You need a full-size SUV for mid-level towing and passenger-carrying duties, and you plan to put enough miles on it that an almost 50% improvement in fuel economy is worth the substantially higher up-front price. You like the idea of having both gas and electric motors, but you think Priuses are for sissies.
You don't want to wait over 39,000 miles to pay off the added cost of the hybrid drivetrain. You need a full-size body-on-frame SUV that can tow more than 6,200 pounds. You're single, have no kids, and don't own a boat. You don't mind sacrificing some space and spec to get better fuel economy from a smaller vehicle. You think SUVs are the spawn of Satan, hybrid or otherwise.
• Non-Hybrid Chevy Tahoe
• Chrysler Aspen / Dodge Durango Hybrid
• Non-Hybrid Chevy Tahoe
• Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
• Non-Hybrid Chevy Tahoe
• Mercedes-Benz GL 320 CDI
• Did we mention the non-hybrid Chevy Tahoe?
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: Yes
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes
· Manufacturer: Chevrolet
· Model tested: Tahoe Hybrid 2WD
· Model year: 2008
· Base Price: $49,590
· Price as Tested: $52,780
· Engine type: 6.0-liter Vortec V8 with two-mode gasoline/electric hybrid
· Horsepower: 332 hp @ 5100 rpm
· Torque: 367 ft.-lbs. @ 4100 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: P265/65R-18 all-seasons on 18-inch aluminum wheels
· Drive type: Rear-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 8.8 seconds
· 1/4 mile: N/A
· Top speed: 118mph
· EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 21/22
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 5/5/Not Rated
Exterior Design: **Whether you love or hate big SUVs, the 2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid sports…