2014 Silverado-First Impression

I was at the Chevy dealer today getting a new battery for my work truck. They had a bunch of new 2014 Silverados/Sierras on the lot. After pacing around the waiting area for a while, I got the attention of one of the salesmen and asked to see one of the redesigned 2014 Silverados.

He led me out to a pearl white LTZ crew cab with a $50K+ sticker price. The exterior looked about as aerodynamic as a 1976 model, and about as ugly, too. The interior was nice, I guess. Lots of fancy switches and fake leather stitching everywhere, including the dash. The hood was unnecessarily high and square, making the visibility next to nothing, even with the seat height adjusted up. It felt huge and cumbersome and made me appreciate how good the Tundra actually is for its size.

Everyone seems to be ripping on Toyota for only doing a cosmetic refresh on the 2014 Tundra, but after seeing the best that GM can offer, I'll take the Tundra in a second. Better yet, I'll keep my Tacoma! The new GM 5.3 can get 16/22 MPG, which is impressive compared to the Tundra, but this supposed great new design didn't meet my expectations at all. I'm not a Chevy hater, either-I had an 04 Silverado Z71 extended cab that I absolutely loved (and still miss). I have to wonder if the people ripping on Toyota for not putting out the newest designs for 2014 have actually driven the new trucks from other manufacturers.

 

A salesman told me the Chevy Silverado is only offered in automatic transmission too. He said since around 2010. My father-in-law wants to trade his truck in for a new Silverado but wants a standard transmission.

 

Yeah, good luck finding a manual in anything other than a 2500+ diesel anymore! Ram might still offer one, but not sure.

 

that's a shame to hear. I always considered the Silverado to be my full size pickup of choice but it sounds like they're taking the Denali approach to their pickup line, MORE CHROME. no bueno.

but this is the path it seems most auto makers are taking, I'm seeing features I would expect in a Mercedes in pickup trucks. Heated seats? heated steering wheels? rear back up cameras? call me old fashioned but I like a more rugged, capable truck than a luxurious one.

 

My partner has a 2007 Sierra with the 5.3. Tonnue cover. Stock size silent armor tires. He's lucky if he gets 16mpg. All highway.
Good luck getting 22! Ha!

 

The all new one has cylinder deactivation and a bunch of other fancy crap for gas mileage. I'm sure it gets better MPG, but the overall truck is a huge disappointment IMO. What's the point of a huge, costly redesign if the truck is butt-ugly and you can't see a thing because the hood looks like half an aircraft carrier blocking your view!

 

The steps in the rear bumper make it freakin ugly.

 

I drove a '14 Sierra. Not looking to trade just was killing time and decided, what the heck! It was a Crew Cab 4WD Z71 SLT blue with grey leather.

First impression was sharp truck! I really like the design but I must admit the interior is a little busy. Also, the offset steering wheel was a little hard to get to use to but not a big deal. On the road, power was so-so. The new V8 had a good sound but the transmission was very clunky. Even the salesperson said so but that was normal for break in.

Anywho, the test drive was a short one but the truck seem to float on the road. Wasnt really sure if it wanted to stay in one lane or the other. If this is the best GM can do, Im not impressed. But hey, I'm just one guy!

 

I really hate the look of them... But it's early and I'll probably come around a bit... But right now

 

The new Silverado looks good but it is a pile of crap underneath the hood! I mean they are having injector issues and they should have carried over at least one engine so they could offer a reliable power train for once

 

It's so... square... what were they thinking!?

 

For you guys who tested the new Silverado, do you guys think the new Tundras interior is a lot better? just wondering

 

The Silverado's interior is ok at best. The dash is laid out where things are easily within reach but I am not a fan of the radio display. The gauges are easy to read but to me is just seem cheap. The knobs were loose and it seemed like would rattle after some time. The materials weren't real high quality. The seats were very supportive but I had a really hard time finding the ideal seat position. But, I have the same issue in my Tacoma so there's that.

As for the Tundras, I have only seen an SR5 so thats what I'll base my thoughts on. One of the biggest gripes I had with the previous model was I didnt understand why Toyota decided on the layout. It just seemed like it was a two tier dash. If that makes sense. To me there was a lot of dead space on the dash. It just never flowed right. As for the 2014, I like it. Its still a "big" dash. The seats were comfy. I'm curious how the leather seats are in the 1794 edition and Platinum.

If I had to choose which interior I liked best, the Tundra wins. Both had good points, both had bad points. The one spot that the Silverado won on was the tilt on the steering wheel. It actually tilted and not slid. It also had a telescoping feature like the Tundra.

 

Haven't checked out the 14's, but have driven my friends '13.
Having driven my Tacoma for the last year, let's say the Silverado felt "bloated". Nice rig, cushy and all, but not my cup of tea anymore.

I've had full sized Fords, Chevys and GMC's most of my adult life and I'm not planning on going back to them in the near future.
My best was my '96 Silverado. Still had a 350 and first year Vortec. Great combination.
Worst was my '06 Sierra crew cab SLT. Cushy and all, 5.3 was a good solid small block, but many other issues including major corrosion on many components underneath. A pandora's box of trouble waiting to happen.

Time will tell for the '14's

 

I've been looking at the Silverado's. I think the interior is a huge upgrade over the 07-13 models. I haven't seen the sales numbers, but from the look of it, the new Silverado's aren't flying off the lot; of course the truck has only been out for 2 months, and there are plenty of 13s still out there with huge discounts.

Comparing Apples to Apples, You can get a fully loaded F-150 FX4 equally equipped for $5K less than a similar Silverado LTZ Z71. Even with the redesign, the F-150 still beats the Chevy in several areas. The Silverado looks better in person than in pictures, but the sister truck Sierra, is better looking than the Silverado. I think both GM offerings are sharp looking trucks, depends on what you like.

 

With the redesign you can buy a new 2013 GMC Sierra SLE 5.3 lt 6 speed auto, Z71 package 4x4 crew cab for 31K around 9K off. Accual MPGs 15 city 20 hwy still 2 less than Tacoma though you get a V8 with 80 more HP and 70 more Touqe. For a full size I would buy a 13 GMC over a Tundra, but Love my Tacoma.

 

If i had to buy a new full size today it would be an FX4 F-150. Everything else is just butt ugly and dripping in chrome

 

For those who haven't seen it yet.

 

FYI, gay marriage is legal in Canada

 

I'm a big fan of the new Silverado they look much better in person.