Here comes another super-sized hybrid SUV. Making its debut at the 2009 New York Auto Show (beginning 4/10/09) will be the next green offering from GMC, the 2009 Yukon Denali hybrid. Those of you who have been following the hybrid industry know that GMC rolled out a non-Denali version, 2008 Yukon hybrid about a year ago. Looks like it is time to take green luxury up another notch.

If you are familiar with the already loaded up and luxurious 2009 Yukon Denali, it’s a cinch to see how the hybrid version will be similar. Aside from adding the Two-Mode hybrid system, only a few more options are even imaginable (i.e. rear DVD). These vehicles come standard with 12-way powered front seats (heated and cooled leather), heated second-row seats, 22 inch chrome spoke wheels, Bose Centerpoint Surround system, real time XM navTraffic, MagnaRide suspension, and more features than we can list here. Bottom line…this isn’t roughing it.

The base price for the 2009 Denali hybrid has been set at about $59,000 for the two-wheel drive version. Four wheel drive models have an MSRP closer to $62,000. To soften the blow, some buyers may be eligible for up to $2,200 in hybrid tax breaks. Fuel economy has been estimated at 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, representing a nice improvement over the 12/19 mpg rating for the non-hybrid Denali. This is an 8 passenger hybrid SUV with nearly 6,000 lbs. of towing capacity. Availability is expected in May, 2009.

We’ll add a full review of the new GMC hybrid SUV once more information is available, but it seems fairly obvious already that this isn’t a vehicle that’s being built for budget conscious environmentalists. Next to the platinum hybrid Escalade, this has to be the most flashy, thumb your nose at the recession, SUV on the market. Not that there is anything wrong with that…it just seems to be making its initial appearance at a time that goes against conventional auto marketing. Reality is, the folks who will be buying this “brute ute” aren’t pinching pennies right now - they are just checking another box on what seems an endless list of options.