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Short Trip Alternatives
A huge number of vehicles will beat your present 6+ gallons/100miles and many will handle your 4 passengers, carry weekend luggage and be safe by modern definitions. Compact SUVs, compact sedans, Hybrids, etc. will all fill the bill.
Most recently built cars also have front and side airbags, stability and traction control, and good moderate snow handling capability on all weather or dedicated snow tires.
Your lowest cost alternative is just to drive the Prizm on all your short trips reserving the old Mountaineer for family trips with a full load. This would cut your commute fuel use to closer to 3 gallons/hundred miles using your present cars.
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