Quote Originally Posted by carback
Sounds like most people are suggesting an SUV.

As I am not a fan of SUVs for many reasons, I'm going to play devil's advocate and recommend a Subaru. I drive a Subaru Outback with AWD. I have easily fit 2 bikes inside, plus gear. I"m sure a 3rd would fit if it needed to (granted, there'd only be room for 2 people).

With AWD and winter tires, I have all the traction and control I need and want (and I live & drive in the mountains. A lot). I also don't have a horrendous gas bill nor the guilt associated with gas guzzling. (I am now getting off my soapbox).

A Honda Element is not a typical SUV, it's a smaller, new generation version of one. I don't know about you, but to me when somenone says SUV I think Durango, Landcruiser, Navigator, Expedition, Hummers, or any of the other behemoths out there that are really just station wagons on steriods. And you are absolutely right, very few people need vehicles like that. The benefits of 4WD over AWD are mythical at best.

As for subs - I own one, ('95 leagcy that gets 30 mpg hiway) and we were looked into purchasing another.You can't beat them for sticking to the road in all conditions. The new ones don't really qualify as economical on gas. When we were looking we were really dissapointed in the mileage ratings for them. According to the www.fueleconomy.gov, the combined ( hiway, city) mpg for an '05 outback is only 22.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

compared to something like a Durango, combined mileage listed as 15, that's an improvement, but still not fuel efficient.

Here are the top ten most efficienet SUV type vehicles according to Edmunds -
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/...5/article.html

If I have my way, our next car is going to be something like a honda civic or hybrid with a rack on top.