I would second the motion to get a Dodge minivan, however they need enough engine to pull the thing.
The Malibu MAXX is a hatchback with a longer wheelbase than the regular Malibu. Unfortunately it was recently discontinued but I’m sure you could find a low mileage used one.
The Vue looks bigger than the Escape, but the Escape gets better MPG.
Only 8 years old and ready for the junk pile? Unless you’ve racked up 300K miles in those 8 years, I say it may be time to start looking at foreign made cars (not just foreign in name) if you want better longevity.
Sorry to go off topic again, but I had my German Shepard put to sleep 2 months ago. He was 17 years + 4 months old. He was a 70lb. dog. I had to carry him up and down the stairs for the last few years, but he was still getting around otherwise.
I’ve been thinking about this too. Our 94 Taurus station wagon isn’t going to last much longer. But believe or not, it’s EPA highway MPG is rated 28!, not that we get that now, but still, I get 22 MPG on my daily commute, and better on long family trips. I can’t find ANYTHING the same size that is rated that. I can’t get the dog crate into the back of a Ford Escape (hybrid or otherwise) with luggage…or if I do, I can’t open it while the luggage is next to it. For long trips we need to fit 4 people, a 48 lb dog and his crate and of course luggage.
I’ve been looking mainly at front wheel drive and 4 or 6 cylinders to keep the MPG high, and I need at least 35 cubic feet behind the second seat(–maybe more) So, I’m contemplating giving up on better MPG and looking at the Ford Taurus X, or the KIA Rondo.
Those are my suggestions to look at.
Renting for the weekend to try out a car is a great idea.
Pack it up just like you will for those big trips and test it out.
Then you’ll know.
I can’t find ANYTHING the same size that is rated that.
Wifes Lexus ES-350 is that size or bigger. EPA rating 24/31. We’ve easily gotten 34 on the highway. Wife averages about 26-27 on her daily commute to work (all back roads non-highway driving).
I have not been impressed with my experience with Saturn. Had a '95 sedan that leaked so much water into it during rainstorms that I had to bail water out. Flimsy cars. Heard of a Vue throwing a piston rod with only 60,000 miles.
Have had good luck with Fords. Our '85 Escort had over 200,000 miles on it. Our '91 Mustang had 247,000 on it when we had to give it up. The '94 Taurus wagon has 140,000, and we recently bought a used 2000 Escort-- my husband can get 37 MPG with it.
Wow.
Okay, I’ll admit I wasn’t looking at Lexus (or Infiniti, or BMW, or Mercedes…I was going for something I could afford).
But that is really impressive.
Lexus ES is a sedan. I just checked the Lexus webpage.
What model does our wife have?
I think the Toyota Venza gets about the same mpgs. (remember, they changed the rating system since '94). If you really want mpgs and space, check out the Mazda 5.
In general larger dogs don’t live as long as smaller dogs. You clearly loved and cared for your GSD very well. I complain about carrying 40 lb bags of dog food up and down stairs each week and can’t even imagine being willing and able to carry a 70lb dog every day. More power to you.
She has the ES-350. Built on the Camry platform. They reworked the interior so it’s a little bit bigger then the Camry…But look at the Camry…The hybrid Camry gets MUCH better gas mileage.