While the Ford F-Series may reign supreme in terms of overall truck sales, there’s no debating that fact that Chevy proves more popular than Ford in many areas of the United States. In fact, from the streets of Cincinnati to the mile-high roads of Denver, the Silverado sits confidently as a favorite of many American truck owners, especially those in the mid-west.
And despite the importance of its ‘blue collar pedigree’, Chevy proved itself adept at embracing the evolving expectations of today’s truck owners. As a result, their success is a direct result of their adaptability; driving like a muscle car, towing like a tractor, and riding like a luxury sedan.
So, for the benefit of anyone researching Chevy Trucks For Sale, let’s take a closer look. From the 1500 to the 3500 HD we’ll give the Silverado a quick rundown; taking a look at its base pricing, configuration options, and general performance.
1500
The entry-level Silverado is priced to start at $27,785 SMRP. Available in three cab stylings, you can opt for the (two-door) Regular cab, (four-door) extended Double or Crew cab. With a standard bed length of 3.5-ft, the Regular cab gains the added option of an 8-ft bed, while the Crew cab can be fitted with a shorter 5-ft 8-in bed.
Depending on the configuration selected, the available trim levels include (base) WT, LS, LT, LTZ and High Country. From the ground up, the 1500 is powered by a 4.3-liter V6 paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Delivering 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque, the 1500 is available in either RWD or 4W drivetrains and is rated for 19-20 mpg (combined). With the V6 towing capacity maxes out at 7600 LBS with a 1980 LB payload.
Standard on the LTZ and High Country trims (and otherwise optional) is a 5.3-liter V8, paired to either a six or eight-speed automatic transmissions. Rated for 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, fuel economy averages out at 19 mpg (combined). Properly equipped with the Max Trailering package, the 5.3-liter V8 can tow up to 11,000 LBS with a 2430 LB payload.
And optional on the LTZ and High Country trim is a 6.2-liter V8, mated to an eight-speed automatic. Serving up 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and 17 mpg combined. And with the Max Trailering package, you can expect the 6.2-liter V8 to pull up to 12500 LBS with a 2160 LB payload.
2500 HD
Priced to start at $33,610 MSRP the heavy-duty 2500 HD, is similar to its little brother in terms of the configuration options. Standard on the (two-door) Regular cab is an 8-ft 2-in bed, while the (four-door) Double and Crew cab have the added option of a 6-ft 5-in bed.
With nearly the same trim levels as the 1500, the 2500 HD is available in either (base) WT, LT, LTZ or High Country levels. Standard engine configuration is a 6.0-liter V8 paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, delivering 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Drivers can also opt for a bi-fuel option, enabling the vehicle to run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas.
Optional is a turbocharged 6.6-liter Diesel V8 rated at 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity is around 14500 LBS (18100 with a fifth-wheel trailer) and Max Payload comes in around 3204 LBS.
3500 HD
The Silverado 3500 HD is priced to start at $34,710 MSRP and doesn’t stray far in terms of cab and bed configurations. Where it does step aside of its siblings is the option of single or dual-rear-wheel builds.
Trim levels on the 3500 HD mirror those of the 2500 HD, as do the powertrain options.
Available Technologies
As mentioned above, part of makes the Silverado such a compelling choice is that it refuses to settle for being ‘just’ a work truck. Sure, the (base) WT trim is intended to be a ‘Work Truck’ but once you move up to the passenger-friendly trims, you have a Silverado that will get the job done (and done right) but also answers the demands of today’s passengers.
Among the major automakers, Chevy stands out from the pack in their ability (and willingness) to integrate technology, even in their more economical vehicle offerings. While the demographic for a Silverado is admittedly different than that of the Cruze, Chevy makes no attempt to draw a line in the sand. What’s good for the urban millennial is good for the rural laborer, and nearly all Chevy vehicles are Bluetooth-enabled, offering Android Auto and Apple Car Play. This is an important distinction to make since many automakers still leave such features for higher trim levels, or favor their own proprietary software.
The Silverado’s infotainment is built around a six-speaker audio system (with Satellite radio) and 7-inch touchscreen and offers voice control functions. Move to the LT trim and above, and the screen is upgraded to an 8-inch model equipped with rearview camera and an upgraded driver information display. Step up the High-Country trim levels, and you get a built-in navigation system and an upgrade to a BOSE audio system.
A wide variety of enhancement packages are also available, from rear-seat entertainment systems to performance-based add-ons such as the Max Trailering Package. All in all, the Silverado is far from a bare-bones work truck and speaks specifically to the driver of today and that of tomorrow.
Why Silverado?
There are no shortage of trucks to choose from, and the selection has widened significantly within recent years. Gone are the days of choosing between Chevy, Ford and Dodge. As with every vehicle segment, competition to diversify has inspired most automakers to serve up truck options.
That said, the classics are still the best; and the Chevy Silverado sits among the top choices for any truck owner that wants the best of all worlds. With three sides to choose from, and a wealth of configurations within each, isn’t it about time that you considered the Silverado?
