ROAD TEST: A pricey new hulk, but no star as a hybrid

[Javaman]

http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzrevi6033710feb13,0,5842888.column?track=rss

What General Motors calls the "world's first large luxury hybrid SUV" is a case of too much too late: a hulk that's only a little less out of step with the times than the conventional Escalade.

With a $73,000 price tag -- $3,600 more than a conventional comparably equipped Escalade -- and qualifying for a $2,200 federal tax credit, the hybrid offers fuel economy that, under the right conditions, can be a lot better than a standard Escalade in city driving but is only a little better on the highway.

There are no Environmental Protection Agency mileage estimates for the all-wheel-drive hybrid Escalade, but GM says economy is about the same as that of the rear-drive Escalade hybrid: 20 mpg city, 21 highway, compared with 12 mpg city and 19 mpg highway for an all-wheel-drive non-hybrid Escalade.

I averaged about 17 mpg in seven days of highway and suburban driving, according to the tester's driving computer.

>nothing more than a greenwashed version of a hummer<

[Auggie]

1. What in hell were they thinking...

It's likely been years in development. Still, their lack of foresight is astounding.

[rrneck]

2. They're depending on

the credulity of the goof that buy Cadillacs. With that crowd, appearance is still more important that substance.