FIVE Reasons to Own the 2017 Mazda 3 GT #DriveMazda

Mazda's belief in KODO Design - or "Soul of Motion" - is the essence of 

the 2017 Mazda 3 GT.  Mazda wants their cars to be more than just metal. 

They want their cars to evoke the tension of movement and be imbued with the 

warmth of a creature. The 2017 Mazda 3 GT is inspired by the predatory 

stance of an animal stalking its prey and it's lines and design are beautiful!

We had the privilege of driving the 2017 Mazda 3 GT for a week and had a

blast with this 5-door model of  of the Mazda 3 with 5 passenger seating and

36 EPA estimated highway MPGs. The kids loved the sporty design and I 

loved zip of the 184 horsepower engine. So, let's get down to 

FIVE REASONS you'll love driving the 2017 Mazda 3 GT.

{1} HATCHBACK TRUNK

There is plenty of room in the 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space in the

hatchback trunk of the 2017 Mazda 3 GT. You get even more space when 

you flop the second row of seats down and increase the space to 47.1 cubic feet 

of cargo space. We had VBS the week we had the Mazda 3 GT and I hauled

everything I need each day with plenty of space to spare. We also took it to

Sea World and a stroller and all the extras fit in the trunk just fine. Grace

wanted you to know that there was plenty of room for her giant sticker

book too :D

{2} POWER MOONROOF

It's no secret that we love a good moonroof and the 2017 Mazda 3 GT

has a fabulous power sliding-glass moonroof. It opens with a one-touch-open

feature and gives you a great view as you cruise around town. We especially

loved it on the Fourth of July when we could watch the aerial fireworks as we

drove home from Grandma's house on the freeway.

{3} SAFETY FEATURES

Look at that adorable face! She's one of the reasons I love the 2017 Mazda 3

and it's available safety features. They keep this little face that I love safe and

sound as we drive around to where we need to get to. There are so many safety

features you'll be amazed! 

Some of my favorite safety features are:

-Advanced dual front air bags with passenger weight sensors

-Front seat-mounted side-impact air bags and side-impact air curtains

-Advanced blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert

-Rearview camera

-SKYACTIV Body Ring Structure

- Heads up active driving display

{4} GORGEOUS EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DESIGN

Between the Machine Gray Metallic paint job of the exterior and the leather

trimmed sport seats of the interior, the Mazda 3 GT is gorgeous! I had 

several people comment on what a great looking car it was and I totally agree. 

The design is further complimented by the BOSE 9 speaker surround 

system with Centerpoint 2 and AutoPilot 2 and the 7" full-color touch 

screen display. It also has a leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter 

and a roof-mounted "shark fin" antenna that make it extra sleek.

{5} NAVIGATION SYSTEM

We went to Sea World for the first time since my oldest was about 2 years old,

but I didn't have to worry about getting lost because the 2017 Mazda 3 GT's 

on board navigation system got us there with no problem. The map is 

displayed beautifully on the 7" full-color display and I love that the 

directions, speed limit, and stop signs also pop-up on the heads up display. 

Be sure to enter your destination before you start driving, because to keep you

safe, you can't enter a destination while the vehicle is in motion.

Those are just a few of the reasons we enjoyed driving the 2017 Mazda 3 GT.

Be sure to check out my YouTube video to see the other reasons this is such

a great vehicle to own!

Spring Break Adventures in the 2017 Mazda CX-9 GT #DriveMazda

Disclosure: We were given the 2017 Mazda CX-9 GT to test drive for a week. All opinions are my own.

We take spring break seriously at our house. My kids start planning their spring

break adventures about 3 months out and in the three weeks leading up to spring

break they talk daily about what our plans will be. I attribute this to them being

their father's children. He likes a plan and so do the kids - so I oblige them and

let them dream up awesome plans for spring break. Then we fall somewhere in

the middle so that I don't need a spring break from my spring break.

The new 2017 Mazda CX-9 GT was the perfect vehicle for our big spring break

adventures. With its 20-inch alloy wheels, Soul Red Metallic exterior, 

incredible safety features and roomy 7-passenger interior - we were in 

heaven as we went on our spring break adventures. I was super excited that the 

CX-9 GT not only has Skyactiv-Drive Sport Mode, but that it also has a 

Skyactiv-G 2.5T turbo engine! So there is lots of ZIP in this 

family-friendly SUV to get you where you want to go.

When you go on spring break adventures, you want to make sure that you have

all the supplies to have a fabulous time. So, we stocked up at Costco and guess

what? Everything fit in the trunk space - event with the stroller in the back! I was

worried that when we put up the third row of seats that we wouldn't have enough

trunk space, but that wasn't the case - still plenty of room!

One of our big spring break adventures was to go to YouTube Space LA and

preview some of the new programming coming to YouTube Red - including a

meet and greet with DanTDM. One of my least favorite things to do is to drive

up to the Los Angeles area. The traffic and the highway construction give me BIG

anxiety, but I was willing to brave it to make JT's DanTDM dreams come true.

I didn't need to worry about the drive to LA in the CX-9! With all of its great

safety features, I felt totally safe and confident. Some of my favorite safety

features are:

*anti-theft engine immobilizer

* Skyactiv body- ring structure

*ABS with brake assist

*lane departure warning

*blind spot monitoring

*rear backup sensors

*Smart City brake support

And so many more!!!

The 7-passenger interior is so ROOMY! We've also driven the CX-3 and

CX-5 and I think they are also great cars, but they don't come close to the big

room inside the CX-9. All five us can fit with all the things that come along 

when you take three kids on an adventure and no one is made because 

someone is "touching me", "looking at me", or "breathing by me" - all things

my kids complain of. I know you've heard them too!

We also love that there is rear climate control so that the back seat 

passengers can have access to the A/C. That is probably Isabella's favorite 

feature of the CX-9. Well, that and the awesome power moonroof.

I also love the dash and control console in the CX-9. It is very aesthetically

pleasing and has everything you need is right at your fingertips. My favorite 

feature that most of the Mazda vehicles have is the active driving display. In 

the CX-9 GT it "ghosts" out in front of your windshield so you can see your 

speed, the speed limit, your navigation instructions and lane departure and

blindspot warnings. I like when all that information is straight in front of me

so that I can keep my eyes on the road and limit distractions.

When you go on big spring break adventures, you don't want to have to worry

about getting lost or trying to find your way. The built-in navigation is great

about getting you where you need to go and is easy to use. I also like that you get

auditory and visual directions so you can keep your eyes on the road and your

precious cargo safe. The 8" color display also has an amazing rear back-up

camera that has rear cross traffic alerts to help when you're backing up.

Another thing you want when you're having a blast on your spring break

adventures is a rockin' sound system and the 2017 Mazda CX-9 GT has you

covered. It is available with the 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 Surround 

Sound System. This means that no matter where you sit, you'll have amazing 

sound that emulates a live performance. You need good music on a road trip and 

this sound system guarantees you'll have it!

We had a blast in the 2017 Mazda CX-9 GT. I still tell my husband that I want 

one for Christmas. Maybe if I ask enough times, my wish will come true. 

With our city and highway driving, we were right around 20/mpg and I was 

really pleased with that number. The interior in the GT model is GORGEOUS! It 

has a sand interior color with Nappa leather, sculpted aluminum and 

genuine Rosewood. It is very luxurious and comfortable - lots of leg room!

If you'd like a full tour of the 2017 Mazda CX-9 GT, then be sure to check

out my YouTube Video Review of the Mazda CX-9. It will give you an

inside look and you can tell me how badly I need a manicure!!!

What is your favorite feature of the new 

2017 Mazda CX-9 GT?

Would it make a good fit for your family?

Five Things I Love About the 2017 Mazda CX-3 #DriveMazda

Every year I make the same mistake and think that things will slow down after
the holidays are over and we'll have time to just sit around and do nothing. Every
year I am wrong! As my kids get older, there just seems to be less and less down
time for pajama and movie mornings like I had when my oldest was little.
However, I have always been a person that liked to GO! My mom says one of
my first sentences was when I hopped in the car behind her wheel, started driving
the wheel, and said, " 'N go? 'N go?" She said I never stopped going!
And wouldn't you know it, my kids have my GO gene. They are always asking
me, "Mom, where are we going today?"

I loved having the 2017 Mazda CX-3 for a week because it made GO-ing so easy!

It's classified as a "subcompact crossover" and I loved it's smaller size, but that it

still had all the great features I loved in the Mazda CX-5 and  Mazda CX-9.

So, let's count down the five things I loved about the Mazda CX-3 and check out

it's best features and why it might be perfect your family.

{FIVE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE MAZDA CX-3}

{1} It is SOOOO easy to park!!!

When I took my kids to their school Open House there was this parking spot

that a minivan couldn't park in! Three people tried to park there and after they

gave up, I zipped right in to the spot in front of the school and they were all

jealous of my amazing parking spot! It's compact design makes it a breeze to park

in almost any spot. 

{2} All the available safety features!

Since my kids are with me about 90% of the time I am driving, I am crazy for

safety when driving. I get upset with drivers that mess with their cell phones or

fail to signal before changing lanes. So I love that the Mazda CX-3 has all the

great safety features that I've come to expect from Mazda. Blind spot monitoring,

rear cross traffic alert, active driving display, and front and side impact airbags

are just some of the features that you will appreciate in the CX-3.

{3} The trunk space!!!!

When I heard that the Mazda CX-3 was a "subcompact" vehicle I was worried that

there wouldn't be enough trunk space. But we loaded up the family to go to

LEGOLAND on a rainy day and there was plenty of room for a stroller, umbrellas,

jackets, and snacks. Everything we need for the day fit perfectly in the trunk,

which left space for the kids to sit in the back seat unencumbered.

{4} The advanced keyless entry and push button start engine.

When your hands are full and your toddler is running in the opposite direction

that you need to go in a parking lot, the last thing you want to worry about is if

you remembered to lock car. The Mazda CX-3 has the option to lock itself when

all the doors are closed and you walk away with the key. It was a game changer!

It made life so easy. I also love that I can push a button, leave the keys in my

purse, and bam! the car starts. It's so easy. You will love it.

{5} The exterior color options!

We had the Mazda CX-3 in the Crystal White Pearl Mica and it was so sparkly and

pretty in the sun. However, if you crave color in your life, there are seven other

color options - including a gorgeous Soul Red Metallic - for you to choose from.

The Mazda CX-3 GT also has a gorgeous interior with leather and suede sport seats

and a leather wrapped steering wheel that is heated! So awesome!

If you're in the market for a subcompact crossover that is perfect for a commuter
or a family of four, then you need to check out the 2017 Mazda CX-3 GT.
Once you see all the great luxury features and how great it handles, you'll might
just be adding one to your family. Be sure to check out my YouTube video review
for inside look at all the great features I discussed above!

Home for the Holidays: The 2017 Mazda 6 GT #DriveMazda

Isn't the 2017 Mazda 6 GT beautiful!?! It has been a long time since I've driven 

anything that doesn't carry a small army of people and it was so fun! I love that it was 

easy to park in small spaces, I love the smooth drive thanks to the  

Skyactiv Technology and I LOVED the Soul Red Metallic paint job and the 

19-inch alloy wheels. It was the perfect vehicle for me to zip around town to get 

ready for Christmas and my daughter's 8th birthday and all the family the that came to 

town for her big day.

Like the other Mazda vehicles that I've had the chance to test drive, the Mazda 6 GT 

also has the advance keyless entry system that unlocks when the key is in 

proximity and you put your hand on the handle. I appreciate the easy of opening the 

door when  you have a wiggly toddler, groceries and diaper bag in hand. It's so nice 

not to have to fish the key out of my purse. I just get close, put my hand in the handle, 

pull and POOF! it's open! I couldn't believe all the rear trunk space in the Mazda 6 GT! 

My 11-year-old climbed in and was like - "Look, Mom! I can fit in here!" He really could! 

And he's not a small child. I had no trouble loading the stroller, groceries, last minute 

Christmas gifts and umbrellas and jackets for all the rain we've had this last month.

Since we're a family of five that used to driving a minivan and having plenty of space for

the "don't touch me"s that happen with kids, I was worried that a four-door car would

have my older two belly-aching. However, the Mazda 6 GT was so nice and roomy 

inside. My husband is even picky about the front passenger leg room and he got in and

said, "Wow, this has really great space." And it really does! That's my not-your-average

11-year-old behind the driver's side seat and look at all his leg room! My seat is all the

way back and the seat isn't smashing his knees.

Here's the back seat with no on inside so you can see how roomy it looks. The leather

trimmed sport seats were nice and cushy and I loved the parchment color. In the GT

model you even get heated seats in the back! It was chilly over the holidays and my

middle child really appreciated that she could have a heated seat too! The control for

the heated seat is in the middle drop down console. 

During the holiday break there were SO MANY MORE people on the road and in the

parking lots doing their last minute shopping and preparation. So I really appreciated

Smart City Brake Support that helps detect objects ahead of you when traveling 

between about 2 and 18 mph. It prepares your vehicle by adjusting the brake pads 

closer to the disc and if you don't take action, then the brakes are automatically applied.

When we took one last visit to Knott's Berry Farm before our annual passes expired, I

appreciated the Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring that helps detect objects in your 

blind spot and alerts you with a chime and a light. The Mazda 6 GT's 184 

horsepower 4-cylinder engine had great acceleration and pick-up I did found the 

engine noise loud at start up, but it seemed to settled down once it was all warmed up. 

The Active Driving Display is still my favorite feature that Mazda offers for the

Mazda 6 GT.  Just like in the 2016 Mazda CX-9 It displays out in front of you as you 

drive  and lets you keep your eyes on the road. It gives all your safety warnings, your 

speed, the speed limit, and you navigation directions. I would love to see all makes and 

models have this option in the future. It really feels like a Jetsons kind of technology and

I think it helps keep your focus on what matters, driving! 

I also have to admit the heated steering wheel was pretty fantastic! I know that I

don't have many days of the year when it's needed here in Orange County, but I used

it every day during my test drive and it was so cozy and such a nice touch to the luxury

of the Mazda 6 GT. I thought the dashboard display and console were beautiful. The

7-inch color touch-screen display has been present in each of the other 

Mazdas that we've test driven for Drive Shop and I think its crystal clear picture is 

easy to use.

We took the Mazda 6 GT to our favorite neighborhood for Christmas lights and we got

a lot of "oohs and ahs" for it's gorgeous exterior. The LED headlights with 

auto on/off  were bright and made it easy to see when driving at night. We even 

opened up the power moon roof to make the experience all that more exciting and 

fun. And of course we blasted the Christmas music thanks to the  

Sirius Satellite Radio and amazing Bose sound system to keep get us in the mood.

The 2017 Mazda 6 GT has an MSRP of $34,530. It was a pleasure to drive and I think

it would be perfect as the primary vehicle for a family of five or smaller that isn't

interested in driving an SUV or a minivan. It would also make a great second vehicle

for commuting with its 30 MPG city and 35 MPG highway fuel economy. 

The one thing I did miss was an audible alert when your are backing up and get too 

close to an object. There is a back-up camera and the picture is beautiful in the 

7-inch monitor, but it's missing the warning sound that I would expect a vehicle of 

this caliber to have.

Be sure to check out my video review on my YouTube Channel and let me know what

your favorite thing is about the 2017 Mazda 6 GT

Mom Life in the 2016 Mazda CX-9 #DriveMazda #MazdaCX9

Mom life is a busy life and it has only gotten busier as my kids have gotten older. I didn't
realize how many places I need to get to each week until my van was out of commission
 for a few days. Luckily, the awesome people at Drive Shop dropped off the
beautiful 2016 Mazda CX-9 to test drive for a week and saved the day.

 

I mean just look at that Sonic Silver Metallic paint job and the 20-inch alloy wheels.
And even though it was beautiful on the outside, it's interior and the added features of
the Signature model made the carpooling, mom taxi service driving, and daily errands
enjoyable and luxurious. Let's take a peek into the life of a mom and how the
Mazda CX-9 makes daily life so much cooler.

At least weekly I have a blogging event to attend. During the holiday season it can be
up to two to three times a week. Sure enough, the second day we had an event at
Los Cerritos Center to see Santa. It was so nice to load the family into the Mazda
CX-9 and feel confident that we would be safe on the drive. With the i-ACTIVSENSE
safety innovations, distance recognition support system, and advanced blind spot
monitoring I felt that we were totally protected. It is almost like the CX-9 has a sixth
sense and can alert me to hazards before they happen.

After seeing Santa up in Cerritos, it was time to visit Grandma. Although I've been to my
mother-in-law's house a thousand-plus times over the years, I've never been there from
Los Cerritos Center. So, of course we used the on-board navigation to get us there. I
know last time I said that the navigation system was a little tricky to get used to.
However, this time I'm a pro with the navigation and I know just how to get us from
Point A to Point B - and maybe throw in a stop along the way. For instance, when we
go to Grandma's house, we have to stop and get a donut from our favorite
little donut shop.

Once the weekend is over, mom life has me hitting the ground running! On any given day

I am driving to the school two to three times, running errands while the big kids are in

school, catching a visit with a friend, running to dance class, running to swim team, 

running to Cub Scouts, and so on and so forth. The CX-9 made all that driving fun and

not at all monotonous. With the Sirius XM radio, BOSE sound system, power moonroof,

and Nappa leather upholstery I wanted to drive around town all day. And look at that

trunk space! Perfect for toddler quick changes when she wants to swim in the
"little pool" while her big brother goes to swim team.

Even after all the errands and the kid activities are done, there is still more to do. This

Mazda CX-9 was part of history and helped me get to my polling center to vote in the

2016 Presidential election. The LED headlights with auto on/off popped on as I got

ready to leave the polling place - just another feature I love. I also think that the CX-9 

is a great looking car from the front. The large grille and LED headlights are really

visually appealing. It was definitely the envy of all the voters.

After a long week had to celebrate with a tasty treat and the Mazda CX-5 got us
there in style. The roomy 7-passenger interior makes going anywhere as a family a total
pleasure. There is plenty of room for everyone and no one is complaining that they are
squished or that so and so is touching them or any of the complaints you hear as a mom
when you're in the car all day with kids. It also might have something to do with the
3-zone climate control. My middle child loves to control her own A/C output and the
CX-9 lets the middle seat passengers have their own climate control. It was her favorite.



Well, you survived a week with the Armstrong family thanks to the Mazda CX-9. I
really did adore this SUV and really have asked my husband to get us one for Christmas.
Hey, a mom can dream, right?! My favorite feature in CX-9 was the active driving
display. It displays out in front of you as you drive and lets you keep your eyes on the
road. It gives all your safety warnings, your speed, the speed limit, and you navigation
directions. I really think it is something that every vehicle should have.

I also liked the 8-inch color display and how it popped up out of the dash. Again, having

it at eye-level helped keep my focus front and forward, which makes me feel like a 

more aware driver. I appreciated that the steering wheel had audio and cruise controls.

So, I was able to keep my hands on the wheel and my eyes on the road - just like they

should be.

If you want to see how a mom gets down with the BOSE stereo and XM radio when the
kids aren't in the car, then be sure to check out my review of the Mazda CX-9 on my
YouTube channel. Watch until the end, you won't be disappointed!

BIG {and small} Adventures in the 2016 Mazda CX-5 #DriveMazda

When the 2016 Mazda CX-5 showed up at my door to test drive for a week, I was

instantly in love with this hybrid SUV with Skyactiv Technology. From the Soul Red

Metallic paint job to the 19-inch alloy wheels. So, even though I didn't have any BIG 

adventures planned for the day since the kids were at school, I immediately had to

take it on a small adventure so I could get behind the wheel and see what this pretty little

vehicle was capable of. So, I popped Gracie in the CX-5 and we headed to the store.

 

I love the advance keyless entry system that unlocks when the key is in proximity and
you put your hand on the handle. It makes it SO much easier to open the door when
you're juggling a toddler, the groceries and a giant diaper bag. I don't have to fish the key
out of the bottom of my bag, I just get close, put my hand in the handle, pull and BAM!
it's open! It's really so great! It also has great rear trunk space! Just look at all that room.
I put the stroller in there with several other things and there was still space to spare.

On the weekend we headed down to Carlsbad for Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND. It
was such a smooth drive and I loved using the cruise control. It also has Smart Brake
Support that alerts you when braking is immediately necessary and if you don't take
action, the CX-5 automatically applies the brakes. So cool! It also has  
Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring that helps detect objects in your blind spot and
alerts you with a chime and a light in your side mirror if there is someone in your blind
spot and you are trying to enter the lane. As with most all of the sensors on the car, you
can set the sensitivity and the volume of the notification. It had great acceleration and
 I never felt lag when I tried to hit the gas and felt it was always very smooth.

When the Drive Shop employee dropped off the CX-5 he joked that he was going to

show me the rain-sensing windshield wipers, but that since we live in Southern 

California I wouldn't need them. Well, I'm so glad he showed them to me, because 

it rained! And it was so cool to have them work and turn on during the rain. I went to 

my favorite fabric store in the rain and it handled great on the wet roads and having 

all the safety features made me feel safe!

Grace and I took a drive up to Yucaipa to go to Snowline Orchard for a fall apple
picking adventure. The big kids were in school, so it was fun to do something together.
I loved having the Sirius Satellite Radio to keep us entertained on the drive up the
mountain. The engine handled the drive up into the mountains perfectly. I don't have any
complaints about the power of the engine to pull the hills.

The interior is very aesthetically pleasing and also has a lot of great features. I loved all

the controls that were at my fingertips on the steering wheel - phone, audio, and cruise

control. The instrument panel was large and easy to read. The only thing I wish that it

had was a digital display for your speed. I found the numbers just a little hard to read

and with 20 in between the displayed numbers I was always worried about my speed.

The 7-inch full color touch screen let you control your apps, entertainment, navigation,
communication and settings. It was easy to toggle between the different choices and
easy to use. We didn't have to use the navigation much, but I didn't find it as user
friendly as other systems. I was thinking if I was my mom or dad trying to figure it out
and I know they would have had a steep learning curve when using it. It also bothered
me that you couldn't alter it or do many of the options when the car was in motion.
I know this is a safety feature, but it does make it frustrating when you need to make
changes to the route or want to enter something and you can't because the car isn't
in park. Other systems I've used didn't have that criteria and I found those easier to
use and more helpful when you're on an actual trip.

The interior was roomy and had plenty of room for four. I know that it has seat belts for

five, but our family of five couldn't comfortably fit in it. Since we have to have a booster

and toddler car seat, it made the middle back seat a very slim space. If you didn't have

to use car seats or maybe only needed one, then you could fit three small people in the

back comfortably. I loved the leg room and 8-way power driver's seat with power

adjustable lumbar support. The front seats also had heated controls. We didn't need to

use that option while we had the car, but it's always nice to have a warm seat on a

chilly day.

The back seat also had great leg room and the kids love the power moon-roof. We get

a lot of use out of that here in Orange County. It's especially fun to use at night when you

can see the stars. The were cup holders in the back doors and also in the center seat

when you folded it down. I felt like it was missing a rear climate control. I know that the

back seat isn't far from the front seat, but I always like to have a vent to blow on me

when I'm sitting in the back.

There is ample trunk space and it has a retractable shade to keep the sun off of your

cargo. The one feature I thought the CX-5 was missing was a power cargo gate lift. 

When you have kids and they need to get into the back and to get something out, but

they are too short, so you have to get out of the car in your jammies to help them close it

when you're dropping off for school drop-off, that's not really cool. So, I'd like to see

Mazda add a power cargo gate to match all the other great auto and power features

that the CX-5 already has.

 

We had a great time in Mazda CX-5 and I would definitely love to drive one again. It

has a ton of great safety features and a lot of added bonus features that just make it a

really great car. Check out my YouTube video below for some of my other favorite

options that the CX-5 has to offer!