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September 8, 2009
2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid 1500 4x4 Review
by Bertrand Godin , Auto123.com

As a former race car driver and current auto journalist, there are certain vehicles that I do not particularly look forward to trying out. Since a good old pick-up truck is not even remotely close to a race car, being handed the keys to one of these mastodons usually means that the week will be long and boring.

The Silverado looks intimidating at first but as time passes by, though, one begins to see a different side of its personality.

However, looks can be deceiving sometimes, especially with some perspective on things. My test week turned out to be a pretty interesting experience after all.

The funny thing about driving one of these big machines is the inquisitive look on people’s face. They think we’re retarded or totally disconnected from reality. But when they realize that this Silverado is actually a hybrid, their attitude completely changes. Heck, they even smile at us!

Sure enough, the Silverado looks intimidating at first. As time passes by, though, one begins to see a different side of its personality. Truth be told, this rig is quite docile and does not really feel like a truck. While the massive dashboard is a vivid reminder of its "utility first" motto, numerous efforts went into making the cabin friendlier and more attractive.

A touch of elegance is delivered by the chrome accents surrounding the controls. Speaking of which, the instrumentation and switchgear are all designed to be easy to read. Steering wheel-mounted controls, adequate soundproofing, a handy driver information centre with ECO gauge, satellite radio and multiple storage compartments (including the desk-like center console) are other pleasant features that make life inside the Silverado a joy.

The flat, boxy dashboard is typical of a pick-up truck and the hard plastics are great for cleaning although styling was a distant concern. Conversely, the fabric that covers the seats looks like a dust magnet -- quality is obvious, but the texture is questionable. Another irritant during my road test was the awkward layout of the controls on the driver’s door panel: they’re positioned right on the inviting armrest, so you’re frequently pushing buttons by accident.

A touch of elegance is delivered by the chrome accents surrounding the controls.

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