2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid will start at $71,685 (USA)

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

Featuring 50 percent improvement in fuel economy in city cycle over the standard Cadillac Escalade, the hybrid version of the full-size SUV will be only $3600 more expensive than a similarly-stuffed Escalade.

The 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is coming equipped with GM’s revolutionary Two-Mode Hybrid technology. In fact, the technology is so advanced, it easily increases the heavy SUV’s mileage from miserable 12/19mpg city/highway to impressive (not to say stunning) 20/21mpg.

Just consider this: in the city cycle the huge and heavy SUV will be more fuel efficient than much smaller 2009 Toyota RAV4 compact SUV, which only features 19mpg in city driving when equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine!

The vehicle’s fuel efficiency is partly increased with the help of GM’s new Active Fuel Management technology enabling its standard Vortec V8 engine to shut down four of its eight cylinders in less demanding driving conditions.

The engine is shut down altogether when idling or in low-speed driving like crawling in a long traffic jam.

As far as I understand, the 2009 Escalade Hybrid is offered only in one, fully loaded, package with only two options available. Namely, four-wheel drive and power running boards. Damn, I wish I was a hip-hop star.

Photos: GM/Cadillac

See also: 2008 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid SUV is a go