[91fairladyZ]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/d...Id=125645?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..1.*

Not a bad comparison. What do you think?

 

[suckstobeyou]

it's pretty fair.
Honestly I would've put the Escalade up against the benz, but i think chevy wasn't put to shame, rather complimented by this comparision

 

[tony1021]

it's pretty fair.
Honestly I would've put the Escalade up against the benz, but i think chevy wasn't put to shame, rather complimented by this comparision

I also agree but think they did this comparison because the escalade isn't out yet

 

[supraracer]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/d...Id=125645?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..1.*

Not a bad comparison. What do you think?

Good article. Thanks for the link.

 

[I-Love-Pontiac]

I don't like how he said the Mercedes would last longer. GM's Vortec drivetrains last forever. And in hybrid form it would be even better.

One thing I really don't like about the Tahoe hybrid (other than the ugly wheels and stickers) is how low the front end is. Yes I know if for aerodynamics, but I wish they would make it motorized or something so you can pull it up when you actually are using it as a truck. And really I wish they would do that for the regular Tahoe as well.

 

[VCDJ]

I don't like how he said the Mercedes would last longer. GM's Vortec drivetrains last forever. And in hybrid form it would be even better.

One thing I really don't like about the Tahoe hybrid (other than the ugly wheels and stickers) is how low the front end is. Yes I know if for aerodynamics, but I wish they would make it motorized or something so you can pull it up when you actually are using it as a truck. And really I wish they would do that for the regular Tahoe as well.

Diesel Engines usualy last longer. Plus GL can tow more then tahoe and has smother ride. It is a good comparison. This is why Diesel makes more since in large vehicles. Hybrid makes since in small cars.

 

[pinyon]

Diesel Engines usualy last longer. Plus GL can tow more then tahoe and has smother ride. It is a good comparison. This is why Diesel makes more since in large vehicles. Hybrid makes since in small cars.

As far as diesels lasting longer it is probably generally true but they are also generally more expensive than gasoline engines. The blanket statement about diesels versus hybrids is a different matter. Any technology that can capture braking energy and store it for improvement of economy of any type of ICE shouldn't be discounted, regardless of size of vehicle. There are already hybrid diesel buses and we will only see more applications of different types of hybrid technologies to all size vehicles.

 

[Masospaghetti]

I think its fair...the Tahoe hybrid doesn't seem to make much sense, given its price tag. And I am skeptical that the hybrid powertrain will be trouble-free for any length of time.

 

[Michael_S]

I don't like how he said the Mercedes would last longer. GM's Vortec drivetrains last forever. And in hybrid form it would be even better.

The normal GM Vortec 6.0 liter that is very well used is a non-variable valve timing V8 running the Otto combustion cycle (same valve time on intake and exhaust valves) with a 4-speed hydramatic automatic, and its reliability is proven.

The Tahoe 2-mode 6.0 liter V8 has variable valve timing, uses the Atkinson combustion cycle (shorter valve time on intake than exhaust, and this is the first engine GM has made with that technology that I know of), and has a new electrical system and very special transmission that combines aspects of a continually variable transmissions (CVT) with a traditional 4 speed automatic.

I'm sure GM put a lot of work into the Two Mode powertrain. But I still wouldn't be surprised if some bugs pop up, it's a new technology for them. And I'm not singling out GM either. Even now, I would trust the reliability of a Toyota Corolla over a Prius or a Honda Civic over a Civic hybrid.

Of course, I was under the impression that modern Mercedes' break all of the time anyway. So that's a mark in GM's favor.

 

[vanshmack]

Of course, most of the people who would buy the diesel Benz live in California...A state where it's not even available.

How about comparing the Hybrid Tahoe to something people can actually buy everywhere?

 

[BigEnos]

I think that conveniently forgetting that the Mercedes is a buttload more expensive is just not fair. The Tahoe should get points for being much less expensive and 50-state legal. You can buy a lot of gasoline for $14,000.

 

[VCDJ]

I think that conveniently forgetting that the Mercedes is a buttload more expensive is just not fair. The Tahoe should get points for being much less expensive and 50-state legal. You can buy a lot of gasoline for $14,000.

2009 Benz in 50 state legal. Plus it is not 14k. Starting price is about the same. Now if you get options it is more expensive. But if you get escalade hybrid it will probably be more expensive then benz.

 

[Darc Requiem]

2009 Benz in 50 state legal. Plus it is not 14k. Starting price is about the same. Now if you get options it is more expensive. But if you get escalade hybrid it will probably be more expensive then benz.

No the price isn't the same. If you get the same options on both vehicles the Benz is far more expensive. Edmunds said it the article they could have gotten GL for the same price as the Tahoe but it would have had next to no options.

 

[91fairladyZ]

No the price isn't the same. If you get the same options on both vehicles the Benz is far more expensive. Edmunds said it the article they could have gotten GL for the same price as the Tahoe but it would have had next to no options.

With the Caddy Hybrid coming, we get to see how the 6.2L performs. I hope to see a rematch seeing as this would be a direct competitor. Some of the complaints of luxury and what not should go away.

 

[mbukukanyau]

I come from a diesel powertrain loving country. Where diesel is cheaper than gasoline by tons.
I can tell you two things..
#1. Diesels do not last longer than gasoline engines, they die quickly and suck, especially as they age.. it takes them for ever to get up to speed when they age, and if for some reason, you loose compression, you are in deep dudu, dead turbos, almost always mean, you will never get back to the same performance you had before turbos died

#2. Diesel in So Cal is always much more expensive than Gasoline. So, you may get 2 mpg more, but it cost you more to get there

 

[PA Dweller]

I would rather have the Tahoe, gasoline is cheaper. Now when will GM bring the 2 Mode Lambda's? I bet a 2 Mode/DI Buick Enclave would own this MB.

 

[BlueMontreal]

The Tahoe has lower emissions and diesel is more expensive than gasoline.

 

[tgagneguam]

Overall, this seems to be a fair review, 91fairladyZ. No matter the Benz's triumph, I still find it refreshing that several of GM's vehicles lately have been able to stand a comparison with good foreign competition. Who woulda thunk that you could compare a Benz to a Chevrolet and not laugh in hysterics?

We guess that makes Paris Hilton, proud owner of a 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid, the hybrid Tahoe's twin, a forward-thinking early adopter at the vanguard of the green car movement.

I'm quite happy to say that I did not know this is how Ms. Hilton travels. If I were GMC, I would never, ever advertise her choice. Ever.

 

[tgagneguam]

The Tahoe has lower emissions and diesel is more expensive than gasoline.

I, too, shared one of your concerns, BlueMontreal, though the article addressed it near the closing:

...The diesel GL also handles and stops better, while offering superior seat comfort and utility. And with its combined fuel-economy average of 23.9 mpg offering a substantial margin over the Tahoe's 20.9 mpg, the Benz easily wins our fuel-economy test, too.

Of course a comparison of fuel prices equalizes the game a little. During this test, we pay $3.579 per gallon for the Chevy's 87-octane gas, while the Benz's diesel costs us $4.179 per gallon. But because of the GL320's lower fuel consumption, we actually spent only a dollar more overall to fill its tank at the end of our test...

 

[ForcedTQ]

The normal GM Vortec 6.0 liter that is very well used is a non-variable valve timing V8 running the Otto combustion cycle (same valve time on intake and exhaust valves) with a 4-speed hydramatic automatic, and its reliability is proven.

The Tahoe 2-mode 6.0 liter V8 has variable valve timing, uses the Atkinson combustion cycle (shorter valve time on intake than exhaust, and this is the first engine GM has made with that technology that I know of), and has a new electrical system and very special transmission that combines aspects of a continually variable transmissions (CVT) with a traditional 4 speed automatic.

I am going to have to correct you on your incorrect description of the Atkinson cycle. The Atkinson cycle actually utilizes a longer intake valve event that lasts longer into the compression stroke, (thats the stroke right after the intake stroke). This allows the piston to rise in its bore with less restriction than it would have otherwise.

A side effect of this when used in a naturally aspirated configuration, is reduced Maximum engine power caused by reduced volume of Oxygen present in the combustion chamber during ignition; that occurs because some of the intake charge was expelled back through the open intake valve during the compression stroke. This is why the Horsepower rating of this engine is some 45 HP less than that of the same engine using a conventional intake lobe timing camshaft. The benefit of this cycle is increased engine efficiency caused by reduced pumping losses, hence why they chose this cycle for the Hybrid application.

The rest of the engine it self is using the same components as a traditional L76 6.0L engine that comes in the entire truck lineup. The only component that has changed is the camshaft. The L76 has an adjustable camshaft phaser, that either advances or retards the camshaft lobes I and E equally.:yup: