All-Chevy

Nice write-up… Forbes

After I climbed into the Chevy Tahoe hybrid, the engine cranked immediately, without hesitation. Even though snow covered every window surface, spending a few minutes warming up the cabin and running the front and rear defrosters was no burden because the wide-open interior spaces induced no claustrophobia.

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD Hybrid

When the time came to put the car in gear and get it rolling, the on-demand four-wheel-drive pulled the truck effortlessly through the snow. On the road, there was nothing to fear from slush thrown up from passing vehicles because we sat up so high, the windows were never blocked.

My only concern was the large front spoiler that hung down from the front bumper, making it easy to clog with snow or dent in a parking lot snowdrift. Nothing worrisome materialized, however.

The Tahoe also proved its worth hauling household goods to and from New York City on back-to-back trips. Its carrying capacity is significant and the abundance of creature comforts for the driver - such things as seat heaters and satellite radio - kept fatigue and boredom to a minimum.

Where the Tahoe falls down is on the value side of the equation. A couple of thousand dollars of options like the rear-seat entertainment system and a $950 delivery charge pushed the as-tested price up to $56,500 - though beleagured Chevy dealers will surely sell you one for thousands less.