family friendly car review

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2014 Toyota Avalon: Family Friendly Car Review

I am very excited to get to do a review on a Toyota Avalon again this week! Last year I reviewed the 2013 Avalon Hybrid, so I already knew how much I was going to love the 2014 version.

2014 Toyota Avalon car review

Before becoming familiar with the Avalon myself, I never realized what an “easy to love” kind of car it really is. There’s no thinking required in regards to “How does it handle?” or anything like that.

You just get in it and you drive. And you don’t think about the car. You just become one with the Avalon.

If you’re considering test driving a full-size car, I would recommend starting with the Avalon. I have test driven and reviewed many cars by now, and I can tell you, there’s something special about the way this car drives; incredibly smooth and natural.

http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/avalon/2014/price.html?sub=sedan&zip=37013

And I’m not the only one to rave about the Avalon. If you’ve got the budget for a car like this, and you’re looking for a car this size, I would say start with Avalon- let it be the car to beat.

I would like to close with some stats on the car.

Standard Equipment:

3.5L 268 HP DOHC 24V w/Dual VVT -i

6-Speed ECT -i A/T w/Paddle Shifters

Government 5-Star Star Safety Ratings:

Overall Vehicle Score: 5

Frontal Crash Driver: 4

Frontal Crash Passenger: 5

Side Crash Front Seat: 5

Side Crash Rear Seat: 5

Rollover: 4

Family Friendly Car Review

Fuel Economy and Price:

24 MPG combined (21 city, 31 highway)

Annual fuel cost: $2,200.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $39,650.00

Fully Loaded, As Seen: $42,785.00.

2014 Toyota Avalon review

So there’s a sneak peak at one of my favorite Toyotas: the 2014 Avalon.

My next family friendly car review will be on the 2014 Toyota Highlander, as I will be travelling from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe and back.

I’m guessing it will be pretty cool…

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2014 Toyota Prius: Family Friendly Car Review

Welcome back to the official “family friendly car review” by Nick Shell, the daddy blogger of Parents.com’s The Dadabase. On the side, I review cars.

This week’s featured vehicle is the 2014 Toyota Prius.

2014 Toyota Prius Family Friendly Car Review

Let me go ahead and address the elephant in the car showroom:

Yes, I am a vegan and I am married to someone from California. By default, I realize that pretty much automatically means I have to like a Prius.

But… the thing is, how can anyone not love a car that averages 50 miles a gallon!

That’s right: 51 highway, 48 city, and 50 combined. (The tank holds 11.9 gallons of fuel.)

We drove the Prius from Nashville to Atlanta and back on the same tank of gas. That made the road trip so much more enjoyable for a dad who is super “budget conscious.”

Just for the record, I am super serious when it comes to saving money.  In our household, we have no smart phones, no cable or satellite TV, and our electronics are so old they are laughable.

2014 Toyota Prius car review

So for me, one of the most important things about a vehicle is how much I save on gas.

As I’ve been doing these reviews since September, something I have observed is that, loosely, for every mile per a gallon better one vehicle gets, it saves about $200 per year in fuel costs.

In theory, if your vehicle gets 20 mpg, compared to your friend’s vehicle that gets 21, your friend would spend $200 more in gas in the year 2014.

So imagine a car that gets 50 mpg! That’s a lot of money saved. In a year’s time, that’s $1,100 compared to the average new vehicle.

Toyota Prius family friendly car review

As for my 3 and a half year-old son’s favorite part of the 2014 Toyota Prius, he proclaimed: “Daddy, the thing I like about this car the most that I can see out the windows!”

(It’s interesting that I never prompt him to give his opinion; he just automatically gives me his imput within the first 5 minutes of the drive!)

In closing, I personally am a huge fan of the Prius. But then again, as a vegan married to a California girl, I’m supposed to think that, right?

Decide for yourself. Here are the fuel facts, courtesy of fueleconomy.gov:

X

2014 Toyota Prius
   
1.8 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios)
MSRP: $24,200 – $30,005
EPA Fuel Economy Regular Gasoline
Combined MPG:50 MPG
City MPG:51 Highway MPG:48
combined
city/highway		 city highway
2.0 gal/100mi

EPA range: 595 miles

595 miles
Total Range
Unofficial MPG Estimates from Vehicle OwnersLearn more about “My MPG”
Disclaimer
User MPG estimates are not yet available for this vehicle
You save or spend*

Note: The average 2014 vehicle
gets 23 MPG
You SAVE
$6,500

in fuel costs over 5 years

compared to the
average new vehicle
Annual Fuel Cost* $1,100
Cost to Drive 25 Miles $1.84
Cost to Fill the Tank $44
Tank Size 11.9 gallons

*Based on 45% highway, 55% city driving, 15,000 annual miles and current fuel prices. Personalize.

MSRP and tank size data provided by Edmunds.com, Inc.

Range on a tank and refueling costs assume 100% of fuel in tank will be used before refueling.

 

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Family Friendly Car Review: 2014 Hyundai Azera Limited

2014 Hyundai Avenza

“This thing doesn’t drive, it hovers.”

That’s the first thing that ran through my head after driving the 2014 Hyundai Azera Limited today.

Until this week, I had never even been in Hyundai. But now I know, driving a Hyundai is sort of like driving a cloud.

I guess that idea is only reinforced by the fact this one comes with a panoramic tilt-and-slide sunroof. So it’s almost like having a convertible; since, in essence, the walls and ceiling are made of glass and can all be opened.

2014 Hyundai Avenza

Another phrase I would like to use to describe the 2014 Hyundai Azera is “user friendly.”

I have reviewed cars in the past where it took a day or so to really get a feel for where everything is and how everything works.

Not in this car. Everything just makes sense. I liked that there were plenty of easy to access compartments to place the keys, my phone, my camera, and my son’s snacks.

It’s also very easy to fold up the back seats to access the trunk. That’s a feature my 3 year-old son holds very dear, because he likes to crawl through it.

2014 Hyundai Azera

So bottom line, this is a fun family car to drive. Our family loves it. Nice and easy, but also fancy too.

I always got Hyundai mixed up with Honda. Not anymore. Based on this particular one, the 2014 Hyundai Azera, I have a very high opinion of the company.

It’s got a different feel to it all together. Interesting… in a good way, is how I want to phrase it.

2014 Hyundai Azera

Standard Features:

3.3L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) V6 Engine

293 Horsepower @ 6,400 rmp/255 lb-ft Torque @5,200 rpm

Dual Continuous Variable Valve Timing

6-Speed Automatic Transmission w/SHIFTRONIC

Active ECO System

18-inch Hyper Silver Alloy Wheels w/P245/45R18 Tires

This vehicle has not yet been rated by the government for overall vehicle score, frontal crash, side crash or rollover risk.

Fuel Economy: 19 city/29 highway; 23 combined

Annual Fuel Cost: $2,300

Total Price as Shown: $37,905.00

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Family Friendly Car Review: 2014 Lexus 9550A IS-F 4 Door Sedan

2014 Lexus ISF

It’s not often I end up behind the wheel of a luxury car with a V8, so when I do, I must put the pedal to the metal to test out the engine. And I did.

Thrills were had… for the whole family, not just the driver. I’ll just leave it at that.

The 2014 Lexus IS-F is the head-turning, sophisticated monster machine you would expect it to be. Again, the thing has a V8; in case you missed that. After all, the speedometer cuts off at 210 mph!

While the official government safety tests had not taken place by the time I test-drove this car for a week, I can tell you this: It’s a solid mass.

You can tell by how heavy the doors and trunk door are. But with a V8, the 2014 Lexus IS-F can move despite its bulk.

2014 Lexus ISF car review

Until driving one myself, I can honestly say I never saw a Lexus IS-F on the road. Granted, I had a car enthusiast ask me a few weeks ago if I would ever get to test out a Lexus IS-F, then I got one last week.

That tells me this is a rare, elite vehicle for those who are looking for the sportiest, meatiest luxury sedan made by Lexus.

Granted, I’ve also driven the Lexus cars with a V8, but for fact the Lexus IS-F only has 4 seats, it by default says “faster.”

As I will be explaining in an upcoming Parents.com story, what my son loved most about it was that he figured out he could crawl through back seat into the truck.

He declared, “Daddy, this car is the bestest one!”

2014 Lexus ISF

Performance Features:

5.0 Liter DOHC, 32 Valve V8, Direct & Port Injection, WT-iE (intake), WT-I (exhaust)

416 Horsepower, 371 lb-ft of Torque

8-Speeed Sport Direct-Shift Transmission

19” BBS Forged Alloy Wheels

This vehicle has not yet been rated by the government for overall vehicle score, frontal crash, side crash or rollover risk.

Fuel Economy: 16 city/23 highway; 18 combined

Annual Fuel Cost: $3,100

Total Price as Shown: $67,250.00

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Family Friendly Car Review: 2014 Lexus RX 350

Hi there. My name is Nick Shell and this is my family friendly car review of the 2014 Lexus RX 350.

2014 Lexus RX

Normally when I write an article it’s because I’m the daddy blogger of Parents.com, with my blog called The Dadabase. I write to my son on a near daily basis and have been doing so since 7 months before he was born. He’s nearly 3 and a half years old now.

You’re welcome to check out my main writing gig. But as for now, it’s time to catch a glimpse of what it’s like driving a 2014 Lexus RX 350… with wife and kid in tow.

If you’re here today because you’re curious about this vehicle and would like to “test drive” it online before heading to the Lexus dealership, then I think I might be able to help.

I’ve thrown together these photo collages so you can see what the vehicle looks like “with human life in it.” I’ve also included all the important stats.

Something I particularly appreciated about the Lexus RX is how easy it was to see out all the windows when passing other cars.

Have fun. Check it out…

Lexus RX car review

Description: 2014/ 9426A RX 350 5-DR SUV

Standard Features:

3.5 Liter 270 HP Four Cam 24-Valve V6 Engine

8-Sp Auto Transmission w/Paddle Shifters

Full Time Active Torque Control All-Wheel Driver

19″ Aluminum Alloy Wheels with All-Season Tires

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

F Sport tune Suspension with Front and Rear Performance Dampers

10 Airbags: Driver & Front Passenger: Front, Knee & Side (6), Rear Side (2), Side Curtain (2), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) & Brake Assist

Automatic Xenon HID Headlamps

LED Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)

Vehicle Theft-Deterrent System with Engine Immobilizer

F SPORT Front Bumper and Spindle Grille

Nick Shell 2014 Lexus RX car review

Safety Connect: Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assist Button (SOS), and Enchanced Roadside Assistance (1-year trial subscription included)

Rain Sensing Wipers

Lexus Premium Audio System, Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL), USB iPod/MP3 Control, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (90-day All Access trial subscription included)

Auto Dual Climate Control Sys w/Rear Vents

10-Way Power Heated/Ventilated Front Seats Driver’s Memory System

Power Tilt-and-Telescopic Steering Column

Recycling/Sliding 40/20/40 Split Rear Seat

Premium Roof Rails

Power Moonroof/Power Back Door

Rear View Mirror- Auto Dimming, Homelink Garage

F SPORT exclusive Leather Interior Trim, Aluminum Pedals, Steering Wheel, and Shift Knob

Blind Spot Monitor

Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound, Single DVD/CD Player, HD Radio with iTunes tagging & 15-spkrs

car review Lexus RX family friendly car review

Navigation Sys w/Voice Command, Backup Camera, Lexus Enform w/Destination Assist & eDestination, SiriusXM NavTraffic, NavWeather, Stocks, Sports & Fuel prices (1 yr- trial subscription included), Subscription-Free Enform App Suite

Intuitive Parking Assist

Cargo Mat, Cargo Net, Wheel Locks

Total price as featured: $53,375.00

Fuel:

18 city/26 highway/21 combined

Annual Fuel Cost: $2500

family friendly car review Nick Shell

Safety, According to Government 5-Star Safety Ratings:

Overall Vehicle Score: 5

Front crash: 4 Driver, 4 Passenger

Side Crash: 5 Front Seat, 5 Rear Seat

Rollover: 4

That’s it for today’s family friendly car review… Feel free to leave comments. I welcome this space as a place for conversations about the Lexus RX.

Stay tuned for my next family friendly car review on the 2014 Toyota Tacoma…

Disclaimer: The vehicle mentioned in this story was provided at the expense of Toyota, for the purpose of reviewing.

P.S. Here’s a collection of my Toyota family reviews so far; just click on title to read the full story:

2014 Lexus LS 460: 2014 Lexus LS 460 Review, From The Dad’s Perspective; Journey To Howard’s Chapel (The Church Built Into A Rock); Ironically Driving A Lexus To See A Dinosaur Named Junkasaurus Wrecks; What Parents Do When The Kids Are Asleep With The Grandparents; Grandma Regifts As-Seen-On-TV “Perfect Polly” To Great-Grandson; I’ve Heard Of Sleepwalking, But… Sleep-Eating And Sleep-Playing?

2014 Toyota Corolla: Surviving The Polar Vortex Of 2014, Icicles And All

2014 Scion tC: Lightning McQueen, Donatello, Batman, Play-Doh… Nuff Said!

2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Review, From The Dad’s Perspective; A Family That Recycles Together Doesn’t Decompose

2013 Toyota Rav4: 2013 Toyota Rav4 Review, From The Dad’s Perspective

2014 Toyota Tundra: Dad Gives 3 Year-Old Son A Monster Truck For Birthday… Sort Of; Nashville Dad Introduces 3 Year-Old Son To Country Music; 3rd Birthday Monster Truck Road Trip: Build-A-Bear; 3rd Birthday Monster Truck Road Trip: Little River Falls, AL; 3rd Birthday Monster Truck Road Trip: Mountain Driving; 3rd Birthday Monster Truck Road Trip: Canyon Land Park; 3rd Birthday Monster Truck Road Trip: Canyon Mouth Park

2013 Toyota Sienna: We’re Ready For A Family Road Trip… Minivan Style!; It’s Officially Cool To Drive A Minivan Now