best real world mpg van or small suv?

[civic94]

I need something that has lots of cargo room, a van with 7 seats would be best. budget is around 4000, so i as looking at a first generation honda odyssey with the 4 banger, and the rav4 or crv. most minivans I see are really bad on gas becuase of the v6 engine.

I have looked at the older camry/accord station wagons with the 4 cylinder, but its a bit too small, on occasion I have 5 people in the car ith lots of stuff to put on.

[IndyFetch]

You can pick up a late-model Mazda 5 pretty cheap if you could find one. Those can be had with a 4-cylinder, 5-speed. Most room per mpg, I would think.

[GasSavers_BEEF]

those little mazdas are awesome. I was going to suggest it myself. realize though it only seats 6. I serously considered one for a while.

[hondaguy72]

I drive a 1st gen ody. Pretty decent mileage and awesome interior flexibility. In tip top condition my van gets 23+ in mixed driving, around 29mpg highway @68mph on mid grade gas. Loses about 1mpg on regular, but drives the same. Currently 213k miles.

The Mazda5 might get better mileage, but is much smaller on the inside. The third row is unusable, second row is two seat only. Mine is a 7 passenger although they came in 6 (middle row captains chairs).

[GasSavers_BEEF]

isn't the first generations odyssey built on the accord platform? that would explain the better mileage. they new minivans are anything but mini.

[civic94]

Originally Posted by hondaguy72

I drive a 1st gen ody. Pretty decent mileage and awesome interior flexibility. In tip top condition my van gets 23+ in mixed driving, around 29mpg highway @68mph on mid grade gas. Loses about 1mpg on regular, but drives the same. Currently 213k miles.

The Mazda5 might get better mileage, but is much smaller on the inside. The third row is unusable, second row is two seat only. Mine is a 7 passenger although they came in 6 (middle row captains chairs).

what is your psi on the tires? the mileage seems pretty good for a van. all I know is that the 1st gen odyssey shares the 94-97 2.2 liter accord engine. thanks for the input.

[hondaguy72]

I keep them up toward sidewall max. I'm not really ever hypermiling in it, just mpg consious. The van gets anything it needs like tune ups, fluid changes etc. on or before their scheduled intervals. Last tank was 24.2. Not bad for around town driving.

My 98 actually shares the 2.3 vtec from the 99-02 accords. The 1999 isuzu oasis is the same. It's a one year only engine option. The 95-97's all use the 2.2 and get pretty similar mileage. If I'd buy another I'd probably get the 2.2 because the transmissions they mate to are more plentiful. The 2.3 motor vans get a slightly different trans, not interchangeable with any other honda. Bummer.

[civic94]

Originally Posted by hondaguy72

I keep them up toward sidewall max. I'm not really ever hypermiling in it, just mpg consious. The van gets anything it needs like tune ups, fluid changes etc. on or before their scheduled intervals. Last tank was 24.2. Not bad for around town driving.

My 98 actually shares the 2.3 vtec from the 99-02 accords. The 1999 isuzu oasis is the same. It's a one year only engine option. The 95-97's all use the 2.2 and get pretty similar mileage. If I'd buy another I'd probably get the 2.2 because the transmissions they mate to are more plentiful. The 2.3 motor vans get a slightly different trans, not interchangeable with any other honda. Bummer.

oh, yea, can the odyssey seat config be turned to 2 in the front, 3 in the middle, and none in the back? im not talking about yours, maybe other 1 gen odysseys can do so. I pretty much like it for right not.

I kinda wish honda still make a odyssey with a 4 banger right now, i mean the 2.4 liter accord engine can go to 190 hp, while the 1st gen Odyssey only had 140. i dont like how for vans nowadays, its only a v6 option, except for the the mazda 5, but that is only a 6 seater

[tradosaurus]

Ford Freestyle can seat 7 and I have averaged 25 mpg on hwy.

Production years were 2005-2007.

[trollbait]

The Freestyle was also available as the Taurus X for 2008 and 2009.