2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Safety Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 50 Silverado-1500 reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 does very well in federal government crash tests. Four Wheeler Magazine says the "new GM trucks are loaded with class-leading safety features," and other reviewers agree.
The 2008 Silverado earned five out of five stars for driver and front passenger protection in front impact crashes and top five-star scores for front- and rear-seat protection in side crashes. Both 2WD and 4WD models get four-star rollover ratings.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not yet tested the 2008 Silverado, but gave the 2007 model "Marginal" (second-worst on a four-point scale) scores in frontal offset tests.
Accident Avoidance
All Silverados come standard with four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes. StabiliTrak, GM's stability control system, which monitors driver inputs and vehicle response to help the driver retain control of the truck, is standard on all Crew Cab models and an option on some Extended Cab models. StabiliTrack also reacts when it detects that the truck is out of control by applying brake pressure on individual wheels or reducing the engine's torque to get the truck back under control.
Crash Protection
The 2008 Silverado offers crash protection features that are similar to other vehicles in its class. The New York Times says that a "safety disappointment is that inflatable air curtains, which cover the side windows and are designed to provide head protection in a side-impact crash, are not available on the base (Work Truck) models. Buyers must make a big leap to at least an LT, at which point the safety device is a $395 option." Still, the availability of side curtain air bags is noteworthy because not every truck in the class has them, even as an option. All Silverados come standard with front driver and passenger air bags, and with occupant sensing.