Can someone give me a rational reason why they would purchase a Hybrid SUV? You get a hybrid to get better gas mileage and be more socially responsible. Yet there are tons of cars with better gas mileage than the best hybrid SUV -- if gas mileage is your thing, get a Prius. It's not socially responsible to own any kind of SUV because their height off the ground increases deaths when an SUV hits a car head-on. Not to mention the added danger to everyone on the road who has to follow you and cannot see how traffic is progressing in front of you.

The only sensible answer I've heard goes something like this: I need an SUV, so it's responsible for me to get a hybrid SUV. I call BS on this one. Who really needs an SUV? Some people, to be sure, but almost none. In reality, these folks just want SUVs and are rationalizing their hybrid SUV purchase by pointing to some activity that they do rarely and probably don't need to do it at all.

So if you live in an off-road cabin or have to haul stuff for work, I think your hybrid SUV purchase is a great idea. If you are buying it so it's easier to haul your skiing equipment, your hybrid SUV purchase is irrational and wasteful.

I'm sure I'm just asking to get flamed, but this is a legitimate topic. For me, if you are going to "go hybrid" and get a fuel efficient car, why would you get a much less fuel efficient car just because it has a hybrid engine?