Best, most fuel efficient car with 4 kids? (minivan, SUV, mileage)

[brokencrayola]

I have 4 children, 3 are boys in their mid teens to early 20's and a 5 yr. old. Obviously we cannot fit into a tiny car. We have a Subhurban now but the gas is killing me! What would be a good car that we could comfortably fit in that gets fairly good gas mileage?

[momof2dfw]

What year model is the Suburban? You can find a new one w/ the flex fuel option which might help. The only other option to get away from the larger full size SUV would be a minivan. Depends on how much stuff you need to carry in the cargo area as it DRASTICALLY shrinks when you go from a Suburban to a minivan or the smaller SUV's. My Suburban which does not have the flex fuel (2002) gets decent gas mileage and from others I've talked to just as good as some minivans. I'd just rather keep my paid for Suburban than go out and buy a newer one and have a car payment.

[CortlandGirl79]

I believe GM's version of the large crossover(GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook) might work, i believe they seat 8.

[SpeedyAZ]

Well it sounds as if some of your kids may be leaving in the near future (late teens and early 20's?) so I'd get something that YOU want. The new GM SUV's like the Tahoe/Yukon have active fuel management where 4 cyliders shut off to conserve gas and each vehicle also has the flex fuel option. You can get in the low 20's with either the new Tahoe/Yukon which is actually better than some large cars.

I'd also consider a crossover such as the Lexus RX350 (LOVE IT) or the GMC Arcadia. The Lexus RX series is the best selling Lexus vehicle and for good reason! They're not terribly expensive (low to mid $40's new), get good gas mileage (low to mid 20's), and can seat 5 people comfortably with room to spare. I'd take a good hard look at a new or pre-owned RX350, it should suit you well.

[mrstewart]

I have the Flex Fuel Yukon but there are only 2 Flex Fuel locations in the state of Virginia. But, the real perk for me is the engine that goes between 8 and 4 cylinders. I am on the road quite a bit with several children at different schools. I probably fill the tank up 30% less often than I did when I had my Denali.

[mbuszu]

I'd get a Mazda5... 3 rows of seating (enough space for everyone), small enough to maneuver and park easily, great fuel mileage, excellent reliability. Might be a tad "tight" with everyone in it but as a previous poster stated, your 3 sons will be out on their own shortly and will have their own vehicles in the near future (the one in the mid twenties very shortly if not already). The Mazda5 will provide you with something that for the rare occasion that everyone is home and wants to go out together, you all can pile into one vehicle. I've had nothing but great experiences with Mazda thus far and this is likely to be my next vehicle as well.

[GregW]

Get a farm wagon and a three place human harness. Add a sign that says "if you want to eat here, you gotta work here". Let the five year old hold the reins.

having a bad day.

[brokencrayola]

[quote=momof2dfw;3263865]What year model is the Suburban? You can find a new one w/ the flex fuel option which might help. The only other option to get away from the larger full size SUV would be a minivan. Depends on how much stuff you need to carry in the cargo area as it DRASTICALLY shrinks when you go from a Suburban to a minivan or the smaller SUV's. My Suburban which does not have the flex fuel (2002) gets decent gas mileage and from others I've talked to just as good as some minivans. I'd just rather keep my paid for Suburban than go out and buy a newer one and have a car payment.

I do have flex fuel on my Suburban but when you live an hr. from where you food shop etc. it gets really costly. It costs me about $90 to fill it up and I spend about $300-$400 a mo. just on gas.

[sean98125]

Take a look at your current fuel costs and the cost of buying a new vehicle, especially since some of your kids are probably close to moving out.

Once your boys move out, then buy something for your smaller family. It would suck to pay a ton of money for a vehicle that can haul everyone only to be stuck with another behemoth for three of you.

[NewToCA]

Mazda5 and Kia Rondo are probably the most fuel efficient that seat at least 6. But those vehicles are very tight fits.