Cadillac Escalade Hybrid vs Porsche Cayenne Hybrid 01/07/2011

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid vs Porsche Cayenne Hybrid 01/07/2011

In the past, an SUV that was also good for the environment was an oxymoron. But with the advent of SUV hybrids, drivers who need the extra space but also want to reduce their carbon footprint can have their cake and eat it too.

The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid are two of the top choices for eco-conscious drivers in the market for a luxury SUV. Which of these two vehicles is the better buy ultimately comes down to what a driver is looking for in their vehicle.

For starters, shoppers should realize that the Cayenne is significantly smaller than the Escalade. While this means less room for family and gear, it can also be seen as an advantage, as its more maneuverable than its bigger counterpart.

Puzzlingly, the Escalade actually gets better fuel economy when it does switch to gas, despite the fact that it's so much larger and features a V8 engine as opposed to the Cayenne's V6. The Cayenne ends up winning all the performance tests, however, with better torque, horsepower and an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Overall, the Escalade is still the winner because of its interior features. Drivers get an iPod hookup, OnStar, rear seat DVD and heated seats standard - amenities that shouldn't be mere options on the Cayenne, given its $67,700 price tag. Even though it starts more expensive at close to $73,000, the Escalade is ultimately the better buy.

Cadillac, the luxury brand of General Motors, is one of the oldest car brands in the world. Started in 1902, only its fellow GM brand Buick is older. The Cadillac brand has become ingrained in American culture, and the introduction of new models have caused a resurgence in interest in the age-old company.

The company's engineers have long been considered ahead of their time. In 1915, one of the company's engines could hit speeds of 65 miles per hour, which was faster than most roads could handle at the time. Cadillac is also credited with developing a clashless manual transmission system and the V8 engine, which later became the standard of the entire industry.

In recent years, Cadillac's models have performed well. The CTS, Cadillac's flagship mid-size luxury sedan, has been in high demand among consumers. Cadillac also offers the CTS-V, a high-performance version of the car.

While many luxury brands focus on sedans, coupes, and convertibles, Cadillac's recent success is due to the overwhelming popularity of the Cadillac Escalade. The model's fame has led Cadillac to introduce a pickup truck version (the EXT), extended model (ESV), and hybrid.