2011 Chevrolet Silverado

1500 Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup

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15 available trims | explore trims

MPG: 13 city | 18 hwy

Ownership Cost: Average | see details

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2011 Chevrolet Silverado Review

This truck just works and works

Reviewed by Automotive on 12/22/2010

In a Nutshell

The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup truck that is very popular due to its refinement, towing capabilities, and high interior quality. The Silverado offers four engines, including three V-8s: a 4.8-liter V8 rated at 302 horsepower and 305 pound-feet, a 5.3-liter V8 with 315 horsepower and 335 pound-feet, and a 6.2-liter V8 cranking out 403 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of peak torque. The 4.3-liter V6 produces 195 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.

The Chevy Silverado offers a 10,700 pound trailer capacity, but if you go for the economical, two-mode, hybrid truck, the capacity is diminished to 6200 pounds. As for safety features, the Silverado has StabiliTrak with rollover mitigation and many other top-notch systems. EPA fuel economy rating is in the 13 mpg city / 18 mpg highway range.

New for 2011

For 2011, the Chevy Silverado heavy-duty versions are all new, while the Silverado 1500 received minor changes, including wind noise enhancements and OnStar. As for colors, Steel Green Metallic replaced Carbon Flash Metallic and there are two new special model and promotional exterior paint colors, Victory Red and Magna Steel Metallic.

Essentials

Engines: 4.3L V-6, 4.8L V-8, 5.3L V-8 (2), 6.2L V-8, 6.0L V-8 with electric motors
Transmissions: Six-speed automatic, four-speed automatic
Body style: Truck
Trims: 1500 Crew Cab Pickup, 1500 Hybrid Crew Cab Pickup, 1500 Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup, 1500 Long Bed Regular Cab Pickup, 1500 Long Bed Extended Cab Pickup, 1500 Standard Bed Extended Cab Pickup, 2500 HD Regular Cab Pickup, 2500 HD Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup, 2500 HD Short Bed Extended Cab Pickup, 2500 HD Long Bed Crew Cab Pickup, 2500 HD Long Bed Extended Cab Pickup, 3500 HD Extended Cab Pickup, 3500 HD Regular Cab Pickup, 3500 HD Short Bed Crew Cab Pickup, 3500 HD Long Bed Crew Cab Pickup

On the Outside

The Silverado LT trim level now comes standard with chrome bumpers, while the LTZ received body-color front bumpers and the Z71 off-road package features unique body side identification.

From the Inside

The Chevy Silverado WT, LS and LT have a "pure pickup" interior with larger controls and door handles and a double glove box. LTZ has its own instrument panel, larger center console, heated leather front seats, and Bose audio.

Driving Performance

The Chevy Silverado's Z83 suspension features mono-tube front and twin-tube rear shocks, while the Z85 is tuned for enhanced handling and trailer towing and the Z71 off-roader has specific mono-tube shocks. For maximum towing, the NHT is the one with monotube rear shocks, off-road tires on 17-inch wheels, and high-capacity rear springs. The XFE includes aerodynamic enhancements for optimum fuel economy, but the Z60 street package has 20-inch wheels.

Safety Equipment

Standard safety systems on the Chevy Silverado include StabiliTrak with rollover mitigation, roof-mounted rollover-capable head curtain airbags, and safety belt pre-tensioners. Optional are remote vehicle starting, Autotrac active transfer case, Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist, a rearview camera and tire pressure monitoring.

Gas Mileage

WT, LT, LTZ regular cab, 4.3L 2WD: 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway
WT, LT, LTZ regular cab, 4.3L 4WD: 14 mpg city/18 mpg highway
WT, LT, LTZ regular cab, 4.8L 2WD: 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway
WT, LT, LTZ regular cab, 4.8L 4WD: 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway
WT, LT, LTZ regular cab, 5.3L 2WD: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway
WT, LT, LTZ regular cab, 5.3L 4WD: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway
WT, LT, LTZ extended cab, 4.3L 2WD: 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway
WT, LT, LTZ extended cab, 4.8L 2WD: 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway
WT, LT, LTZ extended cab, 4.8L 4WD: 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway
WT, LT, LTZ extended cab, 5.3L 2WD: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway
WT, LT, LTZ extended cab, 5.3L 4WD: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway
WT, LS, LT, LTZ crew cab, 4.8L 2WD: 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway
WT, LS, LT, LTZ crew cab, 4.8L 4WD: 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway
WT, LS, LT, LTZ crew cab, 5.3L 2WD: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway
WT, LS, LT, LTZ crew cab, 5.3L 4WD: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway
WT, LS, LT, LTZ crew cab, 5.3L 2WD: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway
WT, LS, LT, LTZ crew cab, 5.3L 4WD: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway
WT, LS, LT, LTZ crew cab, 6.2L 2WD: 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway
WT, LS, LT, LTZ crew cab, 6.2L 4WD: 12 mpg city/19 mpg highway
WT, LS, LT, LTZ crew cab, 6.2L AWD: 12 mpg city/19 mpg highway
XFE crew cab, 5.3L 2WD: 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway
Hybrid: 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway

Plusses

Work truck capabilities
Interior material quality
Powerful V-8 engines
Plenty of configurations
Hybrid fuel economy

Minuses

Outdated design
Complex trim levels
Hybrid price tag

Rating

This truck just works and works

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show full summary

2011 Chevrolet Silverado

2011 Chevrolet Silverado Review

New for 2011

Essentials

On the Outside

From the Inside

Driving Performance

Safety Equipment

Gas Mileage

Plusses

Minuses

Rating

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