GM's hybrid SUV duo win Best Engineered Vehicle from SAE

Click the Tahoe hybrid for a high-res gallery

Regardless of your viewpoint on the role that the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon Hybrid play in the marketplace, the engineering that went into the vehicles is laudable. Seamlessly integrating the dual gasoline and electric drivetrains has managed to win GM's engineering team the award for the Best Engineered Vehicles of 2008 by the SAE International's Automotive Engineering International magazine.

Says Kevin Jost, Editorial Director of Automotive Engineering International, said "The vehicles' advanced technology enables consumers looking for an efficient SUV a choice that does not involve sacrificing a cargo-hauling and trailer-towing capacity in return for improved fuel economy." We agree that for those who really do need the capabilities that only a full-size SUV can offer, the hybrid-duo from GM is the best bet when it comes to gasoline savings. But how many of you are there, really? The press release is pasted after the break for your perusal and click here to read our complete review of the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid.

Press Release:

Automotive Engineering International Names General Motors' SUV Hybrids Best Engineered Vehicles of 2008

WARRENDALE, Pa., April 11 -- Readers and editors of SAE International's Automotive Engineering International (AEI) magazine crown General Motors' Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid as 2008's Best Engineered Vehicles.

"General Motors has significantly re-engineered its class-leading full-size sport utility vehicles - the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon - with the first application of groundbreaking hybrid technology," Kevin Jost, Editorial Director of Automotive Engineering International, said. "The vehicles' advanced technology enables consumers looking for an efficient SUV a choice that does not involve sacrificing a cargo-hauling and trailer-towing capacity in return for improved fuel economy."

The Tahoe and Yukon Hybrids boast improved fuel economy compared to their gasoline-only counterparts. This is due to a state-of-the-art two-mode hybrid system developed in partnership with BMW and DaimlerChrysler.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ratings for the two-wheel drive models are 21 miles per gallon (mpg) for city driving and 22 mpg for highway driving. The four-wheel drive models achieve an EPA rating of 20 mpg city/highway.

The vehicles still deliver full-size SUV performance, with a 6,200-pound towing capacity for the two-wheel drive models, and a 12,000-pound Gross Combination Weight Rating for the four-wheel drive models. Both seat eight passengers.

The Best Engineered Vehicle award winners will be announced at the SAE 2008 World Congress, to be held April 14-17 at Cobo Center, Detroit. The winners also will be published in AEI's May 2008 edition.

[Source: SAE]