2014 Chevrolet Silverado: A Family-Friendly Full-Size Truck

The first thought coming to my mind as we stepped towards the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is that it doesn't look very different from its predecessor. How much different can it be from the likes of Ford F-150 for example? As we drove the Silverado over the hills, I realized Chevy didn't care about trends that much. Instead, it relied on a darn good focus on the fundamentals. The new Silverado builds on the idea to move towards customers who want family-friendly interiors while retaining the toughness in look and performance of a full-size truck. Here is our first drive analysis:

Style

What style statement should you expect from the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado? Any self-respecting truck should look bulkier, meaner, and more aggressive than its predecessor. That's exactly what the Chevy Silverado has achieved. The block style on the wheels and headlights plus a bigger, in-your-face grille signal road respect a mile away from the rearview mirror. The new rear doors are bigger, and the cargo box in crew cabs is larger. Yes, we like the new bigger, badder Silverado.

• Wheels come standard at 17 inches for the basic model.
• 22 inches chrome for the full option.

We would have preferred bigger wheels on the standard models. Other than that, this is an improved style, especially on the front. Finally, the kids will love the new toe holds, also known as CornerStep in GM, which make climbing the full-size trucks easy and adventure-like.

Interior

Not many full-size trucks can boast interior comforts compared to the new Chevrolet Silverado. While the lower trims have pretty much all the basic amenities, the higher trims feel more like a family-ready SUV, complete with lots of extra spaces, comfortable seats, and probably best-in-class for connectivity features. As we drove the truck, we found you could connect up to 10 devices in the 2014 Silverado. Go ahead, charge your boss's laptop, your mom's cell phone, your friend's iPod, and your own tablet all at the same time.

The higher trims also come with USB drive-enabled navigation systems. In terms of space, rear legroom is increased by 2 inches with no compromise on other interior dimensions. One very noticeable improvement is cabin noise; the cabin is very quiet from a truck standard, and credit should be given to GM engineers.

Safety Features

Safety features are a standout in the new Silverado. While every model comes with standard 6 airbags, Stabilitrak, and 3-point seatbelts in the rear, there are many trim-level based segment-exclusive safety technologies that boost family-friendliness for Chevrolet buyers. For instance, it includes:

• Lane Departure Warning system
• Forward Collision Alert system
• Vibrating Seat Alert system (commonly found in premium sedans)

No surprise that it received a 5-star safety rating from the US-based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Drive Performance

Engine and Power

This was fun. We drove all across dirt roads and rocky hills around Washington DC. The new engines make their worth felt, particularly in high amounts of torque available on demand. The biggest surprise package was the V6 engine. It generates 417 Nm of torque, which beats the Ford 3.7 V6 by 35 Nm and the Ram 3.6 V6 by a whopping 52 Nm. That's not just a slight edge; it's a takeover. The powertrain shifting is smooth and deliberate, holding on to the gears for maximum leverage. We all knew the V8s are crazy, with the top range generating almost 625 Nm of torque, so no discussion was needed there. We just decided to floor it and grin instead.

Ride Handling and Stability

This was a surprise. Normally, massive half-ton trucks are good in straight lines, period. This one handled more like an SUV, with added agility on road as well as off-road. The steering weight is balanced, and the turns are quite steady.

Towing Capacity

The 2014 Silverado is able to tow the living daylights out of its competition. The V6 has a 3,266 kg towing rating, which beats its nearest rival (Ford F-150 3.7 V6) by 500 kilos. The payload capacity is 956 kg, which is 80 kilos more than the Ford F-150 3.7 V6.

Verdict

If you're in the market for a full-size truck that can double up as a family camper, consider the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado seriously. It has high power and strength, all the while having enough interior comforts to keep the family happy.