Durango and Aspen Hybrids: Oxymorons?

So, we are going to have a Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen hybrid, huh? Really....huh.....that is,um...interesting.

From EGMCarTech: Both models are powered by a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine producing a total of 385-hp with a peak torque of 380 lb-ft. Chrysler says that fuel-economy for both models comes in at 20mpg - a 40 percent improvement in the city and 25 percent overall. Priced nearly $8,000 below the competition, the 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid and the 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid start at $45,340 and $45,570 respectively. Buyers will also receive an estimated tax credit of $1,800.

So....45K, correct? Yeah...for 20 MPG....hmmm...So, let me get this straight--a category of automobiles that is starting to go the way of the dinosaur in SUVs, which already had a horrrrrrrrrrrrrible gas economy reputation and carbon footprinting the size of bigfoot, is now touting a vehicle with 20 MPG?

Note to General Motors: No.

Isn't this a bit of an oxymoron? In the day and age where smaller is chic and the numbers that concept cars are looking to be double the MPG that these bad boys are going to be, doesn't this seem to be a bit desperate and a bit oxymoron-ish? Like Jumbo Shrimp? I can appreciate that there is a want to make things better overall, but again--for the price they are and for what you are getting from them overall--the cost justification--especially with the demand for the smaller, economical cars as it is--doesn't make sense. At all.

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Durango and Aspen Hybrids: Oxymorons?

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