2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Surprisingly, these trucks are more aerodynamic than their predecessors—thanks to a grille design that’s sealed and only lets in just enough air, a hood design that helps channel air over the wipers. Twin-stacked projector-beam headlamps (LTZ), more sculpted body sides, and flared fenders altogether give them a little more personality—and add to the macho look. New 17- to 20-inch wheels are all a half-inch wider than before, while 22-inch wheels are on offer as accessories.

Inside, it's refreshingly different if you've owned any of the outgoing GMT900 trucks. GM has resisted the urge to make the interior of its trucks either more complex, or even lower and more carlike. The new instrument panel is upright and simplified, with controls clustered either just to the left of the steering wheel or in a large, upright center-console cluster, and GM has aimed to make all the knobs, buttons, and interfaces easy to read and operate even with work gloves on.

The base 90-degree, 4.3-liter V-6 is essentially a V-8 with two cylinders lopped off, but it has a balance-shaft design for smoothness. And with 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft, the V-6 is now strong enough to power crew-cab models or trailer-tow. In fact, we think that for all the full-size buyers who never tow more than a modest pleasure boat or a trailer of snowmobiles or ATVs, this V-6 has more than enough muscle for the job. We towed a 4.700-pound camper-trailer with the V-6 and had no problem merging into rapidly moving traffic or maintaining speed on rather steep hills.

Meanwhile, the 5.3-liter V-8 remains the mainstream pick. It makes 355 hp and 383 pound-feet of torque and allows the Silverado to, when properly equipped, tow up to 11,500 pounds. We've found performance with this engine to be confident and quick, even with a load.

Meanwhile, the top 6.2-liter V-8 truly the way to go for the most power, torque, and capability. This engine makes 420 hp and 450 lb-ft and can tow up to 12,000 pounds.

All three engines also have cylinder deactivation technology, which allows the engine to smoothly transition to running on four cylinders (for the V-6 or the V-8s) when coasting or decelerating. There’s even an active exhaust system to fine-tune back pressure and keep out the odd pulsation that such a system can produce.

You can indeed get eight-speed automatic transmission in some competing trucks, but the six-speed automatics in these GM rigs still not only do the job, but do it without ever missing a step. Ratios seem right for these engines, which have torque sweet spots as wide as the rack of a Texas steer. Upshifts are never jarring, even when pulling a load, and they're right there with a downshift when you need it.

The outgoing generation of GM’s trucks has been lauded from the start for its well-tuned ride and responsive handling, and the new 2014 models do it even better—while also making big gains in quietness and refinement. Front springs are stiffer in the new models, while in back GM uses two-stage leaf springs but adds new spring damping, as well as twin-tube valving to front and rear shocks.

All Silverado 1500 models get electric power steering that we can actually say is an improvement (both in on-center feel and off-center weighting) over the outgoing hydraulic setup, while four-wheel disc brakes are standard across the model line, and a Duralife rotor design offers a longer service life.

GM has put a lot of effort into the pickup box design, adding a CornerStep bumper plus hand-grip pockets, both of which make climbing up to access cargo easier. The tailgate now opens in a damped motion, and LED lamps are tucked under the bed rails. GM has also added new shear-style mounts between the cab and the frame, which helps quell noise and vibration.

Models with the 6.2-liter V-8 get active noise cancellation to quell the four-cylinder thrum. Wind-noise-reducing measures include triple door seals and a new door design that fits to the side—rather than wrapping into the roof.

Inside, Chevy has added a new high-wear seat cloth to the Silverado, but your options range from tough vinyl in Work Trucks (WT) all the way up to supple piped leather in top-of-the-line High Country models. With the High Country trim, Chevy brings the Silverado in line with the Denali offerings from GMC, adding a premium look and feel previously unavailable in Chevy trucks. Seats front and back have been redesigned and recontoured, and steering wheels now adjust telescopically as well as for tilt; with a heated steering wheel available for the first time in these trucks.

Chevrolet's MyLink screen-based interface is front and center, but it doesn't involve the learning curve and frustration of MyFord Touch. Straightforward controls, and enough redundancy with traditional knobs and buttons, make it easy to figure out at first glance.

Getting comfortable should be especially easy in Crew Cab models, where the rear doors are larger, for easier entry and exit, and the B-pillar has been moved forward, which helps get feet in more easily. Meanwhile, the rear doors on extended-cab versions now hinge from the front—offering entry and exit ease that’s close to that offered in former Crew Cab models. The front seatbacks are thinner, which also adds about two inches of rear legroom and also eases entry and exit, and so-called 'foot swing' where your legs position to) is four inches greater.

Standard safety equipment includes StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control, plus Hill Start Assist, as well as head-curtain side airbags with rollover protection.

An available Lane Departure Warning system keeps the driver alert of lane drifts via a chime or optional Safety Alert Seat—much like what’s offered now on the Cadillac XTS and ATS sedans. Bigger spotter mirrors help with visibility in blind spots, even though the mirrors themselves are smaller and more aerodynamic, while other safety features on offer include a camera-based Forward Collision Alert system. front and rear park assist, and a rear tailgate camera.

The Chevrolet MyLink system will be available on the Silverado, offering connectivity for up to ten devices, natural-language voice recognition, and an eight-inch touch screen. The system allows up to 60 favorites for contacts, destinations, radio stations, or other media. All models now include multiple USB ports plus both 12-volt and 110-volt power outlets (with USB ports in multiple locations in the LTZ), and most models include a 4.2-inch color Driver Information Center.

Separately, with the Silverado High Country model, GM is climbing upmarket with an even more dressed-up look plus luxuries like heated-and-cooled seats, piped leather upholstery, park assist, Bose premium audio, adjustable pedals, and active safety like Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert. A larger eight-inch touchscreen display for the Chevrolet MyLink system is also included with the High Country package.

Z71 models add (to LT or LTZ) unique 18-inch wheels plus brushed metal sill plates, special graphics for the instrument cluster, and a 'technical' finish for the interior trim. Z71 models include front tow hooks, Rancho monotube shocks, Hill Descent Control, a transfer-case skid plate, and special all-terrain tires. There's also a locking rear differential that can react quickly to a loss of traction on one of the rear wheels and help regain traction.

V-6 models earn 18 mpg city  and 24 on the highway with rear-wheel drive; add 4WD and it drops to 17/22 mpg.

It's likely that these numbers will be quite reproducible in real-world driving as well. On a 42-mile loop of hilly two-lane country roads, we averaged 23 mpg in a V-6—when driven normally, and a bit briskly.