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)

Outline

Messages Page 7 of 7: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; Prev; Next; Last

#58 of 62 Re: Make it 30 mpg and less sticker premium and we can talk. [peralta] by adamgreen Jun 05, 2008 (10:21 am)
Replying to: peralta (May 27, 2008 2:53 am) I looked at the first and second generations of the HH and the compromises and shortcomings outweighed the marginal benefit of city mpg since we use a Prius for around town and need space for luggage when traveling in the SUV. I'm wondering if, for example, the round-trip drive from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe would allow the Tahoe Hybrid to strut its stuff or if the long climbs would deplete the battery and the long descents would see it fully charged (and the extra potential energy would go to waste because the regenerative braking would have nowhere left to store the electrons.) Replies to this message: nedzel (Jun 05, 2008 10:45 am)
#59 of 62 Re: Make it 30 mpg and less sticker premium and we can talk. [gagrice] by adamgreen Jun 05, 2008 (10:28 am)
Replying to: gagrice (May 27, 2008 5:55 am) I think you're right to say the Highlander is not comparable to the Tahoe (hybrid or conventional) and sure enough both manufacturers position the vehicles as mid-size and full-size, so they don't intend to compare the two. As I mentioned in an earlier comment on this review, I've looked at the Highlander more than once. Most recently, looking at the newer (larger) Highlander, two friends driving it for much the same reasons I would have it (to get to the snow or take short camping trips in the mountains) said it was a disappointment. Diving it was uncomfortable (though acceleration is handy when the battery is charged,) the compact cabin space and high price were never justified when it came time to stop to fill up only to calculate unremarkable mpg performance. I really was ready to buy one at MSRP, but if the thing doesn't reward that investment with 30 or 40 mpg, the novelty soon wears as thin as the wallet. : ) Replies to this message: volkov (Jun 05, 2008 10:52 am) gagrice (Jun 05, 2008 3:32 pm)
#60 of 62 Re: Make it 30 mpg and less sticker premium and we can talk. [adamgreen] by nedzel Jun 05, 2008 (10:45 am)
Replying to: adamgreen (Jun 05, 2008 10:21 am) Hybrids do best in the city in stop-and-go traffic. That is where they see their biggest mileage advantage.
#61 of 62 Re: Make it 30 mpg and less sticker premium and we can talk. [adamgreen] by volkov Jun 05, 2008 (10:52 am)
Replying to: adamgreen (Jun 05, 2008 10:28 am) For us the cost difference for the HiHy was going to be worth the extra up-front investment compared to the gas Highlander, in part due to gov't tax incentives we have here in BC. There was no doubt it would quickly pay for itself as the overwhelming majority of our driving is in-city. The fall-down was the very high price tag of the Highlander compared to other 7 passenger options with the HiHy $200-300 more per month on a 4 year lease compared to competitors. Replies to this message: gagrice (Jun 05, 2008 3:32 pm)
#62 of 62 Re: Make it 30 mpg and less sticker premium and we can talk. [volkov] by gagrice Jun 05, 2008 (3:32 pm)
Replying to: volkov (Jun 05, 2008 10:52 am) $200-300 more per month Even at Canada gas prices that is a lot of gas per month. Should cover the average gas Highlander fuel bill every month.