In the US, the Big Three take their battle for supremacy in the truck market seriously.  Ford has locked up the top slot in the market with its F series, but the Chevy Silverado follows closely behind as the second-most popular vehicle in the US, selling over 30,500 a month.  Second may not be first, but you simply can’t go wrong buying a heavy-duty truck from either of the Big Three US automakers.

The 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT Regular Cab is the higher of two trim levels.  It has a 4.8 liter V8 engine that produces 302 horsepower and 308 pound-feet of torque.  It has 17-inch steel wheels, rear-wheel drive, and a 4-speed automatic transmission.  It is rated at 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.  It can tow up to 9100 pounds, and carry up to 1957 pounds in its 6.6 foot bed.

The 1500 LT comes with a leather-wrapped, tilt-only steering wheel, a 40/20/40 split bench front seat with manual lumbar support for the driver, cruise control, cloth upholstery, standard air conditioning, automatic headlights, and a trip computer.  The audio system has 4 speakers, AM/FM/satellite radio, a CD/MP3 player, and an audio jack.

The 1500 LT also has stability control, traction control, side front airbags, side curtain airbags, and antilock brakes.  The Silverado 1500 got perfect scores from both the government and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in front impact tests, but didn’t get it tested for side impact after installing side airbags.

Conclusions and driver feedback:

The interior is fairly spartan, as it is in most heavy-duty trucks.  The design is practical and well-laid out, but the materials are fairly hard, and there really aren’t a lot of distinguishing characteristics adorning the cabin.  There is plenty of  cabin space, though, with abundant headroom and legroom.  The seats themselves are quite comfortable, which is an upgrade from the “old school” work truck.

The Silverado may be comfortable, but it is still essentially a work truck.  The steering is a bit easier than you might expect, though, and the ride is very compliant for a truck.  The engine has enough power for decent acceleration and smooth running on the highway, and it doesn’t labor or make much noise.

All in all, this is a good truck for someone who needs a heavy-duty truck, but doesn’t have to really put it through the wringer.  If you don’t need to tow more than 9,000 pounds or haul more than 1,900 pounds on a daily basis, this truck will probably fulfill your needs.  If you need more, Chevy has three more sizes: the 2500, the 3500  Classic, and the 3500 HD.

It’s funny: Chevy and Ford have battled for supremacy for over 60 years now.  They both have iconic vehicles and vehicles that failed.  They both have unparallelled brand identities.  But when it comes to their pickup trucks, they have a lot more in common than either company realizes or wants to realize.

The verdict: highly recommended.

MSRP: 26,810

The 2011 Chevy Silverado LT is the highest of two trim levels. It has a lot of add-ons that the lower trim, the Work Truck, doesn’t. The Silverado LT is a nice combination of power, durability, and enough features to keep those who want it for more than work satisfied.

The Silverado LT features a 4.8 liter, V8 flex-fuel engine that puts out 302 horsepower. It has 18-inch aluminum wheels and a rear-wheel drive, 6-speed automatic transmission. It is rated at 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the road. Upgrades include 20-inch alloy wheels, a larger engine, and 4-wheel drive.

The LT comes with a lot of interior options that you won’t find in the basic Work Truck. It has keyless entry, cruise control, power accessories, adjustable lumbar support, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The sound system is a Bose with rear speaker controls and a 6-CD changer with am MP3 player, satellite radio, with an optional iPod input and bluetooth.

There are plenty of safety features here. The Silverado LT has anti-lock brakes, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, traction control, and stability control. It got 5-star safety ratings and only took 120 feet to stop from 60 mph. The Silverado also has the GM OnStar system and a trip computer.

Conclusions and driver feedback:

There is plenty to like about the Silverado. It competes well with other trucks in its class. The V8 engine provides plenty of power, both for acceleration and towing. A variety of suspension and towing packages are available as upgrades.

Drivers like the Silverado both for work performance and for more conventional travel. The seats and cabin are very comfortable on long trips, and the truck steers and drives very smoothly. The ride is also smooth and quiet. User reviews are almost off the charts. Everything from the look to the ride to dependability are cited as being pluses.

There isn’t really a lot of negative feedback. Some feel the interior is a bit boring. Some don’t like the turning radius, which is a little bit wide. Some would prefer higher gas mileage. But really, when it comes to the main reasons people buy trucks, most of the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Versatility seems to be a trend in the feedback. Buyers use this truck for commuting, hauling, or towing, and all are satisfied. While the Silverado doesn’t do anything really better than anyone else, it does almost everything as well as everyone else. Minor quibbles about its appearance aside, the Silverado has no major flaws. Better yet, there are so many upgrades and packages available that it would be really difficult for anyone to not be satisfied with this truck.

So, whether you want a work truck that looks good enough to take out on Saturday night, or you just want to commute, the Silverado is a great choice.

The verdict: the Silverado LT holds its own with any truck in its class.

Advertised Asking price – $988

Miles: 180,078

This cheap 2 door Silverado is white in color, has a cloth interior and is an 8 cylinder diesel turbo, this truck is a rear wheel 2WD.

Installed options include ABS brakes, AM/FM radio, chrome bumpers, front bench seat, reading lights, tachometer.  For more information on this truck potential buyers will need to make contact with the dealer.

Dealer contact information – Jumbo Auto & Truck Plaza PH:1-888-375-9379 1640 S State Road 7 Hollywood, FL 33023

Photo – 1995 Chevrolet Silverado