Green for the Masses 

Many people these days are jumping on the “go green” bandwagon. From reusable grocery bags at even the podunk-iest of Midwestern towns, to a rash of local, organic eateries, clothiers and shops; everyone wants to do their part for the environment. So, when a family of six, seven or even eight wants to make an impact by buying a hybrid vehicle, what options do they have?

When we think of hybrids, most of us imagine the 5 passenger Prius or the recently re-introduced Honda Insight. However, hybrids that can comfortably seat larger crowds are becoming more and more common. Here, we’ve compiled a short list of crowd-friendly and eco-friendly rides:

·         Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. Starting around $35,500, this eight-passenger SUV gets around 20 miles per gallon. The 2008 model was even named the Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal. Expect to pay more than $50 grand for the hybrid version on this great big people hauler.

·         Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Seven people can cruise comfortable in this SUV and get about 26 miles per gallon.  Sitting on a Camry chassis, the Highlander is lighter and sleeker than most SUVs of this size. You can get into this green 7 seater for just under $40,000.

·         GMC Yukon Hybrid. Priced between $50,900 and $53,700, the Yukon fits up to seven passengers and gets 21-22 miles per gallon.  With keyless entry, remote start, front and side airbags, GM warranties, a large towing capacity, and a dual-mode hybrid system, it’s a great fit for families with big toys like a boat or jet skis.

·         Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. If you and seven of your closest friends simply must ride in style, the Escalade is the way to do it. It gets 18 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway and it includes all the luxury features a standard-fuel Escalade has. Due out in October, 2008, you might want to buy a hat with this one…so you can pass it around to get some help paying the estimated $75,000 sticker price. They are your closest friends, right?

·         Dodge Durango Hybrid. Another great choice for an eight-passenger hybrid, the Durango retains its HEMI power, but boosts its fuel economy to 19/20 MPG. Available in the fall of 2008, this SUV will run about $45,300.  For the number of passengers you can haul, the Durango and Aspen are priced considerably lower than similar hybrid suv’s.

·         Chrysler Aspen Hybrid.  An upscale version of its cousin Durango, this hybrid SUV is due out in Q4 of ‘08, will seat eight passengers and runs on a two-mode hybrid system.  With 19 or 20 miles per gallon, this $45,500 investment is a solid contender for the “eight is enough” eco-friendly family.

As the demand for hybrid technology grows, we expect to see this list grow as well. While the Honda Civic hybrid and others with amazing fuel efficiency are great options for some, the truth is that some of us have kids, pets, groceries, gear, and other clutter to haul around each day. At least now, there is a green option, so our errands don’t hurt the environment!