ShareThisBuying a full-size hybrid pickup is a much bigger leap of faith than buying a conventional truck, especially when the maker is flirting with bankruptcy.
But if you're willing to bet that General Motors will be around for parts and service over the next decade or so, the 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid looks like a good investment.
The second-generation hybrid pickup provides 40 percent improvement in city mileage and 25 percent savings in overall fuel economy over a conventionally powered truck without sacrificing a 6,100-pound towing capacity.
"Sierra Hybrid will deliver fuel economy that is expected to be the best in the full-size pickup segment, exceeding the current mileage leader -- the non-hybrid Sierra," said Susan Docherty, vice president of GM's Buick-Pontiac-GMC division.
The two-mode hybrid system on the 2009 model GM trucks (Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra) is a big improvement over the so-called "mild hybrid" introduced in 2005 that simply shut off the V8 engine at idle for a 1 mile per gallon fuel economy saving. The mild hybrids disappeared in 2007.
The two-mode hybrid system in the 2009 models showing up in showrooms drastically steps up the fuel economy while maintaining the utility of a 3-ton truck. The coming Dodge Ram Hybrid will use the same two-mode power train as the GM trucks, and is expected to get roughly the same fuel economy.
The Hybrid's price range of $39,365 to $48,650 compares to $27,220 to $44,230 for the V8-powered 2500 version of the Sierra, which comes in many more permutations.
The 4-wheel-drive version in this week's test carried a base price of $47,675 that topped out at $49,645 with options and destination charge.
The Hybrid also comes with tax incentives that may vary from state to state. The IRS recognized a $2,200 tax credit for a 2008 GMC Hybrid Yukon.
Fuel savings come largely from the fact that the Sierra Hybrid runs on electric power up to 30 mph, even when towing a trailer. With a 26-gallon tank, the Hybrid can cruise more than 500 miles in rear-drive versions and about 30 miles less with 4-wheel-drive.
The GM truck hybrids differ from Toyota's Prius in that they typically get better mileage on the highway than in the city. However, the 4wd version gets exactly the same 20 miles per gallon in the city as on the highway. Prius is not well suited for road trips, but the GM pickups and SUVs are.
The big truck's quietness can be quite disconcerting, especially when you start the engine silently. When you hit the brake pedal, the truck comes to a more immediate stop than you would expect with such a large vehicle. The regenerative braking turns the motor into a generator that recharges the batteries.
The 300-volt nickel-hydride battery pack is under the rear seat and is under warranty for eight years or 100,000 miles, assuming GM is still around.
One commonly heard canard about hybrid batteries is that there is no system for disposing of them when they have to be replaced. Not true, according to reliable sources. The nickel hydride batteries are fully recyclable, and automakers pay a bounty on them to assure that they are recycled. Furthermore, the batteries are expected to last the lifetime of the vehicle, though estimates of replacement costs vary wildly. Still, buying into a system like this is a leap of faith because we don't have much history of a hybrid reaching the end of its natural lifespan.
Another Sierra fuel efficiency is the ability of the V8 to run on four cylinders when all eight aren't needed.
The electrically variable transmission provides grade braking and manual shift control. It also aids towing on curves or lower-speed back roads through smooth gear flow that avoids the "shift shock" that can occur when slowing or braking some trucks.
The Hybrid can be bought in the Crew Cab body style on both 2WD and 4WD models. Standard features include StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, a locking rear axle and a trailering package. Safety gear includes dual-stage frontal air bags and head curtain side air bags, and Sierra is the only full-size truck with five-star side-impact ratings in federal crash tests.
Sales of hybrid-power cars in the U.S. have seriously tanked in the past year, but a different economic case can be made for buying a hybrid truck. As a work vehicle, the hybrid truck's savings increase with use. In fact, truck maker Freightliner and drive-train manufacturer Eaton recently announced plans to sell an electric hybrid delivery truck for Pennington Gas Service, which delivers propane to retail customers in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. The companies say the vehicle will reduce fuel use and emissions by up to 30 percent.
WHAT'S NEW: Second-generation hybrid system.
PLUSES: Fuel economy, comfort, utility, environmental benefits.
MINUSES: Less towing and payload than conventional Sierra, concerns about GM's future.
BOTTOM LINE: A smart use of hybrid power.
(E-mail Richard Williamson at motorfriend(at)sbcglobal.net)
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