Get Better SUV Fuel Economy
People like driving a sport utility vehicle, but SUV fuel economy is often considered a joke. SUVs simply are not usually economical on gas. They tend to be powerful, often with four wheel drive capabilities. Why do people like SUVs anyway?
Some people feel they need them because they have to pull a trailer frequently. Some like them for getting around in snow, although a front wheel drive car can often do just as well. SUVs seem roomy and safe, and often have more comfortable seating than passenger cars, with some even offering a third row of seats.
Improving SUV fuel economy makes sense for those auto owners that like the feel of power they get from their sport utility vehicle. Of course, following common sense fuel efficiency practices will help in an SUV like it will in any vehicle. These measures include not driving aggressively, keeping the speed down, keeping the vehicle in good repair, and using the cruise control.
If you are shopping for a new SUV, look to the hybrids for good economy, or at least better economy. They cost a little more in the beginning, but fuel savings will offset the cost and you can feel good about doing something that is ecologically responsible. The Ford Escape Hybrid is one of the best hybrid SUVs, getting 34 miles to the gallon in city driving and 30 on the highway. Prices start at $26,265. The 2008 SUVs that are selling the most are the Honda CR-V, The Toyota RAV4, The Toyota Highlander, the Jeep Wrangler, and the Ford Escape. Of these, the Highlander and the Escape are available in hybrids. Mazda makes a hybrid SUV called the Tribute. It is available in either front wheel drive or all wheel drive, and in Touring or Grand Touring styles. It comes in a choice of four colors, which are Kiwi green, Monterey gray, Spark blue (a light sky-blue), and Tungsten gray. The interior is in Stone, a neutral gray colored cloth or leather. Prices range from $25,310 to $29,570. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is another popular new choice for SUV fuel economy. It is available in Black, Cypress Pearl, which is a light gray-green, and four silvery shades, which are Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Iced Amethyst Mica, and Wave Line Pearl. Interior colors are ash and sand beige. The Highlander gets 27 miles to the gallon in city driving, and 25 mpg on the highway. Jeep makes a couple of non-hybrid SUVs that get mileage that is comparable to the hybrids. One is the Compass, and another is the Patriot. With manual transmission, these vehicles both are rated at 23 mpg in town and 27 on the highway. With automatic transmission they are only slightly less efficient, because they are outfitted with continuously variable gear ratio transmissions, which help to save fuel. The Patriot starts at $15,475, and comes in nine exterior color choices. These are Bright Silver Metallic Clearcoat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearlcoat, Inferno Red Crystal Pearlcoat, Jeep Green Metallic Clearcoat, Light Khaki Metallic Clearcoat, Steel Blue Metallic Clearcoat, Stone White Clearcoat, Sunburst Orange Pearlcoat, and Surf Blue Pearlcoat. How's that for variety?
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