It is ironic, or maybe unfortunate, that this exercise is going to be comparing the HCH at it's worst, and the other cars at their best.

Driving 70-75 miles per hour on the interstates across america with a car full of family is going to make the MPG of the HCH suffer quite a bit, with negligible effect on the large SUV.

And as for comfort, even I would find the bigger vehicle more comfortable.

The test itself is absolutely valid, and I'm glad they are doing this. But I would *much* prefer that they take those same cars, and run a test where the owner fo the car commutes to work, five days a week, for a month or two. And then compare the mileage, comfort, and satisfaction with the car. I think the results would be somewhat different.