[Hersbird]

I know some here don't seem to like the idea of a big hybrid suv, but we are going to buy a 7 passenger 4wd that can tow 6000pounds either way. So next week I am going to go test drive a 2009 Durango hybrid. I know it's basically the same hybrid system in the Tahoe's with a 5.7 Doge V8 instead of the 6.0 GM V8. I am comfortable with the 5.7 reliability but what about the rest of those hybrid systems? This truck has 91,000 miles so maybe a little of the 100,000 mile hybrid system warranty. They only made the Chrysler hybrids a few months compared to years of the GM but a similar year and mileage Tahoe costs $10,000 more then $18,000 for the Durango. The Durango is rated 20/22, better then the 20/20 Tahoe. There are a few similar non-hybrid Aspens we are looking at for about $2500 less, although more choices. The hybrid should save us about $1000/year in fuel so I'm not worried about the initial purchase, just potential higher repairs. I see a new factory battery pack is $1820 after core charge, that is not terrible, but what about the transmission? Then I wonder if anybody has tried the normal hypermilling hybrid techniques on these full size SUVs? Can they beat the EPA ratings with a little finesse?