Chevrolet’s full-size truck, the Silverado, is an important model in this segment, a fact proven by the strong sales numbers.
PROS & CONS
Pros
Strong Points
- Good Soundproofing For The Cabin, At Highway Speeds
- A Lot Of Trim Offers And Equipments To Choose From
Recommended Versions
- 4Wd Double Cab Custom, 5.3L V8
Cons
Weak Points
- The Fuel-Saving Tech Makes The Engines Feel Weak
- The Eight-Speed Automatic Is Not Fuel Efficient
Stay Away From
- The Eight Speed Automatic, As It Is Not Quite Fuel Efficient
Attention
Known Problems & Recalls
- None So Far
CAR DETAILS
Drive
Powertrain
Silverado 1500 engine line-up is comprised of naturally aspirated units featuring Active Fuel Management system, that shuts down cylinders when they’re not needed. The entry-level is a 4.3-liter V6 with 285 hp, followed by a 355-hp 5.3-liter V8. The range topper is a 6.2-liter V8 unit, packing 420 hp. Despite the fuel-saving technology present here, even the least gas-guzzling engine — the 285 hp, 305 lb-ft V6 — falls behind Ford’s or Ram’s units.
Handling
You should keep in mind that the Silverado 1500 is a full-size truck so that you don’t get very disappointed by its lack of maneuverability in tight spaces, or by the rear axle’s stiffness due to leaf-spring suspension system. All the electronics keep things in order, but you shouldn’t lean too hard on that.
Safety
The Silverado 1500 comes with all-around (front, side, and curtain) airbags on all trims. Also standard on all trims is the Teen Driver feature, that lets you control the car’s parameters for other drivers than yourself. The OnStar service is available for free on all trims, except the WT (Work Truck). In the NHTSA crash tests, the Silverado scored a five-star rating (out of five); it also earned the Good rating in the IIHS tests.
Interior
Comfort
Despite its rugged, macho look the Silverado is rather welcoming: in cruising mode, the ride feels gentle and cushy. The cabin (which comes in three different setups: a two-door Regular Cab, a four-door Double Cab, and a four-door Crew Cab) keeps the noise outside and it can accommodate up to five adults. The slim backrests of the front seats gain more knee room for the back seat passengers.
Quality
Without ignoring a truck’s practical nature, Chevrolet threw bits of luxury inside the Silverado’s nature, such as ventilated (and heated) seats, heated steering wheel, or power-adjustable pedals. The leather upholstery and the wood insert up the cabin’s quality bar, but they’re not particularly enjoyable to touch. Still, better with than without.
Practicality
Besides the three different cabin offers, the cargo bed is also available in three sizes, but not all the combinations are permitted: the Short Box (5’8”) goes only with the generous Crew Cab while the 8-feet-Long Box is available on the two-door Regular Cab. The 6-feet-6-inches Normal Box can be ordered along any of the cabin formats. If the cargo capacity is your priority, it’s worth mentioning the short and the normal beds are bigger than Ford F-150’s or Ram 1500’s. Regarding the towing capacity, the Silverado can pull between 7,000 and 12,000 pounds, depending on the engine option.
Infotainment
Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system (with all the latest features) is found on the Silverado as well, in 7.0-inch and 8.0-inch forms. The tech-savvy customers can now enjoy 4G LTE Wi-Fi, wireless phone charging, text-message alerts, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility while there are plenty of plugs (USB, 12-volt DC, and 110-volt AC) scattered throughout the cabin. A Bose audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system are also on the optional equipment list.
Budget
Efficiency
Chevrolet played the durability card with Silverado’s engine lineup but, despite all the fuel-efficiency technology used (such as cylinder deactivation), the Silverado doesn’t boast mpg ratings much higher than its rivals, so there isn’t any ace up its sleeve here. In an RWD layout, the entry-level 4.3-liter V6 engine returns 24 mpg at its best, which is the same as the 5.3-liter V8.
Equipment
Going up the trim ladder, you can transform your Silverado Working Truck in a full-size luxury pickup. The feature list can be more than satisfactory if you have money to spend. Bear in mind, though, that the range-topping High Country trim is available only on the Crew Cab versions.
Acquisition
Compared to Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 segment rivals, at $27,280 (in the entry-level WT guise), the Silverado is the most expensive, but in an overall comparison, it is positioned between the Ford F-150 and the Ram 1500.