Dear RRX,
There are a lot of variables that contribute to the number of MPG you get. I average between 9.2 and 9.4 overall. I get up to 11 and change on open road trips sometimes.
I haven't towed much in the H2, so I can't help there, except to say, try it. Ask the dealer to let you test the acceleration with your boat in tow. If he says no, borrow or rent one. That's really the only way to know for sure if you'll be satisfied.
On the GM employee thing, don't even worry about it. I talked to a dealer today about possibly trading in my '03 for an '05 SUT or SUV. If you take the employee discount, they won't even consider discounting anything else, extra gear, whatever. That's understandable, but here's the rub. Admittedly, I am a fairly decent negotiator. If I compare what the OUT-THE-DOOR price is (including tax, licence, P.O.E., etc) with the employee discount vs. what I negotiated at a time when gas was cheap, my price is about $2K better than what it was back then. So if you can negotiate price well and you compare true costs, you are losing about $2k if you let the "discount" go.
I say get whatever makes you and your wife happy.
Life is short. Then you die. Then they throw dirt in your face.
None of it really matters.
Be happy!
