my habits changed 2 years ago, and really haven't changed since then. I enjoy my relatively thirsty grand cherokee, but have figured out how to drive it and currently average 21-22 mpg per tank. I'm blessed with a reasonable commute, 40-50 mph which is near the sweet spot for this vehicle. I'd feel more responsible in a 4-pot vehicle, but I use the large interior frequently hauling, lumber, music gear, etc., everywhere. Frankly, after driving subarus and hondas, I got sick of being pushed around by other aggressive drivers in their large cars, too. but there's also a limit-- I would regularly fill 6 seats and would love to have picked up a used commander cheap, but it seemed mpg-irresponsible. As it turned out we ended up buying a used mdx from family for the wife, so we put all 6 of us in the thirsty-pig-mdx when all 6 of us are riding. she gets 14-16 around town, a/c on. she's not as slow a driver as i tend to be, but she's not bad either. wasteful economy in that car, but I worry less about their safety, as it's solid. I watched a durango T-bone her and the kids in the odyssey and without a doubt the honda saved their lives. I'll deal with its mpg....
as for HER driving habits, I don't think she really 'gets' how to work the machine that way. It's not something she readily understands. Not everyone obsesses about how they drive.
M
