2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 Silverado 1500, and includes Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado carries over unchanged from last year, with just a few minor updates. A new OnStar 9.0 telematics system includes several new features like Emergency Services, Crisis Assist, and Stolen Vehicle Assistance with Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. The 4.8-liter V8 also makes a smidgen more horsepower than last year, up from 295 to 302, and Chevrolet says it has taken steps to quiet wind noise around the cab. Remaining changes are limited to colors: Steel Green, Victory Red, and Magna Steel are new for 2011.

For 2011, there is a wide variety of Chevy Silverados from which to choose. Cab styles include regular, extended, and crew, and they’re combined with short, standard or long cargo beds. Every Silverado model can be equipped with either two-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).

The Silverado WT, or Work Truck, is the base model, and is designed mainly for commercial use. Standard equipment includes a CD/MP3 player, XM satellite radio, OnStar telematics service, a tilt steering wheel, automatic headlights, a cargo box light, a theft deterrent system, and a full-size spare tire. Select WT trim and an extended or crew cab model, and air conditioning is part of the package. Silverado WT crew cabs also get power door locks with remote keyless entry.

Silverado LS is sold only in extended or crew cab styles. Carpeting, floor mats, cloth seats, power windows, power heated side mirrors, power door locks with remote keyless entry, cruise control are standard on the LS model. It also features a chrome front bumper, chrome steel wheels, and rear privacy glass.

Next up is the popular Silverado LT, which has alloy wheels and a chrome grille to differentiate itself. Inside, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, illuminated visor mirrors, an outside temperature display, and a compass are standard. Many people elect to upgrade the Silverado LT with the Interior Plus Package for its fog lights, 6-way adjustable front bucket seats, big center console, dual-zone automatic climate control, and audio controls on the steering wheel. The Silverado Hybrid includes these features, wrapped in a crew cab body.

The Silverado LTZ is the top trim level. It includes leather, 10-way heated front seats with 2-way power lumbar for the driver and passenger and memory features for the driver’s seat and mirrors. A premium Bose audio system with a USB connection, Bluetooth hands-free calling, remote engine starting, and other features are also included on the ritzy Silverado LTZ. Body-color bumpers signify the top trim on the outside, and the LTZ gets a unique dashboard design with simulated wood and metal trim.

Chevrolet gives 2011 Silverado buyers plenty of options to choose from. Key option packages include the Z71 Off-Road Package (skid plates, off-road suspension and air cleaner), the Convenience Package (power-adjustable pedals, rear park assist), the LTZ Plus Package (Homelink universal transmitter, locking EZ-Lift tailgate), and the Max Trailering Package which increases maximum towing capacity to 10,700 pounds. Additionally, Chevrolet offers a number of national and regional option packages, installed by the factory or the dealer.

Individual options for the Silverado include Bose premium sound, Bluetooth, a rear entertainment system, a power sunroof, a navigation system, remote engine starting, rear parking assist, and a reversing camera system. These represent a mere fraction of the numerous features available on this truck.

A 4.3-liter V6 engine generating 195 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm is standard on the WT Regular and Extended Cab models. Neither fuel-efficient nor powerful, the V6 is cheap and it gets the job done. Fuel economy ratings run between 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

At a minimum, Vehix recommends an upgrade to the 4.8-liter V8 engine. With 302 hp at 5,600 rpm and 305 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm, this E85-compatible engine is more powerful than the V6, but its fuel efficiency is terrible at just 13 mpg in the city (4WD) and 19 mpg on the highway (2WD).

That’s why you should seriously consider spending extra to get the 5.3-liter V8. With Flex Fuel E85-compatibility and Active Fuel Management technology, which allows the engine to run on half of its cylinders under certain conditions, the 5.3-liter V8 provides the best blend of fuel economy and power. Horsepower is rated 315 at 5,200 rpm and torque measures 335 lb-ft of at 4,400 rpm, and fuel economy is estimated at 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway for both 2WD and 4WD models. When installed in the Silverado XFE (Xtra Fuel Economy), a crew cab model, highway fuel economy rises to 22 mpg.

People who haul and tow on a regular basis, or just want the most powerful engine choice, may want the 6.2-liter V8 engine. It makes 403 hp at 5,700 rpm and 417 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm, but the price to be paid for all that power are fuel economy ratings that range between 12 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.

Chevrolet continues to sell a gas/electric hybrid version of the Silverado for 2011. The Silverado Hybrid’s two-mode hybrid system matches a 6.0-liter gasoline V8 with Active Fuel Management technology to a 300-volt nickel metal hydride battery pack power electric assist motors capable of getting the pickup to 30 mph purely on electric power. Available with 2WD or 4WD, the Silverado Hybrid can tow 6,100 pounds, and is rated to get 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Low rolling resistance tires and regenerative brakes are also part of the package.

One of three transmissions is installed in the 2011 Silverado, depending on engine choice. A basic four-speed automatic with a tow/haul mode is included with the 4.3-liter V6 and 4.8-liter V8 engines. The 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8 engines get a modern six-speed automatic. The Silverado Hybrid has an electrically variable transmission, or EVT in Chevrolet’s parlance.

You can get an optional 4WD system on any Silverado. The least expensive choice is a traditional floor-mounted transfer case with a manual shifter. Spend more and get the sophisticated Autotrac system, which automatically engages 4WD as soon as the wheels slip.

Got the powertrain part figured out? Good, because now you have to choose between five suspensions. If ride comfort is the priority, stick with the Z83 suspension. For better handling and light-duty towing, the Z85 suspension is available. The Z60 suspension is equipped with 20-inch wheels and tires and is aimed at delivering maximum paved-road grip. Off-road enthusiasts will want the Z71 suspension. Finally, for regular towing and hauling, the Z82 suspension is the best choice. For 2011, the Chevy Silverado can carry a maximum payload of 1,928 lbs., when properly equipped.

For safety’s sake, Chevrolet equips every Silverado with antilock brakes; front, side, and side curtain airbags; and OnStar telematics with a free year of Safe and Sound service including Automatic Crash Notification, Crisis Assist, and Emergency Services. A stability control system with roll mitigation is standard on all Silverados with a V8 engine. Optional safety features include rear park assist and a reversing camera.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has modified the way that it conducts crash tests for 2011, and has put all three cab styles through the new testing procedures. Here are the results:

Regular and Extended Cab:

• Driver in a frontal crash = 5 Stars

• Front passenger in a frontal crash = 4 Stars

• Front seat occupant in a side-impact = 5 Stars

• Rear seat occupant in a side-impact = 5 Stars (Extended cab)

• Side Pole crash rating = 5 Stars

• Rollover resistance = 4 Stars

Crew Cab:

• Driver in a frontal crash = 4 Stars

• Front passenger in a frontal crash = 5 Stars

• Front seat occupant in a side-impact crash = 5 Stars

• Rear seat occupant in a side-impact crash = 5 Stars

• Side Pole crash rating = 5 Stars

• Rollover resistance = 4 Stars

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 2011 Silverado a Good rating in the frontal offset crash test, an Acceptable rating in the side-impact test, and an Acceptable rating for rear crash protection. The IIHS has not performed its roof crush strength test on the Silverado as this review is written.

The Silverado’s reliability is predicted to be average by both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates.

The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado is a solid truck. We’d like to see reliability ratings improved, but in terms of sheer variety the Silverado can be tailored to meet very specific needs. We’re fans of the Silverado Hybrid in particular, even though its comparatively low towing rating might turn a full-size truck buyer off. Plus, the reality is that if you’re doing lots of highway driving and very little city trucking, the 5.3-liter V8 is the better way to go. Regardless of which model you choose, Vehix recommends the 2011 Silverado.