Well, New England is 4WD country, too, and for very good reason. But the point is that 4WD is better than 2WD in the snow.

You know, 4WD doesn't have to mean large and inefficient. It often does, but it doesn't have to. Science doesn't require it. And it has some advantages. Maybe those of you who feel superior because you have only two drive wheels should downsize to motorcycles and have 1WD. Shoot, I've seen a motorcycle sail by a Corolla stranded in the snow... Better yet, get a pair of snowshoes.

 

Hi...I'm new here. I've been doing research on Hybrids, as I am concidering buying one.

I am pleased to see that there will be a Durango Hybrid as I drive a durango now and it is not only a preference, but necessary.

I own a sound company and started out using a mini van to haul equipment and within a short amount of time, it tore up the transmission and the axels. Mini Vans are not ment to haul anything but people. With the Durango, I can hitch up a trailer to haul my 1500 pounds of sound equipment and light show and keep my clothes and luggage in the durango, or if it's a small event, I can lay the back seats down and use the back for equipmnt. Either way, I'm not pushing this vehicle, whereas the minivan was struggling. For some of us who's vehicles have to perform....we prefer an SUV vs a minivan.

 

I am not at all suprized - trucks and SUVs are geared to haul more weight and accounts for their poor fuel economy.

Not one of my main themes, but have said several times that I've nothing against using big movers that are carrying big things. I just see a lot of them being underutilized a lot.

 

True that a minivan can hold a family, but they aren't always practical.

we have a minivan and a suburban for family vehicles, and the suburban is much safer in the winter and more reliable. i don't like its fuel economy, but it's nice to be able to drive on unplowed roads without ending up in the ditch. it would be great if there were hybrid versions of full size suv's,

 

"little 2WD econoboxes become astronomical gas hogs when their owners take them out on the roads during snowstorms and the like."
I see a decrease of about 5 MPG during winter. Close to 10 MPG less in REALLY cold weather (below zero F for for than 3-4 days). Laws of thermodynamics dictate that ALL ICE will see lower MPG during cold weather. IMO, I don't see the 5 MPG dip to be astronomical. Do large 4WD vehicles get better MPG when cold?

 

it's true where i live too. many people do put their suv's in the ditch. however, most people who do are the people who have the vehicles for show, and don't know how to safely drive them.
I rarely use the 4x4 on my suv for highway driving, only for bad weather conditions or mud.
i have never put it in the ditch.

 

Unless the Hybrid Durango is a "performance hybrid" like the Lexus RX400 (think I got that designation right), I don't see how your statement is accurate. Obviously, a hybrid version of an existing non-hybrid model is going to "save gas" over the non-hybrid model because it will have better fuel economy.

Or are you objecting on the basis of the phrase "save gas", in that the gas will still be refined and sold -- regardless of who is driving what?

Confused...

And avoiding the whole "your SUV sux" thing 'cuz there's enough people beating that horse and I'm not sure that's getting anyone anywhere.

 

What brand and model of winter tires did you have on the minivan?

 

Uh, the Hybrid Durango is going to have a Hemi. I't call that a performance hybrid.

If the Hybrid Durango sways someone from buying a smaller vehicle like a Rav4, then no, it isn't gas saved... it's gas wasted. And thanks to the incompetent EPA being unable to test properly, the Durango's numbers will greatly exceed reality, while the RAV4 will only slightly exceed reality. Heck, the pretend numbers the EPA puts out might make the Durango look more efficient (even though it will be much worse).

 

Ah... {rolleyes} I didn't know that. Silly, silly me for thinking otherwise! I should have known...