2014 Chevrolet Silverado Preview - Detroit Auto Show

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is without question a cornerstone product at General Motors, and as the Silverado goes, so goes its mechanical twin, the GMC Sierra.  This full-size pickup has lagged behind important competitors like the Ram 1500 and the Ford F-150 in recent years, giving up technological sophistication as well as fuel economy and power to its cross-town rivals.  This is no longer the case with the full re-design afforded the Silverado for 2014, and the truck also gains new looks to go with its improved swagger – a pair of attributes that Chevrolet hopes will help keep the pickup competitive for the near future.

What’s New for the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado:

• Three new engines
• Improved chassis
• Re-styled interior and exterior
• Better fuel efficiency

New 2014 Chevrolet Silverado: Styling and Design

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is an unusual combination of classic Chevrolet pickup styling cues and bulky, flared-out body work that manages to somehow come across as similar, but different when compared to the outgoing model.  The Silverado’s most prominent change is its grille, which receives an egg crate-style treatment bisected by Chevy’s single-bar design.  Inside is another story – the full-size pickup boasts a new 4.2-inch information screen, fresh gauges, a better navigation screen, and a more logical layout for controls that together help to modernize the truck.  A classier overall treatment is also in store for Silverado buyers when they open the driver’s door.

New 2014 Chevrolet Silverado: What’s Under the Hood

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado features three engines that are similar in displacement to those offered with the 2013 model, but the technology, power, and efficiency that they offer is significantly upgraded.  Direct injection is standard with both V-8 mills as well as the V-6, and although final power details have yet to be released, significant increases are expected across the board – especially from the six-cylinder mill, which will finally be competitive with the smaller engines offered by its rivals.  A six-speed automatic transmission becomes the only gearbox available for the entire range of Silverado models, and cylinder de-activation technology finally debuts for the vehicle.

New 2014 Chevrolet Silverado: Features and Technology

A hydroformed frame helps to give the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado a stronger overall package for towing and hauling than in years past, and the Crew Cab can now be ordered with a longer 6.5-foot bed that adds versatility to the most passenger-friendly edition of the truck.  Chevrolet has also substantially increased connectivity options for Silverado options, thanks in large part to the introduction of the MyLink system which makes connecting cell phones and other mobile devices exceptionally easy.

New 2014 Chevrolet Silverado: What Autobytel Thinks

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is a very popular truck – but full-size pickup buyers are a fickle lot, with brand loyalty non-existent in roughly 40 percent of owners who simply want the best, most capable vehicle money can buy when it comes time to re-up.  Given the fact that the average age of a full-size truck in the U.S. currently hovers around the 10 year mark, we are entering a crucial time for the Big Three pickup brands who could potentially scoop up significant sales figures over the course of the next few years.  The Chevrolet Silverado is a step in the right direction when it comes to courting potential new owners, but it remains to be seen whether it can overcome the juggernaut that is the Ford F-150.