Not many pickup trucks can provide durability, heavy-duty capabilities and remarkable fuel efficiency; not many except the 2012 Chevy Silverado Hybrid, that is. This hybrid pickup truck is available to potential car buyers from $39,640 and comes in 9 colors, with 6 of the color options being metallic. The metallic paint options are Black Granite Metallic, Blue Granite Metallic, Graystone Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic, Mocha Steel Metallic and Silver Ice Metallic. Standard paint options include Summit White, Victory Red and Black. This year’s Silverado Hybrid comes with daytime running lights, heated power side mirrors, turn signals on the mirrors on the 2HY model, all-season front and rear tires, Electronic Stability Control from StabiliTrak and Traction Control.

Inside the cab of the Silverado Hybrid consumers will find both standard single and dual zone climate control. Chevy has also included a free 3-month trial to Sirius XM satellite radio, AM/FM radio, CD player and MP3 capabilities. Consumers can listen to this music through a premium sounds system on the 2HY and a standard audio system on the 1HY. Heated leather seats come standard on the 2HY and are not available on the 1HY. Buttons located on the steering wheel allow the driver to connect to Bluetooth, adjust audio settings and set the cruise control, all while maintaining focus on the road ahead. The steering wheel is also elegantly decorated in authentic leather on both models, while standard lumbar support for the driver ensures a comfortable ride, no matter how long it may be. Adjustable pedals come standard on the 2HY, as does a rearview parking assist camera.

While test drivers and consumers have complained about the towing capacity and acceleration being somewhat lackadaisical, the 2012 Silverado Hybrid does have a decent enough amount of power to handle most jobs. It has a hybrid engine of gas and electric and can drive up to 30 MPH, solely on electric power. The V8 engine is able to attain 23 MPG highway and 20 in-town. This 6-speed automatic has a coil-over-shock front suspension and a two-stage multi-leaf rear suspension, powered by rear wheel drive.

An advanced airbag system and three-point seat belts help keep all occupants of the truck safe during the unfortunate event of a collision or rollover. Chevy has generously included free use of OnStar emergency and roadside assistance services with purchase of either the 1HY or 2HY Chevy Silverado Hybrid. Four anti-lock disc brakes help the driver bring the truck to a complete stop as soon as possible, while a tire pressure monitoring system alerts the driver when the pressure in any tire becomes too low.

With your purchase of either model, the manufacturer has included several warranties. A 5-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, 3-year or 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and a 5-year or 100,000-mile roadside assistance plan will help keep you covered. So as long as you’re not looking for a truck that can tow a load of anvils, the 2012 Chevy Silverado Hybrid is a great choice for reliability, fuel economy and durability. Test drive one today and let us know what you think.