NOTE: Pricing based on data collected July 2009. Costs of hybridization and forced features are UCS estimates based on information available on manufacturer websites.
* Silverado LT 1LT with the optional 5.3-liter V-8 engine
**The cost of the aluminum wheels is included in the cost of hybridization.
See full Hybrid Scorecard methodology
Vehicle Summary
General Motors introduced the two-wheel-drive (2WD) Chevy Silverado Hybrid in model year 2009. The full-size pickup gets a combined EPA estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg, making it and its twin, the GMC Sierra, the most efficient vehicles in this class. The Chevy Silverado Hybrid and the GMC Sierra Hybrid are the only hybrid pickup trucks currently available on the market. The Silverado Hybrid 2WD is a full hybrid, offering electric-only operation under certain conditions, idle stop/start, power assist, and regenerative braking.
Environmental Score
With a 19 percent reduction in global warming emissions compared with the conventional Silverado, the Silverado Hybrid 2WD is toward the bottom of the overall hybrid pack. It is worth noting, however, that to compare the hybrid system on as level a playing field as possible, we compared the Silverado Hybrid’s 6.0-liter, V-8 engine with the conventional Silverado’s 5.3-liter, V-8 engine; the conventional Silverado comes with a smaller 4.8-liter V-8 option as well (1). Given the fact that GM was able to squeeze a 21 percent reduction in global warming emissions out of its Saturn Vue Hybrid—a vehicle that does not even have the battery capacity to truly be a hybrid vehicle—the Silverado Hybrid 2WD’s impressive two-mode, full hybrid drivetrain could have been used to bring far more to the table as the first full-sized hybrid pickup truck.
Despite modifications to improve its efficiency, the upsized gasoline engine gives the Silverado Hybrid 2WD more peak horsepower and peak torque, making it a “muscle” hybrid. Using the more common 5.3-liter V-8 engine would have delivered better fuel economy, though it may have compromised towing capacity.
A poorly performing tailpipe emissions control system compromises the smog-forming emissions performance of the Silverado Hybrid 2WD, earning it an EPA air pollution score of 6, the lowest among all hybrid vehicles. This score combined with the global warming emissions reduction give the Silverado Hybrid 2WD an overall Environmental Score of 4.3. Hybrid technology and modern emissions control systems offer the unique quality of providing a “no compromise” vehicle that does not trade smog forming emissions for global warming emissions, and vice versa. The Environmental Score of the Silverado Hybrid 2WD could be greatly improved if GM focused two-mode hybrid technology on maximizing fuel economy, and made an effort toward reducing smog-forming emissions akin to the rest of the hybrid manufacturers.
Scorecard Environmental Score methodology
Hybrid Value
GM is charging $5,705 for the hybrid system in the Silverado Hybrid 2WD. With a 19 percent reduction in global warming emissions, this gives the Silverado Hybrid 2WD a Hybrid Value rating in the “Low” range. We should note that hybrid drivetrain technology often becomes more expensive when it needs to be upsized for larger vehicles. However, its twin, the GMC Sierra Hybrid 2WD, has a hybrid system that is about $1,400 cheaper despite the fact that the two vehicles utilize the same technology.
Scorecard Hybrid Value methodology
Forced Features
GM adds on only $370 worth of forced features to the Silverado Hybrid 2WD compared with the standard features on the Silverado 2WD LT 1LT, giving the Silverado Hybrid 2WD a Forced Features rating of “$.” The fact that the Silverado Hybrid 2WD is not loaded with forced features is evidence that GM does not need to pack additional options on its two-mode hybrid vehicles and that the company has the potential to bring more cost-effective choices to consumers. Sample features include locking rear differential; Bluetooth connectivity; and automatic, dual-zone climate control. Click to see full list of forced features.
Scorecard Forced Features methodology
Hybrid Scorecard Home
Additional Info
Visit the Who’s Got Hybrids section to read comments and stories from actual hybrid owners.
Visit the Reviews page to see what popular automotive websites think of this hybrid.
1. The 2009 Silverado was also offered with an optional 6.0-liter V-8 engine, but represented a very small fraction of overall Silverado sales.
| 
