First Look: 2016 Chevrolet Silverado

Chevrolet says it's going all in on pickup trucks, the hypercompetitive market segment that has rebounded impressively after being dormant during the great recession. For 2016, Chevy's Silverado takes on an updated exterior appearance, offers more of its optional eight-speed automatic transmission and features Apple CarPlay, a cool technology enhancement that is easy to use and convenient.
The Silverado is an attractive truck that features a newly topographical hood with a lot of contour lines. There is also a new headlight structure that emphasizes a thin, projecter-beam type look. If you opt for upper trim levels, you also get an LED lighting line,

The interior is pretty much the same as the prior year's version, appearance-wise. But the exciting new change is the addition of Apple CarPlay. Chevy says that also on the way sometime next year is Android Auto integration. For now, you operate Apple CarPlay with the 7.0- and 8.0-inch MyLink touch screens.

Add that to Chevy's onboard OnStar 4G LTE data connection and Wi-Fi hot spot, and you have an impressively technologically advanced truck. And Chevy engineers were quite eager to point out how easy the technology is to use, unlike some of its competitors. You'll also be able to charge your phone wirelessly, if you opt for that feature.

Mechanically, a key change is the 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission that comes from the 6.2-liter V-8 engine to some Silverado trim levels with the 5.3-liter V-8. The LTZ and the High Country models with the 6.2-liter take the eight-speed. All other models get the six-speed unit. Ride and handling remain very good by truck standards, with a surprisingly stiff suspension that delivers a solid ride that won't put you through the torture chamber.

Trim levels include the Work Truck, LS, LT, LTZ, and High Country models, and there are regular-cab, double-cab and crew-cab bodies with several bed choices. Two-wheel drive is standard, four-wheel drive is optional. Base prices start at about $28,000 and range to a little over $50,000.

Chevy has shown over the years that it knows how to make a good-looking, highly functional truck that will last and last. With this latest version of the Silverado, it seems to be showing no sign of changing any of those great attributes.