Light-weight work trucks are in as high demand as ever these days, as people look for trucks that offer the right blend of power and performance combined with affordability. One of the trucks ranked near the top of this segment of the truck market is the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500. Really, the term light-weight is deceiving when it comes to the Silverado 1500, as a number of upgrades were added to the 2020 version to make it more powerful than ever. However, not even the increased power tells the whole story of the 2020 Silverado 1500.
Indeed, a powerful engine and class-leading towing capacity are only two of the features of the 2020 Silverado 1500 that have drivers clamoring for this amazing truck. The 2020 Silverado 1500 also offers a ton of variety as there are several different engines to choose from. Plus, it has ample cargo room and a bed that boasts an impressive payload capacity. And when you add the safety features and very solid fuel efficiency ratings into the mix, you are left with a truck that can get the job done safely and without wasting massive amounts of money on gas. In all, the 2020 Silverado 1500 is a fantastic vehicle, and with an in-depth look, that fact will be even further proven.
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The 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 has five different engines to choose from, making it easier than ever to customize the 1500 exactly the way you want it. While some of the engines are designed for pure power, others make the 1500 one of the most fuel-efficient trucks in America. For starters, the 4.3L V6 engine comes standard on a number of the Silverado trims and generates up to 285 hp. With a six-speed automatic transmission, the 4.3L is a great starting point for the Silverado and is undoubtedly the choice many 2020 Silverado 1500 buyers will go for.
Another compelling engine is the 2.7L turbo engine that is even more powerful. The 2.7L makes 310 hp and comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine is also equipped with auto stop/start technology. Next, the 5.3L V8 is even more powerful than the first two options and produces 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. And while this is extremely powerful, there are even more powerful options for those who need them. The most powerful option of all is the 6.2L EcoTec V8 that can make up to 420 horsepower and comes with a ten-speed automatic transmission. It is the 6.2L that can tow over 13,000 pounds making it perhaps the most interesting of the six engine choices. If you want to tow like a boss, you will want to opt for the 6.2L V8.
And finally, the most fuel-efficient of all the engine choices is the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I-6, which gets 23 MPG in the city and up to 33 MPG on the highway. If you choose the Duramax, you will have one of the most fuel-efficient trucks in the country. If you are worried that the increased fuel efficiency comes at the expense of too much power, don’t. The Duramax still gets 277 hp and can tow up to and even slightly over 9,000 lbs. In all, whether you want an everyday driver or a mighty beast, the Silverado 1500 has you covered with its five engine options.
Perhaps the number one reason so many drivers are enamored with the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 is because of its towing and payload capacity. Obviously, no other metric is as important to truck buyers since the very reason for owning a truck is to be able to haul things with it. Whether it be tools for work or toys for the weekend, the 2020 Silverado 1500 tows more than ever before for a truck in its class.
As noted earlier, there are many variations and different configurations available with the 2020 Silverado 1500. You can mix and match cab and bed configuration as well as engine and which trailering package to buy. If you choose the double cab with the standard bed and opt for the 4X4 with available 6.2L V8 engine, you will be rewarded with 13,400 lbs of towing capacity—the best in its class. That kind of towing capability is beginning to creep and infringe on the territory once reserved for the 2500 heavy-duty class of trucks, and it should be more than enough to tow everything from small campers to boats and even machinery for work.
On top of its outstanding towing ability, the 2020 Silverado 1500 can also handle up to 2,250 lbs in its bed. This kind of payload capacity is again a rarity for a 1500 classwork truck and makes the 2020 Silverado 1500 one of the best trucks available today. When you combine both the unbeatable towing capacity and the solid payload capacity, you get an unparalleled, high performing truck. Chevy knows what drivers want, and those who drive the 1500 want plenty of power and towing capacity. And that is exactly what Chevy has given them with the 2020 Silverado 1500.
One of the more surprising categories the 2020 Chevy Silverado scores exceptionally well in is in the area of safety. On a number of its trims, the 1500 comes with an impressive suite of safety technologies, either standard or available. And when you consider how challenging towing a boat, camper, or machinery for work can be, and how precious the cargo in the cabin really is, it is beyond reassuring that the 1500 is as safe a truck as it is.
For starters, the 2020 Silverado 1500 comes with six airbags and daytime running headlamps standard on all trims. If you go with the High Country trim, you also have the option to include automatic emergency braking, which will, in some cases, break for you if your reaction time isn’t quick enough, and a bed view camera to make sure everything is secure while you are on the move. Front and rear park assist are either available or standard (depending on the trim) and make parking the truck not only more convenient but safer too. Hitch guidance with hitch view is also standard on some trims and available on others, making towing just about anything easier and safer than ever.
There is a long list of advanced safety technologies also either standard or available, on a number of the higher trims. These stellar features include lane change alert with blind-zone alert, which will keep you aware of traffic even when you can’t see it, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning, which will alert you if the truck begins to drift into the oncoming lane, and in some cases even begin to steer the truck back into its own lane gently, and rear cross-traffic alert, which lets you know when a pedestrian or object is behind you while you are in reverse.
Finally, Teen Driver comes standard on all trims and allows you to track the decisions your young driver is making behind the wheel. It also can be set to wait a predetermined amount of time before driving if the driver’s seat seatbelt isn’t worn. The entire Teen Driver system is designed to reinforce good driving habits and keep your teen drivers safe while they are still learning the rules of the road. Overall, when you consider this long list of advanced safety features of the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500, you begin to see why this particular truck is so beloved among drivers today.