Frankly, folks, I admire and enjoy 4x4 vehicles, but they look awful silly in the hands of someone barely graduated from skateboards, or being used as a commuter car. I don't own one myself but I might. Except that while I could use the cargo space, i don't go anywhere as a rule where I would need the traction. And I am sensible neough to know it.

But let's not be mindless about this. THe miles per gallon of a new Highlander, for example, is a lot better than that of an old Chevy sedan -- about 25 mpg average. Judging from Bradsher's title he's being an alarmist on purpose. As far as I know the world's most dangerous vehicle is the Abrams M1A1 battle tank...

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