GM Announces Pricing on 2009 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Hybrids

Four-wheel-drive versions of the hybrid trucks from GM have even steeper price tags. The 2009 Silverado Hybrid 4WD ranges in price from $42,145 for the base model to $48,280 for the uplevel model. Prices include destination.

The 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid 4WD ranges in price from $42,515 to $48,650 for the uplevel model. Prices include destination.

Base versions of the conventional 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 2WD and 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 2WD start at $28,700, including destination.

Base versions of the conventional 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4WD and the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 4WD start at $31,850, including destination.

At the same time, the EPA has posted official fuel economy numbers on GM's hybrid pickups. Two-wheel-drive versions of both trucks return 21 miles per gallon in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway. Four-wheel-drive versions return 20 mpg in city driving and 20 mpg on the highway. GM notes that those numbers reflect a "25 percent overall increase in fuel economy" over conventional versions of the trucks.

GM's hybrid siblings will arrive in showrooms in early 2009. All models come with an eight-year/100,000-mile hybrid component warranty.

Equipment that is specific to the hybrid trucks includes a 332-horsepower 6.0-liter V8, low-rolling-resistance tires, hybrid ornamentation, soft tonneau cover and standard head curtain airbags.

Chrysler said a hybrid version of the Dodge Ram truck is coming in 2010. No word yet on pricing, but that will be the closest competitor to GM's hybrid trucks.

Inside Line says: The big question is whether consumers can stomach the price premium on GM's new hybrid trucks in an era of financial turbulence. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent