For 2016 Chevrolet has updated their Silverado with some much-needed upgrades, giving the car, even more, appeal and ability to attract the average buyer. There are a new front grille and the LED lighting that is now a match even for the flashy F-150. New and more responsive touchscreens improve car-user interaction and add smartphone integration for Android and iOS. There are a few more upgrades that we’ll cover later in the article so for now let’s start with the overall features.
Although the Camaro and the new electric vehicle Bolt got a lot of attention at the Detroit auto show, it’s really Chevy’s line of trucks that are the most important sales point for them. Now depending on your specifications of the Silverado, it can be made into a lot of things and the possibilities are virtually limitless. Go for the base model and you’ve got a great affordable workhorse that can easily do any job. Specify everything and it’s suddenly a big luxury off-roader capable of doing your daily duties without even breaking a sweat.
The best model of the Silverado lineup is undoubtedly the Silverado 1500. It’s a full-size pickup truck that’s probably the most versatile vehicle on the planet at the moment, along with its competitors in this segment. Speaking of competitors, the biggest competition of the Silverado is the F-150. Considering last year’s F-150 refresh it’s no surprise the Silverado came in for some much-needed upgrades, and we’re glad it did.
Engine
We’re going to start off the review with the one thing that’s the most important for buyers of these kinds of vehicles: engine choices and capabilities. Standard on nearly all trims is a 4.3 liter V6 engine producing 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. There’s no manual here, only a durable six-speed auto sending power to the rear wheels as standard or all four if you choose the optional all-wheel drive system.
The performance of the V6 is more than adequate. It can reach 60 miles per hour in 7.7 seconds in rear-wheel drive guise which is about on par with the rest of the competition. Fuel economy is also around average with 20 miles per gallon or 19 if the Silverado in question has all-wheel drive. For such a large truck, we’re honestly surprised it’s not in the 15 to 16 mpg range.
In the middle of the pack, there’s a 5.3 liter V8 engine producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It’s standard on the High Country and the LTZ trim where it’s usually mated to an eight-speed automatic, although the standard transmission on the rest of the trims where the engine is optional is a six-speed automatic. Fuel economy is obviously worse when compared to the V6, but only by 1 mpg, dropping the numbers down to 19 for the six-speed and 18 mpg for the same engine with all-wheel drive and 18 and 17 mpg for the eight-speed auto respectively.
There’s a third, range-topping engine available on the LTZ and High Country and it’s a 6.2 liter V8 which is the same as the one found in most sports cars. It’s coupled to an eight-speed auto and produces a whopping 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Performance is obviously incredible for such a big truck with a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.9 seconds, beating not only the 5.3 V8’s time of 6,8 seconds but a time capable of competing with most powerful small crossovers.
The economy suffers as expected but not to the point where it falls below 15 mpg. It hovers around the 17 mpg mark which isn’t bad for a truck that will monster most small hatchbacks or even some performance sedans in a sprint to 60. Let’s not forget however that we’re talking about a truck that can tow up to 12,000 pounds.
Towing Capacity
Speaking of towing, there’s a towing package available on all engines which increase maximum towing capacity. The smallest V6 can tow 7,600 pounds, and carry 2,000 pounds. The 5.3 liter V8 tows 11,100 pounds while carrying 2,260 pounds of payload but by far the winner is the 6.2 liter. It can tow an unrivaled 12,000 pounds and has a payload of 2,140 pounds.
Exterior Design
The exterior of the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is much nicer for 2016 with a lot of styling cues following Chevrolet’s styling vision at the moment. The LED lights are an excellent touch and the truck is even better looking than it has ever been. All these small changes and upgrades allow Silverado to come closer to what we are getting from other models in Chevy lineup. The same pick-up line is kept, however, including the standard roofline of all pick-up trucks, but it’s much sleeker and more elegant.
2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 interior
The fit and finish of the cabin is something that most people will be pleasantly surprised by as will be with the high-quality materials and surfaces. There’s no shortage of small spaces for your things like sunglasses, cups, and documents, and there are USB ports for every occupant in the vehicle. The infotainment system is responsive and does its job exceptionally well, and it’s very easy to integrate your smartphone into the truck’s systems.
The front row of seats can be bench or bucket seats depending on what trim the Silverado is fitted with, but the heating, support, and ventilation the seats offer make this truck an excellent companion for long-distance journeys. If you go for the crew cab you’ll find more than enough legroom and headroom for every occupant. It’s now more insulated and quieter, offering better protection from wind and road noise. The overall impression is that almost every segment has been touched and at least slightly changed in Silverado.
Handling is best in class and the way the Silverado copes with corners has really surprised us. No truck in this segment can come close to it, but don’t expect a sportscar. It exhibits a lot of body roll when cornering and steering feel is rather numb, but the suspension is great and it manages to absorb all the bumps without any issues. It is not made to beat or to even compete with sporty cars, have that in mind when you go into the corner next time.
Crash Test
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Price
It’s an awesome truck no matter what engine or version you go for, but we recommend the 5.3 liter V8. It’s a golden middle, offering more power than the V6 but doesn’t get the bigger 6.2 liter’s poor fuel economy. It’s also got cylinder deactivation system, meaning you’ll save even more fuel in stop-start traffic. Prices begin at $27,095 for the base Regular Cab trim with V6 unit. Double Cab and Crew Cab trims start at $31,120 and $35,545 respectively and are also fitted with 4.3 liter V6 engine as a base.
For more Info and Photos visit: http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado-1500-pickup-truck.html
