Now more than ever, fuel
economy is on everyone’s minds and until recently, we would think:
Full size SUV equal, gas guzzler. Well, with the 2011 Chevrolet
Tahoe Hybrid, this is no longer true.
This writer recently had
the opportunity to do a Florida East Coast drive from Key Biscayne
to St. Augustine with the family. The long weekend included a side
trip to the tony Amelia Island resort area, which is just north of
Jacksonville, next to the Florida/Georgia border.
With our five travelers,
baggage and refreshments in place, we set off for St. Augustine.
Just prior to the start of the trip, I entered the particulars into
the onboard GPS navigation system and once we departed, the
turn-by-turn guidance made it a snap to get to our destination, even
with the sightseeing detours that we took along the way.
Now, back to the vehicle: Chevrolet has done an excellent job
keeping the look of the Tahoe fresh and contemporary. The design is
angular, offering chiseled-like patterns, especially in the front
area of the Tahoe. The Hybrid version has minor differences from the
regular Tahoe, namely, the low rolling resistance tires and a more
aerodynamic front bumper with lower valance. Front grill is dramatic
yet not gaudy, flanked by a pair of elegant headlights that create a
statement. There is a handy side step, making front and rear entry
and exit easy for all types of people, with an added benefit,
enhancing the Tahoe’s side profile.
At the start of our trip, we elected to fold one of the 3rd
row seats forward for baggage space and have the 5th
passenger sit on the other seat in this row. The 3rd
row seating is good for smaller people or kids; although not as
spacious or as comfortable as the 2nd
row bench seat, especially for a multi-hour drive. Mid-way through
the trip we elected to seat three in the 2nd
row. This seating arrangement, surprisingly, turned out to be quite
comfortable, even for the middle seat occupant. This is due in part,
to a flattened hump that gives good comfort to the occupant’s feet
and legs, not to mention, great visibility.
Inside the Tahoe, you
instantly notice the visual improvement on the fit and finish as
well as the quality of the materials. Steering wheel feels great to
the touch, thanks to the elegantly stitched leather wrapped rim. Our
test vehicle came with light carpet and beige leather seats, giving
the cabin a bright and airy feel. Center console is dominated by the
large infotainment touch screen as well as plenty of storage space
and cup-holders. The Tahoe has second row HVAC and audio/video
controls in the back of the center console, making adjustments for
the rear seat riders a breeze.
We made it into St.
Augustine by the late afternoon, driving into the historic city from
the southeast by way of a draw-bridge, putting us right in the heart
of downtown at sunset. The turn-by-turn GPS navigation system got us
to the foot of the door of the elegant Casa Monica Hotel, a historic
landmark in the center of the city were we would make our home for
the next two nights.
Next morning we set off
to Amelia Island by way of a scenic route. Our handy-dandy GPS
system was programmed to take us through non-highway roads, offering
a nice mix of sights and delights along the way. One of the
highlights was crossing the St. John’s River on a ferry, a first for
me! This was fun, made more so by the enthusiastic attendant
handling the cars in and out of the ferry. Amelia Island is an
elegant enclave located on the coast, north and east of
Jacksonville, offering pristine beaches and beautiful nature
preserves. We thoroughly enjoyed the scenic drive as well as a
hearty lunch at a local eatery. Our return was quicker, as we
selected I-95, putting us into Casa Monica before another amazing
sunset.
Driving the Tahoe Hybrid
is a delight. With its commanding view of the road and the
comfortable seating positions in all the seats, this is a
well-rounded and practical hybrid SUV. One highlight for me was
maximizing the battery-only operation. It is done only if the driver
has a feather-light throttle foot. My best was just under one mile
range and 26-27 MPH max speed, I felt as if I was driving a giant
gold-cart instead of an SUV. When the engine kicks in, there is a
slight shudder together with the tachometer needle indication,
showing the engine is back online. At highway speeds, the Tahoe
reverts back to a typical all-gas SUV, offering highway-like
economy, of course, only if the driver is gentle with the
accelerator pedal. One thing we really liked is the instant response
when the throttle is pressed aggressively, due in part, to the
torque from the electric motor assist, there is a battery level
regeneration feature when letting off the gas and using the brakes.
The Tahoe is a large vehicle, yet fits right in regardless of the
location; turning radius is London-taxi like, offering easy driving,
even in a tight, urban environment. As an added bonus, Chevrolet
offers the Tahoe Hybrid in two-wheel and four-wheel drive versions.
Handling is crisper than typical SUV’s and steering wheel
sensitivity is right on mark, in fact, we found that the Tahoe
handles surprisingly well for being a large vehicle. Brakes are
direct and effective, yet easy to modulate, offering consistently
smooth stops with little effort. Rear back up camera has become
de-rigueur on most large vehicles and it is a great feature, not
only for safety but for real world convenience as well.
We arrived home Sunday evening after a wonderful weekend with many
new memories of the sights and experiences in NE Florida. The Tahoe
Hybrid made the drive an even more pleasant one, thanks to its
comfort, performance and capability.
Want a large SUV as well as good fuel economy? The 2011 Chevrolet
Tahoe Hybrid gives you both and gives up nothing. With the Tahoe
Hybrid you definitely can have your cake and eat it too!
The Essentials:
MSRP: $53,540.00 (4WD version) MSRP (As tested): $56,430.00
Fuel Economy (Observed): 19.5 MPG
Engine: V8, 6.0 liter, 332 HP with 2-mode continuous electric ratio
hybrid w/ four fixed gears.
Popular Options: Rear seat entertainment system, Sunroof.
visit:
www.chevrolet.com
