You read the headline right. The full size SUV Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, when equipped with the dual mode hybrid system, get better fuel economy than Camry. In fact the hybrid version of these vehicles delivers a 50% increase in fuel economy over their standard non-hybrid version. GM announced an EPA estimated 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway for the 2 wheel drive hybrid Tahoe and
Yukon models. That matches Toyota Camry’s 4 cylinder model’s EPA estimated 21 mpg city and beats the 6 cylinder model by 2 mpg. All of this is possible without any compromise in power thanks to the world class dual mode hybrid technology. It is important to note that these estimates are using the EPA’s new more conservative “real world driving” ratings.
America has had a long love affair with the full size SUV. That relationship has been challenged by high fuel prices. Now you will be able to get the benefits of the full size Tahoe and Yukon with the mileage of a mid size sedan. Did I mention power? These hybrid family movers boast a 6.0 liter V8, delivering 332 horse power and 367 foot pounds of torque.
The dual mode hybrid system allows the Tahoe and Yukon to run up to 32 mph on electricity alone. After that speed, the trucks either run on gasoline alone, or a combination of gasoline and electricity. GM’s fuel management system will deactivate cylinders at highway speeds under low load increasing the fuel efficiency. What is really neat about this system is you don’t even know it is happening, and it operates flawlessly, unlike the old 2-4-8 system of the early 80’s.
GM is also planning to use the Two Mode system in its Silverado and Sierra pickups. I am certain as production capacity increases; you will see this system on many more GM vehicles. There is unconfirmed talk about it showing up on some of the mid sized luxury vehicles, but as close as I am to the GM brass, I could only get “I can neither confirm nor deny those rumors” out of my friends.
GM continues to invest heavily in alternative fuel technology. They offer the most E85 capable vehicles in the world that run on a fuel mixture of 85% ethanol, usually from corn, and 15% gasoline. The new Chevy Volt plug-in electric vehicle will run entirely on electricity, with gasoline only being used to run a generator when trips exceed 45 miles. GM also has a fleet of Hydrogen Powered Equinox SUV’s running America’s roads where the only emission is water vapor. I am working with GM to set up a demonstration running a hydrogen vehicle from Washington DC to Ocean City, demonstrating an emission free family vacation.
GM made its announcements about the fuel economy of the new Hybrids at the Texas State Fair. I cannot resist telling you this. Toyota brought its racing display and racing trailer. The racing trailer was towed to the fair not by Tundra, but by a one ton Chevy Silverado. I have pictures.
10 comments:
Why did you compare a SUV hybrid to a non-hybrid car. The 2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid gets 27 mpg in city and the Camry hybrid gets 34 mpg. Wouldn't these have been fairer comparison to go hybrid to hybrid?
Why would you compare a hybrid Suv to a non hybrid car. Wouldn't it have been a better comparison to use the hybrid Highlander which by the way gets 27mpg or the hybrid Camry that gets 34mpg. Oh by the way the trailer weighs to much to be SAFELY towed by a 1/2 ton pick-up which is all Toyota makes.
The comparison of the Tahoe Hybrid to a non hybrid vehicle was to make the point that a full size SUV can achieve the same type of fuel economy as a mid size car who’s reputation has been for fuel economy. I will research the Toyota Hybrid SUV, but industry experts have touted the GM dual hybrid system as far superior to Toyota’s current technology. This week I will be quoting a Business Week article that speaks to that paradigm shift in public perception of GM. It seems shocking that GM, who is known for building the worlds best full size work type vehicles, can be a leader in alternative fuel technology. As for the Toyota Tundra vs. the Chevy Silverado, you captured my thoughts precisely; Toyota doesn’t make a truck capable of towing heavy loads. That is not their strength. It is Chevrolet’s, and now Chevy is becoming a leader in fuel economy. Toyota is a great automobile company, and has deserved most of their success. They are now challenging the US auto industry in the segment that is their strongest. You can expect that Toyota’s entries in the truck segment will continue to challenge GM to build the best trucks money can buy. By the way, GM has 80% of the full size SUV market share. Toyota is in single digits in that market segment.
Lee
(I own a v6 '95 ford mustang so I'm not partial to either the toyota or chevy)
-I find it odd that the article brags about the tahoe getting better gas mileage: it does in the city (21 versus 19 for camry) but the camry gets 28 mpg on the freeway: much better than the 22 mpg for the tahoe.
-The article doesn't mention that the tahoe costs exactly twice (over $50,000 for tahoe hybrid versus $25 grand for top-end camry)
Did you know that the horspower to weight ratio is almost twice as much for the camry than for the tahoe? Did you know a camry then should be twice as fast (from a stop) than the tahoe?
The tahoe may have more horspower, but because it still weighs more than 3 tons it accelerates like a cement truck uphill against the wind.
The article I wrote is speaking of real world driving and realities in the marketplace. Not everyone can put their family and suitcases in a subcompact or compact car and go on vacation. No one can put 3,000 pounds of construction equipment and materials in a compact car and go to a job site. Sure I used the Toyota in the article for a bit of a WOW affect. It just illustrates in a shocking way. The customer for a Camry and the customer for a Tahoe Hybrid are not the same customer. Again, there are varieties in products worldwide to meet a variety of consumer wants and needs. Thank you for your comments.
Lee
Finally someone realizes that not everyone can fit into a compact car or even a standard sadan...as a 2001 Tahoe driver I would be very interested in a comparison between the new hybrid Tahoe & the hybrid Highlander. I love my Tahoe in except at the gas pump, I even thought about going to the Suburban until these rediculous gas prices. I am the primary transportation for my handicap sister & I have 3 sons (from my 6 ft, 208lb 13 yr old to my 2 yr old in a car seat). My 2 oldest boys play football, basketball & baseball so I need space for shoulder pads, helmets, balls, bat bags, stroller, wheelchair, etc. When we head out to football games I need space for 6 people, 2 dogs & all the afore mentioned parifanalia. I look forward to a review of the differences between the Tahoe & Highlander hybrids since right now they are the only 2 hybrid SUVs on the market that fit my needs.
The previous comment was deleted by me because someone had posted some immature comments that had no place in this forum.
Thanks, Lee.
I think the comparison between the two is ridiculous. Again, another way for SUV owners to feel ok about their vehicle choice. While I will say it's a step in the right direction, I'm still not that impressed. I have a family of 4 and we are able to function in my 2006 Toyota Corolla. I get 31 mpg mixed city/hwy driving on just a standard 4 cyl. My wife's Rondo is bigger and still gets better gas mileage than the Tahoe.
Now Jennifer posted about her sons playing sports and the need for space for helmets and pads. I played football at my school and I rode my bike to and from practice. Pads DO NOT take up that much room. While I understand some people have special needs (ie. wheelchair), certainly there are smaller vehicle choices than a Tahoe. The Tahoe still represents the epitomy of the American love of being showoffs.
The beauty of living in America is that we are free to have choices. Companies like General Motors attempt to build vehicles for different wants and needs. While the Tahoe and our larger vehicles meet the needs of some customers, we also have the most vehicles of any manufacturer that get over 30 MPG on the highway. GM is the world leader in hydrogen fuel cell technology having over 100 on the road for over a year now. The Chevy Volt plug in hybrid will likely be the first to market in the US and will burn no gasoline on a 40 mile commute. I applaud those who take energy savings as seriously as you do. We must, however be in the business of making vehicles for all uses. As a class of vehicle, pick up trucks still outsell all other vehicle segments, and it’s hard to put 50 bushels of crabs in a Prius.
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