Test Drive: Going hybrid makes Tahoe a treat

[91 s-10baja]

A few hours in a preproduction Tahoe hybrid around Northern Virginia, in traffic and on highways, was satisfying.
Tahoe was smooth as you please in stop-go because the electric motor, which handles low-speed driving, provides all its power the instant it begins to turn. Gasoline engines have to rev a bit. GM says the electric-only mode could take you to 32 mph under ideal conditions. But the test showed that accelerating in traffic means electric-only lasts only up to about 10 mph.

The hybrid tows less, 6,000 to 6,200 pounds vs. 7,500 to 8,200 on gasoline models. No tow test was scheduled, but a stop at the Hobby Hangar in Chantilly, Va., a store that sells remote-control cars, planes and boats, provided an opportunity. The folks there, beyond all reason and good sense, offered the store's trailer. It was empty and probably weighed 1,000 pounds, according to the consensus, but it at least hinted how the hybrid would tug.
Very well, it turns out, with the trailer behind and five guys aboard the Tahoe.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...e-hybrid_N.htm

•How soon? On sale fourth quarter.

•How much? GM won't say yet, but promises that the hybrids — which will be well-equipped, premium models — won't be the most expensive in the $35,000-$55,000 Tahoe/Yukon lineups.

•How many? GM is building 10,000 this year and says it's geared to supply as many as buyers want.

•What's the powertrain? 6-liter, aluminum alloy V-8 rated 332 horsepower at 5,100 rpm, 367 pounds-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm, coupled to a hybrid drive system housed in the transmission case and consisting of two electric motors and a planetary gear transmission, with manual-shift mode.

•How thirsty? GM forecasts 19 or 20 miles per gallon in town, 20 to 22 mpg highway and 20-21 in combined city-highway driving. Those are increases vs. gasoline-only models of about 40% in town, 5% on the highway, 25% combined. Official government ratings not yet available.

[HoeyHimself]

Wonderful to hear. If GM can make some capable fuel efficient hybrid models, they can put to rest so many of these people crying and complaining that the fullsize truck/suv of today should be dead tomorrow.

[HoosierRon]

Their towing aside, it looks like you really can count on a 33-40% improvement in mileage.

[chakis24]

sounds good, but shame on them for not offering the two-mode across the line. they shouldve figured out a way to do that.

[ronald mcretard]

I hope this helps to heal GM's reputation in the general public. And I hope two-mode sales blow Prius sales out of the water.

[HoeyHimself]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

Their towing aside, it looks like you really can count on a 33-40% improvement in mileage.

And when looking at the large number of consumers that are buying these vehicles without ever even so much as taking the hitch cover off..if GM could produce and push these vehicles out, getting the soccer moms and cubical king weekend trucksters into them and allowing the non hybrids for those that need that towing capability..wow, a great step in the right direction. Having plug in cars like the Volt an placing that technology in more models, and efficient hybrid models for their suvs and trucks, I can see more lenient ground for our Camaros, Vettes, and work truck/suvs. Thats assuming people can accept hybrids and face the fact that they will still meet and exceed all of their needs. I know guys who have bought brand new Tahoes and 'Burbans for their wives, several just recently...the guys rarely drive them..and if there was such hybrid offered, they still wouldnt buy it for their own reasonings (regaurdless of additional cost.) Thats unfortunate.

[redimpss5]

Who would tow with a hybrid? When I need to tow, I use a real truck.

[racy]

Originally Posted by redimpss5

Who would tow with a hybrid? When I need to tow, I use a real truck.

Capable of a payload of 6,000 pounds is not truck enough for you? Its only a thousand less than the gasoline model.

The Tahoe is a real truck, and whether you like it or not, is a picture of what all trucks will look like in a few short years.

I understand it is difficult getting used to the idea of a hybrid, but I had to think of it this way: Would it matter if I got 500 horsepower in a Vette via electrical motor, or gasoline engine? Nope. 500 horsepower is 500 horsepower. Its a mental block, that's all.

[TKR]

How funny would it be if this became the top selling 'hybrid' in the US?

GM the 'green' car company?

[Tequilujan]

They should find a way to stuff that two mode into the new malibu. That will prevent it from being completely destroyed in reviews and comparisons. It would be nice if they used all of that drag minimizing and weight cutting techniques on stock tahoes, but hey, its a start.

[asim]

Originally Posted by racy

Capable of a payload of 6,000 pounds is not truck enough for you? Its only a thousand less than the gasoline model.

The Tahoe is a real truck, and whether you like it or not, is a picture of what all trucks will look like in a few short years.

I understand it is difficult getting used to the idea of a hybrid, but I had to think of it this way: Would it matter if I got 500 horsepower in a Vette via electrical motor, or gasoline engine? Nope. 500 horsepower is 500 horsepower. Its a mental block, that's all.

Hey, some of these guys (especially down here) actually need to tow the full 8,000 pounds with their boats and trailers. But it is agreed that most people don't need even 6,000 pound capacity to tow.

[AndrewGS]

I'd really like to spend a week with one of these to see what kind of mileage I could get out of it.

[Flyingbunnys]

Um good news. Trucks at GM seem to just keep advancing now for the cars.



P.S. they must live near me I stop by the chantilly hobbie hanger all the time, to buy repair parts for when i break things.

[Koasterking]

Good review! I can't to see one; better yet, test drive one.

[mkaresh]

Originally Posted by ronald mcretard

I hope this helps to heal GM's reputation in the general public. And I hope two-mode sales blow Prius sales out of the water.

A huge question mark remains: price. GM has been hinting that this system is very expensive, and that they'll have to sell it at a loss. If the price is high even so, sales could be limited.