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The Newly Redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla, A Car With Wow Power!

Car Reviews, , , ,

Is looking for a new car something you’ve had on your mind for a while but haven’t decided on which vehicle you want to look at and learn more about first?  While finding the right vehicle can sometimes be a challenge, when you take time to check out the newly redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla, you’ll be amazed at this car’s “Wow Power”! Wow Power is when a car impresses you on more than just looks alone and the Toyota Corolla has great looks and much more! Cool new features for the tech-savvy driver, a sleek, restyled design that appeals to the eye and the same Toyota reliability that’s been a favorite among buyers for many years adds to the allure of this contemporary and affordable car.

2014 Corolla Safety with 8 Airbags

My review of the new Corolla found the addition of several great safety features, including 8 airbags that come standard on all 2014 Corolla models which include:

  • driver and front passenger airbags
  • driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags
  • driver knee airbag
  • passenger seat-cushion airbags
  • and front and rear side curtain airbags.

These, along with the three-point seat belts for every passenger make the 2014 Corolla one of the safest vehicles around. Sure, no one plans to be in an accident, but even the most seasoned driver on a familiar commute may still contend with the traffic becoming faster and heavier. Even with the convenient 60/40 rear seat split, no matter which seat you’re occupying, you can be reassured that you will be as protected as possible.

2014 Toyota Corolla review

The Corolla has a beautiful interior as well and you’ll be sure to notice the aerodynamic dashboard with sleek, fluid lines.   I can almost guarantee that when you get in the Corolla for the first time, your hand will involuntarily caress the dashboard as if you are touching a $1500 handbag you’ve saved for for years.

2014 Corolla Backup Camera

The addition of the backup camera which comes standard on all 2014 Corolla models with the exception of the Corolla L, is a superb touch. How is this a benefit to you? The touch-screen on the control panel gives you not only a view of the area behind your car, but also peace of mind that when backing up there is nothing in your path.   You never know what prompts a child to run behind a car and the addition of backup cameras in a vehicle can be a life saver.  Additionally, the camera also assists in parallel parking, making it easier to see the curb and vehicles in front or behind you. Tight spot to park? No problem now.

Inside the 2014 Toyota Corolla

Now, let’s take a tour of the other features inside the Corolla that make driving this car an immensely satisfying experience. Available only on the LE, LE Eco, and S Models, the ENTUNE Multimedia Bundle combines everything you love about technology and takes it on the road with you. The touch-screen features a 6-inch display and the AM/FM CD player and six speakers gives you an excellent surround-sound quality. There’s also an auxiliary audio jack for headphones, a USB port, and iPod® connectivity. With the advanced voice recognition and hands-free phone capability, you can dial, talk and control your phone effortlessly. The music streaming via Bluetooth® technology adds to the appeal of this intriguing and sporty vehicle.

2014 Toyota Corolla review

Under the Hood

Under the hood, the Toyota Corolla offers two engine options and three transmission choices in the four differing models ranging from a six-speed manual shift to the classic four-speed automatic. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the impressive gas mileage this car can get with an EPA estimated 42 miles per gallon on the highway. In short, the newly redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla has everything you could want and more. It’s the ideal vehicle for everyone from long-distance commuters to budget-minded college students. It definitely has Wow-Power!

Cost:

MSRP 

  • L  – $16,800
  • LE – $18,300
  • LE Eco –  $18,700
  • S – $19,000

Explore, Build, or Test Drive a Toyota Corolla Today!

Thank you to photographer Ernesto Roman for providing a few of the photographs above.

Toyota flew me to Miami Florida to learn about and test drive the 2014 Toyota Corolla.  They provided accommodations at the gorgeous Viceroy Miami hotel which I will tell you about in another post so stay tuned.  All opinions are my own.

Want to read more about the 2014 Toyota Corolla?

I had a blast hanging out with Zippy from Champagne Living during this trip, who also provided a review of the Corolla on her blog.

 

Alicia, The Mommy Insider blog author

Introducing the 2011 Honda Odyssey – a test drive and review

Car Reviews, Travel, , ,

I LOVE to drive. When we go on road trips I drive.
Before I had a bad car accident in 2001, I would get very sleepy after driving for about an hour but since the accident I prefer to drive so I guess my body has trained itself to be cool with driving long distances and stay awake! Good thing, huh?

2011 Honda Odyssey
2011 Honda Odyssey

I’ve always loved looking at and exploring cars. When I was younger I wanted a Jaguar.. I’m not sure why, now. I’m over the Jaguar thing, and I’ve moved on to bigger and better cars like.. mini vans. I bet you weren’t expecting that.

I drive a Nissan Quest and am generally happy with it BUT I would absolutely love to drive a 2011 Honda Odyssey on a daily basis.
Yes, I feel bad saying that when I’m about to hop into my Quest to tote the kids to basketball practice and Boy Scouts but the Honda Odyssey’s ride is smoother and the seats are much more comfortable than in my 2006 Nissan Quest. I’m pretty unhappy with the comfort level of my Quest but it’s been a good car for us. I bought the Nissan Quest a few years ago because I wanted the convenience and space of a minivan without the minivan look and the Quest fit the bill.
All minivans used to look the same, right? Until the newer Nissan Quests came out. And now the 2011 Honda Odyssey. You won’t find another minivan that looks like the Odyssey. I think the 2011 Odyssey looks a good mashup of two vehicles, an SUV and a minivan.

I was recently invited to join a few other bloggers/journalists in San Diego to experience and test drive the brand new 2011 Honda Odyssey. I was thrilled to meet the lead engineers of the 2011 Odyssey and learn about the Odyssey directly from them. Between them I think they’ve owned 23,659 Honda Odyssey’s. Just kidding… not that many, but a lot.

Me standing beside the 2011 Honda Odyssey

Mom and Dad, here are a few features of the 2011 Odyssey that you’ll appreciate:

  • Less road noise – there are technical reasons for this that I won’t get into here (a-pillars, cheating wind, etc..you get it, right?)
  • Special acoustic windshield glass – Touring
  • Front and rear parking sensors – Touring
  • Blind spot information system (BSI) – Touring Elite
  • Holds 8 passengers
  • Five (5) LATCH positions for child restraint seats (four positions LX)
  • MPG: 19/28/22 Odyssey Touring (best in class), 18/27/21 Odyssey LX, EX, EX-L
  • 3-mode second-row seating enhances comfort and convenience (EX and above)
  • 15GB memory Hard Disk Drive (HDD)-based audio system digitally holds approximately 175 CDs, replaces 6-disc changer (EX-L Navi and Touring)
  • 2GB memory CD-Library digitally holds approximately 18 CDs, replaces 6-disc changer (EX and EX-L)
  • FM traffic data (EX-L Navi and Touring)
  • 16.2-inch Ultrawide Rear Entertainment System (RES) and HDMI port (Touring Elite)
  • Cool box maintains coolness of beverages (EX-L and above)
  • Multi-view rear-view camera with parking aid lines (EX-L Navi and Touring)
  • Removable front floor console (EX and above)
  • Flip-up trash bag ring (EX and above)
  • Blind spot information system (Touring Elite)
  • Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®
  • 8-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen with customizable features (EX-L and above)
  • Personalized wallpaper using a JPEG-format photo can be added via the USB Audio Interface
  • The 2011 Honda Odyssey is available in 8 colors including Smoky Topaz.. I don’t remember which engineer it is that loves to say Smoky Topaz but he cracked me up!
  • Auxiliary input for MP3 players and other digital devices (all models)

Kids, here are a few features of the 2011 Odyssey that you’ll appreciate:

  • The lower body makes it easier for young kids to get in and out of the Odyssey than other minivans
  • The sliding door handles require less force/energy to open making it easier for kids to open the doors of the Odyssey
  • The 16″ dual screen DVD player – need I say more?
  • Wireless headphones
  • Cool box – keeps drinks cold
  • Did I mention the 16″ dual screen DVD player?
  • All sorts of ipod/mp3 player hookups all over the car

Babies, here are a few features of the 2011 Odyssey that you’ll appreciate:

  • The quiet ride (minus brothers and sisters)
  • 5 LATCH positions so Mom can put you just about anywhere
  • Movable middle seat so you can be closer to Mom and Dad

Not to mention..

  • The ride is amazing. I spent a day test driving the 2011 Odyssey with Deb from Just a Moms Take on Things. We drove through the hills, valleys, and sharp turns of San Diego. During the test drive Deb and I pushed a lot of buttons, called our husband’s via the Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® (way to put them on the spot, huh?), and chatted about the smooth ride, beautiful scenery, kids, and life. It was a great day.
    Honda saw to it that during our test drive we encountered all types of terrain including mountains, sharp turns, cliffs, and at the end of the test drive we got to drive on a performance course at Qualcomm Stadium during which we got to ride with professional drivers through intense performance and safety courses so that we could experience the full capabilities of the 2011 Odyssey. We took turns in the Odyssey at speeds faster than I drive to get to the kid’s schools but the ride was smooth even through all the turns. We were also shown how the Odyssey can avoid lane change accidents during which the professional driver (then myself) drove a very short distance then swerved to the right very fast and slammed on the brakes to make the ABS go off which it did. That was quite a feeling. I couldn’t believe how fast we were able to stop the Odyssey and that it handled the swerving/changing of lanes at such high speeds, so well. My husband has noticed a difference in my driving since the Odyssey test drive in San Diego.. I’m a little more aggressive. Ok, so I just take turns a little faster.. I’m such a nerd!

Here’s what you’ve been waiting for right?

2011 Honda Odyssey* pricing:

  • Odyssey LX $27,800
  • Odyssey EX $30,950
  • Odyssey EX-L $34,450
  • Odyssey EX-L Rear Entertainment $36,050
  • Odyssey EX-L Navi $36,450
  • Odyssey Touring $40,755
  • Odyssey Touring Elite $43,250

*MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $780 destination charge and options.

Ok, I have to stop now. I might talk myself into selling some appliances to buy a 2011 Honda Odyssey if I keep this up. No, not my Frigidaire appliances!

Visit your local Honda dealer to learn more about and test drive the 2011 Honda Odyssey. Seriously, you will love it!

Learn more about the 2011 Honda Odyssey:

Here are links articles about the amazing new Honda Odyssey written by other bloggers who attended the Honda event in San Diego with me:

Giveaway: A Jiffy Lube gift card – the perfect gift for busy moms!

New posts, Past Giveaways, Transportation, , , , ,

Jiffy Lube gift card giveaway

“Many moms focus on getting their family where they need to go, and it’s important that preventive vehicle maintenance does not get overlooked in busy schedules,” said John Sanfacon, head of Marketing and Innovations at Jiffy Lube International. “The Jiffy Lube Gift Card provides convenience and value to a busy mom.” Exactly what moms need.

The Jiffy Lube survey found that 23 percent of women say their biggest pet peeve while driving is streaky wind shield wipers (I griped about my streaky wipers recently!), and nearly the same amount (22 percent) say it’s a squealing noise from the engine or brakes that won’t stop. The gift of preventive vehicle maintenance can help with all of Mom’s vehicle needs, and let her breathe a sigh of relief.

Consumers can purchase the Jiffy Lube Gift Card online at JiffyLube.com or at participating Jiffy Lube service centers across the United States.  The gift card can be set for monetary denominations from $5 to $300, has no expiration date or fees, and can be redeemed toward any Jiffy Lube preventive maintenance service, including the popular Jiffy Lube Signature Service® Oil Change, tire rotation, engine air filter replacement, radiator antifreeze/coolant replacement, automatic transmission fluid exchange, fuel filter and cabin air filter replacement.

To find a Jiffy Lube in your area, visit Locations.JiffyLube.com. Moms (and dads) can also visit JiffyLube.com to find oil change coupons and promotions, Jiffy Lube news articles, community involvement programs and events, franchise information, and employment opportunities.

GIVEAWAY!
We are giving two lucky subscribers a $35 Jiffy Lube gift card.
To enter to win simply tell us in the comments below, in 3 – 6 sentences, about your first car.  Entries accepted until 11:59pm May 31st and a winner will be chosen at random.  Good luck!