The all-female driving event Heels and Wheels has developed into a cornerstone of the automotive culture on the West Coast. Displaying vehicles from premier manufacturers and highlighting notable female figures in the industry, this year’s assembly in Portland commemorated a notable event: its 12th anniversary and an admirable achievement for founder Christine Overstreet, whose expertise in automotive public relations—including leading dealer training initiatives for Nissan and handling public relations for Kia Motors America (where she assisted media during the Kia Motors Team Paris-Dakar 2000 expedition)—motivated her to establish an alternative to the typically male-oriented car exhibition.
Heels & Wheels: Crafted by Women, For Women
Heels & Wheels originated as a platform to promote conversations about automobiles from a female viewpoint, concentrating on what women desire in vehicles—be it a family-friendly SUV or a sporty convertible—and unite professionals with a common automotive interest for genuine, on-road evaluations. It also acknowledges women as a critical influence in automotive purchases. A 2021 study by Cars.com revealed that women were responsible for 85 percent of household car-buying decisions and constituted 62 percent of buyers, even though women account for merely a quarter of dealership sales personnel. Overstreet emphasizes that attendees not only provide invaluable perspectives among peers in the industry but also exchange insights about vehicles, enabling their audiences and female customers with enhanced knowledge and purchasing assurance.
Reconnecting with familiar individuals and establishing new associations with women throughout the industry is another significant attraction for both newcomers and seasoned participants. Moreover, the chance to network with an expanding number of women in influential positions at North American automotive firms adds to the appeal. This year, Amanda Ignatius from Volvo’s brand and lifestyle communications, Tamara Mlynarczyk, Mazda’s public affairs manager, and Breanne McCallop from Toyota North America were present along with representatives from Audi, Cadillac, and Rivian.
The Vehicle Lineup
Experience in managing the multifaceted logistics of such events since 2010 has positioned Overstreet and her company, Overstreet Events, adeptly in orchestrating national and global driving events alongside premier automakers, from Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover to Maserati. Generally, she takes a “hands-off” approach towards the Heels & Wheels car roster, allowing manufacturers to choose fleet vehicles to provide attendees with a diverse array of driving experiences based on their coverage interests, and this year’s lineup did not fail to impress.
This year featured an all-weather hybrid, the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD, along with a KIA EV9 GT-Line AWD that, with its remarkable range, roomy three-row layout, and advanced interior, emerged as a leading contender in its category and recipient of the 2024 World Car of The Year accolade. Another three-row beauty, the Mazda CX-90, one of my personal favorites, was showcased alongside track-ready vehicles like the Nissan Z Nismo and McLaren Artura Spider that everyone was eager to try out.
Heels & Wheels 2024 commenced at The Porter Portland in downtown Portland with a reception backed by Nissan and a presentation from Cars.com’s research and insights head Amie Lindaas, who focused on how Gen Z is reshaping the navigation of car purchases. Main observations indicated that lifestyle compatibility matters more than brand allegiance (with Toyota, Mazda, and KIA ranking among the most trusted), and affordability being a crucial determinant. Surprisingly, Gen Z also favors the traditional dealership as their preferred location for vehicle shopping over apps like Carvana and Cazoo. The following morning, the Overstreet team, along with the hotel valet, was busy arranging 14 vehicles for our morning journey towards The Allison Inn & Spa for a comprehensive and brisk day of test drives in the picturesque and autumn-like Oregon Wine Country.
Luxury Station Wagons to the ‘Supercar of SUVs’
Though station wagons may not be as favored in America as they are in Europe, Volvo is altering that narrative with its adventure-optimized V90 Cross Country B6 AWD Ultra. From a visual standpoint, I was instantly enchanted by its sporty outline, dark wood accents, and stylish crystal shifter crafted by Swedish artisans at Orrefors. Volvo’s premium model is filled with features, including the now-standard massaging seats. The vehicle maneuvered superbly on the road, delivering remarkable acceleration and commendable highway fuel efficiency as we headed south toward Willamette Valley. Due to its ample cargo area, which suits my “DINK” lifestyle of mountain trips perfectly, I awarded additional points for practicality.
Next on the rotation was the Audi A6 Avant, a paragon of practicality with astonishing 621 horsepower and a thrilling 0-60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. This twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 performance wagon was an absolute delight to drive, although my experience on the nine-mile Bald Peak Loop offered a mere 17 minutes to appreciate its prowess, leaving me—and everyone else fortunate enough to drive it that day—hungry for more. Inside, the 2024 model boasted opulent details and an intuitive, tech-friendly infotainment system, comprising a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, dual touchscreens, along with a standard Bang & Olufsen stereo. Priced from $125,800, optional enhancements such as the heads-up display and a motion-activated rear liftgate could push the total to over $144,000.
For those with a penchant for lavishness, the 2025 Aston Martin DBX707—a true homage to luxury—stood out in a striking Synapse Orange color scheme. With a sticker price of $352,200, it was the most expensive vehicle evaluated that day, narrowly overcoming the McLaren by $21,900. This super-SUV is equipped with a 697-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering immense power along with surprisingly smooth handling compared to the Cadillac Lyriq AWD Sport 3. While the Lyriq was enjoyable to drive, its LED touchscreen—which served as both the infotainment system and driver gauge display—was somewhat challenging to navigate initially. Describing the Aston’s driving experience, Dawn Gibson-Thigpen (also known as Sassy Auto Chick) aptly summarized: “The DBX707 is an SUV with a sports car’s soul.”
The Electric Vehicles
Arnold Schwarzenegger acquired the inaugural civilian Hummer to leave the assembly line in 1992, but under GMC, the Hummer is now back with a powerful all-electric variant. Exceptionally designed and engineered, the Hummer EV SUV felt like a robust, luxurious powerhouse. I did not have the chance to experiment with the crab-walk feature or remove any of the T-top roof panels, but the 35-inch off-road tires and four-wheel steering made it feel just as manageable on the highway as it did on rural roads surrounding The Alison Inn. And as far removed from its fuel-thirsty older counterpart as one could possibly be, I was amazed to discover its Ultium battery technology offers an estimated range exceeding 300 miles.
Having noticed an increasing presence of Rivians around San Diego, I was excited to experience the 2025 R1S Performance Dual Max firsthand. As a lifestyle brand intimately linked with outdoor adventures, it’s fitting that a former gas station close to Yosemite National Park has evolved into its latest charging station. Visually, the R1S is genuinely eye-catching and, despite weighing in at 7000lbs, felt nimble throughout each segment of the driving loop. Additionally, the cabin was notably serene. Even more astonishing? Its 410-mile range when fully charged.
The Track Toys
The track-ready performance vehicle, the 2024 Nissan Z Nismo, was at the pinnacle of my ‘wish list’ for the day, and by the late afternoon, I had my opportunity. Although there was no manual transmission (unlike the Nissan Z, which I happily drove back into Santa Barbara during Heels & Wheels 2022), the 9-speed automatic is specially calibrated for accurate shifts that driving aficionados (aka purists) will appreciate. As a fan of the Datsun 240Z, I adored the two-seater’s retro-modern aesthetic, although in this variant, design elements drew inspiration from the GT500 race car. The cabin featured a cockpit-inspired interior and sports seating that heightened the racetrack atmosphere. To ensure fairness, Overstreet assigned 30-minute driving sessions per vehicle, but with the twin-turbo 3L V6 providing such an exhilarating experience, it would have been fantastic to get a bit more familiar with the paddle shifters. With an EPA fuel efficiency rating of 17mpg around the city, it’s not the type of vehicle you would take for quick errands, but if you did, you’d undoubtedly enjoy yourself and attract plenty of attention along the way.
The most thrilling drive of the day was certainly the 2025 McLaren Artura Spider: a dynamic, lightning-quick supercar in Volcano Blue with an MSRP of $330,300 that idled deeply. Its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with an electric motor delivers 690 horsepower and achieves a 0-60 mph time of about 3 seconds. The gullwing doors (with interior handles resembling a can opener) took a moment to figure out, so by the time I embarked on my six-minute loop around the block – in comfort mode, though with the retractable hardtop down – all that information slipped right from my mind. But, like all initial supercar experiences, the moment I exited the cockpit, heart racing, it left me yearning for more. Until Heels & Wheels 2026, that is.
Image Source: The Broker With Rich Lane @ YouTube
