NOTE: Pricing based on data collected August 2009. Costs of hybridization and forced features are UCS estimates based on information available on manufacturer websites.
See full Hybrid Scorecard methodology
Vehicle Summary
Chevrolet introduced the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid 2WD in model year 2008. The Tahoe Hybrid and its twin, the GMC Yukon Hybrid, were the first full-size hybrid SUVs on the market and the first light-duty vehicles to use General Motors’ (GM’s) two-mode hybrid system, originally designed for buses. The Tahoe Hybrid 2WD, which seats eight, gets a combined EPA estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg. Unfortunately, Chevrolet chose to increase the size of the gasoline engine in the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD over its conventional counterpart, boosting horsepower and torque rather than maximizing fuel economy gains. This dampened the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD’s overall environmental performance. The Tahoe Hybrid 2WD is a full hybrid, offering electric-only operation under certain conditions, idle stop/start, power assist, and regenerative braking.
Environmental Score
With a 24 percent reduction in global warming emissions compared with the conventional Tahoe 2WD, the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD is in the middle of the overall hybrid pack. But given the fact that GM was able to squeeze a 21 percent reduction in global warming emissions out of its Saturn Vue Hybrid—a vehicle that does not even have the battery capacity to truly be a hybrid vehicle—the Tahoe’s impressive two-mode, full hybrid drivetrain could have been used to bring far more to the table as the first full-sized hybrid SUV.
GM did make some design improvements beyond just adding the two-mode hybrid system, including improvements in aerodynamics (via a lowered front air dam) and weight reductions (via an aluminum tail gate). Where GM failed to fully capitalize on hybrid technology was in the use of the upsized 6.0-liter, V8 engine. The 6.0-liter engine includes modifications to improve its efficiency but, combined with the two-mode hybrid system, actually increases peak horsepower and peak torque over the conventional Tahoe’s 5.3-liter engine. Using the more common 5.3 liter, V8 engine would have delivered better fuel economy, though it may have compromised towing capacity.
Similar to other GM hybrid models, the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD’s smog-forming emissions performance is also compromised as a result of a poorly performing tailpipe emissions control system, earning it an EPA air pollution score of 6, the lowest among all hybrid vehicles. These factors give the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD an overall Environmental Score of 5.0. Hybrid technology and modern emissions control systems offer the unique quality of providing a “no compromise” vehicle that does not trade smog-forming emissions for global warming emissions, and vice versa. The Environmental Score of the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD could be greatly improved if GM focused two-mode hybrid technology on maximizing fuel economy, and made an effort toward reducing smog-forming emissions akin to the rest of the hybrid manufacturers.
Scorecard Environmental Score methodology
Hybrid Value
GM is charging $5,120 for the hybrid system in the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD. With a 24 percent reduction in global warming emissions, this gives the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD a Hybrid Value rating in the “Medium” range. Given that hybrid drivetrain technology often becomes more expensive when it needs to be upsized for larger vehicles, a hybrid value in the medium range is not a bad result for the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD.
Scorecard Hybrid Value methodology
Forced Features
While the Hybrid Value of the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD is in the average range, GM loads on the extra features with the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD, forcing consumers to spend $7,730 on additional or upgraded features compared with the 5.3-liter, V8 conventional Tahoe 2WD. This gives the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD a Forced Features rating of “$$$$$,” the worst rating in this category. The abundance of forced features significantly undermines the ability for consumers looking for more fuel-efficient full-sized SUV options to see the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD as a cost-effective alternative. Sample forced features include the upsized 6.0-liter, V8 engine; heavy-duty rear-locking differential; rear parking assist; a Bose® audio system with DVD-based navigation and nine speakers; rearview camera system; universal home remote; and remote vehicle starter. Click for the full list of forced features.
Scorecard Forced Features methodology
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Additional Info
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