Chrysler lowballs price of its SUV hybrids, starting at $45,340

[CanadianGMGuy]

Originally Posted by 08HYT

Just bought a Hybrid Tahoe this last week. 4wd, only two options available(sunroof, rear DVD) 56,500 msrp GMS PRICE 50250-4000 loyalty. Plus 2200 tax credit and business write off.

I got 23.6 actual mpg in first tank of mixed driving. Its the perfect vehicle, could tow the boat or haul 8 people in better style and quality then the duraspin. Plus their promise of "almost 40%" inprovement, and none of the aero tweaks of the tahoe lead me to believe it won't touch it in actual mpg. I considered an Acadia but, V6=underpowered for any real towing duty let alone when fully loaded with cargo. Plus no tax credit or write off.

Congrats on your purchase. Post some pics of your new ride, I would like to see some real world pics.

[prototype66]

Yep, total misleading article. The Durango and (snicher) Aspen are totally on a lower level in so many ways they can't possibly be compared to the GM FULL size SUVs.
Creative journalism.

[prototype66]

Originally Posted by eaton53

Did they have it on the lot or did you have to order it?
I've never seen a hybrid Tahoe on the lot and there are some pretty big Chevy dealers here.

We've sold two so far and have 1 more on the lot. Those drive fantastic!
At first I had to stop myself from trying to restart it at the first light , it was a weird feeling sitting there it total silence. It felt like it stalled!!!lol
takes getting used to but very cool!

[prototype66]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

But mpg is questionable too. If one drives mostly in the city, I would suspect the dual-mode Chysler hybrid will get better fuel mileage than the Lambdas.

For now your right. Wait until they finish fitting the two mode in the lambdas too. They are already putting it in the Vue which has the same 3.6!
Then they will trump those as well.

[LibertyKJ]

Originally Posted by CmicasatheGreat

This is HARDLY "low-balling" since a TOP OF THE LINE Chrysler's Aspen starts at $35K... If ANYTHING Chrysler is charging way more for their Dual-Modes than GM is for its. Consider at the very least the Dual-Mode Tahoe is essentially on the same level as an LTZ which starts at $45K.. GM essentially tacks on $4,500 to the price for the 2mode...

Chrysler??? $10K

Chrysler is not offering a 2WD version of its hybrid. Chrysler's top level 4X4 equipped model starts at $38K (a bit more palatable). If they go the route everyone else has and prepackage uplevel options standard with the hybrid as most manufacturers do, it will be comparable to a $40K+ gasser Aspen, which does make the Hybrid price an enticing deal.

[eaton53]

Originally Posted by prototype66

We've sold two so far and have 1 more on the lot. Those drive fantastic!

How long has the one you've got left been on the lot?

[DIRTRIDER]

Got news for you they Chevy does make a 2 wheel drive Tahoe hybred!

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by DIRTRIDER

Got news for you they Chevy does make a 2 wheel drive Tahoe hybred!

Yes, the article says that. It says the Chryslers won't have a 2wd option.

[Z28x]

Epic fail. I can buy a loaded 2009 Direct Injection Enclave or Acadia for that and get better combined mileage.

[skylark68]

Here's a twist...

Buy a regular gas Tahoe or Durango (if you are inclined that way) and save thousands over a hybrid.

Will you ever recover the difference in buying a little less gas with the hybrid?

[Buick61]

The Durango/Aspen aren't THAT much smaller than the Tahoe/Yukon. And their base prices aren't THAT much lower for the regular gas models. So the $8,000-$10,000 cut in prices compared to the GMT900 hybrids is nothing but significant.

And the Aspen's sales are up, FWIW.

[steinravnik]

Originally Posted by 08HYT

Just bought a Hybrid Tahoe this last week. 4wd, only two options available(sunroof, rear DVD) 56,500 msrp GMS PRICE 50250-4000 loyalty. Plus 2200 tax credit and business write off.

I got 23.6 actual mpg in first tank of mixed driving. Its the perfect vehicle, could tow the boat or haul 8 people in better style and quality then the duraspin. Plus their promise of "almost 40%" inprovement, and none of the aero tweaks of the tahoe lead me to believe it won't touch it in actual mpg. I considered an Acadia but, V6=underpowered for any real towing duty let alone when fully loaded with cargo. Plus no tax credit or write off.

Congrats on your purchase. 23.6 is very good for a big SUV. I wonder how it does in pure highway driving?

[Ming]

Originally Posted by K-1

Seeing as how these are the '08 EPA estimates, I'd say it's 20mpg "at worst". And when looking at that 20mpg figure, they best just about every V6 on the market: mid-size sedans, coupes, large cars, compact CUVs, mid-size CUVs, large CUVs, and all SUVs. How is that not something to get excited about?

Well I was looking at mid-size sedans with versatility (flip & fold rear seating) and the Impala LT has a 3.5L V6 211HP - 18/29 mpg.

As for CUVs, the HondaCR-V gets 20/27.

Dodge's own inexpensive Nitro SUV ($18,695 invoice) gets 16/22. Not far from the MPG's of the much touted "hybrids", and you could buy two of them for the cost of one Aspen depreciation monster...!

I guess if you're in the massive swath of the market looking for a 4WD truckish SUV that is likely to show the best fuel economy in stop and go traffic (the guy who lives on that rocky mountain right outside of the city)...you'd be the target customer for the Chrysler Hybrid SUVs...?

I'd have to read more about where the 2-modes perform best, though. I just have not been interested at all in a 20MPG SUV. But I can understand that there are those who might be. Last I checked, though, towing capability is generally worse (if only by a small margin) on 4WD vehicles.

I also think the Aspen is an embarassing rebadge for this day that harkens back to the original Escalade, and I can't imagine it's really a strong value when put up against a Durango --- and the resale value on these, last I read, (Aspen and Durango both) is in the toilet. As long as they keep the nameplate they are likely to get the toilet treatment from mags like CR. The hybrids may only fare slightly better in that department.

[Canyonaro]

When I was in Ohio this last week I saw one on the lot of Wellington (outside Columbus) and I also saw yet another one on the road. So they are out there, hard to find here in Utah, but Ohio seemed to have a few.

Originally Posted by eaton53

Did they have it on the lot or did you have to order it?
I've never seen a hybrid Tahoe on the lot and there are some pretty big Chevy dealers here.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by Ming

Well I was looking at mid-size sedans with versatility (flip & fold rear seating) and the Impala LT has a 3.5L V6 211HP - 18/29 mpg.

As for CUVs, the HondaCR-V gets 20/27.

Dodge's own inexpensive Nitro SUV ($18,695 invoice) gets 16/22. Not far from the MPG's of the much touted "hybrids", and you could buy two of them for the cost of one Aspen depreciation monster...!

I guess if you're in the massive swath of the market looking for a 4WD truckish SUV that is likely to show the best fuel economy in stop and go traffic (the guy who lives on that rocky mountain right outside of the city)...you'd be the target customer for the Chrysler Hybrid SUVs...?

I'd have to read more about where the 2-modes perform best, though. I just have not been interested at all in a 20MPG SUV. But I can understand that there are those who might be. Last I checked, though, towing capability is generally worse (if only by a small margin) on 4WD vehicles.

I also think the Aspen is an embarassing rebadge for this day that harkens back to the original Escalade, and I can't imagine it's really a strong value when put up against a Durango --- and the resale value on these, last I read, (Aspen and Durango both) is in the toilet. As long as they keep the nameplate they are likely to get the toilet treatment from mags like CR. The hybrids may only fare slightly better in that department.

What's with the vitriol directed to Chrysler?

All of what you said could be also said of the GM entries into this field: Dubious fuel economy gains? Check. Reduced towing capacity? Check. Poor Resale value (which is true of any Full Size SUV today)? Check. High MSRP? Check. Similar MPGs to slightly smaller SUVs offered by the company? Check.

So.....I really don't understand your post. At least Chrysler put a more realistic price on these than GM did.