Chevy Silverados Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision


in Car Comparisons
White Chevy Silverado parked in a lot

Source: Flickr

The Chevy Silverado is a powerhouse in the world of pickup trucks, providing a legacy practically as old as time. It’s fit for working on a ranch or acting as the method of transport for soccer practice. Although the Silverado has an incredible history, not everything is spectacular. Is it a good idea to make the Silverado yours?

If you’re thinking about making a used or new Chevy Silverado the next car in your driveway, take a second before making a final choice. The Chevy Silverado pros and cons can make a big difference in your investment, as some drivers may have issues with features that others don’t. Let’s dive into some of the details.

What We Love: Chevy Silverado Pros

We’d love to look at the best aspects of the Chevy Silverado pros and cons. From its ability to drive like a car half its size to its towing capacity, there’s much to enjoy.

Drives Like A Smaller Car

One of the best parts about the Chevy Silverado is that it drives like a much smaller car than it is. You’ll find it very agile and easy to steer, which will instill confidence even in someone who has never driven a truck before. Every single trim option feels like a vehicle about half the size of the Silverado itself.

There are significant benefits to these features. You get more control over your vehicle and feel like you can handle the car instead of it controlling you. Also, you feel like you’re driving a smaller car, but it appears as a large Silverado and is capable of far more than a small vehicle.


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Multiple Powertrain Options

There are multiple powertrain options available in the Chevy Silverado, so you’ll be able to find an engine for every single job you might have. Those who want the Silverado as a commuter car have the option to invest in a powertrain different from someone who wants to use it like a workhorse.

Popular powertrains include the 305-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax, 6.2-liter, and more. There are four-wheel-drive options for various road news and plenty of additions depending on how you want your Silverado to turn out. It’s a valuable, versatile shell with plenty of customization options.

Excellent Towing Capacity

Another benefit of the Chevy Silverado is that it offers excellent towing capacity. Those who want to use the Silverado as a work truck or to drag a camper or something similar will enjoy this benefit. According to rickhendrickchevy.com, a typical Chevy Silverado can handle up to 13,300 pounds.

The towing capacity is what draws many to the Silverado, and for good reason. It’s one of the best in its category at what it will provide.


THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE CHEVY SILVERADO

If you’re looking for the most reliable year of the Chevy Silverado, you’ve come to the right place. Like all long-running series in the market, some Silverado years are more reliable than others. 


Long Cabin With Solid Rear Legroom

Finally, the Chevy Silverado is one of the rare vehicles on the market that provides a long cabin so the riders in the back of the vehicle have plenty of room to spread out. There’s also a generous amount of headroom, even if the cushions supporting the passengers aren’t always the most comfortable selection.

Of course, a longer cabin does mean this car takes a little more skill to drive if you’re uncomfortable with a large vehicle. However, it’s worth it to ensure every person in your car is comfortable during long drives.  

What We Dislike: Chevy Silverado Cons

As there are always excellent features with a car, there are some less-than-ideal ones to consider. Let’s dive into the worst of the Chevy Silverado pros and cons.

Less Towing Than the Ford F-150

Although the Chevy Silverado has an excellent towing capacity, it lags behind the ability of one of the other best-selling trucks on the market - the Ford F-150. According to ford.com, some trims of the Ford F-150 can handle up to 14,000 pounds, which edges out the Silverado by around 700 pounds.

This difference doesn’t matter too much unless you’re investing in your truck with the intent of towing tons of items. If the towing capacity matters to you, you might be better off going with the Ford F-150 to maximize your ability on the road.


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Rougher Ride Than Competitors

The Chevy Silverado offers a decent ride and excellent control, but the ride isn’t as smooth as many of its competitors on the market. If you drive on a road with a large number of dips and imperfections, it will bounce around and won’t do a great job of keeping your body safe from all the movement. 

However, the Chevy Silverado is typically okay at slower speeds on roads that don’t have too many dips and shifts in them. It’s when the alterations become frequent that the Chevy Silverado struggles to keep itself in check and retain a smooth driving experience for those inside the cabin. 

Screen Band-Aid

Finally, let’s talk about the screen inside the car. Although it’s an excellent, valuable addition, it does seem like a piece of technology strapped onto a car with an otherwise pretty unexciting interior. Of course, not everyone wants a massive amount of technology on their truck, so it isn’t always a bad thing.

The base model is really where this lack of additions is apparent. You’ll find self-lock doors, vinyl seats, and manually adjustable seats. Unless you’re willing to spend more money, the screen is pretty much the only big piece of technology you’ll get at first glance in the car.

Should You Buy a Chevy Silverado?

We’ve touched on some critical Chevy Silverado pros and cons, so it’s time for one final question - is the Chevy Silverado worth it?

The Chevy Silverado is an excellent truck to purchase - there’s a reason why it’s the best-selling truck in the United States. It’s capable, looks good, and has an excellent history of reliability.

If you go with the Chevy Silverado, avoid the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 selections. They are troublesome and will be very expensive to keep in good condition.



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