Ownership: 2005 Chevrolet SilveradoOwnershipThe half-ton Silverado 1500 is a good fit for nearly all private use, with three cab configurations, several powerplants, numerous equipment grades, and proven ownership value. Due to their variety, it's more important with trucks than cars to find the right combination for your needs, as overdoing it will cost upfront, at the pump, and possibly in the resale.
Properly equipped, the Silverado scores middle-of-the-road for the key truck factors, such as payload and towing capacity. (If these numbers don't matter to you, then consider a smaller truck, or even an SUV.) Beware that options can quickly drive the price of a Silverado to over $35,000. Deals abound, however, as sales managers we've spoken to say that thousands off the sticker price is not uncommon on well-equipped examples. Beyond purchase price, a key factor in full-size truck ownership today is the impact of elevated fuel prices, especially with real-world mileage falling in the teens for a V-8-powered pickup. The Silverado's fuel economy is on par with its competitors'. While being mindful of not choosing a bigger engine than necessary, note that the 4.8L V-8 matches the V-6 in the EPA mileage ratings.
Chevrolet covers the Silverado with a three-year/36,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper warranty that includes roadside-assistance services. Rust-through corrosion is also warranted for six years or 100,000 miles. While there are elements to criticize, the Silverado has been an absolute winner in the annual IntelliChoice Best Overall Values of the Year awards, claiming titles in multiple categories for consecutive years.
The Ford F-150 is the best-selling truck in this segment, and it betters the Silverado in areas such as interior execution and towing. The Nissan Titan offers fewer variations, but its pricing and packaging are attractive.
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2004 K2500 Model Shown
