Test Drive: GMC Yukon Hybrid

How can you call a PT Cruiser or Subaru wagon a light truck? The authorities have rocks in their head. I looked at PT Cruiser to replace the Camry wagon. Similar size to the Camry Wagon and similar drive train.

 

Ouch!

I'm not a GM head by any means, but consider:

1) - Clutches. All of todays automatic transmissions have clutches and bands. This thing is not THAT complex. Many of today's toyotas have 6 speed transmissions and Lexus has an 8 speed transmission!!

2) - Pickup trucks. The reason why GM and Ford each sell almost a million trucks isn't due to inadequate-feeling soccer-dads. Many of these go to fleets where they actually work for a living. Towing big trailers, hauling big loads. Horray if they save some gas. Even a 10% savings multiplied by the number of vehicles and their low milage to begin with means a LOT of fuel can be saved.

3) - Quality. While GM's quality isn't at Toyota's levels, GM's is RISING while Toyota's has been falling the last few years.

Disclaimer - I have a '07 Camry hybrid that replaced an old GM car.

 

Acording to whom?
I haven't seen an improvement and I drive GM product here for my work. I must admit it is only 4 cars I drive and only one of those is current model but quality of GM Australia (Holden) is pretty stagnant and they still think people should buy what they make rather than make what they want. Little cars are stealing GMs market and they don't even fight back.

 

I don't care whether they are in some list, it's just wrong to call it a truck.

As it says here.
Relax. The 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser isn't what you surmise it to be. It's not a go-fast hot rod, it's not a mini-SUV, it's not a station wagon, and it's not a small van. It defies classification, though the feds have tried. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) calls it a light truck, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it's a car. NHTSA overrules EPA, so PT helps offset JGC's fuel-sucking V8 so DaimlerChrysler can meet truck CAFE. We're having trouble making sense out of all this. U 2?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Aug 25 2007, 11:19 PM) [snapback]502233[/snapback]</div>

But you did manage to derail the discussion... it was about LARGE SUVs like the hybrid YUKON.

Since GM isn't yet producing Two-Mode for the other light trucks either, the same comment about being "out" yet applies. They need to offer consumers a choice, something to actually buy.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Aug 26 2007, 07:13 AM) [snapback]502305[/snapback]</div>

The same can be said for Toyota. Toyota doesn't offer a full size hybrid SUV. To me any new vehicle with fuel saving technology is good.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Aug 26 2007, 12:53 AM) [snapback]502243[/snapback]</div>

The confusion over what the PT Cruiser should be classified arises from one thing: rear seats that are easily removed. If the rear seats couldn't be removed without a lot of effort, it would have been called a car. But because the PT Cruiser has this feature, it generally gets classified as a minivan (or even light truck).

A Legacy-based Subaru wagon (including the Outback version), OTOH, is clearly a car. However, a less clear distinction could be argued for the Subaru Forrester SUV. It, too, is Legacy-based, but it is shorter, wider, and has slightly increased ground clearance, which is apparently enough to earn it a classification as an SUV rather than a car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Aug 26 2007, 08:13 AM) [snapback]502305[/snapback]</div>

The Vue doesn't qualify as a light truck? That's getting Two-Mode after the Yukon/Suburban does, which should be very early next year.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Aug 26 2007, 10:51 AM) [snapback]502352[/snapback]</div>

How many will be produced?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Aug 26 2007, 12:37 PM) [snapback]502370[/snapback]</div>

That's the same question that gets you laughed off other boards, because the average person on the internet just doesn't know.

Again, how would I know? I don't work for GM. However, if you do some reading, GM has made some estimates on how many can/could be available for the first year of the Tahoe/Suburban.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Aug 25 2007, 08:50 AM) [snapback]501978[/snapback]</div>

Unless you remember where the Yukon's mileage started at - 12 City and 16 Highway.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Aug 25 2007, 08:50 AM) [snapback]501978[/snapback]</div>

I haven't heard of many diesel hybrids being produced. Also, with the Displacement on Demand (V8 - V6 - V4) coupled with the hybrid's ability to shut off the ICE when not needed, you are probably exceeding a diesel's mileage potential without having to make the investment in development effort.

Personally, given where the auto manufacturers are going to have to get to on fuel economy standards, the effort on the Yukon seems a pretty good first effort. Now, all that has to happen for the Yukon is to shed some of its 5,500 lbs. Get it down to somewhere around 4,500 lbs, and it could get interesting. Anyone for ultra high strength steel (or better yet carbon fiber)? Cost will go up, but maybe with a combination of gas taxes and credits for high economy vehicles, they may get all of the pieces to come together.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Aug 26 2007, 11:55 AM) [snapback]502374[/snapback]</div>

The Volt supporters would fiercely disagree with you. They already "know" how many, despite their vehicle's production still be several years away.

In other words, don't fall for the hype. Certain automakers have under delivered and broken promises in the past.

Efficiency, Emissions, and Sales can be properly measured one way: REAL-WORLD DATA

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Aug 26 2007, 01:54 PM) [snapback]502402[/snapback]</div>

Can I please have what you're smoking? Please.

The Volt is a unique case, as GM has stated production goals. They've also done that with the Yukon. They haven't with the Vue, so I can't help you there.

How you made the transition from that to efficiency, emissions, and sales (should I have capped those) and real-world data (all caps) is beyond me.

And yes, I'm well aware of Toyota's and GM's over promising and under delivering (EV1 and the Rav4EV).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Aug 26 2007, 01:25 PM) [snapback]502385[/snapback]</div>

That largely depends on the criteria for a 'hatchback'. I would think that the nearly vertical rear 'hatch' of most squared-off SUVs doesn't really qualify as a 'hatchback'. Couple the narrow side windows, RWD, and higher stance and size, the Nitro's styling is obviously along the lines of the Jeep Commander and Hummer H3. I'd say it was definitely in the SUV category.

The Caliper is a bit murkier. It's the replacement for the Neon and the hatch has the angle associated with that of a normal hatchback. I'd say it was a car.

OTOH, the Caliper's chassis is the basis for the Jeep Compass and Patriot. Those two vehicles are the ones that are truly difficult to classify. While the Patriot has the classic SUV upright styling and vertical hatch (along with the Jeep name), the Compass' styling is more akin to the Caliper. The whole Caliper/Patriot/Compass vehicle line is a tough call as to which are cars and which are SUVs.

 

Hi All,

A guy at work has a Dodge Nitro. Its about the same size as a Hummer H3. Definately an SUV class vehicle.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Aug 26 2007, 01:00 PM) [snapback]502407[/snapback]</div>

That's easy to answer: your support for GM, as demonstrated here. It lacks substance (and detail)... in other words: EFFICIENCY, EMISSIONS, and SALES. I'd love to see all those delivered in an affordable vehicle. Yukon-Hybrid is the good start, but hardly a viable solution for the masses. Keeping the pressure on to spread that technology is the key.

Talk is cheap.

Results are priceless.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Aug 26 2007, 03:30 PM) [snapback]502441[/snapback]</div>

Dude, last time... I don't support anyone... I just like to call out the double talk that I sometimes see here..

Aren't you the guy who supports *ALL* full hybrids? Doesn't seem like you support Two-Mode to me...