San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Chevrolet offers full lineup of trucks and sport-utilities
Chevrolet continues to lead the industry with its full stable of pickup trucks, including light and heavy-duty models, along with traditional sport-utility vehicles and car-based crossover models.
Among them are the Bolt EUV small electric utility, as well as the Trax, Trailblazer, Equinox, Blazer and Traverse crossovers, ranging from small to large, and the full-size truck-based sport-utilities – the Texas-built Tahoe and Suburban.
Trucks in the Chevy lineup include the midsize Colorado; light-duty, full-size
Silverado 1500 models; and the Silverado Heavy Duty models, including the 2500HD and 3500HD models, which get major upgrades for model year 2024.
The compact Equinox crossover is Chevrolet’s second-best-selling vehicle, after the Silverado pickup, and more than 2 million have been sold since it was introduced for the 2005 model year.
2023 Chevrolet Silverado/2024 Silverado HD
Chevrolet’s iconic Silverado 1500 got a complete redesign for 2022, including the addition of the ZR2 model, Chevy’s new flagship off-road truck and the latest addition to a successful lineup of off-road, factoryinstalled lifted trucks.
Also introduced was an enhanced, stronger version of the 2.7-liter Turbo High-Output inline four-cylinder engine that offers more torque than any base engine in its class. It’s rated at 310 horsepower and 430 footpounds of torque.
The 2.7-liter engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and boasts EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city/22 highway with rear-wheel drive, and 17/20 with four-wheel drive.
Chevy says the enhanced Silverado also features an elevated exterior design and a new, expressive interior with enhanced technology.
Changes included a 13.4-inch-diagonal touch screen standard on LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, ZR2, LTZ and High Country models, and available Super Cruise handsfree driver-assistance technology with trailering on the High Country.
Other highlights of the newest Silverado include a fully redesigned interior for LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, ZR2, LTZ and High Country models, with a new horizontal instrument panel that makes the cabin feel more spacious, as well as a new center console that includes the optional electronic shift control, available on most trim levels.
There is a 13.4-inch-diagonal color touch screen and a new 12.3-inch-diagonal configurable digital instrument cluster standard on models with the new interior. Also standard with the new interior, Google built-in offers access to Google Assistant, Google
Maps and Google Play on the infotainment screen.
This new experience works with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability and offers new levels of customization and flexibility for customers.
Every model features a new front fascia, emphasizing the truck’s stability and strength with a wide, planted stance. New daytime running lights are programmed with animated walk-up and walkaway functions, in addition to swiping turn-signal functions on select trim levels.
The first-ever Silverado ZR2 becomes the flagship of “Chevy Trucks’ factory-lifted off-road lineup, offering race-proven off-road performance customers can buy right from the showroom floor,” Chevy says.
Standard is the 6.2-liter V-8 engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 foot-pounds of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Included in the ZR2 are a premium interior, new standard safety features, and rugged off-road capabilities. ZR2 suspension upgrades, enhanced off-road technology and exterior enhancements were developed to optimize off-road performance and capability, while balancing everyday driving comfort.
ZR2’s maximum payload is 1,440 pounds and the conventional trailer weight rating is 8,900 pounds.
2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD
Chevrolet has updated its Silverado Heavy Duty pickups for model year 2024, with “a bold new look” with a “more commanding presence,” powertrain upgrades, an overhauled interior, enhancements to its trailering technology, and updated infotainment and active safety technologies.
The lineup includes 2500HD and 3500HD models in Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab configurations. Dual-rear-wheel models are available on the 3500HD, and they support the lineup’s highest trailering capacity: 36,000 pounds.
For the first time, the Allison 10-speed automatic transmission is now standard on both of the Silverado HD’s powertrains: the standard 6.6-liter V-8 gas engine and the available Duramax turbodiesel.
When it comes time to tow, the 10-speed configuration helps channel every single pound-foot of torque to the tires in every gear. In turn, the 2024 Silverado HD’s Gross Combined Weight Rating with the 6.6-liter gas engine increases to 26,000 pounds, up from 24,000 pounds previously. The Allison transmission’s 10-speed design optimizes grade braking with the gas engine, with the closer gear ratios enabling greater engine-braking control. That, in addition to precise tuning for smooth shifts and quicker downshifts, complements the enhanced feeling of ondemand power, greater control, precision and refinement.
As for the Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel
V-8 engine, power increases to 470 horsepower and 975 foot-pounds of torque.
The freshened front-end features a new fascia, headlights, grille and more. C-shaped LED graphic lights frame the new fascia, inspired by the signature design of the Silverado 1500, while bold, new headlights on LTZ, ZR2 and High Country models feature dual-projector technology.
Other exterior updates include standard tow hooks, and “Chevrolet” lettering on the hood scoop. Six new exterior colors have been added as well: Sterling Gray, Dark Ash, Radiant Red, Auburn Metallic, Lakeshore Blue Metallic
(late availability) and Meteorite Metallic (late availability).
Also included are the Durabed cargo box that optimizes cargo capability — including up to a best-in-class 83.5 cubic feet with the long box — as well as the CornerStep rear bumper, BedSteps, available six-position Multi-Flex tailgate, available 120-volt power outlet, available power tailgate and more.
The lineup also retains the popular Z71 Sport Edition, Z71 Chrome Sport Edition and Midnight Special Edition appearance packages.
2023 Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet’s full-size, regular-length SUV, the Tahoe, entered its newest generation two years ago with a major makeover and lots of new technologies, as well as the first diesel-engine option.
Tahoe is offered in six trim levels: LS, LT, RST,
Z71, Premier and High Country. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but four-wheel drive is available across the board (standard on Z71).
New for 2023: Super Cruise, the industry’s first true hands-free driver-assistance technology for compatible roads, will be offered on the Tahoe Premier and High Country models. Additionally, new exterior colors are available: Silver Sage Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, and Radiant Red Tintcoat (extra cost). And an accessory black grille with “CHEVROLET’ lettering is offered on LS, LT, RST and Premier models.
With the remake, there is now 60% more cargo room behind the third row for Tahoe, and the Tahoe also got 10 inches more third-row legroom.
These vehicles also have an independent rear suspension paired with available Magnetic Ride
Control and first-in-class Air Ride Adaptive Suspension. Standard is a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter gasoline V-8 engine. Optional are a 6.2-liter gasoline V-8 with 420 horsepower, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 foot-pounds of torque.
All engines come with a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton electronic shift.