This week The Lohdown is on the road.  I originally planned on blogging about my spectacular MLK weekend in beautiful Portland, Oregon, with the 2009 Acura RL, but instead I'm talking about our latest comparison - a luxury SUV test we're doing up in Mammoth, California, that's going now. Right. Now.

Ahhh the Eastern Sierras. Perfect backdrop for some serious SUV testing.

Think I'm kidding? I'm not. We just got done with dinner at Slocums (I had the salmon special), and the crew is settling in for the night. Tomorrow we run a road loop and shoot some action photos and video before catching up with golden hour for some group shots and video wrapup. This is some serious protocol breaking I'm doing right now - giving you the inside poop on a test that is currently in progress

Why? Because I caught the Inauguration on the drive up this morning. Had my ears glued to CNN Radio on XM/Sirius for the whole Obama-shebang. By the end of it, you could color this Yellow Man/Mellow Man inspired. Made me proud to be an American. Proud to live in country where I can be paid to drive cars and then write about them. And equally proud to be working for an outfit that is currently testing the latest in clean-diesel and hybrid technology. That, my friends, is change I can really believe in.

So what if gas has dropped to under $2 for much of the nation, and SUVs are clogging up dealer lots - driving the four beauties we have assembled is truly a revelation. I'm not going to disclose which exact models we have; after all, our competition needs some busy work to legitimize their exorbitant paychecks – but it wouldn't be hard to guess. Here are some hints for you guys playing at home:

We have assembled four wonders of the modern age. Three are clean, stump-pulling diesels. All make less than 300 hp(in some cases, just barely over 200) but in some cases, make well over 400 lb-ft of torque. Two are made in the USA. The third might be soon (once this economic meltdown warms up). The fourth is Japanese - and doesn't burn oil, just electrons.

Think you have them figured out? Then log your guesses below or send them to me directly at thelohdownMT@gmail.com.

The better question is whether you're truly considering such vehicles for your next purchase. I know that, even though gas prices have tanked, money and credit are too tight for many Americans to consider a new vehicle purchase. But I also know pundits are saying we've reached a Gladwell-esque “tipping point” -- that when American consumers return to dealer lots, they will not go back to gas-sucking SUVs, no matter how far gas prices have fallen.

And believe me, I understand that reasoning. In a former life, I owned a 1987 Toyota Landcruiser. Yes, an FJ60 – faded copper brown, with a light blue interior if you must know. It eked out 11 mpg – 13 on a good day. The day I bought it, the price of oil hit a record high and didn't go down for a 14 months. I spent that summer watching the fuel gauge needle drop and dead presidents fly out of my wallet – all while sweating with the A/C off to conserve a few pennies. Do I understand the desire for greater fuel efficiency in the modern SUV?  Hell, yes!

But I am also a pragmatist – and my aforementioned Portland/MLK weekend proved quite insightful. On Saturday, I spent significant time with three kids and three adults – all piled into a late model Chevy Suburban for a road trip up to Mt. Hood.

Know what I discovered? That for situations such as these, the Suburban is a damn fine vehicle. It hauls families and friends without missing a beat. Have a snowboard or two?  Forget a roof-mounted snowboard rack -- just throw them in the back. High winds or rough weather? You'll find much comfort in the Suburban's sheer size and mass. Miles per gallon? Sweat the low teens at the pump at first, but then divide by the people, pounds of cargo, and overall level of comfort Chevy's brute affords.

Which is to say, I think I have the proper perspective going into this comparison test.  Or do I?  I'd like to know what you have to say.

Your comments last week were particularly insightful. A few thought we were heading in the right direction, but most had (generally) constructive criticism and great ideas for future stories. Special thanks to Al from Eau Claire, David from Austin, and Ken (who mentioned a specific AutoX contender) for writing in.

This week, I'd like to hear what you think about the alternative fuel strategies now that fuel prices have contracted and we have a new president in the White House. Zee Germans are ready to send diesels here en masse. The Japanese and Americans are making hybrids and alt fuels the focus of their attack. Which is most appealing to you?

Also, OPEC has cut production so dramatically that many pundits believe gas will eventually rise to surpass this past summer's record peaks. Does that spectre alter your buying habits or will you suck it up and weather the storm?

And finally, is there anything specific you'd like to see tested with the mysterious diesels and hybrid we've assembled?  I'll be checking the Blackberry during the next few days, so if there is anything, just let me know. Thanks again and see you next week.