IMHO one of the biggest problems with SUV's is that they tend to be greatly overpowered. Consider this. You cannot buy a Dodge Durango SUV with less than a V-8 engine. I just checked out the powertrain options on Daimler Chrysler's website and the only engine options are big and bigger. Now, the Durango is not that big as far as SUV's go. It's basically the SUV version of the Dodge Dakota mid-size pickup and you can certainly get a Dakota with a V-6. Why can't you get a Durango with a V-6? I don't know the answer, but here are some possibilities:

A) Most people who would drive a Durango couldn't care less about fuel economy. Anybody who'd spend $30,000.00 for the vehicle's not gonna bitch about a few bucks more per fill-up. Anyway, the big powerplant makes them feel like they're kings of the road.

B) Daimler Chrysler really wants/needs that extra two or three thousand bucks that the V-8 adds to the sticker price that they wouldn't get if the thing was V-6 equipped.

C) Conspiracy between the automakers and the oil companies.

D) All of the above.

My point is that even if the customer desires fuel efficiency, that option has been taken away. I'm sure some SUV drivers really do feel that it is the vehicle that they need, and some of them would gladly drive more efficient models if they were available. But if the automaker doesn't provide choices the buyer's only options are to be part of the problem or to buy something else.

Bruce