2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 - Styling Review

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Shopping for a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500? MSRP: $19,375 - $41,355

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The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado shares elements, such as a steeper windshield, with the full-size Tahoe SUV, but this time the Silverado takes a slightly different tack in front, incorporatin “vertically-stacked headlamp elements, heavily flared front fenders, and the largest Bowtie badge that we’ve ever seen on a Chevrolet,” according to Autoblog. The front of the Silverado continues to differentiate itself with a look that was redesigned in 2007. With a different front end, headlamps, taillights, bedsides, and box designs, the Silverado’s styling varies significantly from that of its mechanically identical sibling, the GMC Sierra. “To our eye, the GMC looks stockier and brawnier than in the past, the Chevy perhaps a bit sleeker and aerodynamic,” says Four Wheeler. Autobytel considers the Silverado’s mirrors very useful: “With mirrors properly adjusted, small cars stand little chance of getting lost from view when merging, and the tall rear window affords a good look at what’s going on behind you.” Car and Driver, on the other hand, criticizes the Silverado’s “cheesy mirrors,” which occupy space in the driver’s peripheral vision.

Two different interiors are offered for the Silverado: the work-oriented Pure Pickup setup on the WT and LT, or the luxurious variation inside the LTZ. Reviewers appreciate both interiors but are critical of the LTZ’s carlike setup, pointing out that drivers wearing work gloves would have to remove them to use some controls. Consumer Guide sums up the difference: “The Pure Pickup interior places radio and climate controls high on the dashboard, just out of easy reach. The available luxury interior mimics that of Chevy's Tahoe and Suburban large SUVs, with controls mounted lower but in easy reach."