IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:
The Silverado offers a full range of models and powertrains that combine class-leading capability and surprising refinement with good fuel economy.
BUT…
Ride comfort and interior materials, while good, can’t match those of the Ram 1500.
WORTH NOTING:
Full-time 4WD is available on all but the base WT (Work Truck) models, which offer part-time 4WD, and the optional 6.2-liter V8 is one of the most powerful engines available in the class.
WHAT IS IT?
The Silverado is Chevy’s full-size pickup. It’s available in regular cab, extended cab, and crew cab body styles with a range of engines and a choice of rear-wheel drive, part-time 4WD, and full-time 4WD. The broad model lineup ascends through Work Truck (WT), Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country trim levels. The RST is a “street performance” model, the Trail Boss models offer a 2-inch suspension lift and off-road-focused gear, and the High Country is a lavishly trimmed luxury model. Available safety features include forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and low-speed automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. Other available features include a rearview camera display in the rearview mirror, a 360-degree camera display, and a power-release tailgate.
WHAT’S NEW?
After its ground-up redesign for 2019, the Silverado gets some notable newly available features for 2020: adaptive cruise control, a trailering system that offers up to 15 camera views (including a virtual see-through “transparent-trailer” view), and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder engine that makes 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Availability of the 10-speed automatic transmission and the 6.2-liter V8 engine are
FUEL ECONOMY
Since there are too many variations to list here, the following is a sampling of the Silverado’s EPA ratings. The new turbodiesel 3.0 six is rated at 23 mpg city/33 mpg highway with 2WD, and 23/29 with 4WD. The 2.7 turbocharged four is rated at 19/22 with either 2WD or 4WD. The 2WD 5.3 V8 with the 8-speed transmission is rated at 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway, which bests the 15/20 rating for the 4WD 5.3 with the 6-speed. The 4WD 6.2-liter V8 with the 10-speed transmission is rated at 16/20. In Consumer Guide testing, a 4×4 LT Trail Boss crew cab with the 5.3 V8 and 8-speed transmission averaged 16.2 mpg in 70-percent city driving, and an LT extended cab with the turbo 4-cylinder averaged 19.0 mpg in 65-percent highway driving. All gas engines can be run on regular-grade fuel, though Chevy recommends premium for the 6.2 for best performance.
VALUE IN CLASS
Since full-size pickups are among the most popular and lucrative categories in the U.S. automotive marketplace, the competition in this segment is fierce… and the battle is centered around delivering maximum power and capability while offering respectable fuel economy. A dizzying array of available luxury and technology features is also a competitive necessity. The Silverado scores impressively high marks on all these fronts.
| BASE PRICE RANGE | $28,300 – $56,800 |
| BODY STYLES | Regular, Extended, and Crew Cab |
| AVAILABLE ENGINES | 277-HP, 3.0-Liter Turbodiesel 6-Cyl.; 285-HP, 4.3-Liter V6; 310-HP, Turbocharged 2.7-Liter 4-Cyl.; 355-HP, 5.3-Liter V8; 420-HP 6.2-Liter V8 |
| DRIVE WHEELS | Rear or 4-Wheel Drive |
| BUILT IN | USA |
| EPA FUEL-ECONOMY RANGE | 14-33 MPG |
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