Chevrolet->ke199 may have already pulled the covers off the 2016 Silverado’s new exterior design, but it was only at the 2015 Texas State Fair that full information became available. Now Chevy has released nearly all the juicy details on the Silverado’s refresh.

Take a good look at the exterior because that encompasses the majority of changes. In fact, the interior’s design doesn’t change at all. Not that it’s a bad thing – the Silverado still has a highly competitive interior in terms of size, amenities and design. And although the design hasn’t changed, the MyLInk infotainment software now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Carrying over from last year is Chevy’s 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity.

General Motors->ke1024 is also updating the Silverado’s powertrain, though only on mid- and high-level models. Those leather-lined luxo-trucks get the new eight-speed automatic found in several of GM’s 2015 body-on-frame SUVs->ke145, along with the GMC Sierra Denali.

Of course, there’s no room to discount the Silverado’s new styling. The fresh look brings the truck into a more modern era. LED headlights are offered, along with LED daytime running lights, turn signals, and rear taillights. Heck, even the base WT trim level now has HID projector beam headlights – something only found on high-end luxury cars five years ago.

There are more details below, so continue reading for more.

Update 02/25/2016: Chevrolet announced today that it will offer a mild-hybrid electric system on 500, California-based 2016 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 1LT pickup trucks. The system delivers a 13-percent increase in fuel economy while adding 13 horsepower and 44 pound-feet of torque to the 5.3-liter V-8’s overall output.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado.

2016 Chevrolet Silverado

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Chevrolet Silverado
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 285 @ 5300
  • Torque: 305 @ 3900
  • Transmission: six-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Silverado 1500’s new grille and bumper design are more angular and aggressive than before. The straight lines of the 2014 and 2015 grille have given way to a curved lower line and subsequently curved grille inserts. Well, curved at the ends, at least.

The headlights are of the premium kind – HIDs on lower-spec WT and LT trims and LED units on LTZ, LTZ/Z71, and High County trim levels. In fact, LTZ and above trim levels have full LED exterior lighting. Regardless of trim level, all Silverados come with LED daytime running lights.

Speaking of trim levels, there are five in all. The basic WT features a black plastic grille and black bumper. The everyman’s LT trim level comes loaded with chrome for an upscale look, along with larger chrome-clad wheels. Opt for the LTZ and you’re upgraded to full LED headlights, fog lights, turn signals and taillights. The same holds true for the High Country model, but with the addition of bespoke chrome grille inserts. The most distinctive trim is the LTZ with the Z71 package. That carries a monochromatic look that adds body color to the bumpers and exterior trim.

Side-by-side comparison between the 2015 and the 2016 Silverado

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in / mm)

143.5 / 3645

Overall length (in / mm)

230 / 5843

Overall width (in / mm)

80 / 2032

Overall height (in / mm)

2WD: 73.9 / 1876
4WD: 73.9 / 1877

Track (in / mm)

2WD front: 68.9 / 1750 2WD rear: 67.9 / 1716
4WD front: 68.9 / 1750 4WD rear: 67.6 / 1716


Interior

Note: 2014 model shown

Like I mentioned before, the interior doesn’t see much change beyond a software update – though a long-awaited one at that. Now the Silverado has Apple CarPlay on its mid- and high-level infotainment systems. Those wanting to use Android Auto will have to upgrade to the 7-inch infotainment touch screen.

The Silverado still offers a nearly flat load floor behind the first-row seats. The rear bench can be raised for more interior storage space. Cubbie holes and cup holders abound, as do USB ports and 12-volt outlets. There’s even an available 110-volt AC power outlet.

Drivetrain

The Silverado updates haven’t touched the available engines, but do bring a new transmission into the mix. The Silverado still comes with the base 4.3-liter V-6, mid-level 5.3-liter V-8, and the range-topping 6.2-liter V-8. All three engines offer EcoTec3 technologies, which include variable valve timing, direct fuel injection, and Active Fuel Management, sometime referred to as Displacement on Demand. AFM allows the engines, even the V-6, to enter a four-cylinder mode to safe fuel. When more power is needed, they seamlessly kick in all cylinders.

The standard transmission available is still the tried-and-true six-speed automatic. For LTZ and LTZ/Z71 powered by the 6.2-liter V-8, along with the High Country trucks powered by the 5.3-liter V-8, Chevy is including the new eight-speed automatic transmission. Derived from the Corvette’s eight-speed unit, the gearbox can handle substantial amounts of torque and abuse. Also Corvette-derived, the 6.2-liter is basically the same V-8 that powers the C7. Only a handful of parts separate the two, along with the engine management programming, of course.

Like always, the Silverado is offered in both 2WD and 4WD applications. Available across the lineup and regardless of drivetrain choice, is GM’s venerable Eaton G80 automatic locking rear differential.

Mild-Hybrid eAssist System

The 2016 model year will see Chevy add a mild hybrid system to 500 examples of the Silverado 1500 fitted with the Crew Cab, RWD, and 1LT trim level. These trucks, only sold in California, are Chevy’s method of a soft rollout of a hybrid truck. Chevy will monitor customer feedback and adjust production numbers for 2017 accordingly. Though this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a hybrid Silverado in showrooms, this is a first for the current generation Silverado pickup and the fifth generation LS small block V-8 and eight-speed automatic transmission.

The hybrid truck utilizes the lithium-ion battery cells from the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and software derived from the Volt. The 24-cell, 0.45 kWh battery pack is located in the center console or under the front bench seat, depending on which seating configuration is chosen, while the power inverter module is located in the engine bay for liquid cooling. The total system only adds 100 pounds to the truck, resulting in little sacrifice in payload and towing capabilities.

Power is sent to a compact induction motor located on the engine’s accessory drive. It provides up to 13 horsepower and 44 pound-feet of torque during high-load situations, while also allowing the 5.3-liter V-8 to operate in four-cylinder mode more often, furthering its efficiency. When not under power, the electric motor acts as a generator, providing 15 kW of regenerative power back to the battery pack. Furthermore, Chevy added a Start/Stop system to the V-8.

All told, the hybrid system increases the Silverado’s fuel economy by two mpg city, making its EPA numbers climb to 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. Chevy is only charging $500 for the eAssist system.

Drivetrain Specifications

EcoTec3 4.3L V-6 FlexFuel (LV3)

EcoTec3 5.3L V-8 FlexFuel (L83)

Type

4.3L V-6

5.3L V-8

Displacement (cu in / cc)

262 / 4300

325 / 5328

Bore & stroke (in / mm)

3.92 x 3.62 / 99.6 x 92

3.78 x 3.62 / 96 x 92

Block material

cast aluminum

cast aluminum

Cylinder head material

cast aluminum

cast aluminum

Valvetrain

overhead valve, two valves per cylinder, variable valve timing

overhead valve, two valves per cylinder, variable valve timing

Ignition system

coil near plug, platinum-tipped spark plugs, low-resistance spark plug wires

coil near plug, platinum-tipped spark plugs, low-resistance spark plug wires

Fuel delivery

direct fuel injection with Active Fuel Management

direct fuel injection with Active Fuel Management

Compression ratio

11.0:1

11.0:1

Horsepower

285 HP @ 5,300 RPM (gas – SAE certified)
297 HP @ 5,300 RPM (E85 – SAE certified)

355 HP @ 5,600 RPM (gas – SAE certified)
380 HP @ 5,600 RPM (E85 – SAE certified)

Torque

305 LB-FT @ 3,900 RPM (gas – SAE certified)
330 LB-FT @ 3,900 RPM (E85 – SAE certified)

383 LB-FT @ 4,100 RPM (gas – SAE certified)
416 LB-FT @ 4,100 RPM (E85 – SAE certified)

Maximum engine speed (rpm)

5,800

5,800

Estimated fuel economy (city / hwy)

18 / 24 (2WD)
17 / 22 (4WD)

16 / 23 (2WD)
16 / 22 (4WD)


Safety

Don’t expect the Silverado to lose its five-star crash rating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the “Good” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Electronic safety systems include Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist, and Intellibeam high beam assist. Of course, the full suite of airbags is included.

Prices

Prices for the 2016 Chevy Silverado stay relatively close to prices in 2015. The base MSRP runs $28,290 for a single cab, standard bed configuration in the WT trim. Prices then range to $54,510 for a Silverado Crew Cab with 4WD and the High Country trim. As with any pickup these days, the Silverado’s price varies greatly depending on cab, bed, engine, driveline configuration, trim level, and added options. Though this can get confusion for buyers new to the truck segment, it gives customers the ability to fully customize their rig to fit an exact need.

Competition

2015 Ford F-150

Completely new for 2015, the F-150 brings several game-changing attributes and technologies to the pickup market. Obviously the aluminum body has been making headlines. Amid the controversy, it does shave nearly 700 pounds off the truck’s curb weight. Also new is the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6. The turbocharged engine pulls like a V-8 and offers the fuel economy of a V-6, though you have to stay out of the turbo boost in order to achieve it.

The F-150 has traditionally been the best-selling pickup, but thanks to supply chain and other issues, the Silverado and Sierra have caught up. Pricing for the F-150 starts at $26,030.

You can read our full review here.

2015 Ram 1500

Also gaining sales ground these days is the Ram 1500. The truck takes an unconventional approach to things with its unique five-link coil-spring suspension holding its solid rear axle in place. Higher trim levels also offer a full air suspension system – something not found on any other 1500/150-series trucks.

Power comes from the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6, the mighty 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, or the efficient 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6. All three engines are mated to an electronically controlled, eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, both 2WD and 4WD are available.

Prices for the Ram 1500 start at $25,660 for the base Tradesman trim level. If money is not object, then customers can easily drop $60,000 on the Limited trim level.

You can read more about the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel here.

Conclusion

The 2016 updates to the Silverado pickup will surely help keep sales rolling. Chevrolet has enjoyed record months in the second and third quarters of 2015 with things only expected to get better.

It seems Chevy is doing right by its loyal customers in keeping the Silverado fresh – even if these updates are mostly cosmetic. The addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also key for this market. Chevy says its owners are the heaviest users of any brand’s in-vehicle Wi-Fi services, alluding to a crop of technophiles behind that bowtie.

Finally, if Chevy keeps up with a two-year cycle, the pickup market could be looking at an all-new Silverado in 2018 or 2019. That would land squarely at the time Ford will be doing a mid-cycle refresh on the current F-150. Exciting times surely lay ahead.