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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid ranks 9 out of 11 Luxury Large SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 21 published reviews and test drives of the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is a study in contradictions: a capable and luxurious full-size SUV that lets buyers save fuel.

While most reviewers agree that the Escalade Hybrid embodies some of the best technology and luxury GM has to offer, many also wonder why the company bothers. AutoWeek, calls Escalade Hybrid "a pretender, acting the part of being more efficient while still sucking down a gallon of gas every 12 to 14 miles or so. It's sort of like solo living in a 4,000-square-foot house but thinking everything's OK because you're using solar panels and a heat pump."

The majority of reviewers say, however, that the Escalade Hybrid's appeal is not in saving money on gas, but in the satisfaction of having a hybrid that makes few compromises when it comes to towing, seating capacity or luxury. With the Escalade Hybrid, the compromise is in having a hybrid that only gets the fuel economy of a compact SUV. When swaddled in its luxury interior with the Bose stereo thumping and seven friends in the back, many buyers will be happy they made that compromise.

The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is the only full-size luxury hybrid SUV on the market. Its main competition comes from its corporate cousins, the GMC Yukon Hybrid and the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. While neither has the same luxury cachet or street cred as the Escalade, their prices start lower. While the Escalade Hybrid starts at about $69,000, both the Tahoe and Yukon hybrids start at about $50,000. Opt for one of those two and you get the same fuel saving technology and SUV capability as the Escalade hybrid, plus about $18,000 in your pocket.

Compared to other luxury SUVs, the Escalade Hybrid's fuel economy make it a standout, and it holds its own when it comes to performance and its interior (then again, it's tough to find a bad interior in this class). The hybrid Escalade commands about a $6,000 price premium over the gas-only Escalade.  While the hybrid's fuel economy is better, unless gas prices shoot up, it will take a while for Escalade hybrid buyers to recoup the cash. On the other hand, they can be satisfied in saving some gas and shrinking their carbon footprints a little bit.

The Escalade Hybrid has seating for eight and is available in two- or four-wheel drive.  The Escalade Hybrid was first introduced for the 2009 model year.  For 2010, little has changed.  As a result, this review uses data and reviewer opinion on both the 2009 and 2010 models.

• "This is a giant SUV-top of the bling food chain-that General Motors has slathered in greenie labels while equating its miles per gallon to that of a mid-size sedan with a V-6." -- Car and Driver
• "The new Escalade hybrid offers prestige, power and just enough greenness to annoy environmentalists. Naturally, I love it." -- Detroit News
• "The Hybrid model's price premium is steep, but so are the potential fuel economy savings. This premium large SUV delivers fuel economy comparable to many smaller crossover SUVs with no sacrifice in passenger or cargo capacity." -- Consumer Guide
• " Are people really that influenced by trends and good looks? Because as far as I can tell that's just about all the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid has to offer." -- Mother Proof
• "If you need to haul seven and tow 5,800 pounds, the hybrid system makes the price of gas more tolerable - if those shopping a full-size Cadillac actually cared about the price of gas." -- Chicago Tribune

 

Escalade-Hybrid Performance - 7.8 (Good)

While opinions are split on the Escalade Hybrid's fuel economy, most reviewers say it has plenty of power and handles well for its size. Despite the overall praise, some reviewers wonder about the point of a hybrid that doesn't achieves Prius-like numbers, while others point out that with Americans addicted to large cars and SUVs, every little drop of fuel saved counts. Read More

Escalade-Hybrid Exterior - 9.1 (Excellent)

In terms of looks, not much distinguishes the Escalade Hybrid from the regular Escalade -- unless you count the nine giant hybrid decals. Reviewers say GM recognizes that part of the appeal of a hybrid is letting everyone else know you've got one, and the Escalade Hybrid does just that. Beyond its hybrid badges, the Escalade Hybrid has the same beefy, blingy look as the regular Escalade, which pleases reviewers. Read More

Escalade-Hybrid Interior - 7.7 (Good)

For the most part, reviewers like the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid's interior. The materials and tech features (including an energy flow display to help you drive more efficiently) receive high marks. However, reviewers complain about the third-row seat, which is low to the floor and must be removed to maximize cargo space. Read More

Escalade-Hybrid Safety - NA

The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid earns excellent scores in government crash tests: five out of five stars for driver and front and rear passenger protection in both front- and side-impact crash tests. The Escalade Hybrid receives a three-star rollover rating for both two- and four-wheel drive models. Read More

Escalade-Hybrid Reliability - NA

The 2010 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid comes with a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty Read More