Road test | Chevrolet Silverado 1500: before the electroshock

Presented in its world premiere at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the Chevrolet Silverado EV will usher General Motors (GM) into a new era next year. GM’s first electric pickup truck, it promises to put up a tough fight against the Ford F-150 Lightning that has already arrived on our roads. In the shadow of the hype generated by such an unveiling, Chevrolet has refreshed its full-size pickup truck. Is this enough to attract new customers to its showrooms?

Charles Rene
The Press

Design

Regulars of the brand will not be unduly destabilized. The designers have applied the recipe for a traditional mid-cycle refresh, focusing mainly on the front part of the van. There, we obviously find different combinations depending on the chosen livery, with as a common thread the large grille of which the headlights are an integral part. The more opulent variants incorporate horizontal strokes and C-shaped daytime running lights that also act as sequential turn signals. Moreover, the combinations of rim colors and formats are numerous to rake as wide as possible. From the standard WT livery to the ZR2 emphasizing its ease on crevasses, there are significant differences depending on the mandate. In addition, Chevrolet still offers three cab and box sizes.

On board

Still, you have to sit in the Silverado to see how tangible the changes to the recipe are. The cabin has been completely remodeled, allowing the van to be pulled from the bottom of its segment to the top of the podium in this aspect. The High Country version tested relies on its refinement to seduce customers looking for a luxury product. The exposed-pore wood appliqués and the stitching patterns sewn into the perforated leather of the seats make the decor very refined with the horizontal lines of the dashboard. The assembly is also much tighter than before. The space itself remains exceptional. The largest cabin can easily accommodate five people and the presence of a flat floor at the rear ensures good comfort for passengers. The storage spaces are just as numerous as they are voluminous.

Under the hood

Contrary to what we observe among rivals, there is no hybrid on the menu of the Silverado. A turbocharged 2.7L four-cylinder (310 hp) leads the way, followed by a 3.0L turbodiesel six-cylinder (277 hp) and two naturally aspirated 5.3L V8s (355 hp) and 6, 2 L. It was the latter that was tested, mated to a 10-speed transmission. It attempts to stave off its thirst by means of a displacement deactivation system that can operate on ranges from two to eight cylinders. This ensured an average consumption of around 12 L/100 km during a test mainly on the highway. Its 420 hp and 460 lb-ft are still delivered with the same grip and consistency as before. The box copes with the task more smoothly than the F-150, which also uses it. In terms of towing capacity, it oscillates between 4034 kg and 5942 kg with this mechanism.

Behind the wheel

Without benefiting from a multi-link bridge combination at the rear like the Ram 1500 or an aluminum alloy body like the F-150, the Silverado does not play entirely on equal terms in terms of modernity. . He did, however, manage to refine the package with optional adaptive dampers. These help smooth the behavior of the van, making the presence of leaf springs at the rear less disturbing. That said, if one opts for the ZR2 livery, the latter obviously offers more amplitude of movement by means of very sophisticated Multimatic shock absorbers, at the cost of a more bouncy behavior. This Silverado also insulates the passenger compartment from road and ambient noise in a very convincing way, allowing you to swallow the kilometers in an unimaginable peace of mind just a few years ago. Admittedly, it’s still a cumbersome vehicle and its temperament leans towards the side of the pickup truck, but never has GM offered us such an approachable and refined product.

Embedded technologies

The 2022 model year also marks the transition to a new infotainment system in which you navigate by means of a large 13.4-inch horizontal touchscreen that is well incorporated into the dashboard. It integrates Google applications as well as their voice commands from the LT livery, an added value for Android users. These also benefit from Android Auto, and iPhones can dock via Apple CarPlay, both wirelessly. Overall, this system is a big step up from the one it replaces. The graphic quality is undeniable, ensuring a more modern presentation, and the icons are well laid out, making navigation simple. The whole is completed by a fully digital customizable instrumentation block that is just as pleasant to consult. Note also the possibility of equipping this Silverado with the Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system, undoubtedly the most competent of its horde.

The verdict

On a strictly mechanical level, this update to the Silverado does not give the impression of being particularly complete. After all, only the entry-level four-cylinder benefits from torque injection in the process. However, you have to look inside to see how much the van has gentrified to pay more and more towards luxury. The materials used as well as the stylistic evolution of the layout make it much more attractive than before. A far cry from the utilitarian aspect of its predecessors, the version we tested was close to $90,000. It’s expensive, very expensive even, but the refinement is there and Chevrolet will tell you that there are as many liveries available as there are varieties of apples at your favorite orchard. Pending the arrival of its electric counterpart, the Silverado puts forward very convincing arguments that will reassure fans of the brand.