Chevrolet Silverado 2018 Review

What you need to know about Australia's first real American truck

We love:

• Raw strength
• Massive power output and towing ability
• Useable storage thoughtfully maximised

Pain points:

• Round, not iconic square wheel arches on the version for Australia

Chevrolet Silverado 2018 review

Under the HSV label, it will be available in five variations, including a base model, Custom Sports edition, Midnight Edition, 2500 and the flagship 3500HD.

"The pinnacle of General Motors Range and America's best-selling vehicle and best selling full-size ute."

Chevrolet Silverados will arrive from April 2018, undergoing a right-hand-drive conversion at HSV in Clayton, in Melbourne's East, before being released to the 56 HSV dealer showrooms around Australia.

Exterior of the Chevrolet Silverado

The Chevrolet Silverado coming to Australia retains the 'American truck' stance, softened by rounded rather than square wheel arches, and a lighter built chassis that's seven percent more aerodynamic and 204 kg lighter. Doors, bonnet and tailgate are now aluminium.

Chevrolet Silverado debuts in Australia - Image courtesy of Car Advice

It's just as well too, as the top spec version of the Chevrolet Silverado currently sold in the USA would require the driver to have a full truck licence here in Australia.

The truck bed offers 1,200 by 2,400 millimetres of lockable cargo space on a high-strength steel floor, with 12 fixed tie-down points and 9 movable anchor points. There's also task lighting, a power tailgate, 120V power outlet, and larger bumper steps to accommodate steel-capped boots. The rounded wheel arches can accommodate tyre sizes up to 33-inches.

Inside the Chevrolet Silverado

Inside the Chevrolet Silverado, there's tons of room to get comfortable or create your own mobile office. Top spec models get heated leather bucket seats, 10-way power adjustment for driver and passenger seats, and 2-position driver memory.

Chevrolet Silverado - interior before conversion in Melbourne, Image courtesy of Car Advice.

The Chevrolet Silverado has always had a powerful air-conditioning system, which will now have rear air vents allowing dual zone climate control, keeping passengers and driver cool in the hottest Australian summer.

The steering wheel in the top spec model is leather wrapped, with a driver information centre behind the steering wheel, and airbags throughout, including rear side-impact airbags.

Storage is everywhere, with cubby holes even in the rear seat backrests big enough to put a small laptop, books or even your lunch. If there's no centre seat, the storage console is big enough to hold hanging file folders for your mobile office.

Connectivity

An 8-inch colour touchscreen connects to the Bose sound system, allowing you to enjoy music from USB, Bluetooth or radio. Voice-activation allows you to safely use your phone for calls or navigation. There's also wifi connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless phone charging.

The 12-speaker sound system makes sure you don't miss a beat, reversing camera, blind-spot monitor and parking sensors mean that manoeuvring this beast is practical too if you venture into town.

What's it like to drive the Chevrolet Silverado?

The powerful 6.6L V8 engine puts out an enormous 332kW and 1,234Nm, giving it a massive towing capacity of between 3.5 and 6.1 tonne and payload of 1,140 to 1,848 kilograms, depending on the specs and configuration selected.

Chevrolet SIlverado, white, to be sold under HSV label in Australia - image courtesy of Car Advice.

Off-road, performance is confident, with plenty of grunts to handle any terrain competently. A new ten-speed automatic gearbox developed in collaboration with long-time adversary Ford is expected to launch at some point, but until then the power will be delivered via the Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission.

Expect an automatic-locking rear differential and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes.

Who's the Chevrolet Silverado for?

Grey nomads towing their lives around Australia will find that this truck will meet any challenge they throw at it. For anyone looking at a Ford F150, F250, or F350 this offers another option.

"I don't need one, but I want one."

If you're towing horse floats, a caravan or anything huge through the outback, the Silverado has plenty of muscle and off-road capability to get you where you need to go. It's perfect for farming or mining - anywhere you need solid, reliable capacity and comfort isn't the number one priority.

Feature Summary

Price: from $130,000.

Engine: 6.6L Duramax V8 turbo diesel.

Transmission: Allison 1000 six-speed automatic

Wheels: 17 or 18-inch steel, or 20-inch aluminium depending on spec model.

Safety: 5 star ANCAP

AV and tech: 8-inch Chevrolet MyLink audio system

Seats: 4 or 5

Doors: 4

You can finance a Chevrolet Silverado from $630/week*, get a quick quote to find out exactly what it will cost to embrace your true style.

No time to shop around for your car? Just tell us exactly what you want, including the features and colour. We will find the vehicle to match and negotiate the best price for you.

*Over a 5-year loan term.