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MM Test-Drive - 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500
I recently posted a thread on an 2019 F-150 XLT Extended-Cab 4WD I sampled for our Condo-Maintenance man. He will shortly be in the market for a new truck and is considering a Ford, even though, having owned an old Silverado and GMC Jimmy, he is clearly more of a GM fan. And, of course, he also asked me to check out the new Silverado as well. I won't do a long thread on the new Silverado, or explain it in minute detail, but I will briefly share what I found with it, and a brief comparison to the F-150, for any truck-shoppers here as well.
I sampled a 1500-series RST Double-Cab that, with options, listed for $53,740. The same guy at the Chevy/Buick/GMC shop that sold me both of my two Buicks said, if our condo-man were interested, the dealership would let it go for $44,705....that's a typical discount for full-sized trucks like this, which right now, are basically going for 8-10K of off list, which makes them a bargain even with the traditional large mark-up on full-size trucks.
First, compared the Extended-Cab F-150, the Silverado felt a little longer and more bulky to maneuver at close quarters. Chevy does not offer an extended-cab version with small rear-hinged "suicide" doors like the F-150...only a choice between two smaller front-hinged doors and two somewhat larger ones for a slightly roomier rear seat. The Double-Cab version I drove had the smaller of the two rear doors, but, with its long bed-length, still felt a little longer and bulkier than the F-150 Extended-Cab. The Silverado, unlike the F-150, still has a steel body, but an aluminum tailgate.....I found that out when I tried to stick on the magnetized dealer test-drive-plate, and it wouldn't stick to the aluminum (I had to put it in the rear window instead).
I generally preferred the Silverado's interior, controls, instrumentation, trim, and layout to the F-150's, and the Silverado's driver's seat, to my large frame, felt more comfortable. Both trucks had a traditional column-lever for the transmission. Neither one really seemed to use particularly durable materials inside (perhaps in an effort to save weight).....it seemed like a toss-up there. On the road, the normally-aspirated (non-turbo) 5.3L V8 had adequate power (348 ft-lbs of torque) but, of course, was hauling around a generally heavy vehicle. The F-150 had a noticeably smoother ride (the Silverado's was more traditional truck-stiff)......the F-150 would probably be the better of the two for a long trip, where comfort is more of an issue. Both trucks had decent wind-noise control, but, as speed increased, some audible road-noise from the large tires and open truck-bed in back. The Silverado had much better electric power-steering, with some steering/road feel...the F-150's is more or less like mush. Brakes on both were adequate, though they both have a lot of vehicle to stop. At speed, I did not notice any of the noted "Chevy-Shake" that has plagued the structure of some recent Chevy and GMC full-sized trucks/SUVs, but my test-drive wasn't really that long or that fast, and it was a brand-new vehicle without any real stress having been put on it yet. Both trucks carry the same standard factory warranty.....5/60 on the drivetrain and 3/36 Bumper-to-Bumper.
There's also another ace in the hole. I have not test-driven an equivalent 1500 GMC Sierra, but, from truck-reviews I've read, the Denali version, at least, has a smooth ride that is (almost) the equal of the silky Dodge Ram 1500. That could (?) be a solution to the Silverado's stiffish ride, and also offering a slightly more upscale GMC-class interior, though the GMC will probably cost a little more, and I don't know just how much he can afford to spend.
If it were me, I'd choose the F-150 if I were going to make long trips in it and/or drive appreciable distances. The F-150's reliability record is also somewhat better than the Silverado's, decreasing the likelihood of a breakdown on a long trip, although the F-150's 10-speed automatic (used only on some F-150 versions) is still basically new and untested in the long run. Its mushy steering is less of a factor on a long Interstate trip, where one is driving straight ahead most of the time. But, for everyday around-town driving and hauling loads, even with its stiffer ride, I'd choose the Silverado, with its better steering-feel, its steel bed vs. the F-150's aluminum, and (IMO) better dash/instrumentation layout. Except for a little more bounce over some bumps than the F-150, it is just a more pleasant truck to steer and drive. And I might also check out the GMC Sierra version and its smoother ride.
And, as Always, Happy-Truck-Shopping.
MM
I recently posted a thread on an 2019 F-150 XLT Extended-Cab 4WD I sampled for our Condo-Maintenance man. He will shortly be in the market for a new truck and is considering a Ford, even though, having owned an old Silverado and GMC Jimmy, he is clearly more of a GM fan. And, of course, he also asked me to check out the new Silverado as well. I won't do a long thread on the new Silverado, or explain it in minute detail, but I will briefly share what I found with it, and a brief comparison to the F-150, for any truck-shoppers here as well.
I sampled a 1500-series RST Double-Cab that, with options, listed for $53,740. The same guy at the Chevy/Buick/GMC shop that sold me both of my two Buicks said, if our condo-man were interested, the dealership would let it go for $44,705....that's a typical discount for full-sized trucks like this, which right now, are basically going for 8-10K of off list, which makes them a bargain even with the traditional large mark-up on full-size trucks.
First, compared the Extended-Cab F-150, the Silverado felt a little longer and more bulky to maneuver at close quarters. Chevy does not offer an extended-cab version with small rear-hinged "suicide" doors like the F-150...only a choice between two smaller front-hinged doors and two somewhat larger ones for a slightly roomier rear seat. The Double-Cab version I drove had the smaller of the two rear doors, but, with its long bed-length, still felt a little longer and bulkier than the F-150 Extended-Cab. The Silverado, unlike the F-150, still has a steel body, but an aluminum tailgate.....I found that out when I tried to stick on the magnetized dealer test-drive-plate, and it wouldn't stick to the aluminum (I had to put it in the rear window instead).
I generally preferred the Silverado's interior, controls, instrumentation, trim, and layout to the F-150's, and the Silverado's driver's seat, to my large frame, felt more comfortable. Both trucks had a traditional column-lever for the transmission. Neither one really seemed to use particularly durable materials inside (perhaps in an effort to save weight).....it seemed like a toss-up there. On the road, the normally-aspirated (non-turbo) 5.3L V8 had adequate power (348 ft-lbs of torque) but, of course, was hauling around a generally heavy vehicle. The F-150 had a noticeably smoother ride (the Silverado's was more traditional truck-stiff)......the F-150 would probably be the better of the two for a long trip, where comfort is more of an issue. Both trucks had decent wind-noise control, but, as speed increased, some audible road-noise from the large tires and open truck-bed in back. The Silverado had much better electric power-steering, with some steering/road feel...the F-150's is more or less like mush. Brakes on both were adequate, though they both have a lot of vehicle to stop. At speed, I did not notice any of the noted "Chevy-Shake" that has plagued the structure of some recent Chevy and GMC full-sized trucks/SUVs, but my test-drive wasn't really that long or that fast, and it was a brand-new vehicle without any real stress having been put on it yet. Both trucks carry the same standard factory warranty.....5/60 on the drivetrain and 3/36 Bumper-to-Bumper.
There's also another ace in the hole. I have not test-driven an equivalent 1500 GMC Sierra, but, from truck-reviews I've read, the Denali version, at least, has a smooth ride that is (almost) the equal of the silky Dodge Ram 1500. That could (?) be a solution to the Silverado's stiffish ride, and also offering a slightly more upscale GMC-class interior, though the GMC will probably cost a little more, and I don't know just how much he can afford to spend.
If it were me, I'd choose the F-150 if I were going to make long trips in it and/or drive appreciable distances. The F-150's reliability record is also somewhat better than the Silverado's, decreasing the likelihood of a breakdown on a long trip, although the F-150's 10-speed automatic (used only on some F-150 versions) is still basically new and untested in the long run. Its mushy steering is less of a factor on a long Interstate trip, where one is driving straight ahead most of the time. But, for everyday around-town driving and hauling loads, even with its stiffer ride, I'd choose the Silverado, with its better steering-feel, its steel bed vs. the F-150's aluminum, and (IMO) better dash/instrumentation layout. Except for a little more bounce over some bumps than the F-150, it is just a more pleasant truck to steer and drive. And I might also check out the GMC Sierra version and its smoother ride.
And, as Always, Happy-Truck-Shopping.
MM