Hello,

I was active on the board back in 2004 when I bought my Prius and logged the first 12k of driving.

In 2005, my driving needs changed when my job allowed me to take light rail to work, so my wife started driving the Prius (which is why the subsequent 40k have not been logged).

I just ordered a 2008 Chevy Tahoe (4wd) 2-mode hybrid to replace my 1999 Suburban. I will have it next week. Before you flame me, I actually use the SUV for towing, hauling, and to drive to our cabin in New Mexico that actually requires 4wd and high clearance, particularly in winter with deep snow and ice. The suburban usually sat except when I neede it for these things. I am also replacing an Impala, which I drive to the train station and to pick-up/drop-off kids at school. I expect the Tahoe to have comparable fule economy to the Impala for this use.

Jason, when is the Tahoe/Yukon going to be added to the database?

Thanks,
Tom

 

Thanks you TOM!

How did you buy it? Was this a 'look at a catalog' and order? General price range?

You're located in what part of the country?

BTW, I'd recommend ignoring the first tank . . . you've got to 'have some fun.' The subsequent tanks will be a lot more fun to read about!

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

 

I did a test drive at the dealer a week ago (most dealers in our area have one demonstrator on the lot, delivered the first week of February). Sat down with the sales guy to pick our options. There was no current inventory matching our selections, then they ordered one from the factory. They called this week to say a VIN was assigned, and my truck was tagged at the factory. Paid north of $50k, but less than sticker.

We live in the Dallas, Texas area.

No doubt I'll play around the first few tanks before really trying to max out the milage.

Tom

 

I took delivery on Monday, February 18th. The Tahoe had 9 miles and a full tank of gas when I picked it up. We've had lows in the 30's-50's at night and highs ranging from the 50's to the 80's. Both sunny and rainy days. It has 230 miles after 7 days. We normally will not drive it that much, but we're still playing.

First Impressions:
Accelleration is faster and smoother than a typical Tahoe/Suburban. Transition from electric to ICE is smooth. Electric drive-by-wire steering is different from the typical chevy truck. Steering actually feels similar to my 2001 Impala.

Braking - much more responsive than typical mushy feel of a GM truck, but not a drastic as a Prius. Regen kicks in as soon as you let off the gas like a Prius, but the car does not slow down as dramatically when coasting. I attribute this mostly to vehicle mass, but it could be that the regen rate is less drastic unless the brakes are applied. I don't have an external monitor to measure this.

Creep: letting off the brake with no gas applied, the car crawls forward fairly quickly, like my Impala, picks up speed more than a typical Tahoe/Suburban.

Energy display is very similar to Prius, but it does not show traction battery state. I have not been able to duplicate a 'glide' where no power is applied to the wheels, but with no regen either.

The 6L V8 drops to V4 mode very easily once you stop accellerating - this makes the intant fuel economy nearly double. There is no physical sensation when this happens, it is as seamless as when the ICE turns on and off. The tachometer is a little distracting, becuase the ICE RPMs vary inconstentaly with your actual speed.

As with the Pruis, the ICE needs to come to temperature before it will start turning off. It seems to retain heat well, and will come to temperature quickly, even if you let it sit for a hour or so between trips in cold weather, although I don't think it has a thermos like the Prius.

My wife likes it much beter than our old Suburban, I attribute this to the steering and braking. She tends to gas/brake/gas/brake more when driving than I do, so she likes the responsiveness. That's is why she only gets 40-45 in the Prius, instead of 50.

Lots of toys! XM radio and NAV are new to me. Heated seats are really nice on cold mornings, even in Texas. Since there is no traction battery state display, you don't get instant feedback on how much you're running it down. I haven't even tried the aux input for my MP3 player because I'm playing with the XM. The auto climate control works well, but runs in AC mode more than I would chose; so as with the Prius, I tend to control it mannually. The Hybrid-specific front seats give the back seat a couple more inches of leg room. Back-up camera and back-up assist is neat too, but I've been driving Suburbans since I was 16 and still defer to the mirrors.

Tom

 

Cool, neighbor
Looking forward to many reports!