2010 Chevrolet Tahoe - Traditional SUV with a Hybrid Option

The 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe continues into the new model year as a purpose-built, full-size four-door, family-oriented SUV. Although the Tahoe is larger, it offers a sharp, precise driving feel, Active Fuel Management engine technology, and enhanced safety features make it a popular choice among full-size SUVs. The 2010 Tahoe is available in 2WD or 4WD and in three trims, the Tahoe seats up to nine passengers and is rated to tow up to 8500 pounds when properly equipped. The LTZ trims and the 4WD LS and LT1 trims offer the iron block version only. Each engine is coupled to an efficient six-speed automatic transmission. Safety features standard on all models include dual-stage front airbags, side curtain airbags, seat-mounted side airbags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes with dynamic rear proportioning, Stabilitrak stability control system with rollover mitigation, tire pressure monitoring system, and OnStar. New for the 2010 is a new audio system equipped with a USB port for all three trims, standard leather seat trim on the LT1, and also a standard navigation system and rear camera display for the LTZ trim. Available in base LS, LT and top-of-the-line LTZ trim levels, Chevrolet's Tahoe full-size SUV has available four-wheel drive and seating configurations for up to nine occupants. The Tahoe competes with other full-size SUVs such as the Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada and Dodge Durango. 

Powering the 2010 Tahoe

The 2010 Tahoe is powered by flex-fuel 320-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8 engines that make 335 pounds-feet of torque (gasoline) or 350 pounds-feet of torque (E85). When properly configured, the Tahoe can tow up to 8,400 pounds. It runs on a six-speed automatic transmission. The 5.3-liter V8 engine features GM's Active Fuel Management to save gas; you can't even feel it switching between four and eight cylinders, which generally occurs with steady-state cruising. The 5.3-liter V8 provides all the power most customers will need, there's a less-expensive 4.8-liter V8 available on base-model 2WD, and the top-line LTZ offers a romping 6.2-liter V8. The Hybrid model works seamlessly. It offers more slightly more power and drastically improved urban fuel economy compared to other models, but tows about a ton less, weighs more and costs more.

A Green Alternative

Chevrolet's Tahoe Hybrid full-size SUV debuted for 2008. It has room for up to nine people, can tow up to 6,200 pounds and the rear-wheel-drive model gets an EPA-estimated 21/22 mpg city/highway. The Tahoe Hybrid features GM's two-mode hybrid system. The system's first mode, which allows the Tahoe Hybrid to move on just electric power, just engine power or a combination of the two, is designed for city and light-load driving. The Tahoe Hybrid looks much like a regular Tahoe SUV, which is to say that it features a relatively squared-off shape.

2010 Chevy Tahoe Design

 The Tahoe's large headlights flank a wide grille split by a thick horizontal member with a large Chevy bowtie logo. Base models have black exterior moldings, while LT models add body-colored moldings and fog lights. The Tahoe LTZ features chrome body-side moldings and new chrome accent rear moldings. An available Z71 off-road package adds unique exterior details, including large color-keyed fender flares and a chrome front grille insert. At 202 inches long and 79 inches wide, the Tahoe is shorter than the Expedition and Armada but about the same width. The Chevy Tahoe features a crisp design with curved edges, fully wrapped front fascia that eliminates air-grabbing gaps, doors that wrap over the rocker panels, and a steeply raked windshield. Up front, the Tahoe features a clean interpretation of Chevrolet's two-tier front grille with a central bowtie logo. Tow hook openings flank the license plate frame and they are, on cars so equipped, flanked by fog lights. The sides of the Tahoe have little ornamentation, yielding a smooth design. Windows aren't shrunk in the name of style and offer a decent view; unlike the Suburban the rear side windows do not roll all the way down.

Inside the Tahoe

A curvaceous dashboard and flush-mounted buttons give the Tahoe a carlike interior. Two rows of seats hold up to six occupants, with a third row increasing total seating capacity to nine. With the third-row bench in place, cargo volume falls to 16.9 cubic feet. With the third row out and second row folded Tahoe has full-size cargo space of 108.9 cubic feet (108.3 for Expedition), 60.3 cubic feet behind the second row (Expedition 55.0) and 16.9 cubic feet behind the third row (Expedition 18.6).The load height is about the same height as a typical pickup bed. Small items storage space is abundant, with a large center console, map pockets in the doors, a big glovebox and a handy tray below the center stack.

Conclusions

Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes are standard, as is an electronic stability system that features rollover mitigation technology, which senses impending rollovers and applies individual brakes in an attempt to keep the Tahoe on all four wheels. The Chevy Tahoe offers cargo space, passenger accommodations, and towing capacity. The Hybrid model gets decent mileage in the city and the XFE is a better highway-cruiser value. Three-ton trucks more than six feet tall don't change direction like cars and if you approach a corner too fast the Tahoe understeers and scrubs off speed; the predictability and consistency are ideal for the average Tahoe driver. For drivers looking for a vehicle with room for many passengers, a towing capability, and reasonable handling, the Tahoe offers an excellent choice. For those looking for a similar vehicle with better fuel economy, the Tahoe Hybrid is a great choice if you are willing to pay the extra price. For further research, pictures, and details, visit the official 2010 Chevy Tahoe site.