Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Overview

GM has been the leader in full-size pickups for several years running, but is now facing assaults from all directions. Ford has introduced an all-new F-150. Dodge recently re-engineered the Ram. Toyota has introduced a Tundra crew cab model. And if that isn't enough, Nissan has the gall to launch the Titan, a full-size pickup that's every bit as big as the domestics, if not bigger. Model year 2004 is the year of the pickup. There's more going on with full-size pickup trucks this year than any in the history of the automobile.

Needless to say, the choice for best full-size pickup is no longer as clear as it was a two or three years ago when the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra were, in our opinion, the leaders. This is indeed good news because competition is good for the truck buyer.

That said, the Chevrolet Silverado (and the GMC Sierra) are still the best in terms of ride quality. Those who value a smooth-riding truck with a low load height should take a good hard look at a two-wheel-drive Silverado. And those who value style could do worse. Silverado's aggressive looks draw the eye. This truck is not the wallflower it was a couple of years ago.

Silverado got an edgy new look last year, along with significant interior improvements and an all-new electrical system designed to improve reliability by drastically reducing the number of wires running all over the place. It's all be streamlined.

New for 2004 is a roomy and comfortable 1500 Silverado Crew Cab in either 2WD or 4WD. (This is a half-ton model that should not be confused with last year's heavy-duty 1500 HD.) There?s more standard equipment in base-level models for 2004, and there's more content in the Z71 off-road package.

Silverado rides, handles, and stops as well as the best of them. It's quick and it's comfortable. Boxed and hydroformed frame rails give the GM trucks a strong, rigid platform. It is, as Chevy says, like a rock. Quadrasteer, GM's heavy-duty four-wheel-steering system, is increasingly available for a wider range of models, improving maneuverability in tight quarters or when pulling a trailer. Heated seats, a Bose stereo, XM Satellite Radio and other options make long days spent in a Silverado more comfortable.