2010 Chevy Silverado - America's Truck

The 2010 Chevy Silverado enters the new model year with a similar look, but changes under the hood and in the cabin. GM has dropped the long-running 6.0-liter V-8 engine from the Silverado lineup, leaving only the 6.2-liter V-8 for heavy towing needs. The rest of the Silverado's eight-cylinder lineup benefits from increased availability of its new six-speed transmission. That transmission is now available in regular and extended cab models equipped with the 5.3-liter V-8. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is visually unchanged from 2009, but the 4.8L engine is now flexible-fuel, air conditioning and electronic stability control are now standard on the Work Truck trim, and overhead curtain airbags are now standard on all trims. New audio systems feature audio-DVD and USB ports. Those with portable MP3 players can connect and play their music collections through the truck's audio system using a USB input. Standard side curtain and side-impact airbags are safety additions. 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.

2010 Silverado Power

For Silverado power, there are four engine sizes to choose from: 4.3-liter V6, 4.8-liter V8, 5.3-liter V8, and 6.2-liter V8; and two transmissions: a four-speed automatic and a six-speed automatic. The Silverado benefits from brakes much improved over the previous generation models, whether equipped with disc or drum brakes. Suspension choice is key to the driving characteristics of the Chevy Silverado. The Z71 package is designed for off-highway use and makes maximum use of suspension travel to keep the wheels on the ground when on the trail or dirt roads; this off-road package frequently provides the best ride quality on anything worse than glass-smooth interstates.

Inside the 2010 Silverado

Inside the Silverado is available with two cabin themes, depending on what the truck is to be used for, as a work truck or a more SUV-like usage. 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 2010 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. The pure pickup interior is more driver and work oriented, includes two glove boxes in the dashboard, one of them just about the right size to hold a pair of work gloves and a few small items, and a 40/20/40-split front bench seat with the center section of the seat back folding down to form a wide arm rest with lots of storage capacity. This interior features large switchgear controls and interior door handles designed to be easily manipulated even while wearing bulky gloves. The more luxury-oriented interior includes bucket seats with a permanent center console with 20 liters of storage capacity. The center stack puts ventilation and audio controls within easy site and reach of the front seat passenger. This version has a single glove box in the dash.

Silverado Design

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. The rear view of the truck features stacked tail lights on either side of a tall tailgate that has a sculpted center section that mimics and inverts the shape of the fender flares.

Chevy Silverado Trim Levels

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.

Conclusions

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. Like all Silverados, the 1500 is available in a wide array of bed sizes, wheelbases, drive types and cab sizes, as well as a variety of trim levels. The Chevy Silverado offers more choices in light-duty pickup variations than any other save GMC and perhaps the Ford F-150. It is among the smoothest riding and quietest of all full-size pickups. For more details visit Chevrolet's official 2010 Silverado site.