There is a reason big, gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles continue to crowd parking lots. SUVs are eminently practical – capable of hauling any combination of people and stuff. There is plenty of storage space for snacks and wipes and coloring books and CDs and on and on.

The downside to such handiness: horrific fuel economy.

But there is a new breed of vehicle that offers much of the practicality of a big SUV and boasts 30 mpg, give or take. Can you chauffeur six soccer players to practice? No, but you can shuttle four. And how often are you filling up an SUV cargo hold with lumber or bales of pine straw?

Most people don’t really need to drive a big box on wheels. A little box will do just fine.

The Scion xB demonstrated the practicality of a little box and quickly developed a cult following. That quirky car now has some competition with the introduction this year of two new box cars: the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube (pictured, right).

Both are aimed at Generation X – or is it Gen Y? Or the Millennials? Whatever they’re calling twentysomethings these days – the Cube and the Soul are designed to show that it’s hip to be square.

How they compare:

Outside the Box

An angled windshield, rounded nose and rear of the Soul (pictured, left) soften the basic box look, giving it a look reminiscent of a Honda CRV. First impression is still “cute”, but in a mainstream sort of way.

There is nothing mainstream about the look of the Cube. This is a distinctive, attention-grabbing econo-box. A key element in turning heads is the asymmetrical wraparound side/rear window on the passenger side. The tinted glass hides the right rear pillar.

If you want to drive a car that gets attention, the edge goes to the Cube.

It’s been a little over a year since I went to see the smart fortwo at a Dallas stop on the traveling road show that preceded its sales in the U.S.  I was wowed by the brightly painted, road-hugging micro cars with their cozy seats, wide-view windshields and buggy like demeanor.

More significantly, I remember the wide range of people in line for the test drive: a neurosurgeon who wanted a commuting car; an avid golfer who wanted to make sure his irons fit in the trunk; a mother shopping for her teenager and a mechanic from the Mercedes service department across the parking lot who was looking on behalf of the entire crew with whom he worked.

The Mercedes mechanic thought the smart fortwo, manufactured by Daimler AG, would be affordable (it is) and reliable (it’s got a track record in 37 countries).

Apparently, Americans agree. A new report on the Smart shows that it sold 20,000 units in its first 10 months on the ground in the United States. Those sales were helped, no doubt, by those who signed up on waiting lists in 2007. And the economic derailment this fall probably didn’t hurt the smart fortwo, which retails for $12.000 to $17,000, the way it kick-boxed expensive SUVs and other gas guzzlers.

The strong sales mean that the U.S. is now the third biggest market for the European-style car, behind Germany and Italy.

The smart fortwo gets terrific gas mileage at 41 mpg, of course it is just a two-seater, and it has won EPA designation as the most energy-efficient non-hybrid car. But its reliance solely on gasoline means it carbon emissions can only go so low. Will there be a hybrid version for the U.S. (a micro hybrid drive is available in Europe)? When we asked Smart USA president Dave Schembri last fall, he didn’t rule it out.

The “Smart” folks, fortunately, are aware of their potential for even greater greeness. The news release today announced that a fleet of 100 electric smart fortwos are being tested in London.

Copyright © 2008 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

With highway fuel economy of 30 mpg, the Suzuki SX4 certainly conserves gasoline. And, more importantly these days, this compact sedan conserves cash. A comfortably well-equipped SX4 – complete with standard touch-screen navigation system – rolls off the dealer lot for less than $16,000. That makes it financially competitive in its class, and as economical as most cars featured in our “30(cars) Over 30(mpg)” gallery.

Suzuki, best known in the United States for making motorcycles, this fall added a Garmin navigation unit as standard equipment to both the four-door SX4 Sport and the five-door SX4 Crossover. The gizmo comes on top of an already impressive list of standard equipment, considering the price, that includes air conditioning, power windows, doors and locks, anti-lock brakes and an array of airbags that includes side curtain airbags.

The test car boasted cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and remote keyless entry. All for a sticker price of $15,270.

The 2-liter I-4 engine delivers 143 horsepower, giving the SX4 a bit of spunk. The five-speed manual transmission was crisp enough and a four-speed automatic transmission is available for those who haven’t learned to work a clutch.

The interior isn’t luxurious, but it doesn’t feel cheap. The backseat is comfortable for two and raised a bit – much like movie theater seats – to give passengers a good view. Trunk space, at 15.5 cubic feet, is generous and the rear seats fold down to expand the cargo space.

Suzuki provides a 100,000-mile, seven-year power train limited warranty and free roadside assistance.

The SX4 offers few driving thrills, but plenty bang for the buck.

Copyright © 2008 | Distributed by Noofangle Media