With the growing hybrid trend in the automotive industry, it was only a matter of time before Cadillac got into the game with its large, gas guzzling, luxury SUV, the well-known Escalade. The 2009 Escalade looks like the regular model, but the hybrid badges and messaging are plastered all over the vehicle. Like its cousins, the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids, the Cadillac Escalade uses the same 2 mode gas-electric drivetrain but shares none of the other commonalities like the aerodynamic front ends or light weight construction. Some things though, remain the same in the hybrid ’09 Escalade, like the styling and the cabin noise, but in this case, the bulk of the noise is from the switch from the gas and electric motors.
The engine in the hybrid Escalade is the 6.0-liter hybrid, producing 332 horsepower at 5,100 rpm and 367 lb-ft of torque at 5,100 rpm, mated to an electronically variable transmission. This engine is only slightly less powerful than the Escalade’s regular 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 403 horsepower. The fuel economy for the 2009 Escalade hybrid comes in at 20 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. While those are not Prius numbers, it is still impressive for this three ton SUV, considering that the 200 pound lighter GM SUV hybrid models get the same 20 mpg numbers.
But with the savings on fuel, you may be wondering, “what will I pay for this hybrid”, since it still bears the Cadillac Escalade name and luxury. Base price starts at $71,685 and our as-tested model was slightly more, coming in at $72,780
For me, the price is just right. You are getting a hybrid Escalade anyway.
good looking car
Honestly..Is it really worth the extra for the fuel saving? Folks who can afford these kind of cars are changing every couple of years anyway!
Do not see the point of this car.