Styling: The 2012 Silverado’s styling will stand pat, relying for one final year. If it continues to offer a gas-electric Silverado, the Hybrid would again lend its aerodynamic front fascia to the Chevy Silverado 1500 XFE (Xtra Fuel Economy) model; both would probably continue only as crew cabs. That means the 2012 Silverado WT, LS, and LT models would get a basic design Chevy calls “pure pickup.” The 2012 Silverado’s V-6 would continue at 195 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.
Chevy trucks in the past, including the current Chevy Silverado, tended to go the traditional route. The 2009 Chevy Silverado, with its stacked square headlights and wide, flat grille, looks like the Chevy pickups of the '90s, the '80s, and the '70s (maybe even the '60s, too). Will the interesting fender flares from the 2007-2009 Chevy Silverado stay? Ancillary models like the Chevy Avalanche, and compact trucks like the Chevy Colorado, are the appropriate place for design bravado. These trucks are less grounded in (or stuck in?) tradition and can showcase the design talents in Detroit. The Chevy Silverado probably will not feature a sloping grille, or car-like headlight clusters, or anything too radical. If you change the truck too much, you'll anger the loyalists; if you don't change enough, you'll lose the guys who want the best truck, or the younger guys who haven't found their brand yet. I just hope Chevy gets it right.
New front-end designs, available heated/cooled seats (LTZ models) and a special White Diamond Edition enhance appearance and comfort, and a new navigation radio delivers on connectivity. Silverado also offers segment-exclusive OnStar and SiriusXM satellite radio, as well as Bluetooth and USB connectivity – and a dealer-installed Wi-Fi system.
With the exception of Hybrid models, all Silverado 1500s now feature Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist as part of the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, enhancing performance under a variety of driving and trailering conditions
LS and LT models now feature a silver-painted lower bumper fascia that is more aerodynamic on 2WD models without tow hooks, and a new 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheel.
Two new interior color combinations are available: Dark Titanium/Light Titanium and Dark Cashmere/Light Cashmere.
Cruise control and a spare tire lock are now standard on all Silverado 1500 models.
Content includes a unique White Diamond Tricoat exterior color, chrome mirror caps and door handles, and body side moldings with chrome accents on LT models. The LTZ version adds the Z60 high-performance suspension package, 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels, touring tires and a chrome tow hook and exhaust tip package.
Customers seeking a more rugged-looking Silverado can choose the Z71 Off-Road Appearance Package. Silverado offers a number of technical features that enhance its capability for both work and recreation, including new navigation radio. For work sites, Chevy WiFi offers instant access to online ordering sites, municipal sites with building permits and building code information and more. Silverado also offers comprehensive confidence and control features.