2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

Powerful drivetrains, a revamped new look and unique options make the Silverado a pickup worth considering, but Fords new F-150 has it beat when it comes to interior design and overall refinement.

Pros

Roomy extended-cab models, strong V8 engines, innovative features.

Cons

Cheap interior materials, questionable build quality.

What's New for 2003

The Silverado gets a makeover this year that includes a new front fascia and revised side moldings and taillights. Top-of-the-line models get power-folding heated mirrors with puddle lamps and turn signal indicators. On the inside, the Silverado is the first full-size pickup to offer a Bose stereo system and XM Satellite Radio. The instrument panel and center console have been redesigned, and Chevrolet has added new seats, a more comprehensive driver information center and a dual-zone climate control system. For increased safety, Silverados now feature a standard front-passenger-sensing system and dual-stage airbags. On the hardware side, all 4.3-liter V6-equipped Silverados and California-emission V8s are now ULEV-certified, while electronic throttle control is now standard on all V8 engines. The Autotrac four-wheel-drive system has been modified for less intrusiveness at low speeds, and the brake system received upgrades that provide better pedal feel and improved overall performance.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Chevy Truck

Written by: Chevy Owner on 05/17/2008

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	10

Vehicle

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr Extended Cab LS 4WD SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Review

I absolutely love this truck. Purchased used with 83000 miles on it and so far no problems. 5.3L V8 engine runs real strong. The truck is well designed and very well built. I like the design of the interior a lot. Extended cab is very roomy and the cloth seats are very comfortable on short or long trips. I have the Z71 off road package, which really handles well off road. The automatic 4wd works well and there is a very smooth transfer from 2wd to 4wd. Gas mileage isn't great(14mpg) but hey its a truck. A friend of mine has a '98 Ford F150 with the 4.8L V8 and he only gets 12mpg. Chevrolet needs to keep building trucks like this because this is what a truck should be.

Favorite Features

5.3 V8 has lots of power. Interior design is perfect. Z71 off road package is great. Auto 4wd works very well.

Suggested Improvements

None

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Great Truck!

Written by: sixty8camaro on 05/12/2008


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	9

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2dr Regular Cab LS 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl 5M)

I have over 110,000 miles on my p/u and have had only one part break ($25 U-joint + 1 hour of my time to replace). I'd say that's great reliability! Still runs close to as strong as when I bought it and can pull a loaded trailer (roughly 5,000 lbs) with no problems.

4-wheel drive works great. Never been stuck in the mud, snow, water, ice, or sand.

Electronics seem flakey. CD player randomly shuts off from time to time. Not a big deal, just a minor annoyance on 12 hour drives. Wish I would have purchased an extended cab or crew cab when I bought it.

One Awesome Truck

Written by: Dave Man on 03/18/2008


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	10

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

This truck is the best truck I have ever owned, my 4th of the GM full size family. It's a Z71 with 151,000 on it now and have no problems at all since I bought it in 05' with 70,000 on it been camping to remote destinations, driven on trails, and even hauled several pallets of sod in the bed. It's extremely comfortable and rides like a car. Have made many comfortable trips with the family in it and no complaints at all. Never broken down only have changed the battery once by choice with an Optima yellow top. Only cost is oil, wipers and 3 sets of tires. This truck it truly built like a rock and takes the abuse of 2 boys 3 dirt bikes and many off road outings to have fun.

I love that all I have to do is wash, wax, change oil, and throw some new shoes on it to have a lot of fun.

The only thing I would improve is making driver seat power recline and passenger seat full power standard. I might also redesign the front fender wells to make the back 2 spark plugs more easy to change. But that might make a great truck something less in other areas.

My first truck

Written by: My first truck on 03/09/2008


Performance:	7	Fun-to-Drive:	7	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	5	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	8

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr Extended Cab Work Truck Rwd SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A)

The inside of the extended cab really surprised me, I'm 6'2" and i fit nice in the backseat. Had hauled heavy, heavy stuff and it was like it loved working and this is only a V6. I used this also on vacations, 8 to 10 hour drives, with two kids in the back. It's a ready to use for all occasions.

Works like it wants to. Lots of storage in the cab under the back seat and doors. 22 mpg on the highway.

Needed cruise control for the long drives.

Junk!

Written by: bigkuz87 on 12/19/2007


Performance:	6	Fun-to-Drive:	5	Build Quality:	2
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	1
Fuel Economy:	5	Exterior Design:	8

I have owned a lot of GM products over the years, 6 Chevrolet pickups to be exact. An 81, 83, 84, 87, 95, and 98, all great trucks that took one heck of a beating from me. My seventh pickup, a 2003 Z71 is by far the cheapest made pickup I have ever seen. I can't even think about beating on it, for it wouldn't survive. I bought it with 40000 miles, it now has 66000. I've replaced both front wheel bearings, the brakes(rear twice), transmission, two alignments, instrument panel cluster, radio, tie rods, and now it has a growling sound that drives me crazy. This will be the last GM vehicle that I will ever buy!

Comfortable cab, great seats

Try to build a quality and dependable product

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Consumer Ratings & Reviews