2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 4WD: The First Green Full Size SUV

By Angus Myles

When you hear that a car is a hybrid, do you think of a small oriental constructed vehicle that is shaped like a wedge? I know I do. So I was surprised to find that the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe with four-wheel drive (4WD) that I would driving be for this weeks review was also a hybrid model.

According to Wikipedia, A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles, which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.

So what is that combination of power doing in a Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD? It is delivering impressive fuel economy especially during the stop and go of its around town, 20 Miles per Gallon (MPG) and its 23 MPG out on I-95. This promotes an estimated $2,142 fuel cost savings annually. This means General Motor's first "full" hybrid boosts the four-wheel-drive Chevrolet Tahoe by a whopping 43 percent.

But it comes at a price. You see the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Cost (MSRP) of this vehicle is $51,145. Fully loaded like the one I got to drive puts the total over $56,000. Just remember that the non-hybrid model has a MSRP of $37,980 and tops out at just over $54,000.

The Hybrid model is powered by a 6.0-liter V8 engine paired with a pair of 60-kilowatt electric motors located inside its specialized automatic transmission. Working together they produce 332 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque that give a seamless performance.

The folks at General Motors made a number of changes in the Tahoe Hybrid to improve the fuel economy. You see unfortunately all the equipment that makes the Hybrid work adds over 350 pounds. So to compensate they changed a number of pieces to aluminum including the hood. They also installed thinner, lighter seats and forged aluminum wheels. To maximize aerodynamics the hybrid's lower front fascia is devoid of holes and extends closer to the ground to decrease the amount of turbulent air passing under the truck plus they added a roof-mounted spoiler at the rear to smooth airflow over the top.

Inside the 2011 Chevrolet Hybrid 4WD is an eight-passenger full-size SUV offered in a single trim level. Standard equipment includes power-folding heated side mirrors, remote start, power-adjustable pedals, rear park assist with a rearview camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a hybrid power flow display, leather upholstery, power front seats and tri-zone automatic climate control. Also standard are Bluetooth, OnStar, a navigation system and a nine-speaker Bose audio system with CD/MP3 stereo, satellite radio and a USB port. A sunroof and a rear-seat entertainment system are optional.

The big question is can you tell the difference when driving. Yes, but not much. Here is why; The Tahoe Hybrid starts with electric power and the piston engine kicks in after the speed reaches approximately 30 MPH. After the first day or two this transition is hardly noticeable. As it is a bit heavy the Tahoe Hybrid is kind of lazy under full power. Plus acceleration is good but not quite as sharp as you might expect given the advertised horsepower and torque.

I think Chevrolet has done a great job with the Tahoe Hybrid 4WD for 2011. It gets Impressive fuel economy in city operation; has a well-executed interior; has eight-passenger capacity, generous cargo room and traditional solid looks.