What is in your picture of success? I think that if you asked many people in our area that question over the past few years that their picture would have included a Chevy Tahoe or other full-size SUV. The successful all-American family drives a new full size SUV. The recent problem with that picture is that gasoline is approaching $4 a gallon. Full size SUV’s typically get 14 miles per gallon (MPG) around town and 18-20 MPG on the highway.

I think it is important for us to change our own internal picture of success. Economists and policy leaders do not forecast a reduction in gasoline prices any time soon. You can have a very nice vehicle, with most of the features and comforts of a big SUV, but in a smaller package.

Surprisingly, the biggest hurdle to increasing fuel economy in vehicles is not the size of the engine, but rather the size of the vehicle. First and foremost is the weight of the vehicle, and secondly the shape of the vehicle. A vehicle that has the shape of a truck is going to get less mileage than one that looks like a sleek sedan. Just imagine trying to push a garage door down the highway at 80 mph versus just the bottom two panels of the door. The wind resistance would be very different.

All of the car makers have now come out with full size cross-over utility vehicles, commonly called CUV’s or CXV’s. At first glance you would think that this should be a big improvement over a full size SUV – but the fuel economy gain is very small. GM’s full size Acadia/Enclave/Outlook gets only 3 MPG more in its combined city/highway mileage than the Tahoe, even though it is smaller and has a 6 cylinder engine rather than a V8. That 3 MPG improvement will save you only $66 a month. Surprisingly, the Acadia weighs only 450 pounds less than a full size Tahoe. Another break-out success is Mazda’s CX-9 cross over. This vehicle’s combined mileage rating is only 18 mpg. Most of the full size cross-over’s average either 18 or 19 MPG.

This brings me back to my point about changing your internal picture. If you could drive a vehicle that gets 30 MPG you would save $200 per month in gasoline cost per vehicle (assuming that each vehicle drives 20,000 miles per year).

Earlier this year I changed my internal picture. In January I almost bought a Yukon Denali. Then I began to research fuel economy. I gave serious consideration to the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which is rated at 34 MPG. I was very impressed with that car until I tried to fit all of our suitcases into the trunk. I could only get three of four suitcases in, so that car came off of the list.

Then I looked at the Ford Escape Hybrid. It had more room, and was rated at 32 MPG. I eventually bought the Escape in March. My overall average mileage over 4,000 miles is 30 MPG. Most of my driving is short in-town trips, and moderate hills. We took it to Gulf Shores for spring break, and are taking it to Florida for summer vacation.

Wisdom says if you do what you’ve always done, you will get what you always got. If your family is feeling constrained by your gasoline expenses, you will have to change.

Brian Klaubert has written for the Neighborhood News for five years, and owns Christian Brothers Automotive – Hamilton Mill on Braselton Hwy in Dacula. They have won “Best Mechanic” in the 2007 “Best of Gwinnett” award in Gwinnett Magazine.