Comments on: Eco Fail: Hybrid SUVs Just Aren’t Selling

By: 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid: What Weighs Close to Three Tons... - Auto Trends

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid: What Weighs Close to Three Tons... - Auto Trends — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:40:12 +0000

[...] bar at 20 mpg or so with its new Escalade, which is actually quite similar to several of the other SUV hybrids that are not selling too great. Is all that bling-bling going to be able to get peoples attention [...]

By: rent hybrid car

rent hybrid car — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 21:58:17 +0000

Well duh! It’s not really an improvement to have a FSP (fuel sucking pig) go from 14 MPG to 20 MPG. Give me a car that I can haul 5 plus some reasonable storage and gets at least 40mpg and I will buy that all day long. 20mpg… give me a break!

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:14:55 +0000

Jeff,

My 20mpg minivan hauls all my toys and gear and has MORE room than your SUV.

By: Marianne

Marianne — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:08:27 +0000

What I really want is a hybrid minivan. We have 2 kids and 2 disabled grandparents to drive around and need a larger vehicle to do it. I have heard that hybrid minivans are sold in other countries, just not in the US. Why?????

By: Vince

Vince — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:30:12 +0000

Regarding the expression about cake…at some point isn’t language defined by usage? And I don’t buy the explanation at the wsu.edu link. The phrase works just fine if you interpret “have” as “possess”. Contrary to that web page, if you want to confuse someone, use the “corrected” form of the expression. Better yet, say it to my teenage daughter and get ready for a “verbal shotgun blast”. Then again, teens are never wrong.

I think we should all pitch in and get a Smart Car for Jeff. How bout a pretty one with pastel daisies on it? My wife would kill for one…or a Vespa for that matter. It’s kinda odd that the Smart Car only averages about 40mpg though.

Bottom line on the hybrid SUVs…the added mpg is simply not worth the added cost. To reinforce my point, we had a down payment placed on a Prius. The total cost of the car was over $26,000. Having seen a Honda Civic that was rated for about 30mpg that was $10,000 less in price, I realized I’d never be able to recoup the added cost with the Prius even though it was supposed to get 50mpg. What’s odd is that hearing the CEO of that division of Toyota say himself that the Prius was not worth the added cost (not a direct quote) did not stop me from wanting one.

I average 35mpg in my Civic Sedan in what I call “town” traffic (not bumper-to-bumper stuff) and a little bit more on the highway. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad I bought the Civic!

By: Jackie

Jackie — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:26:39 +0000

Stephanie: Good point. I’m just picky.

Jeff: Congratulations. Apparently you 1.) don’t terrorize those of us in smaller vehicles, and 2.) actually put your SUV to good use. However, as Shea points out, you’re in the minority. Perhaps MD/DC drivers are more aggressive in general, but I’ve definitely noticed that SUV drivers (at least in this area) try to dominate the road (tailgating, weaving through traffic, cutting others off, etc.). Take a friend’s smaller vehicle for a ride and maybe you’ll see what I see. When I’ve glanced over at this kind of SUV driver (the type that cuts me off so they can race up to nearest stop light), I don’t see children in car seats or lots of ski and sports equipment in the back.

By: Stephanie Rogers

Stephanie Rogers — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:16:11 +0000

Yes – I have no problem with the very small percentage of people who actually, legitimately need SUVs or large pickups – like, people whose professions require them to lug a lot of gear around. However, the vast majority of SUV/truck owners have them just because they think they’re cool.

By: Thom

Thom — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:50:37 +0000

Jeff, I am glad you enjoy your 15mpg gas guzzler. The argument you make is terrible, because realistically you are not camping or hauling a boat 95% of the time. In reality you are driving to and from work. But don’t worry when the earth’s gas tank runs out of petro, and it will run out. I’ll wave as I and other drivers who drive efficient vehicles pass you by. Hope your not in the desert, I hear it gets kind of hot.

By: Shea Gunther

Shea Gunther — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:37:38 +0000

@Jeff Congrats, you belong to the 2% of SUV owners who actually need a big ass gas guzzler. You should put that on a shirt.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:58:54 +0000

I have owned an SUV for 20 yrs now and I have not terrorized anyone Jackie. Many of us have a lifestyle that requires a bigger vehicle and I am willing to pay for it. Just as you make a choice to drive a small vehicle, I choose to drive a mid size SUV that hauls all my ski gear, camping gear etc. Stop whining about SUV owners and enjoy your Prius as I will enjoy my 15mpg SUV.