Overview & Reviews

The relatively short-lived Cadillac Escalade Hybrid was meant to bring some green-tinted credentials to the full-size SUV segment. The secret was the vehicle's hybrid technology that helped this big SUV get around 20 mpg in city driving. As with its related siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid, the Escalade Hybrid had a 6.0-liter V8 coupled to a pair of 60-kilowatt motors packaged within the transmission.

As expected, the Cadillac version is much more luxurious than the Chevy or GMC versions, with a higher-quality interior and nearly every pampering feature as standard. However, none of these SUVs really make much sense except maybe to someone who needs to occasionally carry seven people and/or tow a boat while wishing for 20-plus mpg fuel economy and a luxurious interior. That seems like a rare demographic, especially when you consider the Escalade Hybrid's hefty price. As such, most people would be better off with a more efficient diesel-powered SUV or a hybrid that's based on a more modern and more efficient crossover SUV.

Used Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Models
The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid was produced from 2009 through 2013. The eight-passenger, full-size SUV changed very little through the years. However, for its first year it lacked E85 (Ethanol blend) fuel capability and a USB audio connection. More importantly, it achieved slightly lower fuel economy because of a different rear axle ratio.

Other than that first year (when it was offered in a single trim level), the Escalade Hybrid came in a choice of two well-equipped trim levels -- base and ultra-plush Platinum Edition -- and with either rear- or four-wheel drive. All were propelled by a two-mode hybrid powertrain that consisted of a 6.0-liter V8 engine joined to a pair of 60-kilowatt electric motors. Combined output with the electric motors was 379 horsepower.

At speeds of up to about 25 mph, this full-size SUV could be powered solely by its electric motors, after which the gasoline engine came into play. At higher speeds (and depending on driving conditions), a cylinder-deactivation system could shut down up to half the V8's cylinders. First year versions with rear-wheel drive were rated at 20 mpg combined, while all the following years earned a 21 mpg combined rating. The 4WD version is only slightly less frugal.

Standard equipment highlights included 22-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, adaptive shock absorbers, leather upholstery, heated and cooled power-adjustable front seats with driver memory, tri-zone automatic climate control, a navigation system with real-time traffic, rear park assist with a rearview camera, a rear-seat entertainment system and a Bose surround-sound stereo system with a six-CD changer and satellite radio. The Platinum Edition added power-retractable running boards, LED headlights, special leather upholstery and an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system.

In reviews, our editors lauded the standard Escalade as one of the most luxurious and well-appointed full-size SUVs on the market, and the same goes for the eight-passenger Hybrid model. However, the 50/50-split third-row seat is a hassle to configure to cargo hauling duty, as it doesn't fold flat and must be manually removed to free up the 109 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity.

Overall, though, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid offers an opulent and library-quiet environment for its passengers. The hybrid powertrain delivers merely adequate power, but transitions between electric and gas power are impressively smooth. Even in the used car market, a cost-benefit analysis doesn't reflect well on the Escalade Hybrid. The regular Escalade is more powerful and significantly cheaper, while there are any number of luxury SUVs that get the same or at least similar fuel economy.

User Reviews:

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  My first Cadillac - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By imint213 - January 30 - 3:18 am

  We sold our Lexus GX470 and chose to buy a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. Gas mileage is great and love the features. I would never buy new, so we got a great deal. Ride is great for being on a truck chassis. I have missed the truck feel. You do have to adjust for your braking distance, but theres a safety advantage to driving a heavy SUV.

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  Are you seriously stupid? - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By Sam - June 7 - 2:16 pm

  WHAT THE HELL did I get myself into? I should have bought a Mercedes Benz or Land Rover Rang Rover HSE! The quality management of this car is horrific, the navigation/cd player unit is useless most of the time due to its horrific functionality: every day I choose a new station it needs to scan the stations again and again and again the navigation is SLOW. Ill press buttons and wait up to 10 seconds until anything happens, and when it does, itll happen all wrong. I went over a bump, and the plastic under carriage clip broke off and the INTERIOR wood trimming in the rear snapped of since its a CLIP ON! The DVD unit takes such a long time to start if youve turned off the car so.

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  Enjoy the ride - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By walt - April 15 - 11:56 pm

  Enjoy the car a lot. We traded in a Volvo XC-90 and enjoy an increase of about 5 mpg and (more important to the wife) an increase of about a 200 miles between fill-ups. The Escalade has performed flawlessly and the tight turning radius makes it easy to park. The magnetic ride control easily makes this the best riding vehicle I have ever owned.

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  NOT WORTH THE MONEY AND MILEAGE IS TERRI - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By amanda - January 25 - 3:46 am

  I bought this car thinking I was going green. Unfortunately, only thing green about this car is the high price tag. I have always had a MERCEDES and never minded spending the money as it is a quality car. No comparison!!!! Leather is cheap in the Escalade and my dog have made scratches every time they are in there. Storage is non existent. Not even room for the DVD ear phones. No spare tire. Had to pay $1,400 extra for a spare tire mounted underneath the car. This car needs to be totally redesigned and done correctly Do not waste your money on this one.

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  V8 Hybrid - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By Rajjoub - August 19 - 9:36 am

  It is pretty SUV with a nice drive. I love the hybrid. The driver can not listen to CD player when the children using the DVD? The Bluetooth system is not very good. It does not pull up contact list, does not allow you to use the car keypad number, and there is difficulty pairing the 3G i Phone from apple