GM just showed off its hybrid pickups at the LA Auto show. It's also well-known that that 4.5L Duramax is going to be offered in the half-tons for 2010.

So soon, you'll have the choice between diesel and hybrid power. Probably for about the same price, and about the same mileage.

The hybrid takes about a 4,000-lb. hit in towing capacity against a fully-equipped conventional half-ton. It's expected the diesel will probably have close to if not the maximum half-ton towing capacity.

With these things in mind, which would you buy?  

DIESEL DIESEL DIESEL! Besides the fact that a diesel engine makes sense in correlation to the reason for being for a truck. HAULING! TOWING! GOING FAST AND LOUD! Maybe not the last one, but I like my trucks to make a noise. The thing I HATE most about Hybrids (and my list is long) is that they make no noise at parking speeds. I can't tell you HOW MANY TIMES I have been almost mowed down in a Best Buy parking lot by a Toyota Prius creeping up silently behind me.

As a side note to the 'silent' Hybrid problem, apparently a group of blind people have brought a class action lawsuit against Toyota trying to make them have their Hybrids make some sort of noise. They claim it makes it more dangerous for them to walk anywhere. I think they have a point. If I have trouble just being a clumsy, in my own world fool, I am sure blind people have it way worse!  

I can't deny the fact that Diesels are becoming the "Modern" Hot Rod!!!!  

diesel all the way, i cant wait for a diesel in a half ton, to bad its not the big 6.6 duramax, now that would be awesome
and its true the diesel engine is now becoming the modern hot rod  

Quick question does anybody really buy a truck because its great on gas? I always thought you bought a truck for power? So i would have to agree get a diesel and it is gunna be the next hot rod.  

Well, for business owners or contractors that have fleets, fuel economy is a big factor. Personal truck buyers may not care, but when trucks are a major part of your business operation and expense, you bet fuel economy matters!

But SUVs are almost all personal-use. I think GM will sell a lot of these hybrid SUVs, if for no other reason than the soccer moms can brag to their friends that have a Toyota Prius that they drive a hybrid, too.    

I agree the Tahoe Hybrid will be a popular option. GM is wisely marketing them as an economy option, not a performance option like Lexus did with its Hybrids. And Lexus is not having a huge amount of success with that tactic.  

Ah very true i didnt think of that but either way it comes down to the consumer  

I still think the diesels will be more popular in the pickups, and the hybrids will be more popular in the SUVs.  

I would have to agree im sorry i mean come on now the prius truck.... I think my friends r/c would have more towing power.