GMC Yukon Hybrid Review

2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid SUV

Hybrid technology is a wonderful thing, simultaneously improving fuel mileage and vastly lowering emissions. At first, this wonder of vehicular science was only available on a couple of small cars. A few years later, it debuted on a couple of midsize sedans and compact SUVs. That was all well and good, but the obvious question remained: When would this great invention be available on the vehicles that needed it the most -- large, gas-guzzling and ever-popular SUVs? The answer came in 2008 with the GMC Yukon Hybrid.

Boasting a virtual 50 percent increase in fuel efficiency compared to a typical big ute -- and of course, greatly reduced emissions -- the "green" Yukon sacrifices little in genuine SUV functionality except for serious off-roading ability. Of course, that "sacrifice" would have about as much effect on the typical SUV owner as a power outage on the Amish.

Naturally, this have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too SUV isn't cheap, with a price tag of more than $50,000. Even with its significant gas savings, the Hybrid is a questionable economic choice over the regular Yukon, not to mention GM's large eight-passenger crossovers that offer more interior space and only a minor fuel-economy deficit. But if minimizing fuel consumption is your goal, the Yukon Hybrid is presently the large SUV of choice.

Current GMC Yukon Hybrid

Introduced for the 2008 model year, the GMC Yukon Hybrid uses a gasoline/electric powertrain to earn a combined EPA fuel economy estimate of 21 mpg in mixed driving. That's for the two-wheel-drive version; the four-wheel-drive Yukon Hybrid rates just 1 mpg less. Either way, that's about 5 mpg higher than the ratings for equivalent standard Yukons. In the real world, the picture improves for the hybrid, as those gas-only versions tend to average around 14 mpg, while the hybrids have been known to hit their combined EPA numbers right on the nose.

Rather than going light on the power, GMC fitted the Yukon Hybrid with a burly 6.0-liter gas V8 that, combined with the added boost of the twin electric motors, supplies up to 332 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque. A full "two-mode" hybrid, this Yukon has the ability to run up to 30 mph on electric power alone; hence the efficiency in city driving. (The city and highway fuel economy estimates are virtually equal.) The gas engine will step in when demand for power increases, but under lighter loads (such as freeway cruising) it shuts down four cylinders to maximize fuel economy.

The Yukon's hybrid system, which utilizes a novel transmission design, was co-developed with BMW and the now-defunct DaimlerChrysler. Depending on the driving situation, an electronically variable transmission (EVT) utilizes continuously variable gearing for light loads and switches to a more robust four-speed automatic transmission as demands increase, such as when towing a trailer. This unique duet of transmissions also allows the 4WD Yukon to have low-range gearing in conjunction with the four-speed automatic, an unusual attribute for a hybrid SUV.

Because the hybrid system adds weight, GMC took measures to minimize the gain by using lightweight body panels and thinner front seats. Additionally, a low-slung front airdam that would look more at home on a Corvette helps aerodynamic efficiency at freeway speeds. This latter measure does compromise the Yukon Hybrid's approach angle, but since most SUVs don't venture far from paved roads, few folks are likely to care.

Otherwise, the GMC Yukon Hybrid is similar to a regular Yukon, meaning it can handle as many as eight passengers and provide almost 109 cubic feet of cargo space. It can also tow up to 6,200 pounds and comes loaded, meaning leather seating, a premium sound system and a navigation system. The only significant items left as options are a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a sunroof.

Dynamically, the Yukon Hybrid is again similar to its thirstier gas-only sibling. In our reviews, we found that it provides the same easy, if not exactly agile, handling and smooth, quiet highway ride. Acceleration and highway passing performance are actually better than what a 5.3-liter V8-equipped Yukon provides.

The chief downsides to the GMC Yukon Hybrid are price and -- yes -- fuel economy. Even factoring in the government's federal tax credit for hybrid vehicles, the Yukon Hybrid still costs thousands more than a similarly equipped regular Yukon -- let alone GMC's large Acadia crossover, which gets only two fewer combined mpg. And while the Yukon's 21 mpg fuel-economy rating is certainly impressive for a large SUV, it will still cost you dearly at the pump compared with smaller vehicles. In the end, consumers need to assess just how much vehicle they really need. If anything less than a large SUV won't do, the Yukon Hybrid is an attractive option for those who care about their carbon footprint.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.