One hundred years of engineering and the growl of the 5.3L V8 ECOTEC3 engine provoked a big grin on my face as I started up Chevrolet’s Centennial Edition Silverado Z71. The bold front end mated to the truck’s stance with special commemorative badging was just a hint of the awesomeness I would enjoy as my family and I departed for Seminole Canyon State Park, located near the Mexico/U.S. border in Texas.
Chevy is no stranger to quality-built trucks and the 2018 Silverado 1500 LTZ with the Z71 package is no exception. Three powertrain options are offered, including a 4.3L V6 with variable valve timing, putting out 285 hp and 305 lb.-ft. of torque, averaging 17/22 mpg in the four-wheel drive version; a 5.3L V8 with variable valve timing, putting out 355 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque, averaging 16/20 mpg in the four-wheel drive version; and a stout 6.2L V8 with variable valve timing, putting out 420 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque, averaging 15/20 mpg. Our crew cab test vehicle’s 5.3L V8 provided plenty of power when needed, though fuel efficiency really suffered with the Patriot Campers X2 camper in tow, delivering a paltry 11.5 mpg at highway speeds despite the truck having an eight-speed automatic transmission and trailer tow rating of 11,700 lb. This is relevant as the trailer, fully loaded as it was for our journey to Seminole Canyon, weighed about 1,800 lb. I’m curious how the larger, stouter 6.2L V8 performs with a comparably sized trailer in tow.
Despite this, Chevy’s Silverado Z71 is extremely comfortable regardless of trip length. Rancho monotube shocks provide excellent feel when traveling both on and off pavement and, while I would choose a more appropriate all-terrain tire for more extensive vehicle-based adventures, the 22” wheels and tires on our test vehicle were admittedly smooth on the highway though not practical when driving off road. And speaking of off-pavement travel, the four-wheel drive system is simple to engage when the terrain requires its use.
Speaking of the suspension, Chevy utilizes an independent coil-over up front with Rancho monotube shock. The rear is a solid axle with a 3.42 gear ratio utilizing the same monotube Rancho shocks with a semi-elliptical, variable rate, two-stage multileaf spring system. In case you’re not sure what a semi-elliptical leaf spring set-up is, it essentially features two extra full-length leaves that are pre-stressed to equalize the stress on all leaves. For this application, payload is 2,120 lb., which is plenty should you desire a Four Wheel Pop-Up Camper, Phoenix Camper, Alu-Cab Khaya Camper, or comparable sleeping enclosure for the back of your adventure set-up.
One item I noted earlier, and my only real complaint with the drivability of the Silverado Z71, was the decrease in fuel efficiency when the truck was towing the X2 Camper. I’ve noticed that every vehicle I’ve ever driven typically loses fuel efficiency anytime the vehicle is under the duress of a trailer, regardless of the towing capacity of the vehicle. This isn’t a surprise as any significant additional weight puts more strain on the engine, obviously impacting its fuel efficiency. What concerns me is the percentage of fuel efficiency affected by having a trailer of this size connected to the truck. I easily accomplished an average of 19.7 mpg without the trailer in tow; however, for the 800-mile round trip journey to Seminole Canyon State Park, fuel efficiency dropped by a staggering 41%. Part of this can be attributed to using cruise control during long, straight stretches of pavement along I-10 heading west from Houston toward San Antonio; however, my speed was consistent at 72-73 mph in an area where the speed limit was 75 mph, and such a reduction seemed to be far too significant given the clear conditions and mild outside temperature which hovered around 65 degrees F. I will note I’ve had comparable reductions in fuel efficiency with my 100 Series Land Cruiser; however, that vehicle is 15 years old and mated to a bulletproof yet highly underpowered 4.7L V8.
All that aside, I really like this truck. The interior is quite handsome with leather seating that’s comfortable not only up front but for passengers in the rear as well. I did find the MyLink Radio to be a bit fidgety when utilizing the Apple CarPlay feature and I’d like to see Chevrolet move the radio tuner closer to the driver so it’s easier to reach. I discussed this with the folks at Chevrolet and was told that more than likely, any problems related to the CarPlay feature are attributable to using Apple Lightning cables not made by Apple (i.e. cables purchased from a gas station, etc). Despite this one snafu, everything else in the truck worked wonderfully and I found the layout of the instrument cluster intelligent and simple to read and understand. The heated and vented seats are a nice feature and I found myself often using the heated seats as a muscle relaxer while driving the long stretch of freeway on our journey. Other nice interior features include bountiful USB and charging ports throughout the cabin, an integrated trailer brake controller which I used on our trip, a heated steering wheel, front and rear park assist, power sunroof, and robust Bose audio system. It’s a nice truck and my neighbors clamored over it while it sat in our driveway the week we had it in our possession.
As for cost, the base 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ starts at $49,190. Our test vehicle, outfitted with the Z71 and Centennial Edition packages, came in at $58,635. That’s a lot of coin and is consistent with other comparably outfitted full-sized trucks in this market segment. I will note that I continue to be amazed at how expensive new vehicles are getting and, while I recognize that many of the creature comforts consumers are demanding add cost to the end product, I keep getting this feeling that consumers need to be more discerning about what they’re willing to pay for a new vehicle. I know I can’t speak for everyone who reads OutdoorX4 but dang, $58k is $58k! But alas, in a world where technology drives so much of what we do, I understand the cost of admission and feel the Centennial Edition of Chevrolet’s Silverado Z71 is a worthwhile truck for anyone looking to escape the daily grind and head out for a comfortable adventure into the backcountry. If you require a truck with more payload than the aforementioned 2,120 lb. then I’d suggest a look at the 2500 Silverado. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong and will be quite pleased with a brand that’s been engaged with the truck market for 100 years.