RNR Automotive Blog

Disclaimer: This vehicle is not stock. Upgrades include 33 inch Cooper All Terrain tires, Spectra Cold Air Intake, Flow Master Series 50 muffler, and a 2 inch leveling kit.

As a vehicle that symbolizes America as a whole, the Chevrolet Silverado is the brand’s arguably most important vehicle. Even though the Silverado is a stand-alone model now, that wasn’t always the case. Chevrolet’s fullsize truck was actually called the C/K Series from 1975-1999. Silverado was a top level trim of the C/K series. In 1999, the C/K Series became no more, and the Silverado became a separate model. It is available in regular and heavy duty versions like this 2500 in this review. The first generation Silverado was a hit, due to its affordability and durability. The numerous configurations available was handy as these trucks became synonymous with the construction and commercial market, while also appealing to the consumer market.

From an automotive design standpoint, the Silverado is between Ford F150 and the Dodge Ram. Whereas the Ford F150 (at the time) was too soft, and the Dodge Ram too macho, this Silverado’s design was clean and simple. The front features a tidy grille with a bar running through the headlights. The side profile and rear are predictable which is not necessarily a bad thing. All a truck needs is to be durable and tough, and the Silverado’s design conveys that in a simplistic manner. The interior design is simple as well.

When people say their car handles like a truck in a derogatory manner, I know what they are talking about. Handling is not the Silverado’s forte. The steering is slow and vague, even for a truck. It is clumsy, as it wobbles when turning. But if you are driving normally, all of these flaws seem minor. The braking performance was decent even though the pedal is mushy.  The ride quality is also truck-like. It is jittery, even on smooth roads. The upside is that this truck is very capable off road. Even though it is rear wheel drive, performance on dirt hills and in mud was effortless. The suspension may not cope well with bumps on the road, but off roading, this suspension greatly aids its performance.

The 6.0 liter V8 is strong and pulls cleanly. It makes 300 horsepower, and it feels like it. Stomp the accelerator and it just goes at a decent pace. There is abundant torque from any speed. The four speed automatic transmission could shift more smoothly though. Fuel economy is not great, but what do you expect of an engine of this size? It is noisy, as wind and road noises make their way in the cabin. The engine is audible as well, with a grumble at low revs.

The cabin decor is austere, as there are scratchy and ill-fitting panels abound. However, the controls are big and easy to use. The gauges are legible, and visibility is excellent. The view of the road from the driver’s seat is high, which aids visibility. There is ample room in the front, but the rear is a little bit cramped. Access is restricted due to the high step in. The bed is large.

Despite all the flaws of this Silverado, I like this truck. In today’s society, trucks are trying too hard to be luxurious and technological, and as a result, they are neglecting the true purpose of trucks. A truck is supposed to get you from point A to point B without any hassle, and it is supposed to aid the workplace. That is exactly what this truck does. From my point of view, flaws add to a car’s personality. Just like how I feel dents and scratches add to the car’s character. This Silverado with its personal touches such as the speakers on the roof, and the bar in the back add to its personality. It is tough, as it is still going strong at over 260,000 miles. With this truck, it shows that you don’t need cool things to enjoy it. It is all about the simple life.