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Why are people suggesting that a minivan would be a better alternative than a Mitsubishi Outlander? The 4 cylinder Outlander got 22mpg in mixed driving, according to Consumer Reports. The two most fuel efficient minivans - Honda's Odyssey and Toyota's Sienna - got only 19mpg. So the SUV gets three more miles per gallon than the most fuel-efficient minivan.
Little "SUV's" like the Outlander aren't even real SUV's. They're typically based on car or car-like platforms, not truck platforms, and many of these smaller "crossover" vehicles get better mileage than any minivan. That's because they're nothing more than jacked up wagons.
If you want something that can haul a little cargo but gets good mileage, buy a Toyota Matrix / Pontiac Vibe - 27mpg in CU's testing (well over 30mpg on the highway).
