[jray3]

Though no manual trannies, modern minivans with in-floor seat stowage are very good for sleeping in, and the only time I couldn't make it up a grade was with at least 10" of fresh snow on the sharp turn onto a very steep asphalt driveway with a heavily laden cargo carrier out back (unloading the FWD traction of our Odyssey). On a RWD vehicle, the cargo platforms usually improve weight distribution, and you can customize the platform height to stay out of the exhaust stream and in the car's wind shadow. There are also swing-out carriers to ensure tailgate access. My full-tank minivan MPG record (28) was with the cargo carrier out back.

If I were buying a new travel/utility vehicle today, the Chrysler Pacifica (plug-in) Hybrid would top the list, but unless a big family affair (5+), I'd leave the middle seats at home (no mid row stow-go for the hybrid).

Subaru MPG sucks, and they aren't particularly high-mile vehicles. My sister's Forester had many issues including lotsa oil consumption before the engine committed suicide around 150k.