Generous comfort for the family
This is not the ‘50s anymore -- today’s pick-up trucks are light-years ahead in terms of comfort. The 2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid is actually a model of comfort. With four large doors, the six-passenger Crew Cab offers easy access and a lot of room for everybody. Moreover, the seats are very comfortable, with a good amount of lumbar support and plenty of freedom to stretch.

The independent, coil-over-shock front suspension and two-stage leaf spring rear suspension smoothen the ride and eliminate the traditional hops. Overall, this Chevy definitely does not feel like a workhorse. I would even say it’s more family-oriented. On the other hand, don’t ask your youngest son to park the vehicle in the garage. Visibility is tricky, especially for those who are not familiar with big trucks. Fortunately, GM provides options like a rearview camera and ultrasonic rear parking assist with audible/visible warnings (that wasn’t the case of my tester, though).

The seats are very comfortable, with a good amount of lumbar support and plenty of freedom to stretch.

The giant’s heart
The main reason for buying this particular variant of the Silverado is obviously its hybrid powertrain. With a combined city-highway rating of 12.3 L/100 km, it’s easy to see the merits of such a pickup.

Fuel economy is even more attractive when factoring in the 332 horsepower produced by the 6.0-liter V8 and the electric motor. Under 30 km/h, the vehicle runs solely on electricity and, as soon as it comes to a stop, the combustion engine shuts off. Also, GM’s Two-Mode Hybrid system continuously varies the operating mode based on available torque.

Unsurprisingly, the four-speed automatic transmission has been calibrated to deliver optimum efficiency. Yet, payload and towing capacities are far from negligible at 643 kilos (1,418 lbs) and 2,676 kilos (5,900 lbs), respectively.

The power steering is fairly direct and precise with a nice level of assist. The brakes are firm and powerful, although a significant amount of inertia is created by the vehicle’s weight.

Wrap-up
The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid is indeed a relevant alternative for traditional pick-up truck buyers. It’s fuel-efficient, powerful, comfortable and feature-laden. Plus, it eases the green conscience of owners. The MSRP of $46,725 can be intimidating -- even more so with a couple of options (my tester retailed for over $52,000), but the qualities and benefits of this vehicle are worth spending that much money.



Photo Credit : Bertrand Godin