2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Midyear addition of a 4-wheel steering system makes news for this popular full-size pickup. Silverado shares its design with the GMC Sierra, which also gets a 4-wheel-steer version for '02. Half-ton Silverado 1500s and 3/4-ton 2500s come with regular or extended cabs; 1500s also offer a 4-dr Crew Cab. Extended cabs have dual rear-hinged back doors that do not open independently of the front doors and a 3-passenger rear bench seat. Crew Cabs have four full-size front-opening doors and a rear bench. All are available with front buckets or bench seat. Regular and extended cabs offer flush-fender Fleetside cargo boxes of 6.5 or 8.1 ft, and a 6.5-ft flare-fender Sportside box; Crew Cab comes with the shorter Fleetside box only. Optional on 1500 4WD extended cabs with Z71 package is a 6.5-ft Fleetside cargo box made of dent- and rust-resistant composite materials.

Regular and extended-cab 1500s use a 4.3-liter V6 or optional 4.8- and 5.3-liter V8s. Crew Cabs come only with a 6.0-liter V8, which powers all 2500s. Manual and automatic transmissions are offered, the latter featuring a Tow/Haul mode that adjusts shift points to maximize power under heavy loads. Silverados are available in rear-wheel drive, 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement, or General Motors' Autotrac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement; 4x4s include low-range gearing. GM's OnStar assistance system is optional, as is traction control for 2WD models. GM's exclusive Ride Control Suspension option offers two levels of shock absorber firmness to suit road or load.

Introduced to the Silverado line this spring, GM's new Quadrasteer 4-wheel-steering system is designed to provide a tighter turning radius by turning the rear wheels counter to the fronts at low speeds. It's also intended to aid stability by turning the rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts at higher speeds. Quadrasteer is available on extended-cab 2WD and 4WD models and includes a special 6.5-ft box with flared fenders.

COMPETITION

With the advent of crossover vehicles this segment has become less defined. Once the domain of work-related heavy-duty pickups, buyers are now demanding that their full-size trucks do double duty. Our Best Buys remain the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra. These trucks offer a wide range of powertrain combinations, plenty of luxury accommodations, and ample towing power--though the GM twins are the only ones to offer full-time 4WD.

The big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models feature for feature but can't match their ride comfort or civility. We also like the expensive Toyota Tundra. What it lacks in brute strength, it more than makes up for with refined road manners.