Originally Posted By: kkreit01
Most newer minivans are quite a bit heavier (800-->1000#) than your Escape, and they'll have much more room. Our 08 Mariner 3.0 4wd got pretty good: ~20 mixed/24 highway -- same motor/tranny as yours. In winter it was about 18 mixed. I don't have any "city-only" data to compare. All of our commutes = some highway. When we had an 04 3.9 Freestar, it wasn't any better than our Mariner. I drove a Grand Caravan 3.3 as a rental once. Power was horrible, and MPG wasn't much better.
For better MPG, and about the same size, you could look for a used Focus Wagon, or newer 2.5 fwd Escape/Mariner/Tribby. A fwd 2.4 Equinox will be roomier, and get better MPG also. I'd stay clear of the 2.3L Escapes. MPG isn't much better, and power is waaaay down compared to 3.0.
I think the 08's get slightly better mpg. Probably bit a better aerodynamics. I've replaced the air filter and cleaned the maf and it runs totally different now. So far it looks like mpg is up but can't say that till the tank is dry. Also I removed the side steps.. not sure why I kept those blasted things on so long. I'm surprised to hear the 2.3's are dogs. I know the 2.0's were. The 2.3 in my Ranger did very well even under heavy loads it wasn't designed for. The 3.0 is nice with alot of power to tow and run if need just a bit to much, really who needs a suv that runs 14.5-15 in the 1/4.
I was thinking possibly a 4 cyl station wagon or likes and it looks like I got one last night that'll do. Not as big but bigger than the Festiva and we make do. This 97 Aspire 4 door automatic should get close to what my Festiva gets. Would get better if it wasn't for the 4 doors, PS and the numerous other stuff it has. A minivan doesn't sound like much of a step up unless we add 2 more to the head count.
