2026 Chevy Silverado 1500

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We tested a Silverado crew cab in the High Country trim with the 5.3-liter V8 and four-wheel drive. Acceleration and braking are sufficient for daily driving or towing. Our test truck accelerated to 60 mph in about 7 seconds from a standstill at our test track. Around town, the transmission shifts smoothly and makes the most of the engine's low-end torque.

The truck tracks straight on the highway, but the steering effort is a bit too light. Handling is secure, and body roll is effectively held in check as you navigate turns. But midcorner bumps can upset the Silverado pretty easily, and the ride is worse than what's provided by Ford and Ram. It can be busy and bouncy.

Visibility is another issue for the Silverado. The truck's high hood blocks your view of nearby obstacles or objects, and the the parking camera resolution is a bit low. On the upside, the Silverado offers the Super Cruise hands-free highway driving assist system. It's great for making long drives or slogs through congested traffic less fatiguing.

Like other trucks, the Silverado's towing ability differs by engine, body style, axle ratio and other parameters. It maxes out at 13,300 pounds with the Duramax diesel engine or the 6.2-liter V8. This falls just short of Ford for class-best, but in real life, you'll have no trouble pulling most trailers with the Silverado 1500. The Chevy's payload rating is also within a couple of hundred pounds of the Ford's.

The Silverado High Country we tested had the 5.3-liter V8 and 4WD, which earns an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We found that number to be reasonably achievable in the real world. Although there is a more efficient turbocharged four-cylinder base engine, the Silverado's best fuel economy comes from the available diesel-fueled six-cylinder, which offers up to an estimated 25 mpg combined.

The Silverado has plenty of space for adults in its crew-cab configuration. This is particularly evident in the back seat, which has massive legroom to offer. Some models sit high off the ground, but large door openings and proper seat positioning make overall accessibility a positive experience. The seats themselves aren't quite as plush as the seats in the Ford F-150 or Ram 1500, yet there's enough padding and support to keep you comfortable on long drives. Another upside to the truck's comfort is the strong heating and effective cooling capability of the front seats, if equipped.

Most of the Silverado 1500's controls are easy to use, with clear buttons and a swift touchscreen. We also like that the climate controls are physical buttons and knobs, though they are quite small. Noise and vibration are typical for a truck until you get aggressive with the throttle, at which point it gets a bit unpleasant. The diesel engine is surprisingly only slightly worse in this regard and, therefore, pretty good for a diesel.

The Silverado provides lots of volume to store your stuff, but not much in the way of bins or partitions to keep it all in place. Specifically, the fixed center consoles of the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 provide far more thoughtful storage.

Technology is a strong point in the Silverado. An available 13.4-inch touchscreen offers a wide range of capability without confusing the user, and the high-resolution screen responds quickly to clicks and swipes. Google integration is also here, with Google Maps and the voice assistant handling those duties more than capably. However, to keep those functions powered will require a data subscription after an initial free period and that complication is disappointing. Thankfully, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration comes standard, and both looked great on the massive screen.

The Silverado isn't outrageously expensive, but it is priced higher than its key rivals without offering any advantages in features, style or interior quality. The cabin design of the top trims might be better than the one found on lower ones, but buttons and dashboard plastics are similar: sturdy but somewhat cheap-looking. Chevy's warranty coverage is average, though you do get the first scheduled maintenance for free.