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I suppose the title explains it all - shopping for a non-sedan with some extra room for our three dogs (perhaps we should be looking at wagons, too?), looking to stay under $8k and get about 30 mpg highway...the only option I've found thus far is a Saturn Vue Hybrid...any other other suggestions would be much appreciated!
30mpg... that's going to limit you to models that have a 4 banger engine. Most V6 choices out there do about 20-24mpg highway, unless they are a hybrid model.
Not sure which models would fall in your price range used, but here are some choices with the I4 engine off the top of my head.
Ford Escape
Honda CRV
Toyota RAV4
Jeep Patriot/Compass
Used 2002 KIA Sportage, 4 cyl. We are still using ours. Plenty of room for 3 large dogs, assuming they aren't mastiffs or great danes. I believe the new Sportages also get 30+ mpg and I know they still have room for 3 large dogs.
While it looks small, check out the Honda Fit. EPA only puts it at like 33 MPG highway or so, but owners report mid to upper 30's, some even seeing numbers in the 40's (if you keep speed low).
With the rear seats folded, I've seen them swallow full sized dressers, and other large pieces of furniture. Would handle 3 dogs (even large ones) well. Used ones can be found well under $8k, and Hondas are known for reliability.
Although a bit smaller, if your dogs are not too big, you could consider a Pontiac Vibe or Toyota Matrix. We fit our two ~35lb beagle/terrier mix dogs in the back of both ours in cages with the rear seats up. Drop the split fold seats and there is plenty more room. Both cars have plastic load floors and fold down seat backs for easy cleaning, tie down strips and mounting points, and the 1.8L models easily get in the 30s for MPG. The 03-08 models of both can get mid 30's I know, as my son's 06 gets 27-28 city, 34-35 hwy regularly. The 2.4L Camry motor in the 09-10 Vibes and 09-14 Matrix get right at about 30 hwy, and mid to high 20's in the city. The base 1.8L does get better mileage on both of the newer models. I get 24/29 on my 09 GT model. Prices around me range from $4K-$8K for the older models, and $8K-12K for the 09-10 models.
Just a note to the OP, my Camry has WAY more room than a Rav4 so if you have dogs an SUV is not always best. I had a friend who had a Camry station wagon which might work for you.
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