GREEN | 5 out of 10
The 2012 Chevy Tahoe can be one of the greenest full-size SUVs of all, with a Hybrid model earning highway fuel economy of 23 mpg. But as for the rest of the lineup, it's actually quite thirsty and unremarkable in this respect.
With its motors and batteries, the Tahoe Hybrid earns an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 23 highway, which means it goes nearly 50 percent farther per gallon on regular gasoline than most full-size utes--while it also has comparable performance and towing and hauling ability.
The standard Tahoe and its 5.3-liter V-8 earn the ute an EPA score of 15/21 mpg--which is an improvement over the truck-based full-size SUVs of a few years ago, but still short of the three-row crossovers that make a better choice for many families.
All standard Tahoe models are also E85 (85-percent ethanol) compatible; but unless you live next to a cornfield the economics probably won't work out, let alone the questions about environment. When you fuel up with ethanol you'll get an EPA-estimated 11 mpg city, 16 highway.Conclusion
The 2013 Chevy Tahoe is mediocre on the efficiency front, but the Tahoe Hybrid is exceptionally green, considering you can still use it like a truck.
