You have to hand it to Chevy for building a competitive full-size pickup for a market in which the Ford F-150 has ridden a dictator-like sales record. Can the 2012 Silverado 1500 be the one to end Ford’s dominance? Check it out.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trims and Feature Highlights
The Silverado 1500 is a full-size pickup truck residing in a competitive segment alongside the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. Silverado 1500, like the F-150, offers four engine choices with 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive, along with various cab and bed styles. Regular (three passenger) and Extended cab trims (five or six passenger) can be fitted with 6’5” foot standard or 8’ long beds, and Crew (five or six passenger) cabs are connected to 5’8” foot short beds. For 2012 the Silverado 1500 is available in base WT, LS, LT, LTZ, and fuel efficient XFE trim levels, with various cab/bed styles available for each segment.
Priced between $22,195 to roughly $45,000, the 2012 Silverado 1500 offers everything from the WT’s basic vinyl seat and AM/FM radio setup to the LTZ’s heated leather seats and dual-zone climate control. You can also choose touchscreen navigation, rearview camera, OnStar services, and WiFi connectivity. Extras include off-road, appearance, and sport packages.
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Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Performance
Chevy offers a foursome of engine choices for 2012. The base engine (connected to the WT) is a 4.3 liter V6 that produces 195 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Chevy pairs the V6 with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
The V6 is a little tame in terms of full-size pickup status, so Chevy also offers a trio of V8 options. LS and LT trims get a 4.8 liter V8 worth 302 horsepower and 305 lb.-ft. along with a 4-speed automatic. LTZ and XFE trims are handed a 5.3 liter V8 with 315 horsepower and 335 lb.-ft. and 6-speed automatic.
Optional on LT and LTZ trims is a hefty 6.2 liter V8 producing 403 horsepower and 417 lb.-ft. The 6.2 liter is powered by a 6-speed auto.
All trims save for the XFE Silverado 1500 (it’s 2-wheel drive only) come in either 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive configurations. Properly equipped, Extended Cab models can tow up to 10,700 pounds, 100 lbs. more than Crew Cab editions.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Fuel Economy
EPA estimates for V6 Silverado 1500 models are 15/20/17 (city/highway/combined) MPG with 2-wheel drive and 14/18/15 with 4WD. The 4.8 liter V8 achieves 14/19/16 (2WD) or 13/18/15 (4WD), and the 5.3 liter gets 15/21/17 MPG for both 2WD and 4WD setups. The 6.2 liter sucks down 13/18/14 with 2WD, while 4WD models lose 1 city MPG for 12/18/14 overall. XFE Silverado trims offer the best economy at 15/22/18.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Interior Features
The base Silverado WT interior is well built, though features are strictly workman-like. Higher trims up the luxury ante with all the niceties you’ll need in a pickup; shoppers can load up on heated/cooled bucket seats, leather & wood trim, and dual-zone climate control as well as tech like touchscreen navigation, a rearview camera with parking sensors, and a DVD entertainment system for passengers. Comfort isn’t an issue with any pick, although backseat passengers will appreciate the extra few inches of legroom in the Crew Cab (38.7”) compared to the Extended Cab (34.3”). It’s also worth noting that LTZ 1500 Extended & Crew Cabs fit just five passengers (as opposed to six with WT, LS, and LT trims).
Being a full-size pickup, the majority of the Silverado 1500’s hauls are best thrown in the bed. That said, if you need more space inside, you’ll want to look toward the Crew Cab for its flip up rear seats that give way to a ‘near-flat’ storage floor.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Safety
Standard safety features for the 2012 Silverado 1500 include 4-wheel antilock brakes (front disc/rear drum, 4-wheel disc available on LT & LTZ), stability/traction control, and six airbags. OnStar emergency services are available for WT Silverado 1500 and standard on all other trims. A rearview camera is available for LT and LTZ trims.
The NHTSA gives 2012 Silverado 1500 a total of 4/5 stars (5/5 for side crashes and 4/5 for both frontal and rollover tests). IIHS results are less kind, giving Silverado 1500 the best ‘good’ score for frontal damage, a second best ‘moderate’ for side impacts, and a second worst ‘marginal’ for roof strength.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Summary
The 2012 Silverado 1500 offers plenty of capability to get the job done. If you bypass the base V6 you’ve got a competent full-size pickup that offers a nice balance between performance and class. Work or play, Silverado makes a nice addition to the garage. Find your Silverado 1500 from CarWoo!, the solution to your automotive wants.
