2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Pickups Top F-Series and Ram in Fuel Economy with EPA 23 MPG Highway for V8

Last updated in 2007, the Silverado needs to claw back some sales from Ford F-Series and Ram.

In a one-two punch, Chevrolet and GMC announced the best load capacity and fuel economy of any V8 pickup for the 2014 Silverado and Sierra pickups at an EPA estimated 23 mpg highway. The trucks also have better fuel economy and higher load capacity at a maximum of 11,500 pounds than the 2013 model Ford EcoBoost V6.

In what will be a closely fought battle starting later this spring during a complicated, staggered roll-out, both Chevrolet and GMC said that base prices carry over from current models. Silverado regular cab (only 10% of mix) starts at $24,585 with destination; double cab is $28,610 and the crew cab (currently 50% at Chevy and projected to go +65% of mix projected at GMC) starts at $32,710.

GMC equivalent models range from $25,085, $29,110 to $33,210. GM claimed that option prices would be similar to 2013. In this highly profitable business – as much as $10,000 or more per pickup – GM has been lagging in the sales with a lineup last revised in 2007 as it was hurtling toward bankruptcy.

The new upright instrument panel, six-gauge cluster and multiple storage areas is functional and attractive.

Initially only the crew cab models equipped with the all-new 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8, which is expected to power the vast majority of Silverado and Sierra 1500 models, will be available. (Read AutoInformed.com on GM to Face F-Series, Ram with New 2014 Silverado, Sierra Pickups)

The advance in fuel efficiency is made possible by GM’s new EcoTec3 V8 that uses direct injection, cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing to achieve EPA estimates of 16 mpg city and 23 highway with two-wheel drive or 16/22 with four-wheel drive. GM claimed that in addition to highway estimates that are 2 mpg higher than a comparable 2013 Ford, and 3 mpg higher than Ram, The new V8 fuel economy estimates also measure higher than those of the 2013 Ford F-150 EcoBoost V6, an expensive option, whose long-term durability is unknown. (Read AutoInformed on Class Action Suit Filed Against F-150 EcoBoost Engines for Stalling)

GM will also offer later this year a standard 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 engine that is expected to offer exceptional torque and towing capability for a standard V6 (less than 10% of current mix), and an all-new 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8, with more power, torque, and towing capability than the 5.3-liter V8. Final performance data and EPA estimates for these engines will be available in the coming months

GM is boasting that it is building on 58 years of V8 experience (Ford has decades more experience going back to the flathead V8, of course) and trillions of real-world miles. Hopping conservative truck buyers will accept “the peace of mind that comes with a proven a V8 design, albeit one with state of the art engine technology that is light years distant from the first small-block V8.

Buyers of all 2014 Silverado and Sierra pickups also will get standard scheduled maintenance program for two years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. Up to four maintenance visits are included in the price of the vehicle, each one of which includes a regularly scheduled oil change, oil filter replacement, tire rotation and multi-point vehicle inspection, based on the schedule in the vehicle owner’s manual. The maintenance is transferable.

An initial analysis by AutoInformed indicates that the trucks are good, but the question lingers – will they be good enough against Ford’s F-Series and Dodge’s Ram line, both with considerable marketplace momentum, and both with their own unique selling points from recent revisions.