Features of the 2018 Mazda3

Ranked #8 in Compact Cars from U.S. News and World Report, the 2018 Mazda 3 is a stylish, affordable vehicle. It starts at just $18,095 for the base model, and even upgrades such as the available premium equipment package won't break the bank. The Mazda 3 comes in both a sedan and hatchback model, and this vehicle offers a variety of features that will have drivers excited to take on the challenge of the open road. Interior Mazda used exceptional quality materials to design the interior of the Mazda 3. The front seats are contoured to hug your body, and they are upholstered with soft, breathable cloth, leatherette, or dual-stitched leather. The cabin is laid out for maximum driver convenience, with all of the controls and displays placed within easy reach. There is seating for five and two full sets of LATCH car-seat connectors in the back row. The sedan has 12.4 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback offers just over 20 cubic feet with the rear seats up or 47 cubic feet with both rear seats folded forward. more Power The Mazda 3 doesn't skimp on power. The Sport model comes with a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that has 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The Touring and Grand Touring models each feature a SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 184 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. All models come with front-wheel drive, and you can choose between a six-speed overdrive manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode and manual shift. All this adds up to a satisfying driving experience that earns the vehicle 4 out of 5 stars from Car and Driver in the Engine and Transmission category. Performance The Mazda 3's responsive steering makes it fun to drive. SKYACTIV Vehicle Dynamics with G-Vectoring Control makes cornering a breeze by shifting the vehicle's weight inside the turn and adjusting power delivery for an exhilarating experience. The 4-wheel independent suspension system delivers a smoother ride on bumpy surfaces, and sturdy brakes also help you tackle corners. The vehicle gets a respectable 28 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon highway, saving you about $100 per year in fuel costs depending on your driving habits. Technology Drivers these days expect their cars to come loaded with technology features, and the Mazda 3 does not disappoint. It comes standard with the Mazda Connect system, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and HD radio. A 7-inch touch-screen controls the system in tandem with console-mounted controls. There are also plenty of safety technology features onboard. These include adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and traffic sign recognition. With all these features at your fingertips, you'll feel secure knowing your car is helping to keep you safe on the road. The Mazda 3 is a well-rounded, fun-to-drive compact car with exceptional power, performance, and handling. Its many features make it appealing to commuters and families alike, and its value is hard to beat. Test drive one today and find out for yourself! Photo by egm | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0

Are you planning a party but have no idea what to do for the food? Just bring in a food truck! You'll provide your guests with quality, tasty food they'll love, and you can get back to hosting the party. Since there are so many delicious food truck options, we've compiled a shortlist of four of Wichita's best-rated trucks. more 1. Funky Monkey Munchies While some food trucks consistently use just one menu for the food they serve, Funky Monkey Munchies has a rotating menu. This means you could use Funky Monkey Munchies for several parties and enjoy a variety of delicious, organic-based food. This food truck takes a classic item and puts a tasty spin on it, like cherry cheesecake waffles, for example. A menu item you'll have to try is the jalapeno popper rolls. Dip these rolls in Funky Monkey Munchies's sweet chili sauce, and your taste buds will experience sweet and spicy all at once. 2. The Flying Stove The Flying Stove also changes up their menu to keep you coming back for more of their delicious food. The level of flavor they pack into each dish will leave you satisfied and wanting more at the same time. The menu generally consists of tacos, sandwiches, burgers, and fries, but with their own flair to each item. You can't go wrong with their bleu cheeseburger, kale grilled cheese sandwich, or truffle fries. If you want something delicious that's sure to please the whole crowd, bring in The Flying Stove. 3. LumpiaPalooza If you've never tried lumpia before, you definitely should. Lumpia is essentially the Filipino version of a spring roll, but LumpiaPalooza makes lumpia with quite a variety of ingredients. The owners of LumpiaPalooza first opened a restaurant in Wichita called the Parsnipity Cafe, which is now no longer open. The owners decided to stick with just the food truck, so if you want the best lumpia in town, order from LumpiaPalooza. You can order a classic lumpia with sweet and sour sauce or try something completely different, like a macaroni and cheese lumpia or even a cookie dough lumpia. 4. Noble House Hawaiian Plate If you want a more Hawaiian-themed menu, check out Noble House Hawaiian. While Noble House Hawaiian is a restaurant based in Wichita, you won't want to pass up the opportunity to bring a taste of Hawaii to your guests by bringing in their food truck or team of caterers. The menu consists of several plate lunch variations, so you can go classic or try something very different. For instance, you can order the Hulihuli Chicken, which consists of marinated and charbroiled chicken, or Lau Lau, which consists of a piece of pork and butterfish wrapped steamed in a taro leaf and tea leaf. Noble House Hawaiian also caters sushi. Take a load off your event planning. Bring in any one of these four food trucks, and your guests won't be able to stop talking about how good the food was for the rest of the day. Image via Pixabay by kendallpools

Whether you need space, power, or to feel luxurious in a car, Mazda has an SUV for you. Here's the lowdown on three Mazdas so you can determine which one fits your lifestyle best. more Mazda CX-9 The Mazda CX-9 is available in four trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, and Signature. All trims are available in all-wheel drive, while the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring are also available with front-wheel drive. This SUV is powered by a Skyactiv-G 2.5-turbo four-cylinder engine with Dynamic Pressure Turbo that gets 250 horsepower. Each Mazda CX-9's engine is paired with a Skyactiv six-speed automatic transmission. The 18.0-inch aluminum wheels, body-colored rear roof spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets give the CX-9 a sporty look. The Grand Touring stands out with aluminum roof rails with a satin chrome finish and 20.0-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. One of the perks of owning the CX-9 is that it is great for large families or those transporting team members because it seats up to seven passengers. Inside the cabin, you'll find luxurious amenities such as leather-trimmed seats, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof. A 7.0-inch full-color touch screen display and access to MazdaConnect keep you connected while on the go. Mazda CX-5 If you like a car with more options to select from, the Mazda CX-5 is your SUV because it can be customized in five trim levels — Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature. The Skyactive-G 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine (with Cylinder Deactivation) delivers 187 horsepower. Mazda has paired this engine with a Skyactive-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode and manual-shift. The C X -5 has an aggressive appearance and available features, including a roof-mounted shark-fin antenna, body-colored rear roof spoiler, and bright finish dual exhaust outlets. LED headlights light the way ahead, and body-colored power side mirrors with LED turn signals ensure others know your intentions. With this car's Mazda Connect infotainment system and a 7.0-inch touch screen display with Bluetooth and Pandora integration, you now have both information and entertainment apps at the touch of a finger. Two USB inputs allow you to keep your devices charged and at the ready. Mazda CX-3 Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring are the three trim levels available for the Mazda CX-3. Each of these sport a Skyactive-G 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine with VVT. This engine will arrive paired with a Skyactive-Drive six-speed automatic transmission, and get 148 horsepower. A rear roofline spoiler and roof-mounted shark-fin antenna keep the lines sleek, and clear-lens halogen headlights light up your path.  The Touring and Grand Touring feature heated side mirrors and a piano black pillar garnish. There's plenty of room for five passengers to sit comfortably in the CX-3. If you love the feel of luxury, this is the SUV for you. The Sport has cloth-trimmed sport seats, while the seats in the Touring and Grand Touring are leather-trimmed. Also, the Grand Touring features a power sliding glass moonroof, leather steering wheel, and a Bose seven-speaker audio sound system. All trims include a Mazda Connect infotainment system, a 7.0-inch touch screen display, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and push-button start. With so many great options, you're sure to find the perfect Mazda SUV to suit your lifestyle. Image via MazdaUSA.com