2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Preview

Competes with: Ford F-150, Ram 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan

Looks like: The 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Drivetrains: 285-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-6 (305 pounds-feet of torque); 355-hp, 5.3-liter V-8 (383 pounds-feet of torque); 420-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 (460 pounds-feet of torque); six-speed automatic transmission for 4.3-liter and 5.3-liter; eight-speed automatic transmission for 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter; two- and four-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: Late 2017

Just as with some other half-ton pickup trucks, not much will change about the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for model-year 2018. GM's 2018 half tons — which include the GMC Sierra 1500 — are scheduled for a significant chassis upgrade and powertrain boost for the 2019 model year. Regardless, the Silverado 1500 maintains the highest maximum tow rating in the class at 12,500 pounds.

The Silverado 1500 offers six different trim levels — Custom, WT, LS, LT, LTZ and High Country — with 11 different special-edition packages to cater to buyers looking for sportier, individualized pickups. Many of the special editions are tied to specific cabs, bed lengths and trim levels. For example, the Special Ops and Black Out special editions can only be ordered for the spartan WT, while the Realtree and Redline editions are tied to the better equipped LT and LTZ Z71 trims.

The Silverado 1500 comes in both two- and four-wheel drive with four wheelbases to accommodate short- and long-bed regular-cab models. Double-cab models come with a 6-foot 6-inch bed, and crew-cab models can be had with either a 5-foot 8-inch bed or 6-foot 6-inch bed.

There are no new engine choices for 2018 models, although some spy photographers are reporting they've seen camouflaged with diesel-sounding engines in Michigan and Las Vegas.

Engine choices are the 4.3-liter V-6 that offers EPA fuel-economy estimates of 18/24/20 mpg city/highway/combine and a 5.3-liter V-8 offering 16/23/19 mpg with the six-speed transmission; that engine gets 1 mpg less for highway and combined with the eight-speed transmission. The GM half tons do have the most powerful V-8 in the segment with a bigger aluminum 6.2-liter V-8 that comes standard with an eight-speed transmission; that combo gets 15/21/17 mpg.

Standard safety equipment in the Silverado 1500 includes six air bags, electronic stability control, rollover mitigation technology, a rear camera, trailer-sway control and hill start assist. Optional safety features include an Enhanced Driver Alert Package on LT, LTZ and High Country trims that includes forward collision alert, seat-vibrating safety alerts, intelligent high-beam control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, front and rear parking assist, and low-speed forward automatic braking.

Here are the rest of the changes to the 2018 model: