Well, one of the direct causes of the gas consuption is the government. CAFE
- Corporate Average Fuel Economy - car makers started designing minivans and
SUVs as what killed the station wagon wasn't people turning against them but
automakers cutting production - see a station wagon is a car, which impacts
the CAF� for the automaker. A SUV and a minivan are trucks, which don't fall
under CAF� automobile standards. A big car gets better mileage than a big
SUV and can carry as much if not more. Betcha the trunk of my 99 Caddy
Deville holds a lot more than most SUVs. Plus, with an efficient Northstar
V8 I get 20 around town and 27 on the highway. An old Fender 4x10" bass
speaker horn cabinet fits inside the car in the back seats!  Digression -
went to an auto show last week and saw the new 2006 VW Beetle had a sticker
on window that said 22 city, 30 highway. With today's technology why do they
get such poor mileage for a 4 banger?
So, blame the wizards in gubment for part of the consumption problem.