The 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid 4-door full-size SUV is GM's first full hybrid system that can rival the technology of the Toyota Prius. This SUV vehicle can use electric power as its lone power source to get from point A to point B, and this is a monumental breakthrough. This behemoth comes equipped with a 6.0 liter, 8-cylinder gas-electric hybrid engine that consists of two 60-kw electric motors that each have a 300-volt battery. The first motor on the GMC Yukon hybrid handles the stop-and-go nature of city driving and the second is in charge of the cruising of highway driving. This intricate hybrid Yukon system will deactivate half of the 8 cylinders when the power is not necessary, and uses the friction when applying the brakes to recharge the power to its batteries. The Yukon hybrid price starts at around $50,000 so be prepared to pay to be a trailblazer.

New and Improved

The 2008 GMC Yukon hybrid is setting the bar for others to reach, but the look of the vehicle is marginally different from past versions, and other than the experts few will be able to tell major differences between the hybrid Yukon and the standard one. They have made the exterior of the hybrid Yukon more aerodynamic to offset the extra weight needed in order to carry the hybrid system, but it is not a radical change in appearance. The traditional gas-engine Yukon got around 18 miles per gallon, while the new hybrid Yukon will surpass that by 25%. So while the 2008 GMC Yukon hybrid is the first of its kind, it is not deviating drastically from the look of the previous Yukon mold.

Standard Features

For simplicity, the 2008 GMC Yukon hybrid comes in one trim level. It consists of standard leather-appointed front- and second-row seats, satellite radio, 4-wheel-disc anti-lock brakes and an electronic stability system with rollover prevention features. Its three rows of seats are also standard. So remember that you are buying this hybrid Yukon because it is eco-friendly, not for a laundry list of standard features.

Optional Features

Optional features include leather upholstery, power front seats, side curtain airbags and a navigation system. The GMC Yukon hybrid also has an optional rear-seat entertainment system that is impressive. The optional features offered are nice, but not overwhelmingly luxurious.

Why We Like It

With the 2008 GMC Yukon hybrid you take one part large SUV with the power of a V8 engine, and boost the miles per gallon approximately 25% and you have compelling answers to the dilemma of consumers wanting to drive big SUVs while trying to save the environment. And as conserving fuel and lower emissions becomes increasingly important to drivers the fact the GMC is leading the way to make full-size SUVs more eco-friendly is note-worthy. The Yukon hybrid price is nothing to sneeze at, but this vehicle will help relieve the obvious problem for drivers of SUVs that also want to be responsible stewards of the environment.