Van or SUV type car, hybrid with MPG over 30?

Question

We're looking at buying a new car next summer, something to replace our van. We still need something large (we travel a lot, and I work with the Girl Scouts). But the best I've been seeing for MPG is around 25. Has anyone seen anything better? Or know of anything coming out on the market??

Answer 1

Don't fall for a hybrid car. The manufacturing process is so involved and uses so many toxic chemicals that they are actually far more damaging to the environment than a standard car of similar dimensions. Here in Aust we have LPG vehicles which are far cheaper  to run than petrol cars. If they are available in your area you should look at that as your travel requirements are huge and it would save you money as well as being far better in terms of emissions.

Answer 2

I drive a 2006 Ford Freestyle.  Its not a hybrid or anything but I get 26 mpgs on the highway which is not bad for a 3 row vehicle.  The current models (Ford changed the name to Tarus X) has a stronger engine but they claim it gets the same mpgs.  A friend drives a Saturn Outlook and says she gets 26 mpgs on the highway.  

My city driving is not that good however.

Answer 3

Nothing that big (three rows) is available with the MPG.

Ford's Escape hybrid is rated at 34 MPG City, but that is a compact SUV, and may not be large enough.