Nuts & Bolts
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Complaints: The Tahoe, hybrid or otherwise, is too big for everyday use in a real metropolitan area like New York, where parking it can cost you a fortune. But it's perfect for that huge part of America where such vehicles are vital to getting things done.
Ride, acceleration and handling: Good acceleration and handling. But the Tahoe remains a body-on-frame truck that rides and feels like a body-on-frame truck.
Head-turning quotient: Hard-core city types hate it and view it as wasteful and obstructive. But people like Loretta, who have relied on Tahoe SUVs where and when they were needed the most, have a respect for them that borders on reverence.
Body style/layout: The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is a front-engine, full-size sport-utility vehicle. It is built body-on-frame and employs a combination of gas-electric hybrid technology and computer controlled, engine-variable valve lift and timing, and cylinder deactivation for best fuel economy. It is available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
Engine/transmission: The tested engine was a six-liter V-8 that develops 332 horsepower at 5,100 rpm and 367 foot-pounds of torque at 4,100 rpm. The engine works in tandem with an electrical system that includes a 300-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery and drive motors. The transmission is electronically controlled and continuously variable.
Capacities: There are seats for eight people. Cargo capacity is 60.3 cubic feet with second and third rows folded and 16.9 cubic feet with those seats up. The tested version of the Tahoe hybrid can be equipped to tow a trailer weighing 6,000 pounds. Fuel capacity is 24.5 gallons of regular unleaded.
Mileage: At 21 mpg in the city, a 50 percent improvement over regular rear-wheel-drive Tahoe models.
Safety: OnStar emergency communications system, antilock brakes, head air bags and electronic stability control are standard.
Price: The rear-wheel-drive 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid starts at $50,590. The four-wheel-drive model starts about $3,000 more. Prices sourced from Chevrolet.
Purse-strings note: You can get a base Chevrolet Tahoe starting at $34,630. There are other models under $40,000 and in the mid-$40,000 range. That means you pay a substantial premium for the two-mode hybrid.
