Chevrolet's workhorse full-size pickups celebrate a century of progress in 2018.
Back one hundred years in 1918; Woodrow Wilson occupied the White House while William Thompson served as Chicago's Mayor. Chevrolet backed its own upstart candidate that year, the forerunner of today's full-size pickup.
Chevrolet's open-air 'One Ton' debuted in 1918 boasting 36 horsepower and a $1,460 price tag with the ability to haul not just people, but a larger assortment of 'things.' Another notable 1918 fun fact; Chevrolet merged with General Motors, becoming a division within a growing automotive powerhouse. Chevrolet itself debuted in 1911.
General Motor's Bow-Tie division paid tribute to its centennial truck heritage through informative time-line displays at major 2018 auto shows (including our home-town favorite in Chicago).
Chevrolet promoted the Silverado name to represent the full-size pickup line in 1999, but has been around since the mid 1970's as a trim offering for the preceding C/K namesake. Silverado serves as the next logical step up from the Colorado line of mid-size pickups. The current 2018 Silverado includes third-generation underpinnings, but an all-new Gen Four effort lurks close by.
The Big Silverado continues as a big deal for parent Chevrolet and overlord General Motors as it's the best-selling vehicle at GM and the second-best-selling vehicles in the U.S. In the 2017 calendar year, Silverado sales hit 585,864 units, up a nice 1.9 percent from the previous year. By comparison, Chevrolet's second-best selling vehicle in 2017, the compact Equinox crossover, reached a mere, but still respectable 290,458.
For 2018, Silverado includes enough mix-and-match combinations to tickle any truck-buyer's fancy. Six trims include the base 'work truck' followed up the trim level ladder with LS, Custom, LT, LTZ and top-trim High Country. In addition, a vast array of 'special edition' models and appearance packages abound in bulk, including a new-for-2018 'Silverado Centennial Edition" with blue exterior, heritage bow-tie emblems and Centennial door badges.
Rear-wheel drive comes standard and four-wheel drive is available along with three cab configurations (regular, double cab and full-size crew cab) along with three bed lengths. Regular two-door cabs come with the choice of a six-foot six-inch bed or an eight-foot bed. Four-door double cabs offer the six-foot six-inch bed exclusively while four-door Crew Cabs include a five-foot eight-inch bed or six-foot six-inch bed.
Three engine selections include one V-6 and two potent V-8s. The 4.3-liter V-6 churns out 285 horses. The two V-8s include a 5.3-liter with 355 horses and the top-performing 6.2-liter V-8 cranking out 420. The V-6 and 5.3-liter V-8 come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission. An eight-speed version comes standard in the 6.2-liter V-8 while optional in the 5.3-liter. No turbocharged or diesel variants grace the 2018 lineup, but in the upcoming 2019 model year, Silverado plans to introduce a turbo option.
Square-shaped wheel wells add a distinctive look compared to circular versions utilized by many rivals. The prominent front grille includes Chevrolet's unmistakable logo midpoint within a vertical bar separating two spheres. Built into the rear bumper of all trims; user-friendly 'corner steps,' allowing footwear a foot hold for an easier self boost into the cargo bed. Overall, Silverado stands apart as the conservatively-styled option when stacked against Ford's F150, Ram 1500 and Nissan Titan.
Our 4 x 4 'summit white' Custom with five-foot, eight-inch bed started at $39,900. The 5.3-liter V-8 added $1,950 while a spray-on bed liner was a $495 extra; the only other stand-alone option, a $275 trailer brake controller. Two option packages included a $1,700 value package (including OnStar and in-vehicle Wi-Fi) and $3,825 for exterior package with convenient and highly recommended side step rail and larger 22-inch wheel/tires. The bottom line finished at $47,435 after $1,295 destination charge and assorted discounts.
For those trekking off the beaten path Silverado offers a Z71 off-road package in 4 x 4 LT and LTZ trims.
In the 2019 model year, Silverado undergoes a much hyped fourth-generation redesign ready in the fourth quarter of this calendar year. Expect a four-inch longer wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) a stouter hood, slimming headlight housing and upgraded engine selections. A new trim level choice includes the Trailboss.
However, Chevrolet's not letting go of its Gen Three so fast. To ensure a smooth transition and keep goodly supplies flowing into dealer lots, GM will continue assembling the 2018 platform well into the 2019 calendar year, marking the older-school effort as the "Silverado Legacy." Savvy shoppers can shop between two Silverado platforms, for optimal benefits and pricing.
Silverado circa 2018's dashboard earns noteworthy kudos for simplicity and ease of use. The two-for-one glove box includes a traditional pull-down bin along with a second companion box with a flip-up door opening to a shallower storage area. The ventilation system includes two large, easy grab dials flanking a quad of sizeable push plates. The left-side dial controls ventilation speed while the right handles temperature.
The easily digested instrument panel features two prominent circular analog gauges (left-side tachometer, right-side speedometer) at each end with four smaller circles framing the top in between. A square digital information window in between includes a digital speedometer readout and odometer info among other tidbits.
A manual, mechanical floor-bound vertical transfer case commands shifting from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive and if necessary in mounds of rain-soaked mud, four-low. The mechanical transmission shifter resides on the steering column's right side.
The front cloth bench of our Custom trim includes a 40/20/40 backrest split, allowing a center fold-down divider (sans a middle-position rider) doubling as a storage bin, tri-cupholder region and home to plug-in auxiliary and iPad ports for portable electronics. The first row is also available with two 'Captain's' chairs in upper trims.
General Motors offers OnStar in-car telematics, connecting occupants with a 24-hour manned phone center accessible with the touch of a rear-view mirror blue button or the seven-inch in-dash multi-function screen. Another high-tech goodie certainly to keep kids of all ages content: available built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing Silverado to act as its own hot spot, allowing up to seven iPads and other portable devices to sync up with the internet. The Wi-Fi is accessible up to 50 feet around and accessible when Silverado is running or in accessory mode.
While front shot-gun passengers get treated to an 'A-Pillar' grab handle, drivers need to maneuver up without one. Would hope the redesigned 2019 adds this assist.
Leaf-spring rear suspension, generally contributes to an up-and-down bouncy experience, but Silverado's highway manors were smoother than expected.
The 26 gallon fuel tank includes a convenient cap-less fuel lead negating the need for a pesky twist cap. The gas-tank nozzle breaks through a thin barrier, and self-seals upon removal.
Silverado boasts a notable assembly footprint here in the upper Midwest as Fort Wayne, Indiana serves as a home base. The huge facility opened in 1986 and solely assembles light-duty, 1500 pickups. Another hot spot for GM pickup production is Flint Michigan. Historically hi product demand also necessitates a third North American production facility in Silao, Mexico.
2018 Chevrolet Silverado
Price as tested: $47,435
Wheelbase: 143.5 inches
Length: 230 inches
Width: 80 inches
Engine: 5.3 -liter V-8
Horsepower: 355
Curb weight: 5,300 pounds
City/Highway economy: 16 mpg city/ 22 mpg highway
Powertrain warranty: Five year/60,000-miles
Assembly: Silao, Mexico
|