Main Changes and Additions to the 2016 Chevy Silverado

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Another model year, another impressive performance by the engineers over at Chevy. This year, they’ve hit it out of the park with their new Chevy Silverado. The pickup includes subtle restyling changes as well as several additions to the interior, but the truck’s main attributes will remain mostly the same.

While purchasing the newest or most recent model of a particular nameplate is a priority for some car buyers, others aren’t influenced by a vehicle’s year. They’re more focused on securing an excellent deal on an excellent truck, and they’ll probably zoom in on the year-to-year changes (as opposed to, well, the year).

The 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 will see several changes from the 2015 model, and there are also a handful of aspects that will remain the same. Let’s explore how this year’s Silverado is different from previous versions…

Changes

Aesthetically, you’ll notice several significant changes to the new Silverado. The pickup now features a more athletic, angular look that helps confirm the vehicle’s power and performance. Engineers also included new LED signature headlamps that were seamlessly integrated into the pickup’s grille.

“The new 2016 Silverado will build on the Chevy truck legacy of dependability,” said Sandor Piszar, the marketing director for Chevrolet trucks. “New muscular front end designs, sculpted hoods and signature LED lighting accents reflect Silverado’s strength and dependability, which have helped make Silverado the fastest-growing full-size pickup brand this year.”

Meanwhile, the high-strength steel frame doesn’t only make the vehicle safer, but it also influences the vehicle’s capabilities. A lighter design will vicariously improve the vehicle’s handling and power.

Colors

 

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This may not be particularly important to some car owners. However, your Silverado’s paint job can help separate the truck from identical models, so it’s worthwhile to note the colors that are sticking around and those that are retiring. The 2016 Chevy Silverado will see the inclusion of three new color options for this model year:

  • Siren Red Tintcoat
  • Red Hot Exterior color
  • Iridescent Pearl Tricoat

Unfortunately, some color options won’t be sticking around for 2016, including:

  • White Diamond Tricoat
  • Deep Ruby Metallic
  • Victory Red
  • Brownstone Metallic
  • Rainforest Green Metallic

Additions

 

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The new pickup truck will offer a variety of new and revamped features, particularly in the interior. The seven-inch color touchscreen offers the IOB MyLink system, which will displace the previous IO4 Radio technology. Meanwhile, HD Radio will be returning to the pickup after a one-year hiatus. Best of all (especially for the pickup’s younger occupants), the in-vehicle wireless device charging port means your smartphone (or another applicable gadget) will never die.

On the outside of the vehicle, you’ll find the available power-retractable assist steps, which will assist you and your passengers in getting into the tall pickup. The remote locking tailgate will provide you with a sense of security, as your valuable cargo will be locked into place. Meanwhile, the 20-inch chrome clad aluminum wheels will make fellow drivers turn their heads.

Sticking Around

 

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Luckily, our favorite attributes of the upcoming Silverado will be sticking around, including the brand’s legendary truck engines. The small block units are now in their fifth generation, and they’ve obviously seen some minor tweaks from year to year. Still, these engines will deliver the power and dependability that we’ve come to expect.

The 6.2-liter V8 engine is the leader of the bunch, pumping out 420 horsepower and 460 pounds-feet of torque. This results in a best-in-class 12,000-pound towing capacity. Even with all of this power, the engine still delivers an impressive 15 city/21 highway mile per gallon fuel efficiency.

The 5.3-liter V8 is the next in line, with the unit being capable of producing 355 horsepower and 383 feet-pounds of torque. Drivers can lug practically anything with the 11,000-pound towing capacity, and the 16 city/23 highway mpg fuel economy means they won’t have to make constant stops at the pump. Finally, the 4.3-liter V6 offers 285 horsepower, 305 pounds-feet of torque, and a 7,600-pound towing capacity. Drivers can expect the unit to supply an 18 city/24 highway mpg fuel economy.

These towing capacities are of particular importance considering all of the supplemental amenities on the Silverado 1500. The integrated brake control will allow you to manipulate your trailer, and the StabiliTrak technology (with Trailer Sway Control) will assure that your cargo is remaining in the proper lane. Furthermore, the Hill Start Assist mode will provide the traction and extra boost of power necessary to overcome the steepest hills.

The Silverado also delivers it’s always-dependable safety features. When opting for the Active Safety Alert Package, drivers will have access to a number of preventative technologies, including Forward Collision Alert, which will anticipate a potential accident and manipulate the brakes if necessary. Other features include the Lane Keep Assist mode, the IntelliBeam High Beam Assist, the Safety Alert Driver Seat, and Front and Rear Park Assist mode.

The vehicle also contains six standard air bags throughout the cabin, and the body is made of a high-strength steel. That means, in the case of a collision, the Silverado will be doing everything in its power to keep the occupants safe.

If you do find yourself in an emergency, Onstar’s Automatic Crash Response will immediately send emergency personnel. This means you can be rest assured that help won’t be far away.

Of course, perhaps most imporantly, the 2016 Silverado 1500 will continue to be incredibly affordable. Starting at $27,095, you’re not going to find a similar combination of an impressive engine and interior amenities.

The engineers’ strategy for the Chevy Silverado is spot on. They understand that they need to update their pickup to keep it fresh, but they also recognize that the truck is a top seller for a reason. Despite the numerous changes, the brand hasn’t compromised our favorite aspects of the vehicle.

The Chevy Silverado 1500 continues to impress every year, and we’re certain the vehicle’s engineers will continue to come up with creative ways to revamp their truck.