We have a Honda Civic Hybrid, and love it. We just got back from the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri (we live pretty much in Dallas, TX) and we used about 24 gallons of gas round trip, almost entirely highway. That's with the vehicle absolutely PACKED. We went to SC last Christmas (1000 miles) on just under 30 gallons, also pretty loaded down and almost entirely highway. The steering took a little getting used to for me, but I really enjoy driving it. Ours is a 2003, and we've had it for about a year now. I definitely recommend it.

Ours has fabric seats and Finn travels very well in it. All three dogs have travelled in it, but it's usually just Finn and us on the longer road trips (mostly for Dock Dogs events).