Take note of 2nd and 3rd place.



Death and taxes. Most everyone understands that neither can be avoided, though cryogenically-frozen and Form 1040-averse individuals keep trying to disprove the only givens in life. Time will tell if such efforts will be worthwhile, but in the meantime there’s a new issue that won’t be so easily skirted – high fuel prices. What’s that you say? It doesn’t affect you? You ride a bicycle to work? Prices will go back down, eh? Guess again, partner.
Regardless of whether your mode of transportation is a Schwinn, a Hummer H1, or a pair of worn-out Nikes, fuel-prices are hitting your wallet just like the rest of us. Fact is, a rise in the cost of a barrel of crude means a jump in the cost of gas, which in turn means higher transport costs, which in turn means your local grocer is paying more for a load of produce and you’re paying more for a head of lettuce, and your plumber is charging more to cover his increased overhead, not to mention the extra funds he needs to feed his family and put clothes on his kids’ backs. When gas prices rise, everything else gets more expensive, and when cars start selling like hotcakes in rapidly expanding markets like China and India, demand usually dictates more pain at the pump.
This is especially painful for drivers who need a spacious and roomy vehicle such as an SUV, a ride that is typically unkind in its unquenchable thirst for petrol. Indeed, there are times when a Toyota Prius or a bus pass won’t do, so we’ve compiled a list of ten fuel-efficient, 2006 SUVs that are currently available, all boasting respectable EPA-rated fuel economy figures and more utility than a Little Red Wagon.
Each model on the list achieves at least 24 mpg in mixed driving when mated to an automatic transmission – the transmission type most consumer choose – and is ranked according to our editors’ recommendations and personal choices. According to the EPA, nine of the vehicles get 25 mpg combined or better, so to make this a proper Top 10 list, we voted in our favorite member of the 24-mpg club to round things out. All EPA data is current as of April 2006.


Source: Autobytel (http://www.autobytel.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_page_order_int/1/article_id_int/1429)

Awsome! I knew I made a good choice.:D

"With comments like “HATED IT!” and “I hate driving this car,” it’s easy to see why the 2006 Chevrolet HHR claimed last place on our list of the fuel-efficient SUVs for 2006."


:-P :lol::-P

Wow, that guy pulls no punches. Refreshing.

I had no idea the Element was THAT fuel efficient as far as SUVs go. I seem to average 22mpg mixed. Not great, but not too bad either I guess.

those are EPA numbers correct? so they are inflated numbers, not real world. I know I barely average 20mpg with my 4wd auto, and I do quite a bit of highway driving and put about 25k plus miles a year on it.

those are EPA numbers correct? so they are inflated numbers, not real world. I know I barely average 20mpg with my 4wd auto, and I do quite a bit of highway driving and put about 25k plus miles a year on it.
They always quote EPA figures. As they say YMMV and with the Element it does. But I'd guess that the same holds true for others on and off the list.

"Each model on the list achieves at least 24 mpg in mixed driving when mated to an automatic transmission – the transmission type most consumer choose – and is ranked according to our editors’ recommendations and personal choices. According to the EPA, nine of the vehicles get 25 mpg combined or better, so to make this a proper Top 10 list, we voted in our favorite member of the 24-mpg club to round things out. All EPA data is current as of April 2006."

What they said about the Element itself...

"However, the only configuration that qualifies for this list is the clutch-less front-wheel-drive model, which the EPA claims will reward its buyer with up to 22 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg in mixed driving. Four-wheel-drive Elements and those with manual trannys carry an estimate of 22 mpg or 23 mpg combined."

But there’s no denying – the styling will make your eyes bleed.


Ouch.

Pay no attention to them, Gus. They know not what they say.

This has to be my favorite quote in the whole article. lol

"And while the CR-V may not draw the praise of a svelte Ferrari, it’s leagues more appealing than the Frankenstein-ish Honda Element."

:evil:

This has to be my favorite quote in the whole article. lol

"And while the CR-V may not draw the praise of a svelte Ferrari, it’s leagues more appealing than the Frankenstein-ish Honda Element."

:evil:

Oh....very ouch.

I personally find the CRV boring, bland and unexciting. Ugh! It's Wonder White Bread in a Goumet Bakery world. If they had been the exact same price I still would not have even considered a CRV over the E. Mr Tango even took me over to the one in the showroom and said - "are you sure you don't want one of these?". Errr, no - it's nice and all but it's got no personality. The E does, debate over.
I have never been one to fade into the crowd or do the expected and I do not intend to start now. If others cannot appreciate the unique beauty of the Element - their loss. Let em buy a CRV and they can fade right into the background with everyone else without an iota of individuality or creativity. Let the masses buy yet another off-white, safe car for boring people. Maybe they can stick a flag decal on it or something so they can tell theirs from everyone else's at the mall parking lot?
And the Rav4 - well it may seat 5 people but only if 3 of them have very short legs. It's a fun little thing but the space is no comparison with the Element. I went to the garden shop last weekend and easily fit $400 of plants into the back of my E. Try THAT with a Rav4.
I guess I will just have to endure the averted eyes of the visually sensitive public while I drive around in my fuel efficient, low E, cargo hauling, spacious, fun to drive, inexpensive, bright orange Element and laugh....at them.

A friend of mine rented an HHR and he said it was horrible. It was especially hard to see out of.

I love my E. I have just over 700 miles now and got over 24mpg out of the first tank and 25.6 out of the 2nd one. I never considered any other vehicle and hope Honda keeps making the E for a long time.

I personally find the CRV boring, bland and unexciting. Ugh! It's Wonder White Bread in a Goumet Bakery world. If they had been the exact same price I still would not have even considered a CRV over the E. Mr Tango even took me over to the one in the showroom and said - "are you sure you don't want one of these?". Errr, no - it's nice and all but it's got no personality. The E does, debate over.
I have never been one to fade into the crowd or do the expected and I do not intend to start now. If others cannot appreciate the unique beauty of the Element - their loss. Let em buy a CRV and they can fade right into the background with everyone else without an iota of individuality or creativity. Let the masses buy yet another off-white, safe car for boring people. Maybe they can stick a flag decal on it or something so they can tell theirs from everyone else's at the mall parking lot?
And the Rav4 - well it may seat 5 people but only if 3 of them have very short legs. It's a fun little thing but the space is no comparison with the Element. I went to the garden shop last weekend and easily fit $400 of plants into the back of my E. Try THAT with a Rav4.
I guess I will just have to endure the averted eyes of the visually sensitive public while I drive around in my fuel efficient, low E, cargo hauling, spacious, fun to drive, inexpensive, bright orange Element and laugh....at them.
I have a tendancy to make barn yard animal noises, if I'm stuck in a crowd. Drives Elaine nuts. My response remains the same " Baaaa, I'm not a sheep!"

I personally find the CRV boring, bland and unexciting. Ugh! It's Wonder White Bread in a Goumet Bakery world. If they had been the exact same price I still would not have even considered a CRV over the E. Mr Tango even took me over to the one in the showroom and said - "are you sure you don't want one of these?". Errr, no - it's nice and all but it's got no personality. The E does, debate over.
I have never been one to fade into the crowd or do the expected and I do not intend to start now. If others cannot appreciate the unique beauty of the Element - their loss. Let em buy a CRV and they can fade right into the background with everyone else without an iota of individuality or creativity. Let the masses buy yet another off-white, safe car for boring people. Maybe they can stick a flag decal on it or something so they can tell theirs from everyone else's at the mall parking lot?
And the Rav4 - well it may seat 5 people but only if 3 of them have very short legs. It's a fun little thing but the space is no comparison with the Element. I went to the garden shop last weekend and easily fit $400 of plants into the back of my E. Try THAT with a Rav4.
I guess I will just have to endure the averted eyes of the visually sensitive public while I drive around in my fuel efficient, low E, cargo hauling, spacious, fun to drive, inexpensive, bright orange Element and laugh....at them.

My sentiments EXACTLY.

Its kind of funny how one magazine article will list it on the top 10 most sexiest cars of 2006 but than some will call it ugly...

it goes to show you.. that people will either love 'em or hate 'em... no in betweens...

I personally find the CRV boring, bland and unexciting. Ugh! It's Wonder White Bread in a Goumet Bakery world. If they had been the exact same price I still would not have even considered a CRV over the E. Mr Tango even took me over to the one in the showroom and said - "are you sure you don't want one of these?". Errr, no - it's nice and all but it's got no personality. The E does, debate over.
I have never been one to fade into the crowd or do the expected and I do not intend to start now. If others cannot appreciate the unique beauty of the Element - their loss. Let em buy a CRV and they can fade right into the background with everyone else without an iota of individuality or creativity. Let the masses buy yet another off-white, safe car for boring people. Maybe they can stick a flag decal on it or something so they can tell theirs from everyone else's at the mall parking lot?
And the Rav4 - well it may seat 5 people but only if 3 of them have very short legs. It's a fun little thing but the space is no comparison with the Element. I went to the garden shop last weekend and easily fit $400 of plants into the back of my E. Try THAT with a Rav4.
I guess I will just have to endure the averted eyes of the visually sensitive public while I drive around in my fuel efficient, low E, cargo hauling, spacious, fun to drive, inexpensive, bright orange Element and laugh....at them.
BRAVO....BRAVO...BRAVO!

"But there’s no denying – the styling will make your eyes bleed."...wtf? A little exageration there!

I have about 1400 miles on mine and I averaged 24.5 mixed and 26.1 mostly driving on slower state routes(55-62 mph) and some expressway (65-75mph). I am impressed with that mileage especially after trading in my 2002 Mountaineer v8 awd, 15 city 21 hwy.

So ugly your eyes will bleed? Now that was a bit harsh. My family wasn't really happy with my purchase at first but now she keeps stealing my keys instead of driving her 2002 CRV. HMMMMM

I think it's a cool car er truck oh I mean SUV.

Rob

When I started looking at cars I really wanted a CRV. It would have fit all my needs and looked very nice (imo*). There are a lot of styles of CRV, they change more often that my hair (I work in a salon) and while I was investigating which one I wanted (and which one I could afford>used>really used). I started considering an E. I was a little sad that the car I had thought about for three years was still beyond my reach but after spending more time with the Es I decided it was the smart choice (darn, I almost always make the smart choice). This afternoon a new CRV drove by me as I walked back to my E in whole foods parking lot and I thought, it's very nice....but I'm soooo glad I bought my E instead!


*in my opinion

I saw a burnt orange, chromed out (Grill guard, side steps, big chrome thing on the hood, chrome windshield visor, and then some) futt bugley, h2 today and it prompted the request:
Top 10 LEAST fuel efficient SUVs. I know we could all pick on our favorite monstrosities, but it would actually make for much more provocative journalism.

can i really be this bored?

A friend of mine rented an HHR and he said it was horrible. It was especially hard to see out of.

Ha, I was really close to buying an HHR, but then decided that I'd be much happier with my E.....and I am! :)

When I was looking to buy. I looked at the E and then walked over to a CRV for about a second and walked back and bought the E. I think my wife said something about the E being more rugged looking and I agree. I love my E!

every time i pull up next to a scion driver i roll down my window; make a show of looking over their car (as it were road kill), make eye contact with the driver; give them the "you-really-wanna-be-seen-in-that?" look, roll my eyes :roll: , then roll my window up.
they always look away (mostly embarassed)

i laugh



i'm a bad man.


To the general public (Tango's generic CR-V crowd) the Element and xB are indistinguishable. Its pretty weird that two very similar looking vehicles have a hard core group of owners that despise each other.

every time i pull up next to a scion driver i roll down my window; make a show of looking over their car (as it were road kill), make eye contact with the driver; give them the "you-really-wanna-be-seen-in-that?" look, roll my eyes :roll: , then roll my window up. ...
Wish you wouldn't do that. We don't all hate xBs, and stirring up bad feelings helps no one.

every time i pull up next to a scion driver i roll down my window; make a show of looking over their car (as it were road kill), make eye contact with the driver; give them the "you-really-wanna-be-seen-in-that?" look, roll my eyes :roll: , then roll my window up.
they always look away (mostly embarassed)

i laugh



i'm a bad man.

Bad karma. Besides, one day you may need one to stop and help you.

yeah,,,

whatever

I personally find the CRV boring, bland and unexciting. Ugh! It's Wonder White Bread in a Goumet Bakery world. If they had been the exact same price I still would not have even considered a CRV over the E. Mr Tango even took me over to the one in the showroom and said - "are you sure you don't want one of these?". Errr, no - it's nice and all but it's got no personality. The E does, debate over.
I have never been one to fade into the crowd or do the expected and I do not intend to start now. If others cannot appreciate the unique beauty of the Element - their loss. Let em buy a CRV and they can fade right into the background with everyone else without an iota of individuality or creativity. Let the masses buy yet another off-white, safe car for boring people. Maybe they can stick a flag decal on it or something so they can tell theirs from everyone else's at the mall parking lot?
...snip
I have a tendancy to make barn yard animal noises, if I'm stuck in a crowd. Drives Elaine nuts. My response remains the same " Baaaa, I'm not a sheep!"
I know what you mean. Friends of mine get all flustered when I tell them that I refuse to blend in and act like just another sheep. Nobody ever accomplished anything worthwhile acting and thinking like everybody else.

Its kind of funny how one magazine article will list it on the top 10 most sexiest cars of 2006 but than some will call it ugly...
it goes to show you.. that people will either love 'em or hate 'em... no in betweens...
True, True...but everybody wants to look at it and check it out. And after all the times I've shown off the E to people, they all end up saying "hey, it's pretty cool after all."
Love or hate it, once you check it out, you'll love it.

uh-huh.

note: the word 'hate' was never used in my original post.
it's called a joke, as in kidding around as in ....well, nevermind, it's lost on those with no sense of humor.

see ya in the world, chew-toys!

:razz:

So you treat people like that, and we're wrong because we have no sense of humor? Do they know you're kidding when you do it to them?

Yeah, you're right. How can we all be so mislead.

uh-huh.

note: the word 'hate' was never used in my original post.
it's called a joke, as in kidding around as in ....well, nevermind, it's lost on those with no sense of humor.

see ya in the world, chew-toys!

:razz:

I'm not going to make too much of defending Glockenspelunker... I just believe that in the world of the internot, there is nothing wrong with a little entertainment. How boring would the world be without people like Glocky to bring a little color to another, otherwise mundane post about how much we all like the E? Who cares if he does this in real life or not. I think we could all enjoy a humorous post now and then, without flaming the author for not being 'PC', IMNSHO.

I had my choice down to the CRV and the E....My wife was pushing for the CRV.

I want to thank the Car Gods for pushing me in the direction of the E.

After 2 years and 28,000 miles, the only bad thing I can say about my E is that the original tires sucked.....And that wasn't my E's fault.

I personally find the CRV boring, bland and unexciting. Ugh! It's Wonder White Bread in a Goumet Bakery world. If they had been the exact same price I still would not have even considered a CRV over the E. Mr Tango even took me over to the one in the showroom and said - "are you sure you don't want one of these?". Errr, no - it's nice and all but it's got no personality. The E does, debate over.
I have never been one to fade into the crowd or do the expected and I do not intend to start now. If others cannot appreciate the unique beauty of the Element - their loss. Let em buy a CRV and they can fade right into the background with everyone else without an iota of individuality or creativity. Let the masses buy yet another off-white, safe car for boring people. Maybe they can stick a flag decal on it or something so they can tell theirs from everyone else's at the mall parking lot?
And the Rav4 - well it may seat 5 people but only if 3 of them have very short legs. It's a fun little thing but the space is no comparison with the Element. I went to the garden shop last weekend and easily fit $400 of plants into the back of my E. Try THAT with a Rav4.
I guess I will just have to endure the averted eyes of the visually sensitive public while I drive around in my fuel efficient, low E, cargo hauling, spacious, fun to drive, inexpensive, bright orange Element and laugh....at them.


RIGHT ON!!