This “job” of mine has some perks. I may not get paid, but I do have the wonderful opportunity to receive and test out samples, all to share with our readers. So in June, after sharing my ever-lasting search for a new car, I was offered a week of testing the VW Routan.

Most people (even the FedEx delivery guy) did a double take when they saw the Routan in my driveway. What amazed them wasn’t that I had become a minivan mom, but that VW makes a minivan. About 80% of the folks I came in contact with while driving (or parking or admiring) this hot new car weren’t in the loop. It often took me reminding them that Brooke Shields had done an ad campaign for the Routan to get that spark of remembrance to glisten in their eyes. (Though not really sure for the FedEx delivery guy if it was the campaign or just the mention of Brooke that brought out the glisten.)

Past the hump of surprise and recollection, I was bombarded with questions that a non-car-freak wouldn’t often know: what’s the HP? What platform is it made on? etc. Of course, I did my research and quickly learned that its not made on another VW platform, but it shares a plant (and, apparently, body) with Chrysler’s Town & Country. As far as the horse power and all the statistical info, I wasn’t too into that research, you can find it on the VW Routan website.

How’s the drive? We (my husband and I) were absolutely thrilled driving the Routan. The highway and side road pick-up are equally impressive. Driving this minivan we weren’t left trudging behind, but easily caught up and surpassed fancy race cars. It took turns and corners beautifully and bumps hardly bothered us. And the braking system, as well as slippery-control, were top notch (which are super-important to a family in living in the northeast, what with the snow of the winter and our crazy rainy spring.)

Perks and bonuses: Keep in mind, my current car is a 2004 Honda Pilot which I adore. But at nearly 6 years old, it misses out on a lot of luxury. No sunroof. No nav. No satellite radio. And no DVD player. So I have to shout to the world that we were spoiled with the Routan. And then some. My son actually cried when they took the DVD playing car away. He flat out (for the first 20 minutes of our next roadtrip) refused to hold a DVD player on his lap because “the white van” had a DVD player in the ceiling. And my husband is now requesting a satelite radio for his car fo the holidays. My favorite perk (and there are a lot of options) were the electric pedals. For a driver who barely measures 5’1″ (and I’m being generous) but has a huge growing baby belly, moveable pedals were delightful. And, perhaps, will be a requirement on any future car I drive. Other optional favorites:

• auto doors and rear hatch
• auto start (would have loved that last winter in the snow!)
• auto folding back row seats (a huge bonus–this is what first sparked my interest at the Philly Auto Show last January)
• cargo room. I could easily fit 2 travel-sized strollers with room for luggage or a bike, and that’s with all the seats up. With the just one seat down in the back row there’s room for suitcases, strollers, coolers and bikes. And, with the back-row down, just about anything else you want to stow.

More Routan Love: No one wants to shell out $25-35,000+ and then be stuck with maintenance charge after maintenance charge. And VW already has an excellent, low maintenance reputation, but it still helps to know that your first 3 years or 36,000 miles are scheduled maintenance cost free with their Carefree Maintenance plan. That’s an extra breath of fresh air, even with the windows up.

My husband’s dream of the satelite radio presented a challenge for me. I’m so used to a regular digital radio that I had to relearn the whole listening system. Once I did, however, I got how much he loved it. And it was more than just the hundreds of awesome stations that Sirius offers. The actual digital, large screen system was just so modern, cool, and, yes, fun. We could play different music in the front and back and it has outlets for USBs and for ipods and MP3s. It even has a digital picture frame, like the one you gave to Grandma on Mothers Day. Just add your pictures through the USB and watch them scroll through (don’t watch when you’re driving, of course). And the stereo sound system so far trumped that of our Pilot that it can’t even be measured in Trump’s universe.

Gas. Its pricey. And I hate paying for anything. With my SUV I usually fill up every 5 days or so when driving my regular routine. So driving the VW Routan through my regular routine was a decent measure to compare. Sure, the Routan is new and the SUV has over 70,000 miles, but in 7 days, I never had to fill-up. And this was a regular week (with a couple extra drives to test it out).  When the week ended I still had about a quarter tank left. So testing out the Routan didn’t just give me a great experience… it helped my weekly expenses.

So, what didn’t you like? There wasn’t much that we couldn’t work with because, really, it is a fantastic vehicle. However, the huz and I griped when we drove with the the DVD player down. There are actually 2 DVD players that come down from the ceiling. One in the 3rd row, one in the 2nd. The 3rd row was fine, no problem. That’s because it was higher than the 2nd row’s player. You have to see it to “get it” but the ceiling in the ”way back” sits about  2 inches higher than the 2nd row ceiling. Also, the DVD player is bigger than other cars. Which is nice. Except that the 2nd row DVD player created a blindspot when using the rear view mirror. And that’s not good on a roadtrip. And we happen to do a lot of road tripping.

It was mentioned above as a ‘favorite’ option, but there was a problem with the auto doors. If a child was in the way of the door closing, the door had to hit it hard to reverse and not close. We tested this (the huz and me, not the kids) several times with our arms and legs (and once, accidentally, with my head). If the door hit a mobile barrier that moved with it, at all, it kept closing. One actually had to push back against the door to get it to reverse its function. Which means that for it to reverse on a child, the child has to practically be smushed in the door area to not have it reverse.

Town & Country, huh? I sent the huz to the local Chrysler dealership to compare. The bodies of both cars are extremely similar. But in the interior of the minivans lay mass differences. Of course, its a matter of preference, and we were testing the top of the line Routan with all the perks and bonuses (above), but we felt more style, a better feel and, yes, luxury, existed in the Routan than in the T&C. (We didn’t test drive the T&C so  if Chrysler would like to offer me a week to test out their minivan to compare, I welcome the opportunity!)

In sum. I didn’t cry giving the Routan back to Volkswagen, though I feared I would. While I miss the ease of getting in and out of the car, and all of the auto and electrical bonuses (and my husband desperately begs for a satelite radio), I had a smooth transition back to the SUV. In both cars I sit high on the road (a bit of the Napolean complex, I’m sure.) With 2 kids I still don’t feel the need for a minivan. Yes, there are luxuries to driving one (again, the auto-everything) but the SUV is suiting me just fine.

The huz and I do miss the power of the engine as well as its ability to stop on a dime. The Routan is engineered beautifully and drives so simply, I can easily see teaching a new-driver in this car. It responds to your every tap, prick and press. Just like I love “driving” a one-handed stroller, I adore driving an easy car.

Baby’s due in about less than 30 days. So for now, I’m still not a Minivan Mom. Its not necessary for my current lifestyle. However, in about 60 days when I inevitably change my mind, there’s a pretty good chance I’ll be a Routan Mom.

Julie Pron is the mom of nearly 3 children and is anything but a auto authority. In addition to Car & Caboodle, she writes for a carload of blogs including Just Precious, Mommies with Style and Popshopology.

Hoping to get a first look at a brand new upcoming product, the UPPAbaby RumbleSeat? This toddler seat add-on for the UPPAbaby Vista is generating a lot of buzz in stroller shopper circles. It promises to deliver even more from a much beloved stroller. The owners of Let’s Go Strolling are here to give us this exciting sneak peek.

We’ll hope this video will be helpful to those of you trying to decide if it is the right set-up for you. Please leave feedback and let us know what you think of our newest blogging method. Like it? Hate our camera/editing work? Want to see more? less? Any comments are super helpful and appreciated!

Our Summary of the UPPAbaby RumbleSeat:

- Best for younger toddlers or smaller pre-schoolers
- We’re sure kids will get used to it but it might be a hard sell for your toddler in the beginning due to the limited visability
- Great option for adding occasional seating to a reversible stroller
- Don’t plan on using it much with your carseat!
- We hope UPPAbaby will add zippers to recline the seat in the next generation (ala the Phil and Ted’s Sport Doubles Kit)

Written by the Baby Gear Guru’s of www.LetsGoStrolling.com where they know how to make parents lives with babies easier and better. Shop the best selection of strollers, diaper bags, baby gear and more with their knowledgeable customer service.

As of this past week, all of my kids are walkers. I can see that my days as a stroller pushing mama are numbered. My boys are 4 and 1. They are active and love to explore. But at the end of a long play session at the neighborhood park, day at the beach or lap around the mall, they want to sit down and get taken for a ride. We still need a stroller that can carry the kids and our stuff, but we’ve moved from a fulltime stroller mode to a parttime one. We’re moving faster and travelling farther and wider and as such, we’re streamlining and trying to lighten our load.

We asked friends, family and several stroller experts to tell us the best all around double stroller for an active family on the go. We wanted lightweight, versatile, easy to push and most important – easy to fold in a hurry! We wanted this stroller to be great for neighborhood strolls but also easy to throw in the car for trips to the mall, farmers market etc. It didn’t have to be an all terrain vehicle or perform as a jogger but it did have to stand up to bumpy sidewalks, sports fields and brisk walks for fitness. It had to be comfy enough for a nap during an all day outing. We also wanted something with a reasonable price tag, since most people (like us) are streamlining their budgets these days as well.

The winner? Baby Jogger’s City Mini Double did all we asked and more. I only wish I’d found this stroller a litter earlier on. When it comes to a double stroller for us now, it really is the City Mini Double… or nothing!

Continue reading for the all the juicy details, slide show and video of this stroller’s amazing fold. [More...]

The Push/Ride:

The Baby Jogger City Mini is an absolute pleasure to push. Even loaded with my brawny 4yo and 1 year old toddler, the stroller spins nimbly and does not feel heavy to steer. This was probably the first thing I noticed about the City Mini, when compared with other doubles that can be cumbersome or weighty. The stroller itself is very lightweight, with locking, quick release stroller wheels. The wheels are not air filled – the are a much lighter weight EVA tire, but this is not as issue for the push/ride as the stroller has an excellent suspension system and the wheels have sealed bearings that keep the ride super smooth, even on bumpy pavement. The handle is a textured rubbery material with a nice easy grip that I appreciated. It seems extremely durable – not prone to nicking and scarring and cracking like foam can be.

Note: The handle height on this stroller is not adjustable. I found the height to be comfortable for me at 5 “6″ and my husband who is 6 ft tall was also comfortable. My sitter at 5 “3″ also was pleased with the stroller and did not find the handle uncomfortable. It might be a little high however for women closer to 5 ft tall.

The Seating:

The seats on the Baby Jogger City Mini Double both recline fully, and seperately. This makes the stroller suitable for use from infancy onwards (wish we’d had one sooner!) The seats are padded and the five point harnesses (with no pinch buckles) are also nicely padded. I love the clever venting around the seat so that when it is fully reclined, air can still circulate – the baby is in a private little mesh “tent”. If the weather is inclement, or breezy, or you want to give your child a little more shade, the mesh can be quickly covered by an attached fabric cover. Over sized independent canopies also offer ample shade and protection from the elements. The fabric seat covers are durable, removable and washable.

My active baby is very content and comfortable to sit in this stroller (when he must be confined!), but more surprisingly, my four and half yr old who is pushing the charts at the 99%ile for height is also able to sit comfortably and even snooze in this stroller. Unless your child is a true giant, this stroller should also see you through all your strolling years as well.

Accessories and storage:

The stroller offers a generous basket underneath with room for a diaper bag, a couple of sweaters and even a toy or two. Additional storage on the seat backs catches all your smaller items – sunglasses, keys, sippy cup. (A beverage holder is also available)

There is a clever universal accessory mounting bracket on the front of this stroller that makes accedsorizing with belly bars, child trays and more, a snap. I should note that at this time the City Mini Double does not have a carseat adapter. There is a pram insert for use with infants under 6m. and Baby Jogger is working on a secure adapter that will allow parents to use their carseat with this double.

The Fold:

This stroller is hands down, the easiest double on the market to fold and throw into the back of your car. It almost has to be seen to be believed. Basically you grab two handles in the seat, pull up and viola! Folded! It’s such a pleasure that you will be spoiled for other stroller folds once you have experienced this. Once folded it is so compact and lightweight (even more so with the wheels released) that it is easier to take in and out of your vehicle than many lightweight single strollers. You will not hesitate to bring the double when it is the Baby Jogger City Mini.

The Baby Jogger City Mini Double comes in five attractive colors. For more info on where to buy the Baby Jogger City Mini and some excellent video footage of the stroller’s many points, see the Baby Jogger website.

I’m so in love with Quinny Strollers. I have been since I blamed the Quinny Buzz for making me get pregnant with my fourth child. I reviewed the Original Buzz last year and now I’m reviewing the updated Quinny Buzz 4. I’m thrilled to say that it just keeps getting better.

What’s Changed:

The new Quinny Buzz has 4 wheels instead of 3. It keeps the stroller more stable and more smooth. I felt the difference most when pushing the stroller up the curb. You know that moment when you have the front end up on the curb and you lift the back up? The weight of the stroller is resting on the front wheel for an instant… I would not say the stroller was exactly unsteady in a three wheel version, but I did feel like I had to really “watch it” on uneven terrain when performing this sort of maneuver. Or turn the stroller around and roll up backwards. With the four wheel version, I feel more secure and no need to back it up.

There is also an improved locking feature for the stroller when folded. Because this stroller literally unfolds itself, it’s reassuring to have a good lock when the stroller is folded!

The Quinny Buzz 4 stroller also comes with an additional larger seat cover, perfect for use with older toddlers. It is washable and durable and gives an older kiddo a slightly larger seating surface.

What Has Not Changed:

The smooth ride, the hydraulic “auto unfold”, the overall quality, stability and durability of Quinny, and of course, the good looks. The seat still can face forward or backward and the stroller is elevated, making it the perfect height to push right to the table when dining out. I love the modern lines, saturated colors and sleek styling that the Quinny Buzz team has stuck to over the years. The Buzz 4 also still works with the adorable and practical Quinny Dreami Carrycot and the Maxi Cosi Mico Carseat for those looking for a longterm travel system.

The Quinny 4 still comes with that ultra cushy neoprene seat cover that both my sons have adored. It’s the “nap stroller” of choice and sometimes I find myself wishing someone would push me around the mall in a big squishy reclining neoprene seat. That’s the life, huh? We can fit a fair amount of stuff in the underseat storage basket, however we’ve added on the excellent Buzz Box to our stroller frame. This integrated stroller bag is perfect for diapers, snacks, change of clothes etc. We’ve also added a cup holder. I recommend these dedicated accessories as they make this stroller even more pleasant for you to push and both can stay attached even when the bag is folded, making your life easier. No need to worry about whether you have diapers etc.

We’ve had a lot of strollers come and go over the years. I’m not one to suggest that there is one stroller that fits absolutely everyone. But I will tell you that the Quinny comes pretty close! Infant to toddler, rough terrain or smooth – this SUV of a ride is probably the single stroller that has seen the most use in our family. It’s parked in our dining room at all times, able and ready for action!

For a list of stores that stock the Quinny Buzz 4 and more info, see the Quinny USA website.

What I love:

• The full recline. It was one of my many complaints with the strollers my boys had, the stroller never reclined all the way so that baby could sleep long-term on his back. The Atmosferra doesn’t just recline all the way back, but the adjustable legsupport has this super cool pocket underneath. The footrest flips all the way up to meet the snack tray. Then out of the pocket comes a cover, which snaps and clips around the snack tray to create a portable crib for baby to lay inside. I’m so profoundly shocked this isn’t on the Mia Moda website that you can view this on my first vblog.
• The reversible seat. Becoming more common on upscale strollers, this is definitely a feature worth mentioning. The seat simply picks up and reverses then clicks back into place. So baby can look at you, and you at him.
• The full coverage sunshade. Flips all the way down to the kick snack tray, even when in full recline. Absolutely perfect for a baby who is dragged to her big brother’s touch football games during nap time.
• Free-standing fold. Seriously, who doesn’t need this?! I can’t stand it when my strollers don’t stand upright, especially when I’m trying to make room for them in my already tight garage. A free-standing fold is like gold in my book.
• Car seat compatible with a Mia Moda car seat. I don’t have the car seat, so I can’t attest to this. But if you’re starting out, or need a new car seat, it would be totally worth it to look into buying both.
• Adjustable-height handle with parent cup holder and one-handed steering. Key to families, like mine, where Mom is barely 5 feet and Dad is much taller.

Learn more about the affordable yet luxury infant stroller at Mia Moda’s site. Or just buy it. You’ll like it. Ships for free at Strollers.com.

I recently had the opportunity to test drive the Ford Flex and it was a huge problem for me. Because I and my kids liked it so much, we did not want to give it back.

We gave our test model a name. “Sexy Flexy”. Probably because of the vehicle’s magnetic appeal. From the instant we saw it in our driveway we were mesmerized. My daughters blushed. Umm… Mommy? Can we sit in the front seat? Like just while it’s parked here? Would that be ok? Can me and my friend sit in the car and hang out while you’re making dinner? Can I show the neighbors?

Fashionista Mom that I am, I was not going to be won over so easily by the suave good looks alone. After all, I bought a Minivan recently for the utility. Much as I’d love to drive the kids to school and run errands in a Maserati, it’s just not practical. I liked the looks of the Flex from the first time I saw it at the LA Auto Show. But I’m demanding of my vehicles – not a pushover for a two tone paint job and grooved door panels. It was going to take a little more to get this practical Fashionista mom’s stamp of approval.

Continue reading to see our slide show and read more about our experience with the Ford Flex.

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