Chrysler Hybrid SUVs Priced Below GM's

Chrysler announced the pricing of its two full-size hybrid SUVs today. The 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid will start at $44,540 and the 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid will start at $44,770. Neither price includes $800 in destination charges.  The two go on sale in August.

Chrysler is touting the sticker as “$8,000 below the competition.” The competition is the Chevy Tahoe hybrid, which starts at $49,590, and the more expensive GMC Yukon hybrid. Wait, that’s not $8,000. That’s because in all of the press materials Chrysler does not mention its hybrids only come in four-wheel drive. The 4×4 Tahoe hybrid starts at $52,395.

Chrysler expects tax credits for the hybrids to be around $1,800. We’ve driven early versions of both Chrysler hybrid SUVs and you can read about that experience here.

Chrysler expects mileage to be about 20/20 mpg city/highway, virtually the same as GM’s mileage gains. We’re not sure if the lower price will entice buyers to the Chrysler SUVs over GMs because at that price point it still might be hard to sell a big hybrid SUV. We also wonder if Chrysler is willing to lose money on the sales. GM and Chrysler use virtually the same two-mode hybrid system in these SUVs.