Why you should buy the 2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid:
You need a full-size SUV for mid-level towing and passenger-carrying duties, and you plan to put enough miles on it that an almost 50% improvement in fuel economy is worth the substantially higher up-front price. You like the idea of having both gas and electric motors, but you think Priuses are for sissies.
Why you shouldn't buy this car:
You don't want to wait over 39,000 miles to pay off the added cost of the hybrid drivetrain. You need a full-size body-on-frame SUV that can tow more than 6,200 pounds. You're single, have no kids, and don't own a boat. You don't mind sacrificing some space and spec to get better fuel economy from a smaller vehicle. You think SUVs are the spawn of Satan, hybrid or otherwise.
Also Consider:
• Non-Hybrid Chevy Tahoe
• Chrysler Aspen / Dodge Durango Hybrid
• Non-Hybrid Chevy Tahoe
• Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
• Non-Hybrid Chevy Tahoe
• Mercedes-Benz GL 320 CDI
• Did we mention the non-hybrid Chevy Tahoe?
Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: Yes
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes
Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Chevrolet
· Model tested: Tahoe Hybrid 2WD
· Model year: 2008
· Base Price: $49,590
· Price as Tested: $52,780
· Engine type: 6.0-liter Vortec V8 with two-mode gasoline/electric hybrid
· Horsepower: 332 hp @ 5100 rpm
· Torque: 367 ft.-lbs. @ 4100 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: P265/65R-18 all-seasons on 18-inch aluminum wheels
· Drive type: Rear-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 8.8 seconds
· 1/4 mile: N/A
· Top speed: 118mph
· EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 21/22
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 5/5/Not Rated
Also See:
2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, Part One
2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, Part Two