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Hybrid SUV Roundup
Jul 31, 2013
Hybrid SUV Roundup
Steer clear of SUVs if you want to save gas, right? Wrong! SUVs are now racking up economical miles due to their uptake of hybrid engines. That's something that's important to motorists, many of whom still embrace a love affair with SUVs but are keen to minimize impacts to the planet and their wallets. In many midsize and large SUVs, the combination of hybrid power with a gas engine adds up to some serious fuel savings, in some cases as much as a 50 percent improvement.
- New Car Buying Tips
- Read the Fine Print
- Car Dealership Tactics
- Why Buy at the End of the Month?
Hybrid SUV Roundup
Here's our list of top hybrid SUVs currently on the market, or coming later this year. We compare the manufacturer's recommended price for the standard hybrid model and the base price of a standard model without the hybrid technology. Beware: the super-high demand for hybrid SUVs means you should be prepared (in many cases) to pay a hefty dealer's premium.
- New Car Buying Tips
- Read the Fine Print
- Car Dealership Tactics
- Why Buy at the End of the Month?
Ford Escape
It'll give you 459 miles on a single 15-gallon tank. Ford's trusty 4-cylinder, which runs on the fuel-saving Atkinson cycle, is paired with two electrical motors for the rear and front wheels, giving a combined 155 horsepower. The Escape can also be propelled adequately, and very quietly, on battery power alone.
It'll give you 459 miles on a single 15-gallon tank. Ford's trusty 4-cylinder, which runs on the fuel-saving Atkinson cycle, is paired with two electrical motors for the rear and front wheels, giving a combined 155 horsepower. The Escape can also be propelled adequately, and very quietly, on battery power alone.
- Research the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
- Ford Escape Hybrid Overview
- Ford Escape Hybrid Pictures
- Free Ford Escape Hybrid Price Quote
Mazda Tribute
Its 155 horsepower (combined electric and motor) seems to pack more punch courtesy of an automatic continuously variable transmission that is much smoother than most when accelerating in low gears.A 200hp V6 power train is optional, as is 4WD, both neither will greatly impact its 32 mpg efficiency, the Tribute also has good interior space for its class.
Its 155 horsepower (combined electric and motor) seems to pack more punch courtesy of an automatic continuously variable transmission that is much smoother than most when accelerating in low gears.A 200hp V6 power train is optional, as is 4WD, both neither will greatly impact its 32 mpg efficiency, the Tribute also has good interior space for its class.
- Research the 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid
- Mazda Tribute Hybrid Overview
- Mazda Tribute Hybrid Pictures
- Free Mazda Tribute Hybrid Price Quote
Toyota Highlander
Impressively, you can zoom seamlessly to a mile a minute in 7.5 seconds. Even more impressively, and with a softer touch from the right foot, it'll reach 29 mpg combined. Only an automatic transmission (CVT) is available.
Impressively, you can zoom seamlessly to a mile a minute in 7.5 seconds. Even more impressively, and with a softer touch from the right foot, it'll reach 29 mpg combined. Only an automatic transmission (CVT) is available.
- Research the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid Overview
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid Pictures
- Free Toyota Highlander Hybrid Price Quote
Saturn VUE
New Saturn Vue customers will be comforted by a high projected resale value and a deceptively large cabin that boasts all of Saturn's innovation and unusually refined ergonomics for an erstwhile budget car.
New Saturn Vue customers will be comforted by a high projected resale value and a deceptively large cabin that boasts all of Saturn's innovation and unusually refined ergonomics for an erstwhile budget car.
- Research the 2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid
- Saturn VUE Hybrid Overview
- Saturn VUE Hybrid Pictures
- Free Saturn VUE Hybrid Price Quote
Lexus RX
With its increased options and features including 10-way powered leather seats and power liftgate for 2007, this is as close to luxury as you'll get on today's hybrid SUV market. The 400h is classed as a Zero-Evaporative Emissions vehicle in California and will reach 29 mpg combined.
With its increased options and features including 10-way powered leather seats and power liftgate for 2007, this is as close to luxury as you'll get on today's hybrid SUV market. The 400h is classed as a Zero-Evaporative Emissions vehicle in California and will reach 29 mpg combined.
- Research the 2008 Lexus RX 400h
- Lexus RX 400h Overview
- Lexus RX 400h Pictures
- Free Lexus RX 400h Price Quote
Mercury Mariner
Mercury's Mariner boasts utilitarian styling and outstanding fuel consumption at 30 mpg combined (40% better city efficiency than the non-hybrid base model) courtesy of its nickel-medal-hydride batteries stores under its rear floor. Cargo space is still good at 66 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Its 2008 variant is substantially less noisy than its predecessor at freeway speeds. ItÔøΩs also endorsed by the Sierra Club.
Mercury's Mariner boasts utilitarian styling and outstanding fuel consumption at 30 mpg combined (40% better city efficiency than the non-hybrid base model) courtesy of its nickel-medal-hydride batteries stores under its rear floor. Cargo space is still good at 66 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Its 2008 variant is substantially less noisy than its predecessor at freeway speeds. ItÔøΩs also endorsed by the Sierra Club.
- Research the 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
- Mercury Mariner Hybrid Overview
- Mercury Mariner Hybrid Pictures
- Free Mercury Mariner Hybrid Price Quote
Chevrolet Tahoe
Backed by a 2-mode power train jointly developed by BMW, DaimlerChrysler and GM, this one packs a 300-volt battery below the rear second row, two electric motors in the transmission and the same in-city mileage as your typical midsize sedan. Much sought after, buyers can expect to pay a hefty dealer's premium in many parts of the country.
Backed by a 2-mode power train jointly developed by BMW, DaimlerChrysler and GM, this one packs a 300-volt battery below the rear second row, two electric motors in the transmission and the same in-city mileage as your typical midsize sedan. Much sought after, buyers can expect to pay a hefty dealer's premium in many parts of the country.
- Research the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
- Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Overview
- Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Pictures
- Free Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Price Quote
Cadillac Escalade
It also utilizes braking energy and coasts on battery power, while slipping from eight cylinders to four on highway stretches. You'll also get stylish hybrid electro-green badges on the outside that blend with the large SUV's muscled exterior. Other Escalades, outside the hybrid, are E85 compatible, which means they can run on an 85% Ethanol 15% gasoline mix. The hybrid still offers a premium of 25% combined fuel consumption.
It also utilizes braking energy and coasts on battery power, while slipping from eight cylinders to four on highway stretches. You'll also get stylish hybrid electro-green badges on the outside that blend with the large SUV's muscled exterior. Other Escalades, outside the hybrid, are E85 compatible, which means they can run on an 85% Ethanol 15% gasoline mix. The hybrid still offers a premium of 25% combined fuel consumption.
- Research the 2009 Cadillac Escalade
- Cadillac Escalade Overview
- Cadillac Escalade Pictures
- Free Cadillac Escalade Price Quote
Chrysler Aspen
City mileage is estimated at 19 mpg or better, or a near 50% increase in economy over the base model. Fit and finish are great in the Aspen, whose interior will include all the bells and whistles for the hybrid, and its light and airy cabin boasts unrivaled cargo capacity when seating seven or with both rows of rear seats folded flat.
City mileage is estimated at 19 mpg or better, or a near 50% increase in economy over the base model. Fit and finish are great in the Aspen, whose interior will include all the bells and whistles for the hybrid, and its light and airy cabin boasts unrivaled cargo capacity when seating seven or with both rows of rear seats folded flat.
- Research the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid
- Chrysler Aspen Hybrid Overview
- Chrysler Aspen Hybrid Pictures
- Free Chrysler Aspen Hybrid Price Quote