Cherise Threewitt

The latest

I started training for my new volunteer position this week, so I am quite behind. And, as usual, the lack of daylight is starting to get to me.

Over at U.S. News, I compared the Mazda CX-9 to the Mazda CX-5, looked at competitors to the Volvo XC60, and highlighted car discounts for students and teachers. At HowStuffWorks, I examined whether or not car subscriptions, extended test drive programs, and other innovations are changing the way we use car dealerships.

Next week: more volunteer training and more new articles to come.

The latest

I’m in Massachusetts right now, visiting my family and drinking some great beer. I was working like mad right up until the plane took off, so yeah, this post is a little late.

Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of meeting Kimi Werner, who was visiting Chicago as part of her role as a Patagonia ambassador. I’m wicked grateful that ad popped up on Facebook just in time for us to snag tickets and change our plans for the evening. I love when I meet someone I admire, and they’re actually nice in person. So that was a lot of fun, and brought a sort of closure to my Hawaii experience.

So, here’s my latest. For HowStuffWorks, I wrote about the way advanced safety systems affect our driving and California’s proposed combustion engine ban. Over on U.S. News & World Report, I rounded up car discounts for military and first responders, ran down the list of best competitors to the Audi Q5, compared the Audi A4 to the Audi A6, and put the GMC Acadia against the Chevy Traverse. At Vocal Media, I reminisce about cocktails on Oahu’s North Shore.

I have another busy week coming up, but right now… beer.

The latest

It’s been a while since I’ve checked in; work has sort of blown up in my face since I returned from Hawaii, and it doesn’t help that I have surfing on the brain with no realistic way to deal. We started watching a Discovery show called “Pacific Warriors,” about a bunch of kayak fishermen and the amazing spear fisherwoman Kimi Werner. It’s inspiring and helps soothe my ennui.

Last week I visited the Autobahn Country Club for the Midwest Automotive Media Association Fall Rally, a day of driving and networking. I off-roaded in a Jeep Compass, Subaru Crosstrek, and Nissan Titan Pro4X; I got some track time in a Volkswagen Golf R, Nissan GT-R Track Edition, Honda Civic Type R, Mercedes-AMG GLA45, Mazda3, Toyota 86, Genesis G80, Alfa Romeo Guilia Quadrifoglio, and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. It was raining for a good part of the morning, the track was soaked, and some of the laps were a little scary, but I made it through without incident.

(If only I had the time and money for formal track training… but I’d need a car first.)

Since my return, I’ve written a couple comparisons for U.S. News & World Report: the Chevy Impala and Malibu and the Volvo XC60 and XC90. For HowStuffWorks, I’ve examined the upcoming Mazda Skyactiv-X engine and the USNS Comfort’s deployment to Puerto Rico. And! Wicked excited about this! I completed my first assignment for Motor1, a roundup of new and redesigned vehicles we expect to arrive for the 2019 model year. Enjoy!