2012 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

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2012 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

Starting MSRP $51,970–$54,775


Expert Reviews

By Cars.com Staff

Cars.com National January 9, 2012

Vehicle Overview

Chevrolet's Tahoe Hybrid full-size SUV has room for up to eight people and can tow up to 6,200 pounds. Both rear- and four-wheel-drive versions are offered.

New for 2012

The Tahoe Hybrid's standard electronic stability system now features electronic trailer-sway control and hill start assist. A new stereo with a 30-gigabyte hard drive, navigation, a 7-inch touch-screen, recording capability and a USB port is standard, as are side-impact airbags for the front seats.

Exterior

The Tahoe Hybrid looks much like a regular Tahoe SUV, which is to say that it features a relatively squared-off shape. However, there are a number of subtle (and not so subtle) differences between the two. Exterior features include:

  • Revised D-pillar and flared ends for the running boards to lessen drag
  • Aluminum hood and liftgate to save weight
  • 18-inch aluminum wheels fitted with low-rolling-resistance tires
  • Hybrid badges on the front fenders, C-pillars and liftgate

Interior

The cabin of the Tahoe Hybrid is similar to the gas-only Tahoe, but it includes some hybrid-specific cues. Interior features include:

  • Lightweight front seats
  • Economy gauge in instrument panel to encourage frugal driving behavior
  • Standard navigation system with hybrid power-flow animation
  • 16.9 cubic feet of cargo room behind third row
  • Power-adjustable pedals

Under the Hood

The Tahoe Hybrid features GM's two-mode hybrid system. It includes a 6.0-liter V-8 engine that makes 332 horsepower and has cylinder deactivation technology, which can deactivate half the cylinders when they aren't needed. The system's first mode — which allows the Tahoe Hybrid to move on just electric power, just engine power or a combination of the two — is designed for city and light-load driving. The second, mostly highway, mode provides electric-power assist for the V-8. Mechanical features include:

  • Electrically Variable Transmission with two electric motors and four forward gears
  • Rear- or four-wheel drive
  • Can move on electric power alone up to 30 mph, according to Chevrolet

Safety

Standard safety features include:

  • Three-row side curtain airbags
  • Seat-mounted side-impact airbags for the front seats
  • Electronic stability system with electronic trailer-sway control and hill start assist
  • Antilock brakes

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