Sports utility vehicles, or SUVs, are not the most efficient way to get around town. They are large and heavy, meaning they will cost the owners hundreds of dollars a month in gas. For people who need the space but don’t want the problems associated with owning an SUV, there are many cars on the market that could be a good alternative.

If you need a bigger vehicle to accommodate your large family or many friends, check out the Kia Rondo, Mazda 5, and Subaru Impreza. These cars can comfortably seat between five and seven people. The Kia Rondo has a third row, which maximizes the number of possible passengers.



The Mazda 5 can seat as many as many as five people, but has the sliding doors of a mini-van, for easier exit and entry. The Subaru Impreza is an all-wheel-drive vehicle that comes as either a mini-wagon or sedan. For people with a little more money, the Mercedes-Benz E-class wagon provides the prestige and comfort of a Mercedes with plenty of room to seat seven.

If you are looking for more space for hauling, consider the Dodge Caliber, Ford Taurus, Honda Fit, Scion xB, Suzuki SX4, or Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen. The Dodge Caliber looks as cool as an SUV without the size. The Ford Taurus is designed with a removable back seat. Similarly, you can fold up the back seat on the Honda Fit for more storage or luggage space.



The Scion xB has sizable seats for family when needed. It also has a lot of space in the cargo area and it is easier to load larger items into than an SUV. The space inside the Suzuki SX4 is deceptively more than it appears from the outside, with the added benefit of being an all-wheel-drive vehicle. Finally, Volkswagens are known for being very reliable car. The Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen is a great alternative to an SUV. With a large cargo area behind the backseat, the Jetta can store more than some of the smaller available SUVs.