Full-size hybrid sport utility vehicles are finally making their way to Chattanooga.
David Jones, sales manager at Kelly Automotive Group, said they have some hybrid GMC Yukons in stock, and hybrid Cadillac Escalades are on their way.
“People are looking for city (gas) mileage with the capacity to carry seven passengers,” he said, noting that the hybrid Yukons get about 20 miles per gallon both on the highway and in the city. “In its class it can’t be touched.”
Frank Burke, owner of the Chattanooga Lookouts, recently purchased a white hybrid Yukon.
“It’s wonderful,” he said. “It’s got plenty of space and I’m getting about 21 miles per gallon.”
Mr. Burke is no stranger to hybrids. He used to drive a hybrid Saturn, and both of his daughters drive hybrid Ford Escapes, a small SUV that has been on the market for some time.
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He opted for a full-size SUV because of the extra room.
“I was waiting for that one to come out because I didn’t want to go back to 14 miles per gallon,” he said.
Mr. Jones said a loaded, two-wheel-drive hybrid Yukon costs about $52,000, while a comparable nonhybrid Yukon runs about $44,000.
Don Erwin of Mountain View Chevrolet said his dealership recently delivered its first hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe.
“There are lots of little hybrids out there, but this thing is a monster,” he said.
Brian Goeble, spokesman for Chevrolet in Detroit, said the hybrid Tahoes make up about 10 percent of those Chevrolet manufactures.
The hybrids, which can operate on electricity, gas or a combination of both, get up to 30 mpg when using only electricity at less than 30 mph. The vehicles average about 21 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
A nonhybrid Tahoe gets about 14 mpg in the city and about 20 on the highway, Mr. Goeble said.
The Tahoes have different features and very few options available, which Mr. Goeble said makes it difficult to compare the hybrid to a nonhybrid Tahoe.
Russ Clark, general sales manager at Herb Adcox Chevrolet, said it received two hybrid Tahoes.
“One of them sold before we ever got it off the truck, and the other one sold the following day,” he said.
In addition to the Tahoe and Yukon, automotive officials said other full-size hybrid SUVs are on the way.
Joe Cooper, advertising manager at Prebul Chrysler, said a hybrid version of a Chrysler Aspen is not available, but it will be soon.
“That’s one for the future,” he said.
David Hicks, new car sales manager at Capital Toyota, said Toyota only offers hybrids in the Prius, which is a compact car, the Camry, which is a sedan, and the Highlander, which is a small SUV. He said a larger hybrid SUVs will be coming.
“They eventually will come out with a hybrid (full-size SUV), but right now that is not available,” Mr. Hicks said.
According to a recent report from Hybrid Owners of America, automakers cannot keep up with the demand that high gas prices are creating for the fuel-efficient hybrids.
Mr. Goeble, spokesman for Chevrolet, said production of hybrids will be determined by market demand.
“We’ll adjust to the market,” he said. “It will be market driven just like everything else.”
