The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2WD pickup can seat up to five passengers. A favorite work truck since 1965, some of the basics that drivers like include a 4.8 L V8 engine (295 HP), four-speed automatic transmission, and that power steering is standard on this model.

Silverado was completely overhauled in the 2007, and the 2008 offering has some minor upgrades. It is now wider in front (by three inches) and the rear (one inch) than previous versions.

The regular cab short bed package gives you black bumper assembly plugs, vinyl seats, and XM Satellite Radio. If you decide to go with the LTZ Crew Cab package, your ride comes equipped with a more powerful engine (3.5L V8, 315 hp to be exact), hand-fitted leather-adorned seats, and an AM/FM Radio, and an MP3-compatible CD player.

No matter which package you choose, the Silverado will still take you from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. In fact, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada voted the 2008 Chevy Silverado as its 2008 Truck of the Year.

With the Silverado's bold styling and smooth ride, it's no wonder that this particular model was singled out from similar vehicles in its class. Similar vehicles include:

• Ford F-150 2WD Regular Cab
• Toyota Tundra 2WD Regular Cab
• GMC Sierra 1500 2WD Extended Cab

The rear doors on the vehicle open to a full 170 degrees, a feature that is unique to GM products. Consumers can choose to open the back door in intervals of 60, 90, and the full 170 degrees, depending on their needs. If you want flexibility in the passenger cab, the Silverado delivers. The rear seats easily flip down, so you can switch from accommodating passengers to hauling cargo quickly and easily.

The Silverado doesn't sacrifice safety for good looks and great features, though. It comes equipped with dual-stage front air bags, and side cushion air bags are now available as well. The side cushion airbags will deploy automatically if the vehicle is hit from the side or in a rollover crash situation. If a rollover occurs, the airbags are designed to stay inflated for up to 6 seconds, which will make it less likely for the Silverado's occupants to be ejected from the vehicle.

You can expect to get 20 miles per gallon for highway driving if you choose to buy the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2WD. With an MSRP of $17,220, this model is a popular choice with consumers who want a vehicle with a towing capacity of up to 10,500 pounds. This vehicle is a good choice for consumers.