Colorado's Number of SUVs Zooms Up

[midnight armadillo]

http://motortrend.com/features/news/112_news29/

Quote: "During that period of time, there was a big switch from passenger cars to trucks as well as SUVs," said Bill Barrow, president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association.

Consumers switched to the SUVs, which are classified as light trucks, because they are roomier and more useful than cars, he said.

"The cars became smaller and more fuel efficient, but you can't carry kids and a dog," Barrow said.

Uh, reality check...cars get bigger and bigger every year! Compare the current Camry to the ones from say 1990: Length went from 182 in. to 187.5 in, while curb weight increased by about 300 lbs. More power in '04 too, with lower emissions and better mileage.

As for kids+dog, my new 2001 Saab 9-5 wagon can haul 2 adults, 3 kids in booster and/or car seats, and has 37 cubic feet in the trunk for a dog or two. So there, Mr. Barrow.

[phantom power]

1. We're getting a Volvo V70.

Wagons should make a big comeback. They have more cargo capacity than a lot of the smaller SUVs. And you can always throw a cargo-pod on top if you need more.

I really really wish somebody made a hybrid wagon. Someday...

[midnight armadillo]

2. A V70??

Get a Saab. Volvos are inspired by trucks, Saabs by fighter jets :D The Saab will do 30+ mpg on the highway.

Toyota has stronly hinted at a hybrid Toyota Sienna minivan in 2006, conveniently right when our family will probably be approaching minivan size. The massive torque on the electric motors should make for a very pleasant experience in largers cars. I think the Chevy Malibu will get a 'mild hybrid' version that'll include engine shutoff at red lights, etc, but I can't think of any real hybrid wagons in the pipeline.

[phantom power]

4. Saabs are cool. Last forever, too. (but so do Volvos...)

The V70 gets 30 on the highway. At least, with the 2.4L engine.

Wow, a hybrid Sienna would be a winner.

The V8 Magnum has that retractable shaft, which I thought was a cool idea, although it still doesn't get what I'd call good mileage. I guess it's good for a 300hp V8.

[midnight armadillo]

5. According to cars.com....

The 2.4L inline 5 in the v70: 168 hp, 166 ft-lbs. torque, gets 21/28.

The 2.3L turbo inline 4 in the saab 9-5: 185 hp, 207 ft-lbs. torque. gets 21/29. So there ;-)

Then again I'm biased. I've just ordered my saabnet.com license plate frame, am saving my pennies for a classic late eighties 900 hatchback and probably qualify as a member of the Saab cult. My family did own a mid-70's Volvo sedan for 17 years though when I was growing up.

[tridim]

3. I can fit stacks of 2x4's into my tiny Nissan

Hatchbacks nullify SUV convenience and beat the crap out of them in gas mileage. I once even fit a full sized pinball machine into my Honda CRX.

[phantom power]

6. I regularly fit big loads into my Saturn SL2.

All sorts of things are possible, with fold-down seats and a roof rack.