Starting at a mere $73,425 the 2010 Cadillac Escalade hybrid takes the same gasoline / electric architecture used to underpin both the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid and provides it with a full-on luxury spin.  The result is a thoroughly decadent, 8 passenger sport-utility vehicle that doesn’t spoil the environment at nearly the same rate that it spoils its occupants. Only in it’s second year of production, this caddy is already getting some upgrades.

Unsurprisingly, the ‘10 Cadillac Escalade hybrid doesn’t alter the excellent two-mode hybrid game plan that GM has rolled out across their full-size SUV lineup.  The vehicle’s 6.0 liter V8 engine enlists the aid of two 60-watt electric generators to offer up a combined 379 total horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque.  Rear or four-wheel drive can be specified when the vehicle is ordered, and an electronically-variable automatic transmission simulates a four-speed auto with a fair amount of accuracy.  The goal of the gearbox is to provide variable gear ratios during regular driving and default to more defined ratios when demand increases during towing or hauling.

The Escalade’s fuel mileage rating of 21 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway (2wd version) is a phenomenal improvement over the standard edition’s 12 miles per gallon city rating.  On the highway, the Escalade is also capable of shutting down up to 4 cylinders and cruising along with a concomitant reduction in fuel usage.  Given that there are no other full-size hybrid luxury SUV’s being produced in North America, the fact that Cadillac has made such an effort to increase the Escalade’s efficiency is laudable. 

In addition to the novelty of cruising at speeds approaching 25 miles per hour on battery-power alone, the truck features a number of other luxury offerings sure to please the crowd that purchases vehicles within its lofty price range.  Three zones of climate control, heated and cooled front leather seats, a rearview camera that combines with a parking assist feature and of course an entertainment system for rear seat passengers are all in the cards.

For those who want to take green luxury to an all new level, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Platinum model raises the bar even higher. Heated steering, heated and cooled cup holders, push button retractable running boards and built-in headrest video monitors are just a few of the extras you get for going platinum.

For those who can afford to buy or lease an Escalade, shelling out an extra $6,000 for the hybrid version most likely isn’t an issue. That said, you could instead drive a slightly smaller luxury hybrid SUV in the 2010 Lexus RX 450h and put your $30,000 savings toward something that hopefully won’t depreciate quite so fast - like retirement!

Official website is here 
New Hybrid Escalade review from Edmunds.com