Two for the Road USA Review 2011 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid for Green Living Magazine

As Seen in Green Living Magazine

Scottsdale, Arizona - August 2011
By:  Bill Zervakos and Cathy Droz

IF IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR KERMIT THE FROG...

Little did Kermit the frog know that the color of his skin would become a buzz word for products, services and new businesses everywhere? In the automotive industry especially; hybrids are quickly becoming the fashionable vehicle to own. It appears everyone wants to align themselves with green ethics and save the earth. However, we have also grown accustomed to all the space and versatility SUV’s give us. Some lifestyles and hobbies simply aren’t a good match for a tiny hybrid, so why not go green and satisfy your need for space and power with a hybrid SUV?

We’ve chosen the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. This Hybrid was introduced in 2008 and it combines an all purpose, full-size, four-door, family-oriented SUV with the substantial increase in fuel economy so typical of a hybrid vehicle.The Chevy Tahoe is available in 2WD and 4WD models. General Motors’ 2-mode hybrid system conserves energy by using an electrically variable transmission, a 300-volt storage system and a 332-hp 6.0L Vortec V8 engine with active fuel management. The Tahoe Hybrid is able to accelerate using only the electric motor. Chevy added to its efficiency by having the liftgate and hood made of aluminum, thus improving aerodynamics. To complete the package, low-rolling resistance tires and a 0.4-inch lower ride height were added.

For a family SUV, you can’t beat the fact that the Tahoe seats up to eight passengers and can tow up to 6200 pounds with the 2WD model and up to 5900 pounds with the 4WD model. Don’t worry about giving up safety with this lighter SUV as dual stage front airbags, side curtain airbags, four wheel anti lock brakes, stabilitrak stability control system with rollover mitigation, tire pressure monitoring system and OnStar are all standard.

If you are considering buying and driving a hybrid SUV, here are a few of the advantages:

People Moving – You can fit up to 9 people in a SUV. Instead of taking two vehicles, just pile everyone in your hybrid SUV. Save on gas and one less car to pollute the environment.

Means of Transport - Whether it’s a trip to Home Depot for some solar panels, taking you’re first born to college with all his gear, or food shopping for six with your cloth bags, the space of a Hybrid SUV is the same as non-hybrid. The difference is in fuel cost and the footprint on mother earth.

Pulling Passions - No need to give up camping, boating or snowmobiling because you can’t tow it behind a Prius. A Hybrid SUV can get 20-50% better fuel economy than your average SUV and you can fit everything and everyone in it.A Hybrid SUV, what a concept?

 You don’t have to give up anything except all the trips to the gas station and unlike Kermit the frog’s theme song; “It isn’t easy being green,” the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid doesn’t seem to have a problem at all.

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
MPG - 20 City /23 Hwy
MSRP - $48,332 - $50,983
Basic Warranty – 36 month 36,000 miles
Nickel-Metal Battery – 8 year /100,000 mile warranty