Latest SUV (two rows) Reviews
2008 Toyota Land Cruiser Review
One of my guilty pleasures is watching shows like “The Biggest Loser” and “Celebrity Fit Club.” Toward the end of each season, the losers inevitably strap on weights of some sort to simulate the pounds they’ve lost, and I thought of that moment when I drove the 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Read more2009 Dodge Journey Review
When I was little, my dad carried a red Swiss Army knife in his pocket. Every time he whipped that knife out it revealed a new feature I’d never seen before. The Dodge Journey is just like that knife.
Read more2008 Toyota Highlander Review
There’s a movie called “Highlander” that came out in the ‘80s and is about these crazy sword-wielding dudes who try to kill each other in order to do something or another. It might not be high on my list, but it has a lot of fans out there. Trust me; multiple guys have asked me how I liked the 2008 Toyota Highlander, then repeated this line from the movie: “There can be only one.”
Read more2008 Dodge Durango Review
I grew up with a truck-based SUV called a Scout. It was far from comfy, but totally fun and a major challenge to drive. My mother-in-law had one, and she often said you just had to “herd it down the road.” The Dodge Durango is a modern-day Scout.
Read more2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Review
Suzuki’s Grand Vitara is pleasant enough to drive, and pleasure becomes relative once price enters the mix. If you’re part of a family of four that’s looking for functionality AND great value, this SUV might just have you shouting for joy.
Read more2008 Mitsubishi Outlander SE XLS Preview
It seems unfair that one should have to drive a “normal” car immediately after driving a fast racecar around a track at 100mph. And so it was last week when I had to go from Speed Racer mode to mom mode in the Outlander SE.
Read more2007 Jeep Wrangler Review
We’ve all seen the bumper stickers: It’s a Jeep thing. You wouldn’t understand. Well, I admit, I don’t understand. I don’t understand why anyone would choose to put themselves through the misery of transporting children in this car if they did not absolutely have to.
Read more2008 Mercedes ML550 Review
My worst vehicular pet peeve is when someone you typically consider a friend or loved one annoyingly transforms into a backseat driver. I had one the first time I drove an ML, but turns out, once he was gone, I quickly became one with this SUV.
Read more2008 VW Touareg 2 Review
The Volkswagen Touareg 2 had me deep in funkytown. I appreciate its high safety marks, and as any dancing queen will tell you, this boogie-machine’s style is right on. Somehow, though, it left me wanting more. Hmmmm, sounds a lot like disco, doesn’t it?
Read more2007 Dodge Nitro Review
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to drive a box? Wonder no more, my friends — just take a Dodge Nitro out for a test drive. I spent two weeks in the 2007 Nitro and can say with certainty that this is what it would feel like to be boxed up and shipped overnight.
Read more2008 Land Rover LR2
The LR2’s sense of style is modern, not classic. It has a Euro unfamiliarity that gives me the same vibe as some European shoes: They look great in Paris, but are just plain weird in Omaha.
Read more2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
The thing I remember most about my grandma was her sofa: Gold velour with a hateful green and blue floral pattern on it, made even worse by the fact that the entire thing was covered in plastic. Well, driving the Escape Hybrid was much like trying to Flintstone Grandma’s plastic sofa up to speed on the highway.
Read more2007 Lincoln MKX
Driving the 2007 Lincoln MKX is almost as good as going to the spa. In fact, I think I’ll need a few more weeks in this crossover to uncover its flaws. Lincoln, can you send it back? I need a mud mask. I mean, a deep-tissue massage. I mean, well … you get it.
Read more2007 Subaru Forester
The 2007 Subaru Forester reminds me of the Turbo Hoover of the ‘70s. After driving it, I now know what it would have been like to be a dust mite riding atop that spastic vacuum, as the two beasts have more in common than a Cyclops-looking front end.
Read more2007 Toyota Tundra
When my neighbor saw me in the Toyota Tundra, he waved and laughingly shouted, “You manly girl.” It made me wonder: Am I woman enough to drive this man-beast, or am I bound to question my femininity as I barrel down the street in such an uproarious brute?
Read more2007 Acura MDX Sport
I live in a neighborhood cloned straight from Wisteria Lane, where Honda Pilots and Toyota Siennas reign supreme, and I honestly have nightmares about turning into one of them (the neighbors I mean, not the cars — that would just be plain weird). Anything I can do to set myself apart from the Stepford neighbors is a good thing, and my vehicle is the perfect place to start.
Read more2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Cadillac's Escalade EXT truly is the Cadillac of pickup trucks. Even I can get used to this versatile, stylishly comfortable SUT. And if you want to haul in style without giving up on comfort and luxury, this SUT will allow you to do so in an eye-catching, mac-daddy, bling-bling sort of way.
Read more2007 Jeep Wrangler
There are no power windows in this vehicle. Forget that the kids don't even know what the weird crank handle is for, this Jeep costs more than $31,000. No power windows? On the sticker, the lack of power windows is actually listed as a feature, "Full Metal Doors with Roll-Up Windows." What kind of freak sees that as a feature?
Read more2007 BMW X5 4.8i
This iDrive system is used to control the navigation (as well as communications, entertainment and climate) and is nothing less than a complete pain in the a@#. Its multifunction knob requires the dexterity of a highly evolved primate (or my 5-year-old son) to make it work properly.
Read more2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Although the finish inside the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is nice and fairly upscale, the exterior styling of the Highlander Hybrid is remarkably unremarkable. The Highlander's styling hasn't evolved much since its introduction to the market. Evolution is such a necessary process. Without it, I'd be sitting here for months chiseling this review into a piece of slate using nothing more than my teeth and a porcupine quill.
Read more2007 Mazda CX-7
The 2007 Mazda CX-7 is the catalyst for a union of two facets of my life that seem to have been separated since birth (well, the birth of my children, anyhow): The independent, I-am-woman-hear-me-roar self along with the mommy-where-are-my-pink-cowboy-boots self. Finally, a car that graciously accepts the complexities of my life with ease.
Read more2007 Jeep Patriot
As a child, the Jeep delivered us safely to the ski slopes in the winter, and in the summer my dad would perilously risk the lives of his offspring by climbing craggy hills in the backcountry. I was petrified of these trips, and I am sure my dad got a real kick out of scaring the crap out my sister and me.
Read more2007 Saturn Vue Green Line
My kids sit comfortably in the Saturn Vue Green Line. Surprisingly, the backseat has quite a bit of legroom for my teenager, even when he is sitting between two booster seats. The only concern from the gallery of eco-freaks in the back (did I just say that out loud?) is the fact that the seat belts are difficult to buckle one-handed.
Read more2007 Toyota RAV4
I have some favorite words that I like to use whenever I have the chance: Bloviate, myopic, psyched (yes, I know that dates me), segue and Nerf. What does one of my favorite words have to do with the 2007 Toyota RAV4?
Read more2007 Suzuki XL7
This vehicle has steadfastly delivered me from a state of frazzled cabin fever into a world of motoring bliss, transporting myself and my children to a nearby Center for Rejuvenation Therapy (mall) for a decompression remedy (shopping) and body movement treatments (wide open spaces without crowds for the kids to run around like maniacs).
Read more2007 Volvo XC90
This past fall, the Pope was given a Volvo XC90 for his official transportation. I keep telling myself that even though I'm not a VIP (holy or otherwise), I'm sure I will fit in the XC90 just fine. Hey, if it's good enough for the Pope ...
Read more2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe is all grown up, slenderized, sophisticated, sleek and gorgeous. I'm a little jealous, to tell you the truth, and I think that means I'm spending way too much time with cars.
Read more2007 Lexus RX 350
I like that this car doesn't feel like a family truckster but performs like one, handling various errands and tight parking spaces with ease and grace. My husband can hang out in the RX350 and not feel like he's in a mom car or chick car. No evading errands for him if we owned one!
Read more2007 Audi Q7 4.2
I've been waiting for a car to come along that is chic enough to look good on those moms among us who we all want to be. You know, the moms that look fab running errands, wearing denim with grape juice stains for the third day in a row and pulling it off with the utmost panache. This fantasy car of mine must be designed and engineered by someone clever, someone in the know, a genius or savant possibly, or better yet - a parent.
Read more2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
The Outlander is actually designed for, and geared towards, college-age males. But really, Mitsubishi could come up with a Mom Package and the Outlander would do very well.
Read more2007 Dodge Nitro
Not only do I start imagining the possibilities with my kid's bikes and other gear, but I am pleased to find out that under the sliding floor there is actually a respectably sized area where I could stash extra coats for the kids or even diapers and wipes. I am sure Dodge was not thinking diaper-mobile when they designed that feature but, hey, it works!
Read more2006 Nissan Murano SL
Looking for and buying a car is much like buying jeans. The work entailed in finding the right fit can be brutal. The Murano makes the purchasing decision easy. A fun, sexy car with no embarrassing three-way mirrors or visible panty lines is a gem.
Read more2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
When I stop at a light the gas engine shuts off. Luckily, I was told this would happen so I didn't suffer the embarrassment of trying to re-start a running car at a light.
Read more2007 Cadillac Escalade
What on EARTH could I possibly not like about the Escalade? It is large, handsome, and clad in leather. What more is there to want in a man? Er, a car?
Read more2006 Hummer H2 SUT
Offering carrot sticks doesn't exactly make me a kid magnet in the food department and I'm certainly not the "cool" mom who passes out Twizzlers to clusters of ecstatic kids at the playground. Driving the Hummer H2 SUT, however, instantly converts me into Miss Mommy Popularity.
Read more2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Here is a piece of advice: Do not, I repeat, do not go out of the house in anything resembling sweats when you are driving Toyota's new FJ Cruiser. This car is a man magnet! Literally every time I pull into a gas station men would saunter over and ask me, "How do you like the FJ?" or "Cool car, what is it?"
Read more2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited
The two cup holders in the front seat are too big for a standard travel mug or water bottle. My cup never actually tumbles out, but it does dance around like a dashboard hula girl. Despite my disappointment in the utility of the front cup holders, I am impressed that the total number of cup holders in this small wonder is a whopping 10, with the optional third row seat.
Read more2006 Land Rover Range Rover
Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania...The Range Rover stirs up notions of adventure travel through Africa's rolling savannahs. Instead of spying lions, elephants, and rhinos however, I am on a quest to keep my little cubs delirious with fun while minimizing their path of destruction.
Read more2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LT
The Tahoe has certainly evolved and changed over the years to reflect more about its true modern drivers: Women. Practical features are being added quicker than Chevy can say 'who's your momma?' with the exception of a major one that I'll get into later.
Read more2006 BMW X3
There are people out there who are big lovers of the BMW brand. It seems they fall into two categories: people who appreciate the upscale brand image, or people who appreciate the "driving experience." There are several BMW's that I'm in love with for their innovative family friendly features. The X3, however, isn't one of them.
Read more2006 Hyundai Tucson
I had a preconceived notion about what I would find when I drove the Hyundai Tucson. My thoughts were not very flattering; they mostly had to do with being cheap. I am pleased to say that I was totally off-base.
Read more2006 Saab 9-7X
I know that I'm not the only parent out there, who drives the kids around just to keep the peace. So you see, my car is much more than just a means of transportation. It is an extension of my home.
Read more2006 Suzuki Gran Vitara Luxury
The large amount of cargo space is unexpected. I make a run to Costco for a plastic dog house, a case of oranges, three gallons of milk and more. I seriously think I might need to call in reinforcements. Happily, after some creative packing, I get the door shut without having to tie the kids to the roof. Yipee!
Read more2006 Pontiac Torrent AWD
I appreciate the clearly labeled windshield wiper control. Since I drive a new car every week, I'm always confused by the windshield wipers. Do I twist them, push them, pull them or shake them all about, then do the hokey pokey to get the wiper fluid out?
Read more2006 Subaru Forester
The highlight of the Forester is the plastic insert that protects the cargo floor. I load my obnoxiously muddy stroller without a care. Later in the day, I remove the plastic insert, douse it with the garden hose, and "voila" ... brand, spanking new again.
Read more2006 Mazda Tribute
I like the general overall size of the Mazda Tribute. It is car-ish inside, allowing me to reach the kids if I need to. I don't feel like I'm driving the Mazda Gigantor (not a real car), or filling up the Mazda Gigantor at the pump.
Read more2006 Hummer H3
During my week turning heads in the H3, my vanity starts to get the best of me. I'm continually frustrated by the large tires that splatter minuscule mud puddles across the car like big juicy mosquitoes hitting the windshield at mach speed.
Read more2006 Lexus RX 400h
To Do: Finish dishes, fold laundry, fuel car, grocery shop, bank deposit, ballet recital, fuel car again, play group; deposit more money so I can FUEL THE CAR AGAIN! Listen up fellow moms, I've found a revolutionary way to cut down on our "To Do" lists while helping us manage our budgeted fuel costs. Check out the 2006 Lexus RX 400h ("h" for hybrid).
Read more2005 BMW X5 4.4i
Imagine my surprise when this luxury Sports Activity Vehicle actually draws blood. When pulling off the covers to get to the Latch connectors, a sharp plastic edge slices right into my fingertip. Thank goodness for leather seats that wipe clean easily.
Read more2005 Hyundai Tucson 4WD GLS
Tucson, Arizona: where the rich and famous travel to experience world-class spa treatments steeped deeply in Native American mystique. A lush desert oasis — an oxymoron, you say? That is my thought exactly when hearing that the 2005 Hyundai Tucson could provide style, innovative safety systems AND value. It's simply not possible — or so I thought.
Read more2005 Honda CR-V SE 4WD
The Hondas are coming, the Hondas are coming! Four months of phone calls and emails have finally paid off. For those of you requesting Honda reviews here they are: The CR-V followed by Accord Hybrid and Pilot (sorry, still no luck on the Odyssey). After all that waiting and build-up I sure hope they live up to their reputation of affordable, safe convenience.
Read more2005 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD
Our family's new year's resolution for 2005 is to become more Earth conscious. For us, that means starting to recycle. I think that driving the Escape Hybrid for two weeks officially pardons me from those occasional yogurt cups I've "mistakenly" thrown in the garbage since January 1.
Read more2005 Land Rover Range Rover HSE
Range Rover has experienced a "steady sales growth, especially to very high profile celebrity owners." Well, many celebrities are moms too, and all moms are celebrities in my book. How does this high end luxury SUV perform during its real world Mother Proof test drive?
Read more2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD
The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "handles the outback or the opera." I don't know about you, but I don't drive to either of those places very often. Play dates and preschool are more my speed.
Read more2004 Infiniti FX35
I, like most parents, have a slight case of paranoia when it comes to protecting my children. I drill my preschooler on stranger danger and fire safety. I also have a heightened awareness when it comes to vehicle safety, so I'm thrilled to discover that the Infiniti FX35 AWD received five-star crash test ratings across the board.
Read more2004 Volkswagen Touareg
Do you ever have those days as a mother when your patience is worn thinner than your husband's socks you've been meaning to trash? If you have (or have had) toddlers, I'm sure you've experienced the feeling of constantly being tested. Driving the Touareg was a bit like adding another toddler to my fleet.
2004 Nissan Murano
The marketing term coined by Nissan to describe the Murano is "The Urban SUV." It's sleek, modern and sophisticated. Not everyone sees it the way I do, however.
Read more2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai is known for producing budget-friendly (dare I say cheap) vehicles. The Santa Fe is no exception. The entry-level model starts at just $17,999. My test vehicle is just one step up from there and arrived with only the standard features. My first impression is that it's a somewhat feminine, young-looking SUV sporting a curvaceous body.
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