2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid

While Honda and Toyota paved the way for hybrid powertrains at the turn of the current century, the domestic automakers—Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler—sat out the emerging race for gasoline/electric vehicles. GM had leased a batch of full-electric EV-1 models in the 1990s. Electric-powered small trucks turned up, too. But hybrid propulsion was basically left to the imports.

Full-Size Utility

Ford joined the fray in 2005, with a hybrid version of its compact Escape SUV. Chrysler has yet to manufacture a hybrid. GM, on the other hand, has five hybrid models in its 2008 lineup. That includes the debut of Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon full-size SUVs, equipped with GM's new 2-Mode hybrid system.


Chevrolet and GMC offered full-size pickup trucks in 2006-07, billed as hybrids but with an elementary semi-hybrid system. The gas engine shut off at stops, but otherwise operation differed little from that of conventional models.


Tahoe/Yukon for 2008 are billed as the world's first hybrid full-size sport-utility vehicles. Both models had been redesigned for the 2007 model year, and they differ mainly in styling. As always, GMC calls its vehicles "Professional Grade."


GM's 2-Mode hybrid system, mated with Active Fuel Management cylinder-deactivation technology, promises up to 40 percent fuel economy improvement in city driving. Combined city/highway use provides a gain of 25 percent in fuel economy, according to General Motors. Co-developed by GM, BMW, and DaimlerChrysler, this technology is based upon GM's 2-Mode diesel electric hybrid system, used in transit buses since 2003.