Vehicle Overview
The Chevrolet Silverado shares its GMT900 platform with the GMC Sierra 1500, but there are some styling and interior differences to appeal to shoppers with different tastes.
The Silverado comes in regular, extended and crew-cab versions. Standard (6-foot, 6-inch) and long (8-foot) cargo beds are available on regular and extended cabs, while the crew cab gets a short (5-foot, 9-inch) bed. All configurations are available in two- or four-wheel drive.
There are four trim levels: WT, LS, LT and LTZ. The popular Z71 off-road model returns with upgraded shocks, skid plates and special badging. Most V-8 models are rated to tow around 9,000 pounds, but some models manage more than 10,500 pounds with an enhanced trailering package. The Silverado doesn’t offer fancy luxury packages, but rather provides an outstanding foundation to tackle tough chores.
New for 2011
There are only minor changes for the 2011 Chevy half-ton pickup. The Silverado gets the latest OnStar 9.0 system, revised exterior color offerings and insulating enhancements that help reduce wind noise.
Exterior
While GM is trying to differentiate the Silverado and Sierra, their common silhouette is hard to overcome, even with unique front fenders, grille, bumpers, headlamps, cargo box and taillamps. There’s also still a strong family resemblance with the Chevy Tahoe/Suburban. Exterior features include:
- Wide rear-door opening on extended-cab models to load passengers, cargo
- LT has chrome bumper; LTZ gets body-colored bumper
- 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheels available
- EZ Lift tailgate available
Interior
The Silverado offers two distinct interiors. The WT, LS and LT get interiors that are more work-oriented, while the LTZ draws inspiration from the SUV lineup. Besides interior fabrics and colors, the dash layouts are different, and the work trucks have larger controls. The easiest way to tell the difference is that work trucks have two glove boxes and LTZs have one. The Silverado cab is spacious and well-organized. The work trucks come standard with cloth seating; leather is available on the LT. The LTZ gets heated leather seats, wood trim, a Bose sound system and a larger center console. The split-bench rear seat in crew cabs can be folded to expand load space. Interior features include:
- Available power-sliding rear window
- Available moonroof
- Available navigation system on LTZ, LT
- Integrated trailer brake controls
Under the Hood
Mechanical features include:
- 195-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-6 with iron block and cylinder heads, cam-in-block, two valves per cylinder and 260 pounds-feet of torque
- 302-hp, 4.8-liter V-8 with iron block and aluminum cylinder heads, cam-in-block, two valves per cylinder and 305 pounds-feet of torque
- Flex-fuel 315-hp (gas) or 326-hp (E85), 5.3-liter V-8 with aluminum block and cylinder heads, cam-in-block, two valves per cylinder and 338 pounds-feet of torque (gas), 350 pounds-feet of torque (E85)
- Flex-fuel 403-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 with aluminum block and cylinder heads, cam-in-block and two valves per cylinder that makes 417 pounds-feet of torque
- Four- or six-speed automatic
Safety
GM’s electronic stability system includes rollover mitigation technology. It’s standard on all V-8 models. Roof-mounted side curtain and seat-mounted side-impact airbags are now standard on all half-ton models. GM says its seat belt pretensioners activate during rear-end impacts. Safety features include:
- Four-wheel antilock brakes
- Traction control
- OnStar alerts authorities after a crash
- Latch child-seat anchors
- Available ultrasonic rear parking assist
Of Interest to Truck Owners
- Maximum gross vehicle weight rating: 7,000 pounds (4×4 crew cab, extended cab)
- Maximum payload capacity: 1,924 pounds (4×2 crew-cab short box)
- Maximum towing capacity: 10,700 pounds (4×2 extended cab with enhanced trailer package and 3.73 rear axle)
- Fuel tank capacity: 26 gallons (SWB), 34 gallons (LWB)
- Axle ratio: 3.08:1, 3.23:1, 3.42:1, 3.73:1
- Minimum ground clearance: 8.4 inches (regular cab 4×2 SWB), 9.1 inches (regular cab 4×4 SWB), 8.9 inches (regular cab 4×2 LWB, extended cab 4×2 SWB), 9.5 inches (regular cab 4×4 LWB), 9 inches (extended cab 4×4 SWB, extended cab 4×2 LWB, crew cab), 9.3 inches (extended cab 4×4 LWB)
- Approach angle: 15.6 degrees (regular cab 4×4 SWB), 15.8 degrees (extended cab 4×4 SWB), 15.5 degrees (crew cab 4×4)
- Departure angle: 24.2 degrees (regular cab 4×4 SWB), 22 degrees (extended cab 4×4 SWB), 23.1 degrees (crew cab 4×4)
- Ramp breakover: 24.4 degrees (regular cab 4×4 SWB), 17.8 degrees (extended cab 4×4 SWB), 19.6 degrees (crew cab 4×4)
- Cargo-bed load height: 35.4 inches (regular cab 4×2 SWB), 34.5 inches (regular cab 4×4 LWB), 34.4 inches (extended cab 4×2 SWB), 33.6 inches (extended cab 4×4 LWB), 33.5 inches (crew cab 4×2), 33.8 inches (crew cab 4×4)
- Cargo floor length: 69.3 inches (short bed), 78.8 inches (standard bed), 97.7 inches (long bed)
- Cargo floor width: 62.4 inches
- Cargo floor width at wheel well: 50.6 inches
- Cargo bed depth: 21 inches
