|
The Backseat Drive
a new column
By Michele Brooke
The
Backseat Drive (Introduction)
As an auto writer, I’ve always enjoyed exploring the ins and outs of cars
that come my way. Horsepower, torque, hardtop convertible…have all been highly
sought-after traits. That was until I became an auto writer mom.
How a vehicle performs during stoplight starts and cornering has given way to
how easy is it to use the LATCH system and does the upholstery show apple juice
stains? Novelties like rear window shades have become wonderful features
(especially during the summer months) and cargo volume is no longer a statistic.
It now translates into “do you have to fold up an umbrella stroller to actually
fit it in the trunk?”—an important question when your arms are filled with baby,
diaper bag and groceries.
The Backseat Drive is a whole new approach to auto reviews. It focuses on
kid- and parent-friendly features. Plus, they’re short, which makes them quick
reads in between naptimes.
Happy motoring and diapering,
Michele Brooke, Auto writer mom
See the Back Seat Drive review for :
 2006
Dodge Charger
Your spouse is nostalgic for a 1960s muscle car, you like the idea of a 2006
new, roomy sedan. Where in the middle to meet? Take a look at the Dodge Charger.
It’s got the muscle car sneer, lines and personality. And yes, it even has a
HEMI. It’s a buff muscle car, with a twist: it works well for families on the go
and it’s a '06 model.
First, the rear seat is roomy (seats three) and is available with a great
rear seat entertainment system. Unlike other systems that fold down from the
ceiling, the Charger’s DVD screen is stored and raised from inside the center
console. Backseaters get a good view of the movie while drivers have the
convenience of a good view of the rear window.
When transporting one to two passengers, the backseaters can fold down the
center armrest, which opens to reveal a dual cup holder. Power outlets are
located in the instrument panel and front center console. And, the trunk
generously swallows all kinds of gear. We were able to fit several bags of
garden soil and plants back there during our week with the Charger.
Other perks include power adjustable pedals and the fact that the driver and
passenger sit two-inches higher than previous Dodge sedans. The Dodge Charger
has the brawns and brains.
 2006
Dodge Dakota
Admittedly, I’ve never been one to want to go out and buy a truck. I’ve
driven several. I’ve been spoiled by opulent interiors (like the Ford F150 King
Ranch); plus, down here in the Lone Star State pickups blend in very well.
However, I always found them—due to their size— hard to maneuver. Tight parking
spaces were tricky. I would often choose the park far and hike in method. And I
could forget about fitting cab and cargo bed inside my garage.
I appreciated their utility factor, but my preference stayed with sedans.
That was until last week. The Dodge Dakota SLT Quad Cab has changed my mind and
even had me “build and price” my own at Dodge’s web site.
Inspired by warmer than average temperatures, the planting bug bit early this
year and I found myself, along with our 1-year old, visiting nursery after
nursery admiring and mentally selecting an array of flowers and trees. It was a
sunny, mid-70s, afternoon when the silver Dakota, with its great empty bed
arrived. Time to go shopping.
The Dakota was great. As a mid-size truck, it provided enough room to haul
around foliage, shrubs, trees and mulch along with easy maneuverability. And, as
a Quad Cab, the interior offered plenty of room for my son’s car seat, folded
umbrella stroller, books, sippy cups and lots of juice boxes. Here’s what I
liked about it: the rear bench seats three, the LATCH system was easy to use and
the passengers sit high. The rear seaters also have access to a sturdy cup
holder and an optional rear-sliding window. And with a base MSRP of $22,055 for
the SL Quad Cab, the Dakota works nicely with family budgets.
From a kid’s perspective, it could use a couple of rear vents—especially if
we have a warmer-than-usual summer, and an optional DVD entertainment center
would be great, as the Dakota can easily double as a workhorse and a family
vehicle.
The Dodge Dakota works well as a compromise for spouses when one is in favor
of a truck and the other isn’t so sure. For the truck lover, it has a rugged
appearance, two optional V8 engines, and lots of towing and utility capability.
It’s the kind of truck that would make Tim the Tool Man proud. For the other
spouse, the Dakota is driver friendly, offers convenient adjustable front
cupholders, which do a nice job of keeping your morning Starbucks in place, and
it fits inside the garage—even with the door closed. It’s big enough, without
being too big. On top of that, it makes those trips to the nursery a lot of fun.
 2006
Ford Explorer
For 15 years, the Ford Explorer has been a quintessential family vehicle. An
alternative to the minivan, the Explorer seats half a little league team, offers
an extensive selection of kid-friendly items and looks good to boot.
Our thoughts: Putting the '06 Explorer through the punches, we decided to
take a mini-road trip to a cornfield maze outside of Houston, Texas. In back:
two very active 1-year olds out for a 2-hour (one-way) trip.
We were off for an adventure.
Kid Pros: When it comes to size, the Explorer is very mom-friendly. Go ahead
and pack in the kids, diaper bags, books, DVDs, strollers, you name it, the
Explorer can accommodate. One of our favorite features was the rear center
console. Dividing the second row captain’s chair is a deep console (perfect for
holding all kinds of kid stuff) with a top that flips over to reveal two deep
cupholders. So regardless if the console is open or close, the backseaters have
a sturdy cup holder. Speaking of cupholders, the 2006 Explorer features 10.
Other favorite features include the tinted rear windows, the easy-to-reach
LATCH system (read: no digging your hands between the seat cushions), and air
vents in rear for the second and third row. The vents are located on the
ceiling, which means they work equally well for both rear- and forward-facing
car seats.
We always like a car to have front and rear power outlets. The front ones are
well located for cell phone chargers while the rear outlets work great for
portable DVD players. Our Explorer did not have the optional rear seat
entertainment center (which we highly recommend); however, we were able to plug
our portable system into the rear outlet and then set the player on the front
center console where both 1-year olds could take in showings of Baby Einstein.
Another pro is the third row. Roomy, this row features power up/down. You
simply fold the headrests; press a button and the seats fold flat. Convenient,
if for example, your toddler spent the day running around a dusty cornfield maze
and you need a place to change him/her into cleaner clothes.
Environmental Plus: As a mom, I always like to applaud manufacturers for
revisions and innovations that help make the air a little better for the next
generation…so kudos to Ford for their latest improvements:
Details: According to Ford, by employing new engine calibrations and an
improved emission controls, the Explorer’s standard V6-engine cuts smog-forming
emissions by 74 percent compared to previous models. This more emission-friendly
4-liter V6 is rated at 210 horsepower at 5,100 rpm and 254 ft-lbs. at 3,700 rpm.
Need a little more heft in your engine? The Explorer’s all-new 4.6-liter
three-valve V8 engine is also available. And, because it’s paired with a new
six-speed transmission, the V8 is expected to increase fuel economy by 10
percent (approximately two miles per gallon), while delivering 53 more
horsepower for a total of 292 horsepower. This engine also produces 300 ft-lbs
of torque.
Kid Cons: Yoga skills are required to make it to the third row. We had a
six-year old test it out without any problems; however, if your kiddos are
teenagers, they’ll probably be calling shotgun before you open the doors.
Another glitch, which happens to be pretty much a given with most large
vehicles, is the fact that regular fill ups could cut into Junior’s college
savings fund. The '06 Explorer with a V6 engine averages 15 mpg in the city and
21 mpg on the highway. If gas mileage is a big concern, you may want to check
out Ford’s new Escape hybrid—it offers room for three kids and gear, while
averaging 36 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
Ford Mustang GT
Let’s face it, when it comes to the “family car” segment, the Ford Mustang GT
isn’t likely to be the first vehicle to pop into your mind. Even though this
muscle car seats four and comes equipped with the LATCH system, there are just
so many kid gadgets that one can cram into 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space.
However, should you not be able to resist its bold style and retro good
looks, you’ll be happy to know that escorting backseaters around town is doable
(provided your kiddo isn’t a linebacker for the local high school varsity squad,
then it might be a tight squeeze in the backseat).
Our thoughts: The Mustang GT was a great lesson in learning what we actually
needed to bring with us and what’s just nice to have. Our diaper bag, umbrella
stroller and forward-facing child seat all fit. The jogging stroller stayed
home.
Kid Pros · No doubt, your kiddo will earn kudos at school for having one of
the coolest moms around. · While all the minivans and SUVs wedge their way
through the after school pick up line, you’ll enjoy the maneuverability of this
zippy pony. · And with a starting price of $19,810 (for the V6) it’s
budget-friendly.
Kid Cons · No rear vents, though with such a small cabin, the front vents
should keep the rear passengers cool. · No optional DVD entertainment center. ·
While one child in a forward-facing car seat fits just fine, you’ll have a snug
fit if you add another. · No rear cup or juice box holders
| Kid friendliness: |
 (out of five)
|
| Most likely to fit in at soccer practice: |
|
| Cool Mom factor: |
|
Saturn Ion
When your grocery list includes boxes of Pampers, cartons of milk and cases
of rice cereal, the last thing your bank account needs is a high monthly car
note. Enter the Saturn Ion Quad Coupe. With a starting price of $13,490 and a
sleek two-door look this Saturn is easy on the wallet and eyes.
Our thoughts: Two doors are cool, but they have their place. That place is
typically in the days preceding dependents. Logistically, coupes require yoga
skills in placing kids in and out of child seats. There’s the obligatory flip
and slide of the front seat, which typically opens a cave-like space for baby
and parents to fit through. That is unless you happen to own the Saturn Ion Quad
Coupe.
Not your typical two-door, this quad design eases entry and exit by having a
“hidden” door. Open each main door and you’ll find another one. This second door
is actually hinged on the hind side with a handle that’s tucked into the door
jam and can only be opened once the main door has been opened—it’s the look of a
two-door and the functionality of a four door.
And that’s not the only surprise the Ion has in store for parents, take a
look at some of its other kid-friendly features:
Kid Pros · Front passenger and
rear seats fold flat for carrying extra long items · A new acoustic cover on the
engine to reduce at least the mechanical noise in the cabin · Air conditioner
features dust & pollen filters as standard on some trims · Two 12-volt power
outlets—one located in center console, close to backseaters · Rear center
console with dual cupholders & storage area · Cool exterior colors…how many kids
have a mom or dad who drives a dragonfly green Saturn Ion?
Kid Cons · Small quarters—seating capacity is two up front and two in the
back. · No optional DVD entertainment system · Small rear windows
More to come...
|
