Bark Buckle UP Paw Blogger Ms Daisy Mae Bark's About 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited

Bark Buckle UP's Paw Blogger Daisy Mae is digging into the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited with a little help from Jim Hamel her owner. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean that it is any good. If you go to any dog park anywhere in the country you will find at least a few dogs that are less interested in playing and more interested in sniffing their own excrement. I was brought up to be a lady so such endeavors are, to my eyes, nothing short of reprehensible.

I have a similar level of distaste for the admittedly hyper-successful 2011 Hyundai Sonata. It is so popular that it has rocketed past the Nissan Altima to become the 3rd best-selling family car in the United States. But is that to say it’s any good? Not if my previous notion about popularity is any guide.

I will admit that the Sonata marked the beginning of Hyundai’s new design language which I think looks terrific on the 2011 Tucson and upcoming 2011 Elantra. Here it just makes the Sonata look like a big banana. Perhaps the gross pearl white exterior color of my Limited tester did it no favors there. This car looks much better in dark metallic or black.

Speaking of bad color choices the interior of my test model featured the “wine” (also known by others with eyes as purple) leather trim. I was amazed at how much this leather felt like vinyl especially when I compared it to the terrific leather in the 2011 Kia Optima EX I tested a week later. Kia is owned by Hyundai and both of these family sedans are similarly priced so I don’t understand how the quality in evidence could be that much different.

I had an easy enough time hopping into the admittedly roomy back seat but my daddy always hit his head trying to latch me into the car seat buckle. I can only imagine it would be just as difficult for parents securing their children into the car seat.

One ace up the Sonata’s sleeve is trunk space—it has an overabundance of it with a class leading 16.4 cubic feet of room. Although our tester only managed a little over 22 miles per gallon over the week (well shy of the 22 city/35 highway EPA ratings), the gas tank is 18.5 gallons so there is a decent cruising range.
Lastly, my daddy really disliked the way the Sonata Limited we tested steered and handled. The steering was overly light, according to him, and one time when we went over a large bump the car bucked so hard that I flew off the back seat into the rear footwell. Thank goodness I was wearing my harness.
So I don’t really recommend the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. If you are looking for a terrific Korean family sedan with a 10 year warranty go check out the 2011 Kia Optima. You will be much happier. And safer too, I think.

Vehicle Tested: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited
Base Price: $25,295
Price as Tested: $28,415 (including destination)
Options on Test Vehicle: Navigation Package--$2,100 (includes touchscreen navigation, XM traffic/sports, 400-watt Infinity audio system, back-up camera), floormats--$100, pearl white paint--$200
Engine: 2.4 liter direct injected 4-cylinder
Power: 200 horsepower/186 lb. feet of torque
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
0-60: 6.9 seconds (estimated)
EPA Fuel Economy: 22 city/35 highway
Economy as Tested: 22.6 miles per gallon
Runs on: Regular Unleaded
Fuel Tank Size: 18.5 gallons
Trunk Size: 16.4 cubic feet
Curb Weight: 3,300 lbs. (estimated)
Crash Test Ratings: IIHS “Top Safety Pick”
Warranty: 5 years/60,000 mile bumper to bumper
10 year/100,000 mile powertrain
Assembled in: Montgomery Alabama
North American Parts Content: 41%
Vehicle Provided by: Hyundai

About: Bark Buckle UP® founder Christina Selter “Pet Safety Lady” works with first responders nationwide teaching pet safety and has buckled UP more then 10,000 pets. Education is the first step to show that pet safety is connected to human safety, which helps to save lives. Christina has been featured in more then 1200 TV, radio, segments including print and online takes it over tens of thousands, Bark Buckle UP received more then 100 MILLION in circulations/impressions in 2008 and she has directed, produced several pet safety PSA’s and created Be Smart Ride Safe-take the pledge Buckle Up the whole family.

About: Daisy Mae, she is the new PAW investigative automotive writer for Bark Buckle UP. She is an 8 year old Boxer who, until recently, called Boxer Rescue Los Angeles her only home. As a senior citizen among many adorable Boxer pups, her chances of being adopted seemed pretty dim. But James Hamel, a freelance auto journalist who works from home, adopted little Miss Daisy Mae and has put her to work helping him write reviews. She now travels with him in every vehicle that he tests and offers up her unique take on what makes a vehicle or product truly “Pet Safe.”

Bark Buckle UP Paw Blogger Ms Daisy Mae Bark's About 2011 Kia Optima EX

Bark Buckle UP's Paw Blogger Daisy Mae is digging into the Kia Optima EX (with a little help from Jim Hamel). I am used to getting a lot of attention wherever I go. Most of the time it is because I am so adorable but there are other times I cannot take credit for causing a stir. Since I road test new cars for a living sometimes people are attracted by the vehicles I am riding in.

Yes, my harness makes me look precious but this 2011 Kia Optima EX I recently tested had people asking my owner about it wherever he went. And why shouldn’t they? This is one terrific looking car that, like me, has beauty that runs far deeper than its good looks.

No car in either my daddy or my experience has gotten more attention than this. Well, the experimental Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen sedan got more attention but I was never allowed to ride in that because apparently two cast members from the TV show “Glee” rode to a White House dinner in the back. My daddy loves that show almost as much as he loves me and that’s a whole heck of a lot! That isn’t to say that I am not still bitter about never getting a ride.

I, along with most everyone who saw the 2011 Kia Optima, was hugely impressed with how it looked and the level of quality in evidence in the interior. The plastics, leather, wood and metal used were all of near-Audi levels of quality. I have been in an Audi or two and I know they are the best at interiors.
It’s amazing that Kia has been able to create an interior of this quality and charge so little for it. My tester may have had an MSRP of over $27,000 but it felt like a $35,000 car so that price is okay in my eyes. The trunk is also positively cave-like at 15.4 cubic feet. That means this is the perfect car for hauling 80 lb. bags of kibble!

How does it compare with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Kia is owned by Hyundai and the 2011 Optima is based on the same platform as the 2011 Sonata. As it so happens I tested a Sonata back to back with the Optima and was floored at how different they were. My daddy and I felt the Optima outclassed the Sonata in both styling and quality of interior materials.

Not only did my daddy also think the Optima handled and steered with more precision and control but he also had an easier time latching me into the belt buckle in the backseat of the Optima. The Sonata’s rear roofline dips low and it was easy for him to hit his head.

The Optima is also less expensive than the Sonata Limited we tested but came with more features like rear seat heaters, a panoramic full length sunroof, a steering wheel heater and cooled front seats. Less expensive, more stuff, better built and better looking? It sounds like the 2011 Kia Optima EX is the obvious choice here.

Vehicle Tested: 2011 Kia Optima EX
Base Price: $22,495
Price as Tested: $27,555 (including destination)
Options on Test Model: Premium Package--$2,250 (includes panoramic sunroof, power passenger seat, heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, wood/metal trim), EX Technology Package--$2,000 (includes navigation with back-up camera, 8-speaker Infinity audio system), Floormats--$115
Engine: 2.4 liter direct injected 4-cylinder
Power: 200 horsepower/186 lb. feet of torque
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
0-60: 6.9 seconds (estimated)
EPA Fuel Economy: 22 city/35 highway
Economy as Tested: 25.8 miles per gallon
Runs on: Regular Unleaded
Fuel Tank Size: 18.5 gallons
Trunk Size: 15.4 cubic feet
Curb Weight: 3,223 lbs.
Crash Test Ratings: Not yet tested at time of writing
Warranty: 5 years/60,000 mile bumper to bumper
10 years/100,000 mile powertrain
Vehicle Assembled in: Korea
Vehicle Provided by: Kia Motors America
Photos Provided by: Todd M. Allen of TacAir Photography

Link to TacAir Photography webpage— http://tacair.zenfolio.com/

About:
Who is Daisy Mae, she is the new PAW investigative automotive writer for Bark Buckle UP. She is an 8 year old Boxer who, until recently, called Boxer Rescue Los Angeles her only home. As a senior citizen among many adorable Boxer pups, her chances of being adopted seemed pretty dim. But James Hamel, a freelance auto journalist who works from home, adopted little Miss Daisy Mae and has put her to work helping him write reviews. She now travels with him in every vehicle that he tests and offers up her unique take on what makes a vehicle or product truly “Pet Safe.”

About: Bark Buckle UP® founder Christina Selter “Pet Safety Lady” works with first responders nationwide teaching pet safety and has buckled UP more then 10,000 pets. Education is the first step to show that pet safety is connected to human safety, which helps to save lives. Christina has been featured in more then 1200 TV, radio, segments including print and online takes it over tens of thousands, Bark Buckle UP received more then 100 MILLION in circulations/impressions in 2008 and she has directed, produced several pet safety PSA’s and created Be Smart Ride Safe-take the pledge Buckle Up the whole family.

Bark Buckle UP's Paw Reporter Daisy Mae Digs Cadillac CTS

As Pawed by Daisy Mae (with a little help from Jim Hamel). A girl could get used to living like this. The Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon I am testing right now is the top of the line Premium Edition which means it has a panoramic sunroof over my head, premium audio (I am a dog but I do love listening to music!), navigation (my owner gets lost without one) and the most buttery leather I have ever rested my backside on.

There is enough room in the back seat for one large breed dog like me but if you have two they had better get along as the CTS Sport Wagon is not all that wide. And don’t try loading them in through the cargo area because the 25 cubic feet of space is accessed through a very narrow load aperture. Yes, I am a dog who knows how to use the word aperture in a sentence. It’s not as rare a talent as you might think in the canine community.

The CTS Sport Wagon’s ultimate lack of interior room is odd to find in a Cadillac since one of the historic virtues of the brand was the epic size of its cars. In the CTS even the knobs on the dash and the power window switches appear made for tiny humans.

Why is it that automakers from other countries super size their interiors for our market and Cadillac shrinks them? It’s not like Cadillac sells a lot of cars outside of the United States. This sort of universality for different markets makes sense in a BMW or Mercedes. Cadillac can afford to be as American as it wants to be and right now the interior of the CTS doesn’t make you want to sing “Born in the USA.” See, I told you I liked music.

Daisy’s Likes:

• Very stylish
• Well built, feature laden interior
• Perfect for one large breed dog who doesn’t like to ride with other dogs
• Easy to locate D-ring attachments

Daisy’s Dislikes:

• Limited cargo space
• Cramped rear seat
• Small rear window cutout makes it hard to get a breeze

About Daisy: Who is Daisy Mae, she is a Bark Buckle UP PAW automotive writer. She is an 8 year old Boxer who, until recently, called Boxer Rescue Los Angeles her only home. As a senior citizen among many adorable Boxer pups, her chances of being adopted seemed pretty dim. But James Hamel, a freelance auto journalist who works from home, adopted little Miss Daisy Mae and has put her to work helping him write reviews. She now travels with him in every vehicle that he tests and offers up her unique take on what makes a vehicle or product truly “Pet Safe.”

About: Bark Buckle UP® founder Christina Selter “Pet Safety Lady” works with first responders nationwide teaching pet safety and has buckled UP more then 10,000 pets. Education is the first step to show that pet safety is connected to human safety, which helps to save lives. Christina has been featured in more then 1200 TV, radio, segments including print and online takes it over tens of thousands, Bark Buckle UP received more then 100 MILLION in circulations and impressions for 2008 and she has directed, produced several pet safety PSA’s and created Be Smart Ride Safe-take the pledge Buckle Up the whole family.


Vehicle Tested: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Premium Edition
Base Price: $39,090
Premium Edition Base Price: $48,665
Price as Tested: $51,215
Options on Tester: (19-inch Summer Tire Performance Package: $2,090)—19 inch polished aluminum wheels, 19 inch summer tires, sport suspension, steering wheel mounted shifters, performance brakes, performance cooling system, (Compact Spare Tire: $250), (Cargo Tray: $100), (Underhood Appearance Package: $100).
Engine: 3.6 liter V6 engine
Power: 304 horsepower, 273 lb. feet of torque
0-60: 5.8 seconds (estimated)
Economy: 18 city/26 highway
Economy as Tested: 17 miles per gallon
Recommended Fuel: Regular Unleaded
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Cargo Area: 25 cubic feet (behind second row), 58 cubic feet (behind first row)
Warranty: 4 year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper coverage
5 year/100,000 mile powertrain coverage
Crash Test: (NHTSA)—front driver (4 stars)
Front passenger—(five stars)
Side Impact (both sides)—(five stars)
Rollover—(four stars)

Find more information on the Cadillac CTS Sports Wagon on Yahoo or Google and of course on the Cadillac websites.

Bark Buckle UP Paw Reporter Reviews the Toyota RAV4

As Pawed by Daisy Mae (with a little help from Jim Hamel) one of the PAW investigative automotive writers for Bark Buckle UP® the Toyota RAV4 review. Daisy is an 8 year old Boxer who, until recently, called Boxer Rescue Los Angeles her only home. As a senior citizen among many adorable Boxer pups, her chances of being adopted seemed pretty dim. But James Hamel, a freelance auto journalist who works from home, adopted little Miss Daisy Mae and has put her to work helping him write reviews. She now travels with him in every vehicle that he tests and offers up her unique take on what makes a vehicle or product truly “Pet Safe.” Now, you have to realize that I am a very opinionated little girl. I may be a dog but I know what I like and I let the world know when I am displeased. How do I communicate? Well, I talk verbally like any person. But to humans I guess it sounds like whimpering.

Now, Toyota delivered a RAV4 for me to test (actually my daddy had to pick it up but that’s just as good!) and it arrived in quite a disconcerting hue. The 2011 Toyota RAV4 was not only bright gold on the outside but it was beige on the inside. Doesn’t Toyota know that if you have a dog your beige interior is going to look about as clean as Lindsey Lohan’s arrest record after a few months?

What? Are you wondering about the Lindsey Lohan reference? I know all about her because all dogs read People Magazine. It’s how we keep tabs on you. Now, back to the 2011 Toyota RAV4 if only my daddy and I could remember where we parked it. There are so many of these compact SUVs everywhere and the RAV4 doesn’t break much from the visual formula.

Now, while I usually feel that beige is too light an interior color for dog owners to keep clean, the RAV4 had this ultra-durable upholstery and plastic trim that defied the worst I threw its way during our test week. Now what is the worst thing Daisy Mae can throw at the interior of a car?
When my daddy and I went for a long walk along one of my favorite trails, I decided to jump in the creek that runs beside it. It was lots of fun even though the water smelled. My daddy didn’t have any towels and he had to bring me home in the back of the RAV4. I whimpered all the way home. I didn’t like the way I smelled so I had to get a bath.

All in all I have to say I wound up being impressed by the RAV4 for its durable interior, spacious rear seat with easy to access car seat buckle rings and the suitably low ride height. The only thing it could use is a bit more style and a USB port so my daddy can listen to his iPod. He gets so touchy about not having one in a test vehicle that I think it ruins his entire week! Humans.
Now, even if I did mess up the RAV4’s interior I am still a lady who does prefer to be clean. Sometimes, however, creeks are meant to be jumped in and the RAV4 can certainly handle this kind of ever day dog life. Sorry to the people at Toyota if it smells like wet dog in there now.

About: Bark Buckle UP® founder Christina Selter “Pet Safety Lady” works with first responders nationwide teaching pet safety and has buckled UP more then 10,000 pets. Education is the first step to show that pet safety is connected to human safety, which helps to save lives. Christina has been featured in more then 1200 TV, radio, segments including print and online takes it over tens of thousands, Bark Buckle UP® received more then 100 MILLION in circulations/impressions in 2008 and she has directed, produced several pet safety PSA’s and created Be Smart Ride Safe® -take the pledge Buckle UP the whole family.


Manufacture Vehicle Specifications:
Vehicle Tested: 2010 Toyota RAV4
Base Price: $21,500
Price as Tested: $23,754 (including destination)
Options on Tester: Backup Camera integrated into Rear View Mirror--$475, Cargo Cover--$90, Floormats/Cargo Mat--$199, Extra Value Package--$690 : (includes 17-inch alloy wheels and full size spare tire, daytime running lamps, black roof rack, tinted rear windows.)
Engine: 2.5 liter 4 cylinder
Power: 179 horsepower/172 lb. feet of torque
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
0-60: 10 seconds (estimated)
Drive: Front Wheel Drive
Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
EPA Fuel Economy: 22 city/28 highway
Fuel Economy during Test: 22.6 miles per gallon
Fuel Tank: 15.9 gallons
Vehicle runs on: Regular Unleaded
Cargo Volume (behind second row): 37.2 cubic feet
(Second row folded): 73 cubic feet
Safety Ratings (NHTSA): Driver side front—5 stars
Passenger side front—4 stars
Side Impact: front and rear seat—5 stars
Rollover Protection: 4 stars
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 mile bumper to bumper
5 years/60,000 mile powertrain
2 years/25,000 mile free maintenance plan
Vehicle Provided by: Toyota Motor Corporation