The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 receives the latest OnStar 9.0 system with improved audio quality and speech recognition.
Introduction
Since
the current generation of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 debuted four
years ago, competing trucks have outpaced the Chevy with recent
redesigns. But don't assume the Silverado (or its GMC Sierra twin) is
ready to be put out to pasture just yet. Over its production run, this
full-size truck has seen its share of improvements on top of the solid
foundation with which it started. Despite the mounting pressure from
rival manufacturers, the 2011 Silverado 1500 remains one of the best
trucks in this category.
In terms of capabilities, the Silverado 1500 ranks right up there
with its competition in terms of towing capacities, body style choices
and option choices -- the differences are very slight. The Chevy is
notable, however, for its smooth ride and low wind and road noise
levels. Factor in comfortable seats -- at least in the upper trim
levels -- and the Silverado earns our endorsement as a long-distance
road-tripper.
The 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 is not without a few faults, though.
In the Work base model trim, the interior is aesthetically dull compared
to competitors from Dodge and Toyota. The base V6 engine is a
hindrance, as it struggles to adequately motivate this large truck. And
maneuverability is hampered by a large turning radius that leads to
more frequent multiple-point turns.
Despite such faults, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 still
represents a worthy choice in the very competitive full-size truck
segment. In a recent Edmunds comparison test, the Chevy finished a
close 3rd place, bested by the 2011 Ram 1500 and 2011 Toyota Tundra, and narrowly edged out the 2011 Ford F-150.
The Ford pickup has more powerful engine choices this year, but the
close results from our comparison remind us that all of these trucks are
up to the task. As such, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 remains a
solid choice in our book.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a full-size pickup truck that is
offered in standard cab, extended cab and crew cab body styles. Standard
and extended cabs are available with either a standard 6.5-foot bed or
an 8-foot long bed. Crew cabs only come with a short bed that measures
5-foot-8.
Regular cabs can be had in base Work or midlevel LT trims, while the
extended and crew cabs are also available in LS and the range-topping
LTZ trim. The Work trim comes with the bare necessities, which include
air-conditioning (extended- and crew-cab versions), a trip computer, a
tilt steering wheel, OnStar telematics, vinyl seating, a 40/20/40-split
front bench seat and a CD/MP3 stereo with an auxiliary audio jack. The
LS adds full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control, satellite
radio and adjustable lumbar support for the driver.
The LT trim adds upgraded audio speakers and a USB jack, premium
cloth seating, a lockable compartment with a power outlet built into the
center cushion of the split front seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror
and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The LTZ piles on alloy wheels,
dual-zone automatic climate control (in extended and crew cabs), an
exclusive dash design with wood and metallic accents, leather
upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable heated front bucket seats,
driver-seat memory settings, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls,
Bluetooth, remote engine start and a Bose audio system with a six-disc
CD changer and rear audio controls.
Options include several towing packages, the Z71 Off-Road package
(skid plates, off-road suspension), special regional packages, 18- and
20-inch wheels, upgraded audio systems, a navigation system with
real-time traffic updates and a rearview camera, a rear-seat DVD
entertainment system, heated power-folding outside mirrors, a sunroof, a
power-sliding rear window, a cargo management system and rear park
assist.
There is also the XFE (extra fuel economy) trim variant for the
two-wheel-drive 5.3-liter V8 crew cab that features aerodynamic
enhancements and lightweight aluminum components that improve fuel
economy. An EZ Lift tailgate is also offered, and requires only about
half the effort to open and close, compared to the standard tailgate.
Powertrains and Performance
The
2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 is available with four different engine
choices. Work trucks are powered by a standard 4.3-liter V6 that
produces 195 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Buyers may upgrade
to a 4.8-liter V8 that makes 302 hp and 305 lb-ft, or a 5.3-liter V8
that's good for 315 hp and 335 lb-ft. The LS is only offered with the
4.8-liter V8. The LT trim, depending on body style, will have one of
these two V8s as standard, while the LTZ has the 5.3-liter engine as
standard. A 6.2-liter V8 is available as an option on select models and
makes 403 hp and 417 lb-ft.
A four-speed automatic transmission with a tow and haul mode is
standard on Silverado pickups with the base V6 and 4.8-liter V8. The
5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8s utilize a six-speed automatic. In a recent
Edmunds test, a Silverado with a 6.2-liter V8 accelerated from zero to
60 mph in 6.6 seconds, which is quick for a full-size pickup. Properly
equipped, a Silverado 1500 can tow up to 10,700 pounds.
Buyers have a choice of either rear- or four-wheel drive. The Work
and LS trims with 4WD have a traditional floor-mounted selector for the
transfer case. All other 4WD trims have Autotrac, which features an
automatic setting that shifts into 4WD when wheel slippage is detected.
Fuel economy estimates range from 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 18
mpg combined for a crew cab XFE down to 12/19/14 mpg for a 4WD Silverado
1500 fitted with the 6.2-liter V8.
Safety
Standard
safety equipment includes antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum) and
stability control. Front side and side curtain airbags are also
standard. Four-wheel disc brakes are available as part of the Max
Trailering package.
In government crash tests, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earned
the top rating of five stars in frontal collisions. In Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety testing, a Silverado crew cab earned a top
score of "Good" for frontal-offset crash protection and a second-best
score of "Acceptable" for side-impact testing. In our testing, a
Silverado crew cab with four-wheel disc brakes stopped from 60 mph in a
short 120 feet.
Interior Design and Special Features
On
the whole, the Silverado's interior fit and finish ranks highly, though
base models tend to look rather dull compared to their rivals. The
pricey LTZ trim dresses up the cabin significantly, with a unique
upscale dash and door panel treatment, a full center console and
attractive wood grain and metallic accents. Crew-cab models feature
comfortable rear seats with flip-up seat cushions that provide a nearly
flat load floor. Interior storage is merely adequate, with small
cupholders and haphazard center console organization.
Driving Impressions
Unlike
previous generations of pickups, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is
actually pleasant to drive. The steering is light but reasonably
precise, and the truck's comfortable seats and smooth, quiet ride make
road trips enjoyable. The Silverado's turning circle is a bit larger
than those of most other trucks, however.
Acceleration is sluggish with the base V6, while the 4.8-liter V8
provides adequate power. The 5.3-liter V8 feels brawny and the 6.2-liter
V8 turns the Silverado into a veritable muscle truck. The six-speed
automatic transmission that comes standard with the two bigger V8s does
an admirable job of keeping power on tap, while the four-speed feels
outdated by comparison.
Like the Fast & Furious franchise, the Michael Bay-directed series of Transformers movies has become known as much for its bad acting as its impressive lineup of cars. As filming just started for Transformers 4, Bay's website has confirmed two new cars for the next installment as well as a makeover for everyone's favorite tractor trailer hero, Optimus Prime. Joining the cast of T4 are a "race-inspired" Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse. While Bay's website did not supply names for either car, Bugatti is reporting on its Facebook page that the Veyron will join the Autobots. Speaking of the good guys, top Autobot Optimus Prime is getting an all-new body based on a Western Star with a gaudy appearance that was seemingly inspired by Trick My Truck - right down to the six smoke stacks and side pipes!
The wheel ranks right up there with the telescope and four-slice toaster in the pantheon of inventions that have moved humankind forward. But what if a circle in three dimensions had never occurred to anyone, and we all had just moved on without it? Perhaps we'd be driving around in Lucas Motors Landspeeders with anti-gravity engines. Or maybe we'd have the same cars we do today, just without wheels. That's the thought experiment that seems to have led French photographer Renaud Marion to create his six-image series called Air Drive. The shots depict cars throughout many eras of motoring that look normal except for one thing: they have no wheels. The models used include a Jaguar XK120, Cadillac DeVille (shown above), Chevrolet El Camino and Camaro, and Mercedes-Benz SL and 300 roadsters. Perhaps one day when our future becomes our past, you'll be able to walk the street and see with your own eyes the rust and patina of age on our nation's fleet of floating cars. Until then, Monsieur Marion's photographs will have to do.
Chevrolet's latest road rocket, the Corvette Stingray, is a very quick car. If one needs further proof of that, we recommend they take a look at this video from Hennessey of what is claimed to be the first privately owned C7 Corvette to make a pass down the quarter mile. Not just any quarter mile, mind, this black C7 blitzed its way down the tuner's primary testing dragstrip. The Chevrolet ran the quarter in just 12.23 seconds at 114.88 miles per hour. That is a very quick time for a stock car. Equipped with the Z51 package and a six-speed automatic transmission, not only does the C7 run a solid time, but it does so with little to no drama. That won't last though, as Hennessey will likely return it to its owner with far more power - we just hope they show a drag run of the completed product. Take a look below to watch the C7's 12.23-second run on video.