Until recently, one wouldn't normally associate an SUV with the idea of hybridism, Chevrolet followed the trend set by the Ford Escape Hybrid and given their twenty-five year old Tahoe an all new attitude. In the fall of 2007, Chevrolet introduced their first ever Tahoe Hybrid. The Tahoe Hybrid continues to have all of the features of a standard SUV; however, in place of the straight gas-guzzling V8, Chevrolet implemented a greener V8 with Active Fuel Management and a two-mode hybrid propulsion system. When the 2008 Tahoe Hybrid became available on sales lots, the newest model was met with mixed reviews. Some attacked the maker for succumbing to outside pressure. Many were under the impression that once the Tahoe was available as a hybrid, it would lose power and performance. Nevertheless, Chevrolet has calmed all of the critics' fears. The Tahoe Hybrid boasts the same superior performance level as its gas-hog counterparts.

In 1994 Chevrolet had the wild idea to give its full-size Blazer a revamped name, and so the Tahoe was born. Right from the beginning, law officials began using the Tahoe in place of their sedan cruisers because of its higher performance and adaptability to varying road conditions. Law enforcement, especially those not in urban locations, continues to use the Tahoe to this day. Some have even gone over to the green side by purchasing the hybrid model for their officers. In 1996 the Tahoe was named Motor Trend's Truck of the Year, an astonishing feat for an only two year old vehicle. The Tahoe originally was available in both 2-door and 4-door styles. Also, 2WD and 4WD were options. In 1996 the Tahoe went from a 350 TBI V8 to an impressive Detroit Diesel V8. Nevertheless, Chevrolet replaced that engine in 2000 with a Vortec V8. The newest Vortec engine pumps out 295 horsepower.

As the summer months came to a close in 2007, Chevrolet introduced every greenies dream, the rugged Tahoe Hybrid. Not only was the engine changed, the look of the Tahoe had changed as well. A lower-profile front end, shapely contours, and an improved grille are served to welcome in the newest Tahoe edition. Active Fuel Management allows the Tahoe Hybrid to run on only three or four cylinders during highway driving or other driving that doesn't require the extra cylinder power. Of course, the Tahoe wouldn't be a hybrid without the two-mode propulsion system. This system allows the Tahoe Hybrid to operate on electric power, gas engine power, or a combination of the two. With these features, the Tahoe Hybrid can reach up to 21 city MPG and 22 highway MPG. This is one of the reasons that the Green Car Journal gave the Tahoe its highest honor of Green Car of the Year for 2008. For a hybrid that had only been on the market for less than a year, receiving such an honor is no small accomplishment. Chevrolet must be on to something because they've also released a Malibu and Silverado Hybrid. It looks like going green is here to stay.