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CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID

Published 9:55 am Friday, February 20, 2009

For people-moving, cargo-hauling and toy-towing on a grand scale, the Chevy Tahoe full-size SUV has always been a champion in its class. But Tahoe’s character was tarnished by its lamentable gas mileage.

Tahoe’s reputation was cleaned up considerably with the introduction of a new Hybrid version for model year 2008 — the first full-size SUV hybrid in the industry.

Two-wheel-drive Tahoe Hybrids have a fuel economy rating of 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. For city driving, that’s a 50 percent improvement. Four-wheel-drive versions are rated at 20 mpg for both city and highway. These fuel economy numbers are comparable to those of some midsize sedans.

Tahoe’s hybrid system uses GM’s all-new electrically variable transmission with two electric motors, a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System, and a Vortec 6.0-liter V8 gasoline engine with Active Fuel Management (AFM) and late intake valve closing technology. With AFM, the V8 engine operates on four cylinders when power demand is low — as during straight highway cruising or light loads — for better fuel economy. The Tahoe Hybrid can launch and drive up to 30 mph using electricity alone, and stay in four-cylinder gas engine mode for longer periods than a non-hybrid version.

Hybrid towing capacity is 6,200 pounds with 2WD and 6,000 pounds with 4WD. (Maximum towing for a conventional Tahoe with 5.3-liter V8 and HD towing package is 8,400 lbs with 2WD and 8,200 lbs with AWD).

New features for the Tahoe Hybrid for 2009 include Bluetooth connectivity, XM satellite radio with new real-time NavTraffic, adjustable power pedals, and OnStar 8.0 with Stolen Vehicle Slow Down, turn-by-turn navigation and destination download.

There’s also a new exterior color called Blue Granite Metallic.

With Stolen Vehicle Slow Down, after receiving confirmation from police that the Tahoe has been reported stolen, OnStar operators can disable the moving vehicle.

My tester was a 4WD model in the appealing new exterior color. Standard equipment is as generous as the Tahoe is large, including anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, six-way power adjustable and heatable driver seat, all the new ’09 features listed above, Bose premium sound system, rearview camera, three-zone climate control, and locking rear differential.

The two options on the tester were a rear seat entertainment system ($1,295) and a power sunroof ($995).

The 2009 Tahoe Hybrid is strikingly handsome inside and out, with impressive build quality and a near-luxury feel. Passengers experience a superlatively quiet and comfortable ride, and the driver gets to enjoy responsive steering, quick and powerful braking, satisfying performance and barely noticeable transitions in the electric-gas operation of the hybrid system. The vehicle’s handling behavior belies its big size.

Tahoe’s vast interior space has been used wisely, with perfect-sized stowage bins and spaces throughout. The third-row seats fold and flip out of the way with little effort when more rear cargo space is needed.

I liked that the exterior Hybrid badging is large and bold, because I didn’t want people to think I was getting lamentable gas mileage.

The tester didn’t have the big painted-on HYBRID lettering you see along the vehicle’s side in the photograph here. Good thing, too. It’s not attractive and it’s overkill — even if you want the world to know you’re in a hybrid.