Best in class cargo & MPG.(Up front: news / trends / advise)(minivans ans sport utility vehicles)

Hauling lots of luggage or cargo often means that the car burns more gasoline. However, a number of minivans, SUVs, and wagons offer a reasonable combination of fuel economy and cargo room. The 18 we list here are the best in their categories. A checkmark ([check]) denotes vehicles that CR recommends. They did well in our tests, have had average or better reliability, and have performed adequately if included in crash tests or the government rollover test. Within groups, vehicles are listed in order of fuel economy; those with identical economy figures are in order of cargo volume.

 
        Make & model                       Fuel economy   Cargo volume 
                                          (overall mpg)     (cu. ft.) 
 
        MINIVANS Overall mpg-18 or higher; cargo=55 cu. ft. or more 
[check] Toyota Sienna LE                        21           70.5 
[check] Honda Odyssey EX (2004 model)           18           67.0 
[check] Mazda MPV ES                            19           56.0 
[check] Nissan Quest 3.5 SL                     18           60.0 
 
        MIDSIZED SUVS Overall mpg=18 or higher; cargo=32 cu. ft. 
        ...