The Chevrolet Tahoe is available in four models (LS, LT, LTZ, and hybrid) for 2009, ranging in price from $37,915 to $51,405. Now in its second year of production, the 2009 Chevy Tahoe hybrid is mainly unchanged from 2008 with the following exceptions. The ‘09 model now has power-adjustable pedals, Bluetooth connectivity, real-time NavTraffic, and OnStar’s stolen vehicle slow down assistance (where OnStar rep’s can decrease the speed of the vehicle in the event it is stolen). Other than that, it looks and drives pretty much the same as it did last year (which is great news in my opinion, as this vehicle won the 2008 Green Car of the Year award from Green Car Journal).
If you’ve driven one of the gas-only (or FlexFuel) Chevy Tahoes in the past couple of years, the hybrid model would seem very familiar. In fact, if you stripped away the nine hybrid exterior badges, the only difference you’d notice before turning the key would likely be the unique instrument panel. Basically, I see it as a Green LTZ.
Once you begin driving the “hybridized Tahoe”, you really start to notice how it’s different from the other three models. For starters, your wallet (or purse) will be lighter - since you’ll have to spend about $5,000 more for the green technology. In city driving, the hybrid version averages about 6 mpg better than other Tahoe models, and just slightly better on the highway (21 city, 22 hwy for the 2 WD hybrid Tahoe). Most of the miles per gallon improvement is achieved as a result of two electric motors which help to generate enough electricity to move this mammoth SUV (5,600 lbs) from zero to about 25 mph without any help from the 6.0 liter V8 engine. Assisting in the magic act are regenerative braking and cylinder-deactivation (essentially turning the V8 into a V4 when the extra power is not needed).
What I find most valuable about the 2009 hybrid Tahoe is the passenger room, cargo room, and towing capacity. While the Tahoe is listed as a 9 passenger hybrid SUV, most experts agree that it seats 5 or 6 comfortably. Assuming you aren’t hauling around the Brady Bunch, the Partridge Family, or the gang from Eight is Enough, I’m guessing the Tahoe can move your clan from point A to point B. (This vehicle would have come in handy for me last week when I hauled 4 people, 2 golf bags, a large dog pet carrier, 4 suitcases, and lots of miscellaneous items around the Midwest. Fortunately, we managed to fit everyone and everything into a Toyota Highlander, just barely…but imagine taking this trip in a Hybrid Civic or Toyota Prius!). Point is, if you need a lot of room, and you want to go green, the hybrid Tahoe delivers. And, if you need to pull a boat, trailer, or some other large object, the 4WD hybrid Tahoe is rated at 6,000 pounds of towing capacity.
As an added bonus, the 2009 Tahoe scored a perfect 5 stars in government crash tests (frontal and side impact).
More expert reviews and test drive results can be found at:
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