Chevrolet Tahoe: Hybrid Vs. Gas
- Perhaps the easiest question to answer when comparing the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid to the gasoline-powered version is the pricing. Hybrid versions of most vehicles run more than their gasoline-engine counterparts, and the Tahoe is no exception. The standard gasoline-engine model of the 2010 Tahoe starts at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $37,280. The base MSRP of the hybrid is $50,720.
- The most obvious difference between the vehicles is fuel efficiency. The hybrid gets better gas mileage than the standard version. The difference isn't as big as you might think, though. The standard 2010 Tahoe gets 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 on the highway. The hybrid is only a little better on the highway (22 miles per gallon), but the 21 miles per gallon in the city is a big improvement.
- Another obvious area of difference between the vehicles is performance. The hybrid actually has a higher horsepower rating than the standard 2010 Tahoe. The hybrid is rated at 332 horsepower with a torque rating of 367. That compares to the 320 horsepower and 335 torque rating of the standard model. The standard version, however, can haul up to 8,500 lbs., but the hybrid is only rated for 6,200 lbs.
- Because the comparison is between one 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe and another, the differences beyond the power train are slim. But there are some. For instance, several options (like fog lights) that are available on the standard Tahoe do not come with the hybrid version. Perhaps the most troubling of these variants, though, is the front-side air bag. While it comes standard on the gasoline-engine Tahoe, it's not available at all on the hybrid.
- Maybe the most important differences between the two versions of the Tahoe are less directly related to the vehicle itself. With a growing movement toward more Earth-friendly vehicles, hybrid vehicles are considered by many to be the wave of the future. Many consumers also frown on the big eight-cylinder sport-utility vehicles. So getting on board the hybrid movement can be considered an advantage with the more expensive version of the 2010 Tahoe.