2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Fresh front-end styling, a DVD video option, and a sporty midyear model are 2003 updates to these full-size pickups. This report covers the half-ton 1500-series and three-quarter-ton 2500-series Silverados, which offer regular, extended, and Crew Cab body styles. Extendeds have rear-hinged back doors that don't open independently of the fronts; Crew Cabs, offered only in the 1500 series, have four conventional doors. Both include a 3-person rear bench seat. All cab types offer a front bench seat; all but regular cabs offer front bucket seats. Regulars and extendeds are available with 6.5- and 8.1-ft Fleetside cargo beds; 1500s offer an optional 6.5-ft flare-fender Sportside box. Crew Cabs come only with the short Fleetside. A Fleetside box made of plasticlike composite materials is available on 1500 extended cabs.

Regular- and extended-cab 1500s offer a 4.3-liter V6 along with 4.8- and 5.3-liter V8s. Crew Cabs come only with a 6.0-liter V8, which is standard on 2500s. Manual and automatic transmissions are available; automatics include GM's Tow/Haul mode. Rear-wheel-drive versions offer optional traction control. Two 4WD systems are available: a base setup that must be disengaged on dry pavement, and General Motors' Autotrac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement. All 4x4s include low-range gearing. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. GM's exclusive Ride Control Suspension option offers two levels of shock absorber firmness to suit road or load. Optional for extendeds and Crew Cabs is GM's Quadrasteer 4-wheel steering, which tightens the turning radius at low speeds by moving the rear wheels counter to the fronts; at higher speeds, all wheels turn in the same direction. A special flare-fender short box is included.

For 2003, Silverados get a fresh face that mimics Chevy's Avalanche SUV/pickup, plus other cosmetic changes. Also new is standard dual-zone climate control and available power-extending side mirrors for trailer towing. Crew Cabs add optional rear DVD entertainment, and all but base models offer XM satellite-radio service. Top-line LT models include GM's OnStar service. Added midyear, the Silverado SS is a short-bed extended cab 1500 with a 345-hp 6.0-liter V8, all-wheel drive, 20-inch wheels, performance tires, and special trim. Silverados share a basic design with GMC Sierras, which include the luxury-oriented AWD Denali with standard Quadrasteer.

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 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 and convenient 4-wheel steering.

Big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models in most aspects 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.