2018 Chevrolet Silverado ReviewThe 2018 Chevrolet Silverado full-size truck is a reliable and rugged powerhouse offering all the work truck features that are expected with the Chevy brand. More...
Autolist Editorial | August 6, 2020
Pros:
- Many options and packages for customizing to personal taste.
- Massive towing capability and raw power.
- Big, quiet cabin and comfortable, spacious seating.
Cons:
- Some materials in the cabin feel flimsy.
- Fuel economy suffers from big engines.
- On-road driving can be a little bumpy.
Would we buy one? Yes!
Vehicle Type: Two-door, full-size pickup truck seating up to 3, and a four-door Crew Cab, two-rows seating up to 6.
Price Range: 6 trim levels starting at $28,300 MSRP, to $56,795 MSRP, before options.
Pricing includes a $1,495 destination charge.
Powertrain: The base powertrain is a 4.3-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 305 pound-foot of torque. A 5.3-liter producing 355 horsepower and 385 pound-foot of torque and a 6.2-liter V8 making 420 horsepower and 460 pound-foot of torque are available.
Rear-wheel-drive base with four-wheel-drive available. Six-speed automatic transmission comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission available on certain models.
Competitors: Ford F-150, GMC Sierra 1500, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan.
Overall Score: 8.6/10
Safety Features: 7/10
All 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trim levels come with standard safety features including six airbags, a rearview camera, and ABS.
The High Country trim level comes stocked with The Enhanced Driver Alert package (available for other trims) that has useful advanced safety features including lane keep assist with lane departure warning, low-speed automatic forward braking, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Five out of five stars safety rating was given by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety designated a "Good" safety rating in crash tests.
Value: 9/10
The 2018 model year of the new Chevrolet Silverado has several options and configurations from different body styles including the regular cab and double cab, plus different bed lengths that increase the costs.
There are 6 trim levels: WT, LS, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country.
The WT trim starts at $28,300, LS $30,400, Custom $34,200, LT $34,600, LTZ $42,300, and the High Country pricing starts at $56,795 MSRP.
While some rivals like the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 are a bit more affordable and fuel-efficient, the Chevy Silverado 1500 doesn't lose its place amongst the most reasonably priced and top-performing full-size trucks.
We would go with the LT or other higher-tier trim packages, adding some extras that further towing capacity and hauling capabilities, offer better infotainment, plus more advanced safety features. If you are into off-roading like us, the LT offers a sport package that enhances performance too. If you just need a good old-fashioned no-frills work truck, the WT is an attractive choice.
Tech Features: 8/10
All Silverados for the 2018 model years get a standard infotainment system: 7-inch touchscreen featuring MyLink, Bluetooth, six-speaker audio system, cruise control, plus a USB port for charging devices.
Upgrading to higher-trim models provides more connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, plus a larger 8-inch touchscreen. Other upgraded infotainment features include a rear-seat entertainment system, a Wi-Fi hot spot, HD Radio, satellite radio, keyless entry, remote start, a Bose sound system, and dual-zone climate control.
Practicality: 8/10
Comfort is not ignored in this full-size truck with luxury leather seat upgrades, comfortable front and rear seat options, a spacious cabin with ample storage, and great towing and hauling capabilities, the Chevy Silverado does just fine.
The analog gauges and head-up display are well placed. The Chevy Silverado has a load rating of up to 2,250 pounds. Exterior functionality, like an easy-to-lower tailgate, make loading heavy payloads a breeze.
There is plenty of headroom and legroom in the driver's seat and for passengers as well. Entry and exit are easy even for smaller people like me.
Styling & Design: 7/10
Chevrolet has kept pace with modern designs making the Silverado an attractive full-size truck ,inside and out, without losing its rugged roots.
The many configurations include a short bed and long bed, Crew Cab, and different packages like the Black Ops edition to give it an aggressive look with grille changes.
The higher-trim levels get a bit more luxury with leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, heated front seats with 10-way power adjustment, alloy wheels, and a coated bed liner.
Driving Experience: 9/10
For a full-size truck, the Silverado performs quite well. With a max available towing of 12,500 pounds for the crew and extended cab rear-wheel-drive models, the Silverado is more than capable of handling heavy chores.
Off-road handling is excellent and it is a strong point of the Silverado. If you are driving primarily in urban environments and don't haul a lot, stick with the six-cylinder engine that is more economical on gas.
On-road, it does ok as a big truck will do, but it is much more at home on country roads with some texture.
The LT and LTZ trim levels have an upgraded Z71 package available which enhances off-road performance with features like a suspension tuned specifically for off-road with performance shocks, a heavy-duty automatic locking differential, and appearance changes. This package adds a level of sporty fun to the Silverado we enjoyed.
Fuel Efficiency: 7/10
As can be expected with a full-size truck that features giant powertrain configurations, gas mileage is not the Silverado's strong point, though it isn't entirely weak in fuel efficiency either. Compared to some rivals in the segment, like the gas-guzzling Nissan Titan that has no fuel-conscious powertrain options, the Silverado is decent in fuel economy with its V6 engine.
For the 4.3-liter V6 rear-wheel drive, expect an EPA estimated 18/24/20 MPG city/hwy/combined and 17/23/19 MPG city/hwy/combined coupled with the four-wheel drivetrain.
The 5.3-liter V8 rear-wheel, six-speed configuration gets 15/20/17 MPG city/hwy/combined and 16/22/18 MPG coupled with the eight-speed transmission.
Finally, the 6.2-liter V8 rear-wheel gets 15/21/17 MPG city/hwy/combined and the 4-wheel drive variant decreases one highway mile.
