2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Overview Change Vehicle

This 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2009 Silverado 1500, and includes Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

Truck builders know they must continually update and improve their pickups in a highly competitive class, and Chevrolet is no exception. For 2009, the Silverado sees the addition of a new Hybrid model, a new 6.2-liter V8 engine option, a new six-speed transmission on selected models, and additional technology features in the form of Bluetooth hands-free calling, a reversing camera option on extended and crew cab models, XM NavTraffic service, and new OnStar 8.0 telematics with Turn by Turn navigation service and a Destination Download feature on models with the optional navigation system. Stability control is standard on a wider variety of Silverados this year, new chrome wheel designs debut, and fresh paint choices include Black Granite and Imperial Blue.

With regular, extended, and crew cab styles that can be matched with short, standard or long cargo beds, there’s a 2009 Silverado to fit anyone’s needs. Pick two-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), and from five trim levels. The basic Work Truck (WT) model is the least expensive. From there, the Silverado is available in LS, popular LT, fuel-efficient Hybrid, and luxurious LTZ models.

The Silverado WT is a very basic truck, designed for commercial use. Still, it comes equipped with OnStar telematics service, a stereo with a CD/MP3 player and XM satellite radio, a tilt steering wheel, automatic headlights, a cargo box light, a theft deterrent system, and a full-size spare tire. Extended and crew cab variants have air conditioning, and crew cab models are equipped with power door locks with remote keyless entry.

Chevrolet expands the availability of LS trim this year, adding extended cab models to the list. Silverado LS gets carpeting, floor mats, cloth seats, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power heated side mirrors, cruise control, and a rear window defogger. LS models are identified by their rear privacy glass, chrome front bumper, and chrome steel wheels.

In addition to LS trim features, the Silverado LT adds alloy wheels and a chrome grille on the outside, while interiors get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a compass, an outside temperature indicator, and illuminated visor mirrors. This is known as 1LT trim.

An upgrade to 2LT trim brings dual-zone automatic climate control, 6-way adjustable front bucket seats, a large center storage console, audio controls on the steering wheel, and fog lights, among other items. The new 2009 Silverado Hybrid comes standard with the contents of the 2LT trim level, in crew cab style only.

If luxury and sophistication are what you want from a truck, the Silverado LTZ is your solution. Equipped with leather, 12-way heated front seats, memory for the driver’s seat, auto-dimming side mirrors with embedded signal indicators and a reversing tilt-down feature, a premium Bose audio system, a 6-disc CD changer, heated windshield washer fluid, a Homelink universal remote, remote engine starting, and other features, the LTZ offers the best in comfort and convenience. It’s also stylish thanks to body-color bumpers and a different dashboard design with fake wood and metal trim, identical to what’s found in the Suburban and Tahoe SUVs.

Once you’ve settled on a trim level, there are many options from which to choose. The Z71 Off-Road Package is great for off-road enthusiasts (skid plates, off-road suspension and locking rear differential), the Safety Package adds recommended features (power-adjustable pedals, side-curtain airbags, Ultrasonic park assist), and the Max Trailering Package bumps the truck’s maximum towing capacity to 10,700 pounds. There are several other convenience and towing packages available for the 2009 Silverado.

Buyers can also select options in a la carte fashion, choosing Bose premium sound, a navigation system, a rear seat DVD entertainment system, a power sliding rear window, remote engine starting, a power sunroof, a variety of alloy wheels and Chevy’s lightweight EZ tailgate.

For 2009, Chevrolet makes several powertrain upgrades to the Silverado, adding a six-speed automatic transmission to some models equipped with V8 engines, a new 6.2-liter V8 engine option, and a new Hybrid model with GM’s new two-mode gas/electric hybrid system.

Let’s cover the bases. A 4.3-liter V6 engine with 195 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm is standard on most Silverado WT Regular and Extended Cab models. This V6 is not very powerful or fuel-efficient, but it’s cheap and gets the job done. Fuel economy ranges between 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, depending on whether the engine is paired with available 4WD.

The Silverado WT Extended Cab with 4WD, the WT Crew Cab, and all LS and 1LT models come standard with a 4.8-liter V8 making 295 hp at 5,600 rpm and 305 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. This engine is rated to get between 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway, and given how close its mileage numbers are to the V6 and how much more powerful it is, we think the V8 is the way to go.

If you’re willing to pay extra, our recommendation is to install the 5.3-liter V8 under your Silverado’s hood. This engine is standard on the Silverado 2LT and LTZ, and optional on other models. Available with Flex Fuel E85-compatibility and equipped with Active Fuel Management technology, which allows it to run on half of its eight cylinders under low-load conditions, the 5.3-liter V8 offers a compelling combination of power and economy. It makes 315-320 hp at 5,200 rpm and 338-340 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 or 4,400 rpm, depending on exact configuration. Fuel economy ranges between 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. If you choose the Silverado XFE (Xtra Fuel Economy) setup, the Silverado’s 5.3-liter V8 can get 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

For towing and hauling, get the 6.0-liter V8 for its 367 hp at 5,600 rpm and 375 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. Available only in the Max Trailer Towing option package, this engine is responsible for the Silverado’s 10,700-lb. maximum towing capacity. Active Fuel Management technology is standard with the 6.0-liter V8 to conserve as much gas as possible, but fuel economy is dismal, ranging from 13 mpg in the city to 19 mpg on the highway.

In case the 6.0-liter V8 isn’t strong enough, there’s a new 6.2-liter, E85-compatible V8 engine option for crew cab models this year. With 403 hp at 5,700 rpm and 417 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm, this stump-puller’s fuel economy ranges from 12 mpg in the city to 19 mpg on the highway.

To maximize fuel economy and minimize emissions, try the new Silverado Hybrid. Delivering a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy while retaining a 6,100-lb. towing capacity, the Silverado Hybrid’s two-mode hybrid system pairs a 6.0-liter gasoline V8 with Active Fuel Management technology to a 300-volt nickel metal hydride battery pack and electric motors to return 20 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. Able to travel at speeds up to 30 mph on electric power alone, the Silverado Hybrid is available in 2WD or 4WD format, comes with low rolling resistance tires, and recharges its battery pack through a regenerative braking system.

Three different transmissions are available on the 2009 Silverado. Last year’s four-speed automatic with tow/haul mode carries over for all trucks equipped with the 4.3-liter V6 and 4.8-liter V8 engines. A new six-speed automatic is included with most applications of the 5.3-liter, 6.0-liter and 6.2-liter V8 engines, depending on the model. A handful of configurations may have one of these larger V8s with the old four-speed tranny. The Silverado Hybrid gets an electrically variable transmission, or EVT as Chevy’s marketing team likes to refer to it.

Any Silverado can be equipped with 4WD. The basic setup includes a manual-shift, floor-mounted transfer case. A sophisticated Autotrac system, which automatically engages 4WD as soon as wheel slippage occurs, is available.

Once you’ve got the right powertrain selected, there are five different states of suspension tune to choose from. For ride comfort, choose the standard Z83 suspension, and if you’re willing to trade some of that for enhanced handling and light-duty towing, the available Z85 suspension is your best bet. A Z60 suspension is equipped with 20-inch wheels and larger tires for optimum grip on pavement, while off-road enthusiasts will go for the Z71 suspension. If plenty of hauling and towing is in your Silverado’s future, you’ll want the suspension that comes with the Max Trailering Package. For 2009, the Chevy Silverado can carry a maximum payload of 1,909 lbs., when properly equipped.

For 2009, Chevy’s StabiliTrak stability control system with roll mitigation is standard on all Silverados except those equipped with a V6 engine. Other standard safety features include antilock brakes, front and side airbags, and OnStar telematics with a free year of Safe and Sound service including Automatic Crash Notification, which detects airbag deployment and sends rescuers to the see of the accident even if the truck’s occupants can’t communicate with the OnStar advisor.. Side curtain airbags and an Ultrasonic rear park assist system are also available on the Silverado.

For two years, the Silverado has posted impressive crash-test scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), receiving the highest five-star rating in all measures except for rollover protection, for which the truck receives a four-star rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is not as favorable when it comes to the truck’s side-impact protection, once again assigning the Silverado a Poor rating in this regard. Honestly, we’re starting to wonder why Chevy isn’t addressing this issue. The IIHS assigns a Good rating to the Silverado in the frontal offset crash test, and an Acceptable rating for rear crash protection.

In terms of reliability, Consumer Reports gives the 2009 Silverado an average rating, except for the basic WT model with 2WD. J.D. Power and Associates agrees, predicting average reliability for the Silverado.

Changes for 2009 definitely keep the Silverado competitive, and we’re particularly pleased to see the addition of the Hybrid model to the lineup. We’ve sampled the Silverado LTZ equipped with the new 6.2-liter V8 and the Z60 suspension, and can tell you that it’s about as close to getting a full-size Chevy pickup with an SS badge on the back. Our main concern about the 2009 Silverado is that Chevrolet is seemingly ignoring that Poor rating for side-impact protection from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. If not for that, we could wholeheartedly recommend the Silverado.