Reply #44: I drive an Ford Escape Hybrid, and I get irritated with the [View All]

[lakemonster11]

knee-jerk anti-SUV response.

Hummers are one thing---they're designed for military use, not for civilians. But small and mid-sized SUVs?

Sure I don't get as good gas mileage as if I were driving a Prius, but I get better gas mileage than sports cars, trucks, other SUVs, and many larger (or especially older) cars. I also have plenty of space for passengers and "stuff"---useful since I carpool, move, and travel often. I can see why families would want mid-size SUVs (they're about the same size as the minivans I grew up with). I don't particularly like sharing the road with large and especially extra-large SUVs, but I know that people do have reasons for driving them (the ones I know usually have them so that they can haul trailers). The Prius is great (my bf drives one), but it's not for everyone and every use.

Do people respond the same way to sports cars, which get terrible mileage and are bought solely for the style and status they convey? How about those giant monster-truck style pickups? Or how about those big old cars that look like boats? My best friend drove one of those for years, and her gas mileage was actually frightening.

:shrug: