Redesigned for 2014, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500's bold new
exterior houses one of three all-new EcoTec3 engines, a fully updated
cabin with available MyLink connectivity and other features designed for
the most discerning truck owners. Silverado's exterior design blends
strong Chevy truck heritage with a refined, modern aesthetic. The new
design is more muscular, functional and aerodynamic. The CornerStep
bumper, combined with handholds built into the new box rail protectors,
makes it easier to access the box.
Regular cabs are available with the 6-foot, 6-inch or 8-foot box
lengths, while the extended cab will come exclusively with a 6-foot,
6-inch box. Crew Cab customers can choose between two bed lengths; in
addition to the current 5-foot, 8-inch box, a new 6-foot, 6-inch box is
available. Updates to the body and chassis are designed to improve ride
and handling, comfort and capability. The Silverado 1500's engine range
is updated for 2014 with the goal of increased in power, torque and fuel
efficiency across the board. Each of the available EcoTec3 4.3-liter
V6, a 5.3-liter V8 and a 6.2-liter V8 engines features direct injection
and Active Fuel Management, which means they seamlessly switch to run on
four cylinders during light-load driving to save fuel.
For owners whose work or recreation takes them off road, the Z71
trim includes Rancho shocks, front tow hooks, a transfer case skid plate
unique 18- or 20-inch all-terrain tire, Hill Descent Control and a
automatic locking rear differential. Available MyLink connectivity uses
an available high-definition, fully reconfigurable eight-inch color
touchscreen. Heated seats are available with cloth seats and standard
with leather. Available LED cargo lights integrated beneath the bed
rails will illuminate the bed when a tonneau cover is in place. The
available EZ Lift and Lower tailgate uses an integrated torsion bar and
damper to ease lifting and lowering. Paired with Forward Collision Alert
and Land Departure Warning is Driver Alert Seat, which generates
vibrating pulse patterns on the left and/or right side of the lower seat
cushion bolster to alert the driver of potential dangers, such as an
un-signaled lane change or approaching another vehicle too quickly.
Other new features include available front Park Assist, in addition to
the rear Park Assist already available, and a sliding rear window with a
defroster.
All-new Silverado aims for high country.
Introduction
The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is the next generation of
Chevrolet's best-selling vehicle. Although some things look and sound
familiar, like the three engines that are all-new despite being the same
size as their predecessors, virtually everything has evolved to the
next level or been replaced.
Substantial bodywork and a larger
grille for cooling match a more imposing facade with better aerodynamic
properties, while the frame underneath the 2014 Silverado has been
stiffened despite a 30-pound weight loss. By most measures, the 2014
Silverado is lighter than the 2013 model, but it hauls and tows more
than before.
The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado comes with a roomier
cabin with more luxury and safety features in a stylish new
design. There's more room up front, and 2014 Silverado Crew Cabs offer
more space in back than previously. The driver gets excellent
instrumentation and MyLink telematics.
Silverado base price is
$23,590, according to Chevrolet, but that's almost a meaningless number
because anything you buy will cost more.
The 2014 Chevrolet
Silverado High Country model is the fanciest Silverado to date. The 2014
Chevrolet Silverado High Country is directed at Ford F-150 King Ranch,
Ram Longhorn, Toyota and Tundra 1794.
For the first time, the
mid-size cab choice comes with a center side pillar and four
conventionally opening doors. This generally improves rollover crash
performance, makes a quieter, less squeak-prone interior and is easier
to load in tight quarters. Chevrolet has dropped the Extended Cab
moniker and calls this the Double Cab, the name Toyota has used on its
four-door pickups for more than a decade.
The three new engines
are dubbed EcoTec3 because of three shared features: direct injection,
active fuel management and variable cam timing. Often reserved for the
thirstiest or most expensive engines on some trucks, these come standard
on every 2014 Silverado.
The new 4.3-liter V6 is standard on
every cab/bed combo. At 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque it
rates just 30 less (of each) than last year's 5.3-liter V8 and
out-grunts most competitor base V6s.
The new 5.3-liter V8 is
rated at 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. That's right in
line with Ford's 5-liter V8, and 2014 Silverado Crew Cabs with the
5.3-liter V8 match or better competitors for top payload and towing
ratings. Figures for the 6.2-liter V8 had not been released at press
time but were expected to bring at least 420 hp and 435 lb-ft of
torque.
All Silverados come with a 6-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).
Suspension
and braking systems are updates on current designs; external dimensions
haven't changed but the track (width between left and right wheels) has
increased aiding both stability and aesthetics. The 2014 Silverado uses
electric power steering.
The new Silverado drives like a more
refined version of the last one, even though it will tow more, go
quicker or get better mileage. A very quiet cabin means happier
passengers and less fatigue for owner/operators, with the Double Cab
likely to show the most improvement.
The only thing we see
lacking in the new Silverado is that elusive intangible that grabs
people. Chasing power and fuel economy Chevrolet used different
technologies than Ford's EcoBoost (though GM's direct-injection
turbocharged car engines preceded EcoBoost by years). And the new
Silverado doesn't offer the flashy 8-speed automatic or optional air
suspension of the Ram. But trucks are made for people and to tow and
carry things, and if the numbers are accurate the Silverado is a
player.
Lineup
The 2014 Silverado offers a choice of three cab configurations
and five wheelbases with different-length beds: Regular cab with
standard (6-foot, 6-inch) bed or long (8-foot) bed, Double Cab with
standard bed, and Crew Cab with standard or short (5-foot, 8-inch)
bed. All come standard with the 4.3-liter V6, 6-speed automatic and
rear- or four-wheel drive. The 5.3-liter V8 is optional on all cabs. The
6.2-liter V8 is available on Double Cab and Crew Cab models.
Silverado
WT is the base work truck ($23,590). It comes with a 40/20/40 bench
front seat, rubber/vinyl floor, black exterior trim, power locks and
windows, cruise control, 3.5-inch info screen, corner step rear bumper,
17-inch steel wheels, six-speaker stereo, 2 USB ports, aux input and SD
card slot. 2WT models add on MyLink infotainment with 4.2-inch screen,
Bluetooth, CD/MP3/Sirius XM/HD radio, OnStar with six months' Directions
& Connections, remote keyless entry, chrome bumpers and heated
power mirrors. Silverado Crew Cab 1WT ($32,710) and 2WT ($34,764) are
similarly equipped.
Silverado Crew Cab LT ($35,260) upgrades to a
cloth 40/20/40 front seat with locking storage underneath, leather-wrap
steering wheel with audio controls, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and
EZ-lift and lower tailgate.
Silverado Crew Cab LT Z71 ($36,850)
adds off-road suspension calibration with Rancho monotube shocks,
hill-descent control, all-terrain tires, locking rear differential, skid
plate, fog lamps, tow hooks, and a Z71 appearance package. Silverado
Crew Cab LT Z71 4WD ($40,525) adds four-wheel drive; as with other
models, it's also available with the standard-length bed ($44,460)
instead of the short bed.
Silverado Crew Cab LTZ ($40,230) comes
standard with V8, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, MyLink
with 8-inch color touch-screen, remote start, power front seats, fog
lamps, 18-inch aluminum wheels, chrome door handles and mirrors, 110-VAC
outlet, power sliding rear window and rearview camera. Silverado Crew
Cab LTZ Z71 ($40,910) adds the Z71 equipment. As with the other trim
levels, Silverado Crew Cab LT Z71 4WD ($44,160) adds four-wheel drive.
Silverado
High Country adds more chrome, unique grille and 20-inch wheels, body
color bumpers, exclusive saddle brown interior with perforated, piped
leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, wood trim, Bose
premium sound system and front and rear park assist. Navigation is
optional.
Optional equipment is extensive, often progressive
(require this, must order that, etc.) and model-limited. A few examples:
tri-coat white metallic paint ($995), integrated trailer brake
controller ($230), 5.3-liter V8 ($895), locking differential ($395),
upgrade wheels in tires in 17, 18 and 20-inch sizes, in-bed LED lighting
($60), leather ($1,095), towing package, snow-plow package, navigation,
moonroof. A choice of rear axle ratios is available, including 3.08 and
3.42.
Safety features on all Silverado models include dual front
airbags, front side airbags, side-curtain airbags, and electronic
stability control with trailer sway control. Options include park
assist, rearview camera, forward collision and lane departure warnings.
Walkaround
Teasing the bigger-is-better trend, the all-new 2014 Chevrolet
Silverado looks bigger than the last one but is virtually identical in
exterior dimensions; for example, it is one-tenth of an inch wider. The
most obvious changes are up front and the rear doors.
A taller
grille, with more chrome as price rises, and revised bumper allow more
powertrain cooling, but with fewer pieces and tighter fits, more
aerodynamic than before. The windshield lays back another degree and
fairs into the roof such that frontal area, the other component of
aerodynamic resistance, is no larger than last year's.
The new
styling will sit well with conservative pickup buyers. The new Silverado
is instantly identifiable as a Chevy even if not wearing the big
badge. At least one observer initially thought the 2013 Silverado next
to it was just a different trim level.
Massive rectangular wheel
openings consume the majority of the bed side panels and reinforce the
GM impression; wider wheels help fill them, but there's still a lot of
open space around the tires. In profile, the bed section is almost
military in its geometric execution.
The B-pillar, the post
between the front and rear doors, has been moved forward four
inches. This may have negative implications only for tall, very broad
shouldered types, but is outweighed by the superior access through the
rear door, especially for boots or big toolboxes headed for the floor.
On
most models the rear bumper sports a step in each corner and a
corresponding handhold in the side rail for easier bed entry. High
Country's painted bumper loses it, but a chrome step bumper is
available. Most versions offer LEDs under the side rails of the bed,
activated by the shower-head bed light switch, for illumination beneath
bed covers. And many have a tailgate damped for both up and down motion,
a feature you'll really appreciate when you remove the gate for
something and find what it really weighs.
Outside mirrors have
slightly less area but you won't notice; you will like the built-in
convex mirror on the driver-side. A towing mirror option will be
available but was not seen nor evaluated.
Myriad trims, chrome
packages, three wheel diameters, 10 tire choices and plenty of stickers
yield many appearance permutations, even before adding accessories. One
of our sample trucks listed a chrome exhaust tip at $185; for that
amount we'd expect polished stainless steel.
Bigger-and-better
has been applied to badging, too, with enough large-scale bow-ties and
nameplates you might have to downsize your magnetic business signs so
they still fit and stick.
It's worth noting that 4WD versions are
about the same roof height as 2WD because some other 4WD pickups are
inches higher and may not fit the parking garages you frequent.
Interior
The 2014 Silverado cabin is comfortable, quiet and can be
packed with enough features and USB plugs for each passenger to have
one. The only parts that might have been pulled straight from the 2103
are the shift lever and some door switches.
A big, more segmented
dashboard dominates the cab like never before. Outboard of the AC vent
left is a switch panel convenient if you rest your arm on the
door. Switches for trailer brakes are at the top, ideal for adjusting
while you watch for locked wheels in the mirror. On 4WD models,
near-identical round knobs for are used for selecting 2WD/4WD or turning
on the headlights. Be sure you grab the correct one if you don't use
Auto for both.
Inboard is a steering wheel slightly canted and
off center for crashworthiness. It tilts on all, telescopes on some, but
each function uses a separate lever and isn't easily done in one fluid
motion. One observer noted that the big outboard switch panel feels like
it crowds the wheel and gauges against the center, but that looks worse
in pictures than from the seat.
Instrumentation is very
good. After a sleepy, multi-seconds gauge-check sweep the numbered,
analog displays swing to life and respond quickly; watch the oil
pressure carefully and you'll feel these are indeed connected to
something. The tach has no redline but neither the 4.3 nor 5.3 went
beyond 5550 on their own, and the 140-mph speedometer is likely 25-40
beyond a tire-imposed electronic limit. Transmission fluid temperature
and fuel economy are among the broad data available in the screen under
the smaller gauges.
The central panel requires nearly a third of
the real estate, logically laid out with vents, touchscreen, audio and
climate controls. The MyLink infotainment navigation system maps well,
the Bose stereo system sounds good, and we didn't sample voice operation
given limited cell service. As with any telematics the MyLink should be
tried thoroughly, while parked at first then moving (some functions
will disable in motion), to see if you prefer all those features or
simply your smartphone paired via Bluetooth.
Accessory switches
(pedals, bed light, park sense, etc.) are along the bottom and
symmetrically laid out. There are no blank spaces to either show you
didn't get something or to fit your own aftermarket switches.
Dual
gloveboxes cover the right third of the dash. Doors have up to three
storage locations in each, and the center console has a variety of
shapes and sizes, if not one big cooler-size bin. The top-line
full-length console has in total five USB ports, three 12-volt power
points, an SD card slot and a grounded 110-VAC outlet, with another in
the back optional. Taller drivers found the trim panels on the console
and door inconveniently at knee height, while other sizes found the
center armrest too high even with the seat at full height.
The
40/20/40 front bench seat option has good storage in the fold-down
backrest-becomes-armrest, with more storage space beneath the seat
cushion. With minimal padding and no shoulder belt it works better as
console than seat.
Front seats are very comfortable and easy to
climb into (front grab handles are mounted to steel structure). The rear
seat on Extended cab models will carry adults in a pinch, better if all
on board are average stature or smaller. Crew cab rear seats rival the
front for comfort except the headrests wouldn't keep even a 5-foot,
9-inch rider's head off the rear window. There is no center headrest,
and LATCH anchors will fit up to two child seats in any of the three
seating positions.
You can now get heated seats on cloth
upholstery models. High Country leather is heated and cooled in
front. Heated steering wheels wisely have the switch in plain sight on
the spoke, not buried on the column or in a touchscreen menu.
Outward
visibility is slightly less than before because the windshield pillars
appear wider and to a lesser extent the windshield top feels lower
relative seating position. However, the edges of the hood are better
defined and new options mitigate other aspects.
Silverado now
offers forward collision warning, lane departure warning and the
seat-vibration alert introduced by Cadillac last year. How and when
you're alerted can be adjusted and turned off, handy since our trail
drive at less than 10 mph buzzed our jeans every time the truck sensed a
collision with a deep rut, rock, or bush in our path.
Driving Impression
The new 2014 Chevy Silverado drives and does pickup chores
well. We think it has the most realistic base engine in the business, a
new 4.3-liter V6.
As a competitor ad points out torque is what
gets the job done in pickups. The new 4.3-liter V6's 305 pound-feet is
more than Ford's 3.7-liter (278 lb-ft), Ram's 3.6-liter (269 lb-ft), or
Toyota's 4-liter (278 lb-ft). And the Silverado's 4.3-liter gives up no
more than 20 hp to Ford or Ram's high-revving V6s. Ram's 8-speed gearbox
helps with torque multiplication and highway mileage. Chevy 4.3-liter
estimates weren't available at posting, but considering Chevy's
5.3-liter V8 ratings (16/23 mpg for 2WD) nearly match Ford's 3.7-liter
V6 (17/23 mpg 2WD) and Ram's 3.6-liter (17/25 mpg SLT 2WD) your load and
driving style will have far more effect on fuel economy than which
brand you choose.
The 2014 Silverado's 4.3-liter V6 pulled a
dual-axle travel trailer for us with no problem, whether or not we
engaged Tow/Haul. It revs to just 5500 rpm, at least 1000 less than the
Ford or Ram, generating less noise and vibration. We were pleasantly
surprised by the very quiet, smooth idle at just 500 rpm, a lower speed
than the V8. Not towing, on an undulating course with traffic, we
managed almost 18 mpg in the V6, not a bad number given locale and
driving style.
The new 5.3-liter V8 makes the Silverado faster,
of course, and its shorter gearing enables top trailer ratings to 11,500
pounds. The V8 doesn't have an obvious advantage in smoothness over the
V6. Both engines will switch to four-cylinder operation unnoticed
(unless you watch the dash carefully) when power isn't needed, and since
2/3 of the V6 is a bigger engine than 1/2 of the V8, the V6 appears to
run as a four more often. Were the 4.3 offered with the same axle ratios
as the V8 we'd recommend it even more, and unless you're towing more
than 5000 pounds frequently through hilly terrain the V6 will be more
than adequate. If you don't think so, we'll remind you a Chevy dually
with a 7.4-liter V8 less than 25 years ago had only 230 horsepower. It
had 80 lb-ft more torque, but just half the gears so less torque got to
the wheels.
Both 4.3 and 5.3 are E85-capable, but fuel economy
with E85 ethanol drops about 30 percent over gasoline. The 6.2-liter V8
requires Premium fuel.
Silverado ranks well on maximum payload
figures, with more than a ton of capacity on base Regular cabs and from
1751 pounds to 2101 pounds on four-doors. Like most half-ton pickups, we
found it worked at about 2/3 of capacity and expect the ride to suffer
beyond that.
Tow ratings are up too, to 10,200 pounds on Regular
cab and 11,500 on Double cab. Crew Cab ratings are about 200 pounds
lower than Double Cab as are 4WD, except on Crew V6 (6600 pounds)
because of a better axle ratio. Remember that tow ratings are not always
directly comparable among brands because the only industry-wide
standard is SAE J2807, and only Toyota certifies its ratings to it.
Even
a short drive shows the Silverado to be more refined, quieter, and
delivering a better ride, particularly on choppy road surfaces that make
trucks shake and things like sharp bumps in corners that cause the rear
end to skip sideways. Ride quality will vary among the 10 tires and
various suspension choices. As before, we found the Z71 package designed
for off-road use delivers the best blend of handling and comfort on
rural highways, ranch roads, pockmarked infrastructure and
expansion-heaved expressways most pickups travel.
Steering is
electric-assist now and needs the same space for a U-turn as last year's
despite wider tires and track. It requires little effort at low speeds,
doesn't lose assist in heavy maneuvering like corkscrewing a trailer
into a camp site, weights up nicely with speed and tracks well. We
noticed it doesn't seem to return to center quite as fast, but it's a
subtle difference.
All-disc brakes have good feel and retarding, and a new material is said to last much longer; only time will tell.
The
integrated trailer brake controller is well worth the price; even if
your trailer has surge brakes consider it for resale value or loaning
the truck to others.
Summary
With plenty of choices to keep up with the competition, the
2014 Chevy Silverado adds considerable refinement, efficiency and
comfort to a new look, new cabin and new engines. By pull-and-carry
truck standards, fuel economy and features it is absolutely competitive,
whether or not you're loyal to bow-ties.
G.R. Whale filed this report after driving various Silverado Crew Cabs in the Texas hill country.
Model Lineup
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab, standard and long bed,
2WD/4WD; 1500 Double Cab, standard bed, 2WD/4WD ($30,405); 1500 Crew Cab
2WD/4WD WT ($31,715/$34,865); WT2 ($33,770/36,920); LT
($34,265/$37,840); LT Z71 ($35,810/$39,530); LTZ ($39,235/$42,385); LTZ
Z71 ($39,915/$43,165).
Assembled In
Flint, Michigan; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Silao, Mexico.
Options As Tested
LT Convenience package ($1,625) with 10-way power driver seat,
dual-zone climate control, remote start, MyLink 8-inch touchscreen, rear
camera, rear defroster, 110VAC outlet, fog lamps; LT Plus package
($785) with power sliding rear window with defrost, universal home
remote, rear park assist, adjustable pedals; Custom Sport package
($1,415) with 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, body-color door handles
and mirrors, trailering package, locking rear differential; side steps
($700); LED box lights ($60); upper cargo tie-downs ($60); Bose audio
($500); bedliner ($385); MyLink navigation ($995); heated front seats
($250); chrome exhaust tip ($185).
Model Tested
Chevrolet Silverado LT Crew Cab 2WD ($34,265).
http://autos.aol.com/cars-Chevrolet-Silverado+1500-2014-1LZ__4x4_Crew_Cab_5.75_ft._box_143.5_in._WB/overview/
