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2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Safety Review

February 22, 2009

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

changing lanes or pulling into tight parking spaces...requires extra care
AutoblogGreen

Five stars, front and side impacts
NHTSA

Reviewers criticize visibility from inside the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, but the SUV is loaded with safety features.

Five stars are given to the Tahoe Hybrid for front and side impacts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

According to safercar.gov, the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid includes curtain airbags for all three rows, daytime running lights, four-wheel all-disc ABS, tire-pressure monitors, auto door locks, automatic crash notification (via OnStar), and LATCH points for securing child car seats. Additionally, 2009 models are equipped with an "electronically-controlled braking system [that] also provides full traction and stability control," according to AutoblogGreen. But these features are standard among all the Tahoe's competitors, too, save for OnStar.

ForbesAutos points out that "the side-curtain airbags remain inflated for several seconds to protect passengers in the event of a rollover"—a unique feature of the 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. Cars.com says the Tahoe Hybrid has "brackets attached to the front of its frame...designed to help it better engage with the structure of a smaller vehicle during a crash.” Three-point safety belts are standard for all seating positions, but head restraints are not available for the center positions in both rows.

The Tahoe Hybrid does have some drawbacks. AutoblogGreen points out that there are "plenty of blind spots" and "changing lanes or pulling into tight parking spaces...requires extra care." However, a backup camera and side mirrors with curb tilt are also standard equipment.

Conclusion

Mind your outward visibility; otherwise, the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is a safe, well-equipped SUV.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:changing lanes or pulling into tight parking spaces...requires extra careAutoblogGreenFive stars, front and side impactsNHTSA Reviewers criticize visibility from inside the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, but the SUV is loaded with safety features. Five stars are given to the Tahoe Hybrid for front and side impacts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to safercar.gov, the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid includes curtain airbags for all three rows, daytime running lights, four-wheel all-disc ABS, tire-pressure monitors, auto door locks, automatic crash notification (via OnStar), and LATCH points for securing child car seats. Additionally, 2009 models are equipped with an "electronically-controlled braking system [that] also provides full traction and stability control," according to AutoblogGreen. But these features are standard among all the Tahoe's competitors, too, save for OnStar. ForbesAutos points out that "the side-curtain airbags remain inflated for several seconds to protect passengers in the event of a rollover"—a unique feature of the 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. Cars.com says the Tahoe Hybrid has "brackets attached to the front of its frame...designed to help it better engage with the structure of a smaller vehicle during a crash.” Three-point safety belts are standard for all seating positions, but head restraints are not available for the center positions in both rows. The Tahoe Hybrid does have some drawbacks. AutoblogGreen points out that there are "plenty of blind spots" and "changing lanes or pulling into tight parking spaces...requires extra care." However, a backup camera and side mirrors with curb tilt are also standard equipment. ConclusionMind your outward visibility; otherwise, the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is a safe, well-equipped SUV. 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID STYLING | [8 out of 10] ForbesAutos: "still boxy and burly" Edmunds: "handsome with fine build quality" Detroit News: "uncompromising in its size" Car and Driver: "Attractive exterior" There are subtle and obvious differences between the 2009 Chevy Tahoe ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

If buying a hybrid is the driving force behind your selection decision, Toyota offers the Highlander Hybrid and Lexus has the mechanically identical RX 400h. These are both very nice SUVs with good passenger comfort and real-world fuel economy of around 25 mpg, but neither offers the room, towing, or genuine four-wheel-drive capabilities of the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. Mercedes-Benz offers a diesel-powered GL320 BlueTec SUV, a marvelous performer with more comfort inside, more available technology features, and similar towing capability for not quite $10,000 more than the Tahoe Hybrid. From Chrysler, the Dodge Durango/Chrysler Aspen two-mode hybrids utilize the same technology as the Tahoe. While these Chryslers benefit from a great piece of technology, the Durango/Aspen platform is generations behind the Chevy Tahoe—especially in ride, handling, and refinement. The Jeep Grand Cherokee with the newly available 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 is another alternative; it delivers EPA ratings of 17/22 mpg with excellent towing and off-road capabilities. Of course, the Jeep is considerably smaller than the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid.

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See the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Robert #1, Posted: 2/6/2009

    Good choice

    This is a good choice for anybody that can afford the high cost and wants to help reduce our dependence of foreign oil.
    Much more practical for a family than a Prius.

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