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Hecubus
I don't know what numbers you have to prove that, but in every single case, the car gets better fuel economy.
Admittedly, car-based SUVs aren't too bad as far as economy goes, because they are relatively light. However, their highway economy will always suffer compared to a car, due to their aerodynamics. And with truck-based SUVs, the extra weight incurred by the heavy frame (which, admittedly, serves a purpose) causes more fuel consumption. And, of course, AWD and 4WD also use a little more gas than either FWD or RWD (although this last case is less of an issue, since AWD passenger cars have the same problem).
Of course, the Volvo will be safe, they stake their reputation on building safe cars.
As for the veggie oil, that's impressive, but a little irrelevant. The only reason you're more able to get trucks and SUVs with diesel than passenger cars, is because inasmuch as the North American public is still wary of diesel, the higher torque meshes well with typical truck duties. As our European members can no doubt atest to, there's no lack of diesel cars, we just don't get them. Oh, and technically, a diesel Excursion gets poor fuel economy no matter what fuel you run it on, veggie oil just happens to be free, reasonably clean (or totally clean, I'm not entirely sure), and renewable.
So, yeah, soft-roaders are only good to appeal to peoples vanities and insecurities (along with allowing car manufacturers to exploit legal loopholes), big SUVs are indeed practical in some extreme circumstances, but at the same time, it's overkill for people who don't need them.
Oh, and what's so great about buying something because it feels like an SUV? The whole point of car-based SUVs is so that it drives as much like a car as possible, which tells you something about the way trucks drive.
Admittedly, car-based SUVs aren't too bad as far as economy goes, because they are relatively light. However, their highway economy will always suffer compared to a car, due to their aerodynamics. And with truck-based SUVs, the extra weight incurred by the heavy frame (which, admittedly, serves a purpose) causes more fuel consumption. And, of course, AWD and 4WD also use a little more gas than either FWD or RWD (although this last case is less of an issue, since AWD passenger cars have the same problem).
Of course, the Volvo will be safe, they stake their reputation on building safe cars.
As for the veggie oil, that's impressive, but a little irrelevant. The only reason you're more able to get trucks and SUVs with diesel than passenger cars, is because inasmuch as the North American public is still wary of diesel, the higher torque meshes well with typical truck duties. As our European members can no doubt atest to, there's no lack of diesel cars, we just don't get them. Oh, and technically, a diesel Excursion gets poor fuel economy no matter what fuel you run it on, veggie oil just happens to be free, reasonably clean (or totally clean, I'm not entirely sure), and renewable.
So, yeah, soft-roaders are only good to appeal to peoples vanities and insecurities (along with allowing car manufacturers to exploit legal loopholes), big SUVs are indeed practical in some extreme circumstances, but at the same time, it's overkill for people who don't need them.
Oh, and what's so great about buying something because it feels like an SUV? The whole point of car-based SUVs is so that it drives as much like a car as possible, which tells you something about the way trucks drive.