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SUV gas mileage - Feel free to participate

1070 messages,  Last post on Jun 04, 2009 at 10:34 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Expedition, GMC Envoy, Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Nissan Pathfinder, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

#1024 of 1070 Re: I like seeing what's going on... [ateixeira] by wvgasguy Sep 18, 2008 (4:08 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 18, 2008 7:20 am) Money is not an issue, saving fuel is my concern. I'm willing to pay to do that, thus I don't feel the need to justify the expense of the hybrid system t myself.   I could be happy with a small SUV, but they all come with small seats. I'm 6'2" and 260 #. I would like the Escape with no console and Expedition seats!
#1025 of 1070 Re: I like seeing what's going on... [ateixeira] by kipk Sep 19, 2008 (4:38 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 18, 2008 7:20 am) >"Remember, he was going to give the Expy to the kids and try to find a smaller, more fuel efficient option.    I'd skip the Pilot and look at the compact class. If you want a dramatic improvement in fuel economy, look at the Escape hybrid, the Vue Greenline, or non-hybrids like the Subaru Forester, Honda's own CR-V, Nissan's Rogue, and a Toyota RAV4."   He also said: He has occational need to tow 3500# and haul 8 people on vacation.   SO !   Why not give the EXPY to the kids and buy a super mileage hybrid sedan. Something super economical for everyday use and Borrow the Expy for those special occasions. Kids shouldn't mind letting him borrow it since he gave it to them.   Of course he has said he is a big guy and needs a car to accomodate him. That gets back to some type of SUV, as you suggest, or large sedan. None of which will give that giant leap "SUPER" mileage.   wvgasguy then wrote: > "Money is not an issue, saving fuel is my concern. I'm willing to pay to do that,"   Real world says you simply can't have a fuel sipping hybrid small vehicle that will haul 8 people, that will tow 3500#, with 4WD, right now. Life is a compromise. Decide your priorities and go from there.   Kip Replies to this message: ateixeira (Sep 22, 2008 1:06 pm) stevedebi (Sep 22, 2008 1:19 pm) kipk (Sep 23, 2008 5:38 am) wvgasguy (Oct 01, 2008 5:37 pm)
#1026 of 1070 Re: I like seeing what's going on... [kipk] by ateixeira Sep 22, 2008 (1:06 pm)
Replying to: kipk (Sep 19, 2008 4:38 am) I don't see a need for 2 large vehicles in the same household, it's just .... well, it's unnecessary.   I like your hybrid sedan suggestion a whole lot better, but it may be hard to downsize in such a radical manner because most sedan trunks can only carry 13 or so cubic feet of stuff, and he's used to a 100+ cubic foot opening.   That's why I went to compact crossovers. They won't be quite as much of a shock to downsize into. You still have 70 or so cubes, yet mileage improves dramatically.   If there was a hybrid station wagon, I would have recommended that.   Now, big seats? Hmm, attend a local auto show and sample all the seats back-to-back. Our Forester has really good head room, but check the leg room as well. Not sure about the others.   I have to squeeze in to my 93 Miata so I know what it feels like to be cramped, but I don't take that on longer trips. Replies to this message: stevedebi (Sep 22, 2008 1:19 pm) kipk (Sep 23, 2008 5:38 am)
#1027 of 1070 Re: I like seeing what's going on... [ateixeira] by stevedebi Sep 22, 2008 (1:19 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 22, 2008 1:06 pm) "If there was a hybrid station wagon, I would have recommended that. "   For your small vehicle, you might consider the Ford Escape Hybrid, it gets around 31 in all cycles (real world, 2009 AWD model).   Of course, they are pricey...
#1028 of 1070 Re: I like seeing what's going on... [ateixeira] by kipk Sep 23, 2008 (5:38 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 22, 2008 1:06 pm) >"I like your hybrid sedan suggestion a whole lot better, but it may be hard to down size in such a radical manner because most sedan trunks can only carry 13 or so cubic feet of stuff, and he's used to a 100+ cubic foot opening."   Absolutely !   Problem with down sizing is that things get smaller.   Friends of ours recently decided to down size on house and car. Traded in their 2-3 year old Expedition w/5.4 for a new Explorer with 4.6. He said his payments are lower. Reluctantly admitted, there are a lot more payments. Fuel mileage, is about the same, according to him. And now he feels cramped in the smaller car.   The new smaller house had to be able to hold all the "Big" furniture that was in the really "Big" house. Found a super deal on a new house ( builder foreclosure) but had to down size selling price for his old house, and get rid of a lot of furniture.   So now these 2 people in their 60s are having to learn to live with a tiny Explorer and a smaller house.   FWIW he is about 5'10" and 250#. She is about 5'6" and 175#.   It is all about perspective!   Kip
#1029 of 1070 Seat size by ateixeira Sep 23, 2008 (8:02 am)
At 6'2" and 260 pounds, the main issue here may just be the front seat, and how well you'd fit in those.   I think a car show would be a good idea. You can "test fit" several vehicles, even from different segments, and narrow it down to a short list where you were truly comfortable.   Being that tall may even limit your options (no moonroof, perhaps).   I know an Expy is good for a large guy, as is a Tahoe. Big, wide seats and good arm rests help a lot. You might be cramped in a compact anything.   Money no object, a hybrid Tahoe would do everything you want and still gets 20mpg even in the city. They're $50 grand, though. Replies to this message: wvgasguy (Oct 01, 2008 5:48 pm) kipk (Oct 02, 2008 2:27 am) ateixeira (Oct 02, 2008 12:34 pm) stevedebi (Oct 02, 2008 2:35 pm) and 1 more...
#1030 of 1070 Size vs. Mileage by lakerunner4h Oct 01, 2008 (8:47 am)
I drive a 2008 Ford Edge Limited AWD. It gets around 18 mpg in the city, and 23 or so on the highway (70 - 75mph). For a five passenger vehicle, it has about as much passenger room as most full size conventional SUVs, and more so than most conventional midsize SUVs (Explorer, Trailblazer, etc.). The ride quality is great, handles much better than our former Trailblazer EXT and Grand Cherokees, and delivers better fuel economy than any of those did. The only drawback is the luggage space -- about 1/4 to 1/3 smaller than the others. So far, it's been a reasonable tradeoff.
#1031 of 1070 Re: I like seeing what's going on... [kipk] by wvgasguy Oct 01, 2008 (5:37 pm)
Replying to: kipk (Sep 19, 2008 4:38 am) Forgot to mention I plan to keep two vehicles. One is a Toyota Camry Hybrid that gets 38 mpg and is my main vehicle. However I live on a hill, in an area that gets snow and my wife needs to be able to drive 40 miles every day reguardless of weather. Thus a 4wd vehicle that can tow 3500# (tractor and jet skis).
#1032 of 1070 Re: Seat size [ateixeira] by wvgasguy Oct 01, 2008 (5:48 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 23, 2008 8:02 am) I was actually disappointed in the comfort of the Tahoe.   If I give my kids the Expedition, I really wouldn't see it reasonable to pay $50K for a Tahoe to get 5 mpg better FE. I don't mind spending money but still want to make a wise decision. I can't see paying $10K for the hybrid in a Tahoe. I don't think these will do well and thus hold their value.   I am leaning at this point towards the Mercedes diesel or the Escape Hybrid as my two choices Replies to this message: kipk (Oct 02, 2008 2:27 am) ateixeira (Oct 02, 2008 12:34 pm) stevedebi (Oct 02, 2008 2:35 pm) ateixeira (Oct 09, 2008 9:17 am)
#1033 of 1070 Re: Seat size [wvgasguy] by kipk Oct 02, 2008 (2:27 am)
Replying to: wvgasguy (Oct 01, 2008 5:48 pm) >"I am leaning at this point towards the Mercedes diesel or the Escape Hybrid as my two choices "   >"I need to tow 3500# (not all that much, just my tractor or jet skis), I need 4wd (live on a hill in snow "at times" country) and I wanted size to haul the family (8 on vacation)."   Mercedes ML 350 starting at $47,250 will tow the weight but only carries 5 souls.   The GL class starting at $53,400 will tow the same and carry 7 souls. Still short on carrying folks capacity. Fuel mileage for either is 18/24 according to Edmunds. Not the giant leap in fuel mileage you are looking for.   On the other hand, the AWD Escape Hybrid starting at $33,385 is rated at 29 city and 27 hyway. Yep, less on the road than in the city. But still pretty good. Definitely a giant leap compared to the Expedition.   It carries 5 souls and I didn't see a "Tow" rating. However with it's 2.5 liter gas engine, I wouldn't think it would meet your needs in hauling people or towing.   On the third hand, the Pilot AWD starts at $29,195. Hauls 8, tows 4500# and gets about the same fuel mileage as the Mercedes Diesel. It has 5" more shoulder room than the Escape and 2" more than the Mercedes. Within 1.5" of the shoulder room in the Expedition. Considerably more maximum cargo capacity than the Escape. Not sure about cargo space when compared to the Mercedes.   As far as MPG goes, On our 03 Pilot AWD we have gotten 27+ mpg at 65 mph on an 1100 mile trip, and 18 mpg at 80+ mph on a 350 mile trip. Locally, we get 17-19 mpg, every time. Typically the road mileage is 23-25 mpg at 70 mph. Honda longevity is legendary. If you haven't spent some time in one, maybe you should.   Kip

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