Description

The Silverado 1500 underwent a major redesign for 2007, and not a whole lot has changed for 2008 except the addition of standard satellite radio, new exterior colors and a new gauge cluster. The Silverado competes with other full-size trucks like the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan. Last year's major changes included exterior restyling, vastly improved interior quality, roomier cabins, higher maximum towing and payload capacities, and improved gas mileage. The Silverado shares a platform with the Tahoe and Suburban full-size SUVs. These models were the first on this all-new platform. General Motors has tried to share the best attributes among these different models ? and the sister trucks from the GMC brand ? while keeping them distinct. The most obvious difference in the new Silverado is a departure from the eyebrow-looking headlights of the previous model and a move toward more conventional stacked headlights flanking an enormous grille. The windshield is more swept back, yet the nose is taller and more squared off. The end result is better aerodynamics, which plays a part in the improved fuel economy. After years of promising higher-quality interiors, GM finally started to deliver in the new Tahoe. That quality now appears in the Silverado too in the form of less-plasticky plastics and lower shine. The mouse-fur ceiling liner has been replaced by classier, woven fabric. Paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. The 5.3-liter engine includes fuel-saving cylinder-deactivation technology and is flexible ? capable of running on E85 ethanol and-or gasoline.