Our Longer School Commute in the Mazda CX-3 #DriveMazda

Before we moved, our morning school commute for pre-K and kindergarten to A.J.’s school was 10 to 15 minutes on local roads. We would leave at a reasonable time and still make it to school without any major delays. Now that we’re in first grade at a new school, we take Interstate 285 to school in the morning. In case you don’t know, every interstate in Atlanta can turn into a parking lot in the morning with even the slightest fender bender. For first week of school we reviewed a 2016 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring, a compact SUV that has great mileage. I’ll show you some of the features of the car that allowed us to get around pretty fast without a lot of gas.

Commute to School

 

I shared a photo of the interior of the tricolored or multi colored interior of the Mazda CX-3 on the Mommy Talk Show Facebook page. A lot of the moms who watch our show seem to like the interior and the three color it featured.

 

 

I realize how important tires are for our longer morning commute. Even though it’s a compact SUV, the CX-3 Grand Touring has 18 inch alloy all season tires. I could really tell by the way it handled even in rainy conditions that these are great tires.  The hatchback storage area is a little more limited than the average size trunk, though. You can see how the items I donated to Goodwill looked inside.

2016 Mazda CX-3

Veda and A.J. car

 

The 2016 school year is off to a great start so far even though we leave earlier in the morning and we need to take the interstate. Getting 35 miles per hour on the highway in the Mazda CX-3 allowed me to only fill up once all week.

We go to after-school playdates. My friend, Amy, sat in the front seat and read about the car’s features. A.J. and her daughter did a little driving of their own in her Barbie car.

We run errands.

We play sports like pick up basketball at a nearby church.

If you find yourself with some extra time in the carpool lane, here are some ways to maximize your time.

Carpool

 

I also made time to hang out with my friends for my birthday weekend in the Mazda CX-3 for some yummy food and a day at the movies.

Alexis & Joyce

 

The Mazda Drive for Good program started in 2013 to help and support its customers and its communities.  Thank you, Mazda for allowing me to donate a gift card to a nonprofit here in Georgia that supports families with diabetes  – in memory of my Father.

I’ve also reviewed other Mazda vehicles including the 2016 Mazda CX-5  and Mazda 6.

 

Watch: Mazda Drive for Good Donation

About Joyce Brewer

Creator & Host of Mommy Talk Show. Emmy award-winning TV journalist.Wife & Mommy; Mom Blogger; Social Media Coach; Long Island, New York transplant living in Atlanta, GA. Follow Joyce on Twitter @MommyTalkShow Author of Use What You Know: A Business Idea Guide for Moms featuring interviews with mompreneurs who created businesses using their skills & backgrounds.

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19 comments

  1. Looks like an awesome car for a longer commute. Very sporty too!

  2. This looks like a solid family car. Love the photos of the kids giving driving a go in their own wheels!

  3. The CX3 sounds like a great car. I love the styling. It’s nice and roomy, too, which is great for a family.

  4. We had a Mazda for years and it was a great car. I would definitely be open to buying a Mazda like this for my next car.

  5. That looks like a great family car! I love that it looks so sporty but there is still so much room inside!

  6. This looks like a great family care which is awesome because old Bessie (our current family car) seems to be on her last legs. Whenever she poops out I will definitely keep this car in mind.

  7. This is a perfect family car! It looks neat and convenient. Thanks for your time saver tips!

  8. It really does look like the perfect family car. Really roomy and cozy. I’d definitely consider this for my next ride!

  9. I was actually looking at the CX-3 the other day. Thanks for the detailed review. It looks like a great family car.

  10. Looks and sounds like a really great car. I have always wanted a Mazda. I will keep this in mind when buying a new car.

  11. What a great family car! Our school commute is going from about 3 minutes to 20. Huge change for us!

  12. We are in the market for a new car and will have to check this one out!!! I am loving the two tone seats!

  13. I love a new car. This Mazda is super cute too. New cars make the carpool line all better. 😉

  14. this looks like a great car! I love the trunk space. And I love the interior colors too.

  15. Atlanta does have some crazy traffic Nice to have a Mazda for the commute. 🙂

  16. Oh my goodness, I know how that goes. Been stuck in it too many times. I live in Atlanta as well. Madhouse!

  17. Where we live, the traffic can get pretty thick. It feels like it’s stuck in a crawl most days which makes being late normal.

  18. Oh, the traffic in our place is really heavy especially when it is raining!

  19. This is great! We deal with so much traffic here in southern California!