The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is in fact the first full-size Hybrid SUV in the United States. With the hybrid version of the Tahoe, Chevy has managed to combine the best of both worlds of a full-size SUV, generally seen to have rather poor fuel efficiency, with a Hybrid that delivers excellent fuel economy – thus emerging with an absolute winner on hand. [Build your own Chevy Tahoe Hybrid here].
The 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid comes with both the 2WD and the 4×4 options. Engine-wise, there is a Battery with a 300-volt Energy Storage System located under the second-row seat cushion; featuring heavy-duty 730 cold-cranking amps (cca). There is also a Differential with a heavy-duty locking rear. Of course, being a Hybrid, there is also a Vortec 6.0L V8 with Active Fuel Management, co-existing side-by-side with the battery.
The Heart orf the Tahoe Hybrid
There is Electric, two-mode hybrid propulsion in the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. Trailering equipment is also provided as Standard on the Hybrid Tahoe, with a trailer hitch platform, a seven-wire harness mated to a seven-way sealed connector and a two-inch trailering receiver. The Transfer Case is Autotrac active, of course in the 4×4 only. Transmission is dual-mode – electronic ratio-select and strong-hybrid specific.
Standard safety and security features include:
- Air bags: driver and right-front passenger, dual-stage, frontal; with Passenger Sensing System as well as head-curtain, side, for all outboard positions
- Brakes: four-wheel antilock disc with regenerative capability to capture power and charge hybrid battery pack
- OnStar: one-year Directions & Connections Plan, includes Turn-by-Turn Navigation, and
- StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System with Proactive Roll Avoidance
Inside the Tahoe Hybrid, you will find:
- Bluetooth® wireless technology for select compatible phones
- Climate (temperature) controls: tri-zone, automatic with rear-seat controls
- Console, floor: includes storage area, cup holders and integrated second-row audio controls
- Console, overhead: includes map lights and rear-seat climate (temperature) controls
- Power outlet: 115-volt three-prong with a household-style, that you can use easily, even at home
- Rearview camera system
- Universal Home Remote transmitter which is programmable and includes a garage door opener, and
- Remote vehicles starter system
Not to forget, Custom leather seating is Standard in the Tahoe Hybrid.
It is a Green, Mean Machine Indeed!
You will find yourself well-entertained inside the Tahoe Hybrid, with a Bose® sound system that features a digital amplifier with six channels, custom signal processing and nine speakers (including subwoofer). There is also a Navigation radio with voice recognition, hybrid power flow display AM/FM stereo and touch-screen navigation radio with alternate CD/MP3 player functionality. There are audio controls on the rear seat as well, with dual headphone jacks (headphones not included); power outlet; and controls for volume, station selection and media. Of course there is also the XM Radio with a three-month trial and XM NavTraffic with a three-year trial.
Having looked at some of the features INSIDE the Tahoe, it is time to look at the OUTSIDE of the vehicle, which also has a lot to offer, including:
- Assist steps: Black, mounted between front and rear wheels
- Daytime Running Lamps with Automatic Exterior Lamp Control
- Door: rear liftgate with fixed glass and washer/wiper
- Fascia, front and rear: body-color with unique hybrid design
- Glass: Solar-Ray deep-tinted (all windows, except light-tinted on windshield and driver and front-passenger side glass)
- Mirrors: body-color, power-folding, power-adjustable, heated; include ground illumination, driver-side auto-dimming, curb-tilt and turn-signal indicators
- Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist, and
- A Power Sunroof , with tilt-sliding and Express-Open
Additionally, color options on the exterior of the Tahoe Hybrid include Deep Ruby Metallic, Black, Blue Granite Metallic, Silver Birch Metallic, and Summit White.
Dealer installed Chevy accessories for the Tahoe Hybrid include all-weather floor mats, chrome door handles, chrome mirror caps, a front console organizer, an overhead portable DVD system, and a two-way advanced remote.
With all of the power-packed features mentioned above, coupled with the fact that this BIG baby delivers a fuel economy of 21 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway, in its 2WD models (same as what the four-cylinder Toyota Camry delivers), using technology that is sure to become standard (and probably the ONLY option in the future), there is absolutely no reason at all for you to consider any other vehicle in case you are contemplating buying a full-size SUV. Hail Chevy…(see what others have to say about the Tahoe Hybrid, in this video here)