Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The Chevrolet Silverado is a series of full-size pickup trucks manufactured and developed by General Motors. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is one of these trucks. It was given an 8.1 rating by U.S. News, which ranked it 4^th in its Full Size Pickup Truck category. Although the design is aging (it has basically been the same for its entire history), the truck is still a strong choice among full-size pickups, with powerful engine options, good hauling and towing capacities, and a comfortable ride. It appeals to truck traditionalists and delivers in every way a truck should.

Performance

U.S. News gives the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a performance rating of 8.1. Although it is one of the oldest designs, reviewers say it is a good performer with powerful engine options and a compliant ride. Available engines range from the base 4.3-liter V6 with 195-horsepower to the 6.2-liter V8 with 403-horsepower. The V6 and smallest V8 option come standard with a four-speed automatic transmission, while the larger V8 options get six-speed automatic transmissions. The Silverado’s handling is top notch, and the suspension does a solid job of keeping the ride comfortable on the freeway and city streets. If buyers choose to add on the max trailering package to the 6.2-liter V8 model, the Silverado 1500 can tow over 10 000 pounds, and haul just under 2000 pounds, making it a terrific work truck.

Interior

U.S. News gave the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 an interior rating of 8.2 This is higher than expected because many reviewers criticized the interior. Reviewers tended to notice the age most in the cabin. Although the design is well-assembled and highly functional, critics suggest that it looks bland and doesn’t have as good of a finish or fit as competitors. The base model seats three, although extended and crew cab models can seat up to six people. The interior features of the Silverado 1500 range significantly. Buyers can choose to purchase the base model, which is minimally equipped and comes with manual locks and windows. Higher trim models have access to Bluetooth, power windows and mirrors, and a backup camera.

Pros/Cons

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has an underwhelming base V6 engine, and the outdated four-speed automatic transmission doesn’t contribute much to either fuel economy or low-end grunt. Buyers who want strong towing capacity need to select the 6.2-liter V8, but critics slammed this model because of its lousy fuel economy.  The powerful V8 engine is a terrific choice for drivers who need to haul or tow heavy loads however, making it an excellent work truck. The front seats are comfortable and spacious, and the interior components are easy to use and functional, but lag behind the competitors. The interior finish and fit also lag behind competitors, and it does not have an impressive interior storage capacity. It does have accurate and light steering, although some test drivers have said the turning radius is large, making it tough to drive in tight areas.

Other Features

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received an 8.2 safety rating by U.S. News, which is much lower than other vehicles and its competitors. It only received an “acceptable” score on the side impact test and rear crash protection test, and “marginal” on roof strength tests. Despite this, it offers solid safety equipment, including side curtain airbags and the option of adding on a backup camera. The Chevrolet website lists the base price at $23 500, but could go as high as $45 000, depending on what trim level, engine, and features the buyer chooses. High trim levels have many features, including satellite radio, Bluetooth, leather seating, OnStar, and dozens of cargo-securing features.