There should be more hybrid SUVs out there. If people are going to drive SUVs, why not have them drive ones that get better mileage?

Didn't Ford consider turning the Explorer into a hybrid?

I find it terribly ironic that MrNimmo bashes the Prius with a link to the Honda Insight.  It's like he doesn't even care that someone will catch him lying.

Ooops.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/toyota/prius/sedan/compact/100668257/specs.html

Still 16 "maximum cargo." Is Toyota lying to Edmunds. I've been in both, there is a huge difference in cargo capacity in the Escape. In fact, there is enough to put a third row of seats for small children, which I why I was looking at the Escape. http://www.littlepassengerseats.com/

But the hybrid just didn't make sense, as the highway mileage was no better than a 4 cyl Escape. And we don't do enough city driving for the city MPG to be an attraction.

You can call fullsize vehicles dinosaurs or whatever, but the fact is that most people either need or choose more vehicle than a Prius/Yaris/electric bicycle or whatever fringe green vehicle you offer as an alternative. Most people won't pay 30k and get nothing more than a Prius. Only the rich green fringe will. (This isn't meant to be an insult. I personally would like to have the option of a tall wagon, like an extended Yaris/Fit along the lines of the defunct Tercel wagon, or a midsized SUV along the size of the 80s 4Runner or Montero) with a small engine, preferably diesel, in 1600-2000cc.)

In America, an Expedition with a small diesel will sell. And the JGC with a small diesel will sell. Either is better than what is currently on the market.

We are here because colonists revolted over mostly the "kings" oppressive taxes. Strange that today we have painted ourselves into corner, shooting toes because of what can be described as an oppressive NOx "tax". EPA/CARB need to quit sniffing the calibration gas as we need to let todays and tomorrows diesel(and others)technology flourish. A 30-50% fuel economy gain can/will do wonders.

I just recently found this site. I find it very informative and its participants very intelligent and interesting.

I was wondering what some opinions might be on the diesel hybrid. There was previous discussions about diesels being viewed as dirty, smelly, etc. But what about the bio-diesels? www.biodiesel.org
What are some of the opinions out there regarding this technology?

I have to agree with Mr. Nimmo regarding the Expedition and, with advanced apologies for perhaps lowering the intellectual level of this discussion, here's why I agree...

I am a mom with three very busy active kids. Ok, boring to most of you, but hear me out. I would wager I am the ultimate average American and... I am looking for an Expedition. Why? Because with 6 practices a week, and at least 3 games on the weekends, I want a car with some room. I want a vehicle that gives kids room so that there are not fist fights every time we get in the car because everyone is cramped, hot and sweaty. I want room for extra kids so that I can carpool and not have to drive to six practices. I want room for every imaginable piece of flippin' sports equipment we need to have. I want room so that we can be comfortable when we are driving to out of state tournaments and are in the car for long periods of time. And could we please keep it under $30K? I really don't want to spend more on a vehicle than I did my first home.

We have a few friends that are ex-pats and I'm here to tell you, the consumer needs for a vehicle here are much different that in Europe or most any other place. Additionally, the current needs are much different that 10-20 and certainly 30 years ago.

I wish all of our activities were within a 2 mile radius like things used to be. I wish I could let the kids play unsupervised outside for hours like they used to, but I can't. Instead, now we drive and we drive and we drive. Whether you think it's wrong or right, it is what it is. (I can imagine, some of you reading this may think we are a family that pushes our kids to excel in sports, win scholarships, and go pro, etc. I promise we are not. We try and maintain a balanced life. School comes first. We still have family meals together. We compost. We use organic cleaning products and eat organic food. We try to make earth friendly choices. Really, we are probably just about as average American as it comes.) With that being said,instead of the American public having to change because we "should" be driving the vehicles that are driven in Europe, I am very happy that 2010 will (hopefully) bring the diesel hybrid Expedition. My next car purchase after the 2010 hybrid will find me an "empty nester." I promise I'll get a Prius!

I have been selling Fords for over 20 years, and have been crawling under cars
since age 6 in 1963. A good strong,
dependable diesel in the F-150's &
Expedition's is the best possible scenero. Hybrids are fine, but the mass of the public will purchase a dependable
Diesel over a Hybrid. And rightly so; for constuction sites, off-road, TOWING,
weather, and longevity, ITS A DIESEL!!!