I have an Avalanche with the small block V-8. Maybe a touch underpowered, but I get right at 18MPG on the highway. The lifetime fuel economy on the driver information console is right around 15 MPG. The drop down mid gate is an ingenious invention. You can get a 4'x 8'sheet of plywood in there all locked up tight and dry. I purchased mine as a lease return. It was 13 months old, had 16,000 and I paid $18,000 below the sticker price.
Tip - Use Eagle One Tire Shine on the Vinyl Cladding and bed cover pieces. It is the product I have found that lasts the longest and does not streak on the paint when it rains.
The challenge the auto makers have is to match the usability and family friendly nature of the SUV in an alternative. People are buying SUV's because of the human and cargo hauling capacity, notbecuase they are sporty and have 4 wheel drive.
I drive a SUV because I live/work in New England. Can't beat them in the snow. Also, I feel safer on the highway because I can see far ahead because I can see over all other cars on road.
"The challenge the auto makers have is to match the usability and family friendly nature of the SUV in an alternative. People are buying SUV's because of the human and cargo hauling capacity, notbecuase they are sporty and have 4 wheel drive."
It's called a minivan.
I bought a small car with good gas mileage. The money I save I can put towards somebody else doing the home improvement projects that require a truck. Or I can rent a Home Depot truck for 19 bucks. Either way I don't need a gas guzzler.
I have 3 sons. Two are 6' 2.5". One is 6' 1". I need a 4X4 to get through heavy snow AND carry my family of 5 in crappy weather. The Ford Escape fit the bill. I also have an 1999 F150 4X4 with under 25,000 miles on it. Winter weather demands the 4X4 to avoid being trapped in a dangerous condition. The F150 gets used less than 1,000 miles per year.
I recently purchased an investment house about 3 miles from my residence. The F150 fits the bill to cart all my tools and yard care equipment. I don't have a commute to work. If that became necessary, I would pull the 1994 Saturn SL2 out of the garage. It has 103,000 miles on it. Less than 2,000 of those have been posted since April 2002.