Article Comments - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe First Drive and Follow-Up Test

62 messages, Last post on Jun 05, 2008 at 3:32 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Hybrid Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Hybrid Cars, SUV

Article comments for First Drive: 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrid - Two-mode hybrids aren't exactly new. GM has had the two-mode hybrid system working in transit buses since 2003. Today, about 700 of those buses are operating in 60 cities in North America and have just been introduced in Europe. (more)

Follow-Up Test: 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid - Bottom Line: It's better, but whether it's $9,100 better is up to you. (more)

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#43 of 62 Re: Alternate fuels vs. gasoline ICE & hybrids [mikon] by chadx Nov 16, 2007 (7:09 am)
Replying to: mikon (Nov 01, 2007 10:52 am) "My own 2006 4.7 liter Tundra DC 4x4 Limited is rated at 14/18 mpg, but after 12 months, my overall average is 18.3 mpg," At what elevation are you? That is something most people leave out when posting their mileage. I used to live close to sea level and have lived at 4500 feet for the last year+. My 03 Chev. Avalanche had a EPA estimate of 15/18. I got that where I used to live. If I babied it and ran 60mph in the hwy, I could actually get 19mpg on long trips. Now I get 17/20 at this elevation. Less hp is made, but I gladly trade it for the better mileage. If I run 60mph on hwy trips here, I'll get 21 or 22mpg. My point being, this needs to be kept in mind when one person says they get 20mpg and another says they get 16 or 23. Besides the usual difference in driving habits, terrain, temperature, length of trips, etc., elevation makes quite a difference.
#44 of 62 Re: Diesel Hybrid YES its Coming [galvang] by aspesisteve Jan 14, 2008 (4:10 pm)
Replying to: galvang (May 14, 2007 6:49 pm) you want the government to invest in new technologies? with gas prices on the rise and cars like the Prius available, the biggest change I see that needs to take place is in that of the consumer. way too many people are addicted to a giant car. I say tax the hell out of fuel to discourage gas waste. e.g. there should be a war tax on fuel. Replies to this message: nedzel (Jan 18, 2008 10:50 am)
#45 of 62 Re: Diesel Hybrid YES its Coming [aspesisteve] by nedzel Jan 18, 2008 (10:50 am)
Replying to: aspesisteve (Jan 14, 2008 4:10 pm) The need for a fuel tax has nothing to do with the war. A fuel tax would simply be the best way to reduce fuel consumption. It's been quite successful in Europe. CAFE should be dumped (along with the CARB). Rationalize the draconian diesel emissions regulations. Then we'd have a much more efficient fleet PDQ.
#46 of 62 Now you can have your cake and eat it too by trueteller Jan 19, 2008 (2:19 pm)
Replying to: sunson (Oct 20, 2007 9:49 am) If you just avoid the hybrid propaganda altogether you'll notice that there are several alternatives becoming available in the clean diesel segment. Audi Q7 3.0 TDI BMW X5d Mercedes GL320DCI Each of these out tows, out performs, and out-classes the Yukon/Tahoe hybrid. All with similar city and much better highway mileage. And with their permanent AWD systems, they each start at around the same price as the GM hybrids. Sorry, thats a no-brainer. Its not only for SUVs, but soon you'll see luxury cars and finally economy cars with small turbodiesels in this country. And just as they are already aware of in Europe, they are still more practical across a wide range of vehicles than hybrids.
#47 of 62 Follow-Up Test Available! by KarenS HOST Jan 25, 2008 (7:20 am)
Follow-Up Test: 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Replies to this message: trueteller (Feb 14, 2008 8:05 am)
#48 of 62 Re: Follow-Up Test Available! [KarenS] by trueteller Feb 14, 2008 (8:05 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Jan 25, 2008 7:20 am) Not to give anyone the smelling salts, but that test didn't have very surprizing results. GM's test mule only got 18mpg combined in the 2WD version, and I wasn't expecting worlds better from tthe production TaHybrid. 19.3 mpg combined in a 2WD TaHybrid. Chevy advertises what, 21-22? For real-world driving that might be a highly inflated number. And the 4WD version will likely be 1mpg worse combined. 18mpg is nothing to write home about. They go on about what amazing thing has been accomplished here, and how the savings add up for larger hybrids, but it appears that the larger the hybrid, the less likely you are to recoup your losses. I wish this thing still got a gas-guzzler tax.
#49 of 62 Just finished a test drive :) by 68goatman Feb 20, 2008 (11:49 am)
I was amazed the smoothness of the system; I had to roll the windows down to tell if the motor was on! While going easy on the throttle, I was able to get up to 30mph on just electric power! Slick system Chevy has here. $53K was the sticker and it had navigation, sunroof and a rear seat dvd system. I took it on a 15mile test drive and got 22.5 mpg with 50/50 mix highway/city driving. Replies to this message: bbooze (Feb 20, 2008 5:55 pm)
#50 of 62 Re: Just finished a test drive :) [68goatman] by bbooze Feb 20, 2008 (5:55 pm)
Replying to: 68goatman (Feb 20, 2008 11:49 am) Thanks for sharing! I drive a lot in the city (Chicago) and I know that the electric is the primary source of power up to 30mph so I'm wondering if I'll actually get a bit better milege than the test results here. Did the dealer say anything about how much they would knock off the sticker price?
#51 of 62 RE: Cost by 68goatman Feb 21, 2008 (6:21 am)
I'll try to find out for you.
#52 of 62 Town & Country by adamgreen May 24, 2008 (11:45 am)
I see Chrysler will bring their jumbo hybrid (using the Aspen) to market as their part of this joint development, but surely the best use of this hybrid is city driving. Perhaps they're being oh-so-clever and leaving the Town&Country until early adopters take the Aspen. Why does the Tahoe Hybrid have lower towing capacity; where's the power lift-gate; cooled front seats; independent rear suspension; choice of Sirius or even paint color choices or wheel choices? And can I get one without the ludicrous GM advertising of Hybrid plastered all over it? At least it runs on regular 87 gas -- in California, that's a dollar a gallon cheaper than the current $5/gallon diesel (what a scam!) so even if the diesel is running 20% further on a gallon, this thing is breaking even on costs plus it's running electric or shut off completely when it's rolling downhill. It does shut off the engine completely if it's rolling downhill above 30 mph, right? ps. eBay has the Tahoe Hybrid in plentiful supply at or below MSRP. Some local (Bay Area) dealers start with $5K over sticker and soon start talking about the $9K over an equivalent normal Tahoe, then come to MSRP and start talking about padding the trade-in value. When there were only a few cars, the dealers were price fixing and surely had some unwritten agreement between each other to not discount, but now they're all sitting with the things in every colour and they're just wanting to sell any car at all in this economy.