CD Article: 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid LT 4WD

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:


A full-size SUV hybrid might seem like an oxymoron, but for consumers who need a 6,000 pound towing capacity and eight seats, the Tahoe Hybrid provides all that plus a 24 per cent improvement in fuel economy, says Editor-in-chief, Greg Wilson.
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[SiRCivic]

Nearly seventy grand!?! 

On second thought, it might be worth it just to be able to park in the "hybrid-only" spaces at Ikea. What a riot to sit back and watch the outrage on the faces of passersby! 

[rrocket]

Seventy?  That's it?  Lexus has one that's $130K......

[Demosthenes X]

The Tahoe has always been my favourite of the full-size SUVs.  The Hybrid sure doesn't come cheap, though.

I am interested that the V8 motor in the Hybrid is actually bigger than the V8 in the regular Tahoe.  Seems a bit odd to me, but I guess GM had their reasons...

[zloy]

$73,910 !!!
plus 13% tax in Ontario
and no lease option, only financing !
holy crap, you would need a second mortgage to get behind the wheels of this baby
 

[ktm525]

$73,910 !!!
plus 13% tax in Ontario
and no lease option, only financing !
holy crap, you would need a second mortgage to get behind the wheels of this baby
 

Lets see I could probably get into a low mile 2007 Yukon for $35k...  $39k difference will pay for a lot of gas.

[airbalancer]

The Tahoe has always been my favourite of the full-size SUVs.  The Hybrid sure doesn't come cheap, though.

I am interested that the V8 motor in the Hybrid is actually bigger than the V8 in the regular Tahoe.  Seems a bit odd to me, but I guess GM had their reasons...

The larger V8 works better when it goes into V4 mode, so I have read( but that is just info from the net  )

[Honda Owner]

People who can afford to pay $70,000 for an SUV are not, in my experience, that worried about fuel economy.

[airbalancer]

Seventy?  That's it?  Lexus has one that's $130K......

BS, Total load one is $165,000 with tax
And it is just a car;D

[Leviathan]

People who can afford to pay $70,000 for an SUV are not, in my experience, that worried about fuel economy.

I doubt they enjoy standing at a gas station pumping gas any more than the rest of us so maybe they do care - just for different reasons 

[stickshift]

The Tahoe has always been my favourite of the full-size SUVs.  The Hybrid sure doesn't come cheap, though.

I am interested that the V8 motor in the Hybrid is actually bigger than the V8 in the regular Tahoe.  Seems a bit odd to me, but I guess GM had their reasons...

If I recall correctly from a conversation I had with a GM rep about this, he said they used the 6.0-litre because of it makes more torque than the 5.3-litre, and hence was a better match for the hybrid powertrain, for towing etc.

[philmcneal]

yeah they said it was extra horsepower and it wouldn't change the efficency so might as well use it.

If you don't mind importing into the US they go for 45000+ on craiglist, either that or a toyota highlander hybrid limited for the same price in the US.

[Demosthenes X]

People who can afford to pay $70,000 for an SUV are not, in my experience, that worried about fuel economy.

You forget that lots of Tahoe buyers probably couldn't actually afford them, but bought them on credit using the equity from their homes...  now they're really concerned about fuel economy (among other things). 

[WopOnTour]

Nearly seventy grand!?! 

On second thought, it might be worth it just to be able to park in the "hybrid-only" spaces at Ikea. What a riot to sit back and watch the outrage on the faces of passersby! 

Actually if you take into consideration all of the optional content included with the 2-mode hybrid Tahoe/Yukons they are not a bad value, at least compared to the fully loaded LTZ/SLT models which are only ~$4000 less.

For instance the 2-Mode package includes the following "extra cost" options:
3rd row seating,6-way power leather bucket front seats (both) with center console, DVD/GPS based navigation system with LCD screen, 9 speaker Bose RDS audio system with XM, subwoofer, Bluetooth voice control and 2nd row controls with headphone jacks, Tri-zone automatic climate controls with 2nd row controls, rear A/C and heater, rear view camera system, ultrasonic rear park assist, intermittent rear wiper/washer system with Rainsense, overhead console with universal programmable home remote, electrically adjustable pedals,leather wrapped steering wheel with radio controls,automatic locking rear differential, 18" wheels and tires, real time active suspension system, HD trailering package with 2" receiver hitch, 7-way plug and electronic brake control harness, rear 110V accessory inverter outlet, electric tire pump and inflator kit, remote vehicle start system, as well as 37HP and 62 more LB/FT of engine...

So much of the additional expense cannot be directly attributed to the 2-mode hybrid drive
Still I understand it's not everyone's cup-o-tea
But if you need a larger vehicle to meet your needs the additional economy might help you make the payments
WopOnTour

[WopOnTour]

The Tahoe has always been my favourite of the full-size SUVs.  The Hybrid sure doesn't come cheap, though.

I am interested that the V8 motor in the Hybrid is actually bigger than the V8 in the regular Tahoe.  Seems a bit odd to me, but I guess GM had their reasons...

If I recall correctly from a conversation I had with a GM rep about this, he said they used the 6.0-litre because of it makes more torque than the 5.3-litre, and hence was a better match for the hybrid powertrain, for towing etc.

This is true, and especially so in V4 mode. So it's not that they needed the TQ of 6.0L it's that they needed the TQ of 3.0L since it holds highway speed in V4 mode (with electric "assist" of course). I guess 2.65L (50% of 5.3L) couldn't CUT IT!!
WopOnTour