Socal Stuff: Reviews by Donna Schwartz Mills

The Head Turning Lexus RX

This is another in a series of posts I'm writing about my search for a new car to replace my current Volvo.

Catch up with the entire series here.

I was not prepared for all the attention I got the first day I picked my daughter up from school in a Lexus RX450h -- all from the other parents.

"WHAT are you driving?" was the question on everyone's tongue.

The newly designed RX is a head-turner - especially when its color is Matador Red. The interior is just as gorgeous: all leather seats and wood trim. And the drive is just what you would expect from Lexus. It didn't take me long to understand why someone would shell out $37,000 for the base vehicle ($41,660 for the hybrid model I was driving).

Let's forget about the comfort of the 10-way heated (and cooled!) power seats, and the smooth feel of the drive -- these are things you have to expect in a luxury brand like Lexus. The focus of this review will be on the vehicle's innovative technology.

I'm glad I enjoy playing with tech, because at the time Lexus loaned me the 450h, they hadn't yet  finished writing the owner's manual, so I didn't have one to refer to and had to figure things out for myself... such as the fact that the keyfob they give you unlocks the car but isn't used to start it!

I know this is old news for those of you lucky enough to own a Lexus - or even a Prius - but it took me a few minutes to realize that I couldn't start the engine unless I pressed a button while my foot was on the brake... and then it took me another couple of days before that became habit.

"What prevents someone from stealing the car?" my daughter asked (quite logically, I thought).

I got the answer to that a couple of days later when I accidentally dropped the keyfob before I got in the car. I learned from experience that it must be present within the vehicle in order for it to start.

The Lexus dashboard is dominated by the screen to an onboard computer system which reminded me a lot of the Sync technology available on many Ford vehicles. You get a main menu that allows you Bluetooth access to your mobile phone and its directory, the navigation system, your MP3 player (hooked up via cable), radio/CD/DVD, vehicle information as well as an onboard calendar and weather and traffic info. Unlike Sync (which is operated via voice commands and a touchscreen),the Lexus system employs a joystick-like apparatus found on the center console, which allows you to move through the different onscreen menus.

Downloading my mobile phonebook into the Lexus' system was easy and seamless, and making calls was a breeze. The voices of my friends and family came through loud and clear over the vehicle's speakers - however, they complained that I sounded a bit muffled on their end.

And the Mark Levinson^® Surround Sound system that comes standard in the RX 450h and 350 is amazing! It was easy to download my iPod's library through the USB port hidden in the armrest and a pleasure to listen to my favorite tracks in there. There were times when I drove the car a couple of extra times around the block after reaching my destination, because I didn't want to get out.

I did have some difficulty with the navigation system on the 450h I was driving. Apparently, this car had been prepped to be driven in the Washington, DC area and was only programmed with information from that region! I could not enter my own home address in the vehicle unless I went to the satellite system and pinpoint it manually on the map -- and the best I could muster was the house across the street.

I was also disappointed to learn that one of the RX's more innovative technologies - "Heads Up Navigation Display (HUD)" - was not available on the model the company had lent me. This projects the nav system directions onto the driver's side windshield in a kind of holographic format (so you don't have to look left to the screen) and was one of the features they had wanted me to write about in the first place.

Because of these two mixups, I was given a unique opportunity: One month after returning the 450h, Lexus delivered me a beautiful golden RX350, which allowed me to compare the hybrid with the standard model. This one not only included the HUD feature, but had a fully functioning nav system programmed with maps from Southern California.

But it still did not have an owner's manual - and I was reluctant to call the company's PR folks to complain about that again. I concluded that most people who write about Lexus cars for a living are a lot smarter than I and able to figure out which features are available and how to access them without written documentation. I knew that the nav system could be voice activated (just like the one on the Sync), but I never figured out how to use it.

And it took me a couple of days before I figured out how to turn on the HUD system, and it was really cool. I discovered that the projection was done with light and mirrors (not truly a hologram, although that is how it appeared). I made my daughter videotape it from the backseat while I was driving, but unfortunately, it didn't show up well... so you'll just have to settle for this official Lexus video to show you what it looks like:

Another feature I'd wanted to try was a dual-screen function on the DVD entertainment system, which is cool when your backseat passengers want to watch different programs. It's a great idea -- but alas, I could not figure out how to make this feature work either.

How did the hybrid model compare with the standard one? I only noticed one difference: it took a little bit longer for the seat heater to work on the 450h. That, and I got about 100 more miles to a tank of gas. The performance for both vehicles was excellent, and I felt no difference going up our neighborhood's hills in the hybrid model.

I would purchase the RX450h in a heartbeat - that is, if I won the lottery. Right now, I have my fingers crossed that some of that innovative technology will trickle down quickly to the Toyota line (How about the RAV4? That actually IS in my budget).

DISCLOSURE and DISCLAIMER: I did not receive any compensation for this review. I was lent two vehicles to drive for a week each for the purpose of writing this review. There was no agreement made that the review be a positive one. This auto review is my opinion after driving each vehicle for one week. I am not a mechanic or an automotive expert and make no claims on the vehicle's reliability. For that, I suggest you check out trusted automotive publications like Edmunds.com, Kelly Blue Book, and Consumer Reports. And as a female auto buyer, I always go to AskPatty.com for trusted advice on my vehicle purchases.

Chevy's Malibu Hybrid: Surprising Style + Economy

This is another in a series of posts I'm writing about my search for a new car to replace my current leased Volvo.

Catch up with the entire series here.

It's nice to get a second opinion, especially when writing about a big-ticket item like an automobile. So lately, I've been in the habit of volunteering to drive my friends on outings whenever I've been lent a new car to review.

 I get a lot of takers when the vehicle I'm driving is "hot," like the one I took to Vegas a few months ago. But I usually end up having to do a little coaxing when I'm testing a car I can actually afford, which was the case a couple of weeks ago when I tried out one of GM's new hybrid models.

My friends changed their attitude once they got a look at the car.

"That's the Malibu? It's beautiful," was the invariable surprised reaction.

The recently redesigned Chevy Malibu IS an attractive, comfortable vehicle - positioned well to compete with the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord and the Ford Fusion... and its manufacturer's suggested retail price is a good $1-2,000 less than those other models.

The Malibu offers a lot of car for the money, with standard features that generally cost extra on other vehicles (automatic transmission, sunroof, onboard drivers' information center, electronic stability and traction control).

But I was disappointed to learn that its estimated mileage is only 26 City and 34 Highway (my average for the week was 26 miles per gallon). This is quite a bit lower than the hybrid Camry and Fusion (Honda no longer makes a hybrid version of the Accord), and only offers you four miles per gallon savings over the regular model.

I badly wanted to love this car - but I'm afraid I only got as far as "like." Maybe it's because I've been spoiled with luxury feature-heavy models like the Ford Flex and Chevy's own Traverse. However, those autos are way off my new-car budget. The Malibu is one I can actually afford, so I drove it with an eye towards future purchase.

It drove well - especially in the morning, when the weather was cool. But there was some performance lag with the air conditioning on, which puts a strain on the hybrid engine. For instance, I needed to give the gas a huge push to get over the hills in my neighborhood. This has not been an issue with other hybrids I've driven. This might be due to the fact that the hybrid Malibu's engine is just four cylinders, which contributes to its fuel efficiency, but may not be optimal for a mid-size vehicle.

The air conditioning itself took some time cooling the car off in 90-degree weather, and there are no A/C vents in the backseat -- something to consider if you are chauffeuring your kids around in the summer.

One feature I find intriguing is GM's OnStar service, which now comes standard on ALL its vehicles, from entry level on up. I've always liked the idea of pushing a button on the rearview mirror and getting immediate emergency assistance.

Fortunately,  I haven't had an opportunity to test OnStar for emergency services, and I hope I never need to do that when I'm driving a company-owned test car! But I have made use of OnStar for turn-by-turn navigation and help locating restaurants and businesses in a given area, and it works well (although I think these latter two features are less relevant now that mobile GPS units can be obtained so inexpensively).

The service is free for the first year of ownership (after which you would have to pay a subscription fee).

I would be interested in trying out the non-hybrid Malibu to see how it compares. If I decide purchase a Malibu, I might trade off the approximate $5,000 premium you have to pay for the hybrid and get interior upgrades (my daughter and I are addicted to heated leather seats in the winter months). I can get those on the 2LT model and end up saving a couple of thousand over the hybrid - and still get an estimated 22 mpg City/30 mpg highway... which is not too shabby.

DISCLOSURE and DISCLAIMER: I did not receive any compensation for this review. I was lent a vehicle to drive for a week for the purpose of writing this review. There was no agreement made that the review be a positive one. This auto review is my opinion after driving the vehicle for one week. I am not a mechanic or an automotive expert and make no claims on the vehicle's reliability. For that, I suggest you check out trusted automotive publications like Edmunds.com, Kelly Blue Book, and Consumer Reports. And as a female auto buyer, I always go to AskPatty.com for trusted advice on my vehicle purchases.

Shawn Johnson on Gymnastics and Oscar Mayer Lunchables

Shawn Johnson wowed the world when she won her gold medal at the 2008 Olympics -- and she's doing it again right now on "Dancing With the Stars."

Yesterday, she did her best to impress a bunch of young girls -- including my daughter, Megan and her gymnastics teammate, Aimee -- as part of a promotion with Oscar Mayer Lunchables and the Woodward Camps:

Shawn Johnson's association with Lunchables is twofold: the company is currently holding a Willy Wonka type promotion, where 50 specially marked boxes of the product currently on the shelves contains a "Golden Ticket" that will entitle the winner -- AND A FRIEND -- to attend a week-long session at Camp Woodward, which my daughter is QUITE familiar with for their state-of-the-art gymnastics facilities. Shawn plans to spend some time this summer coaching campers there.

But Woodward's appeal isn't limited to gymnasts: The camp offers programs in all kinds of action sports, cheer and digital media -- in other words, there's something for everyone.

Additionally, the folks at Oscar Mayer and Woodward have partnered for the cross-country "Lunch Your Tummy Right Tour," that "aims to inspire kids to achieve success" (according to the company's press release).

Shawn and other Camp Woodward alumni (including BMXer Dennis Enarson and sports videographer John Considine) will make personal appearances at some of the tour's 17 city events, where they will share the stories of their success and how they achieved their dreams.

The press kit continues:

"As part of the tour, kids will also be encouraged to get active by climbing a giant inflatable wall and playing a series of educational games on an interactive bus."

Dates for the tour are:

• May 14-16: Memphis, TN at the Memphis in May Featival
• May 21-23: Charlotte, NC at the Speed Street 600 Festival
• May 29-31: Tampa, FL at the Taste of Pinellas Festival
• June 4-7: Nashville, TN at the Riverbend Festival
• June 11-14: Chicago, IL at Navy Pier
• July 2-5: Norfolk, VA at the Norfolk Harborfest
• July 24-26: New York, NY at the Quick Check New Jersey Festival of Ballooning
• July 30-Aug 2: Columbus, OH at the Ohio State Fair
• Aug 6-9: Madison, WI at the Wisconsin State Fair
• Aug 13-16: San Diego, CA at the San Diego Zoo
• Aug 20-23: Sacramento, CA at the California State Fair

I guess this is the part where I need to offer some disclosures: Oscar Mayer did not compensate me monetarily to interview Shawn Johnson and write about it - but they did provide me with the Flip camcorder I used to record the meeting.

That's not why I agreed to the interview. As the mom of a young gymnast, I JUMPED (flipped??) at the chance to meet one of the stars of the 2008 US Olympic team. 

As for the product: Lunchables had a prominent place in our shopping cart when my daughter was younger. It was a quick and easy way to get her some protein and carbs for her light lunch or snack back when her palate was even worse (translation: pickier!) than it is now.

Do I think the product is the healthiest choice for a young child? Well, I didn't serve it to my daughter three times a day. But I had no problem utilizing Lunchables as a snack for my extremely active young gymnast. In the context of her overall diet (which has always been heavy on fresh fruit and good, lean protein), it did the trick.

I have a lot of friends who will be appalled when they read that last sentence. Sorry about that -- but that was my experience with the product, and I'm not ashamed to say it.

In conclusion: Here's more footage of Shawn Johnson, surprising the young girls who train at the local gym that hosted her appearance yesterday:

Auto Review: The Family-Friendly Ford Flex - The Coolest Car on the Road

This is another in a series of posts I'm writing about my search for a new car to replace my current leased Volvo, which I have to give up in July.

Catch up with the entire series here.

Can two middle-aged mothers and four tweenage girls find happiness on a 270-mile drive through the desert to Las Vegas?

Oh, yes - especially when they're making the trip in a Flex: Ford's luxurious new six-passenger crossover vehicle. (Note: the model we drove only had seating for six, but other models will hold up to seven passengers.)

I've had my eye on the Flex for several months -- ever since I started seeing the model on the roads of Los Angeles. It kind of took me by surprise, and not just because of its cool look and retro styling.

You see, with all the news of the economic downturn and low auto sales, new cars stand out - especially when it's counter-intuitive to think they will find a place in the market.

For one thing, the Flex is not a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle.

"You mean, it doesn't use flex fuel?" asked a puzzled environmentalist friend.

No. I'm not really sure of the origin of the name. I think it might have something to do with flexibility in configuring the interior space: ALL the seats (with the exception of the driver's) can be folded flat so you can transport some fairly large items in it.

It looks BIG - but according to Edmunds.com, when it comes to the Flex, looks are deceiving. It's actually 3 inches shorter than a Dodge Caravan - yet offers considerably more third-row legroom than a minivan or even a Chevy Tahoe.

It's also lower to the ground than a standard SUV - making getting in and out of the vehicle very easy.

With average mileage of 16 mpg City and 22 mpg Highway, the Flex's fuel economy isn't wonderful... unless you compare it to vehicles of similar size and capacity. It's about the same as GM's Traverse, the (non-hybrid) Toyota Highlander and Honda's Pilot -- but you've got to remember that thing about the legroom.

"Once you get your hands on one of those, you're not going to want to give it back," said my friend Tim, who is a car guy. When Tim shops for a new car, he reads all the automotive magazines (actually, he's doing that ANYWAY). He spends weeks test driving EVERYTHING and often rents models of cars he's considering so he can drive them around for a few days. Then, after all that, he goes out and gets a new BMW.

And folks like Tim may be the market segment Ford is going after with the Flex, because even the standard Limited model I drove has features that usually require an upgrade: Leather seats (including a 10-way adjustable power seat for the driver), wood trim, adjustable pedals, privacy glass, power liftgate, and tire pressure monitoring are all included in the base model (which is probably why the MSRP for this model was a whopping $36,555 - but you can get one with a lot fewer standard features for $28,550).  When you're in this car, you feel like you're riding in a limo.

Then there are innovations Ford is offering on the Flex (both standard and optional), which make the vehicle truly exciting.

One thing I have learned to do when driving a new car is to figure out where the gas tank is - and how to release the cap for refueling. Okay, so this may not sound all that exciting to you -- but I loved it. It's harder to do than it sounds for some new vehicles, but really simple on the Flex, because it doesn't even have a gas cap! Since it's impossible to siphon gas out of the tank or steal the cap, there's no need for a lock or release mechanism -- so when the need arises, all you have to do is open the little door and fill 'er up... and you'll never have to face the embarrassment of forgetting to put the cap back on.

Ford says that the new system has a better seal and reduces fuel emissions from the tank, so it's being billed as an environmentally friendly feature. I just found it really convenient. And cool.

Also standard in the Flex Limited model I drove is "ambient interior lighting," which allows you to accent the front console, footwells and the two front cupholders with a choice of seven different colors. I know, it sounds kind of silly -- but the kids all loved it, and it added to the feeling that we were driving around Las Vegas in a party car.

Optional features everyone enjoyed included the "vista roof": four "skylights" over all three rows of seats, that let natural light into the vehicle. The passengers riding in the two back rows LOVED having their own moonroof.

The second row of seats on our Flex also came equipped with a refrigerator in the center console. This is not just an insulated cooler (although it will keep things cool when the engine is turned off ) but an actual refrigeration unit that even be used as a FREEZER. It will hold up to a six-pack of 12-ounce sodas, and allowed us to make our road trip with fewer stops, because our beverages stayed COLD.

But my favorite feature on the Flex was the SYNC communications system (a joint innovation between Ford and Microsoft). I know lots of cars offer bluetooth for the phone and a jack for an MP3 player -- but SYNC integrates those functions (as well as climate control and optional navigation system).

SYNC can also be operated via voice commands.

Now, I have to admit that I had trouble getting the voice commands to work. I did manage to tell it when I wanted to play music off my iPod and I even asked for one of my playlists by name. But the system was too complicated for my aging brain to get a handle on in the short time I had possession of the car.

However, I guarantee you that if I'm fortunate enough to own a vehicle equipped with SYNC, I'll figure it out. It just might take me a month.

So... I've covered all the gee-whiz cool features on the Flex. One question remains: How was the ride?

It was smooth, quiet and comfortable. It felt just like the big, American cars my parents drove when I was a kid. And it was powerful; the V6 engine gave me plenty of pick-up. I could have gone really fast without realizing it. But I didn't feel like driving fast. It rained for half the ride out of Los Angeles (until we hit the desert), so I took it slowly. This was fine, because the car is so comfortable that no one was in a hurry to leave it.

We also felt really safe. Its low center of gravity resulted in a very stable ride, even driving through gusty, stormy winds. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Flex its top rating, which is reassuring.

The car handles well, is easy to park - and our model included a Reverse Camera system (bundled with the Navigation system), which I absolutely loved.

In the end, my friend Tim was right: I didn't want to give the Flex back. And since Wednesday, when I had to return it, I've been trying to figure out if there's a way I can swing the payments for one when the lease on my Volvo runs out.

Right now, that doesn't look likely. I need to set my sights lower. But I hear the SYNC system is also available on the Edge, the Escape, the Fusion and the Focus -- all vehicles that I'm also considering for my purchase. They may not all have interior ambient lighting... but I might still be able to play my iPod and talk to it, too.

Car Review: Saturn VUE Hybrid

This is another in a series of posts I'm writing about my search for a new car to replace my current leased Volvo, which I have to give up in June.

Catch up with the entire series here.

One of the standout low-mileage models at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November was the hybrid version of the Saturn VUE, and I was disappointed when the show rep told me I wouldn't be able to test drive one until Spring 2009.

So you can imagine my delight when GM contacted me just before Christmas and asked if I'd like to drive one around for a week. (This is proof that folks at the good companies actually READ what we write about their products!)

As it turns out, the VUE I saw at the Auto Show was GM's new 2-mode model with a V6 engine. That's the one that will be coming out in the spring.

The VUE I drove was kind of a mini version of the Chevy Traverse I fell in love with last fall. It wasn't as large or as loaded, but it included enough luxury touches to make me feel like I was driving something special (i.e., those heated leather seats I've decided I cannot live without). Combine that with a more maneuverable size, hybrid gas mileage and a smaller price tag and you've got a vehicle that's going to remain near the top of the list of cars I'm considering for purchase.

The first thing I noticed about the VUE is its sleek, curvy silhouette (courtesy of the designers at GM's European company Opel). This is a big improvement over its initial boxy incarnation.

Its government safety ratings have also improved: It gets five stars for front and side crash safety in both front and back seats; four stars for rollover.

The old VUE only had a 3-star rollover rating and the 2003 model was actually recalled for a suspension problem that could result in rollovers. This was a factor in my decision to cross it off my list the last time I shopped for a car. This is ironic because at the time, I was driving a 1996 Saturn SL1 that I'd purchased precisely because it was considered to be such a safe vehicle -- and for most of the ensuing 10 years, I hadn't considered replacing it with anything BUT another Saturn.

GM was going to have to work hard to get me back to the Saturn line.The improvement in safety ratings is a step in the right direction.

The VUE's interior is well designed and roomy. The floor of the large cargo space lifts up to reveal a couple of nifty compartments, allowing you to stash a laptop computer or other gadgets out of sight. The second row comfortably seated my daughter and her long-legged carpool buddies on our daily trek to gymnastics. The vehicle has plenty of little pockets and compartments for storing small items, as well as power outlets in both the front and cargo areas. 

I had never driven a hybrid vehicle before (at least, not for more than a ride around the block), so I was a little worried about this one's performance. I needn't have been. The Hybrid VUE is a zippy little thing; it picks up speed quickly and handles very well. It really doesn't feel any different from a small SUV with a traditional engine - even with all the "comfort" features going full-blast.

It was my luck (or something like that!) to have the VUE during the coldest week of the year here in SoCal, beginning with the day it snowed in parts of Los Angeles County. Our gymnastics carpool didn't have to deal with any of the white stuff, but it was only 33 degrees in parts of our 35-mile trek that day -- and we had to do it in low-visibility, hard driving rain and blustery winds that made it tough to stay in our lane. I felt safe driving the VUE. I also felt warm, because we had both the heater, the heated seats and the heated side mirrors on full blast.

However, I did notice that the VUE lacks rear-seat vents, which could be a problem for back seat passengers on hot days -- which are more the norm here in Southern California. For instance, it was over 80 degrees the other day - in JANUARY. So you can imagine what it's like here in July. Therefore, before I make my purchasing decision, I will need to try the vehicle out on a hot day with the air conditioner blasting.

Of course, the big question regarding the hybrid VUE is: How's the mileage?

The EPA estimates for this vehicle range from an average of 25 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. My VUE's onboard computer reported that I got 27.4 mpg during my week of driving (about half of each kind).

However, the hybrid engine doesn't give you all that much of an advantage over the standard VUE (19/City - 26/Highway) and the base price is $5,000 more. GM estimates that the VUE Hybrid will save me over $2000 per year in gasoline prices (at 12,000 miles and gas costs $4.00 per gallon).

Then again: I am averaging a dismal 19.7 mpg in my Volvo S60, which is a smaller car than the VUE. The Volvo's turbo-charged engine probably has a lot to do with that. At any rate, I would be reducing my gas consumption (and my own contributions to global warming) in the VUE - hybrid or otherwise.

What can I say? It's still on my list. I'll need to try it again when the weather heats up.