Yahoo Autos 2024 Chevy Silverado Review: Just goes about its business
Pros: Top-notch interior in most trims; whisper-quiet diesel; useful MultiPro tailgate; SuperCruise availability; responsive handling
Cons: Rougher ride than competitors; no hybrid or electric option (yet)
The other American truck makers may still get more attention and accolades, what with their Raptors and Lightnings, TRXs and impressive coil-spring suspensions. There’s frankly more to get excited about. Yet, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a fine truck that, after scores of substantial updates two model years ago, is impossible to ignore.
The Silverado may not offer a hybrid or all-electric version (yet), but its TurboMax and Duramax engines pack loads of torque and excellent fuel economy. It may not offer a high-powered desert runner, but the ZR2 is fully capable of getting very dirty. And while there aren’t as many luxury trim levels available as Ford and Ram offer, the Silverado’s handsome, well-constructed and tech-filled cabin is second-to-none in terms of equipment, quality and appearance. Actually, never mind the ritzy Silverado trim levels – even the LT volume-seller is now pretty great.
Ultimately, there are definitely versions of rival trucks that are more distinctive, appealing and competitive than what the Silverado can manage. Its ride quality also leaves something to be desired. But if we’re talking volume-selling versions, the Silverado 1500’s high baseline of competence generally puts it neck-and-neck with its American competitors – and far afield of its Japanese ones. It just puts its head down and goes about its business. Many truck owners can probably relate.
Interior & Technology | Passenger & Cargo Space | Performance & Fuel Economy
What it's like to drive | Pricing & Trim Levels | Crash Ratings & Safety Features
What's new for 2024?
There are a handful of small updates, changes and additions for 2024. The 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four engine gets a snappy new name: TurboMax! The Duramax diesel is now available on the ZR2. The 6.2-liter V8 (what, couldn’t think of a “Max” name?) now includes an active dual exhaust with a sport mode. The Midnight Edition appearance package (which requires ordering a host of other equipment) is now available on the High Country in addition to the Custom Trail Boss and 2LT, though the High Country version gets black power assist steps with LED lighting. The Blackout appearance package expands beyond the Custom trims to the RST, LT Trail Boss and ZR2. People really love black car trim these days. Adaptive cruise control is now standard on the Highway Country, and OnStar and wireless Apple/Android connectivity is now standard on even the Work Truck.
What are the Silverado interior and in-car technology like?
There are two completely different interior designs. The Work Truck, Custom and Custom Trail Boss still have the ugly, half-hearted interior this generation of Silverado originally launched with, complete with 8-inch touchscreen (pictured above, bottom right). This is less of an issue at a lower price point and for trucks, like these trims levels, with a more rough-and-tumble purpose.
All the upper trims get the interior design introduced two years ago that proved what happens when GM actually seems to try. It’s thoroughly modern, and in some trim levels, arguably class leading. Although we were very impressed by how nice the LT trim level is (pictured above, top), it’s the upper trim levels that benefit most from the overhaul (pictured above, bottom left). There’s lovely real wood trim, quality leather (available in blue!) and an attractive design that benefits from the more aesthetically pleasing widescreen touchscreen that comes standard with this interior.
Besides aesthetics, we appreciate the 13.4-inch touchscreen’s widescreen orientation as it easily allows you to see and operate multiple screens at once, and also lends itself to a more attractive design (although the right side of the screen is quite a reach). The infotainment system is also among the first in the industry to run on the Android Automotive operating system. It generally works well and is easy to figure out, but doesn’t represent an advantage over Ford and especially Ram. Note that if you're an Apple user, don't worry. Apple CarPlay is fully supported, along with Android Auto. The also-standard 12.3-inch instrument display is bright, crisp, and doesn't wash out even in bright sunlight, while offering different designs based on driver preference and the truck’s trim level.
How big is the Silverado?
It’s huge. But so are all full-size pickups today. There are three cab configurations: a two-door Regular Cab with an 8-foot bed, a Double Cab with four doors and a 6.5-foot bed, and the larger Crew Cab four-door with either a 6.5-foot or a 5.8-foot bed. The Regular Cab measures 229.5 inches from stem to stern, while the Double Cab and the Crew Cab short box are just 2 inches longer, and the Crew Cab long box tacks on another 10 inches. The ZR2 off-road version is sold only as a Crew Cab with the short box.
The Silverado features higher bed sides than most competitors, allowing Chevy to claim greater cargo volume. You can also get it with GM's Multi-Flex tailgate shown above left that provides various functional upgrades and features over a traditional one-piece tailgate. Quite simply, it makes it so much easier to load and unload the bed.
Payload ranges from 2,130 pounds for the 4x4 Crew Cab to 2,280 for the 4x2 Regular Cab. Buyers who would routinely max out the payload, however, should look instead at the Silverado HD.
The vast majority of Silverados sold are the four-door Crew Cab configuration (pictured below with blue interior), which has sprawl-out space in the rear seat. The rear seat bottom also can flip up to help when carrying cargo inside. Access is easy through huge doors, although it’s a climb up to get inside (more so on the off-road-themed variants with their raised suspensions). The Double Cab is less spacious, and its rear seatback is more upright (pictured below in red truck. The Double Cab’s narrow rear doors are a clue that its back seat is meant for occasional use, but at least they’re front-hinged rather than Ford's awkward clamshell design. You can also see the Silverado's six-passenger configuration below left, which includes a front middle seat.
What are the Silverado fuel economy and performance specs?
The Silverado has a sprawling powertrain lineup with four engines, three transmissions and of course two- and four-wheel drive. As a result, performance and fuel economy vary widely. There is also the Silverado EV, but apart from the name and the fact it’s a truck, it’s a very different vehicle we will review separately.
The base engine, now dubbed TurboMax, is a unique 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four good for 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. That torque figure is considerably better than the 5.3-liter V8. Paired with an eight-speed automatic, it’s the standard powerplant from Work Truck to LT Trail Boss. Fuel economy for this engine was not available at the time of this writing, but it’s unlikely its changed significantly from last year’s EPA estimates of 20 mpg combined for 2WD models and 18 mpg combined with 4WD.
Standard on the LTZ and High Country, and optional on all others but the Custom, is a 5.3-liter V8 good for 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic is now standard (there used to be six- and eight-speed options). Unlike in the past, it is only available with GM's more advanced Dynamic Fuel Management system (DFM) that can shut down various numbers of cylinders to save gas. The result is fuel economy that ranges from 16 mpg combined for a Trail Boss with Mud Terrain tires to 18 mpg combined for 2WD trucks. We'd advise buyers to take a test drive of the 2.7-liter turbo or diesel before deciding to go with the smaller V8.
Speaking of the Duramax diesel, the 3.0-liter inline-six produces 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. It too is coupled with the 10-speed automatic. Fuel economy ranges from 26 mpg combined with 2WD to 22 mpg combined for a 4x4 mud terrain tire model (the new ZR2 diesel is 21 mpg combined). That’s as big of a fuel economy advantage as it seems over the other engines, but unfortunately, high diesel prices wipe out any sort of economic advantage. Should they go down, however, you’ll be back to saving money, especially compared to the V8s.
The 6.2-liter V8 is the top-dog offering with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. It too gets the 10-speed and is only available with 4WD. The 6.2 is standard on the ZR2, and optional on the RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ and High Country. EPA estimates range from 15 mpg combined for those with mud terrain tires to 17 mpg for a more road-going version.
