The LA Times Article on the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid is a little interesting. Not the least of which is it calling out Green Car Journal as a GM chorister. I also like their comparing the green reputation of the Prius to that of this "awful, blot-out-the-sun SUV": "People have accused Prius owners of being ostentatiously green, but the badge-barnacled Tahoe Hybrid might as well have roof-mounted green emergency lights and a "Green Green!" whoop siren.
You have to admit, the GM greenwashing machine (I suppose that's akin to the new Neptune-use-less-water, efficient, front-loading "green washing machine", ha) is brillinat. "It's a hybrid, it's green, look at how we are helping the planet". all the while the smog emissions from the Tahoe/Yukon hybrid is higher than the gas-only. Bigger 6.0L engine in the hybrid versus a 5.3L in the gas-only. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm. Thanks cwerdna for the link. also from usbseawolf: http://www.gm.com/explore/fuel_economy/altfuel/emissions/50state/pdf/2008MY.pdf wow. Can people really buy this? Sure, GM told me it's better. It's all how it's sold and marketed. Just plain stupid.
Maybe they were never really on the wagon? Remember how long it takes to develop a vehicle...years. The plans for the new seqouia were laid out at least 3 years ago, thats 2004.
On another emissions tangent: http://www.greenercars.org/highlights_greenest.htm where do all the GM cars go? Sad.
Can we have an admin fix that ridiculous avatar please. Is that the latest "under the bridge" fashion? Talking about size not the comic book picture.
Isn't that funny though? GM continues to try to sell land boats like the Hummer, the Tahoe, Suburban, ad nausium ... rather than make something higher mileage like a RX-400h / HiHY sized true hybrid. They don't get it. The world no longer has surplus fuel to waste, and that excess is no longer a sign of affluence, but rather more akin to foolish/goofy ego building exercise.
You must have missed the launch of the new Sequoia. Does it not qulify as a land boat because it is a toyota?
someone once said on this forum that Chevy/GM have the same lineup as Toyota if the Prius is not counted. Okay, let's not count the Sequoia against Toyota. Fair? Toyota still shines brighter than GM...sales, quality, MPG. Again, just an opinion, of course. YMMV.
I think everyone has to look at both sides versus just one. You have to give credit to GM for coming up with ideas and vehicles as I would give Toyota the credit for there cars and ideas. I see toyota vehicles come with 20,000 miles and have terminal engine failure. I see them with 250,000 miles and no issues. Every vehicle make and model will have issues. I see it with Ford, Dodge, Mercedez, And ect. Toyota uses Dana axles and other driveline components made by DANA.
I love doing research! I just spent some time studying the Chevy Tahoe and the Toyota Sequoia. Both of these are 2008 models. I'm going to compare the two upper models of these SUV's. 2008 Tahoe-Curb weight of 5,430 lbs 4x2 (14/19) 4.8L 295H/305T (V8) 4x2 (14/20) 5.3L 320H/340T (V8) 4x4 (14/19) Also equipped with the 5.3L 4x4 (11/14) 5.3L Flex Fuel/Ethanol 4x4 (20/20) 5.3L (320H/340T) V-8 2008 Toyota Sequoia Curb-Weight 7100 lbs 4x2 (14/19) 5.7L (381H/401T) V-8 4x4 (13/18) 5.7L (381H/401T) V-8 Now there is a 4.7L V-8 available but only for the SR5. Gets 13/16 (276H/314T) of course your going to sacrifice gas mileage when using ethanol. generally 3-4MPG but it all depends on your foot too. I'm not siding with either manufacturer but for the bang for your buck in a SUV the Tahoe Hybrid is the way to go. 20 MPG is darn good for a large truck by todays standards.
Of course, one wonders what kind of mileage one gets in the winter time with the Tahoe. I presume that 20 is the optimal mileage that you can get in the warmer weather. For those in areas where the weather is always warm, that may be a moot point but for those of us in four-season climates, mileage drops off in the winter. I was getting 32 mpg with my HiHy just before the weather got cold and am now getting around 28. With my Prius, I was getting 56 in the summer and 50 in the winter. What would I get with a Tahoe in the summer, 20? What would I get in the winter then?
Winter shminter, MPG in the 30's is simply the "way to go", no matter how you cut it. We can easily get in the 30 mpg's in our AWD Lexus SUV hybrid, too. The Tahoe is the "way to go" ??. I suppose, if you can somehow justify needing a land boat. 95% of Tahoes that you see chuggin' down the freeway, or drifting accross the store parking lots only have 3 or 4 people in them at the most. So, why do you need the extra 1,500 lbs of steel ?
I think that you're misunderstanding here. What I asked is what would the Tahoe get in the winter? They say that it will get 20 but that's too vague. Read what I said, don't react to it.
Is it not Ironic, though, that GM offers Hybrid technology--regardless of how effective/efficient? After all, they did had an almost-ready-for-market 80 MPG hybrid car (Precept) which began developement back in 1993 as part of the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNGV And GM was responsible for what was likely the most successful domestic attempt at a purpose built electric car with, of course, the EV1...my question to them is: Where the hell have you been for the last 10 years?
Same reason you need a Lexus AWD? Do you always have very seat full when you drive your lexus SUV? Aren't you a touch hypocritial? Maybe its ok to drive Lexus SUV and not a Chevy SUV?
