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SUVs SUV gas mileage - Feel free to participate
1070 messages, Last post on Jun 04, 2009 at 10:34 AM
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Replying to: kipk (Sep 19, 2008 4:38 am) 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.
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Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 22, 2008 1:06 pm) 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... |
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Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 22, 2008 1:06 pm) 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 |
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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.
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| 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. | |
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Replying to: kipk (Sep 19, 2008 4:38 am) |
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Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 23, 2008 8:02 am) 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 |
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Replying to: wvgasguy (Oct 01, 2008 5:48 pm) >"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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Replying to: drmperalta (Jul 09, 2000 1:42 am)
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Replying to: wvgasguy (Oct 01, 2008 5:48 pm) Escape hybrid cannot tow 3500 pounds. I'm not sure if the hybrid is rated to tow at all, come to think of it. Bluetecs are nice. Not cheap, but they should last and hold their value. Pilots are nice. GM's Lambdas are also nice and can tow 5200 lbs now, best in class. Gas mileage is good, too, but watch out for price with options. In that same class, also test-fit (again the seats are a big issue for a big guy) the Subaru Tribeca, Mazda CX9, and Hyundai Veracruz, since those 3 are getting STEEP discounts right now. You could get one with leather and a GPS for a price of one without those things about a year ago. With big discounts, you can probably get one of those 3 fairly loaded for under $30k, and still tow your 3500 lbs.
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