2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid User Reviews

Pros

fit and finish, comfort and especially mileage

Cons

no spare tire

Purchased As New

After driving a Suburban for years decided to buy something that would actually fit in the garage. After 2 weeks have nothing but praise for the hybrid Tahoe. Not much of a learning curve on setting up and using bluetooth, Nav system, garage opener and the Onstar service is amazing. I pressed the button on the way home from the dealer and they already knew my name and personalized the system for me. Love how systems mesh with downloads of directions to Nav system and monitering of vehicle including reports to email. I wish the door sill was a little wider so more comfortable to rest elbow while driving. The middle console is good armrest for driver and passanger. The wireless entertainment system for the 2nd seat is awesome.
I wanted auto opening/closing rear door, but not available on Hybrid, however must say the door is easy to open and close with very little effort. The ride is solid with good control, road feel and eats up the bumps. Feels surefooted in the corners and the brakes are 100% better then what I was used to with the Suburbans.
Still learning how to drive to maximize MPG. The Tahoe is teaching me with economy guage and instant readout of MPG and mode (auto off, electric, 4 cyl, 8 cyl) on drivers info system.
All in all I am very pleased with purchase so far. The Hybrid Tahoe seems bulletproof....read morehide

Pros

Fuel economy, great ride, excellent handling, front and side airbags along w/ 8 passenger seating

Cons

Decals, seat folding, no spare tire, oh my, what cons!

Purchased As New

This is ONE FINE SUV!!! Okay, it only comes in a few colors, but I like the silver/grey so I'm good with that. No, not real keen on the decals, but the dealer removed them before I drove off the lot so what's there to complain about. The folding seats aren't the easiest in the world, but my wife can operate them so they can't be too bad. No spare tire. Now that is about the only thing that I have a problem with because I'm a "do it myself" kind of guy, but my wife drives it most of the time and she wouldn't be changing a tire, she'd be using On-Star. Not a whole lot to complain about if you ask me, especially if you've taken the time to research and test drive other SUVs.

We (my wife and I) never buy anything as expensive as a vehicle on our first or even second look and we always try to talk the other out of it, pros and cons, over several days to weeks before making the purchase. Yes, 50K is a lot of money. I know because I'm in the military and everyone knows that we're not the best paid profession around, but if you look at what you're getting, along with the safety of a full size SUV with front and side curtain airbags for your family and good fuel economy for a vehicle this size, then I think you'll agree that paying a few extra thousand dollars to have a favorable outcome in the event of an accident is something you can't put a price on.

Say what you will about foreign SUVs being better, but NONE can compare to the ride and quietness, the power combined with economy, the comfort of not six or seven, but eight adults and the safety provided by the Tahoe. Oh, let's not forget the eight year warranty on the fuel cell (hybrid battery). Throw all that on top of the great salesman, Larry Davis at PowerSwain Chevrolet who didn't once pressure us into anything and I haven't got a thing to complain about. I'll have this vehicle until they come out with something better, which will be several years down the road.

Thanks Chevy!...read morehide

Pros

Delvers everything as advertised

Cons

WARNING DANGEROUS SECOND ROW SEATS!

This vehicle delivers everything GM advertises. Handles well for a large SUV.

DANGEROUS WARNING! The second row seats when folded forward for extra cargo room, WILL NOT stay up! In fact the seats will actually flop back and forth when driving with moderate acceleration and braking. The seats will either slam to the floor with enough force to lock down by themselves crushing anything in the way or fall partially to the floor and upon braking come slamming up against the rear of the driver's or front passenger seat. The second row does not have a locking system or a system to keep the second row from moving. This is for the 2008 and 2009 HYBRID MODELS ONLY! Regular gas models have a hydraulic arm to prevent this....read morehide

Pros

Hybrid, Voice Activated Controls, Heated Leather Seats, Rearview Camera, Bose sound

Cons

Hybrid Stickers (But dealer will remove them for you)

After test driving and comparing other Hybrid SUV, this is the one I wound up buying. Here is why...

Being a full sized SUV and obtaining the economy it gets is simply amazing. Yes the Highlander and the Lexus get a little better (27 and 24 city respectively), neither of those vehicles will tow 6,200 LBs. in addition, with options to get what you get in the Tahoe Hybrid, you are going to pay that much if not even more that the Tahoe. The Tahoe Hybrid comes STANDARD with DVD Navigation, Voice activated commands (Wayy Cood, just tell it CD, Track 12, or "Radio 150 XM" and wala you're there!), 9 speaker Bose premium sound, Heated leather seats, aut dimm rear view mirror and side mirrors, power folding mirrors (great for the parking lot) and the list goes on. The ONLY optional equipment in this vehicle is a Sunroof and Rear seat dvd screen.

And with 332 HP, it is almost 100 HP over the other 2 SUV mentioned here (the Ford Escape Hybrid is technically a crossover). Magnetic Ride with Tire monitoring and fron and FULL Curtain airbags gives this vehicle a 5 star safety rating (font and Side impact)

The only thing I really didn't like about it was The designer's kid must have came in during the manufacturing process and put hybrid stickers all over the window and sides of the door. Well not to worry, just talk to the dealer and the can have them removed . Looks much nicer after they are off.

The only reason I give it 3 stars for value... it is still a $50K vehicle, and as such, everyone dose not NEED a full sized SUV. (But you do get a 2,200 tax credit) Unfortunately, you cannot get this powertrain in a less equipped trim. But hopefully that GM (and BMW and Chrysler as well since all three companies helped develop the technology) will make the hybrid power plant available in more affordable vehicles.

But if you are in the market for a full sized SUV, give the Tahoe Hybrid a serious look, you might be impressed....read morehide

Pros

Large roomy comfortable vehicle with good mileage.

Cons

Batteries in the back seat raise the seats.

Love my new Tahoe. Actually I have the 2008 but they made very little changes to the 2009. In addition you qualify for a hybrid tax credit. Very good in stop and go traffic, under 28 mph you run strictly on electric. This vehicle teaches you to be economical. A guage on the instrument panel shows you the optimum level to get better mileage. More people need to learn to drive with cruise control and use it. Everyone wastes gas by quick starts and quick stops. This vehicle runs so quiet you can forget its on....read morehide

Pros

Wonderful ride, beuatiful truck, great for carpooling!

Cons

Not a thing!

I love my Tahoe, seven of us ride to work and share the fuel cost! What a way to travel, smooth ride, great MPG and AMERICAN made in TEXAS!!!! Wow, why would you EVER drive a Japanese vehicle?

Pros

Good looking

Cons

Still not enough mileage for hybrid

Well this car looks okay but compare to others cars like Highlander Hybrid, lexus 400hybrid, same SUV this car not compatible...the highway rating still 22 and city still 21 compare with Highlander is 27 city and 25 highway, still far different same 7 passenger car. Chevy should make 7 passenger SUV with more economic than Toyota and Honda also the price is like 15k different than Toyota SUV Hybrid.. Well I think 15k is a lot of money....can buy another car......read morehide

Pros

Great fue economy for an SUV. OnStar is wonderful and ride is excellent.

Cons

Don't like the Hybrid decal.

After 3 months I am averaging 21.6 MPG combined city amd highway. In city driving, I can get as much as 35-40 MPG because at speeds of 0-30, the Tahoe operates mostly off the battery with very little gas being used. If I need to tow, accelerate, or am driving on the highway, the engine kicks in and I have all the power I need. During highway driving, the engine shuts down 4 of the 8 cylinders so you can get increased fuel economy that way also. All of this is very seemless, you can't tell it is happening. On the navigation screen, there is a read out to twll you what is going on with the battery/engine which is very helpful. The technology is really cool. The ride is great and I have had no problems with the Tahoe. There is nothing I can say negativly about it other than I am not crazy about the Hybrid decal at the bottom of the door....read morehide

Pros

Great Fuel Economy, Comes loaded with all of the toys, GPS,On-Star

Cons

Wished it came in more than 3 colors, White, Black and Silver. Doesn't have a spare tire.

I like toys and the Tahoe Hybrid is a big fun toy to drive and own. My Tahoe Hybrid is a 4X4 and it gets great mileage. I am Averaging 23 City/Highway which was the same as I got with my Toyota Avalon. This is a big vehicle on a truck platform but it drives like a car. Overall satisfaction is Excellent. I am excited to have and own this vehicle. So you know I traded in a '08 Trail Blazer SS as well as an 07 Avalon for the Tahoe Hybrid.

I do not miss either of the cars I traded in for the Tahoe Hybrid....read morehide