2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was slated to receive a new turbodiesel V8 engine, but its introduction has been indefinitely delayed due to General Motors' precarious financial position. Otherwise, the 2010 Silverado 1500 is largely unchanged. GM continues to offer this large pickup truck in regular-, extended-, and crew-cab body styles. It share its basic design with the GMC Sierra 1500. Extended cabs retain their rear-hinged doors that don't open independently of the fronts. Regular cabs seat up to three passengers, while extendeds and crews seat up to six. Bed lengths of 5.8, 6.6, and 8.0 feet are offered. Note that the extended cab offers only 6.6- and 8.0-foot beds; the 5.8-foot bed has been dropped. The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado is available with two interiors, dubbed "pure pickup" and "luxury inspired." Available engines, depending on cab and bed configuration are as follows: 195-hp 4.3-liter V6; 302-hp 4.8-liter V8; 315-hp 5.3-liter V8; and 403-hp 6.2-liter V8. New for 2010, all conventional V8 engines are now capable of running on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. The 5.3 V8 has GM's Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation. V6 and 4.8 V8 Silverados use a 4-speed automatic transmission. A 6-speed automatic is standard with the 5.3 and 6.2 V8s. Rear-wheel drive is standard. Two 4-wheel-drive systems are offered: a part-time setup that should not be left engaged on dry pavement and GM's Autotrac that can. Both have a low-range gear for off-roading. Some rear-drive Silverado crew cabs equipped with the 5.3-liter V8 and 6-speed automatic are available as the XFE, which stands for Xtra Fuel Economy. XFE has specific wheels and tires, along with other mechanical and aerodynamic treatments. GM claims an increase in fuel economy of up to 7 percent over non-XFE versions. Maximum towing capacity is 10,700 pounds.

The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid has a 6.0-liter V8 that pairs with an electric motor for 332 hp total. It can run on one or both of its power sources, depending on driving demands, and requires no plug-in charging. The hybrid has a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Hybrid's maximum towing capacity is 6100 lb.

Silverado is available with several different suspensions. The Z83 and Z85 versions are designed for ride comfort. The Z60 is a street performance suspension, and the Z71 is for off-road use. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. A navigation system, remote engine start, and a wireless cell-phone link are among the available features. This report is based on evaluations of the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.