2017 Chevy Silverado – Albany, NY

Reliable Engines

When it comes to the engine lineup found in the 2017 Silverado, you’ll be happy to know it’s a truly legendary lineup. The EcoTec3 engines use three fuel-saving techniques: Active Fuel Management, Direct Injection, and Continuously Variable Valve Timing. The engines in question ar a 4.3-liter V6, a 5.3-liter V8, and a 6.2-liter V8.

4.3-liter V6

This engine produces 285 horsepower and 305 lb.- ft. of torque, standard for a V6. Thanks to fuel-saving technology, it’s able to get up to 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway, and can tow up to 7,600 pounds when properly equipped.

5.3-liter V8

Step up to the 5.3-liter EcoTec3, and you’ll be seeing 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. While still returning a fuel-efficiency rating of 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway, the most impressive aspect of this engine is that it’s able to tow a whopping 11,100 pounds.

6.2-liter V8

The strongest engine in the lineup is a 6.2-liter V8, which is rated for 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque.

This powertrain returns up to 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway. That low fuel economy rating is expected, simply because of the size of the engine and weight of the truck. But, that increased horsepower and torque gives it a tow rating of 12,500 pounds, surely more than enough for whatever you’d need to tow with a truck of this caliber.

Best-in-Class Ratings for All Three Engines

What’s so special about Chevy’s engines? Apart from having fuel-saving technology on all three of its engines, all three also win a best-in-class rating for a particular corresponding category. The 4.3-liter gets best-in-class torque for a V6 engine, the 5.3-liter gets a best-in-class V8 fuel-efficiency rating, and the 6.2-liter gets a best-in-class tow rating.

For the consumer, this means that whatever you’re looking to get out of your truck — regardless of engine size — you’re getting the best on the market.

For 2017, the Silverado gets some new safety features added to the lineup, like Teen Driver technology, which is now standard across all trim levels.

Teen Driver Technology

The purpose of this feature is to act as a watchdog when you’re not there. That way, you can keep your teen driver safe even without physically being in the car. With a digital report card feature, you’ll be able to see if any of the crash-preventing safety features were activated, if your teen sped, and even the distance he or she traveled. You can also set certain parameters with a pin code, restricting certain things like the volume of the speakers and maximum speed.

There are also plenty of other safety features on board, such as a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and an Enhanced Driver Alert package.

Enhanced Driver Alert Package

This package includes things like lane departure warning and intervention system, a forward collision warning with low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert seat that will buzz the driver from under the cushion for an additional form of warning (if a collision threat is detected).

Government Crash-Test Scores

The 2017 Silverado has managed to score a perfect overall five-star rating in NHTSA safety testing, earning five stars for frontal-impact and side-impact protection, and four stars for rollover protection. In IIHS testing, it got a top rating of Good in multiple tests, along with a rating of Good for whiplash protection during rear impact.

That safety score — and all the advanced safety features — ensures that the Silverado is one of the safest trucks currently found on the market.

A Practical Design

Just like any good truck, the 2017 Silverado has a practical design. But, that doesn’t mean it sacrificed style.

Looks

Personally, I think the design of the Silverado has evolved greatly over the years in terms of looks. Again, it retains the same look from its last major redesign. A mohawk hood, bright LED lighting, large grille and front bumper, capped off by its stout stance, the Silverado is easily recognizable.

Practicality

In part, the new Silverado is much more of a practical vehicle than it is a flashy one. But it’s a truck, and it’s meant for working — so that’s okay. A critical example of the Silverado’s practical nature is the active aero shutters that are added on for this year. These shutters sit behind the grille, and help save fuel by restricting the airflow into the engine. But when more airflow is required — and it won’t hinder the aerodynamics of the vehicle — then the shutters will open again.

Obviously, the cabin is set up to provide either extra passenger space with a 2-door cab and extended box, or a good balance of storage and passenger space with a 4-door cab, standard box setup.

For the standard trim, you’ll get a truck bed that’s 78.87 inches long and 51.03 inches wide (between the wheel housing). Along with 21.23 inches of height, this translates to 61 cu. ft. of cargo volume. On a regular cab Silverado with an extended box, that cargo volume is bumped up to 76.3 cu. ft., thanks to its longer truck bed.