Our Secret Mission: 2014 Kia Forte EX

Disclosure: We partnered with Kia.  All thoughts are my own.

Meet Bluey.  The Kia Forte we fell in love with the day we laid eyes on him.  We had a full schedule for the week and our secret mission was to see how having a sedan compares to our SUV.  One word reason: gas.  It's especially pricey here in Southern California.  We were in LA this morning and we both noticed that gas was cheap at $3.75 a gallon.  When we were leaving some five hours later... it was up to $3.85 a gallon.  OUCH!  

Our fun itinerary:

Saturday - Chef Wolfgang Puck at Macy's in Costa Mesa

Sunday - Camp Spooky at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park and then Journey at Pechanga in Temecula

Monday - Journey at Pechanaga in Temecula and then Halloween Time Express at Disneyland in Anaheim

Tuesday - Chris took Bluey to school

Whew.  We were busy!  200+ miles later... Bluey only used up half a tank!  I expected to use less gas than our truck because hello SUV.  We all know that those are gas monsters.  But what I didn't expect is how roomy the Kia Forte EX is - we fit two car seats comfortably in the back.  Another happy surprise is how good and hip the car actually looks.  Searching for a modern fountain of youth?  I guarantee you'll lose 10 years immediately in this car.  

Some of the Kia Forte EX features I noticed:  Airbags, lots of them - dual front advanced, front seat mounted, full-length side curtain.  Lower anchors and teethers for children (LATCH).  UVO with rear camera display (my husband is a big fan of this technology).  Center console with sliding armrest.  Bluey was fitted with premium features:  power tilt/slide sunroof, push button start with smart key, auto-dimming mirror, front door handle pocket lights and dual-zone automatic climate control.

We loved loved loved this car.  When I decide to start driving again (long story, debating writing a post) I want this one.  I want Bluey back!

Bluey at Knott's Berry Farm!

This blue looks good on me!

Blue looks good on my husband too!

These children did not want to give Bluey back!

SECRET MISSION COMPLETE.  FAMILY APPROVED.

We reviewed the 2014 Kia Sorento SX too, you can read that review here.

Thanks DriveSTI for facilitating this review!

Our Secret Mission: 2014 Kia Sorento SX

Disclosure: We partnered with Kia.  All thoughts are my own.

I recently blogged about us needing a bigger SUV and eyeing the Kia Sorento after hearing rave reviews from friends.  It has been an ongoing conversation on Twitter for the past year with Kia owners Melissa and Melissa.  But shopping for a car is not easy when you have a budget it's completely dreadful!  It's right up there with looking for a preschool and looking for a home.  When the opportunity came up to test drive a Kia Sorento for a week while we were in Orlando, FL for Family Forward - I was all over it.  The kids though, they are an even tougher sell.  I decided to make it fun for all of us and coined our test drive a "secret mission"!!!  

Orlando International Airport is unique because it is attached to the Hyatt Regency.  Yeah, try hearing that and then seeing it for yourself.  First part of our mission was to retrieve our Kia from Hyatt Valet.  I gave them the claim ticket number that was texted to me and we waited for the valet to pull up.  I wish I got video of the kids faces when they saw the shiny 2014 Kia Sorento that was ours for the week.  It looked perfect for us with it's chrome wheels!  I might have heard "swag" a few times from the teenagers.

We had 2 suitcases, 2 duffle bags, a stroller and 4 backpacks - and it all fit.  Now the real mission was figuring out how to work an extremely tech savvy vehicle since our truck is a 2006.  We were all seated, I was checking out the console - Chris was trying to figure out how to start the Sorento and Ty yells from the back that he has to push the Engine Start button.  It was really quite hilarious.  After about 10 minutes and the help from the valet, we were on our way!  We all appreciated that the ac worked it's magic in Florida heat and humidity.  Even at 7pm, it was ugly outside.  We just wanted to get to the hotel, unload and pick up some dinner.  It was a smooth, smooth ride.  I personally loved the navigation system with 8" display.

I asked my husband Chris what his favorites were and he says:  The Kia Sorento SX drove real smooth.  I appreciated blind spot detection when we were on a freeway that I'm not used to.  The teens sat in the 2nd row with the baby and found built-in window shades that really won us over.  They also enjoyed the panoramic roof and SIRIUS/XM radio!  Other noteworthy features:  cooling front seats, UVO with rear camera display and power liftgate.

Teenager approved!  Our 16 year old Ty got his license earlier in the month and was impressed!

There's that Engine Start Stop button - How spiffy is that!

Keep your smart key in the center console or in your purse or pocket!

This has to be my favorite feature - the console is full of goodness.

How about we go to Miami!

Our schedule was really packed with things at the Universal Orlando Resort but we did get around to shop and feed ourselves!

We are leaving with more bags than we arrived with and they all fit too!

One happy husband - he really enjoyed the Kia Sorento!  (After looking at all these pictures, I noticed Duke and Damien missing and every time it was go time, they jumped in the car oohing and ahhing over it!)

Secret Mission COMPLETE.  Family APPROVED.  

Thanks DriveSTI for facilitating this review!

Circle Of Moms By Popsugar

I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of watching videos.  My kids on the other hand, LOVE videos.  I was a bit skeptical when I was invited to review Circle of Moms video series in partnership with Kia.  The latest video from Circle of Moms by POPSUGAR is 8 minutes of celebrity mom Tia Mowry discussing with Diane Mizota, Stacy Kaiser and Lizzie Bermudez how we mothers try to be supermom, they touch on tricycle tips and share creative ways to thank a mom.

I didn't hate it, in fact, I loved it!  I'm hooked!  I thought it was modern and fun.  Great topics that fit!  The moms' chemistry was natural and I enjoyed every bit of the video!  You wouldn't have thought there was an 'all new 2014 Kia Sorento' being pushed in it.  At all!  I'm now anxiously awaiting the next one.  Seriously!  These are highlights from the video but make sure you watch it because there are some additional tips and funny moments!  

Supermom - Getting More From Doing Less
-- It's hard for moms not to put pressure on themselves
-- Dare not to compare
-- Be okay with what you can do

Trips with Tia - Toddler's First Tricycle

-- Tricycles help kids master basic skills
-- Tell your child before letting go of bike
-- To build confidence, set small goals

Five Ways To Thank Another Mom

-- Make a thank you dinner
-- Create a public acknowledgment:  Decorate her door
-- Give the gift of your time
-- Start a social media shoutout
-- Offer a simple gift

  

So how many of you are going to vacuum naked now?

Pin to Win $250 in Weekly Prizes! 

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Kia through their partnership with Circle of Moms. While I was compensated to review the Kia Motors video and write a review, all opinions are my own.