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Overview
Chevrolet's weapon in the ever-raging truck wars is the rugged, adaptable, and trusty Silverado 1500. Clever storage cubbies are spread throughout the cabin, and stout towing capacities mean hauling extra stuff is a snap. Not sold on the Chevy's styling? Check out its more handsome twin, the GMC Sierra 1500.
Engines, Ride, and Handling
A range of engines—including a V-6, two V-8s, a turbocharged four-cylinder, and a diesel inline-six—means there's a 2019 Silverado 1500 for any job. Of the two V-8s, the 420-hp 6.2-liter is our choice; in our testing, it motivated the Silverado to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds while the smaller 355-hp 5.3-liter needed 6.1 seconds. The 310-hp turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder still offers decent towing capacity, but needed 7.0 seconds to hit 60 mph and delivered worse fuel economy than the 5.3-liter V-8 in our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test. On the road, the big truck drives smaller than it is; handling is surprisingly agile, and the suspension delivers a smooth ride. The 2020 Chevy Silverado shuffles its powertrain offerings, making the largest V-8 and 10-speed automatic more widely available.
Interior and Technology
From the stripped-down Work Truck model to the downright luxurious High Country, the Silverado can be equipped in a multitude of ways. Base models offer nothing but the essentials, including manually adjustable front seats, manual locks and windows, and vinyl seats, but a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay capability also comes standard. Moving up the range unlocks all sorts of goodies, including a larger 8.0-inch infotainment display, in-dash navigation, a head-up display, ventilated front seats, and wireless smartphone charging. A host of driver-assistance features are offered but none are standard; automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlamps are all available assistance features.
