Are these thigns really that bad on gas? I mean, it doesnt look like it to me. 4500#, AWD, decent sized V-6, nice amount of power, you shouldnt be expecting miracles here, changing how YOU drive (yeah yeah, I know, it cant be you) can make a huge difference in mpg's. most 3500lb cars only get 25-28mpg mixed these days.
FWIW, my 4500 lb '05 Frontier 4wd (front end always spinning but disengaged at the xfer case) gets me 16.5-17mpg winter, 19 mpg summer...and that's running 285/75/16's that weigh 53lb for just the tire (btw, how much difference is there in wheel/tire weight between models, that can make a big difference in mpg's as well, more rotational inertia).
it is what it is. if we decide to add one of these to our garage, we will do so expecting the 'poor' mileage of 15 city and 20 highway.