If you have been holding out hope for a Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV, it might be time to give up. Even though the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid was still a suitable vehicle, some external circumstances contributed to its downfall. Check out the specs of this sport utility vehicle, which were not remarkable enough to justify the high cost.

What years did they make the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid?

The Chevy Tahoe Hybrid was only available for six years. The hybrid Tahoe was an option from 2008 through 2013 when Chevy did away with the more fuel-efficient alternative. Looking at the press release from Chevrolet about the Tahoe Hybrid, the automaker says this version offers a “dramatic improvement” in fuel economy. The 33% increase in fuel economy in the city was a big selling point for the full-size SUV.

With seating for eight passengers and a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds on the two-wheel drive models, what’s not to like about a hybrid Tahoe? Chevrolet says the new state-of-the-art hybrid system offered 20 mpg in the city for the 2013 Tahoe Hybrid. The regular version got 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. With the combined fuel economy, the hybrid version only earned four more miles per gallon.

This system worked with an Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT) and a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System (ESS). Using the standard 6.0L V8 engine and the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, the Hybrid could perform more efficiently. The hybrid system allowed for more than 30 miles of electric-only driving and even had a more fuel-efficient V4 mode.

Why was the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid discontinued?

The Chevy Tahoe Hybrid should have been a great vehicle, but it was a victim of circumstance. Thanks to the banking issues and home mortgage crisis, 2008 was a horrible year for the country. Things did not immediately improve, and people were not keen on spending more than $50,000 on an SUV that cost a lot to fill up.

According to Edmunds, there were still a lot of positives surrounding the 2013 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. It had plenty of space for eight passengers, enough cargo room for everyone’s belongings, and the hybrid fuel economy was pretty good. Fuel economy estimates were around $199 a month, which was better than the average large non-hybrid SUV. Unfortunately, EPA estimates said that you would only save about $550 a year in fuel costs compared to the standard Tahoe.

The problem with the Hybrid SUV also came down to the competition. When drivers did not feel comfortable spending so much on a vehicle, the competition was cheaper and easier to drive. The popularity of smaller light-duty crossovers and midsize SUVs skyrocketed, and large SUVs like the Tahoe fell out of favor.

Will there be a hybrid SUV from Chevrolet in the future?

Some of the best hybrid SUVs of 2023 include the Kia Sportage, the Hyundai Tucson, and the Honda CR-V. All of these options are considered small or compact SUVs. Full-size hybrid SUVs are not very common for some of the same reasons the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid isn’t common. It makes more sense to have a smaller hybrid vehicle that can actually offer better fuel economy.

In any case, the likelihood of an all-electric Chevrolet Tahoe is pretty good. With that, a new hybrid variant could accompany the redesign. Chevrolet already announced the electric Silverado truck and has committed to making affordable and accessible EVs. Even though the original Chevy Tahoe Hybrid didn’t have a long run, circumstances are different.