As appeared in The Daily REport:
By Karl W. Ritzler, Special to the Daily Report
A full-size SUV without the guilt. Well, almost.
The 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe is big and comfortable. It's got lots of power and towing capability. And it gets a combined city/highway 21 miles per gallon, compared with a combined 16 mpg for the gasoline-only version.
OK, so that's not Toyota Prius class, but we are talking about a full-size SUV that doesn't feel like a compromise. Along with its General Motors siblings from Cadillac and GMC, it is the biggest vehicle out there available as a hybrid.
Chevrolet introduced the Tahoe Hybrid in 2008, and it describes the hybrid system “two mode.” Electric motors can start the car off, up to about 30 miles per hour, Chevrolet says, to boost in-city mileage. In real driving, the gasoline engine kicked on at about 15 mph. At highway speeds, the engine uses GM's active fuel management, under which four of the V-8's cylinders are shut off when all you need to do is maintain speed. That boosts highway mileage.
The 6.0-liter V-8 produces 332 horsepower and is augmented by two 60-kilowatt electric motors. The system also employs other, standard hybrid technologies, such as regenerative braking, which recharges the batteries when the brakes are applied.
A continuous hybrid transmission blends the gasoline and electric power plants. The result is a ride that is smooth, but not horsepower heavy. Other reviewers' comparisons with the standard Tahoe showed better performance in the Hybrid than in a Tahoe equipped with a smaller V-8.
The Tahoe Hybrid moved out smoothly for a heavy (5,617 pounds) vehicle, and there was never any question about its ability to merge into freeway traffic or ride in the left lane. Towing capacity is a respectable 6,200 pounds—down from more than 8,000 pounds for a gas-only Tahoe.
The Hybrid, because of the extra weight of its batteries and engines, is only slightly different from its gas-only counterpart. There are some lighter body elements, more aerodynamic additions and low rolling resistance tires.
This is a vehicle you'd want to take on a family vacation, with a caveat only if you plan to take a lot of gear and people. Either is OK, but not both.
The front seats—leather is standard in the Hybrid—are comfortably firm, just right for piling on the miles. A navigation system and satellite radio/CD/Bose premium sound system—all standard—make the trip enjoyable from the front seat, while the optional ($1,295) rear seat entertainment system keeps the back-seat passengers entertained. A rearview camera, also standard, makes backing up easier in a vehicle that can fill a driveway. A parking assist system beeps when you get too close to objects or cars in the next parking space.
The squeeze comes with the third row. It's a bit crowded back there for full-size people, and the seats eat into the rear cargo area. While many competitors have third-row seats that fold flat, you have to remove the Tahoe's seats to get full benefit of the 60.3 cubic feet of cargo room. With the third row in place, there's room for a load of groceries, but not the camping gear.
And you'll be safe. The Tahoe has five-star crash ratings all around as well as head curtain side air bags for all three rows. Antilock brakes and stability and traction control are standard.
The test vehicle had a base sticker price of $50,455 for the two-wheel drive Hybrid, not including destination charges. Beside the entertainment system, the only other option on the well-appointed vehicle was a power sliding sunroof ($995). There is only one trim level. That compares with a starting base price of $36,680 for the least expensive of three trim levels for the gasoline-only Tahoe, where buyers also have a choice of three engines, 4.8-liter 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V-8's. Four-wheel drive is available in both Hybrid and gas-only Tahoes for $3,000 to $4,000 extra.
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid:
• Buy this car if: You want a full-size sport utility and still want to feel good about the environment.
• Not for you if: You really want to make a difference about the environment.
• Look-at-me factor: The Hybrid labels all over the vehicle.
• Competitors: Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, GMC Yukon Hybrid, BMW X5 (non-hybrid), Acura MDX (non-hybrid)
• What others are saying: “Prius drivers may use less gas on their trips around town, but Tahoe Hybrid drivers will be able to bring more toys and people along, and arrive in comfort and style.”—US News & World Report
Karl W. Ritzler is a freelance contributor to the Daily Report.
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