700-mile trip report

[alexmish]

Just came back from a 5-day trip to upstate NY (Lake Placid, Whiteface mountain skiing + NYEve celebration with friends and family).

Some observations:

Total Trip - 700 miles
Avg Speed - 55 mph (73-80mph cruise control on hwy + local driving and idling)
Avg Fuel Consumption - 16.0 mpg (incl local driving and idling for 20 mins)
I-87 is not a flat road - lots of "ups" and "downs" the hill.
The car was fully loaded - literally - I could not see thru the rear-view mirror, plus Thule ski rack.
2 adults + 2 kids

Pros: It was a pure enjoyment ! Heated steering wheel is a must-have. The rear tailgate's lower gate is very convinient to sit on while changing into ski boots. The HDC saved us many times as we've rented a house on a top of a hill with very long, steep and icy driveway. And X-drive helped to climb that driveway, too ... Passing and acceleration - amazing. Even with the fully loaded X, it was sooooooooo easy to pass other cars or trucks. The power was always "there". Comfort access was actually a bit useful since I could just clip the keyfob on a clip in my ski pant's pocket, zip it up and never forget of loosing it in a parking lot or on the slopes). The space gray hides dirt very well !

Cons: power tailgate is a waste of money. It is just too sensitive to any minor obstacle. The running boards is another matter - it is impossible to get in/out without dirtying your pants, but they are needed if you are planning to use the roof rack.

That is about it.