The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 looks like a truck. That’s because it is one, but in the LS trim, which falls down to the bottom of the lineup, it’s a classic truck. It isn’t trying to be your luxury ride. It isn’t trying to impress the neighbors. It’s just a truck being a truck with the safety, technology, and features you want without stratospheric pricing.
That’s the thing with trucks these days. Yeah, get off my lawn, but trucks didn’t used to be outrageously expensive luxury rides that made everyone driving one look like an oil baron. They did a job, whether that job was hauling stuff for work or hauling stuff for the yard on weekends. They were workhorses.
The Silverado offers that old-school truck mentality in the LS, although you can go crazy and get the LTZ Z71 and pay an extra $12K to make your truck look all kinds of fancy. The choice is yours, but we really like the simplicity of the LS and its starting price of $32,005 for the 4×4 model. Save another $4K by opting for the two-wheel drive model.
The only extra adornment it gets is a chrome grille surround and chrome front and rear bumpers. It jazzes things up without being too in your face. There’s a standard cornerstep rear bumper that makes getting up into the bed much easier, cargo area lamps, heated power-adjustable mirrors, daytime running lamps, and halogen reflector headlamps. An optional snow prep package is available if you plan to plow the white stuff over the winter. Clean lines and modern styling make it an attractive truck and not busy.
There are options for dressing up your LS a bit more including chrome assist steps and bodyside moldings. Those assist steps, which are also available in black, are a good idea because it’s quite a step up for kids or those who aren’t as agile, like seniors.
The double cab is available only with the standard box with a 1,790-pound maximum payload in addition to 9,200 pounds of towing capacity. Power to move the Silverado comes from a 5.3-liter Ecotec V8 paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It has 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque to easily power the Silverado down the highway. It will never feel light on its feet, but it doesn’t feel ponderous either. Acceleration is strong and pressing the gas at high speeds garners a quick response.
The interior of the Silverado continues the not fancy attitude. Front seats are manually adjustable and comfortable, although not at all plush. They’re also covered in fabric that feels durable with a rougher hand that is more easily washable than finer fabrics. The rear passengers have a full-width folding bench seat. Space is tight in the back and the seat is stiff, so this is for short drives or the kids only. Taking a road trip in the backseat would be uncomfortable.
The infotainment system features Chevrolet MyLink with a 4.2″ diagonal color screen that is quite small compared to what’s in pricier cars and trucks. Our test model didn’t have a rear view camera, but the small screen would make using the image shown there a challenge. MyLink includes AM/FM/SirisusXM satellite radio with a 6-speaker sound system, USB ports, auxiliary jacks, and an SD card slot. There’s also a single slot CD player for anyone who actually still has CDs.
Safety features include StabiliTrak with roll avoidance, electronic trailer sway control, and hill start assist. There is a tire pressure monitoring system, daytime running lamps, and OnStar Directions with 6 months of complimentary service. Lane departure warning and an integrated trailer brake controller are available, but only on higher trim levels.
The 2015 Chevy Silverado LS offers the key features you need in a truck. It has plenty of room for cargo, ample towing capacity, and safety features to help you stay in control. The infotainment system is minimal and the interior is more utilitarian than plush making this a traditional truck for someone who wants a truck that will do the job, not a living room on wheels.
2015 Chevrolet Silverado Double Cab/Standard Box LS
Base Price: $32,005
Price As Tested: $32,005 (not including destination charge)
Likes
- Affordable Price
- Controlled Ride
- No Unnecessary Frills
Dislikes
- Infotainment Screen is Too Small
- Rear Seating is Not Comfortable
