REVIEW: Spies get a first drive in the new Tahoe Hybrid- Does it deliver?

You can be sure anything hybrid will be top of mind at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

So the arrival today of our new Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid tester, couldn't have shown up at a better time.

Our friend Dan Neil of the LA Times reviewed it and in our opinion (as well as others on the net) kinda slammed it.

After driving it most of today, I'm having a hard time knowing why.

Aside from the price premium, I can't really see a downside on the Hybrid Tahoe.

In fact, there are certain things I like better about it than the regular version.

It's a lot quieter and smoother driving than the gas version.

But let's face it, nobody cares about that.

The ONLY thing anyone really wants to know, is what is the REAL mileage like on this new Hybrid?

Is it like other GM products like this in the past that cost a lot more and got 1-2 MPG better?

Before I tell you about our mileage experience let me say to all you consumers out there looking for information on new models this small piece of info you would think should be in ALL reviews, is not very easy to find!

Is it just me or does EVERY person who reviews a product NEVER tell you there own mileage experience?

Seems like they ONLY list the EPA numbers...including Danny Boy Neil.

Which in the case of this vehicle, makes the review totally useless in my opinion.

Drum roll please....

So with no further ado, we will actually tell you WHAT the real life mileage is!

And it's damn impressive for a tank like this.

How does a range of 19.5-24.8 sound?

Cruising down the I-5 today we were registering 24.8MPG.

On a full size SUV!

And we have the pictures to prove it!

Around town it was lower but still impressive, just under 20MPG.

Now considering the regular Tahoe we had could only get 12MPG, 15MPG highway, that's a HUGE difference.

And at $50,400 and change, it still undercuts the price of the most loaded gas Tahoe out there.

If you live in the real world, we believe you will be impressed the new Tahoe and Escalade Hybrids.

But if you were expecting to turn the key on this thing and get Prius mileage, then nothing will impress you.

Kudo's to GM...The new Chevy Tahoe Hybrid gets the 'GREEN' light from AutoSpies.com.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Photo Gallery

2008 San Diego Auto Show Photo Gallery

DaHarder - 1/9/2008 10:11:29 PM

+4 Boost

Ok,

So there are measurable millage improvements, but the exorbitant price increase all but makes the gas savings moot.

Nice for the environment... Crappy for the monthly payment.

Agent001 - 1/9/2008 10:12:58 PM

+3 Boost

We said there is no magic bullet here...and the magic bullet is a long way off.

Get used to 4 bucks + a gallon in the USA.

:(

001

DaHarder - 1/9/2008 11:24:37 PM

+4 Boost

Understood,

Any effort is a step in the right direction.

lexusis350 - 1/9/2008 10:12:37 PM

+2 Boost

That does get pretty good gas mileage. I'm impressed. I also like how Chevy didn't make the Tahoe Hybrid uglier than the regular Tahoe. Most car makers make the hybrids uglier than the original (i.e. Civic Hybrid).

EL34 - 1/9/2008 11:25:20 PM

-1 Boost

I have some friends that have an order for a Tahoe Hybrid.

I'll pass this great review onto them.

_43LE - 1/9/2008 11:31:40 PM

+1 Boost

But you hate hybrids!?

r15mohd - 1/10/2008 10:57:51 AM

+2 Boost

no he hates LEXUS/TOYOTA hybrids...

big difference when there is bias

_43LE - 1/10/2008 11:34:58 PM

+1 Boost

No, FYI, he hates anything Asian.

exgmer - 1/10/2008 12:52:23 AM

+1 Boost

Was this the 4wd or 2wd version?

drew630 - 1/10/2008 10:40:14 AM

+1 Boost

2wd

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 1/10/2008 11:04:16 AM

+1 Boost

moron^^

EvoAudi - 1/10/2008 1:08:00 AM

-1 Boost

Half the people that buy these will only get them to prove to their neighbors that they bought a "hybrid" that will save the world with 8 more MPG. Ask these people what a hybrid means and nearly 100% of them will say that it is a fuel efficient super car that save the earth and gets at least 65 MPG. Few that say that a "hybrid" is a thing made by combining two different elements; a mixture, are the people that make the "world go round" so to say.

Rupert - 1/10/2008 8:01:49 AM

+5 Boost

I'm impressed, for its size the MPG is good.
GL320 cdi will get better highway mpg (despite what Huu says), but worse town mpg. It just depended where you drive I suppose.

DROOPYSAKK - 1/10/2008 8:39:27 AM

+2 Boost

i agree, if aura could squeeze 300 hp out of their V6 im sure can do something along those lines too. it might be a little sluggish but think about how easy it would be to market, im sure all those hollywoood hipsters would rather drive a Tahoe over their ugly prius

kpaxx - 1/10/2008 8:55:01 AM

+1 Boost

In its current design and implementation I still don't see the value in getting a hybrid whether it is respect to money saved or saving the environment.

lewishamiltonpimp - 1/10/2008 10:32:43 AM

+1 Boost

Does it have to have the word 'HYBRID' plastered along the sides in 5" high letters.

The whole movement is a feel good hey neighbors, look we're being green thing.

I'd like to know the 'carbon footprint' of making those huge chemical batteries in some non-regulated factory in China.

Also, the Tahoe has 'low resistance tires' whatever they are. Supposed to reduce MPG. Hmmmmm!

Bmw8ter - 1/10/2008 10:36:25 AM

+1 Boost

"Also, the Tahoe has 'low resistance tires' whatever they are. Supposed to reduce MPG. Hmmmmm!"

Low resistance would increase the MPG. And it doesn't take special tires to do that. Just over inflate the tires to the point where you only have about 2 treads touching the pavement. Obviously not a wise idea for wet roads.

lewishamiltonpimp - 1/10/2008 10:37:12 AM

+1 Boost

I meant to say increase MPG.

drew630 - 1/10/2008 10:45:43 AM

+1 Boost

The "Hybrid" stickers are only there for auto show/pictures/review purposes. Consumer purchase versions will only have the green badges.

lewishamiltonpimp - 1/10/2008 10:51:49 AM

+1 Boost

Naaagh. The cool aid drinkers errr...buyers will want to keep the stickers on. Especially in California and NY.

drew630 - 1/10/2008 10:54:03 AM

+1 Boost

Haha, maybe GM should make them optional then?

r15mohd - 1/10/2008 10:55:42 AM

+3 Boost

i personally don't care how significant an increase this is due to the fact that this technology SHOULD be in a minivan.

Minivans, avg 20+ mpg already...why are they wasting efforts in this mammoth? 24mpg is nothing impressive. My odyssey captures that on 87 pump fuel with regular city driving. I am eagerly awaiting a company to step forth and produce a minivan that will enable this technology and give me 35-40mpg.

It looks like GM was able to haul a massive 5500lb vehicle and still get impressive numbers, i guess it puts the LS-hL to a little shame now.

how is the towing with this vehicle...will it have the same issue Lexus did when it had to climb uphill? Excessive draining, etc?

C'mon 001, we need a more in depth look!!!

You gave a green light, but put it thru it's actual purpose and see if it deserves the "green-light".

drew630 - 1/10/2008 11:02:03 AM

+2 Boost

GM is putting it in its most profitable vehicles first to help pay for the technology. The Saturn Vue is also getting this technology soon after the SUVs/Trucks (which is the two-mode's FWD design). Cars will soon follow that.

Besides, would more people really buy a GM van just because its a hybrid?? I doubt it. I am a GM fan, but their vans are horrible.

Agent001 - 1/10/2008 11:44:26 AM

+2 Boost

We will go into it deeper in another review...we only had the truck for 24 hours so we had to be efficient and could not do a full test of towing, etc.

001

r15mohd - 1/10/2008 11:57:20 AM

+1 Boost

well i would think an introduction of a hybrid minivan would do great, especially in a new design...something GM could greatly gain from.

they need to follow honda/toyota to see what minivans are nowadays...they're leading the pack


granted a good job within the 24hrs 001...i'm still skeptical once towing comes into play.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/10/2008 6:30:48 PM

+1 Boost

drew, you're right, the GM vans were so horrible that they were discontinued.

However, it would absolutely make sense to revive them--with new names and new PLATFORM ARCHITECTURE, of course--as hybrids. I never considered a hybrid minivan, but r15 absolutely has a point. And with GM on the rise this year, they have the potential to be class-leading minivans.

Whelan - 1/10/2008 12:33:13 PM

+1 Boost

Let's not forget the other upside. In California being a hybrid gets you free passage over bridges and in many states the ability to drive in the Carpool lane even if your not carpooling. So mom's and dad's who travel to work everyday can ease through traffic better now.

Thumbs up to GM for finally bringing to market what people have been looking for. A large full size SUV that is a hybrid. Not a highlander small SUV or mini car. But something functional for the average to large family who take trips. For me I like the Tahoe a lot and would totally consider getting one when me and my fiance years down the road start a family. They are comfortable, quiet, and a good looker. Get the hybrid and those drives to Disney from NY will be a lot easier on the wallet!

r15mohd - 1/10/2008 12:42:51 PM

+1 Boost

they already are easier on the wallet...it's called a minivan, costs 15-20k less than this tahoe hybrid and delivers the same, if not better mpg's (in part to honda's cylinder deactivation system)

a tahoe is not meant for family trips, consumers make them so due to their large size. very inefficient, very oversized, very dangerous...

great technology, but IMO...the wrong use.

pushrod27 - 1/10/2008 4:25:30 PM

0 Boost

For a family, Tahoe trumps minivan everytime. That is unless your wife is calling the shots. Any man in charge of the decision would choose the Tahoe. A minivan? Are you serious? Sure, the minivan is more efficient, but its... a... MINIVAN. Not cool. The Tahoe does a great job of hauling passengers and cargo, and it looks wicked, too. Throw in the rumbling V8 exhaust and the decision is a no-brainer.

Whelan - 1/10/2008 1:39:20 PM

+1 Boost

The day I buy a minivan, lololol. Even my fiance swears she will never be caught driving one. We will opt for the large SUV. We were totally digging the Commander's but they won't be around when we start having kids. We are Jeep lovers at heart, she loves her Liberty Renegade. So a minivan is not in our future anywhere.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/10/2008 6:32:39 PM

+1 Boost

I am impressed by these numbers.

001, it looks like you have a Canon dSLR, but you don't really know how to use it... LOL.

kurtismac - 1/10/2008 8:01:51 PM

+2 Boost

Big deal i'm getting 25 mpg (combined) with a 2.7 ltr tdi lr3..... stick a decent diesel in that big bird and i'm sure the milage would be better..The toyota landcruiser diesel is giving 28 mpg (imperial) 23 mpg (USG) combined...http://www.whatcar.co.uk/car-review-performance.aspx?RT=2820&ED=53916&U=0 so image if it was a hybrid? Diesel hybrid is the way forward not this hunk of junk v8 with a battery...

kurtismac - 1/11/2008 4:47:11 AM

+2 Boost

huu 76..boy you sure know how to spit out the your rubbish...the engine returns 22 mpg for the GL320 cdi...and follow the link i left about the landcruiser V8 diesel is 23..minus the battery of the yukon...so imagine if u had a battery strapped to it...i'll give you a tip huu76..put your money on diesel hybrids for these behemoths, and you could stand make a fortune in the future..Gas hybrids aren't the way to go... diesel hybrids are..

Rupert - 1/11/2008 10:10:46 AM

+1 Boost

And since these vehicles are so heavy already, the added weight of a hybrid to a diesel wouldn't be so significant.
Imagine the torque of a diesel hybrid - huge all the way from 0 rpm to 4500! That would give you a kick from pulling away.