Yet Silverado still rides as well or better than any of them, and it handles well. It's quick and it's comfortable. Boxed and hydroformed frame rails give Silverado a strong, rigid platform. It is, as the advertising tagline says, like a rock. Silverado's interior was significantly updated in 2003, and so was its electrical system. Quadrasteer, GM's heavy-duty four-wheel-steering, is available for a number of different 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 comfortable and enjoyable.

For 2005, most Silverados come with wider, lower-profile tires on 17-inch wheels, promising better handling than before. Short-box Extended Cabs with 4WD now offer a more powerful all-alumium V8, while a gas/electric Hybrid option promises lower operating cost with V8 performance. There's a sporty SS model, for buyers who value muscle-car acceleration and handling over towing/hauling capacity. More minor changes for 2005 include dual electric cooling fans, which are quieter and more efficient than the engine-driven fan used previously. Aerodynamic refinements to the front end and running boards reduce wind noise and promise a slight improvement in fuel economy,