Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
By Larry E. Hall
It’s fairly obvious what many people think of the giant sport utes that roam the roads like the mastodons and woolly mammoths of another age: They’re too wide. They’re too tall. They drink too much gas.
Yes, it’s easy to condemn big sport-utility vehicles, but the fact is, a lot of folks actually need them – those who tow boats or horse trailers, those who carry six or seven kids to baseball or soccer games and those who load up lots of gear for weekend family outings. Their numbers total around three-quarters of a million people. For these consumers, owning a full-size SUV is more about necessity than vanity.
For critics of big SUVs, if you don’t need to carry all those people or tow a trailer, then get a smaller horse.
To perform the tasks that owners require, there is very little that automakers can do to reduce the size of SUVs. However, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid (and its corporate cousins, the GMC Yukon Hybrid and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid) makes significant strides in improving the fuel economy of the full-size SUV.
When Chevrolet introduced the 2008 Tahoe Hybrid, it was the first vehicle to utilize the advanced two-mode hybrid powertrain developed jointly by General Motors, BMW and the former DaimlerChrysler. The full-size SUV marked the launch of a new breed of larger vehicles that were significantly greener than their gas-powered versions, and led to one publication awarding the Tahoe Hybrid the questionable title of “2008 Green Car of the Year.”
But as an automotive pundit said at the time, “there is a method to GM’s madness ... For a Tahoe going from 16 mpg to 21 mpg, driving 15,000 miles a year will save 223 gallons. Going from 30 mpg to 39 mpg only saves 115 gallons annually. Admittedly, the Tahoe still uses a lot more fuel overall, but the savings are impressive nonetheless.”
The numbers work out – drivers who absolutely must have all of that seating, storage and towing capacity are actually doing more to cut their annual fuel consumption by buying a hybrid full-size SUV, than drivers who are upgrading from a standard Toyota Camry to a Camry Hybrid. Even though hybrids like the Tahoe or Yukon and Escalade may not yield their owners 40 mpg, the fuel savings they provide over their gas-guzzling counterparts are undeniable.
Chevrolet has not made any changes to the Tahoe Hybrid’s exterior, interior or powertrain since it was introduced. For 2012, the Tahoe Hybrid gets a new color touch-screen navigation radio with a USB port, hard drive and Time Shift Recording capability.
Hybrid Powertrain
Most of the fuel economy gains come from the electrically variable transmission (EVT). The transmission is made up of two 60-kilowatt electric motors, three planetary gearsets and four fixed gears that use the same space as GM’s six-speed automatic transmission. Essentially the EVT has two drive modes – hence the name “two-mode hybrid.” In the first mode, during stop-and-go and city drives, the Tahoe can operate with electric power only, gas engine power only or a combination of both. Like Ford and Toyota hybrids, the Tahoe Hybrid shuts the engine off when the vehicle stops, and when it’s time to go, the electric motors propel the big SUV to around 30 mph for a couple of miles.
In the second mode, the 332 horsepower 6.0-liter V-8 engine is the primary source of motivation, and one or both electric motors can run concurrently along with the engine in order to provide a power boost. If the Tahoe is pulling a load, the transmission locks out the electrically variable gears and both electric motors. It shifts over to the four fixed gears, so the V-8 is the sole source of power. A computer monitors the entire system and determines every 1/100th of a second what method is the most efficient means to propel the vehicle.
The crux of the Tahoe Hybrid’s powertrain is the V-8 engine with cylinder deactivation technology (known at GM as active fuel management). In other words, the engine can shut down four of its eight cylinders when additional power is not needed. Camshaft phasing, and late-intake valve closure allows even more efficient engine operation. Beyond the engine, there’s a 300-volt nickel metal hydride battery pack tucked neatly under the second-row seats.
More Fuel Economy Tricks
The two-mode system is an engineering masterpiece, but with the battery pack, it adds more than 300 pounds to the Tahoe. To compensate – weight is a fuel economy killer – the hood, tailgate and wheels are aluminum. Improved aerodynamics, another fuel saving trick, include removing the roof rails, lowering the chassis 10 millimeters, a deeper air dam below a new front facia, and reshaping the running boards and rear end. These exterior tweaks reduced the drag coefficient from 0.36 to 0.34. A final fuel-miser is a set of low-rolling resistance tires mounted on lightweight forged-aluminum wheels.
Exterior And Interior
The Tahoe Hybrid’s truck heritage isn’t hidden; its looks announce that it is definitely an old school, truck-based SUV. The chiseled styling, athletic stance, and handsome 18-inch wheels really give the Tahoe a flair of elegance, while at the same time looking brawny and capable. In front, the twin-port horizontal grille is enhanced by the Hybrid’s aerodynamic changes. From the outside, the Tahoe Hybrid is unmistakably a Chevy, but it’s a Chevy with style.
Inside, the Tahoe Hybrid offers a very handsome and spacious cabin similar to the standard Tahoe. The seats are a little bit thinner and lighter than in the standard model – another weight adjustment – but no comfort was sacrificed for the swap-out. The SUV offers seating for eight and vast cargo room, whether it be for luggage, groceries, or lumber. The second row of seats shows the biggest deviation from the standard model, having been redesigned to accommodate the hybrid battery pack.
An almost elegant dash with flush mounted controls, nearly invisible seams, high-quality looking materials, along with brushed metal and the most realistic fake woodgrain you’re likely to run across, is a pleasing surprise. Switchgear operates elegantly and lies easily to hand. The tachometer includes an auto stop position to let the driver know when the engine is shut off. In the upper left corner, a gauge indicates the optimal braking range to achieve a regenerative charge for the battery as well as showing drivers if they are driving in the most efficient manner. Below the tachometer, a readout shows instant mileage and V-4 mode operation. On the center stack, a graphic can be switched on that shows how the vehicle is operating—electric only, gas only or a combination of both.
Maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for the two-wheel-drive Tahoe Hybrid and 6,000 pounds for the four-wheel-drive version falls short of the conventional Tahoe’s 8,200-pound maximum. If you look at only hybrid SUVs, however, the Tahoe Hybrid and its sibling, the GMC Yukon Hybrid, are far and away the towing leaders that have seating for eight. Volkswagen’s 2012 Touareg Hybrid has a tow rating of 7,700 pounds but it’s a five-passenger SUV and costs nearly $7,000 more.
As a work truck, the Tahoe Hybrid is as tough as any. It is rugged enough to handle the abuses of higher-impact environments like construction sites. The interior has been built to handle heavy-duty tasks, such as hauling tools, equipment and building materials, but is spacious and comfortable enough to be a family vehicle.
On The Road
It’s not as big as the Suburban, but there’s no getting around the Tahoe Hybrid’s substantial size. If you’re not accustomed to driving a vehicle this large it will take some time to feel comfortable with its dimensions and how they affect road performance. For those familiar with a big SUV, the Tahoe Hybrid driving experience is rather ordinary.
Ordinary meaning that with a body-on-frame construction, independent front suspension and solid rear axle, the ride is slightly truck like. But only slightly. The Tahoe Hybrid feels planted during cornering and stable when cruising at 70 mph on the highway. In urban driving you need to know where the four corners of the vehicle are, but because you sit up high with a commanding view that is not difficult.
Driving a hybrid becomes a bit of game. From stop, a feather foot will maintain electric operation of the Tahoe for a couple of miles at the school-zone speed of 25 mph or so before the gas engine takes over. The cylinder deactivation also is a tool for increasing fuel economy. With a little practice, the big V-8 can be coaxed into operating on four cylinders at around 40 mph, and can do so for several miles. On the highway, it’s not difficult to maintain four-cylinder operation at 70 mph.
The EPA rates both the two-wheel drive (2-WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) Tahoe Hybrid at 20 city/23 highway/21 combined. Since its introduction, staff at HybridCars.com has had several test drives. Driving conservatively, a 238 mile highway ride in a 2WD model yielded just over 21 miles per gallon, right on par with EPA estimates. A mixed 151-mile suburban drive, the type of traffic that 90 percent of Americans experience everyday, resulted in a surprising 24.8 miles per gallon, beating GM’s numbers by 15 percent. Recently, I clocked 427 mile in a 4WD Tahoe Hybrid, with about two-thirds on the Interstate. Staying at posted speed limits, I averaged 22.2 mpg. Certainly not Prius fuel mileage, but it beats the alternatives.
Economics
The 2012 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid is available for $51,665 for the 2WD model and $54,470 for 4WD. Because Chevy equips the Hybrid with a long, long list of standard features—like leather seating and navigation system—an apples-to-apples comparison to the various gas-powered Tahoe models has to be made with the top LTZ trim. And surprise, they are a few hundred dollars more with fuel economy ratings of 15 city/21 highway/17 combined for 2WD and 4WD models.
The apples-to-apples comparison to the gas-powered competitors – Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia – is pretty much the same: comparably equipped modes are in the $50,000 range and fuel economy is 30 to 40 percent less than the Tahoe Hybrid.
Though the Tahoe Hybrid is not as efficient as most smaller cars (hybrid or non-hybrid), it is currently the greenest choice for those in genuine need of a large SUV. Bottom line: If you need to tote a bunch of kids and/or tow a trailer, this is the horse to ride.
Prices are Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at time of publication and do not include destination charges, taxes or licensing.
-
20 / 23 MPG 11.76 / 10.23 L/100km
-
BODY TYPE:
SUV
-
TECHNOLOGY:
Hybrid
-
BASE MSRP:
$51,600
4 years ago
Why not just offer a diesel engine? They already do this in the suburban and Silverado (all three are mechanically the same) That Duramax is a pretty good engine
And why is the gas engine a V8 and not a V6? (again, this V6 is also available on the pickup) Will the gas engine at least be E85 Flex-fuel? (its usefulness is debated, but GM has been pushing it a lot)
A diesel Suburban [or pickup] is a better choice than a Tahoe Hybrid, especially a V8 Tahoe hybrid (FFV V6 hybrid may tilt the scale a bit towards the hybrid)
4 years ago
It's does the, job, but a V6 would work better than a V8 in this car. Brsides, can it even run on electric alone?
4 years ago
Someone who buys a Tahoe is "theoretically" going to use it to haul/tow things. Towing 6,000 lbs with a V6 would be stretching it a bit. Think about 21 MPG City in a TAHOE! My wife's 95 Subaru Legacy was only slightly better than that, with half the cylinders. GM has my vote-they do very well when it comes to gas mileage, especially compared to other manufacturers of similarly-sized vehicles.
Also,have you noticed our appetite for horsepower keeps going up? Used to be a pickup/large SUV would "only" get a 220+/- HP V8--now you can find them with over 350 HP! AND they are getting the same or better mileage-talk about amazing? I'm sure if you'd be happy with 220 HP, you could get a full-sized suv/truck that gets very good mileage. But the market seems to be MORE POWER! When was the last time you saw a manufacturer say, "We've reduced the power in this SUV for 2008."? You don't, because we Americans vote with our wallets, and right now we are buying higher-powered. Maybe that will change in the future, maybe not. My 68 HP Subaru DL Sedan I had in college could not get out of its own way. I for one, am not willing to go back to a vehicle like that. How about you?
4 years ago
Yes It can run on electric alone, that was clearly stated in this article and on GM's website.
4 years ago
OK, but for how long? I do thing it would be better with a V6, and a bigger electric motor. Even a V6 can tow, but if you need to haul, you will need loads of torque, something an electric motor has a lot of.
4 years ago
I think that might be part of their two-mode system, with some of the cylinders in the enginge shutting down when not in use. Therefore, it may be able to operate as a hybird v6 and then full v8 when necessary.
The tahoe is a very heavy car and it burns through a ton of gas going from 0-20, using battery power for this jump should save a lot of fuel/pollution.
I agree that using a hybrid with a v8 isn't ideal. I would love to see them put 2 hybrid motors in a Chevy Equinox with a V4, that could probably take on the escape for fuel economy, maybe even beat it.
4 years ago
Yes ... all this debate is fine, but these vehicles are still only SMOKE & MIRRORS!
They're not for sale yet. While Honda and Toyota have an 11 year head start!!!
4 years ago
how many miles per gallon
4 years ago
They just mentioned this car during the 3rd game of the World Series, so I wanted to check it out. The Rockies are getting spanked by the way.
This is still a gas guzzler vehicle. I despise American car companies (even though I drive a Ford) and the Oil companies for raping our Earth for profits. Things will never change as long as these old-school, greedy, power-mongers control our society.
4 years ago
USA today quote:
"Official government ratings not yet available.
Four-wheel-drive, preproduction Tahoe test vehicle registered 18.2 mpg in about 70 miles of combined driving, including about 5 miles of light towing."
Hmmm... 18.2 is not all that impressive in mixed driving, expecially when we're only taking GM's word on the 21/22mpg. Manufacturers always inflate those numbers.
Also take into consideration that they have changed the aerodynamics an added 'low rolling resistance tires'. These tires are less 'sticky' than what we typically put on our passenger cars and off-roaders, and get worse traction, cornering, braking, wet/mud/snow.
What the manufacturers of hybrids know is that the added weight of the batteries cancels out almost all the efficiency gains. So they skimp on the safety with these slippery tires.
And in road tests by car magazines, no hybrid has yet to do better than 2-3mpg better than equally equipped gasoline powered versions. The only reason to build one is so you can charge an extra 10-20% for the vehicle.
4 years ago
I have an Avalanche and I get real world mileage of 20+ on the highway. Where it really hurts is in the city trying to get all that mass moving and fuel economy drops to less than 16 mpg. An improvement to 18, 19 , or 20 represents real world savings to people that need full-sized trucks. Next time out I would get an Avalanche Hybrid if one materializes.
4 years ago
Hybrids=propaganda? Only 2-3Mpg better? Whatare you smoking? Some hybrids are a joke, but not all. My Civic Hybrid gets 48 mpg (in real life, not the EPA #s,) 10 mpgs better than the standard Civic
4 years ago
Towing capacity is the real selling pitch for this vehicle. No longer are women (no offence) buying these hugh trucks to be with the incrowd. If it can't tow a 25' boat upgrade in 110 deg. heat, with the AC on full blast for 6hrs (frm Ca. to Az), like my 2002 Suburban can, it will be exposed. The bottom line is can it do what the Tahoe & Surburbans, on the market today do? yuh can it CAN IT?????
4 years ago
My wife and I have a 270HP Highlander Hybrid. Although the towing capacity is 1/2 that of the GM we have 15K+ miles with average MPG of 26.8 all around. It accelerates better than my Dads 06' Yukon and generates 81.8hp per liter of engine versus the 55.3hp per liter for the New Yukon. This is pathetic! When the real world mileage of this vehicle starts to trickle out I bet it won't average better than 18. One other point, I do not believe that the gas engine stays off during towing or 0-30 hard acceleration. The current draw on the battery would force the gas engine to help out to maintain acceleration.
4 years ago
Now settle down class, we seem to have a student not paying attention. I remember my point actually being that the different tire compound, lighter rims, CVT transmission, etc. might actually have as much to do with (if not more than) the 10mpg fuel savings on the Civic Hybrid vs. Civic Sedan.
4 years ago
While it's true that many early hybrid designs did receive a lot of other mileage enhancements, the fuel savings in "full" hybrids (i.e. not Honda) are real, especially during city driving. While highway mileage may improve only 2-8mpg over similarly equipped conventional cars, in the city, all bets are off. Our 2001 Prius gets 44-46mpg mixed at 190k miles and can bump toward 48 in city only driving. No Camry/Accord-sized conventional car comes close, except for european turbo diesels with half the performance (which aren't available here anyway). What isn't ever discussed is that we replaced our first set of brake pads at 150k miles, there is no clutch or gears to wear out/replace, no automatic to rebuild for $4k and we've never replaced the spark plugs. Since Priuses were introduced in 1997 in Japan, almost none have needed a main battery pack replacement which dispels the misconception of this price time bomb. Also, few cars can out-accelerate our Prius from 50-75MPH where those electric motors can really provide a continuous burst of torque with no "kick down" delay from the automatic. This Tahoe will likely enjoy all of these traits. I hope GM will eventually offer it with the 4.5L Duramax due out in a couple years. That would likely push the mileage numbers close to 30mpg.
4 years ago
Idiots, you get your cake and eat it too and you are complaining? Nobody uses a Tahoe to tow, its a status symbol and grocery getter who every wife with kids needs! There is no other full size suv like it in the market. V8, V6, who cares, it gets better gas mileage than your getting now on your POS foreign SUV. If every one would get a clue and start buying American instead of criticizing we would be in a better economic state. Great job GM, keep it up. Also, the new Malibu is awesome, its my next car. Thanks for finally coming around!!!!!!!!!
4 years ago
Hybrids are good for us, no matter what company makes them. I know 2 prius owners who have nothing but praise for their cars. Joe is right, most large suvs these days are status symbols or family cars. Yes, some are for work or sporting too. I am a ford owner, but I am looking at the new tahoe hybrid as well as the lexus rx400 hybrid, my reason, looks & the economic standpiont. We all need to consider that hybrids are a better alternative for anyone who can get them. The environment needs all the help it can get. So do we.
4 years ago
Most of you guys are living in some parralel world where people believe they need a 2.5 tonne car. Like JC says- most will use them for shopping and getting kids from school. As for 20+mpg being something worth talking about I suggest you look at the bigger picture. When will Yanks stop assuming they need something they can drive through a brick wall just to be 'safe' getting round town?
Get a Renault Megane DCi, VW Polo Blue Motion, Honda Civic CTDi etc etc and you're talking 60-70 mpg!
You're too soft as your government susidises the fuel. Try paying almost $10/gallon then you'll be looking for real fuel efficiency. Cars like this are a joke, its people who buy them that make me laugh though!
4 years ago
I agree with Uk Matt. We drive vehicles that are too d@mned big. Why defend somthing so useless as a status symbol? Thats the dumbest thing I've ever heard. They should have outlawed Urban Assault Vehicles. Not tried to moderately improve fuel economy.
If compact turbodiesels were sold in this country, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Hybrids are only the best available. Other nations enjoy better options than we do. That is sad to me
4 years ago
Ok you morons spewing about Asian cr@p vehicles, or this is too big, or only soccer moms drive it, or Honda has 10 yrs on this... I NEED THIS VEHICLE! And I'm not alone on this! And Honda does NOT have dual mode hybrid so their hybrid history means NOTHING.
I need to tow a 6000lb 24' boat and trailer to the cottage. I currently drive an IMPORT QX4 that I ADORE (and I HATE NA cards) but it can only tow 5000lbs and that's seriously pushing it. I have money, but I can't buy anything import that does the job except a Sequoia, which is as dated as it is ugly and still can only tow 6000 lb.
I LOVE the idea of a Hybrid. I have no choice, I have to buy a new vehicle, and I can't find an import, so I need to seriously look at this line of Tahoe/Escalade/Yukon. A Hybrid is a GREAT IDEA and it seals the deal for me, if I can still drive it when NOT towing and get the same mileage as an Accord.
So shutup about blah blah this and blah blah that, there are markets for these vehicle all over the world, hell I was just in Doha for a few weeks and if you DON'T drive one of these you're the idiot!
GO GM GO! I'll take mine in black please.. can we still get the cat-back and 22's?
4 years ago
right on Nay....though I kinda like white.
4 years ago
This is just another ploy to keep you sheep happy.
4 years ago
Oh I never said there's not a market for any vehicle. If automotive history has taught us anything; its that a car company can produce the most ugly, obscene, oversized/undersized, overpriced, unreliable, useless, or poor quality vehicle and some idiot somewhere will find an excuse to buy one because its the new 'hip' thing to do.
I don't blame GM for producing such a vehicle. Heck, they're a business, they need to make money. The rediculous ones are going to be the suburban comandos talking on their cell phones while cruising in their Escalade Hybrids (by themselves with seating for 8), turning unsuspecting pedestrians into red mist and feeling unjustly good about themselves because they are saving the world with their 'hybrid' that still only gets a measly 20mpg (at best)
I'm not saying foreign armored personnel carriers are any better. Sequoia?(aptly named for a 10-ton block of wood), Land Cruiser? (I think Hitler actually wanted to build a tank named that) Armada? (indeed, the size of a fleet of ships). These offend me to an even greater extent. Because car companies known for efficiency should know better.
My preference would have been a Tahoe Duramax. Or if Ford had improved upon the Excursion PowerStroke or made an Expedition with CleanDiesel technology. Or if Toyota brought the D4D engine to the US.
A turbodiesel will see less of a dramatic change in economy under load.
However, you can be sure that your dual-mode hybrid will not be able to assist much. Tidal waves of gasoline will go into that V8 engine to get it up to speed. Whether towing, or just your typical lead-foot.
So GM seems to be winning the Automotive Special Olympics for now. Congrats to them. Now hurry up and pre-order your trendy new oversized hybrid SUV.
4 years ago
BigMcLargeHuge,
I'll agree that this is still unnecessary but so is Al Gore's mansion with solar panels. You can tell people that they still shouldn't be buying those cars but you should tell Gore to move out of it.
4 years ago
Dear Mr. Gore,
Please be advised that your mansion is excessive, even with solar panels. Please move out immediately. Also, could you sell your jet as well?
Thank you,
BigMcLargeHuge
That ought to do it.
But seriously, do we not criticize vehicles enough in this country? Is it not obvious to anyone else that automotive journalism is highly skewed?
Personally, I'm more skeptical of a vehicle when it gets more advertizing. What are they trying to sell? Why isn't it selling itself?
Case and point: pickups. Have you ever seen so many advertizements for the F-150? Silverado? Tundra? Over the past 3 years pickup sales have tanked. I blame them losing their usefulness to the builder, the mechanic, the farmer. A contractor can't buy a fleet of 5000lb gasoline-powered pickups getting 12mpg. They'd go bankrupt.
But the commuters do love them! Also on their menu, we have this lovely 6000lb 6.0L UAV. And whether you live in NYC, DC, KC, MSP, DFW, SF, or LA - when you accelerate in suburban traffic the V8 will kick in full to move the beast. If you live in Cooperstown, NY (etc.) you are traveling up and down mountains and driving in the country. The V8 will kick in full.
I say that hybrids are propaganda only because new car propaganda is the norm in this country. What was the worst thing you've heard about a new car other than it's handling being 'not the best' or 'slightly outedged by its competitors.' No, some vehicles are in fact 'not worth the powder to blow them straight to heck.' But nobody says it.
The status quo in this country dictates that to appear successful one must strive to show how much money we have to waste. So why criticize a vehicle for being useless? None of that matters to most people buying it. They not only got a new car, but the newest type of car. How cool!
I'm not going to change your mind if you are one of these people. But I do hope that you wonder if it was BigMcLargeHuge that was laughing at you on the highway this morning. Then you'll go home and kick a door and get your dumb friends to tell you you did the right thing by buying hybrid-zilla.
4 years ago
Hybrid vehicles require more energy and resources to build, not to mention generate more pollution,,,considering batteries, motors, wiring, electronics, dealer support network, and heavy maintenance every 80,000miles. The gas it will consumption savings in a lifetime is fractional compared to total energy and resources to create that vehicle.
I think the band Greenday said it best, "American _D__T"
4 years ago
H.Ross Perot had it right 12 years ago. A steady 10 cent rise in the gas tax every year. Make the fuel cost more, Economy and alternative fuel vehicles will follow. SUpport the reasearch with the extra tax money.
4 years ago
I drive a 1999 Tahoe with 120,000 miles on it (2wd). If I keep it at 70 mph I get 21 mpg, I get 16-17 mpg in the city, why would I spend the money on the hybrid and get 21 mpg?
4 years ago
Chevys have been my favorite cars. From the years that they started to today, they are the best.I wish I had a Tahoe like that.
4 years ago
4 years ago
First off, let's silence the haters....some of the common idiotic statements the web over:
1) Prius/X-vehicle/diesel gets 40+ mpg: My Prius is NOT going to tow my trailer. Neither is your car - this could. Furthermore, the vehicle you bought in the 1980's was tested differently than new 2008 models. The new MPG test is designed to correlate more closely to real world driving. As such, you have to knock off a few MPG of most vehicles to compare to current ratings. See http://www.fueleconomy.gov
And please, do not quote the mileage of the Toyota Highlander for SUVs. That is NOT an SUV. It is merely a car jacked up too look like an SUV. The Toyota Highlander only has 64 horsepower on it's real axle, this eliminates it use as a real SUV/truck class vehicle.
2) Why not use a more efficient 6-cyclinder than a V8?: Why not use a more efficient 4-cyclinder than a 6-cyclinder or V8? Well, obviously...power - especially during towing. But why not use both a 4-cyclinder & 8-cyclinder? That's partly what the V8 used in the Tahoe does. It reduces it's operation to only 4 cyclinders while cruising. So there would be very very little benefit going to a 6-cyclinder except to reduce power when it is needed. (BTW...my 2006 Dodge Durango does the same thing and I can get 19-22mpg on the hwy.)
3) Why not diesel. In Europe x model is a diesel and gets 50mpg. How come America doesn't have these? There are a number of issues with diesel. First off, our diesel is different than the diesel used in europe it's dirty (full of sulfur). We're in the process of changing that but it takes times.
Because of this fact, very few diesels have been able to pass our emissions tests. Give it a few more years and you will start to see the increase in use of diesel. Just wait until we start seeing diesel/electric hybrids (yes, this is the method that has been used in trains & submarines for decades). But until the pumps are filled with clean diesel, Americans will have to wait a while longer.
And when it does arrive, you will not receive this promised glorified 60+mpg because it doesn't exist. There are two factors that lead to this:
a) Most are the ratings for Imperial gallons and NOT the U.S. gallon. There is approx. 20% difference in size (thus a very skewed comparison)
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_an_Imperial_gallon_compare_to_the_US_...
b) This skewed comparison is furthered by the fact that we are often comparing apples and oranges. What I mean by that, is the European mileage test is different than the U.S. mileage test. Evaluates different driving conditions, use of air conditioning, etc. The result is the U.S. test tends to gives lower mileage ratings.
This doesn't even account for the famed "Americans and their big cars". Um, how big is Great Britain? How big are most European nations? Compared to the U.S.
What are the population densities? Rural versus urban? Okay, now more importantly, what about the moderate sub-urban? semi-rural? The truth is, we're more spread out in the states. Many American spend more time in their cars than they do any place other than work & home. So yes, we demand a bit more comfort & luxury. Where as a European can only drive for a day or so and remain in his country, us Americans can drive for several days before we hit the other side of our nation. (And that doesn't even count driving thru Canada to reach Alaska.)
4) What a waste!: I see it all over the place. The misinformed exclaiming the lack of point in a full-size hybrid SUV. 10 yrs ago a Tahoe received 12mpg in the city. The new Tahoe 4WD hybrid gets 20mpg - that's a 66.7% increase in city driving in 10 yrs & 33% increase in HWY rating. This also represents a 42% increase over last year for city mileage. Highway mileage hasn't increase too much - but that's because this class of vehicle has already realized some pretty decent gains in recent years thanks to variable displacement engines.
Now first off, you must accept that there is a need for these vehicles. (And there is...even that soccer mom people complain about driving the SUV by herself shopping. Well usually, once she is done shopping she picks up the 4 kids, plus their carseats, football gear, etc from various places and goes home.)
The real waste is NOT in full size SUV vehicles like the Tahoe. These have many purposes and are superb vehicles for their capabilities. The real waste is in crossover SUVs. These vehicles offer few of the capabilities of large full-size SUVs. They're not built on rugged truck frames. They're usually only AWD and NOT true 4WD (and yes it makes a difference). They usually cannot carry more than 5 passengers with any comfort. And they're towing capability is usually lacking. They are to the Tahoe what the Corvette & Z4 are to a Camry. They are the vehicles that tend to be nothing but status. Perhaps we should call them the mullets of SUVs. They look like business but they're really all fun in the back.
Very few hybrids can claim a 42% savings of gas during city driving. While it may not seem like a large number in MPG terms. The percentage IS quite large. Let's compare three vehicles doing 10,000 miles of city driving.
My 2002 Prius, the Chevy Tahoe 2007, and the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid:
2002 Prius used 238 gallons
2007 Tahoe used 714 gallons
Tahoe Hybrid use 500 gallons (214 gallons saved)
Sure, the Prius used less than half of what the hybrid Tahoe used. But is 214 gallons saved over the standard 2007 Tahoe something to sneeze at? The hybrid Tahoe nearly saved as much as the Prius used in total. In other words, putting a hybrid Tahoe on the road in place of a Prius doesn't do much good. But replacing an older Tahoe or large full-size SUV with a hybrid Tahoe very much does.
All that said, it's tough to analyze the difference in savings. Let's look at the Toyota Camry 4-cyclinder.
2007 Camry used 476 gallons
2007 Camry hybrid used 303 gallons (173 gallons saved)
In savings of total gas used by the same class, the hybrid Tahoe actually saves more than the Camry. Now, we're just looking at city mileage, but this is where the biggest gains for hybrids are seen.
But it's interesting to note that in city driving, the Toyota Camry 4-cyclinder uses only 24 gallons less to do it's 10,000 miles of driving. And would actually be better than the 6-cyclinder Camry Solar in the city.
****
Mileage for various Vehicles:
Chevy Tahoe 4WD
20/20 2008 Hybrid
14/19 2007
12/15 1998
Toyota Prius
48/45 2007
42/41 2002
Toyota Camry
21/30 2007 (hybrid 33/34)
18/27 2007 Camry Solara
Please note, fuel ratings use the new revised assessments based on new testing methods recently implemented.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov
3 years ago
Nutz....
3 years ago
Well, enough has been said here really. It's just funny how "we" all argue over 14-18 mpg blah blah whatever...I drive a 01 Tahoe..Love it!, but seriously, with all of the technology we have now it would be nothing for us to keep on truckin' in our big trucks and SUV's and drive the way we want to. Its very practical for ALL of our vehicles to get 30-35 mpg....but see, in the great 'ol USofA...we have a thing called government........enough said.
3 years ago
The duramax has never been offered in the suburban. there is a smaller diesel due out next year in the suburban. v6 engine, even in a hybrid, would not perform and be as effeiecient as a v8. E85 will be passe soon as hybrid tehcnology eclispses the E85 scene--too much revamping of pumps and stations and expenses will i beleive, kill E85.
The only advantage diesel presents is engine longevity and torque. Fuel economy will improve, but not on a scale that is on par with a hybrid.
3 years ago
"The only advantage diesel presents is engine longevity and torque. Fuel economy will improve, but not on a scale that is on par with a hybrid."
That's just not true. There are a lot of idiotic comments floating around, but most of them are in SUPPORT of this vehicle.
The ones I listed coming to THIS COUNTRY, THIS YEAR are more efficient and cleaner than any full-sized hybrid. Low sulfur-diesel in currently in our pumps all accross the country. And the measurements are all on the new US standard.
Its very nice that the TaHybrid does 66% better city mileage than the old Tahoe, but thats just a testament to how lousy the original was. There are 2 automotive revolutions going on in the US simultaneously, both to improve economy. And despite the fact that hybrids came first in this country, clean diesels have just as much if not more potential. It takes no more time because its here NOW.
And as far as towing capacity, average fuel economy and performance go, these V6 diesel SUVs walk all over the TaHybrid:
BMW X5 3.0 Advanced Diesel
22 mpg combined
Mercedes GL 320CDI
21 mpg combined
Unfortunately the Audi 3.0 TDI won't be here until early 2009, but that promises 24 mpg combined.
If you are fine with 20mpg, I encourage you to look at the Q7 6.0 V12 TDI. 500hp and 700tq, 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. That means I could buy an Audi that out-performs many sports cars, and I wouldn't have to feel bad about it because it gets the same economy as a 4WD TaHybrid.
And since the TaHybrid actually starts over $50K. Its no bargain to begin with. If you're already brainwashed by Superbowl Commercials in favor of this vehicle, you aren't going to change your mind. If you are a die-hard Chevy fan, you are not going to change your mind. But if you are looking for a superior vehicle, look elsewhere.
As for the comments on only truck-based SUV's being good offroad, don't be rediculous! There are plenty of CUVs that would walk all over a Tahoe offroad. And some AWD cars.
3 years ago
Rats, I almost forgot:
You are right about 4WD being different than AWD, but you have it backwards.
Full-time AWD is the newest, most advanced, and by far the best version of 4WD. All factors being equal, it is better off-road and safer on-road. And when you're talking full-sized SUVs full of adults or children, I'd say safety counts. Its because they get significantly more traction while avoiding an accident. Just look at the number of vehicles switching to AWD. Go to IIHS and look at the number of the top safety picks available with AWD. It's not a coincidence.
"All-wheel drive (AWD) is often used to describe a 'full time' 4WD that may be used on dry pavement without destroying the drivetrain"
4WD is misleading. It means you can power a MAXIMUM of any combination of 4 wheels. Full-time 4WD means all 4 wheels can be powered simultaneously, but then disengaged on pavement. This is similar to a part-time AWD. Full-time AWD means all wheel powered always.
Thanks and have a great day!
3 years ago
Exactly, I drive a '99 4WD Tahoe and get 12mpg in town, and around 20-22mpg going 75-80mph on interstate. I always reset my tac and figure mpg when I refuel. Very consistent with the new hybrid, why buy?
3 years ago
BigMcLargeHuge, you are sadly misinformed and I would advise all readers to not pay any attention to what he has to say with regards to Diesels versus Hybrids.
While I agree that low-sulfur diesel is here, and diesels are a step in the right direction (the ultimate goal is to marry diesels and hybrids in a series hybrid like the Chevy Volt, so the engine will always runs at its most efficient RPM), I must emphatically PROVE to anyone with even a basic understanding of energy issue that diesels are NOT cleaner than hybrids.
(1) Buring a gallon of diesel releases more CO2 then burining a gallon of gasoline (regardless of how low-sulfur it is) due to Diesel's higher carbon content. So, even though a diesel may get better mpg than a gasoline-electric hybrid, the CO2 (in g/km) for the hybrids are ALWAYS lower, and sometimes disproportionately so. For example lets say the Audi Q7 diesel get 25 mpg versus the Tahoe hybrid 20 mpg. The Tahoe would burn 1.25 gallons of gasoline on a 25 mile trip, while the Q7 burns 1 gallon diesel. Lets say the carbon content of a gallon of diesel is equal to 1.15 gallons of gasoline. In that case, it would appear that the Q7 would realease less CO2 (1.15 gallons equiv gasoline vs. 1.25), but this is not the case! The Tahoe still has lower CO2 emissions because part of the miles were on electric, with zero CO2, especially during acceration which would otherwise use the most gasoline.
(2) mpg iS NOT equal to cleanliness, nor are the two proporional. This is a common myth and misunderstanding perpetuated on the internet by people claiming that some diesel TDI this or Geo Metro-that gets the same mileage as a Prius. That may be true, but let's say we have 3 cars, a Jetta tdi, a Geo Metro, and a Prius, all getting 45 mpg combined. The Prius is STILL far and away the cleanest because fuel BURNS DIRTIEST during acceleration and idling (e.g. city driving) AND THIS IS WHEN THE HYBRID IS IN ELECTRIC MODE. By using the hybrid in stop-and-go, even with the same mpg, you are burning the gasoline much more cleanly, since it only kicks in at higher speeds, with less load. That means less CO, NOx, NO2, volatile organic compounds, etc. Which means less asthma, respiratory problems for people, less smog, and cleaner air for everyone.
(3) Yes, diesels get better mpgs than conventional gasoline cars. So do hybrids, but people always complain about a "hybrid premium" and how soon is the "pay back" (never asking for "pay back on those leather seats, $5000 sound/GPS system (that cost the manufacturer ($100), but try do something good for the earth and your country, and all of a sudden you need "payback")
Anyhow, the premium with regard to diesel is the fact that diesel engines cost more (although this is probably offset by longevity and resale value) but has anyone noticed that diesel costs more per gallon!!? So you drive a higher mpg car, you still pay the same per mile! And did you know that U.S. refineries produce less (9 gallons vs. 19) of diesel per barrel of oil? If everyone in the U.S. switched to diesel, we'd be in even BIGGER trouble, it'd INCREASE demand for oil. This is simply unpalatable form an economic (trade deficit) and national-security (Iraq, Peak Oil) point of view.
Those are the facts, you can spin them any which way you want.
For the record, I do support merging the 2 technologies, especially plug-in hybrids with an engine powered by biodiesel made from algae.
3 years ago
Hybridsrule,
Not big on reading comprehension are you?
I never made any claim that was false, and anyone who has any interest in fact should pay very close attention to what I say.
Yes, burning a gallon of diesel doesn in fact burn more CO2. Never argued that. I'm just not sold on Al Gore's theory that CO2 is the primary cause for global warming. I totally agree that GW is occuring, but that it is just part of Earth's natural cycles and that we can bankrupt economies to solve a problem that is going to occur anyway. Preparation is more the route I would take. I think regardless of what cars we drive, we're already screwed.
I think the biggest problem is the number of gallons burned, because it increases demand on a limited supply of non-renewable resource. It forces us to be involved in nations we should not be doing business with, and make war over it when it threatens global oil production. Not arguing that.
But if you knew anything about the refining process, you'd realize that the 20% diesel-from oil is by choice and supply chain management. In Europe they intentionally refine 50% diesel-from-oil. And many small cars there get better overall mileage than the Prius. So no, their reliance on foreign oil does not increase by doing so. It could be done here, but it takes tolerance and education. 2 things that you seem to be without.
You are spinning facts. In a clean diesel, there will be no particulate emissions, NoX, etc. You are ignoring the existence of the entire line of next-generation diesels and using only obsolete information.
If it pumps out more harmless CO2 than a hybrid, that still does not support any of your other arguments. And there are still some that think CO2 is harmless. Fewer gallons is better for more reasons than just CO2. And no, CO2 causing global warming is not fact. The scientific jury is still out on that one.
3 years ago
this car is so cool
3 years ago
1- the reason for a V8 vs V6 is the increased torque. This way they are able to run the engine more efficiently and keep it in lower RPMs which in fact has better fuel economy than maxing out a smaller engine when the torque is required.
2- on highway the cylinders will reduce from 8 to 4 to increase fuel economy
3- these cars are amazing...if you don't believe me just drive one.
3 years ago
"Unbelievably, this huge SUV’s city fuel economy is equivalent to that of a four-cylinder Toyota Camry."
-this claim makes me lol. Let me finish the sentance "...to that of a four-cylinder Toyota Camry with a hole in its gas tank"
3 years ago
I am sorry to say but you are wrong. Chevrolet does not offer a diesel suburban, as of yet. One is in the works but it is going to have to come in the form of a 2500 and will not be in production until 2009 at the earliest. As for fuel mileage, even if the Duramax could get 25 mpg at todays prices it would still cost almost $20 more to buy 20 gallons of diesel. So for someone that has become used to the size of a full size SUV the Tahoe Hybrid is a great choice. As for using a V6, it is not a good choice at all for someting full size. It takes more gas to get the truck rolling or to get up a hill than a V8.
3 years ago
You can say it's "good for a SUV" with its 21.5 mpg. But with the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, SUVs that get 30 hwy/34 city--that makes theTahoe look dumb.
GO PRIUS, WHICH GETS AN EPA-ESTIMATED 48 CITY/45 HWY, AND IN SOME TEST DRIVES GETS AROUND 55 MPG. IT GIVES OFF LESS THAN 4 TONS OF CARBON ANNUALY!
3 years ago
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY "BIGMCLARGEHUGE" AND OTHER IDIOTS WHO DON'T KNOW DIDLY SQUAT ABOUT DIESELS.
It's the same stupid arguments from the diesel crowd against hybrids, blog after blog.
FACT: DIESEL HAS HIGHER CARBON CONTENT THAN GASOLINE.
So, that means your get more miles per gallon, but EACH GALLONS PUTS OUT MORE CO2. So, the CO2/mile IS THE SAME AS GASOLINE. Therefore, diesels do NOTHING for global warming.
FACT: 1 BARREL OF OIL PRODUCES 19.5 GALLONS OF GASOLINE, BUT ONLY 9.5 GALLONS OF DIESEL.
So, this "solution" to fuel economy actually INCREASES our dependence on foreign oil.
FACT: A TAHOE-HYBRID CAN EASILY BE UPGRADED.
Just take out the stock NiMH battery and swap it out for a LiIon battery (or just add more batteries and plug-in capability) and this big Tahoe could easily get 55 miles per gallon. DIESELS COULD NEVER DO THAT. And diesel fanboys keep talking about Algae biodiesel, which has yet to be produced, while the infrastructure for plug-in hybrids is here already - they're called "power outlets" or the sockets in your wall!
GO HYBRIDS
3 years ago
I am one of those suburban moms who drives a large SUV, and for me having a third row seat is a necessity. I don't know if you have ever seen how little space there is between two Britax child seats, which I have in the back seat of my SUV, but I can assure you that there is not nearly enough room to safely (never mind comfortably) seat an adult. This means that for me to take my mom (who doesn't drive out of town) along with my family of four, I need to put one of the kids in the third row so that she can ride in the rear passenger seat.
If you don't have kids, I am sure that it is had to imagine how such small people can take up so much room in a car -- but car seats and booster seats are, of course, legally required (as they should be), and the ones that are the most highly rated for safety happen to be huge. Furthermore, in most states it is illegal to seat a child in the front passenger seat, so basically, to safely seat two small children your whole back seat is called for.
So, I guess you can be smug and sexist, and assume that women are choosing their cars to be in the "in crowd" or as status symbols, but to be totally fair, you need to consider that some families need to fit five, six or more people in a car. That leaves large SUVs and minivans as the only choices, and as far as I know, there are no hybrid minivans on the market or in the works.
Before my lease runs out on my current car (I average around 16 mpg overall), I am going to check out the Highlander and Tahoe hybrids. I would love to use less fuel, as well as produce fewer emissions. I am not sure why some of you would have a problem with that. But hey, if you can figure out a way for all five of my family members to fit into a Prius, I'd love to hear.
3 years ago
I totally understand your sentiment, sometimes larger vehicles are needed. You also may want to look at some other hybrids on the market that you may not have considered. The Ford hybrid escape is sizeable (but certainly no Tahoe) and is rated for 34 mpg in the city. That Saturn Vue hybrid is also rated well with 27 mpg in city and 32 highway and similar proportions to the escape. If you really are eyeing the Tahoe, now may be your time to buy though seeing as GM is throwing incentives at all its large vehicles (including the hybrids) ranging from low interest loans to up to $10k cash back. Best of luck finding your vehicle mam. : )
3 years ago
OK, I own this vehicle.....
have had it for about a month. I purchased it during the GM employee discount which took the MSRP down to about 42K. Here is what you get....
6L V8 with 2 113 HP electric engines on the transmission.
Interior wise, same equipment as a LTZ trim (basically same as a escalade). Nice enhancements are voice activated entertainment system (XM radio, Voice activated Navigation system, touch screen, DVD, CD, Aux input for ipod/mp3). Heated leather seats, power retractable mirriors, auto dim rear and side view mirrors, ultrasonic reverse assist with rearview camera.
What you loose is a spare tire (but you get low resistance tires with tire pressure monitor). Also hood, tailgate and seats are lighter to account for the weight of the 300 V battery.
I have been averaging 20.8 MPG in Southern California.
One of the factors that you have to take into account is EXACTLY what you are getting with this vehicle. This is a high end luxury SUV, that you can do all the things you can do with an SUV while still getting respectable gas mileage. Another thing, just because you drive a (insert favorite brand here) hybrid car, does not excuse the was you drive it. I still see people driving the aforementioned cars like an @sshole and probably still burning gas because of their driving habits. Something no one ever discusses when we talk about (insert favorite technology here) hybrid cars.
Personally, I love my Hybrid Tahoe, and am glad that GM/Chryseler/BWM (the folks that designed the hybrid system in this car, by the way) continue to push the envelope towards the "Flying Cars!!" :P
3 years ago
I drive a 2002 Tahoe Hybrid.
You can too.
The upgrade only cost about $1'200.00
I get to keep a car I love and saved about 50 grand.
Check out www.KickGasGoHydrogen.com
3 years ago
Flex fuel gets terrible milage while not actually saving anything (except a corn growers job). It takes 3/4 of a gallon of gasoline to make one gallon of ethanol (corn).
Diesel hybrid would be a better solution as you'd get over 30 mpg and not lose the power!!!
2 years ago
Are you having any problems with your Tahoe Hybrid? detail your tahoe experiences for all tahoe hybrid owners www.greenhybrid.com
2 years ago
well it sucks
2 years ago
I have a 09 GMC Yukon Hybrid and I'm going to the snow. The owners manual states not to use snow chains due to possible clearance issues? Has anyone used snow chains on there yukon ?
Thanks
1 year ago
I own at 08 Tahoe Hybrid and it has problems after problems. The dealership keeps "fixing" the problems or has no clue how to fix them. The engine starts to shake & vibrate terribly and the "check engine" light flashes. A few times it has almost lost complete power while driving and we've had to pull over. It's been in 3 TIMES this year so far (2010) and I have to take it in again (2nd time this week) because the problem still isn't resolved. I am very frustrated as I am driving around with 3 little kids and it's very nerve racking not knowing the problem and if and when we are going to break down.
The Tahoe IS NOT practical for a family either. There is very little room for groceries, sports gear, coolers, etc.
1 year ago
I have two pre-teen boys who are taller than I am. Pretty soon they won't fit in the back of your stupid Civic. Have you thought about the fact that "Yanks" are taller than you are? My brothers are 6'8" and 6'7" and 6'3". My boys are following suit and so are my friends' boys. We are big, strong people here in the good ole USE. Not to mention I have two big dogs, and both of my boys play sports which requires me hauling around their huge amounts of sporting equipment. Also, I CHOOSE to drive an SUV because it's my preference. I do like the safety and the fact that I am high up off the ground and can see everything. My bf's BMW has major blind spots-- it's new and pretty and fast, but I hate driving it. We have FREEDOM in America to drive what we want. If you damn liberals have your way those freedoms will be stripped away and I laugh at those of you who want those freedoms stripped away from you and others!
1 year ago
THANK YOU! Smart mom!!! And now that my boys are out of car seats and quickly passing me up in height, they need even more space than they did as babies in car seats! And we should NEVER have to defend our right to drive what we drive. It is a free country and the people who call for MORE government regulation over our lives are complete morons.
Yeah let's just let the government decide who deserves to drive an SUV and who doesn't. What about ppl who need a large vehicle to tow their RV? Are you jealous of their RV as well??? I guess you don't give a crap that if there were no more SUV's or trucks, they wouldn't be able to use their RV anymore? They can camp in the back yard??? Boat in their pond??? Yeah.... just outlaw ALL SUV's because some ppl drive them who don't "need" them...PREPOSTEROUS... The fact that we even have to make excuses for what we drive while the people who are jealous "scoff" and call for more government control. To them I say: leave this country and go to UK where you can spend $10 on gas instead of on a new vehicle, that's what you want isn't it? Don't force that on me or my country that's free........ for now.
1 year ago
Hey Matt,
IT'S NOT THAT OUR GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZES OUR FUEL, IT'S THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT TAXES THE HELL OUT OF YOUR FUEL. YOU GOVERNMENT RUN, PROPAGANDIZED FOOL!!!!!!
THE FUNNY THING ABOUT YOU PROGRESSIVE FOOLS, IS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN TAKEN, ROBBED, AND STRIPPED OF YOUR LIBERTY, BUT SOME HOW, IN YOUR OWN FEEBLE MIND, YOU FIND A WAY TO JUDGE AMERICA BECAUSE WE ARE FREE TO DO WHAT WE WANT BECAUSE WE HAVE VOTED TO KEEP OUR GOVERNMENT SMALL AND OUT OF OUR WAY.
DON'T WORRY, OBAMA IS TRYING TO MAKE US LIKE YOU, BUT HE WILL BE VOTED OUT OF OFFICE IN 2012 AND HE WILL BE NEUTERED IN THE 2010 ELECTIONS. THAT IS THE GREAT THING ABOUT AMERICA, WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE OUR CONGRESSMAN YELL AT EACH OTHER, WE JUST HAVE THE PEOPLE VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE.
I DIVE A BIG SUV, SO YOU HAVE A NICE DAY IN YOUR PIECE OF SHIT LITTLE RENAULT - IF WE MEET ON THE HIGHWAY, I HOPE ITS HEADON!
1 year ago
ray cap, turn off your caps. You sound like a raving lunatic!
1 year ago
^I don't think that has anything to do with the caps.
People like ray cap and Sarah really make me wonder what is being (or not being) taught in our social studies classrooms. Despite the best intentions of our progressive forefathers, America as a democratic society is inherently reactionary. Aside from the initial signing of the Constitution, public services/institutions and laws & regulations have only ever really been established in _reaction_ to pressing needs or demands.
Largely because of myopic mindsets like those demonstrated earlier, our society does not anticipate problems that could occur without certain public institutions or industry regulations. So it takes a major fire or building collapse to galvanize the public into action to drive the creation of fire codes and building standards and hundreds of thousands of deaths to prompt the creation of road safety laws and auto industry regulations.
The NTSB, FDA, SEC, EPA, etc.--all of these regulatory agencies were created in response to some sort of public crisis that the free market either failed to address or created. If you really want to revisit the Love Canal disaster, the radium and patent medicine craze, the Three Mile Island crisis, the New London school disaster, the pre-regulation food/railway/airline industry, etc., then you should (as Ben Franklin suggests) leave the civil society you're unwilling to accommodate and go live with the savages.
Or better yet, move to China, Haiti, or any number of other 2nd/3rd-world countries where non-existent or ineffective industry regulation creates all kinds of hazards to public safety.
1 year ago
I have an 09 Tahoe Hybrid and it keeps shutting off on me. I took it in for the recall and they said they fixed it. It shut off on me while I was driving (2 small kids in the car). I reall don't even want to drive it out of fear.. I'm extremely frustrated at the fact that it is an extremely expensive vehicle and I don't feel comfortable driving it :(. I would buy a regular tahoe in a minute, but never the hybrid. Let me know if anyone else is having problems. Thanks!!!
1 year ago
I have been researching over the last 6 months or better to buy one of the Tahoe. Heard that what they report in milage plus -2 mpg. Also hear they create more harm? I do pull a 3300 lb boat in the summer.
I have a 2008 Silverado, waiting for it to break in. Have also a 2000 Silverado that gets 19 on the high way. I am still not sure if I want a Hybird now. :(
Yes, I don't want to break down on the highway. The warrenty don't mean nothing if it is in the shop all the time. I will check in again, it took a while to find this site. Tx
Thanks for the input.
1 year ago
I need the Tahoe, for towing a boat or trailer. Does the Tahoe Hybird get the milage it claim? I also have to say if they say 20 in the city, means maybe 17 to 18 miles. Hope some one can answer this.
Tx tom
1 year ago
I have an 09 Tahoe. Drives and handles like a dream. Gas is great on it. All depends how you drive and press the gas pedal. If you are lead footed you will still get 19.6 mpg. I can get 460 miles to a tank of gas easy. 23 gal
1 year ago
GM put a whole new transmission in mine. It has not shut off since but I have been in traffic grid lock and it felt like it could shut down but it didn't. I really like my Tahoe Hybrid but I understand your concerns.
1 year ago
Doesn't even come close to the toyota highlander hybrid, in any category. Toyota does not make a corolla hybrid as the article errantly mentions.
1 year ago
Diesel prices are freakin expensive, and unstable. When foreign oil companies want to cripple the U.S. economy, they need only increase the price of diesel, mainly beacause the shpping industry is totally dependant upon diesel. It's not a matter of if, but when the price skyrockets for diesel fuel. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the best large vehicle option for mpg in the world. Nothing else comes close. You can have your TDi's, I'm sticking with Hybrid technology.
1 year ago
The Tahoe, and Tahoe Hybrid are a joke, and are only purchased by hardline rightwing Americans who refuse to acknowledge the truth about anything. GM makes a lame effort to increase mpg, and reduce emissions with the Hybrid Tahoe, and the Tahoe should no longer even be produced. You really must not care about mpg, or fuel prices to purchase either of these vehicles, when other auto makers have better options, even in 4 wheel drive.
1 year ago
No, when towing your mileage goes way down. We towed a trailer from SoCal to Oregon and got about 14 mpg.
48 weeks ago
hey eileen how are you, i have encountered the exat same problem with my hybrid. I have the exact same year and model vehicle as you. I would like to tknow how you went about fixing the problem. Did you deal directly with g.m or did you deal with the dealership that sold you the car. My vehicle has stalled on me for the secopnd time and i will not drive the car until i do some more research on how this problem came about and how some owners have resolved this matter. Thank you for your time and any information that you can provide my family and i will truly appreciated. My son is now scared to be in the car because of this problem.
43 weeks ago
i know the civic mileage is awesome, but we can't get our family in one! three little ones in carseats and groceries and strollers, there is no way. i can't imagine driving anything but a gas-guzzling suv until all three goes to college!
40 weeks ago
hi there mr naysayer idiot. your into buying a big SUVs that get good fuel economy. have you tried a Jeep grand cherokee and, liberty CRD 2005-2007 that produces more power than the V8 model. as well as getting over 26 miles to the gallon. oh and yes those stupid asians and the UK diesel company's that somehow produce these same diesels. that produce more power than V8s while maintaining better fuel economy, do in fact exist. try toyota Hilux, nissan navara, ford ranger (diesel), mazda as well. all of these vehicles are as powerful as V8s and, some of them get as much as 40 miles to the gallon. sir i am not bickering at you only trying to get people to understand that DIESEL is better. i am from the states originally, i moved to new zealand just two years ago to study diesel mechanics and, of course to see family. i assure you i see allot of people pulling boats, a hell of allot bigger than your little 25 footer. and they do just fine through twisty ass, hilly ass, shitty ass roads. and we do great when it comes to speed of the vehicle we drive. all major construction company's use hilux's and navaras for offroad use on the job. ive worked drilling construction, and road construction in the states. ive also worked construction before school started for a company building a wind farm. all company vehicles were hilux's. i assure you they are the work hourse your looking for. but because you cant buy one in the states for some bullshit reason the best you can do is look for a CRD jeep grand cherokee. they are the second most powerful vehicle made by jeep. second only to the SRT model. which is more of a race car in the first place.
37 weeks ago
Were your issues ever resolved? We also have had similar problems with our 2010 model Tahoe. It is very unnerving to have the car just stop for no reason. Dealer we've taken it to says the same thing, which is they have no clue what the problem is!!
37 weeks ago
BigMcLargeHuge - if they could do a petrol car with nearly as good mileage as any hybrid, merely by using lighter materials, lowering the chasis, and streamlining - they would have done it by now...
37 weeks ago
Interesting: the only hybrid vehicles listed in the Consumer Reports - "Used Cars to Avoid" category are 07 and 08 Tahoes and Yukons. Most hybrids have been rated highly by their owners and have high reliability including the Fords. I guess the 2 mode technology (originally designed for freight train engines) does not scale down too well... I really think fewer people should be owning these beasts. For the 2 weeks of the year that folks need to tow a boat they could rent one of these and spend the rest of the year driving more "environmentally friendly" vehicles.
36 weeks ago
SpongeBOOB, not everybody is a liberal with no children, actually have a job needing to transport goods, or pull a boat or actually drive in snow or off-road. People need a larger vehicle to actually live a life. While they should also have a smaller car when their not actually needing it. The fact is cars are actually 70% less polluting than the 70's (Jimmy Carter era). Pollution is real, butt Global Warming is a hoax!
Green Jobs ex-Obama Czar Van Jones did not care about Global warming. Only redistrubtion of wealth along with Obama!
36 weeks ago
I would definitely, definitely like to see more vehicles that are hybrids - large vehicles, small vehicles, etc, and overall this is great.
But...while the Tahoe goes from 16 to 21, if you need a lot of space and to haul a family around, the difference in mileage between the 2wd version of the tahoe hybrid and the 2wd of the Toyota Sienna is 2mpg (19 vs 21) - that's 10%. Comparing the 4wd versions it's 3mpg difference.
And as a lot of people already know, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid gets 28mpg. Has a third row seat (consumer reports calls the 3rd row seat for both vehicles "cramped"). Is rated for towing 5,000lbs while the Tahoe is rated for towing 6,000lbs. It's shorter - 188 inches on the highlander vs 202 inches on the tahoe, though. Consumer Reports says the tahoe has more storage room - 37.5 cubic feet with the highlander, 52.5 with the tahoe - and 70.5 with the Sienna. They also say the tahoe hybrid has an abysmal reliability record.
I would - absolutely - like to see more larger, family-sized vehicles that are hybrids and get better fuel economy. Don't get me wrong.
But it seems like the Tahoe isn't a great choice. A minivan has more space and only 10% worse fuel economy - but costs less upfront as well. A highlander hybrid will tow nearly as much but cost less and get better fuel economy (at least while not towing assumably, lol).
So I couldn't possibly agree that "it is currently the greenest choice for those in genuine need of a large SUV. Bottom line: If you need to tote a bunch of kids and/or tow a trailer, this is the horse to ride." That seems like a bunch of b.s. to me.
36 weeks ago
Are you still having difficulties with your car? We purchased a 2010 and am having a terrible time with it. While ours didn't shake, it lost power. It's been in the shop for the 3rd time, for the past week. The mechanic tried to drive it over the weekend, having the "engineers" at GM giving him their latest fix. It stalled out on him. Ours has about 23,000 miles on it. Did your problems begin at any specific mileage as am wondering if there's a point the system starts to stress like this.
Agree it is not practical size wise either. Would have been better to have the seats fold flat rather than have to remove them when extra space is needed. This has been a less than positive experience. Would appreciate knowing how your situation turned out.
36 weeks ago
An update - it looks like I was wrong in one of the things I wrote. According to the Toyota page, the Highlander v6 tows 5,000lbs, but the Highlander Hybrid only tows 3500 pounds. So the Chevy Tahoe hybrids towing capacity of 6,000 pounds is a lot bigger difference than I had thought.
35 weeks ago
I wish i would have found this site a month ago.
I have a 2008 Tahoe hybrid and for the first month no problems at all even took it on vacation but now at low speed it putters and today the check engine light was blinking for a while then went off. reading all these stories on here i am worried
21 weeks ago
cessna88 maybe it can tow a small item, however with a 6 CYC engine you can not
tow a two horse trailer with two large horses up a hill, it would be unsafe. I have
tried to two with a 6 before and it is horrible and unsafe!
16 weeks ago
The GMC Yukon Hybrid and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, are unique. Though they aren't the greenest hybrids around, they are the most capable. There are a few new exterior colors, and a USB port for playing music stored on portable devices through the Tahoe Hybrid's stereo is now standard.
14 weeks ago
First, Tahoes do NOT have that much cargo space, nor are they nearly as good at people-hauling as even a larger minivan, much less a full size van. Suburbans still aren't as good at people hauling as large vans. Neither people nor cargo hauling is an excuse for buying a gas hog body-on-frame truck. Towing of stuff larger than small boats and popup campers, however, calls for serious hardware, and "mid-size" SUVs and trucks are not up to the task. Seeing as how they have less space inside, there's really NO reason to buy smaller SUVs, for they don't do anything as well as other vehicles. So decide: either you need a car, a van for people or cargo (pickups are really only better for a few things: hauling firewood, old tires, shingles...), or a serious tow vehicle. By the way, the Touareg as a tow vehicle is a joke. VW has been taken to court for advertising it as such when it clearly fails to do the job right.
I'm happy to see that the hybrid Tahoe doesn't cost more than the LTZ, though they're all way beyond what I'd pay even if I could. One solution that nobody seems to consider is that automakers need to make passenger cars capable of towing 5,000+ lbs and getting 25mpg around town when not towing. In the 60s and early 70s we had big block Impalas with THM400 transmissions that could drag a house and still handle like a car (at less than 10mpg, however). When shopping for a tow vehicle, I considered 1) XJS V12L (very strong GM transmission, ultimate comfort and classiness, but no good way to install a hitch), 2) late 70s Mercedes-Benz 6.9 litre sedan (strong chassis, almost 400hp, fantastic hydropneumatic suspension, but who's going to repair it when it breaks in the Ozarks or some such), and a 90s Range Rover (not so much power but dual-use, not even a 4WD Tahoe can match it offroad, but way too much driveline maintenance, and who can afford a newish Range Rover with lower maintenance requirements?). For low maintenance, durability, repair-anywhere, reasonable turning radius (Suburbans are certainly better highway tow vehicles, but they can't navigate my trailer through the campsites I visit), and reasonable price, a used Tahoe was the final choice. Maybe when my current Tahoe wears out I can find a hybrid model at a reasonable price.
14 weeks ago
Me too... car bucks and jumps, looses a little power, shakes, check engine light blinks, goes off after a while. Dealer denies it even happens, drove it around the parking lot to see if it did, and wont admit there is a log that it happens....which there may not be but should. It is a computer on wheels is it not...so it probably has a log of when the light comes on and why.
How has the problem been resolved?
12 weeks ago
They don't sell a diesel Suburban. Also, the Duramax 6.6 used in the Silverado is too big to get good fuel economy lightly loaded. Towing 8000 pounds, the diesel gets substantially better mileage than the gas counterpart, but lightly loaded, the big diesel gets little, if any better mpg than a gas version, but on fuel that has 13% more energy per gallon.
In reality, if you are hauling people and not towing, a minivan is a much better choice than a large SUV, even this one. A Sienna or Odyssey will ride better, cost a lot less, and get better mpg than even this hybrid, except in very severe stop and go driving.
12 weeks ago
Most of the time, I see a 140 lb woman with a 40 lb kid in the backseat hauling a load of hot air with this 7,000 lb gas hog that doubles as a visual eclipse. So GM is justifying that going from 15-16 MPG to 22 MPG is more of a milestone than a midsize car going from 20 MPG to 29 MPG? What a crock! I understand the need for this as commercial vehicle, but as a personal vehicle, it's a joke. Get a Minivan, its better on gas and it has sliding doors.
Now there is talk of stuffing a Clean Diesel in one of these monsters. Got behind one of them MB Clean(Blutec) Diesels the other day and lo and behold I had to shut down my vents (Recycle the air). According to the EPA, the clean diesel engines and fuel emit a finer particulates that are not visible. So now you get colorless soot, that causes asthma, lung cancer, and a host of other respiratory ailments. Wow this like the good old days where black diesel soot was in your clothes, your hair, your food, and in your lungs if you lived near any transportation hub. Fast Forward to today, now all that is colorless and stinks. They call that an improvement? You know why the Europeans continue to milk diesel technology, they don't care about air quality, just look at their diesel emission standards as compared to the US which is a 10 X more Stringent. Can't wait to see what will happen to these dinosaurs when Gas Prices go to $8/gallon because Iran and Saudi Arabia are destined to tangle militarily.
12 weeks ago
woww, a hybrid for a full size SUV, even Chevrolet babe, that a guffing humongous mother of all babe. Get it while it lasts hihihihi ciao arrivedecci, bella!!!
12 weeks ago
a complete hippo junk made proudly by americans
2008 green car of the year? super controversial. i wonder how much GM pay to get that title not to mention the background of the judges
(jay leno? you F***ing serious? carol shelby? WTF? and so on for the rest)
11 weeks ago
Only certain fuel economy or small sized vehicles should be allowed to be named a hybrid. Hybrid class A RV's are probably next if not already....
MrEnergyCzar
11 weeks ago
This would be a great vehicle for Chevy to offer in CNG! That would make it a TON cleaner/less polluting (the "tree huggers" will be hypocrites if they DON'T celebrate it), and support energy independence (playing the "patriotism card" to increase sales among those who are the most likely to want such "land yachts").
I'd LOVE to see CNG hybrid Chevy Tahoes w/their white CAV decals cruising the HOV lanes of the SF Bay Area during rush hour while all the greenies in their little Priuses are stuck in traffic. LOL!
That's my trollish comment for the year! ;-) And, yes, I do drive a Prius.
9 weeks ago
this dates back 4 years ago about a stupid car, people get a life
8 weeks ago
Where can I get that diesel suburban again? That item might be rarer than chicken lips.
7 weeks ago
If everyone brought an american made car then our economy would not be the way it is . And yes the United States is a gas state our thing is power that is what built this country. Ford chevy GM have hybrid vehicles but still have the power to boot
7 weeks ago
But when you pay to get something fixed on it that is when you are going to pay more parts parts parts
7 weeks ago
go to an autozone or something and ask for the small computer that you can use to check to see what is wrong with the car yourself
4 weeks ago
I have a 2008 Hybrid Tahoe. I routinely average around 18 mpg or less. Why? I drive on the highway for 30 mins to and from work. I travel about 72 MPH. I watch the gauge, that tells you the mpg you are getting. I get very low. Yet, every great once in awhile, with no difference in driving, the mpg postings will jump substantially. Why?
I realize pulling a trailer makes a difference. I am talking about normal everyday driving, with NO travel. I certainly do NOT get the 20 plus discussed in this article. I have had it to a local dealer and they say all is good. Any advice??
Post a new comment