I'm one of those "15 minute commute" posters-
actually my commute is about 5 steps: walk out the front door, cross the porch, and go in the door to the office over the garage.
I needed to replace my old explorer (got 17mpg) and felt great guilt for the boat towing/camp mobile suburban (12mpg) so I got the HCH for all my regular driving which is short trips locally around town: drop the kid off, pick the kid up, drop the other kid off, pick the kids up, client meetings, grocery store, etc; I still do 12k miles /year - and we use it for trips to grandmas- as long as there's no camping gear or skiis involved.
now I'm getting 45-50mpg and I figure to save $1000/yr in gas. so even without a 'regular' commute it's worth it to me. plus I like being green and less polluting.

KLC
2005 HCH CVT 'Verdigeek'