The 2021 Chevy Silverado Crew RST 4WD Z71 Duramax Diesel Pickup Truck
You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: In 1955, the iconic Cameo Carrier was introduced with its industry first Fleetside styling and the legendary Chevy small block V8, debuting for the first time in a regular pickup truck. The first generation of Chevy C/K trucks started in 1960 and became the go to pickup truck for work and recreational activities.
Introduced for the 1999 model year, the Silverado is the successor to the long running Chevrolet C/K pickup truck line. Taking its name from the top trim level from the C/K models, the Silverado is offered as a series of full size pickup trucks, chassis cab trucks, and medium duty trucks.
Today the Chevy Silverado has some real competition. Ram’s full size pickup trucks out sold the Chevy Silverado in 2019, 633,694 units to 575,569 units. Ram has long been the Bronze medalist in the truck sales race, while the Silverado typically occupies the Silver second place slot, behind the Ford F-series. When you add in the 232,325 GMC Sierra truck sales numbers, GM at 807,894 in total trucks sold in 2019, holds a solid combined sales lead over the Ram trucks third place finish.
The domestic pickup truck sales market is huge in gross numbers, and in billions of dollars. In 2019 over three million pickup trucks were sold in the United States, and sales continue to go up every year. With the pickup truck market this big, Chevy wants to stay at the front of the pickup truck pack, with more power, more options and the best technology.
This week Chevy sent me a 2021 Chevy Silverado Crew RST 4WD Z71 Duramax 3.L liter Turbo Diesel powered pickup truck to test drive and review. The base price for this Crew RST 4WD model starts at $46,500. RST stands for Rally Sport Truck, Crew means it has a 4 door crew cab, and 4WD is for four wheel drive.
The options on the test truck are: the Duramax 3L Turbo Diesel engine for $2,390, the All Star Plus Edition trim package for $2,100, the Z71 Off Road package for $1,650, the Safety package for $890, the Leather Package for $760, the Convenience Package with Bucket Seats for $545, the Cherry Red Tintcoat paint for $495, and the Trailer Tow brake Controller for $275.
The total cost of these options came to $9,105. Add in the $1,595 destination charge, minus the $250 All Star Edition Plus discount, and the total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price came to: $56,950. The final cost, including the state sales tax and the DMV fees, is around $64 Grand out the door. Today there are generous incentives from GM with Employee Pricing for Everyone, so big cash discounts are available.
Then the $64,000 question is? What does this truck drive like? How powerful is the Duramax diesel? What does the Z71 Off-road package include? The truck itself has the best of the best, starting with the heartbeat of the truck, the Duramax 3L liter Turbo Diesel engine.
This engine is super efficient, strong and capable. Offering up to an EPA estimated 33 MPG highway, the Duramax 3.0L Turbo Diesel not only gives you a highly efficient truck, but it is also perfectly suited for off road adventurers, with its powerful 460 lb-ft of torque, and best in class 277 diesel horsepower. All connected to a 10 speed automatic transmission, with smooth stop and start technology.
Next up is how does it ride and drive? Well, with the leather trimmed bucket seats, dual zone climate control, 8” color touch screen with voice recognition, Bluetooth streaming audio, Apple Carplay and Android Audio, all running thru a Bose Premium Sound System with HD radio, that puts the comfort and driving feel at near rally car levels, in a truck weighing over 2 1/2 tons, of course.
The Z51 Off Road Package adds twin tube shocks, skid plates, hill descent control, a heavy duty air filter, an AutoTrac 2 speed transfer case, Z71 badging, and a dual exhaust system with polished exhaust pipe tips, plus 20’’ aluminum argent painted alloy wheels and all terrain tires. The truck rides as nice as the interior is classy looking, and has the ability to take your entire crew, on and off road, in style.
So what does a base 2021 Chevrolet Silverado cost? The rear wheel drive 2021 Chevrolet Silverado W/T Work Truck starts with a price of only $28,900. This configuration includes the regular cab with the 8 foot bed. Add in the $1,595 destination charge and you’re looking at just $30,495 on the window sticker.
Call, click or visit your local Chevy dealer for a test drive and a Bottom Line price review, for one of the best full size trucks for sale in the segment. Silverado trucks start at around $30 Grand, so there is a Chevy pickup priced right within your budget.
A word to the wise is sufficient. Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©” .
This Bottom Line Review is provided by: Tony Leopardo © Autowire.net. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@ pacbell.net or visit Autowire. Net at www.autowire.net