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The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado shows it’s still a powerful and reliable workhorse, but is it the cow’s tail in today’s truck race?
What’s New in the 2020 Chevy Silverado?
Loved by Chevy fans, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado doesn’t stray far from its 2019 update. It does however get a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, which is a good thing. To go along with the 4-cylinder, Chevy also introduced a new powerful 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 that goes well alongside the 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8s that have served as Chevy’s gasoline-powered powerhouses previously.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado – media.chevrolet.com | Shop 2020 Chevrolet Silverado on Carsforsale.com
Chevy has upped the technology with things like the new adaptive cruise control and helpful driver assists for pulling trailers. For good or bad, Chevy stayed the course with everything else. It seems like only yesterday that the Silverado was redesigned, but the interior came out of the design studio looking dated. It’s surprising when you remember that the Ram and Silverado were relaunched at the same time, but look years apart on the inside. Let’s see if Ram and Ford have passed Chevy by while the Silverado was resting on its laurels.
The Breakdown
Surprisingly powerful new turbo 4-cylinder engine
Wonderfully connected road feel and steering
Well thought out and innovative tailgate
Last decade interior
Drivers assist reserved for expensive trims
Chevrolet Silverado Specs
- 285 horsepower from base engine
- 305 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 8 available trims
- 36.5 cu-ft. of cargo capacity
- 8.4-inch infotainment screen except for base trim
- Up to 12,750 lb towing capacity
- Up to 2,320 lb payload capacity
2020 Chevrolet Silverado Powertrain
New for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado is the powerful 310 horsepower 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine tied to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The turbo 4-cylinder generates 348 lb-ft of torque and can handle an occasional heavy load or tow. The lightweight engine option also gives you more payload capacity as a bonus, and you’ll get a combined 20 mpg in four-wheel-drive. It’s quiet, composed, and doesn’t feel like a typical 4-cylinder. It’s the engine for most everyone who buys the Silverado.
For extra grunt, you’ll want the new addition of a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbodiesel. It grinds out 460 pound-feet of torque at a low 1,500 rpm. The 10-speed automatic transmission gives you the ratios you need for some big pulling. Past those two options, you’re met with the same power plants from the previous model year.
Towing and Payload Capacity
Depending on your configuration, a Silverado can tow up to 13,400 pounds and carry another 2250 pounds in the bed and cabin. You’ll be hard-pressed to overload the Silverado, but if you do, then you should be looking at an HD pickup.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado Fuel Economy & MPG
If your main concern in a vehicle is about gas mileage, then you shouldn’t be looking at a full-size truck. However, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado does a decent job keeping the miles-per-gallon up. The best fuel economy you can expect in a Silverado is found with the 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo diesel paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission and the 2WD drivetrain. The worst option is the 4.3L V6 gas engine in 4WD form, so best not to go that route.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Where the Ford and Ram give you tech and flash, the Chevy takes a different road. What you get in the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado is a vast interior, large easy to use buttons and knobs, and comfort. Although we’ve complained about the plastics, everything is in easy reach and logically placed, for the most part. We don’t understand why there isn’t an operable center console in the lower trims. That makes no sense.
If you want luxury, you’ll appreciate the High Country. Although not as luxurious as its competitors, it’s better when compared to previous Silverado’s. We especially like the rear seatback cushion storage “door”. That’s an impressive and innovative use of space.
Entertainment & Technology
Chevy underperforms a bit with entertainment and technology, if only because of the screen size. Other competitors have given space for much larger screens, but Chevy locks you into 8.4 inches for its largest touchscreen. Thankfully, it’s shrouded a bit to keep off reflections.
Every 2020 Chevrolet Silverado comes with at least a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. With the LT trim and up, you have two extra USB ports and the larger 8.4-inch touchscreen. Wireless charging, multiple cameras, the Bose audio system, and other options are only available on the premium trims.
Regardless of the screen size and options, GM’s infotainment operating system is smooth, nice looking, and quickly learned. And when you add the Bose sound system with all the USB ports, you get some reasonably decent interior accommodations.
Safety Features
Overall, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado received a four-star crash test rating from the NHTSA, which is not so great compared to its competition. No one plans on having an accident, of course, but the comfort of a five-star would be better. Like Ram, safety packages with advanced assists like forward collision mitigation and low-speed emergency braking are limited to the LTZ and High Country trim levels, which shouldn’t be acceptable. You can get those as standard on a Nissan Sentra. All trim levels have access to optional blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, as well as trailering options.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado Trims & Pricing
WT – $32,790
The Silverado Work Truck (WT) is a basic model primarily built for contractors and corporate fleet vehicles. Its strong V6 and livable features make it a reasonable choice for everyday transportation. You won’t get a 4-wheel-drive setup, but you do get the full option of cab choices. The WT’s rubber floormats and vinyl seats make it easy to clean – like a work truck.
Custom – $34,990
The Silverado Custom is a WT with a more comfortable interior, and you can option it up with 4-wheel-drive. Inside, the cloth replaces vinyl seats, plus there are a few more options not available in the WT. The rearview mirrors are heated and LED taillights come standard. Although the Custom’s standard engine is the 4.3-liter V6, you can pay extra for the more powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder.
LT – $34,195
The 2020 Silverado LT introduces the standard turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder that gives you 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque. If you don’t want that and need more torque, you can option up the new diesel.
RST – $36,095
The RST also gets you the new turbo 4-cylinder with 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque. Otherwise, you’re looking at an LT with added fog lamps, LED headlights, and LED taillights. Inside, Chevy gives you an extra power outlet in the back plus keyless entry with remote start.
Custom Trail Boss – $40,090
The Silverado Custom Trail Boss runs with a solid off-road pedigree. It comes with a 2-speed Autotrac transfer case, automatic locking rear differential, 18-inch wheels, off-road tires, and a lift kit. Also included are skid plates to protect the essential parts and a standard trailering package.
LTZ – $42,295
The Silverado LTZ is a little bit more serious when it comes to being a truck. It comes with the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine that gives you 355 horsepower and 383 pounds-feet of torque. You also get the advanced trailering system, automatic locking rear differential, and extra engine and oil coolers.
Inside, the LTZ has 10-way power-adjustable driver and passenger seats with lumbar support and an upgraded infotainment system with better audio and an 8-inch HD touchscreen. We think you’ll appreciate the heated and power-folding outside mirrors. Unfortunately, there still are no standard safety features. You have to pay some more cash for those.
LT Trail Boss – $45,395
The LT Trail Boss gives you the comfort of the LTZ with the off-road strength of the Trail Boss. Outside you get body-color bumpers and mirrors, skid plates, and other Trail Boss equipment. We love the additional cargo bed LED when you need to load and unload cargo when it’s dark.
High Country – $53,395
The Silverado High Country is loaded. Chevy says it’s rugged and luxurious with high performance. Although it comes with the 5.3-liter, you can put any engine in it and throw on any tire and wheel combo other than the 20-inch all-terrains. For your $54,000, there’s a standard spray-in bed liner and high-intensity LED headlamps. These look good with the body color bumpers and trim. Once inside, you’re comforted with the Bose premium audio system, extra USB ports, and a heated passenger seat.
Warranties
The Silverado’s 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty are similar to its competition. And Chevy covers one oil change during the first 12-months. It’s too bad that GM, Ford, and Ram don’t offer 2-years of free maintenance and roadside assistance on pickups, like Toyota.
What we think
2020 Chevrolet Silverado – media.chevrolet.com | Shop 2020 Chevrolet Silverado on Carsforsale.com
If you’re looking for a replacement Chevy, we recommend the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss. It’s a very handsome truck on the outside with off-roading equipment for adventure. But if you’re looking at competitors for a pickup, it’s tough to recommend Chevy. With the struggling interior design and quality added to the lack of standard driver assists on all but the highest trims, we think there are better choices.
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