Hands-On: GM’s 2009 Silverado Hybrid

The Silverado also incorporates GM’s active fuel management system, which shuts down cylinders to convert its V8 into a V6 or even V4 when under light load — or when the hybrid’s electric motors can provide enough assistance to make up the difference in power. And the hybrid incorporates a re-designed front air dam and factory-standard tonneau cover to reduce drag and further improve fuel economy.

The Silverado Touchscreen:  Toolmonger

The Truck

We drove a short-bed crew cab, similar in most every way to other 900-series trucks. Our model was equipped with a mid-level interior package complete with climate control and a touch-screen-based driver information/entertainment system [left]. On hybrid trucks like ours, this system can also display a moving graphic indicating the vehicle’s current power mode and charging status.

Also specific to the hybrid is an “auto-stop” indicator located between the lower “peg” and the 1,000 RPM point on the tachometer and an “efficiency” gauge to the right of the tach. Unlike old vacuum gauges that just show how hard the engine is working, the Silverado’s “efficiency” gauge is operated by the truck’s computer, giving you an aggregate view of how the whole system’s working. Keeping the efficiency needle at the 12 o’clock position saves you the most bucks at the pump.

In Use

As a plain ‘ole truck, we enjoyed the Silverado. The interior was very comfortable and quiet — even in “engine mode” — and we’re impressed by the improvement in ride over earlier trucks. Compared to our 1990 Chevy budget project truck (and even other mid-’90s trucks we’ve owned and driven) the Silverado rides like a Cadillac.