Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring Drive Experience - Simple Elegance with Steroid Induced Power

This 2014 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring beauty was supplied by STI - The Driving Experience Company for review; the opinions stated below are my own and I received no financial compensation.

Mazda America Corporation has presented an impressive line up of Cross-Over/SUV vehicles for a long time that satisfied the needs of car buyers looking for small, medium sized, to full sized SUV vehicles to fit into family needs, budgets, and driveways.  Well, the CX-9 is an exception in that lineup.  Big, bold, powerful, and comfortable are some adjectives thrown at this vehicle for good reason.  The CX-9 represents those vehicle traits very well.

All inclusive - I call this SUV "Simple Elegance"

 

Appointed with fine leather and suede trim, wood grain accents, a center console to die for, and a VVT 3.7 ltr. 273 Hp/270 LB FT Torque V6 Powerplant,  this vehicle is set up to get the job done with some economy.  The engine has a Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde dual disposition.  High torque and great power give good fuel economy around town on leisurely drives.  However step on the accelerator and Mr. Hyde comes roaring through with quick sudden launches and agile accelerations all through the 6 speed automatic transmission.  A set of 20 inch wheels make this gentle giant a confident road warrior with plenty of grip when needed in controlled doses.  This is a beautiful and elegant vehicle, when equipped with all the safety gadgetry and other electronic niceties you have a simply elegant well rounded package.  I could drive this vehicle to the moon and back and not be tired, bored, or weary.  Comfort abounds in the cabin for all occupants including rear seat heat/AC controls for controlled climate at the "Back of the Bus".

Ergonomics That Will Not Control The Driver

Car manufacturers are in a battle of the marques to offer perspective buyers vehicles jam packed with features, electronic gadgetry, safety controls, and refined comfort. Sometimes manufacturers go way over the line with complications distracting the driver to the point of frustration in a battle to control gadgetry before it controls the driver forcing the driver to change driving habits to accommodate the virtues of the vehicle.  Another words - Control your vehicles gadgets before the gadgets control you.  I never felt a hint of vehicle control on me while sitting in the drivers seat in the CX-9.  Controls, ergonomics, and driving position are set up in the CX-9 for driver comfort, ease of use, and does it with style and elegance - there I used that word again!  Even the shifter commands  special attention for being simple in design, fully functional, comfortable to grab and manipulate, but also techy with a gated position indicator.  Slide the shifter over to the left while in Drive and you start to command the transmission to your every whim.  Downshift-upshift whatever shift you choose are always smooth and powerful with a strong delivery of torque to the wheels.  This SUV grew on me tugging at my heart strings which are especially joyous over technical innovation, gadgetry, indicators, controls, and ingenuity.  The Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring has technical ingenuity but it is not the "In your face I dare you to master me" type of ingenuity.  The controls are simple to operate, fully functional, efficient, and just right to complement a very comfortable stress free driving experience.

Understated Safety

Safety and reliability in this vehicle are bolstered by the latest safety innovations like Front-3 Row side-and knee positioned airbags, Anti-lock brakes, Stability control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Cross-Traffic warning system, Back-up camera, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Side Impact Door Beams, and electronic parking assist.  What is not over-played about this vehicles safety feature is its weight.  At about 5800 lbs some might say this is a tank.  I call it a gentle unassuming giant.  There is safety in the shear weight of a vehicle and lack thereof in some of the tiniest/lightest 4 wheel offerings from car makers today.  The less a vehicle weighs under 2000 pounds the worse it will fare in a crash.  It is just shear weight and density of the roll cage that can save you.  What also is un-noticed about the CX-9 is its rigid roll-cage structure and suspension system that combine together in unison.  A strong cage, confident handling, super strong braking ability, and dynamic traction and stability control give the driver important tools needed to command the vehicle and the road.  It is big, it is powerful, it is torqy, and it is beautiful - It is CX-9.

I am impressed with Mazda ergonomics in this vehicle!  

 

This being the third Mazda vehicle I have reviewed I am pleasantly surprised to find a full complement of gauges aft of the steering wheel including engine temperature.  All other vital information is displayed  on either the panel display amid the console controls or above in a red lighted panel showing heat/AC functions, outside temperature, and fuel economy.  The CX-9 displays vehicle driver info such as speed, tachometer, fuel level, and engine temperature in separate round bezzeled gauges placed in easy view of the driver.  Controls for radio, blue-tooth, and info menus can be controlled from the steering wheel.  Everything ergonomic about the CX-9 was structured to be valuable, informative, easy to use and elegantly styled.  In a nut-shell; the cabin is not flashy or "Innovatively techy" - but then you won't exhaust yourself controlling the components either.

Leslie of Leslielovesveggies.net really likes the CX-9 and she is not a big fan of the SUV genre either.  She likes the simple controls and confident comfort of the driving position in the CX-9.  I agree with her whole-heartedly.



Here are some of the best traits of this SUV species:

• V6 is Big and Powerful with good fuel economy
• Understated elegance in every inch of interior
• Capable of towing something of substance like a boat or trailer
• Leather seating and accents was just beautiful
• Excellent gauge set up with a clear reading full set of analog indicators
• Bose Sound System was incredible with the true rich sound you expect from Bose
• Huge cabin space for hauling large objects
• Smooth quiet ride (see below for comparison to 2000 Celica GTS which is my daily driver)

Here is what is not so hot:

• Keyless start is a knob on the column that is turned much like a key;  I wished for a start button...somewhere...anywhere
• Crash Safety ratings are a tad low for a big heavy vehicle such as the CX9
• Replacing 20 inch rubber is going to be expensive

The Mazda CX9 Grand Touring is a beautiful vehicle that has enough tech-gadgetry to satisfy this techno-geek while transporting occupants to new adventures in comfortable and classy ergonomics.  The CX9 can take you where you are going in style with power to spare.

Thanks again STI - The Driving Experience People for the opportunity to drive and review the Mazda CX9.

To learn more about the Mazda CX9...Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Mazda USA
Scott R. Mayorga A.A.S., BS MT(ASCP)H CLS

KIA SOUL Driving Experience - Not minivan, not truck but what fun!

 2013 KIA SOUL - My driving Experience

Ever drive a mini-van?  Some people like them.  I think a mini-van is OK if you need to haul around large items or items of a large family.  The latter of which conjures up memories of screaming and arguing children, spilled juice drinks staining the seats RED, items being tossed by siblings at each other, hitting the driver and winding up on top of the dash board. So many antics from the back seat you just want to swing your fist blindly behind you as you negotiate turns hoping to hit something yapping~anything yapping to get some peace and quiet.  Ugh! the life in a minivan - horrendous.   And, the driving quality of a minivan?  Like an over-sized doghouse on thin wheels, bouncing and rolling in rather dangerous manner.  I am surprised not more of these vehicles flip on the road or 360 out of control.  Well, minivans be gone. A new age of transportation has commenced from the horizon; born out of automobile design boards at KIA Motors Corporation.  Hence, the KIA SOUL was released in 2010 and has just gotten better with age.

I recently had the pleasure of driving the 2013 KIA SOUL Exclaim supplied by STI - The Driving Experience people.  The Soul is neither a truck nor a minivan.  It is classified as an automobile e.g. small passenger vehicle, but has the utility of a minivan, the drive of a nimble truck, and the coolness of something everyone wants.  The KIA SOUL is cool, in demand, fun, and very comfortable.  Most of all the SOUL is entertaining.

What is cooler than a vehicle with two hamsters be-bopping their heads to tunes driving down the road with flashy colors and graphics.  No - Me and Mrs. did not feel like a hamsters driving this vehicle but we did be-bop heads to the tunes coming out of the excellent powerful Infinity sound system with multi-speaker sound including sub-woofer.  This vehicle is a compact car, efficient on gas, but comfortable to enter and exit, and great to listen to whatever music is enjoyed.  I have never heard a better sounding audio system in a vehicle than with what I experienced in the 2013 KIA SOUL Exclaim.

The SOUL this guy drove was the loaded SOUL Exclaim model and still was very affordable.  Power sun-roof, power windows, Leather heated seats, Infinity Sound System, Cruise control, Power Folding Mirrors, Auto-dimming rear view mirror, back up camera!, 2.0 ltr. engine, Serious Satellite Radio, Navigation, Blue tooth w/information display, 6 spd. select shift automatic transmission, and chock full of airbags.  In Alien Green paint scheme, this car was flashy and caught the attention of many on-lookers and some questions at parking lots.  LED lights front and back make this vehicle flashy, great looking, and hip.  The vehicle shape is square sort of boxy but in this vehicle it is hip to be square.

One last fun factor to mention in this vehicle was the circular neon like LED lights around the large door speakers that can be set to a color changing MOOD setting or to a beat reactive mode pulsating light to the music played on the stereo.  There is a manual control on the dash board to control the "Lighting Effects". You too will be-bop your head like the hamsters on TV in this vehicle with outrageous lighting effects.

OK- enough of the fun stuff...

The SOUL is a stable platform especially with the equipped 18x235 wheels on solid cast rims.  Road noise was minimal and with the windows closed, virtually all outside noise was blocked; this vehicle is well insulated.  Chatter, vibration, rattles are non-existent on bumpy rough surfaces.  Fuel mileage averaged 27-28 MPG driving many short 8-20 mile trips around town.  The SOUL is what I would call unexpectedly ZIPPY for the weight, size, and boxy stature of this vehicle.  The 2.0 ltr 4 cylinder engine ran smooth and supplied more than enough power (164 hp) and torque (148 ft. Lbs.) to move up through highway speed effortlessly without reaching above 3800 rpm.  If all this is not enough to persuade a perspective buyer how about this; The KIA SOUL was just named safest vehicle for transporting pets.  The SOUL earns 2013 Top Safety Pick by IIHS.  Anyway, this vehicle i.s extremely enjoyable, versatile, and rides comfortably nimble handling.   The SOUL gives a confident driving experience with ample power, strong braking capability and traction control.  Inside, the driver has visual access to a full set of gauges and controls on the steering wheel for radio, blue tooth, etc.  Lighting convenience was also a strong presence with auto-dimming dome light and automatic headlight function.

What did I not like about the SOUL?  Ah, let me ponder...That is a hard question to answer. There is much to like about the SOUL.  Can I fault the vehicle for not having a spare tire, no not really.  Most vehicles do not come with a spare tire or "donut", they come with roadside assistance as does the SOUL.  Oh yes, there is one thing.  There is a power window lock accessible to the driver.  With my 3 year old grandson in the vehicle he found entertainment in opening and closing his window.  I set the window lock and then found I was unable to control any of the windows unless I unlocked.  I expected the driver side window controls to be active with the window lock on as other vehicles do this as well including my Celica GTS.  A minor inconvenience at most.  In all, the KIA SOUL is a solid driving  machine that will meet the need of many tasks; chiefly enjoyment.

Thanks STI - The Driving Experience people, for the opportunity to drive and enjoy the KIA SOUL!
Scott Mayorga

Thanks STI for the opportunity to experience the Kia Forte
Scott Mayorga - See more at: http://hematechstraighttalk.blogspot.com/2013/06/kia-forte-driving-experience-review.html#sthash.Lr2RPC7k.dpuf

Thanks STI for the opportunity to experience the Kia Forte
Scott Mayorga - See more at: http://hematechstraighttalk.blogspot.com/2013/06/kia-forte-driving-experience-review.html#sthash.Lr2RPC7k.dpuf

2014 KIA Forte EX GDI Driving Experience Review

I love cars.  All kinds of cars.  There is nothing like cruising down the road in an open top T-Bird with wind in your face and Sun in your hair.  Burning gasoline at a ridiculous rate and a deep roar from the 430 cu in 4300 Lbs. monster,  but who cared - it was fun!  My first Toyota Celica GT was a great car as well.  All black inside and out.  Sun roof and pop-up head lights.  That was an awesome car - it's a shame rust got the best of it.  I hated selling that car.  Nowadays, I sport around in my 7th Gen Celica GTS.  6 Sp manual and tuned exhaust pumping out from a worked set of valves.  Rev-Rev-Rev always to a boiling 7,000+ RPM.  But back to this fellows car review...

I recently had the pleasure of driving the 2014 Kia Forte EX GDI (Gas Direct Injection) sedan supplied by STI - The Driving Experience people. Driving the Kia Forte for a week was most enjoyable.  The Forte is a small car that feels like a big car when your behind the wheel but it drives like a gas sipping luxury vehicle.  The Kia Forte is a special car offered by Car manufacturer KIA Motors.  Special I say, because it is small with big car comfort, loaded with standard features for safety, ergonomics, and electronics - very smart electronics.  With the additional options this tester car had, the Forte was equipped with many features found on cars 2-3 times the price.

I really enjoyed the Forte.  The styling was smart, the performance was agile, and the technology contained in the vehicle was smart without being "overly techy".  With a 2.0 ltr engine acceleration was smooth and brisk.  Attaining highway speed with confidence the car traversed the asphalt with grace, stability, and style.  Inside the cabin was lots of leather, heated seats front and back, and a heated leather wrapped steering wheel.  Comfort was a fist in the design phase of this vehicle.  Inside, the car gave this occupant the feeling that I was sitting in a much, much bigger car.  Lots of room with good support for back and legs in the seats.  Back seat occupancy was a pleasure too.  Ample leg room, more leather, a nice arm rest, and heated seats!

Driver controls are well placed in this vehicle with smart ergonomics easy to operate from the steering wheel. Steering wheel action can be adjusted from sport, regular, and comfort with the touch of a button giving different feels in the driving experience and control.  Radio/nav/and telephone control can all be achieved with the steering wheel controls within fingers reach at any moment.  A full array of nicely colored contrasting gauges complimented the information screen right in front of the driver where they belong.  Two really nice features on the Forte were the 2-driver seat memory settings and video back up camera - Wow!  The Kia Forte delivers comfort, confidence, and safety in this reviewers driving experience.  Not only that but minute details of the ergonomics controls can be adjusted like right from the steering wheel controls and the info center display.

 I found very useful the navigation display placed right in front of the driver set in-between the speedometer and tachometer.  That display was so handy and visible.  The bright colors of the navigation direction graphics were visible with my peripheral vision without having to look down all the time.  It was great function and very safe to use while driving instead of having to look over at the main screen on the middle of the console for navigation.

Driving the Forte gave me a feeling of confidence and flare.  The smart remote key less entry and engine start enhanced my driving experience.  Walking up to the Forte, the side view mirrors would pop out slowly as if to say "hello".  Braking was strong, smooth, and gave me great confidence.  Visibility looking outside the cabin was wide open unobstructed and with the small forward aft windows just below the windshield, I could actually see curbs and other obstacles as turns were negotiated.  Fuel economy was good making frequent short trips around town, highway economy was great! Fuel economy is tracked constantly by the on board computer and displayed instantly with data and graphics to the driver to help train driver habits for economy.

In all, the 2014 KIA Forte is a nice package, comfortable, and nicely appointed with features and equipment that are useful, ergonomically placed, definitely desired, and especially advanced for a small import vehicle.

Try the Forte on for size.  I bet you will be glad you did.

Thanks STI for the opportunity to experience the Kia Forte
Scott Mayorga