Best Full Size SUVs for 2010

As the year is coming to an end, we want to salute the best eco-friendly SUVs. It may be a great time to buy a 2010 model year as the 2011’s and 2012’s are already on the market. That means the old 2010 SUVs are up for bargaining. Even though so many drivers are buying crossovers, there is still a market for full-size SUVs.

The best full-size SUV for 2010 is the Chevy Tahoe and the Tahoe hybrid. The Tahoe holds up to seven passengers and can tow over 6,000 lbs! Best of all, it has fuel economy that beats others in its class. The non-hybrid Tahoe gets 15 mpg city and 21 mpg on the highway. The hybrid version beats that with 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. The Tahoe hybrid is around $50,000.

Another great full-size SUV is the GMC Yukon hybrid. It also gets fuel economy at 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. The Yukon hybrid can also tow over 6,000 lbs. This SUV is a bit bigger and may have a heftier price tag. The benefit to the Yukon over the Tahoe is that it does seat eight passengers. Other than that, it is a matter of style preference and affordability. The Yukon hybrid starts around 50K but can go as high as 60K.

If you have a bit more to spend and are looking for a full-size luxury SUV, then the top choice would definitely be the Cadillac Escalade hybrid. The hybrid version gets the same gas mileage as the Tahoe and Yukon hybrid but comes with the flashy elements known to Cadillac. The Escalade seats eight and tows around 5,800 lbs. The down side is that it is the most expensive SUV out of the top 3 picks for full-size, eco-friendly SUVS. Its average price is around $80,000.

Green for the Green

There are plenty of eco-friendly SUV options that sell at a reasonable price but it’s true that many are quite expensive. Many people buy these SUVs to have the greenest luxury around. If you love extravagance, here are three green 2010 SUVs that really take a lot of green to get.

The Lexus RX hybrid10 is a luxury green SUV starting at $42,685. It has a 3.5-liter V6 engine that gets around 295 horsepower. Adding all wheel drive bumps the price another $2,000. Adding features such as a moon roof, and LCD display, and navigation with traffic updates brings the total to over $52,000. There isn’t much this SUV doesn’t have and it gets 28 mpg in the city and 26 mpg highway.

Next on the green luxury list is the 2010 Chevy Tahoe hybrid. Chevy prides itself as this hybrid is a full-size SUV with 332 horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque. It gets 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. The Tahoe hybrid starts at $50,720. To get its extras such as power sunroof, entertainment system, spare wheel, and chrome door handles the price gets closer to 60K.

One of the biggest and most expensive hybrid SUVs is the GMC Yukon Denali hybrid. This upgraded version of the Yukon starts at over $58,000. This hybrid has GM’s Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT) and Energy Storage System in conjunction with a 6.0-liter V-8 gasoline engine. Its fuel economy comes in at 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Adding on sunroof, rear entertainment and navigation, a rearview camera, security system and all the works gets this Yukon priced at over $66,000.

The high price on these hybrids is not only because they are the definition of luxury, but because of their greener hybrid engines without the loss of power. Each of these SUV’s non-hybrid brothers are already costly so why not go for the total package and choose the cleaner model.

The Best Hybrid SUVs for 2010

2010 may be your year to buy the eco-friendly, gas-sufficient, hybrid SUV you have been eyeing all last year. There are so many hybrid choices among SUVs it can be a tough decision. Are you looking for efficiency, speed, or size? Below are some of the best hybrid SUVs on the auto lots today, look for the one that fits your lifestyle.

Efficiency & Affordability
If you’re looking for the best fuel efficiency and an affordable car payment your best bet is the Ford Escape hybrid, Mercury Mariner hybrid, Mazda Tribute hybrid, or the Saturn VUE two-mode. Each of these hybrid SUVs get around 30 combined mpg and cost plus/minus $30,000.
All four of these hybrids get great customer reviews and continue their popularity.

Luxury
If you want to be eco-friendly but still demand the finest, there are a few hybrid choices for you. The Cadillac Escalade or the Lexus RX 450h. Both SUVs hold the typical luxury interiors and exteriors. They both also come at a hefty price although Lexus coming in around $45,000 is nothing compared to the Escalade’s $73,000 price tag.

Towing Capability
If you have to have an SUV for towing purposes but want to be a little greener, a Chevy Tahoe hybrid or a GMC Yukon hybrid may be the right choice. Both have amazing towing capacity around 6,000lbs. The Dodge Durango hybrid and the Chrysler Aspen hybrid also carry the same towing ability and you may still be able to get one before they are gone. These full size hybrid SUVs all carry a V8 under the hood.

Seven-Eight Passenger Seating
The Toyota Highlander hybrid and the GMC Yukon hybrid both hold up to seven passengers while the Tahoe, Escalade, Durango, and Aspen hybrids all hold eight. If seating is what you need each of these hybrids will work. The Toyota Highlander hybrid is probably the most family friendly.

Whatever you need, there are enough hybrid SUVs out there to fit everyone’s needs. We have more choices now than ever before and many more are still to come.
Happy New Year!

2009 Hybrid SUV Comparison (Full-Size)

Smaller SUVs, hybrid or not, are of course going to be greener and get better fuel economy but in some cases there is a need for a larger SUV.  Many SUV drivers need a large SUV for hauling purposes, whether that is people or a boat!  But just because you have to have a big SUV doesn’t mean you can’t still be eco-friendly and save a little on your fuel bills.  Here is a comparison chart for the top 5 larger hybrid SUVs of 2009 that presents the most useful information:  gas mileage, power, and price, and towing capacity.

2009 HybridSUV	Fuel EconomyCity/Highway	Gas/Electric Power	Price (MSRP)	Towing Capacity
Chevy Tahoe hybrid	21/22	Full hybrid ( 2-mode system) Electric up to 25mph	$52,000	Up to 6,000 lbs
GMC Yukon Denali hybrid	21/22	Electric mode only up to 27 mph	$58,235	Up to 6,200 lbs
Dodge Durango hybrid*	18/22	2-mode system & HEMI V8	$45,000	Around 6,000 lbs
Chrysler Aspen hybrid*	18/19	2-mode system & HEMI V8	$45,000	Around 6,000 lbs
Cadillac Escalade hybrid	20/21	Full hybrid up to 25 mph/ V8	$75,000 limited availability	Up to 5,800

* The Dodge Durango hybrid and the Chrysler Aspen hybrid are now discontinued but still available while supplies last.

Each of these larger hybrid SUVs do not seem so green when looking at the stats but in comparison to the same SUVs in a non-hybrid model, they are actually much better on fuel economy and often times way better for the environment.  A mid-size SUV is going to get better gas mileage by far if there is not a need for a full-size SUV.  Check out the 2009 Hybrid Comparison chart for mid-size SUVs below.

GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid

Even though crossovers seem to be the latest and greatest in SUVs, some drivers still need or prefer the original, full-size SUV. For some, a full-size is needed for hauling purposes and for others, well they just want to be one of the big boys. Either way, these are the drivers that need the greenest vehicle they can get. The GMC Yukon Denali hybrid may be a more eco-friendly option but still maintains all the bragging rights.

What is the difference between a regular Yukon hybrid and the Yukon Denali hybrid? Well, the Denali version is a premium GMC vehicle. The GMC Envoy and the Sierra also have a Denali option. It basically means the best of the best. From the factory the Yukon Denali Hybrid comes standard with 22-inch chrome wheels, heated, leather front and 2nd row seating, OnStar, turn-by-turn navigation, rear camera system, a Bose stereo system, and XM NavTraffic service. The GMC Yukon Denali hybrid is also the first Yukon to be equipped with GM’s MagnaRide suspension. This technology uses magnetic pieces in the shock absorber fluid to adjust the dampening rate of the actual shock absorbers. It keeps the tires on the road and is reviewed well by most test drivers.

Since this flashy Yukon is a hybrid it has GM’s Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT) and Energy Storage System in conjunction with a 6.0-liter V-8 gasoline engine. This system allows the hybrid to run up to 27 mpg on the electric system alone. This beast also carries up to 8 passengers and hauls around 6,200 lbs. There are also some new metallic colors available for the 2010 model year.

But, before getting too excited, let’s just say that this is not the greenest vehicle out there. Even with the hybrid engine the fuel economy is 21mpg in the city and 22 mpg highway. Not that great but a vast improvement from the non-hybrid Yukon. The Denali version adds a lot to show off but also adds another $10,000. The GMC Yukon Denali hybrid starts at $58,235. For some drivers, it is a must-have.

Yukon Hybrid

If you’re looking for a full sized, loaded SUV the GMC Yukon hybrid may be the way to go. This monster of a vehicle gets much better fuel economy than most large SUVs, can tow a ton, and includes some great options. The Yukon hybrid is modeled after its 2007 non-hybrid brother. It weighs in around 5,600 pounds so it may not be the most eco-friendly vehicle on the market but it is the most eco-friendly Yukon on the market!

The GMC Yukon gets around 14 mpg city and 19 highway. The fuel economy for the hybrid version comes in at 21 city and 22 highway. It is another hybrid SUV that runs on the two-mode technology. The Yukon hybrid comes with the standard V8 under the hood but the two-mode technology allows cylinders to deactivate when they aren’t needed so that it becomes a V4. The electric motor gives the added power the SUV needs to accelerate quickly and smoothly. The Yukon hybrid is a full hybrid and can run on electric power alone up to 25 miles per hour.

The Yukon hybrid is very tempting with its strength and amenities. It can tow around 6,000 lbs, which should cover all you boat owners out there. It can also haul eight people so it is perfect for a family vacation to the lake. The 3^rd row seating is optional and the only drawback to it is that it does not fold down but actually has to be removed if not needed. It also comes standard with touch screen navigation, DVD entertainment system, XM radio, remote keyless entry, rear parking assist, remote vehicle start system, and optional On Star and sunroof.

All in all, if you’re looking to haul a boat, ride around with 7 other people, show off to your friends, and be eco-friendly, then the Yukon hybrid is for you! Of course, you will be paying for it…. the Yukon hybrid starts at $50,945.