Home of the Big Gulp, Super-Size fast food options and a Starbucks Coffee shop on nearly every corner, Americans love a plethora of options whether they are big or small. With an overwhelmingly amount of real estate available and thousands of miles of roads, it’s no wonder the Americans love for large SUV’s have reigned supreme for soccer moms and even functioning as utilitarian modes of hauling equipment or the occasional car trailer to events.

More often than not, though, our large beloved SUV’s have turned into urban assault vehicles with many 4WD optioned versions never locking in the transfer case for off-road duty.

These SUV’s see more time on the streets, dodging pot-holes and a deteriorating interstate system and shuttling around children and the family dog than they do on the job site or camp ground. 

Let’s face it. The price of fuel isn’t going down anytime soon. While diesel-powered vehicles get marginally better fuel mileage, the extra cost in that fuel and additional premium for those powerplants leave many looking for other options.

All is not lost though, however, as Chevrolets Hybrid Tahoe could be the light at the end of the tunnel.

While hybrids are generally more expensive (With an MSRP of $56,845, the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid costs $8,020 or 16-percent more than a gasoline Tahoe LT 4WD – (AutoMedia.com) and far more complex than the other gasoline or diesel outfits, their ability to hone in on the fuel mileage makes them a supreme choice, especially when considering that cross-country, family roadtrip. The benefits come in the form of dual, whisper-quiet, 300-volt electric motors; capable of pushing the Hybrid Tahoe around on battery power up to 20mph. However, with the option to tap into the traditional 6.0L engine, cycling on and off depending on the the need, your American way is only a gas-pedal away, literally. 

According to AutoMedia.com, “Given its 33-percent better city fuel economy, for those who drive a lot – especially in the city where hybrids make the most sense – this may be worthwhile if you keep your vehicles a long time. In simple terms, if you drive 12,000 miles a year, it will take 10 years to recover the cost of the Tahoe Hybrid’s higher MSRP compared to its gasoline counterpart.” We couldn’t agree more.

So, if you’re still on the rocks about whether or not the Hybrid SUV can make it into your driveway, consider this: the three-row, eight-passenger Hybrid Tahoe can still haul around 5,900lbs of towing capacity. While the standard, gas-only  4WD Tahoe trumps that by an additional 2,300lbs (8,200lbs total), the Hybrid’s towing capacity can still manage most family boats, travel trailers or the occasional dirt bike or two. Is The Hybrid right for you? Keep in mind, the Hybrid Tahoe is more eco-friendly than most SUV’s sharing the road and owners reap the benefits of tax breaks with some states allowing them in HOV lanes.