2014 Chevrolet Silverado: Family Resemblance

Trucks aren’t quite the market movers in Canada that they are south of the border, but they still represent a sizable percentage of the profits of each of the Big Three domestic car companies.  This means that the recent redesign of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is an important one for the Bowtie brand, and a chance to make up some of the ground that has been lost to the technological advances sported by its Ram and Ford rivals over the course of the past few years.  I traveled to Norris Point, Newfoundland, in order to shake down the Chevrolet Silverado and decide whether the all-new truck has been taken far enough into the future to remain competitive with the tough contenders that it faces in the full-size segment.

Different, But The Same

It would be a mistake to think that pickup trucks must adhere to a conservative styling language, but the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado hasn’t strayed too far from the visual identity that has defined it for close to a decade.  Notable differences between the departing 2013 edition of the truck and the fresh model include blockier fender flares, a squared-off grille, and a more chiselled hood.  The truck maintains its stacked quad headlights, and the combined cues remind me of an updated version of the late 70s / early 80s Chevrolet C10 pickups (a look that the brand almost certainly intended to evoke).  The final result offers a middle ground between the overpowering, big-rig design of the Ram 1500 and the more rounded Ford F-150, and I think it’s one that will appeal to new customers without alienating the Chevrolet faithful.

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The interior of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado has been given a thorough update that surpasses that of its outside cosmetics.  Models like the Silverado W/T, designed to offer contractors and fleet buyers a practical and durable mule, feature extensive interior storage, including door pockets, a split glove compartment, and a generous center console that also offers side pockets of its own.  Even models featuring a front bench seat come with a very usable fold-down cubby inside the center armrest.  The Extended cab ditches its rear-hinged doors in favour of a standard door for rear passengers, and Crew cab Silverado body styles deliver acres of backseat room.  It’s also possible to fold up the rear bench and enjoy significant ‘trunk’ space suitable for hauling items that don’t fit inside the truck’s cargo bed (which can be had in three sizes, topping out at eight feet).  Small touches, like the pair of steps inset into the truck’s back bumper, the soft-opening tailgate, and the availability of in-bed LED lighting, are welcome improvements to the Silverado’s loading experience.

Chevrolet has also given some thought to the layout of the 2014 Silverado’s switchgear and gauges.  A bank of toggles sits underneath the climate controls, where they can be used to activate optional equipment such as hill descent control and active safety features including lane departure warning (accomplished via a vibrating ‘Safety Seat’ instead of just audio and visual indicators).  Above it, the Silverado can be equipped with the Chevrolet MyLink touchscreen interface, an easy-to-use feature the works in tandem with a smaller screen mounted directly in front of the driver.

Luxury Comes To Town

The LTZ trim level remains in the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado’s portfolio, but although nicely decked out with features such as leather seats and an available heated steering wheel, it’s no longer at the top of the pickup’s pricing food chain.  New for this year is the High Country edition, a model that further upgrades the truck’s upholstery, adds body coloured bumpers and trim, and installs 20-inch rims and HID headlights.  My first thought when I saw the Chevrolet Silverado High Country was to wonder how much damage it would do to sales of the GMC Sierra Denali, which has carved out a niche as the General’s sole luxury pickup option.  Maybe it’s time, however, to stop worrying about the impact that a premium Chevrolet could have on its sister truck’s fortunes.  After all, if Ford can sell at least three upscale versions of the F-150 (Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum), then why can’t GM’s fancy pickups straddle across brand lines?

Vastly Improved Engine Line-up

The best part of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado’s redesign can be found under the truck’s hood.  Each of the three engines available last year – a 4.3-litre V6, a 5.3-litre V8, and a 6.2-litre V8 – are back, but although their displacements might be the same their mechanical details have been altered to the point where they share little in common with their predecessors.  Variable valve timing and the ability to drop to four-cylinder operation when under light load give the Silverado a big leg up in the fuel efficiency department, with the V6 and the V8 claiming best-in-class status.

Unlike in days of yore, the 4.3-liter is no longer the truck’s consolation prize, as it now boasts 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque as well as far smoother operation at all speeds, obliterating the memory of the V6 that came before it.  The 5.3-litre V8’s performance is good under load, but its 355 horses and 383 lb-ft of torque keep it from feeling as spry as its eight-cylinder F-150 competitor.  The 6.2-litre mill, which will be available later this year, promises to deliver 420 horses and 450 lb-ft of twist.

The Silverado’s six-speed automatic transmission was good around town and when towing (the truck features a maximum rating of 7,200 lbs), but highway cruising had the truck occasionally hunting for the right gear and kicking down unexpectedly when going uphill.  A ten-speed automatic is on the way, but a date has yet to be set for its inclusion with the truck.  Four-wheel drive is offered with the Chevrolet, along with a Z71 off-road package that keeps the pickup rugged and stable when bouncing from rock to rock.  Back on the pavement, the Silverado is nice and quiet above 100 km/h and handles as well as one can expect from a heavy, body-on-frame design.  Like most trucks, ride quality is improved with a load in the bed to settle down the stiff suspension system.

Well-Rounded Effort

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado provides a long-awaited upgraded path for current Chevy owners.  There are many compelling reasons to trade-in the previous generation of the Silverado for the latest-and-greatest, not the least of which the vehicle’s thoroughly modern range of drivetrains and its more comfortable and useful passenger compartment.  The Silverado has clearly been designed with an eye towards satisfying both hardcore truck fans as well as those who need a dual-purpose daily driver, and while it might not knock too loudly on the doors of either the F-150 or the Ram in terms of innovation, it certainly doesn’t shy away from forcing itself into the full-size truck conversation.