SUV sales may be dropping like the proverbial lead balloon, but General Motors is trying to ballast the ship by offering hybrid drivetrains in some of its thirstiest vehicle. The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is the latest hybrid in GM’s line of GMT 900-based hybrid vehicles, and GM officially announced pricing for the luxury hybrid on Friday.
Prices for the Escalade Hybrid will start at $71,685, which represents a $3,600 premium over a comparably equipped gasoline only model. Although not the cheapest hybrid on the block, the Escalade Hybrid does come stuffed to the gills with the latest luxury features, with the only two options being all-wheel drive and a power running board.
The Escalade Hybrid uses the same two-mode system used in the GMC Yukon Hybrid and Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, which includes a 6.0L V8, resulting in a combined output of 332 horsepower. Despite the V8 underhood, the hybrid Escalade returns 50 percent better city fuel economy than the gas only model, with an EPA rating of 20 mpg. However, because the Escalade Hybrid doesn’t use the same aerodynamic front fascia and low rolling resistance tires found on the Yukon and Tahoe Hybrids, it only achieves 21 mpg on the highway – one mpg less than GM’s other full-size hybrid SUVs.
Two-wheel drive Escalade Hybrid models are capable of towing 5,800 pounds, while the added heft of the optional all-wheel drive system brings down towing capacity to 5,600 pounds.
The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is expected to hit dealer showrooms later this month.
