Consider the New Hybrid Vehicles, are you going to purchase one?

There are 6 official new hybrid vehicles in the year 2009 for the American market. Five are from domestic manufacturers and one from European origin.  The Toyota Sienna is still being postponed. The list is:

1) The Cadillac Escalade hybrid. This full size SUV is only available in 2-wheel drive and comes standard with a 6L 8-cylinder engine and automatic transmission. A combined fuel mileage of 20 mpg and a suggested retail price of $73,135-$87,435.

2) The Chevrolet Silverado 15 hybrid. This full size truck is available in both 2 and 4 WD. Standard 6L 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission. A combined fuel mileage of 21 mpg for the 2-wheel version and 20 mpg for the 4-wheel version. Suggested retail price of $38,020-$47,305.

3) The Chrysler Aspen HEV. This full size SUV comes standard with a 4.8L 8-cylinder engine and automatic transmission. A combined fuel mileage of 21 mpg and a suggested retail price of $45,270.

4) The Dodge Durango HEV. This full size SUV comes standard with a 4.8L 8-cylinder engine and automatic transmission. A combined fuel mileage of 21 mpg and a suggested retail price of $45,040.

5) The GMC Sierra 15 hybrid. This full size truck is available in both 2 and 4 WD. Standard 6L 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission. A combined fuel mileage of 21 mpg for the 2-wheel version and 20 mpg for the 4-wheel version. Suggested retail price of $38,390-$47,675.

6) The Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid. This medium size SUV comes standard with a 3.5 liter V6 engine that produces 340HP. The fuel mileage is forecast to be 30.5 mpg and the suggested retail price is in the neighborhood of $50,000.

All six new models utilize the same technology that was developed in a cooperative effort of GM and Daimler Chrysler called Two-Mode Hybrid. This hybrid system reduced fuel consumption by supplying some of the energy of the drive train from the battery.

We would love to hear some reports from people that have purchased any of these new hybrid vehicles.  Are they worth the money?  Did you buy one to save money on fuel or just to help the environment?