Ford Excursion. Can fit 4 bikes in the back without taking off a wheel and have MORE than enough room for 4 people COMFORTABLY.....and their gear....all inside nice and safe and dry.
4 people times 18-20 mpg. You do the math
. Diesel, the only way to go.
Or if it's just me and one friend, our diesel Jetta or New Beetle. 50 mpg on the highway and real power for the highway and hills. Prius schmius. And no batteries to buy and to dump in a landfill
(well, one).