Max Gladwell

We put the world’s “first full-sized luxury hybrid SUV” to the test in Beverly Hills.

We leave the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Blvd and cruise down Rodeo Drive in the new 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. This is Main Street in the metropolis of Conspicious Consumption, California, and we’re making a statement that bling can be green.

The navigation screen on the dash features a graphical display that shows the hybrid technology working in real time. This Caddy is powered by a six-liter V8 with a 300V battery and electric motor. The battery is partially recharged through regenerative braking, where the electric motor slows the vehicle by providing resistance (working in reverse) and capturing that as energy.

As we cruise by shops like Cartier and Prada in stop-and-go traffic, the gas and electric motors perform their typical give and take. When you stop, the gas motor shuts off, so you’re not releasing any emissions at a traffic light or in grid lock. When you press the accelerator, the electric motor starts, and you see this represented on the screen. As you hit a certain speed or rate of acceleration, the gas engine kicks in. So the screen basically shows you four active modes: electric motor, gas motor, gas-electric hybrid, and/or battery recharging.

The folks at General Motors (GM) pride themselves on having made no brand sacrifice for the hybrid model. Instead, they’ve “evolved the brand.” It’s every bit as plush and luxurious as the non-hybrids, save for the new Platinum model that debuted at the same event. The hybrid will run you $79,500, while the more pimped, non-hybrid Platinum is a few Gs north of $80K. (Notice the carefully chosen slang.)

Flashy hybrid badges tag the front fenders and tailgate. It is clearly conspicious conservation. GM claims it gets 50% better fuel economy in the city and 20% better highway. As we drove around Beverly Hills, it sure felt that way, what with the engine turning off and switching to battery power. However, at the end of our five-mile journey, the average MPG display told a different story.

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