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By Jim MatejaChicago Tribune
November 30, 2008
No fear of confusing the Cadillac Escalade for an econocar. But now that it offers a dual-mode hybrid, it's not exactly a guzzler, either. Getting 20 m.p.g. city/21 m.p.g. highway is cause for cheer in a full-size SUV. Hybrid power boosts mileage to that from 10/14 with gas only. We tested the '09 Escalade 2WD hybrid with its 6-liter, 332-h.p. V-8 and nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. Gas engine and battery-pack schematics in the navi screen show what power source is working. The screen creates the temptation to drive with light foot and coast when possible to stay in a blue state-battery-rather than in an orange one-gas. We kept in battery up to 20 m.p.h. before the gas engine kicked in. What you save in petroleum, however, those behind lose in patience as you tiptoe down the road. Everyone, it seems, wants to conserve fuel, except those following. The 6-liter V-8 shuts off when coasting or at a light. It also shuts off 4 cylinders seamlessly when cruising at highway speed. Then a dash gauge shoots from 12 m.p.g. to 37 m.p.g. The longer in 4-cylinder, the higher the reading, up to 50 m.p.g. at times, mind-boggling in an Escalade. But pass, climb or merge and beat a hasty retreat to 10 m.p.g. Base price: $70,735, hardly an economy model but you can add snazzy power retractable running boards for $1,095. 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. Read Jim Mateja Sunday in Rides. Contact him at rides@tribune.com.
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