New hybrid-electric cars: Chevrolet Silverado
GM was first to the party with full-size hybrid SUVs, like its Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon. Now it's the first manufacturer with full-size hybrid pickup trucks. Using the system found in GM's hybrid SUVs, the city fuel economy of this pickup truck duo beats the gas-only versions by up to 40 percent with 21 miles per gallon. Combined city/highway fuel economy is 25 percent higher.
A 6-liter, V-8 mated with GM's new Electrically Variable Transmission, or EVT, and a 300-volt energy storage system powers these pickups up to 30 mph solely on electric power. They can run on as few as four cylinders when cruising. The system generates a total of 332 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque.
Although the hybrid versions can't tow as much as the gasoline-only-powered trucks, they can still pull up to 6,100 pounds. Only available in a four-door, crew-cab configuration, they seat up to six.
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| MSRP: Silverado starting at $38,020; Sierra starting at $39,390. |
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8 new hybrid-electric cars