2009 Chevy Silverado Review

Chevrolet Silverado is a versatile truck that can haul and tow with ease, but can be configured with many of the same comfort features typically found in a luxury car. Silverado's suspension allows the truck to handle the heavy loads of a work truck without giving up ride comfort. GM's recent focus has been on its hybrid Silverado and Sierra trucks, so the traditional models haven't changed significantly since their last makeover in 2006.

First Look at the 2009 Chevy Silverado

Chevy's full-size Silverado has a clean look, with a wide chrome grille that blends into the wrap-around front headlamp assemblies. Its bumper is color matched to the body and the hood line is low, with simple contour lines. Bulged front fenders and bed sides add emphasis to those areas, but are not massive enough to distract from the overall styling. A track-style bed rail system provides a place for tie down hooks, but can also be used for the truck's optional cargo boxes (for tools and other items) and cargo containment pieces (dividers that keep items from sliding around in the bed).

In the Chevy Silverado Driver's Seat

My LT1 Crew Cab test truck was equipped with leather bucket seats and a center console. The seats are comfortable, with enough adjustments to suit a person of most any size. The large console's padded lid doubles as an armrest, and there's a storage tray ahead of its twin cup holders.

The dash center stack houses controls for the Silverado's audio system. Heating/AC controls are in the same location, and allow individual temp settings for the driver and front passenger. Real-time information regarding trip miles, average mpg and miles-to-empty are displayed within the instrument cluster at the push of a button.

Side and rear visibility is pretty decent, but the rear roof pillars do create small blind spots (outside mirrors help eliminate the problem). The B-pillars and rear edge of the door create another obstruction -- I had to lean forward to look directly to my left.

Chevy Silverado Power Train

My truck was powered by the 5.3L V8 and a six speed automatic transmission. The engine had plenty of power for towing and hauling, and the six-speed helped keep the engine in the best power range. An extra overdrive gear promotes better fuel mileage when cruising down the road. The tranny has a tow/haul mode that changes the shift points when you're pulling a trailer (a computer holds the transmission in each gear longer to get this most power from the engine, and downshifts quicker on deceleration to help slow the truck). I used this mode most on winding roads, even with an empty truck, because it minimized the number of up and down shifts.

Chevy's XFE Silverado is a truck that was modified to increase fuel economy. A 3.08:1 rear axle ratio, aluminum wheels and low rolling resistance tires are part of the XFE package. A soft tonneau, extended lower front airdam and a lowered ride height improve aerodynamics. The changes help improve fuel mileage, upping it by 1 mpg for city and highway driving.

The Silverado truck is comfortable to drive in most any condition and handles just as well fully loaded as it does empty. I always felt in control, even on slippery surfaces. The 5.3 liter V8 in the truck I drove had plenty of power at full throttle or at 65 mph cruise.