2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Upholding GM’s Honor In The Pickup Wars

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 full-size pickup was first introduced in August of 1998 as a 1999 model. It was the successor to the long-running Chevrolet C/K pickups. The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 represents the fifth year of the third generation of the Silverado. General Motors also makes the mechanically identical Sierra pickup truck under the GMC brand.

The Silverado 1500 has been J.D. Power & Associates’ Highest Ranked Large Light Duty Pickup in Initial Quality for the past three years. In sales, the Silverado usually sits in second place among full-size pickups, trailing the top-selling Ford F-150 by a comfortable margin – but when you add in the GMC Sierra sales, it becomes a closer Ford vs. GM race.

What’s New For The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

A rear-vision camera is now standard on all models. The Custom trim is now offered on the Silverado 1500 crew cab. The tire pressure monitor system now includes a tire fill alert. The eAssist package is now offered on the LTZ trim in addition to the LT, and there is now national availability for this option. A MyLink 7” radio system is now standard on WT model. There are also two new exterior colors for 2018: Cajun Red Metallic and Havana Metallic.

Eight Silverado Trim Levels And Several Body Styles

The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 comes in eight different trim levels. These are: Work Truck (WT), LS, Custom, LT, LT Z71, LTZ, LTZ Z71, and High Country. Body style choices include regular cab, double cab and crew cab. Four-wheel drive is available on all body styles.

Cab style and bed size come in several combinations. The regular cab is comes with a 6’6” box or an 8’ box. The double cab is paired only with a 6’6” box. The crew cab is available with a 5’8” box or a 6’6” box.

Three Powerful Engines To Choose From

There are three different engines available in the 2018 Silverado 1500, based on your needs – and your wants! Silverado starts with a standard 4.3 Liter V6 with 285 horsepower, 305 lb.-ft. of torque, and a towing capacity of up to 7,600 lbs. Next comes the 5.3 Liter V8 with 355 horsepower, 383 lb.-ft. of torque, and 11,100 lbs. of towing capacity. For max power, go for the 6.2 Liter V8, with its 420 horsepower, 460 lb.-ft. of torque, and 12,500 lbs. of towing capacity. That should do it!

The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s estimated fuel economy ranges from 15 to 18 MPG City and 20 to 24 MPG Highway, based on the model, engine and drive system you select.

A Serious Approach To Your Safety

The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has six airbags as standard equipment. This includes front driver and passenger air bags, head-curtain side air bags for front and rear outboard passengers, and driver and front outboard passenger seat-mounted side air bags. StabiliTrak, Chevrolet’s electronic stability control, is also standard. Rollover mitigation technology, trailer sway control, and hill-start assist are also part of this safety system.

Additional safety and driver assistance systems are available on specific Silverado 1500 models. Standard on High Country and available on LT and LTZ, the Enhanced Driver Alert Package includes Forward Collision Alert, Safety Alert Driver Seat, IntelliBeam headlamps with automatic high-beam control, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Front and Rear Park Assist, and Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking.

The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Is Worthy Of Your Attention

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has the flexibility, versatility, and capability to be exactly what you need it to be. For work, for play, or for a combination of both, it can deliver the goods. It is a worthy entry in the full-size pickup field.