2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo: MPG and fuel economy
The 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 17 combined MPG, with 15 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway. That puts it well above the average for cars in the Vans, Cargo Type class in the same model year.
This page collects every fuel-economy figure the EPA publishes for the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo. Below you will find the headline combined, city, and highway MPG, the estimated annual fuel cost at three different driving levels, the tailpipe CO₂ emissions, and a full breakdown of the engine and drivetrain. The EPA rates 3 separate variants of this car (different engine, transmission, or drivetrain combinations), and you can compare them side by side in the trims table.
Key takeaways
- The 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo is the most efficient car in the Vans, Cargo Type class for the 2009 model year, with its 17 MPG rating leading the segment.
- EPA estimates this car costs around $6,750 more in fuel over five years than an average new vehicle of the same model year.
Fuel economy at a glance
These are the EPA's official ratings for the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo. The numbers come from a standardised laboratory test cycle and are the same figures that appear on the window sticker of every new car. Real-world mileage varies with driving style, weather, fuel quality, and how heavily loaded the car is.
When the EPA tests several variants of the same nameplate (for example, a front-wheel-drive version and an all-wheel-drive version), each gets its own rating. The figures shown here are the headline variant, taken as the configuration with the best combined MPG. The trims table further down covers all 3 variants side by side.
Combined MPG is a 55/45 weighted blend of the city and highway test cycles. The EPA uses it as the single number you can compare across the entire dataset, including hybrids and EVs (which use the equivalent MPGe figure).
| Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
| City MPG | 15 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 20 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,500 |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 523 g/mi |
| Fuel type | Regular |
How the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo compares
The 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo returns 17 combined MPG. Cars in the Vans, Cargo Type class for the same model year average 14.5 MPG, which puts this car ahead of the class average by about 17%.
Within the Vans, Cargo Type class for the 2009 model year, the Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo is the leader. No other car in the same class beat its 17 MPG rating. The bar chart below shows it alongside the class average and the average new car for some additional context.
For broader context, the average new car of the 2009 model year (across all classes) returns 19.5 MPG. Larger vehicles pull the all-cars average down, so do not use that figure on its own to judge a small car or a hybrid. The full list of the most efficient cars of the 2009 model year is on its own page.
Trim variants rated for 2009
The EPA rates 3 separate variants of the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo. The differences come from the engine size, transmission type, and drivetrain (front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and so on). The same nameplate can land several MPG apart depending on the configuration you actually buy.
| Engine and transmission | Drive | Combined | City | Highway | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L, 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 MPG | 15 MPG | 20 MPG | $3,500 |
| 5.3L, 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 MPG | 14 MPG | 18 MPG | $4,000 |
| 5.3L, 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 MPG | 14 MPG | 18 MPG | $4,000 |
Annual fuel cost across driving patterns
The headline annual fuel cost the EPA publishes assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year and a fuel mix of 55% city and 45% highway. The dollar figure is calculated using the EPA's current reference price for regular gasoline, which is $3.99/gallon. EPA updates that reference periodically rather than tracking live pump prices, so treat it as a window-sticker estimate rather than today's pump number.
The table below scales the EPA's number to three common driving patterns. The combined MPG and the reference fuel price stay constant, only the annual mileage changes. To get a current-prices estimate, take your local gas price and multiply by 882.4 gallons (the car's annual consumption at the rated MPG).
| Driving pattern | Estimated annual fuel cost |
|---|---|
| Light driver, 7,500 miles per year | $1,750 |
| Average driver, 15,000 miles per year | $3,500 |
| Heavy driver, 25,000 miles per year | $5,833 |
Compare against other Vans, Cargo Type for 2009
If you are cross-shopping the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo, the most useful comparison is against the other cars in the Vans, Cargo Type class for the same model year. The list below shows the highest-MPG peers, ranked from most to least efficient. Click any of them to open its full page.
Specifications
The 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo runs a 4.3-liter 6-cylinder engine paired with a automatic 4-spd, sending power through rear-wheel drive.
Engine, transmission, and drivetrain together drive most of the variation in fuel economy across trims. A larger engine moves the car with less effort but burns more fuel. A turbo lets a small engine punch above its weight, often without much MPG penalty. All-wheel drive adds traction and weight, and usually costs a couple of MPG compared with two-wheel drive of the same engine.
- Vehicle class
- Vans, Cargo Type
- Engine
- 4.3L 6-cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 4-spd
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel type
- Regular
- Annual petroleum use
- 17.5 barrels per year
Common questions about the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo
Quick answers to the questions people most often search for when looking up the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo.
-
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo fuel efficient?
Yes. The 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo returns 17 combined MPG, which beats the average car in the Vans, Cargo Type class for the same model year by about 17%. -
What MPG does the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo get?
The EPA rates the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo at 17 combined MPG, 15 MPG in city driving, and 20 MPG on the highway. Real-world numbers depend on your driving style, the weather, and how loaded the car is. -
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo per year?
The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $3,500 for the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo. That figure assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year, a 55% city and 45% highway split, and the EPA's published average fuel price for the rated fuel grade. -
What fuel does the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo use?
The EPA lists the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo as running on regular gasoline. Using a different grade than the manufacturer specifies can affect fuel economy and engine longevity. -
How much CO₂ does the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo emit?
Tailpipe CO₂ emissions are 523 g/mi. Multiplied across a typical year of driving (15,000 miles) that works out to about 7,841 kilograms of CO₂. -
What is the difference between the city and highway MPG of the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo?
City driving returns 15 MPG and highway driving returns 20 MPG, a gap of 5 MPG. The two figures are close enough that the car will hold its rated efficiency well across most driving patterns. -
What engine is in the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo?
The 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo has a 4.3-liter 6-cylinder engine. -
What transmission and drivetrain does the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo have?
The 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo comes with a automatic 4-spd transmission and rear-wheel drive. -
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo the most efficient car in its class?
Yes. Among cars in the Vans, Cargo Type class for the 2009 model year, the Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo returns the highest combined MPG at 17 MPG. No other car in the same class beats that figure. -
How much more does the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo cost in fuel compared to an average car?
The EPA estimates that over five years, the 2009 Chevrolet Van 1500 2WD Cargo will cost about $6,750 more in fuel than an average new vehicle of the same model year. The difference accumulates because the car uses more fuel per mile, not because of any one-off charge at the dealership.
Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost figures assume 15,000 miles of driving per year and a 55% city, 45% highway split. Real-world mileage varies with driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, fuel quality, and driver behaviour.