2012 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Review
The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is a full sized 8 passenger SUV and comes in one fully loaded trim, offering buyers a blending of both utility and luxury. The Tahoe Hybrid’s V8 engine by itself is rated at 332hp with 367lb-ft of torque and is joined by two 60-kilowatt electric motors that GM engineers state puts combined output of the gas and electric at 379hp. A few of the standard features include remote ignition, power folding heated mirrors/driver’s side auto-dimming,, cruise control, power-adjustable pedals, OnStar, Bluetooth, hybrid-specific trip computer, navigational system, rearview camera and much more. A backseat entertainment system and sunroof are also optional.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
Buyers who want to leave a smaller environmental footprint yet still require the towing capabilities and size of a large SUV should strongly consider the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid; especially if regularly encountering stop and go traffic, as efficiency is maximized in those driving conditions.
What’s New For 2012:
In 2012 The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid received standard front seat side airbags, a new stereo system and a hard drive based navigational system.
What is the Predicted Reliability:
J.D. Power scored the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid an overall initial quality rating of 4 out of 5, including powertrain mechanical quality. Body and interior mechanical quality, powertrain design quality along with features and accessories design quality received a score of 3.5.
Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:
Standard on the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid are stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags/side curtain airbags, OnStar emergency communications andrear parking sensors. The NHTSA awarded an overall score of 4 Stars out of 5 with 5 Stars for frontal and side crash protection, along with 3 Stars for rollover crashes.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+Very impressive city MPG
+Carries 8 passengers
+Generous cargo space
Cons
-Third row seats must be removed & stored
-Some Hybrid specific information not as user friendly as others
-Hybrid pricier than standard Tahoe
Head-To-Head Competition:
While the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid starts substantially higher than the Ford Escape it’s comparably priced to the GMC Yukon Hybrid and both the Tahoe Hybrid, as well as the Yukon Hybrid are more capable; including both having max towing capabilities of 6,200lbs and V8 engines that produce 332hp. The Escape is only rated with max towing capabilities of 1000lbs and has an inline-4 that produces 177hp. The Tahoe and Yukon both can carry 8 passengers, while the Escape can only accommodate 5. The Tahoe and Yukon also both come with leather seats, while the Escape offers premium cloth. Fuel efficiency is also comparable between the Tahoe Hybrid and Yukon Hybrid at 20MPG city/23MPG highway compared to the Ford Escape with 34/31MPG.
What Others Are Saying:
"Though the Tahoe Hybrid is not as efficient as most smaller cars (hybrid or non-hybrid), it is currently the greenest choice for those in genuine need of a large SUV. Bottom line: If you need to tote a bunch of kids and/or tow a trailer, this is the horse to ride." – Hybrid Cars
"The Tahoe Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class, and its good gas mileage doesn’t come at the expense of diminished towing capacity." – US News
Read more about the fuel-efficient 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid at the Chevrolet manufacturer site.
