2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 Motor Trend Test Results: Quicker Than Some From the V-6 Club

When one thinks about a tried-and-true work truck, all of us on staff here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse fully understand that a 6 or 8 cylinder engine is usually perceived as able to get towing and hauling jobs done.  A full-size 5,000 – pound truck is not the most likely place that some would expect to find a thriving 4-cylinder engine, and some may shrug it off as seeming as if it is on the weaker side of the powertrain spectrum. Even after all of the engine downsizing seen during recent years, the staff on duty at Motor Trend were leery about the premise of a 4-cylinder truck, but were immediately very impressed with its responsive and powerful qualities.

Chevy's  2.7-liter turbo four's specs make it look like the V-6 competitor that it is, but there is one key advantage: the 310-hp 2.7-liter engine has 348 of torque that is generated from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm, so quick response comes easy. This results in a much quieter cabin as well, and the team's 2020 Silverado 1500 RST tester hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. This is quicker than the Ford F-150 XL with a 3.3-liter V-6 and the Ram 1500 Tradesman with  the 3.6-liter V6. Also within the Silverado family, a 5.3-liter LT Trail Boss with the 8-speed automatic reached 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, and the 4.3-liter-equipped work truck got to 60 in 7.2 seconds.

Understandably, one may miss the sound of the naturally aspirated V-8, but at the 2020 Truck of the Year testing, this new 2.7 powertrain met a high level of praise. Features editor Scott Evans said after testing the truck with a 4,000-pound trailer that “This thing pulls like there's nothing there”, and that anyone who says this engine doesn't belong in a truck should just “drive it for themselves”. It remains quiet even with large crosswinds, and the steering is well-weighted and precise.

You'll be able to find this 2.7-liter engine as an option on the WT, Custom, LT, and RST trims, and nail down a towing capacity of 6-7,000 pounds. It may be a bit surprising to not have the consistently heavy rumble underneath you as you complete the daily drive as well as hauling and towing, but the miracles of modern engineering has changed the way how 4-cylinders are perceived. It was just a decade or so ago that any truck with a 4-cylinder engine was going to be thought of immediately as a tiny number that could potentially go anywhere, but not have the ability to pull its weight.

Driving like a pickup yet better, it heaves over bumps as a unit, with the ability to settle well. As the temperatures drop and the festive season is upon us in full force, its a great time to check out this and all of the other trucks here on the lot, and figure out which friend or family member would be the best recipient of the greatest gift one can give AND receive!

2020 Chevy Silverado Diesel Beats Ford F-150 With MPG Rating's Top Current Spot

Car and Driver were the bearers of the good news this week within the diesel truck realm that is so important to many loyal customers right here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse: the 2020 Chevy Silverado with its optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel Duramax inline-six engine is rated at up to 33 mpg highway by the EPA. This successfully leads the race over the Ford F-150's diesel by 3 mpg during the rear-wheel-drive comparison of both these burly trucks. It has for now claimed the very top spot as far as efficiency, and the diesel is optional on both the double-cab and crew-cab models.

The Ford F-150 Power Stroke's diesel highest ratings are 22 mpg city, and 30 mpg highway for rear-wheel-drive models and 21 mpg city/ 28 mpg highway for four-wheel-drive models. Three miles a gallon is quite a monumental advantage in a race where engineers put in many hours of hard work and exercise painstaking precision to gain just fractions of a gallon. Overall fuel efficiency and the ability to be a true powerhouse when towing are two of the reasons why the diesel choice is viable, and anyone who is no stranger to the staggering weight of elements such as tree trunks and horses can testify to this.

Chevy engineers were hard at work the entire duration of development using an array of tools to maximize the all-important fuel economy stat. Due to the extreme smoothness of the straight-six engine, the new Duramax did not see the need for a balance shaft, which reduces vibration but can make for an unnecessary drain on the engine. Speaking of which, there are three different fans that are used to properly cool the engine down to optimum temperature, and avoid constant pull on the truck's vital power source.

Many new buyers are flocking to diesel-powered light-duty pickups, and you can haul an important load with confidence knowing diesel is providing the muscle to pave the way. Thanks to the very modern technology of the turbocharger, 95 percent of the offered up torque is in production at just 1,250 rpm, so the only time you will run into lag is when you get heavy with the ignition foot immediately off the line. Hitting the 60 mph mark can be unofficially accomplished in about 8.7 seconds, and this is a truck that has a reputation for always feeling quick and agile.

The diesel power has in no way affected the excellent ride or handling quality, and constructing the new model out of aluminum means that Chevy has avoided massive additional weight gain to the nose. Summer months are times when projects see extended hours, rigging duty become that much more vital, and unexpected phone calls come in requesting double-duty effort. As climate change stays at the forefront of headlines and all of us involved in the auto industry take notice, we still pay heavy homage to diesel: There's something to be said for the source that undeniably “brings the noise” in terms of earning your keep for the constantly demanding road.