WASHINGTON – I was intrigued when I saw the 2014 Silverado crew cab with the new upscale High Country trim level. I’m a previous 2011 crew cab Chevrolet Silverado owner so I was eager to see the redesigned interior of the new Silverado, which was a sore point from my old 2011 Chevy.
Right off the bat, the interior is so much better than my old 2011. The $52,000 Silverado High Country is much more upscale than any Silverado before it. The perforated heated and cooled leather seats are very comfortable and the entire interior is upscale. And gone are the hard plastics that made up most of the old interior.
The Bose Premium Sound System sounds good. If you ever need a USB port, this truck has five plus three power ports and even an 110v power plug so you can run your office from the front seat.
One nitpick is the volume controls and other radio functions are on the back of the steering wheel just like my old Silverado. It really isn’t a problem, if this is your only vehicle, but if your spouse has a car and you go to drive it — you either turn on the cruise or you’re shifting gears on automobiles equipped with those paddle shifters.
My ride came with the optional High Country premium package that includes a heated steering wheel, front and rear park assist, power adjustable pedals and a driver alert package, which includes forward collision alert and lane departure alert.
The back seats are comfortable and you can fit three adults or two car seats and an adult without a problem. Also, I’m happy to see a standard bed of 6.5 feet with the crew cab. Past Silverados only came with shorter 5.8-foot beds.
Driving the new 2014 Silverado is a pleasant surprise, smoother with better handling and quieter than the previous model. I have found the Silverado always seems to drive smaller than it is. The new 2014 Silverado has lost weight and it seems to have paid off in fuel economy, even with the big 6.2-liter V8 with well over 400 hp. I was seeing 18 mpg with a mix of city and highway driving. That’s not bad for a big truck.
The ability to run off just four cylinders while cruising on the highway can help you see over 20 mpg on the highway. I didn’t get a chance to tow anything, but the manufacturer says it could tow 9,500 pounds and I believe it wouldn’t have a problem doing it. The look of the new Silverado is more grown up and I like how it looks different than its GMC twin — The Sierra.
I was surprised just how much better the new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado really is. There are so many different configurations like bed sizes, cabs with two doors or a four-door that seats six and three engine choices including a V6 that tows 7,500 pounds.
The new 2014 Silverado gets better gas mileage. The interior is very nice compared to previous models and the new upscale High Country trim level will give Chevrolet buyers a choice for a luxury full-size truck. It should keep the loyal GM truck buyers coming back for more and attract first time full-size truck buyers.
After a week with the 2014 Silverado, it was clear to me why it was recently named North American Truck of Year awarded at the North American International Auto Show.
Editor’s Note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI ,FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
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