While some of Washington’s political elite and the mainstream media spent last quarter bashing the Big Three for building too many gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks – one of GM’s manufacturing plants were producing a small batch of full-size GMC Yukon Hybrids and trucks, too.Since many American families aren’t quite ready to ditch their gas-guzzling eight-cylinder vehicles, GM claims they have managed to build its popular eight-passenger Yukon by improving he gas mileage up to fifty percent in city driving. Is this an oxymoron you ask: Yukon and hybrid? No, it’s not. Over the past week I had an opportunity to drive the 6.0 liter eight-cylinder mammoth-sized SUV. To my surprise, not once did I have to swing by the gas station to add fuel.
In fact, I was able to achieve 425 miles from one tank of gas, before a low fuel warning message appeared on the standard navigational screen, advising of gas stations in the vicinity. I believe if GM would have allowed me one more day to keep the vehicle, I could have possibly squeaked out another 25 miles (before the tank was emptied.) I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember the last time I got 425 miles from one tank of gas out of a large SUV or a car for that matter.
Just as a point of reference, I was barely able to achieve 300 miles from a tank of gas from the six-cylinder manual transmission Honda Accord I drove for a week. According to fueleconomy.gov, a two-wheel drive Yukon Hybrid achieves a combined 21 miles per gallon, 5 miles more than a regular Yukon. And drivers can expect to save close to $400 in gas annually, when buying a Yukon Hybrid, as opposed to a non-hybrid Yukon. As of now, GM is the only automaker offering a hybrid in a large-sized SUV. Chrysler (and Dodge) offered a hybrid for a few months last year, before dropping the products, because of their finances.
Although the hybrids most Americans have become familiar with is Toyota’s popular space-age looking Prius, the Yukon retains the look and feel of a traditional SUV. With the exception of a few hybrid decals located on the exterior of the vehicle, the larger grill to accommodate the two-mode hybrid (electric motor and gas engine) conversion underneath the hood and the elimination of the front fog lights and tow hook openings and the exclusion of the roof rack rails to increase the aerodynamics, its almost difficult to distinguish a hybrid from a non-hybrid Yukon.
How the Hybrid Works
Overall the Yukon Hybrid drives just like any other SUV. Under the hood, this two-mode hybrid is much quieter than a typical vehicle. In order to maximize fuel-efficiency in the Yukon Hybrid, the electric motor automatically kicked in as long as I didn’t exceed 30 miles per hour. On the other hand, once I approached 30 miles per hour, the gas engine was activated. And being that this is an eight-cylinder SUV, I didn’t have to worry about sacrificing power. During heavy acceleration, both the electric motor and gas engine kicks in simultaneously, allowing me to maintain the momentum expected out of an eight-cylinder vehicle.
Moreover, there is a slight difference in the braking system in a hybrid. The Yukon uses a regenerative braking system, which is a type of hybrid technology that enables the electric drive motor to operate as a generator, when coasting or braking. Energy from moving the vehicle recharges the hybrid battery. At times, I noticed the motor driven pump recharging, while applying the brakes. Furthermore, when coming to a complete stop, it becomes quite apparent you’re driving a hybrid. (Those not familiar with a hybrid will assume the vehicle’s engine has been turned off, when coming to a complete stop. However, one shouldn’t be alarmed. This is the normal operation of a hybrid.)
Available Equipment
Besides a few modifications, making this a two-mode hybrid, this well-equipped vehicle includes all the features you would expect in any well-equipped SUV: a power sunroof, heated front seats, a leather seating area, a rear back-up camera integrated into the navigational screen and an electronic rear park assist system, which beeps alerting the driver of objects when backing up. I believe most buyers of the Yukon Hybrid will find the back up camera and the electronic assist system are the two best tools available for those who have difficulty navigating large SUVs.
Hybrid Pricing
If you haven’t priced a hybrid before, you may experience sudden sticker-shock (specifically when comparing them to their non-hybrid counterparts.) The two-wheel drive hybrid I drove listed for $50,920, before adding the rear seat entertainment system, which includes a video screen and headphones, and a power sunroof. If you opt for the four-wheel drive Yukon, tack on another $3,000 to the sticker. To put things in perspective, this vehicle is still less than the Yukon Denali – its more upscale sibling.
Also the IRS offers a tax credit to hybrid owners of about $2,200, helping to off-set some of the premium pricing found in most hybrids. And with sales of SUVs sagging and the gas prices hovering under $2.00 a gallon, savvy shoppers should be able to negotiate a pretty “sweet” deal on this vehicle. (However, don’t expect for deals to be as great as the non-hybrid SUVs.) Currently with gas prices being so low, it’s quite difficult to make a case to the buying public to consider going “green.”
In addition to the tax credit, small business owners may also qualify for a substantially larger tax write-off. Check with your tax accountant for more details. Unless you have a strong need to go “green,” I would recommend that you should only consider buying a hybrid, if you’re constantly driving in low-speed stop-and-go traffic.
To configure, price out or calculate the payments of a new Yukon Hybrid, visit JeffCars.com’s New Car-Buying Guide.
How the Hybrid Works
Overall the Yukon Hybrid drives just like any other SUV. Under the hood, this two-mode hybrid is much quieter than a typical vehicle. In order to maximize fuel-efficiency in the Yukon Hybrid, the electric motor automatically kicked in as long as I didn’t exceed 30 miles per hour. On the other hand, once I approached 30 miles per hour, the gas engine was activated. And being that this is an eight-cylinder SUV, I didn’t have to worry about sacrificing power. During heavy acceleration, both the electric motor and gas engine kicks in simultaneously, allowing me to maintain the momentum expected out of an eight-cylinder vehicle.
Moreover, there is a slight difference in the braking system in a hybrid. The Yukon uses a regenerative braking system, which is a type of hybrid technology that enables the electric drive motor to operate as a generator, when coasting or braking. Energy from moving the vehicle recharges the hybrid battery. At times, I noticed the motor driven pump recharging, while applying the brakes. Furthermore, when coming to a complete stop, it becomes quite apparent you’re driving a hybrid. (Those not familiar with a hybrid will assume the vehicle’s engine has been turned off, when coming to a complete stop. However, one shouldn’t be alarmed. This is the normal operation of a hybrid.)
Available Equipment
Besides a few modifications, making this a two-mode hybrid, this well-equipped vehicle includes all the features you would expect in any well-equipped SUV: a power sunroof, heated front seats, a leather seating area, a rear back-up camera integrated into the navigational screen and an electronic rear park assist system, which beeps alerting the driver of objects when backing up. I believe most buyers of the Yukon Hybrid will find the back up camera and the electronic assist system are the two best tools available for those who have difficulty navigating large SUVs.
Hybrid Pricing
If you haven’t priced a hybrid before, you may experience sudden sticker-shock (specifically when comparing them to their non-hybrid counterparts.) The two-wheel drive hybrid I drove listed for $50,920, before adding the rear seat entertainment system, which includes a video screen and headphones, and a power sunroof. If you opt for the four-wheel drive Yukon, tack on another $3,000 to the sticker. To put things in perspective, this vehicle is still less than the Yukon Denali – its more upscale sibling.
Also the IRS offers a tax credit to hybrid owners of about $2,200, helping to off-set some of the premium pricing found in most hybrids. And with sales of SUVs sagging and the gas prices hovering under $2.00 a gallon, savvy shoppers should be able to negotiate a pretty “sweet” deal on this vehicle. (However, don’t expect for deals to be as great as the non-hybrid SUVs.) Currently with gas prices being so low, it’s quite difficult to make a case to the buying public to consider going “green.”
In addition to the tax credit, small business owners may also qualify for a substantially larger tax write-off. Check with your tax accountant for more details. Unless you have a strong need to go “green,” I would recommend that you should only consider buying a hybrid, if you’re constantly driving in low-speed stop-and-go traffic.
To configure, price out or calculate the payments of a new Yukon Hybrid, visit JeffCars.com’s New Car-Buying Guide.
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