The Chevrolet Silverado, along with its GMC counterpart, the GMC Sierra, is the latest line of full-size pickup trucks from General Motors. Here we look at the base model, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, with the other two models, 2500HD and 3500HD, covered in another one.
The 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 comes in three models:
- 1500 Regular Cab Standard Box and Long Box (2WD and 4×4)
- 1500 Extended Cab Short Box, Standard Box and Long Box (2WD and 4×4), and
- 1500 Crew Cab Short Box (2WD and 4×4)
These three models in turn have four different trims each – WT, LS, LT and LTZ [Take a peak inside/outside a brand new 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500, in this Video here].
The engine of the Silverado 1500 is a Vortec 4.3L V6 with 195 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque as Standard in the WT trim. Both the LS and LT trims have a Vortec 4.8L V8 with 295 hp and 305 lb.-ft. of torque as Standard. The LTZ trim on the other hand has a Vortec 5.3L (iron- or aluminum-block) V8 with 315 hp and 338 lb.-ft. of torque as Standard. Other Optional engines include the Vortec FlexFuel 5.3L (iron- or aluminum-block) V8 with 315 hp and 338 lb.-ft. of torque, the Vortec 6.0L V8 with 367 hp and 375 lb.-ft. of torque, and the Vortec FlexFuel 6.2L V8 with 403 hp and 417 lb.-ft. of torque [Watch a Chevy Silverado 1500 do some serious revving up, in real quick time here].
Interestingly, the Silverado comes with numerous additional packages such as the following:
- MAX Trailering Pack: automatic locking rear differential, Handling/Trailering suspension, 9.5-inch rear axle, front and rear disc brakes, and heavy-duty trailering equipment
- Skid Plate Package: frame-mounted shield protecting front underbody, oil pan, differential case and transfer case on 4×4 models
- Snow Plow Prep Package: includes 160-amp alternator, high-flow front bumper and electrical relays (Regular Cab 4×4 models only)
Peak Inside a Customized Chevrolet Silverado
The Suspension package is either Z60 High-Performance or Z71 Off-Road with 46mm shock absorbers, off-road jounce bumpers and stabilizer bars, Skid Plate Package, and Z71 decals on rear-quarter panels (both Optional on the LT and LTZ trims).
Heavy-duty trailering equipment includes trailer hitch platform, seven-pin wire connector, auxiliary transmission oil cooler and trailer brake control harness under dash. These are Standard on the LTZ trim and Optional on all the others.
Transmission is Standard, Hydra-Matic, four-speed automatic, and electronically controlled with overdrive across all the trims. There is also the Option of a Hydra-Matic, six-speed automatic, electronically controlled with overdrive Transmission on the LT and LTZ trims.
An AM/FM stereo with MP3-compatible CD player is Standard on all the trims while an AM/FM stereo with MP3-compatible in-dash six-disc CD changer is Optional on the LT and LTZ trims. Other (essentially Optional) entertainment features include Bluetooth wireless technology for select compatible phones, Bose speaker system, DVD entertainment system (Crew Cab models only), and Touch-screen navigation radio. XM Radio with three trial months is Standard on all trims.
Wheels are either 17, 18 or 20 inch in painted-steel, chrome-styled steel or chrome clad.
Available exterior colors include Deep Ruby Metallic, Black, Imperial Blue Metallic, Victory Red, Summit White, Blue Granite Metallic, Graystone Metallic, Silver Berch Metallic, and Dark Cherry Metallic. There is also Black Granite Metallic which is an extra-cost color.
Side-Rear View of a Victory Red Chevrolet Silverado
Accessories for the Silverado 1500 at the dealer level include 20-Inch Wheels, Cat-Back Exhaust System, Chrome Fuel Door, Personal Audio Link (PAL), Tilting Hard Tonneau Cover, and Tubular Assist Steps.
The features that make the Silverado 1500 a real winner are its looks as well as its fuel economy which is an EPA estimated 20 MPG on the highway. It is for these reasons that the vehicle bagged 2008’s “Highest Ranked Large Pickup in Initial Quality” award from J.D. Power and Associates.