2009 Cadillac Escalade

Mechanically identical to the Chevy and GMC, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid combines a 6.0-liter V-8, two electric motors, and a battery pack. Output is 332 horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque.

The 2009 Escalade Hybrid will be available with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The vehicle is rated to tow a maximum of 5700 lbs (4wd) or 6000 lbs (2wd).

General Motors announced last week that all models of the 2009 Cadillac Escalade will be able to run on either ordinary gasoline or E85 ethanol, or any combination of the two.

2009 Cadillac Escalade Platinum is the fullest expression of the brand's dramatic design, luxury and technology. The '09 Escalade Platinum becomes one of the most technically advanced SUVs with the additions of segment-first LED headlamps and the world's fastest-acting suspension, Cadillac's Magnetic Ride Control. Magnetic Ride Control, standard on the Platinum Edition, also becomes available as an option on other Escalade models in 2009.

In 2009, Cadillac Escalade extends that leadership thanks to the world's first hybrid in the large luxury SUV class, as well as a new ultra-luxury Platinum Edition with even more segment-first technologies. Escalade Hybrid delivers a 50-percent fuel economy improvement in city driving.

Although the 2009 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum has several minor improvements from the previous top-line model (new badging, chrome accents, and interior upgrades), by far the biggest piece of advanced technology is the Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) system, an integral part of the new suspension, previously only offered on the Corvette and Cadillac cousin.

Beyond that, other impressive details are the quality in the materials and the fact that just about seat in the SUV has access to a video screen.

The 2009 Cadillac Escalade has the same 2-Mode hybrid system that appears in the Silverado and Sierra, allowing it to blend output from the battery and gas engine according to driver demand. As with other hybrids we've driven, the transition between electric-only and gas/electric power occurs when speeds get higher or the throttle comes down harder. The result is a faint whirring thump as the engine lights up along with the usual background intake/exhaust sounds of a 6.0-liter V-8. It's a transition you can hear, but not really feel, as you drive.

For the 2009 Escalade, the engine is tuned to produce 332 horsepower at 5100 rpm and 367 pound-feet of torque at 4100 rpm on regular unleaded.

The 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid has an MSRP of $71,685, which is $3,600 more than a standard model with similar equipment. Like the Yukon and Tahoe, GM is only offering it in relatively loaded form, with nearly all the SUV's luxury and tech features standard (the only available options are four-wheel drive and running boards).

Using the same two-mode hybrid system as its lower-priced cousins, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid can run entirely on battery power at low speeds like the eco-mobile Prius, and the hauler also includes Active Fuel Management technology that allows its V-8 mill to run on just four cylinders during light load driving. Combined these features add up to an EPA fuel-economy rating of 20 mpg city and 21 highway -- not exactly world-beating, but considering that a standard two-wheel drive 2009 Escalade is good for just 12/19 mpg, the hybrid offers a substantial improvement.