Did you recently rush to buy a new vehicle before tariff-related price hikes? A reporter is looking to speak with shoppers who felt pressure to act quickly due to expected cost increases; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com for more details by 4/24.
A reporter is hoping to talk with hybrid owners who have had to replace the hybrid's battery. Please respond to ctalati@edmunds.com before Friday, May 16, 2008 with your daytime contact information and a few words about your experience.
I'll confirm all of the great comments on the hybrid system's smoothness and overall great drive-ability. I recently had a Yukon Hybrid on an overnight test-drive and loved it. I was comparing it to a 2007 Denali (Dad's), and found the Hybrid to be MUCH quieter than the Denali. I was somewhat skeptical of the hybrid system, but after the test drive, no concerns.
I decided not to purchase it at this time for a couple of reasons, but the biggest complaint I had was the lack of a spare tire. I couldn't get my mind around having an SUV that I'll use as a family hauler without a spare. I even thought about adding a spare where it should go but there is a huge muffler there (Explains why it is so quiet).
Also, more of a complaint of all Yukons and Tahoes, not just the Hybrid--when you get a second row bench, the only LATCH car seat adapeters are on the passenger and middle positions. There is no LATCH for the middle row driver's side. This makes NO SENSE. It would have made sense had the bench split favor the other side, so that with 2 car seats installed, you could flip the small section forward for access to the third row.
Maybe I'll get over the spare tire thing, and maybe gas will get more expensive which makes the Hybrid make sense financially.
wouldn't another reason not to buy the Tahoe Hybrid at this time be the cost?
correct me if things have changed, but someone recently posted buying one at MSRP. When you consider the non-hybrid version is being advertised at $10,000 below MSRP, that makes the hybrid option at MSRP really expensive.
Put the hybrid drive train into a higher priced vehicle such as an SUV. Or you can add a lot of worthless doodads like Toyota and Honda. I am hoping that GM does well with their hybrid. I am not real optimistic. GM seems to be building their large SUVs a little too light for mileage gains. The sheet metal in my 2005 GMC Hybrid PU was like paper. The sheet metal in this Sequoia I have is much more substantial. At least it does not pop in and out when you are washing it.
You tell me. Anything that is not in the basic Civic or Corolla would be a good start. Just take the price difference between your basic Civic at $14k and subtract that from your Civic Hybrid at $22,600. I would say about $8600 worth of doodads. Less of course the hybrid system. How would anyone know what that is worth. It is a little harder with the Prius as Toyota wisely builds NO comparable vehicle with ICE only. Some say the Matrix is a good comp. You can get one of those for about $16,600 and the cheapest Prius if you can find one is over $24k. And easy $7k of worthless doodads. At least for someone that just wants a car.
It would seem to me that as long as people are willing to be on a waiting list for the Prius, the "worthless doodads" won't be optional for a while.
As for the Tahoe Hybrid; You'd be foolish to pay MSRP for a truck that is easily had for $10,000 below MSRP without the hybrid system. It would take a long time to recoup that 10 grand in fuel savings here.
Looks like GM is beginning to accumulate some inventory on their hybrid Tahoe/Yukons. There not selling as well as their Lambda platform vehicles aka... Outlook, Enclave. It makes sense, their less costly, additionally they get better MPG and are just as large as the Yukon/Hybrid. It's a no brainer. I drove an Enclave in Kawaui and I was impressed. Nice vehicle and nice work GM.
The main reason that their not selling for the same reason that I didn't acquire one. It's all about price. Paying $53K for a hybrid while it's non-hybrid counter part is $10K cheaper. Now if GM starts to offer more incentives and discounts to their hybrids then I just might reevaluate my plans and acquire one. here's the article.
With gasoline prices soaring to record levels, hybrid vehicles are quickly becoming some of America's favorite vehicles. The Toyota Prius hybrid is now the ninth best-selling vehicle in the U.S. and hybrid sales continue to climb month after month. But despite the recent popularity of hybrid vehicle and the former success of large SUVs, U.S. consumers have yet to warm up to General Motors' full-size hybrid offerings — the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and the GMC Yukon Hybrid.
Since the two hybrids hit the market in January, GM has only managed to sell a combined 1,100 units — well off the predicted pace of 12,000 annual sales and just a fraction of the 100,000 hybrids sold in the U.S. since the beginning of the year, according to the New York Times.
The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and the GMC Yukon Hybrid don't fit the mold of a typical hybrid vehicle, but the added hybrid powertrain does improve city mileage by 50 percent — equaling the city mileage of a four-cylinder Toyota Camry. However, that improvement is not enough to get most buyers over the vehicles' high sticker prices.
In order to get into a hybrid Tahoe, buyers will have to plunk down at least $53,000 — $4,000 more than a comparable gasoline-only Tahoe. Although buyers will recoup that price difference in gas savings over five years — not including a $2,200 government rebate — most buyers find it hard to justify a sticker price that high. Gasoline Tahoes match their hybrid counterparts in highway mileage (20/22 mpg 4WD/2WD) but get about 6 to 7 mpg less in city driving — 13/14 compared to 20/21 (4WD/2WD).
Instead of coughing up the extra dough for a full-size hybrid SUV, many buyers are opting for slightly less capable but equally gas-friendly — and much cheaper to buy — crossover vehicles. In fact, Ford is banking on consumers making the switch from large SUVs to crossovers, even if hybrid versions are available. The U.S.' second largest automaker isn't planning to enter the full-size SUV hybrid segment but will rather offer the 24 mpg, seven-passenger Flex CUV.
Chrysler is planning strategy similar to GM and will launch two full-size hybrid SUVs later this year — the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid.
There not selling as well as their Lambda platform vehicles aka... Outlook, Enclave. It makes sense, their less costly, additionally they get better MPG and are just as large as the Yukon/Hybrid. It's a no brainer. I drove an Enclave in Kawaui and I was impressed. Nice vehicle and nice work GM.
I would think a hybrid Lambda platform would be a hit. I'd love to get 28 MPG in a vehicle that size. The big issue right now is the premium and production volumes. If they can get production up and get the premium down to <$3000 and offer it on all trims, they might sell more hybrids than non hybrids.
I bought a new Tahoe Hybrid 60 days ago. I like the car but have found a major problem in the design of the 40/60 second row seats. When completely folded over, they rock back and forth as you drive. This means if your child in in the 40 side seat, and you folded the 60 side seat for carrying a bike or other large object, as you accelerate from a stop sign, the 60 side seat rocks back and can crush the childs arm (or head - if they were reaching form something). Now try stopping the car, the seat now comes crashing forward and smashes into the rear of the drivers seat (which is not expected or pleasant).
I complained to the dealer, and finally worked my way to the regional chevy rep. He looked at my car, and said that the seat design is "inconvenient". I called it "defective".
His solution, an I Bolt to the floor (behind the drivers seat) and a strap (which the driver now has to remember to use).
Not a great answer for a 60K car with less then 5K in mileage.
Don't take my word for it, drive it with the seats folded over (like a 2000 model). I suspect you will move on to the std Tahoe/Yukon that does have a locking device. Or buy the Ford, which also has the locking device.
A reporter would like to talk to consumers who are in the market for a hybrid SUV but are having trouble finding one. Please respond to jwahl@edmunds.com with your daytime contact information along with the vehicle you are shopping for no later than Friday, June 20th.
Agreed. Mine does the same thing and it is very annoying. I haven't done too much driving with the seats folded, but having that seat slam into the back of the drivers seat when stopping or after accelerating hard is very unnerving. I probably will come up with some way to secure it if I find I'm driving with the seats folded more.
My other aggrevation is the lack of child latch on the right side of the middle bench. I have two kids and use car sears for both. The Latch is the most convenient and safest way to secure the seats. So if you put them in the left hand and middle where the latch are, it negates the ability to access the third row via the left hand side 60-40 split.
Thanks for the note, and you are right about the child latch. A little more thought by the engineer would have gone a long way.
Regarding 40/60 seats, the Chevy rep said that we could not tie the folded seat"in any way" to the driver or front passenger seat, as they where not manufactured to withstand this. His fix was to drill a hole in the floor or the second seat and add an I-Bolt. Then strap the seat when folded.
I can't imagine this looking good, and may become a trip hazard. But on a more serious side, consider that you do not strap the seat down, have an accident with added injury due to the floating seat, and Chevy then says "we told you to strap it".
This is a great way for them to shift liability to you....
I am still waiting for a formal (written) reply from Chevy with details on eye-bolt. Will advise what I find out later.
I'm interested in seeing what others are getting in terms of mileage. My last 4 tanks average out at 16.97 mpg over about 1600 miles. Not as good as I'd like. Other owners--please post some numbers.
I have the Yukon and am currently getting 20.2. It was at 21 when we went on a long 2000 mile trip.
My driving is divided evenly between in town driving (that uses more of the electricity) and short highway trips of about 6 miles. That may account for my higher average?
My ~90 mile drive today which is half stop and go 50 mpg speed limit and half 60 mph steady I got 20.5 mpg. I made a VERY conscious effort at keeping the economy meter in the main green area--which is pretty difficult and slow moving off. It is not my natural driving style to pull away that slowly, and I really felt like I was holding up traffic.
Dixie--to achieve your 20.2, are you watching that gauge all the time, or can you drive as normal?
Yes, I do try to watch the economy meter although it is difficult. And, the mileage was higher at 20.9 when we went on a 3,000 mile trip which is 1/3 of my total mileage. That probably helped pull it up to the 20.2.
I don't know what the difference would have been in my old Yukon if I had been more aware of stops and starts. But, having the "Economy Meter" certainly makes me more aware!
I've posted my mileage before and asked for advice on this and other forums about how to drive to get the best mileage. I just completed a full tank of mixed city and highway driving where I stayed within the solid green area on acceleration about 95% of the time with only a few times straying into the dotted green area. I NEVER went past the dotted green area. On slowing, I tried to stay within the dotted area most, but for safety reasons, I stopped when I needed to stop.
I'm a 2WD Yukon Hybrid, backseats stored in the garage, mainly driving alone with a light payload. For this tank, my computer gave me 18.4 mpg, but by my calculations, it was 17.9. My previous 4 tanks I recorded were 16.9. I know these are good numbers for the size of the vehicle and the type of driving I'm doing, but I really feel like I should be able to get 20 mpg mixed without "trying so hard". Could I have a "dud" hybrid system? Could there be some problems with my particular truck?
Prior to buying this thing, I read every online review including the press introduction mileage contest. I truly feel GM put this vehicle on the market so that in normal day to day driving, you should achieve 20-21. In this last tank of gas, to stay in that solid green area of the economy gauge, it took a very deliberate driving style, which for me, was SO MUCH slower than I am used to. I felt like I was getting left behind in traffic (and I live in a retirement area where no one is in a hurry). Other owners--do you feel this way?
Well, I have 2200 miles on my Tahoe H 4X4. It replaced a Ford Excursion Diesel 4X4. This thing gets way better mileage! Disclosure: I also own and enjoy a Ferrari F430 Spyder, and Porsche 993 twin turbo. So, I'm not the most economical driver, if you get my drift. In any event, a recent 150 mile trip to Indy from NW Indy got me 23.8 indicated mpg! (I don't think I touched the brakes once on I65 portion of the trip, but stayed at about 65mph, which I think is a safe speed, and drafted off semi's.) Mixed driving, the indicator is showing 20.9 mpg right now. I don't vouch for the indicator, it was not that accurate on my Excursion, I suspect this one's pretty optimistic also? I should also add that when other family members or friends drive it, the mileage goes all to hell, like 17mpg, until I teach them how to drive safe yet economically. That being said, I think there's lots of truth to the point that you could just drive an ICE Tahoe gently, and it would get pretty good mileage, too. I find the acceleration of this vehicle to be plenty powerful when needed.
I'm pretty happy with the car so far.......the fun of it is trying to keep that average mpg up. And, this is my only vehicle without a radar detector installed! Cool!!
PS Wife drives a Jeep Cherokee with the hemi, best I ever got driving it on the same trip to Indy was 16mpg! It's mileage sux, city or highway.
Instead of using the goofy analog needle "economy" gauge, just bring the digital average mpg gauge up, and pay close attention to it. Also, on starts, start out slowly so as not to engage the ICE as long as possible. I think that must be the real advantage of the hybrid system, wonder what % of energy is used for initial inertia in the average vehicle? (I was a physics minor in college, I suspect a lot.) So, try to get the vehicle rolling with no gas engine, battery only, before you kick in the gas engine to get up to speed. It takes a light foot, but it's fun. I'm able to run on battery only just about the whole mile in my small town on residential streets to my home. It's kind of a fun game, even have my 17 year old trying this. On the highway, use cruise control, at 63-65mph, you'll be amazed at the mileage you get!
PS again, if you really wanna talk about lousy fuel economy, my boat gets 3 to 4 gallons to the mile, NOT miles to the gallon. Of course, it seats more than the Tahoe...........
"Well, I have 2200 miles on my Tahoe H 4X4. It replaced a Ford Excursion Diesel 4X4. This thing gets way better mileage!"
Your Tahoe is about 1000 lbs less than the Ford, and has a smaller engine. What was the tow rating on the Ford vs. the Chevy? My point is that it isn't just hybridization - it is mass, wind cross section, and engine size that makes for different MPG at the same MPH.
Most dealers are offering about a $10,000.00 discount off of the MSRP. I have even seen an east coast dealer offering almost $15,000.00 off for a demo with 800 miles. I think its time to replace my wife's 1998 Suburban with a new 2008 Hybrid Tahoe.
I took delivery Aug 30 2008, of my 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid with dvd rear entertainment etc. Stickered for 53k but I paid 43k and dealer threw in Ego Look Bluetooth device installed. I expect to also get 2200 from IRS tax credit. All reviews of vehicle assume paying MSRP and gas at $2.80 -$3.30 a gallon. Well at my net purchase price of 40.8k and gas at 3.80 a gallon what is the economic viability? Yes you can get a similarly equipped Yukon non hybrid for 40k net after GM employee pricing but you wont get the IRS tax credit. So the price is nearly the same net to the consumer for the Hybrid, but you will enjoy better mileage, lower operating costs while only giving up a power rear hatch and potentially captains chairs in the 2nd row. This seems like a no brainer, win win equation in favor of the Hybrid correct? Is there something I am overlooking?
Recently, while driving, my door locks unlocked and then relocked without being envoked manually. This has occurred several time at different speeds while accelerating and decelerating. On occasion, the air conditioning system is turned off. On two occasions, the engine cut out. This obviously is of most concern to me as the steering wheel locked up. To recover, I quickly placed the transmission in neutral and restarted the engine. I took my Tahoe into the Chevy dealer but the mechanics were unable to find the source of the problem after running the diagnostics. I was certain that this was related to a falty computer chip. Now, I am at a loss for what is causing the locking system to operate unprovoked. Has anyone else experienced this dilemma? Thanks for you input in advance.
For all of those who are curious about the Tahoe Hybrid, but have yet to have a chance to take an up close and personal look at one, I just posted a Video of a walk-around of a 2008 Tahoe Hybrid. Enjoy!!!
I drive a 2002 Tahoe with 5.3 Litre engine and installed a Hydrogen Hybrid Upgrade System and getting about 5 mpg better now. I'm thinking about maybe installing another one or two units for even better mileage. I like my Ho and really can't see dropping the $60K or so for the new Hybrid, especially when I already have one that's paid for and suits me well. It's got over 132'000 miles and is well cared for. The hydrogen installation wasn't that difficult. The toughest part was finding a good place to mount the hydrogen generators, I put on two generators up in the bumper. There is a lot of space there and the hydrogen generators fit like it was made for it. The system came from THOR. They have a website www.kickgasgohydrogen.com. check it out, I got the CombiPak.1.S. It cost about $900 including two of the hydrogen generators and shipping. Those guys are very helpful, they answer email and the telephone and answered all my questions while I installed it. The hydrogen seems to give it more power too.
I know that it has been a long time since your post, but curious if you ever reconciled your issues with the gas mileage? I just purchase a 2008 4X4 Yukon Hybrid and have been averaging only 16 mpg on 3,550 miles. Short of getting rammed in the rear for driving so slowly, my wife and I have tried everything to get the mileage to go up. Took it to the dealer, they said everything was running fine. Then, they stated that the sticker says that "depending upon driving conditions it should get between 16 and 24 mpg. Proceeded to tell me that my gas mileage was within those parameters. They also told me that their salesmen vehicles were getting the 20/20 as advertised. I asked to go out and look at one. While there, I asked them to turn on the computer and guess what - 13 mpg!! Contacted GM and they wanted nothing to do with me. I'm convinced GM's Hybrid technology is a scam. Curious to see how yours is doing? Thanks!
I have a 2008 Yukon Hybrid with approximately 3,550 miles on it Driving the vehicle under normal conditions, not tearing it up by any means, we average only 16 mpg, or less. My wife and I have tried everything, short of causing pile-ups behind us by driving slowly enough to stay between the green while entering freeways. I am anxious to hear from other owners out there to see if I have the only bad one out there, or if this is the norm. I contacted GM and the dealer and they told me that it was operating normally because it falls within the 16-24 estimated mileage according to the EPA. A regular Yukon will get better than 16 on average. As it stands, I would not consider this vehicle if you are looking! Call me first.
I kept mileage logs on every tank of gas for the first 6400 miles and the average was 17.4 mpg. I quit logging the tanks partly out of frustration with the numbers but mainly due to my wife was filling up the tank without resetting and writing down the mileage. I now have ~12000 miles, and have noticed that my averages (based on the on board computer) have been ~19.5. It would be interesting to know what kind of driving you are primarily doing. My "in town" driving is the majority of what I do. Lots of stop and starts, rarely over 45 mpg, usually around 35. I really think that under 35 stop and go is kryptonite for this truck, and all trucks. I agree with you, I would not buy the hybrid again. The mileage improvement is nice and considerable, when compared to a Denali which I would have otherwise gotten. It is quieter and seems to ride smoother. However, the lack of spare tire, power liftgate, and poor design of the second row seats when folded forward annoy me. Furthermore, I'm not impressed with instantaneous throttle response. Yes, when you get the engine revving and are accelerating at mid to 3/4 throttle, the torque resembles a diesel in feeling, but when pulling into traffic or merging and you need that instant grunt, it responds slowly. To that end, I have told my dealer that if a comparable Denali comes in as a trade with similar miles and we can swap, to call me.
I will say that I think my mileage improved after those 6200 miles when I stopped caring about the economy gauge. Flip the trip computer to show the instant economy, and when accelerating, get to speed quickly, then maintain a constant speed, and try to keep the instant gauge in the 20s. Logic says accelerate slowly, but this truck weighs A LOT, and getting it to speed uses a lot of gas whether the electric is helping or not. The major savings to improve average MPG IMHO, come from steady speed driving at moderate speeds (40-65 mph).
BTW, My 80-85 mph averages have been around 18.5mpg. My Dad's (2007 Denali) 80-84 mph are about 16.0mpg.
I've had the '08 Tahoe Hybrid for just over a year now and the worst mileage I've gotten is ~17.5mpg. Usually I average around 18-19 during the winter and 20mpg in the summer. Weather has a lot to do with this as the thing needs to warm up in the winter before you get full electric mode at low speeds.
I've been very happy with the mpg performance of my Tahoe.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am pleased to hear that you are really getting that type of mileage, which I would be delighted with. I have only owned the vehicle since January, and it has been very cold here in Minnesota, so you may be onto something. Can I ask where you are from? It must also be cold there based on your reply.
I'm checking to see if anyone else has this issue.
My '08 Tahoe Hybrid, w/14k miles, makes a noise that sounds like a cross between a suspension creak and a u-joint clank when it pulls away from a stop. Tech thought it was crossmember flex/pop. Now they say it is normal noise. I don't recall it on the demo I drove for a day. Everything like transmission and motor mounts, u-joints etc, has been checked, lubricated. I don't think they've sold a lot of these things, so I'm skeptical when I'm told its "normal" noise. Anyone out there have this same noise? Other than this issue, we're happy w/ the vehicle, our mileage is a consistent 22+ mixed city/commute, and high as 25+ on trip at highway speed (Yes I checked it several times). Big improvement from our '04 Suburban (which we kept). I got this at end of September '08, basically because it was the most steel I could put around my wife and kids per gallon of gasoline.
I have a 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid with 4300 miles on it. The vehicle recently started making a noise while accelerating and braking. The sound is strange it's a combination of a thump, thump, thump and a whirring. It really gets annoying and it can't be hidden by turning up the radio. Again this is a new sound, I know what the hybrid should sound like. The Dealer took a look and found nothing. Has anyone else experienced this noise? Thanks
My Yukon Hybird seems to be hesitating much more than it should. It also seems to have trouble when I slow down finding the right gear to be in....anyone else have this problem?
Ransom, I can't speak on behalf of the hesitation, but mine also has difficulty finding the proper gear at slow speeds (i.e. 30 mph). I took it in just last week to tell them that at 30 mph (for a consistent period of time), the RPM's fluctuate wildly. They said that they have updated software to correct such, and hooked it up to the computer to download the software. This seems to have fixed it at 30, but now seems to have a similar, but lesser, issue at 15 mph. Take it in and have it hooked up.
P.S. - My gas mileage is now logging in at 19.8 mpg, so I am now quite satisfied about that.
I have had my Tahoe Hybrid since March 1, 07 and average 20.2 with 24k miles on it. Was averaging 21.4 until we took some interstate trips that I tend to drive 10+ over the speed limit and with wind resistance and cruise doesn't allow the truck to run in 4 cylinder mode much and really drops the mileage. I live in Fla so no warm up times needed but the A/C does cause the truck to run more gas than electric even at lower speeds.
I have been very happy with the Tahoe. Wife has a Lexus RX and we typically take the Tahoe on trips because it is more comfortable and a better ride.
We don't use the third row much and I typically will only have one of the seats in there.
These are a few of the problems i have had with my 2008 Yukon Hybrid. First of all it broke down 20 hrs after i drove it off the lot. I was told it was some sensor that neede to be reset. After that happening three times and me thretening to get my lawyer involved. They miraculously found a faulty sensor in the transfer case that needed to be replaced. So in order to do this the transmission had to be removed along with the entire dash. So after this sensor was replaced the seal in the transfer case that houses the universal joint started leaking all over my newly paved driveway. It has been replaced 4 times now and still leaks. Some other odd things that have happened and are still going on are: #1 We get a slight pulsating feeling in the brake pedal when at a stop. #2 When it rains hard and its windy we get a weird BLOOP BLOOP sound coming from the sunroof area, very anoying. #3 On one of our road trips with the kids our dvd system, nav screen and dash lights all of a sudden dimmed to only half their brightness for wroughfly 24 hrs, and still was dim when i brought it to the dealership the next day. All of these three problems despite numerous complaints to the dealership have still not been fixed. All they say is that they are unable to duplicate the problem so they cannot fix them. Just two days ago my family and i took a trip to my parents to drop off x- mas gifts, a 3 hour drive. When i arrived at there house i parked the truck in there driveway wich has a 30 degree slope or so with a quarter tank of gas for the night. The next morn started the truck via remote because it was -22 with windchill. When i went out to the truck gauge was on empty, low fuel light was on and gps was telling me where the nearest gas station was. Put the truck in drive pulled out of the driveway. The truck then sputtered and stalled. When re started engine light was on. Brought it to the dealership and hooked up to the computer which gave a number of codes wich the mechanic told us needed to be addressed immedietly. Got a phone call later that afternoon from the dealership telling me that the codes were generated by the lack of fuel(1/4 tank) and because it was parked on an incline ( Ya OK!! ). There was nothing wrong with the truck but they wanted to keep it overnight to road test it the next day. The following morning it acted up again with a full tank of gas. Suprise Suprise!! So here i sit with my minivan rental once again while my 50 thousand dollar truck is at the dealership. If anyone has had the same problems as i have described above and have had them fixed, please let me know what was done to fix them. :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon:
1. The door locks wouldn't work with the remote for one day, and of course couldn't be replicated.
2. I had the same issue with the dash lights. I was driving down the road at about 25K miles and realized I didn't know how fast I was going. It was odd because of the lights worked (ie: the fuel), but most of them didn't (ie. the speedometer). They were able to replace something and it worked. Perhaps your dealer can check with mine to see what the problem was. I use Lively GMC in Longview, TX.
Sorry about all of your problems. I have to tell you that I have since fallen in love with this vehicle, when I would have traded it in in a heartbeat about one year ago. It does, however, sound as though you got a lemmon, so you still may want to get rid of it. I believe that I do have a few answers for you, but will be no help on the transmission leak - good luck with that. The brake issue is standard, and something that you will need to get used to. When braking, you are actually generating power for the battery, that's how it charges. The lighting issue in the DVD and GPS is merely a setting for the screen, somewhere in the menu section. When dimming, it thinks that it is dark outside and automatically provides a screen that is less bright. You need to change the setting to make it think that it is daylight outside, all of the time, and I believe that you can do that. Also, you didn't mention it, but it sounds like you are in a cold climate and so am I. You will notice the gas mileage increase significantly in the warm months (i.e., 21 22 mpg) versus the cold months at 18.5 mpg, on average. This is also natural I am told, as cars require more gas when the air is cold and thinner. Good luck to you. As mentioned, I would buy another one for sure. See if they will trade it in for another, you will like it.
Comments
I decided not to purchase it at this time for a couple of reasons, but the biggest complaint I had was the lack of a spare tire. I couldn't get my mind around having an SUV that I'll use as a family hauler without a spare. I even thought about adding a spare where it should go but there is a huge muffler there (Explains why it is so quiet).
Also, more of a complaint of all Yukons and Tahoes, not just the Hybrid--when you get a second row bench, the only LATCH car seat adapeters are on the passenger and middle positions. There is no LATCH for the middle row driver's side. This makes NO SENSE. It would have made sense had the bench split favor the other side, so that with 2 car seats installed, you could flip the small section forward for access to the third row.
Maybe I'll get over the spare tire thing, and maybe gas will get more expensive which makes the Hybrid make sense financially.
correct me if things have changed, but someone recently posted buying one at MSRP. When you consider the non-hybrid version is being advertised at $10,000 below MSRP, that makes the hybrid option at MSRP really expensive.
I find it absurd that some believe that this approach of hybridizing the biggest cars out there is where we will have the most in energy conservation.
As for the Tahoe Hybrid; You'd be foolish to pay MSRP for a truck that is easily had for $10,000 below MSRP without the hybrid system. It would take a long time to recoup that 10 grand in fuel savings here.
The main reason that their not selling for the same reason that I didn't acquire one. It's all about price. Paying $53K for a hybrid while it's non-hybrid counter part is $10K cheaper. Now if GM starts to offer more incentives and discounts to their hybrids then I just might reevaluate my plans and acquire one. here's the article.
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, GMC Yukon Hybrid seeing lackluster sales despite hybrid vehicle popularity
June2
With gasoline prices soaring to record levels, hybrid vehicles are quickly becoming some of America's favorite vehicles. The Toyota Prius hybrid is now the ninth best-selling vehicle in the U.S. and hybrid sales continue to climb month after month. But despite the recent popularity of hybrid vehicle and the former success of large SUVs, U.S. consumers have yet to warm up to General Motors' full-size hybrid offerings — the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and the GMC Yukon Hybrid.
Since the two hybrids hit the market in January, GM has only managed to sell a combined 1,100 units — well off the predicted pace of 12,000 annual sales and just a fraction of the 100,000 hybrids sold in the U.S. since the beginning of the year, according to the New York Times.
The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and the GMC Yukon Hybrid don't fit the mold of a typical hybrid vehicle, but the added hybrid powertrain does improve city mileage by 50 percent — equaling the city mileage of a four-cylinder Toyota Camry. However, that improvement is not enough to get most buyers over the vehicles' high sticker prices.
In order to get into a hybrid Tahoe, buyers will have to plunk down at least $53,000 — $4,000 more than a comparable gasoline-only Tahoe. Although buyers will recoup that price difference in gas savings over five years — not including a $2,200 government rebate — most buyers find it hard to justify a sticker price that high. Gasoline Tahoes match their hybrid counterparts in highway mileage (20/22 mpg 4WD/2WD) but get about 6 to 7 mpg less in city driving — 13/14 compared to 20/21 (4WD/2WD).
Instead of coughing up the extra dough for a full-size hybrid SUV, many buyers are opting for slightly less capable but equally gas-friendly — and much cheaper to buy — crossover vehicles. In fact, Ford is banking on consumers making the switch from large SUVs to crossovers, even if hybrid versions are available. The U.S.' second largest automaker isn't planning to enter the full-size SUV hybrid segment but will rather offer the 24 mpg, seven-passenger Flex CUV.
Chrysler is planning strategy similar to GM and will launch two full-size hybrid SUVs later this year — the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid.
I would think a hybrid Lambda platform would be a hit. I'd love to get 28 MPG in a vehicle that size. The big issue right now is the premium and production volumes. If they can get production up and get the premium down to <$3000 and offer it on all trims, they might sell more hybrids than non hybrids.
I complained to the dealer, and finally worked my way to the regional chevy rep. He looked at my car, and said that the seat design is "inconvenient". I called it "defective".
His solution, an I Bolt to the floor (behind the drivers seat) and a strap (which the driver now has to remember to use).
Not a great answer for a 60K car with less then 5K in mileage.
Don't take my word for it, drive it with the seats folded over (like a 2000 model). I suspect you will move on to the std Tahoe/Yukon that does have a locking device. Or buy the Ford, which also has the locking device.
Agreed. Mine does the same thing and it is very annoying. I haven't done too much driving with the seats folded, but having that seat slam into the back of the drivers seat when stopping or after accelerating hard is very unnerving. I probably will come up with some way to secure it if I find I'm driving with the seats folded more.
My other aggrevation is the lack of child latch on the right side of the middle bench. I have two kids and use car sears for both. The Latch is the most convenient and safest way to secure the seats. So if you put them in the left hand and middle where the latch are, it negates the ability to access the third row via the left hand side 60-40 split.
Thanks for the note, and you are right about the child latch. A little more thought by the engineer would have gone a long way.
Regarding 40/60 seats, the Chevy rep said that we could not tie the folded seat"in any way" to the driver or front passenger seat, as they where not manufactured to withstand this. His fix was to drill a hole in the floor or the second seat and add an I-Bolt. Then strap the seat when folded.
I can't imagine this looking good, and may become a trip hazard. But on a more serious side, consider that you do not strap the seat down, have an accident with added injury due to the floating seat, and Chevy then says "we told you to strap it".
This is a great way for them to shift liability to you....
I am still waiting for a formal (written) reply from Chevy with details on eye-bolt. Will advise what I find out later.
Thanks for reply!
My driving is divided evenly between in town driving (that uses more of the electricity) and short highway trips of about 6 miles. That may account for my higher average?
Dixie--to achieve your 20.2, are you watching that gauge all the time, or can you drive as normal?
Yes, I do try to watch the economy meter although it is difficult. And, the mileage was higher at 20.9 when we went on a 3,000 mile trip which is 1/3 of my total mileage. That probably helped pull it up to the 20.2.
What increase does the 20.5 mpg amount to over the non hybrid?
thanks for the feedback
I'm a 2WD Yukon Hybrid, backseats stored in the garage, mainly driving alone with a light payload. For this tank, my computer gave me 18.4 mpg, but by my calculations, it was 17.9. My previous 4 tanks I recorded were 16.9. I know these are good numbers for the size of the vehicle and the type of driving I'm doing, but I really feel like I should be able to get 20 mpg mixed without "trying so hard". Could I have a "dud" hybrid system? Could there be some problems with my particular truck?
Prior to buying this thing, I read every online review including the press introduction mileage contest. I truly feel GM put this vehicle on the market so that in normal day to day driving, you should achieve 20-21. In this last tank of gas, to stay in that solid green area of the economy gauge, it took a very deliberate driving style, which for me, was SO MUCH slower than I am used to. I felt like I was getting left behind in traffic (and I live in a retirement area where no one is in a hurry). Other owners--do you feel this way?
I'm pretty happy with the car so far.......the fun of it is trying to keep that average mpg up. And, this is my only vehicle without a radar detector installed! Cool!!
PS Wife drives a Jeep Cherokee with the hemi, best I ever got driving it on the same trip to Indy was 16mpg! It's mileage sux, city or highway.
Tom D. in NW Indiana.
Instead of using the goofy analog needle "economy" gauge, just bring the digital average mpg gauge up, and pay close attention to it. Also, on starts, start out slowly so as not to engage the ICE as long as possible. I think that must be the real advantage of the hybrid system, wonder what % of energy is used for initial inertia in the average vehicle? (I was a physics minor in college, I suspect a lot.) So, try to get the vehicle rolling with no gas engine, battery only, before you kick in the gas engine to get up to speed. It takes a light foot, but it's fun. I'm able to run on battery only just about the whole mile in my small town on residential streets to my home. It's kind of a fun game, even have my 17 year old trying this.
On the highway, use cruise control, at 63-65mph, you'll be amazed at the mileage you get!
PS again, if you really wanna talk about lousy fuel economy, my boat gets 3 to 4 gallons to the mile, NOT miles to the gallon. Of course, it seats more than the Tahoe...........
Tom D.
Your Tahoe is about 1000 lbs less than the Ford, and has a smaller engine. What was the tow rating on the Ford vs. the Chevy? My point is that it isn't just hybridization - it is mass, wind cross section, and engine size that makes for different MPG at the same MPH.
Did you ever draft with your Ford?
but I have a hard time believing the hybrid version of the Tahoe can be had for only a extra $1,000.
I will say that I think my mileage improved after those 6200 miles when I stopped caring about the economy gauge. Flip the trip computer to show the instant economy, and when accelerating, get to speed quickly, then maintain a constant speed, and try to keep the instant gauge in the 20s. Logic says accelerate slowly, but this truck weighs A LOT, and getting it to speed uses a lot of gas whether the electric is helping or not. The major savings to improve average MPG IMHO, come from steady speed driving at moderate speeds (40-65 mph).
BTW, My 80-85 mph averages have been around 18.5mpg. My Dad's (2007 Denali) 80-84 mph are about 16.0mpg.
I've been very happy with the mpg performance of my Tahoe.
My '08 Tahoe Hybrid, w/14k miles, makes a noise that sounds like a cross between a suspension creak and a u-joint clank when it pulls away from a stop. Tech thought it was crossmember flex/pop. Now they say it is normal noise. I don't recall it on the demo I drove for a day. Everything like transmission and motor mounts, u-joints etc, has been checked, lubricated. I don't think they've sold a lot of these things, so I'm skeptical when I'm told its "normal" noise. Anyone out there have this same noise? Other than this issue, we're happy w/ the vehicle, our mileage is a consistent 22+ mixed city/commute, and high as 25+ on trip at highway speed (Yes I checked it several times). Big improvement from our '04 Suburban (which we kept). I got this at end of September '08, basically because it was the most steel I could put around my wife and kids per gallon of gasoline.
Thanks
My Yukon Hybird seems to be hesitating much more than it should. It also seems to have trouble when I slow down finding the right gear to be in....anyone else have this problem?
P.S. - My gas mileage is now logging in at 19.8 mpg, so I am now quite satisfied about that.
I have been very happy with the Tahoe. Wife has a Lexus RX and we typically take the Tahoe on trips because it is more comfortable and a better ride.
We don't use the third row much and I typically will only have one of the seats in there.
I would definitely buy the Tahoe again.
Some other odd things that have happened and are still going on are: #1 We get a slight pulsating feeling in the brake pedal when at a stop. #2 When it rains hard and its windy we get a weird BLOOP BLOOP sound coming from the sunroof area, very anoying. #3 On one of our road trips with the kids our dvd system, nav screen and dash lights all of a sudden dimmed to only half their brightness for wroughfly 24 hrs, and still was dim when i brought it to the dealership the next day. All of these three problems despite numerous complaints to the dealership have still not been fixed. All they say is that they are unable to duplicate the problem so they cannot fix them.
Just two days ago my family and i took a trip to my parents to drop off x- mas gifts, a 3 hour drive. When i arrived at there house i parked the truck in there driveway wich has a 30 degree slope or so with a quarter tank of gas for the night. The next morn started the truck via remote because it was -22 with windchill. When i went out to the truck gauge was on empty, low fuel light was on and gps was telling me where the nearest gas station was. Put the truck in drive pulled out of the driveway. The truck then sputtered and stalled. When re started engine light was on. Brought it to the dealership and hooked up to the computer which gave a number of codes wich the mechanic told us needed to be addressed immedietly. Got a phone call later that afternoon from the dealership telling me that the codes were generated by the lack of fuel(1/4 tank) and because it was parked on an incline ( Ya OK!! ). There was nothing wrong with the truck but they wanted to keep it overnight to road test it the next day. The following morning it acted up again with a full tank of gas. Suprise Suprise!!
So here i sit with my minivan rental once again while my 50 thousand dollar truck is at the dealership. If anyone has had the same problems as i have described above and have had them fixed, please let me know what was done to fix them. :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon:
1. The door locks wouldn't work with the remote for one day, and of course couldn't be replicated.
2. I had the same issue with the dash lights. I was driving down the road at about 25K miles and realized I didn't know how fast I was going. It was odd because of the lights worked (ie: the fuel), but most of them didn't (ie. the speedometer). They were able to replace something and it worked. Perhaps your dealer can check with mine to see what the problem was. I use Lively GMC in Longview, TX.