Wednesday, July 25, 2012


Other SUVs to Consider



If you’re in the market for a full-size hybrid SUV, your only choices are the GMC Yukon Hybrid and its corporate siblings, the and the  They all offer similar strengths and drawbacks, since they share a powertrain and basic structure. The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is the best deal of the group, offering a competitive price to a similarly-equipped gas-only Tahoe, while the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid comes with a huge price tag and corresponding amounts of swagger.
Shoppers who can sacrifice a bit of towing capacity will likely be better off with a fuel-efficient crossover like the  with its optional Ecoboost engine. It only costs a few hundred dollars more per year in gas than the Yukon Hybrid, according to the, and its Titanium trim can be equipped with the same luxury features as the Yukon Denali Hybrid for a fraction of the price. Its interior is also more family-friendly, since it offers an adult-sized third row and unusual features like a refrigerated center console.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

GMC


The 2012 GMC Yukon Hybrid ranks 6 out of 8 Affordable Large SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 31 published reviews and test drives of the GMC Yukon Hybrid, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
If you’ve got your heart set on a full-size SUV, the 2012 GMC Yukon Hybrid is a fuel-efficient choice, though it comes with a steep price.
The GMC Yukon Hybrid sounds like a good idea because it has good fuel economy for an SUV. Its interior is well-made and it has the highest seating capacity in its class, along with its corporate twin, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. But efficiency aside, the Yukon Hybrid may come with too many sacrifices for most buyers.
Shoppers who truly need the outsized towing capacity of a truck-based SUV will be better off with the gas-only Yukon, which can tow over a ton more than the Yukon Hybrid. And families who can sacrifice a bit of capability will likely be more comfortable in a crossover SUV like the Dodge Durango, which can match the Yukon’s towing capability with its V6 engine. Additionally, the Yukon Hybrid costs about $12,400 more than the base model, which will take about 22 years to make up in fuel savings, according to the EPA. And anyone who’s buying the Yukon Hybrid because it can seat eight should know that the third row is barely big enough for children.
For those shoppers who have already decided on a large SUV, and have a bit of extra money to spend to go green, the 2012 GMC Yukon is a good choice. But most other buyers looking for a fuel-efficient SUV with seating for seven can save lots of money by opting for a crossover SUV instead.