Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid

Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
It might be a few years old now, but the styling of the Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab still holds up very well. Other than a couple of extra logos, the hybrid version looks just like the others.

Of course, the business end of a pickup is the box. The GM trucks have a nicely integrated step rear bumper with a thick aerodynamic tailgate topper that also protects the tailgate from dents. The electrical trailer hook-up is well designed as is the covered lock for for the spare tire. A back-up camera is a $450 option.

Up front, any Silverado crew cab - including the hybrid - is roomy, comfortable and functional. The center compartment can swallow a laptop computer and there are two glove boxes on the passenger side
In non-hybrid Silverado's, the row two seat could easily be folded up for a lot of cargo space, but the seats do not fold in the hybrid version. A big battery pack takes up all the space.

The V8 shuts down cylinders to compliment the full-electric side of the power train. Around town, we got 22 miles per gallon; impressive for a full-size pickup.

Under the right conditions, the Silverado hybrid runs on electric power only; up to about 25 miles an hour. Otherwise, the hybrid version drives like any other Silverado: well-mannered and quiet for a truck.

As equipped, the sticker price on our test truck is $49,265. Ouch!