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Chevrolet Silverado 1500 - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ranks 1 out of 8 Full Size Pickup Trucks. This ranking is based on our analysis of 63 published reviews and test drives of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Chevrolet Silverado should please most buyers with its robust blend of practicality and comfort.

It's hard to find a bad review of the Chevrolet Silverado, and most reviewers say it's hard to find a competitor with a better combination of ruggedness, capability and comfort. "There are no bad full-size pickups now, but the Silverado quietly excels in every area," says Car and Driver, adding, "Let's just agree that a perfect truck is hard to find, and we'll drive the Silverado till we find it."

However, the Silverado isn't without competition.  The Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram were redesigned in 2009.  While the Silverado is as capable as those two, the Ford and Dodge trucks offer some features the Chevy just doesn't have. The F-150 offers features like Ford's SYNC infotainment system and plenty of in-cabin storage.  The Dodge goes further, not only offering available in-cabin storage cubbies, but also storage bins built into the truck bed, as well as a coil-over suspension that some reviewers say provides the smoothest ride in the class. Making the buying decision even tougher is the fact that all three trucks have starting prices within about $1,000 of each other.

Still, many reviewers say that if it's a truck, and not bells and whistles you want, the Silverado is not likely to disappoint. Chevrolet feels so strongly about that they're offering a 60-day money-back guarantee.  The promotion allows buyers to return a 2009 or 2010 Silverado (or any other Chevrolet) that they're unhappy with for a full refund up to 60 days after purchase; our GM's money-back guarantee page has more details. Also, check out this month's Best Chevrolet Deals to see what incentives are available on the Silverado.

Since its last redesign in 2007, the Silverado 1500  has won a number of awards, including recognition as Car and Driver's "Best Pickup," Motor Trend's "Truck of the Year," and Motor Week's "Driver's Choice." The 2010 model still offers a staggering number of engines, trim levels, bed lengths, suspension configurations and other options. 2009 saw the introduction of a giant 6.2 liter V8 engine, and a six-speed automatic transmission for V8 equipped extended and crew cab models. For 2010, flex fuel capability is now offered on all engines.   

The Silverado 1500 is available with two-wheel or four-wheel drive; with a short, standard or long bed; with a regular, crew or extended cab, and in Work Truck, LT and LTZ trim levels. Reviewers enjoyed the Silverado's capabilities and comfort regardless of which combination of the award-winning truck they drove. Buyers should appreciate the Silverado's gas mileage, which is among the best in the class.

If you're shopping for a full-size pickup truck, you should also consider the Silverado's platform-mate, the GMC Sierra. Take a look at the  Dodge Ram and Ford F-150 for all the latest bells and whistles in the truck class -- but after checking them out, you might find the Silverado's classic truck capability outweighs the newest doodads.

• "The Silverado doesn't offer fancy luxury packages, but rather provides an outstanding foundation to tackle tough chores." -- Cars.com
• "In short, the Silverado is probably the most honest interpretation of the term "truck" on the market right now. It's designed to move stuff, to give you everything you need and no fluff, something worth noting in a market stuffed with gimmicks and gadgets. " -- Jalopnik
• "A lengthy list of available features, including 4WD that can be used on dry pavement, makes Silverado an excellent choice for anyone shopping large pickups-- Consumer Guide
• "GM's full-size pickups (Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra) play a perennial second fiddle in sales to the Ford F-series, but they continue to be a class act in this highly competitive arena. Although they've been upstaged by newer trucks from Dodge and Ford, they still offer outstanding engine choices and features galore." -- Car and Driver

Silverado-1500 Performance - 8.7 (Very Good)

 The 2010 Silverado 1500 is rugged but sufficiently refined for everyday cruising, and reviewers love its powerful engine options, especially now that they can be paired with a six-speed transmission "The V8 is as smooth as we've come to expect from General Motors; if there's one thing the Detroit automaker knows how to do, it's create a smooth and powerful V8. GM's new Hydramatic six-speed slurps its way through the gears and always seems to be in the right place, especially when in tow/haul mode," says Left Lane News  Read More

Silverado-1500 Exterior - 8.0 (Very Good)

 The Chevy Silverado's styling is angular, upscale and handsome, with some reviewers saying it looks better than its main competitors. Left Lane News says, "There's a simple elegance to the Silverado's cleanly-chiseled lines. Though not as rakish and aggressive as the Ram, the GM truck seems more cohesive overall than the F-150, at least to our eyes. "  Read More

Silverado-1500 Interior - 8.5 (Very Good)

 Interior quality and comfort have long been spore spots for pickup trucks, but that isn't the case with the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado. The Kansas City Star says "Seams are few and gaps are small" inside the truck. "The front seats are exceptionally comfortable, and the back seat folds flat for extra load space." For 2010, a USB port is available, allowing drivers to play music stored on other devices through the Silverado's radio.  Read More

Silverado-1500 Safety - NA

The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 does very well in federal government crash tests. Read More

Silverado-1500 Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)

The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado is backed by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. It also gets a five-year/100,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty Read More