PickupTrucks.com: Test-Driving the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid

While GM may not have the same green car cache as Toyota, Mike Levine of PickupTrucks.com discovered that GM may have pulled ahead when it comes to large hybrids. The enormous truck manages an EPA-estimated 21/22 mpg city/highway, which means the half-ton pickup edges out Toyota's Lexus LS 600h L luxury sedan. In his first drive of the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, Levine towed a 5,000-pound Sea Ray boat with relative ease. The Silverado Hybrid managed to pull the weight using just the electric motor until 15 mph, when the gas engine kicked in. Needless to say, there were some impressed folks over at PickupTrucks.com. Click on the link to read Levine's full report.

Environmen-tow-ly Friendly, First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid (PickupTrucks.com)

Comments

it is sad that GM does not realize that they could make all of their full size SUV's (hybrid or not) quite a bit more efficient by just refining their engines.

their 5.3L V8 is capeable of producing much more horsepower than the 320 it does. for example, Audi's 4.2L V8 produces 350 hp and uses more than a liter less than the Chevy's.

hey JM: what's the compression ration of that Audi engine, or it's fuel requirement, or is it turbo charged, or at what RPMs does it peak at, or why don't you buy the Audi engine and put it in a chevy yourself and make $$$?

Hey Ron, that would cost probably about $100K. That is why I wouldn't do that, duh.

um, thats not me^^ great job at impersonating.

the 4.2L engine is NOT turbocharged.

uit was just an example to show that less fuel can be used to make more horsepower than in GM's application.

and if i was going to buy a car with an Audi V8, i would buy an Audi. all around better car in every aspect.

GM has variable camshaft timing on their 6.2 & 6.0 V8s.
GM should trickle that down to the 5.3 V8, hopefully for '09.5.

They did just install their 6 speed automatic.

I cant wait to see how expensive repairs will be on these things once they get out of warranty.Back in the old days,when the computerized drivetrain would act up,the young-and frugal owners would swap out a 350 from a Camaro or Impala to slap in their Cheyenne...I dont think you will find anyone able to re-power one of these (legally) once the hybrid bits give up the ghost.

Paul has a point, it will be really expensive to repair when the warrenty wears out and I think, very very difficult to do an engine swap, especially if one has no understanding of electrics.

like all hybrids, that is an issue. you do not want to have issues with a prius and be out of warranty. forget about cousin larry fixing up your hybrid over a few beers on a weekend. you are going to the dealer and pay their rates.

is like most luxury cars, their repairs cost more and more likely to totalled the car. that bumper that has sensors or a tv camera cost more than a regular bumper.

The new Silverado is a winner and is recognized by JD Power as being the best full sized pickup in initial quality. GM engineers have done a great job with the 5.3 liter engine with its variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation. My 2008 2 wheel drive Silverado returned 26.3 mpg on a 110 mile trip last week and averages 20 mpg. The Hybrid will do even better in the real world. If you need a real truck, you can't ask for better performance.