Maybe GM's large hybrids aren't so bad
21 mpg in the cityEarlier this morning I poked a little fun at the release of the Cadillac Escalade hybrid because at $72,000, I just can't take this new hybrid too seriously. But, maybe I should, as the fuel economy of these large hybrid vehicles is noteworthy. And, no, I'm not kidding.
As I was browsing the Internet today I came across an ad for the 2008 Accord LX AT Sedan. "Great fuel economy. That's helpful." That great fuel economy is 21 mpg in the city, the same fuel economy as the Escalade hybrid, or the Chevy Tahoe hybrid.
I marveled over this fact at the last LA Auto Show, when I found myself amidst some Mini Coopers and I noticed many only offered city fuel economy in the low to mid twenties, only a smidgen better than GM's large hybrids. Ultimately, GM's large hybrids are achieving fuel economy as good or better than most autos on the road today.
While I'm still not a fan of large vehicles, unless functionally necessary, maybe large SUVs are actually something GM can be quite proud. Even better, the soon to be released Saturn Vue hybrid might actually achieve double the city fuel economy of most vehicles on the road today.
Labels: escalade hybrid, GM, Hybrid Vehicles, tahoe hybrid
posted by Dahcredyns at
10:07 AM
11 Comments:
I wish GM would make bi fuel CNG cars available to the public. I can buy a used Chevy Cavalier bi fuel CNG for about 8 to 10 thousand and it will travel about 150 miles on the natural gas before having to switch over to gasoline. Apparently, these vehicles are sold to fleets and not found at the dealerships.
I would love to have a Yukon hybrid WITH CNG to pull my camper. In Ohio, I can buy CNG for about 1.80 a gallon which is a tremendous savings.
Couldn't we consider a vehicle that burns CNG as well as gasoline a hybrid?
I think you'll see more natural gas vehicles in the future, but I don't think most automakers will make a huge push into the technology. It would take a lot of investment in infrastructure to make natural gas a big enough opportunity for auto manufacturers, and thus far there doesn't seem to be enough interest. And, unfortunately, putting a lot of faith into the natural gas industry is little different than putting a lot of faith into the oil industry.
We travel to Florida a lot. We don't want to rent down there again because the prices are just too high. We've been thinking of putting our house here in Akron on rollers. I just wish GM would make an SUV big enough to pull our 4 bedroom, 3 bath house with granite marble tops in the kitchen and family room in the basement down to Orlando. I would be happy if it would get between 18-20 on the highway. Do you think they have a hybrid in mind that would get even better gas mileage?a
The problem here is that the standard for "good fuel economy" is too low. No one should be bragging about 21 mpg.
jocelyn-
I agree. Yet, the company bragging about 21 mpg was Honda, until recently the automaker with the best fleet fuel economy in America (2nd best this year). That stuns me.
otto-
I think that's next year's hybrid release. In fact, you won't need to tow your home, the new hybrid will be big as your house.
I think this is great and all, but I just bought a hummer at $4,000 below invoice (Thanks New Car Buying Team!") So the economics need to shift even more. If I am saving thousands on the car, I can afford to spend a few hundred a year on the gas! Ok, so I don't drive the Hummer every day!
Father Josh Macer
I said big hybrids, not Hummers. I can only hope you live in the country somewhere where the weather is bad.
This article is providing false information. The article talks about the new escalade hybrid commercial but then goes on to say that the escalade hybrid has the wonderful fuel efficiency of 21 mpg int he city. Did the author not read the fine print on the bottom of the screen of the commercial. It clearly states that the escalade hybrid only gets 12 mpg in the city and 19 on the highway. This epa estimate is nowhere near the 21 mpg the article discribes. Maybe the writer should consult the FACTS before explaining to readers false information.
That's the standard Cadillac fuel economy. The Cadillac hybrid, just like its very similar Tahoe and Yukon hybrid cousins achieves low 20's on the city cycle.
again, compared to the accord, 20 mpg is relatively respectable, although it is certainly nothing to brag about.
as others have stated, it shows how poor average fuel economy is in the US.
i just verified the EPA estimtes 20/21. i guess that makes what i said a fact.
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