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
