meal – two thumbs up for Chef offering special meals for those who need them. Then he topped us off with desert, the photos of meals below is going to make you hungry so make your reservations today.

A very special thank you to the Kimpton team did a fabulous job; The Chef Donald Lockhart, Shannon Foster, Erin Guccion and Anna Crowe plus the female journalists in attendance; HerHighway Editor in Chief Christina Selter, MaryAnne Wendt PurpleWays.com, Brandy Shaffels AskPatty.com, Lori Moreno LoriMoreno.com, Lois Alter Mark StyleSubstanceSoul.com, Deanna Underwood MommyGaga.com, Melodie Tao MarketingMelodie.com our local Yoga Guru and Wade from UTTV for making HerHighway’s Aston Martin Vanquish “Day Trippin” to the La Jolla luncheon we are thrilled we could show you such an amazing vehicle, fabulous hotel and delectable meal, see you next time.

If you would like to attend the HerHighway drive events please send us an email for information on our membership at Her@herHighway.com

So for an upcoming trip to Phoenix for some Dodgers Spring Training games, there was only one logical choice. This time, however, we went with the more sensible 750Li with the smaller V8.

Design-wise, BMW knows that customers at this level want stately elegance, not oversized wheel wells and ultra -modern waves and curves. Can BMW do wild designs like that? You bet, but if that’s what you’re looking for, check out the Z4 or upcoming i8. The 7 are all about enjoying the ambiance as well as the drive. But if you really must add a little zoot to your suit, get the M Sport package, which adds 20-inch shoes, an aero kit, and Shadowline exterior trim.

Inside is everything you expect from a $90,000 automobile, and more (the more being over $26,000 in options). So what does $117K and change buy nowadays?
How about soft leather, comfortable seats that put a La-Z-boy recliner to shame with all the adjustments, a Bang and Olufsen audio system that would make Kid Rock smile, an executive package for when you want to be driven instead of driving, and a host of technologies that would make Leo LaPorte cry like a baby. The sound deadening alone is worth the cash. At highway speeds, a fussy toddler would sleep for hours. Seriously, this is the kind of quiet we imagine a coffin offers. Gruesome, perhaps, but it paints a true picture.

Lest you think that this luxo-cruiser doesn’t adhere to BMW’s ultimate performance tag line, we would laugh in your face. The beauty of the 7 is that you can have your cake, eat it, and go back for seconds. First clue is the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that sits ready to do your bidding, whether it’s passing painfully slow trucks on Interstate 10 or climbing hills over the summit. With 445 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, stepping on the throttle is extremely rewarding. Paired with a silky smooth electronic 8-speed transmission, this powertrain really can do no wrong. One area that surprised us most was fuel economy. The window sticker says 19/24 city highway. Translated to journospeak, that’s 14 at best. But on our 900-mile plus odo readout, we averaged closer to 22 mpg, nothing wrong with that.

But sheer power alone does not make it a driver’s car. That’s where the suspension comes in. The 750 knows we all have different moods; up for a mellow drive on a long highway? Set the Driving Dynamics Control to Comfort or Comfort +. The suspension softens to cushion the bumps, the steering becomes lighter, and the engine cruises comfortably. Find some twisty road? Select Sport or, if you really want an adrenaline rush, go wild with Sport +, which turns off the electronic stability control program. Or say you’re with your neighbor who believes in global warming and thinks the Prius is the only car that can make a difference. Shut him up forever with the 7’s ECO PRO mode that cuts back on power when cruising and shows exactly how much fuel your saving with a miles-gained readout in the gauges.

Lest you think I’m gushing without prejudice, there are a few things that made us scratch our skulls. First, what’s up with the auxiliary media connection? On other vehicles, I can plug in my iPhone and it will play whatever audio is on the phone, for example the Dodgers game through the MLB app. Not in this car. It only wanted to play the music, and no matter what I did, it wouldn’t do it. No fun. Second, don’t know why, but it took the rear defroster the better part of 30 minutes to clear the rear window. And third, the rear-seat screens, although big for back-seaters, looked tacked on to the front headrests and couldn’t be removed, which made them a car burglar magnet.

This might be where a good deal of my compatriots would complain about the iDrive connectivity system, but not me. As an early adopter, I never had trouble with the first-gen system. The new system is more streamlined and does it all, from audio to navigation to climate to drive systems. However, it does remind me of that Bop It game, since you can push, spin, and slide the control knob myriad ways. I even used the BMW Apps since I had already downloaded it from the 6-Series drive awhile back. Me likey.

The BMW 750Li is a great vehicle to add to your stable, and if you can afford this car, we know you own more than one vehicle. We love it. You will, too. This is what class is all about.

Written by: BJ Killeen HerHighway Contributor, Owner Team Killeen and Road-Test Editor Drivers Talk Radio and Edited by Christina Selter