The Silverado is impressive

2009 GM Silverado

Now is the time to keep an eye out for deals in the automotive world, and it’s hard to find a better deal than the 2009 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab.

There are many things a driver wants a large truck to do – haul a heavy load, carry a large amount of gear and still provide some comfort for the people along for the ride. The Silverado does all of these well.

GM’s coil-over-shock front suspension and fully boxed frame give the Silverado a steady feel on the road that doesn’t change on bumpier terrain. The crew cab also delivers a maximum towing capacity of 10,700 pounds and a maximum payload of 1,909 pounds.

The Silverado comes with five suspension systems, depending on a buyer’s day-to-day needs.

The stopping power of the four-channel ABS system is enough to give most drivers a good jerk. It’s coupled with GM’s StabiliTrak control system to minimize the chance of rollover.

To match customers with the truck they want, the Silverado features two different interiors. The WT, LS and LT trims are pretty much pure pickup, while the LTZ level offers more luxury apointments.

This model paired a four-speed automatic transmission with the Vortec 4.8-liter engine. Other models of the Silervado use a six-speed automatic transmision with the V8.

For those who want to make sure style is a part of their purchase, the 2009 Silverado model adds some new options, including 18-inch and 20-inch chrome wheels.

Other high-tech features include OnStar navigation system; Bluetooth phone connection; XM Satellite Radio with NavTraffic, for real-time road condition updates; and a rearview camera system displayed inside the rearview mirror.

The Silverado Crew Cab comes in 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive with a 5-foot 8-inch box.

The gas mileage averages around 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. Without a heavy load, it’s possible to get up to 24 mpg on the highway.

For comparison shoppers, the Silverado’s key compeitiors are the Ford F-Series, Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan.

The standard price for the 2009 Silverado 1500 4WD Crew Cab LT1 is $32,965. The price of the test vehicle was $39,010.