Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid Truck Review
Truck Reviewer
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid is one very clever truck but, let’s be honest, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the technology and an awful lot of hype. So let’s look at the facts. For a start, don’t go getting the idea that this is an underpowered pickup. The dual system uses both gasoline and electric motors. Anywhere above 29 mph a big, powerful, traditional V8 delivers more than enough go. It’s at low speeds the electric motors take over, shutting the gas engine off and then smoothly re-engaging it at need. You’ll hardly even notice it happened. When you’re cruising, like on long freeway trips, the technology will also cut the cylinders from eight to four, making the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid far and away the most economical full-size truck in its class. All that environmental efficiency actually seldom makes itself known. Green gismos aside, it’s the same tough, capable, well-built truck it always has been. It’ll take the rough stuff in its stride and yet is smart and refined enough not to look out of place on social occasions. It’ll work hard and it can play hard too.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid comes as 2 or 4-wheel drive in a single body style, the popular crew cab. With plenty of space for the family or a work team, it still has a payload of over 1500 lbs and will tow over 6,000. That V8 I mentioned is a more than healthy 6 liters, producing 332 horsepower and 367 foot pounds of torque. Hybrids are feeble? I don’t think so. Drive is delivered by a four speed auto box. There are two trim levels, 1HY and 2HY, both giving a lot for your money. The list of standard features is extensive and includes important safety necessities like air bags, ABS, traction and stability control, plus niceties like heated mirrors, chrome wheels, privacy glass, cruise control and Bluetooth. There’s some instrumentation specific to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid, including an economy gauge that shows you just how much money you’re saving! OK, it doesn’t really give dollars and cents, but if you’re in the green then you’re saving green, if you see what I mean. If you are into modern communications you can also get yourself a couple of mobile apps that will find a dealer for you, schedule maintenance or even help you find your car if you get a bit turned around somewhere!
There’s no doubting we’ll see more pickups like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid. Let’s hope all of them deliver their advanced technology in such a transparent way. The extra electric motors don’t get in the way, they’re hidden under the rear seats. In truth nothing gets in the way. If you’re paying attention you can notice the engine changing but after a while you just ignore it. You can keep an eye on the environmental aspects if you like, or let them get on with their job while you get on with yours.
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