GM Hybrid: What's Not to Like?

General Motors had a terrible sales month in October, and November might be no better. But not talked about in last month's plunge was a surge of 1,496 hybrid vehicles that were delivered.

Among the hybrid sales were 325 Chevrolet Malibus and 354 Saturn Vues. But 372 Chevrolet Tahoes, 193 GMC Yukon and 230 Cadillac Escalade two-mode SUVs hybrids left dealers' lots. As of last month, GM had sold 10,549 hybrids this year.
After a week driving a 2009 Cadillac Escalde Hybrid, it is not difficult to understand why a buyer would spend $71,000, and more, to get one.

It has appealing Escalade bling, in 22-inch wheels and a glittering chrome treatment.

It has a good Cadillac-class finish on the inside.

And it gets 20 miles per gallon around town on regular unleaded.

I can't blame Cadillac - Chevrolet or GMC, either - for putting big Hybrid decals on the sides and windshield. They are a friendly wave that acknowledges, yes, this is a big footprint - 17 feet long, 6 feet-plus tall and 612 feet wide - but don't shoot the driver dirty looks.

General Motors has performed a minor miracle by developing a 322-horsepower, 6.0-liter V-8 and integrating it with a two-mode hybrid-propulsion system and 300-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. This 6,000-pound, boxed-frame truck can be driven up to about 30 mph for blocks at a time on silent battery power.

Highway fuel economy is 21 mpg, but it's possible to get more.

An electrically variable transmission gives smooth acceleration, which can snap into a full-power launch when needed. But it is also easy to modulate speeds for maximum economy with the eco-gauge. Keep the needle in the middle or at least in the green band and fuel economy is at its peak. It is a good but gentle reminder to ease off the heavy foot.

Electronics allow the engine to run on four cylinders, such as for highway cruising, or in hybrid mode with battery power and all cylinders active. The engine shuts off at stops.

Steering and braking are exact and responsive, with regenerative braking that returns power to the battery pack.

Other standard equipment includes Nuance leather (which is a better grade than Chevy leather), 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heated and cooled cushions and a four-year/50,000-mile warranty plus eight-year/100,000-mile coverage for hybrid components. Power mirrors integrate turn signals and blind-zone alerts, but they should also have a power-fold feature.

Driver controls are ergonomic, but for the cost I expected the tech convenience of an "intelligent" key for locking/unlocking and push-button starting. And the foot-long length of bare exhaust pipe just looks unfinished.

The second row has 39 inches of legroom, which is better than most limousines. With a pair of folding seats in the third row, there is occasional seating for seven, but that doesn't leave much room behind the seats. The seats don't fold flat, either, so loading items from the big-box store can be haphazard.

Despite its size and weight, the Escalade doesn't feel massive to drive.

Ride quality is smoothed by a multilink rear suspension and electronic Magnetic Ride Control, which instantaneously adjusts stabilizer-bar firmness to the road and driving conditions. Cadillac might find a following in a lower-riding Escalade. The rear-wheel-drive test truck rode as high as a 4WD, which really requires the $1,095 power retractable running boards. These are slick in that they fold out of the way, but a lower ride height might make them unnecessary.

Cadillac hopes to continue the sales momentum with a new super-lux Escalade Platinum model, starting at $81,000. Among its differences are a hand-stitched leather cabin and LED headlamps, a first for an SUV and among the few used on any vehicle. And eventually there will be a Platinum Hybrid model.

I doubt fuel economy is the major selling point of an Escalade, but the hybrid influence is practical and it is good public relations. This SUV that became known as an obnoxious symbol of excess is now a badge of civic responsibility.

SPEC BOX

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

Body style: five-to seven-passenger sport utility, in rear-or all-wheel drive

Engine: aluminum, overhead-valve, 6.0-liter V-8 with two valves per cylinder and variable valve timing; Active Fuel Management switches between four and eight cylinders depending on power needs

Horsepower: 322 at 5,100 rpm

Torque: 367 at 4,100 rpm

Transmission: continuous electric-ratio hybrid transmission with four fixed gears

EPA fuel economy estimates: 20 mpg city, 21 highway; 87 octane recommended

Curb weight: 5,727 pounds

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: 22-inch chromed aluminum wheels and 285/45 AL3 Bridgestone performance tires, Nuance leather, 14-way power adjustable front seats with heated and cooled cushions and seat backs, DVD navigation system with NavTraffic that alerts to congestion and other road conditions, rearview camera, Bose 5.1 surround audio system, tri-zone climate control and power folding mirrors, power mirrors with integrated turn signals and blind-zone alerts

Safety features include: front air bags, head curtain side bags, Stabilitrak and traction controls, rear-park assist

PRICING

Base: $71,685, including $950 freight charge; price as tested, $72,780

Options on test truck: power retractable assist steps, $1,095

Where assembled: Arlington, Texas.

Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.maynard@uniontrib.com.