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

[GV]

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

[SouthTX]

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.

[Hult]

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.

[The other Dan]

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?

[Dave T.]

decals are all removable.

[J]

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

[Infosaur]

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.