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Old 01-10-2008, 04:19 AM   #1
AVANTI R5
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Default REVIEW: Spies get a first drive in the new Tahoe Hybrid- Does it deliver?

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You can be sure anything hybrid will be top of mind at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

So the arrival today of our new Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid tester, couldn't have shown up at a better time.

Our friend Dan Neil of the LA Times reviewed it and in our opinion (as well as others on the net) kinda slammed it.

After driving it most of today, I'm having a hard time knowing why.

Aside from the price premium, I can't really see a downside on the Hybrid Tahoe.

In fact, there are certain things I like better about it than the regular version.

It's a lot quieter and smoother driving than the gas version.

But let's face it, nobody cares about that.

The ONLY thing anyone really wants to know, is what is the REAL mileage like on this new Hybrid?

Is it like other GM products like this in the past that cost a lot more and got 1-2 MPG better?

Before I tell you about our mileage experience let me say to all you consumers out there looking for information on new models this small piece of info you would think should be in ALL reviews, is not very easy to find!

Is it just me or does EVERY person who reviews a product NEVER tell you there own mileage experience?

Seems like they ONLY list the EPA numbers...including Danny Boy Neil.

Which in the case of this vehicle, makes the review totally useless in my opinion.

Drum roll please....

So with no further ado, we will actually tell you WHAT the real life mileage is!

And it's damn impressive for a tank like this.

How does a range of 19.5-24.8 sound?

Cruising down the I-5 today we were registering 24.8MPG.

On a full size SUV!

And we have the pictures to prove it!

Around town it was lower but still impressive, just under 20MPG.

Now considering the regular Tahoe we had could only get 12MPG, 15MPG highway, that's a HUGE difference.

And at $50,400 and change, it still undercuts the price of the most loaded gas Tahoe out there.

If you live in the real world, we believe you will be impressed the new Tahoe and Escalade Hybrids.

But if you were expecting to turn the key on this thing and get Prius mileage, then nothing will impress you.

Kudo's to GM...The new Chevy Tahoe Hybrid gets the 'GREEN' light from AutoSpies.com.
http://www.autospies.com/news/REVIEW...deliver-25135/
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Old 01-10-2008, 06:14 AM   #2
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Impressive numbers in an SUV that size. I really wish they would have actually calculated the mpg instead of trusting the onboard computer. Nearly every car I've been in is slightly optimistic about the mpg. I've had 19 mile trips in my GTI register over 40mpg on the trip computer, but my best full tank has been 33.2mpg. They really should have burned a whole tank doing mostly highway driving and then burned a tank doing city driving if they wanted honest mpg results.

~~Quentin the stickler
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Old 01-10-2008, 10:16 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by quentinberg007 View Post
Impressive numbers in an SUV that size. I really wish they would have actually calculated the mpg instead of trusting the onboard computer. Nearly every car I've been in is slightly optimistic about the mpg. I've had 19 mile trips in my GTI register over 40mpg on the trip computer, but my best full tank has been 33.2mpg. They really should have burned a whole tank doing mostly highway driving and then burned a tank doing city driving if they wanted honest mpg results.

~~Quentin the stickler
I'm with you on that one. I don't trust the onboard mpg computers.
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Old 01-10-2008, 09:18 AM   #4
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33.2 for a gti? didnt realize they got that much
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Old 01-10-2008, 09:19 AM   #5
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They could get the same of similar mileage from a diesel engine, and it'd have much better towing capacity.
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Old 01-10-2008, 10:24 AM   #6
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So do people by hybrids to 'save' money on gas, or do they buy them to help the environment, because a hybrid uses less gas?

I believe that hybrids were created for the second purpose, to use less gas and be kinder to the environment.

Are people going to buy this with the expectation they're going to save money each week because they use less gas? If so, do you think they take into account the premium they paid up front? And if this premium was amortized over the life of the vehicle they probably don't 'save' anything...

Just my pet peeve with hybrids. DOn't get me wrong though, if I had $50k I might look at this.
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Old 01-10-2008, 12:30 PM   #7
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So do people by hybrids to 'save' money on gas, or do they buy them to help the environment, because a hybrid uses less gas?

I believe that hybrids were created for the second purpose, to use less gas and be kinder to the environment.

Are people going to buy this with the expectation they're going to save money each week because they use less gas? If so, do you think they take into account the premium they paid up front? And if this premium was amortized over the life of the vehicle they probably don't 'save' anything...

Just my pet peeve with hybrids. DOn't get me wrong though, if I had $50k I might look at this.
Well, with this Tahoe, they are saying it comes in similar or below the price point of a similar full-gas model. I guess that makes this a good decision overall. BUT, it is a fact that the regular models get sold at $10-15K below sticker all day long. Will that happen with these? Probably not...
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Old 01-10-2008, 08:06 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NALegacy101 View Post
Well, with this Tahoe, they are saying it comes in similar or below the price point of a similar full-gas model. I guess that makes this a good decision overall. BUT, it is a fact that the regular models get sold at $10-15K below sticker all day long. Will that happen with these? Probably not...
They're saying a base hybrid model comes in below a fully loaded non-hybrid model. There is no way the hybrid is really cheaper.
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Old 01-10-2008, 12:37 PM   #9
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So 50K for this thing. Yikes!

Those numbers are impressive but does this thing really need to exist. If you have a large family wouldn't a minivan get this mileage and drive better for a much better price.

That would leave these for those that need off road and towing capabilities. Does the hybrid system work at all for this? Does it even come in 4WD forum unlike the Vue Hybrid? If it does not then I am not sure what they are really doing for the environment or why I should buy this
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Old 01-10-2008, 03:16 PM   #10
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Does it even come in 4WD forum unlike the Vue Hybrid?
Yes - for another $3000 I looked at the 08 Tahoe brochure when I was at the Chevy dealer and I also found it interesting that the Hybrid has the highest tow-rating of any Tahoe, by a significant amount. It's a big 6.0L V8 plus the electric motors. Some people who have serious towing needs will end up buying the hybrid due to their requirements, not for philosophical reasons.

I like the cars out now that use Hybrid technology for performance, not just efficiency. I wonder if you can apply it to AWD - stick 4 electric motors onto each wheel, electronically regulate power/speed, and call it a day. No more differentials to worry about.
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Old 01-10-2008, 03:55 PM   #11
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I like the cars out now that use Hybrid technology for performance, not just efficiency. I wonder if you can apply it to AWD - stick 4 electric motors onto each wheel, electronically regulate power/speed, and call it a day. No more differentials to worry about.
the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX400h AWD models drive their rear wheels solely via the electric motors iirc. once series hybrids such as the Volt come out then surely we'll see a series hybrid AWD model that works as you describe.
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Old 01-10-2008, 06:07 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jey View Post

I like the cars out now that use Hybrid technology for performance, not just efficiency. I wonder if you can apply it to AWD - stick 4 electric motors onto each wheel, electronically regulate power/speed, and call it a day. No more differentials to worry about.
this is a terrific idea i have yet to see be carried out efficiently.
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Old 01-10-2008, 08:20 PM   #13
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this is a terrific idea i have yet to see be carried out efficiently.
4WD, 640hp hybrid Mini. 932 miles per tank (starting w/ a full battery), 80mpg. 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006...ybrid_mini.php

This is what a performance variant of the Chevy Volt could do if things work out.
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Old 01-10-2008, 08:51 PM   #14
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this is a terrific idea i have yet to see be carried out efficiently.
Honda tried this with their Accord hybrid. It died a very quiet death.
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Old 01-10-2008, 02:47 PM   #15
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Doesn't the GM hybrid system work well for towing, which is why Mercedes and BMW licensed it instead of the Toyota system?
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Old 01-10-2008, 02:50 PM   #16
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this is probably the most ironic car on the road.
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Old 01-10-2008, 03:07 PM   #17
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This hybrid retains its towing capacity.

I want a Surburban Hybrid. It'd get better than my towncar's 17-21MPG. And I could get in my driveway in the snow.
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Old 01-10-2008, 05:27 PM   #18
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little over 20 mpg on a full size suv is not bad but, u could can get better mpg than that with a v6 small v8 diesel engine alone.

it would be nice to see a full size suv with a small diesel v8 & the hybrid system
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Old 01-10-2008, 08:01 PM   #19
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Using hybrid technology for performance is not good in my opinion, unless the hybrid batteries can be externally charged.

Think about it, you're on your favorite twisty mountain road and enjoying that instant torque the hybrid system motors give you, but then the batteries run out in no time at all. Not so fun then.
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