edmunds.com did a cost analysis/review of the new two-mode hybrid full-sized General Motors platform.
The full-size hybrid SUV offers a 3.1-mpg improvement over the standard power drive system. If you drive 15,000 miles annually, the hybrid truck will consume 149 fewer gallons of fuel per year less than its conventional counterpart, this is a 19 percent improvement. Do a little more math using the current average U.S. fuel cost and you'll find that's a $456 savings per year.
Since an SUV uses far more fuel annually than a small car, even a small improvement fuel economy can make a big difference in gallons of fuel saved at the end of the year. Run the same comparative calculation using EPA fuel estimates for a Honda Civic EX and a Honda Civic Hybrid, and the annual fuel savings for the Honda works out to 139 gallons. You are saving the same fuel comparing the hybrid over non-hybrid, you just use alot more fuel to begin with.
Add a surcharge for the hybrid, $9,100 more than a comparably equipped standard Tahoe with the 5.3-liter V8 and four-speed automatic transmission, minus the IRS $2,200 tax credit and it will take 15 years to recoup the cost at 15,000 miles per year.
So the bottom line from Edmonds: Save 149 gallons a year, spend more money, get more standard equipment and better performance over a standard powered Tahoe.
The biggest question remains: Does one need a really need a huge vehicle for personal transport? A cross-over or minivan can transport the same number of people as a Tahoe. A small hybrid or economy car that gets 45mpg uses one-third the fuel of the Tahoe or to put it another way, three cars can replace one Tahoe and use the same amount of fuel.
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