Truck Review: The 2014 Chevy Silverado

By Andreanna Ditton - April 11, 2014

It may not seem like a compliment to say that the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado drove like a truck, but trust me it is. It actually drove like a dream – offering a combination of smooth, efficient acceleration, excellent torque and horsepower, a far quieter ride than my Japanese sedan, and the feeling of lording it’s truckiness over all the other denizens of Los Angeles county, the width and breadth of which we drove during the week we had our paws on the vehicle.

Silverado4

The Silverado is Chevy’s flagship brute. Big engine, big towing capacity, big presence. It squares off against the market-crushing Ford F-150 on a regular basis. This time, I think it’s got the power to really put up a fight. We drove the 1500 2WD LT (the smaller version of the big red truck, but plenty big enough for a city full of twisty hills, low-clearance parking garages, steep inclines, and let’s affectionately say challenging on ramps.)

While we can’t attest to the ease of towing and hauling (despite our best efforts, the only thing we found to haul was a clutch of suitcases and a bunch of office staffers we recruited for the photo shoot), the truck itself drives so well that we imagine that the 4.3L V6 ECOTEC 3 engine would have little problem hauling a motorbike or pulling a boat. Besides, the 4WD offers a whole ‘nother level of capacity for those interested in such things. Suspension is solid, there’s no highway wiggle, and truthfully, the Silverado gives you the best of both worlds as an urban dweller: it’s remarkably easy to drive, with no vibration, and it still looms large over those around you thanks to the 17 inch wheels and big tires. That may or may not be a benefit depending on how you feel about giving your fillings a work out in the front seat of the cab.

There are a few snazzy features to highlight as well. The interior is a step up from the last few generations – a little more luxurious, while still being practical, and the bench seat can convert from a lockable storage center to a third seat for someone you really, really like (providing they are short, and probably related to you). We drove the version with the double cab, and unless you’re only going down the street, invest in the crew cab. It’s cramped. The bluetooth and MyLink Audio system rocked, as did the rear camera for parking assist.

Best part of the truck is the smarter-than-you fuel efficiency. At cruising speed, the engine shuts down two of its cylinders to save gas. The 26 gallon tank arrived at our office full, and it took us a week and a boatload of travel to drain it.

We have the Ford vs. Chevy fight a lot around here, so we’re not really aiming for converts. I will say that our die-hard Ford guy told us it was a great ride. He just wished it were taller. As the primary driver, who lived in constant fear or those parking garage clearance bars, I can say with full certainty: he’s just wrong.