Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Gets $71K Price Tag

Before everyone flips out at the MSRP of the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, GM wants to let you know that $71,685 is just $3,600 more than a comparably equipped standard gasoline Escalade. We did a quick check using Cars.com's own new-car configurator, outfitting a standard 4x2 Escalade with the major luxury package GM says is included on the hybrid, and it rang up to $66,790 including destination, which is close to the price GM mentions. They don't specifically say it comes with a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, but if it does, that would bridge the roughly $1,500 gap in the prices.

The Escalade Hybrid gets 20/21 mpg city/highway with a 332-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 under the hood. The V-8 features cylinder deactivation and a full-electric mode that shuts off the gasoline engine entirely in slow traffic. The standard Escalade features a more powerful V-8 engine that gets just 12/19 mpg. 

The Escalade Hybrid comes with just two options: four-wheel drive and automatic running boards. 

We're not sure if a $70,000 luxury SUV will win over thrifty gas spenders, but it may successfully marry two status symbols of the 21st century: blinged out SUVs and hybrids. We'll find out when it goes on sale later this month.

Comments

Thats really overpriced and so not worht it i would rather buy a mercedes benz or a porsche !!

Seeing as how they sell tons of the non- hybrids in the 60's, the 3thousand or so dollars is not a big deal. If it is high to you, you couldn't afford an escalade to begin with. I don't understand why this is such a big deal for people.

Broq

Most of the people why buy hybrids is just to say : I have one, is the new status sign of the decade.

Actually I believe that the cars that should be hybrids should be the cars than spend most of the time in city driving, like the cabs or delivery vans. I drive 99% highway, so I prefer any small sedan.

You would think for that price tag they could do without the hybrid decals, so classy.

I agree with the decal comment. It looks so tacky and stupid. It's as if they are blaring it out to the world that they can make a half-assed hybrid.

Amen to the decal...
It reminds me of the days when the Firebird's got 4 wheel disc brakes and it had that fact written on the exterior door handles! Gawdy to say the least.
What marketing fools come up with this crap?

decals are all removable.

Good enough for 3 Prius, or 3 Corolla, or 3 Civic, or 4 Aveo, 4 Fit, 4 Yaris, the list goes on.

I know it's probably not cost effective, but I'd rather have a unique front bumper (low drag?) to differenciate a Hybrid from a non hybrid than decals.